Dr. John MacArthur’s False Teachings
Cursed is the man that trusts in man (Jeremiah 17:5—Bible)
Jesus Christ put His trust in no man as He knew what was in man (John 2:24-25)
Dear readers,
I am sharing my letter regarding Dr. John MacArthur. Thank you for taking the time to read and consider.
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Dear ———
I trust you are being blessed today. In this day and age of antichrists we must be so careful of whom we listen to. The apostasy is grave!
I want you to know that I am calling John MacArthur a false teacher. I will not turn my back on Jesus Christ and not call him a heretic. If I would not stand before you regarding this, I know I would be denying my Savior. Anyone who blasphemes the blood of Christ, is a wicked, vile, false teacher. This blood disassociation fact would hurt and anger any true believer who truly has been born again and washed in the precious blood of Christ. Without the shedding of blood, there is no forgiveness of sins!!!!
Hebrews 9:14 “ How much more shall the blood of Christ who through the eternal Spirit offered himself without spot to God, purge your conscience from dead works to serve the living God? And for this cause, He is the mediator of the new testament”…This is what communion is all about. 1 John 1:7 states the blood of Christ cleanses us from all sin.
Yes, John MacArthur is a false, wicked teacher!
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_F._MacArthur
From Wikipedia:
…The controversy concerning the efficacy of the blood stems from MacArthur’s statement that it is not the literal liquid blood of Christ that saves, but his sacrificial death on the cross, a view that he espoused in an article titled, “Not His Bleeding, but His Dying,” published in the May 1976 issue of the Grace to You family paper that is distributed to his church.
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MacArthur says the blood of Christ “could not save” and “it was not the FLUID that saved us, it was the DEATH of Christ.”
Ten years later, in a letter to Tim Weidlich, MacArthur stated:
“Obviously, it was not the blood of Jesus that saves or He could have bled for us without dying. It was His death for sin that saves. When Romans 3:25 speaks of ‘faith in His blood’ everyone understands that to be a reference to His death — not the blood running through His body. In Romans 5:9, being ‘justified by His blood’ also refers to His death, as verse 10 makes clear in saying ‘we were reconciled to God by the death of His Son.’ In fact, the careful explanation of salvation in Romans 6 omits any reference to His blood at all. The point is that the shedding of blood was just the visible indication of His death, His life being poured out. … I admit that because of some traditional hymns there is an emotional attachment to the blood — but that should not pose a problem when one is dealing with theological or textual specificity. I can sing hymns about the blood and rejoice with them — but I understand that reference to be a metonym for His death.”
On page 237 of John MacArthur’s commentary on Hebrews, he states that it is “not Jesus’ physical blood that saves us, but His dying on our behalf.” In a letter to Mr. Tim Weidlich, dated April 4, 1986, MacArthur wrote, “Obviously, it was not the blood of Jesus that saves or He could have bled for us without dying. …Yes, the blood of Christ is precious – but as precious as it is – it could not save.”
MacArthur is clear “Nothing in his human blood saves. His shed blood represents His sacrificial death for us.” (Grace to You”, 1976)
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Regarding Paul’s Conversion:
From MacArthur’s Website:
http://www.gty.org/Resources/Sermons/90-296
John MacArthur:
“Now this becomes very clear throughout the Scripture, not just Romans 8. So I want to do a little Bible study with you, go back to Romans 1 and I think you’re going to enjoy this, and it’s going to stretch you into a wonderful new category of understanding. Paul…Romans 1:1, “A bondservant of Christ Jesus, called as an Apostle, set apart for the gospel of God.” He’s a good one to look at for this kind of call because when the call of God came on the life of the Apostle Paul, it was a sovereign divine gracious and irresistible summons. He was slammed in to the dirt on the road to Damascus with nothing to do but respond, he is called as an Apostle. Down in verse 6 he’s talking about the obedience of faith in verse 5, obeying the gospel, among whom you also are the called. You are the called ones of Jesus Christ to all who are beloved of God in Rome, called saints, called holy ones. You are the called, the holy ones, the ones called out.
Look at 1 Corinthians chapter 1 verse 1, again “Paul called an Apostle.” He doesn’t mean that’s his title, he means he was called by God, by the will of God to be an Apostle of Jesus Christ. And again, it wasn’t something that he could resist. Verse 2, “To the church of God which is at Corinth, to those who have been sanctified in Christ Jesus, saints by calling.” So whatever this calling is, it makes you a saint. In Romans 8 it justifies you. Here it sanctifies you. And down in verse 9, “God is faithful through whom you were called into fellowship with His Son, Jesus Christ our Lord.” You were called into the fellowship that you enjoy with the Lord Jesus Christ, called by God. Over in verse 23, “We preach Christ crucified, to the Jews a stumbling block, to Gentiles foolishness, but to those who are…here it is again…the called both Jews and Greeks, Christ is the power of God and the wisdom of God.” Now follow this. If you are among the called, then when Christ crucified is preached, He becomes to you the power of God and the wisdom of God. To the Jews a stumbling block, to the Gentiles it’s foolishness, but to the called whether Jew or Gentile, Christ is the power of God and the wisdom of God…Paul understood that he was just grabbed by the neck by God and awakened to the glory of Christ and saved and made an Apostle…”
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I, Val, have to say nowhere does the Bible say Paul was grabbed by the neck and was slammed in the dirt. This is a lie! This sounds most hateful like a newly enlisted soldier saying yes, sir, because he has no choice after being slapped around by his sergeant.
Paul saw the light and fell to the earth that is what Scripture states and it cannot be added to or subtracted from (Acts 9:3-4). God did not grab Him by the neck and slam him to the earth. This is horrendous blasphemy! To say he had no choice is wrong.
Paul, at this point wanted to chose to follow Christ and He did. He fell in love with Savior and chose to follow.
Yes, Paul was chosen, but he also chose. He had a free will. He was not a robot. God wooed him to Himself, he was not grabbed by the neck by a God who makes us bend at the knee without a choice. I have witnessed people come to Christ. They do not act like they are being grabbed by the neck and lose all their normal reasoning. It is clear that they are loved to Christ and therefore choose Him.
It is not because we have no choice because God is mean to His children. God woos us onto Himself and we choose Him. We can take no credit, positively. We are saved by His loving grace as He removes the blindness of doubt and unbelief from our heart so we see the truth and receive Him.
It seems what Mr. MacArthur stated regarding Paul contradicts a following statement by Mr MacArthur. With Paul, he presented there was no free will in his false presentation of his conversion” “And again, it wasn’t something that he could resist.”
But below is a later statement in this same sermon which appears to contradict what he presented with Paul. He says he does believe in free will and no one came to Christ because they were coerced:
“Well all of that is really needless because that’s not what Scripture says. No one was ever saved against their will. No one was ever brought into the Kingdom kicking and screaming, protesting. No one was ever saved who was dragged against the grain of having dug their heels in. That is not what Scripture teaches. No one has ever been saved against his will, no one ever will be. Everybody who is saved is saved because they will to believe the gospel. In fact, they will with all their heart and soul to believe the gospel. No one is ever saved without being willing. It is an act of the will to believe. The question is, what made them willing? Or better, who made them willing? Was it them? Was it the preacher? That’s what we would have to conclude in that kind of system. Somehow it’s them in the end and somehow though they were not willing they became willing, they found…they found somewhere they could get a hold of a boot strap and pull themselves up out of unwillingness into willingness. Or the preacher smashed their resistance and by his preaching he made them willing.”
John MacArthur’s heresy regarding Christ the Son:
John MacArthur teaches that although Jesus is eternal, He is not the eternal Son of God. He writes, “Son is an incarnational title of Christ. It is an analogy to say that God is Father and Jesus is Son…God’s way of helping us understand the essential relationship between the first and second persons of the Trinity…Christ was not Son until His incarnation”. (Commentary to the Hebrews, pp. 27, 28)
MacArthur is a false teacher. We wrote to Mr. Weidlich:
“Regarding the Sonship of Jesus. I am only concerned to explain the meaning of Hebrews 1:5. If there was a time when the second member of the Trinity became a son, was begotten; and if the use of the future shall be to me a Son;’ then there must have been a time when He was not.”
Psalm 2:7 refers to Christ being begotten at the time of His millennial rule. He has always been the Son and is referred to “the Son” in the Old Testament as well.
Son of God is referred to in Daniel 3:25 when Christ appeared in the furnace. Psalm 2 refers to God the Son twice “Serve the Lord with fear, and rejoice with trembling. Kiss the Son, lest He be angry, and ye perish from the way, when His wrath is kindled. The Old Testament refers to God the Son throughout.
“And declared to be the Son of God with power, according to the Spirit of Holiness, by the resurrection of the dead” (Romans 1:4).
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I have to ask, why does John MacArthur speak for Israel on the one hand, and on the other hand he participates in Bible Conferences with false teacher, R. C. Sproul, and other false Reformed men? These men despise dispensationalism and refuse to believe in Christ’s millennial rule on the earth, when He will reign in Jerusalem and all of Israel will be saved. Reformed men strongly teach that Israel has no future at all, there will be no millennial kingdom, most prophecies were fulfilled in 70 A.D. and that we should approach the prophetic Scriptures in a non-literal way.
Like most hidden Calvinists today, these men will say Israel has a some future and will leave it at that. They often want to sneak in their teaching so they place a little bit of error in a large amount truth to slowly deceive.
Why does John MacAthur hate the world dispensationalist if he is truly Jewish-friendly? I know Calvinists lie and are deceitful, just as their god Calvin lied and deceived.
This is all crazy to me. You can’t speak out of both sides of your mouth. All is needed if for the Scripture to be read word by word, verse by verse. God made it simple. Everything in the Word explains God’s Word. No complicated, forked tongue theologian is needed. People like John MacArthur like to complicate the Word of God so they sound deeply intelligent or so it seems. What they do is change the Word and this is not allowed! His commentaries remind me of Calvin who always complicated and changed God’s Word. MacArthur is different than Calvin in some of his teaching, but his style very much resembles Calvin.
The Bible makes it clear we are to have no association with false teachers.
Thanks for taking your precious time to listen to me!
In Christ who never lied in His Holy Word and shed His precious blood that men might be saved,
Val Lee
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*Gathered info from various web sources
Revelation Chapters 1-10 Explained
The Throne of God is countless years
beyond our little earth
“The heavens and highest heavens cannot contain Him,” 2 Chronicles 6:18. And the earth is His footstool; Isaiah 66:1
Revelation’s Seven Churches
Revelation 1:3 “Blessed is he who reads and those who hear the words of the prophecy, and heed the things which are written in it; for the time is near.”
John, the loving apostle of Christ, scribed Revelation. He also penned the book of John, and 1-3 letters of John. He was our Lord’s appointed secretary; recording future events in exactness as they frightfully unfolded before him.
At the time of the vision, he was on the island of Patmos for his witness of Christ; Rev. 1:9. Obviously, outrage at the Gospel message provoked the godless to seek his silence. The unsaved also sought the silence of his blood brother, James, for his witness whereby he was killed by a sword; Acts 12:2. In the Gospels, John and James were called the sons of thunder. Their father was Zebedee (I assume he was not the quiet man). Their mother made herself famous by making a request of Jesus. She selfishly asked that her sons have the right to sit on each side of Him on His throne in His coming kingdom; Matthew 20:20-23.
Satan assigned Roman Emperor Domitian in 95 AD to the task of ending John’s witness proclamation. Not fearing what man could do kept John proclaiming his Savior everywhere. John kept preaching until that fateful day when Domition imprisoned him on the rocky side of the island of Patmos. God’s Word was still unveiled as His omnipotent will prevails even in isolated seclusion. The chains of silence held no victory as Christ reigns over all hindering circumstances implemented by vile mankind.
Such victory grandeur can even be witnessed today as I read of a pastor who was placed in a dungeon chamber 30 feet below the earth and who was repeatedly tortured for his Gospel message. He saw his witness now in defeat. However, he would preach to himself loudly and daily in that isolated cell. Unbenounced to him, prisoners and staff were listening. He gained a reputation as the “Hallelujah Pastor” in all the penitentiaries in Romania. Not until later, did he learn that his voice had been pulsating to so many. You see, God’s will prevails.
Patmos
Revelation 1:9
Patmos, a horseshoe shaped island, holds magnificent scenery and bears white crags (steep sharp rocks) of the shoreline and beauty of the open ocean. The island is about 8 miles long and 5 miles wide, and has 40 miles of shoreline. It is a rock or petra which seems to be floating on the surface of the sea and at the same time appears massive and impressive! The west coast is very rocky and windy and has only a few accessible beaches. The most beautiful beaches of Patmos are scattered on its eastern coast.
Patmos is 140 miles from Athens, which takes about 10 hours by ferry. It holds 3000 inhabitants, with 3 schools for about 300 children. It is 163 miles from Piraeus. It is volcanic and rocky with little rainfall. It is very barren producing very little grain, but abounding in partridges, quails, turtles, pigeons, snipes, and rabbits.
From the 6th to the 9th century, Patmos was raided by pirates. Then was under Turkish dominion from 1523-1912, then Italian, later a part of Greece in 1948.
Patmos is in the route between Rome and Ephesus. Christians were persecuted in Ephesus by the Roman emperor Domitian. Domitian’s prisoners were compelled to work in the mines of Patmos. John was exiled to Patmos during this time of persecution—95 A.D. The new emperor Neva gave John permission to return to Ephesus and allowed the continuation of his ministry. John died in 104 A.D. at the age of 99 and was buried in Ephesus.
John was released when Emperor Neva replaced Domitian. Neva believed in religious freedom and withdrew John from the island of Patmos.
John continued in ministry until he departed to be with his most glorious and holy Savior in 99 AD.
I personally believe John had been the overseer, head elder, of these seven churches addressed. Five of the seven churches were compromising and this was possibly due to John’s lost influence. Perhaps he had been the glue that made them secure in their faith; his powerful preaching keeping these believers on task until his arrest.
The seven churches were in close proximity but all were differing in personality. John was not far from these churches to which his seven letters were delivered. Patmos is 40 miles from Ephesus, which received the first letter. God provided an unafraid messenger to do His bidding in delivery of the correspondence though how performed in this prison setting would all be speculation. Perhaps John was allowed visitors.
God does care about all His churches, which has resulted in us still owning the seven letters today for our edification and warning.
From the study of Revelation chapters 2-3, and all scriptures concerning the church and its calling, we recognize apostasy is very present today as it was back then. The same actions that Christ reproved through these letters appear in various forms in the contemporary church.
Many books are available and there have been movies produced to interpret the settings in Revelation. I personally would not want to be in the shoes of those who have written fantasy tales in the name of explaining Revelation. Some of the books hold a Hollywood heroism type mentality. I have been sickened by the godless and carnal presentations of God’s children who are out to kill the antichrist and who portray a Star Wars mentality.
These entertaining books are far different from the words of our Lord and what He has ordained for this vile sinful earth filled with vile rebellious people. God states in the end of Revelation, 22:18-20, that if anyone adds to the book or subtracts he will receive the plagues written in the book. God will also take away his part from the tree of life and from the holy city. A friend told me yesterday that her friend knows one of the authors of these so-called Christian Revelation revealing books and his life is very sinful and wicked. His life is a mess and she wouldn’t want to be in his shoes for anything.
There are also apostate in-vogue analyses of Revelation that attempt to discredit the book. One main prominent philosophy is the Preterist view. R. C. Sproll is a Partial Preterist and his son, a total Preterist. We need to be aware of this heresy as it is prominent in Christianity today.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Preterism
Heresy Pretertistim in the Church:
At a previous church I was shocked to find our pastor believed in the Preterist view of Revelation that proclaims all prophecies have already unfolded. Preterists believe that the holocaustic prophecies of Revelation and elsewhere uncovered, occurred in 70 AD when Titus of Rome destroyed Jerusalem.
Most preterists believe the following:
1. Nero was the Antichrist. There will be no future individual Antichrist.
2. The Tribulation Period is already over. It occurred when the Roman army under Titus besieged Jerusalem in AD 66-70.
3. Christ “returned” in the clouds in AD 70 to witness the destruction of Jerusalem by the Roman army.
4. God replaced Old Testament Israel with the Church. Therefore, all the biblical promises to Israel belong to the Church.
5. Armageddon already happened in AD 70. The fall of “Babylon” refers to the destruction of Jerusalem by the Romans.
6. Satan is already bound in the abyss and cannot hinder the spread of the Gospel. Revelation 20 has already been fulfilled.
7. We are already in the Millennium, but it is not literal. Some preterists equate the entire Church Age as the Millennium. The 1,000 years are not literal but figurative, even though they are mentioned six times in Revelation 19-20.
Revelation reveals God’s wrath is to fall upon the whole earth, not just on a certain local. Many Calvinists are Preterists as they believe the church has replaced Israel and the apocalypse concerning them has been deleted from the prophetical picture.
People have to be blind to believe this nonsense. I did discuss this with this pastor and he may have changed his mind a bit, as I quoted many verses that totally reveal the folly of such a view. However, because God has delayed the forecast of the future, many are turning to this heretical teaching.
Eschatology facts to refute the Preterist view:
70 AD is the key date of the Preterists. This is when they believe all future events transpired. This is when Titus of Rome came and destroyed Jerusalem. This view is totally out of sync with the scriptures.
The Tribulation is going to devastate the whole earth, not just Jerusalem. Whenever you read scripture concerning the tribulation, it says the whole earth! Please Read Revelation chapters 6-9 and 16. A third of the earth will be destroyed holding mankind, animal life and vegetation. 100 pound hailstones will fall from heaven. Tremendous hail fell during the time of Joshua as recorded in Joshua 10:11; but this will be shockingly worse. God is a literalist. Nothing witnessed in the past compares to what is to unravel.
When it comes to the Jerusalem temple, it will be present during eschatological times. Various scriptures reveal that there will be an earthly and heavenly temple. In Acts it states the earthly temple will be rebuilt from its foundation; 5:16f. Ezekiel speaks of the future Jerusalem temple before the Millennium as well. We know Ezekiel could not be speaking of the heavenly temple as the priests can only marry virgins or widows of priests. There is no marriage in heaven as Christ proclaimed; Mark 12:18-25. Ezekiel also makes it clear that everyone in Jerusalem will be murdered except for the 144,000 male virgin Jews taken from each tribe (the 144,000 are expanded upon in Revelation chapters 7 & 14). Everyone dies except those with the mark or seal—the 144,000. The 144,000 are secured because they “sigh and groan over all the abominations” which are in Jerusalem. They will hate all the sin and mourn over it resulting in the protective sealing by God. All those without The Mark die in Jerusalem in the tribulation; see Ezekiel chapter 9. This includes men, women, children and the elderly.
I have also read of the Great Tribulation in Jeremiah and various other places in scripture; nothing in history resembles what is to come.
There will be earthquakes upon the whole earth as never before and incomprehensible acts of our furious God. It is God’s judgment on the whole earth, just read Revelation!! It affects all the kingdoms of the earth!
Search for the truth dear friends!
Revelation chapter 1 overview
These are things that will “soon take place;” this is according to God’s timetable not men’s. We see in verse 1, all that is revealed in Revelation was communicated to John, an apostle of Christ, who viewed himself as sustaining no elevated position. He was simply a slave who had personally, under no taskmaster compulsion, chosen to serve his master—Jesus Christ. He held no divided interests; his eyes were only set on his Master.
The time is near, verse 3, so all believers must sit up and take heed to all the teachings presented in this book.
Verse 5 is the Gospel message in short summary. Christ is revealed here as God and ruler of the kings of the earth. It is He who “loves us and released us from our sins by His blood.”
Verse 7 is prophecy from Acts 1:11 and Zechariah 12:10-14. This concerns Christ’s millennial return as well as the mourning of those who pierced him. All the people who have ever lived will cry in anguish because they rejected the Messiah. Zechariah penned the Old Testament prophecy concerning Christ’s piercing and the Revelation tribulation mourning around 500 years before He was actually pierced with the sword that confirmed His death passing. You must read this passage in Zechariah as it enlightens our eyes more to how great the sadness will be for those who rejected Christ; though Zechariah just deals with the Jews in this regard. God’s Word is perfectly woven together by its Author, who is the perfector of our faith. A good deal of the New Testament is composed of Old Testament quotations.
We recognize from chapter one that there is no way one cannot see that Jesus is God. He is the Alpha and Omega; verse 8. He is the one clothed in a modest kingly robe reaching to His feet. He has white hair and His eyes are like the flame of fire, and a sharp two edged sword extends from his mouth; verses 13-17. He is the ancient of days as also seen in Daniel 7:9-10. I cannot say too much concerning these verses that are bursting with the omnipotence of our God and Savior. It is all about Him!
Traveling a bit further, we witness John falling like a dead man before Christ and no wonder especially after seeing the slicing sword stretching from His mouth—which holds the voice of many waters.
This is not a modern contemporary Christ who will be everybody’s buddy. This is the Christ that one falls before in a dead-like state of fear. We are all called to tremble and fear before Him as we work out our salvation; Philippians 2:12. Revelation provides the true photo of Him who is to be feared above all else.
The heaven of Revelation is not a contemporary heaven filled with rock music playing everywhere being performed by all the top Christian rock groups. It will not be filled with Christian comedians whereby everyone is going about laughing at all the fun jokes. You cannot help but see as you read Revelation and all of Scripture that trendy American Christianity holds no place before our holy, wise and undefiled reigning LORD.
Verse 20 is one key in understanding the book. It must be marked in reference as it exposes the mystery of veiled events so they can be puzzled together. We learn here that the seven stars are the angels of the seven churches and the seven golden lampstands are the seven churches. When Christ states He will remove the lampstand, He means the church for its lack of compliance to His Word. I have seen two churches removed when pastors fell into sin. I have witnessed church lamps diminish through transgression until faithful overseers revived them again.
It is believed that there were Jewish Christians set amongst these seven churches who had fled Israel following its devastation by Titus of Rome in 70 AD. Revelation was penned in 95. It wasn’t until the end of WWII that Jews began to reinhabit Israel.
Revelation chapter 2 overview
Letter to the believers in Ephesus:
In verse 1, we see John is assigned to write the good and the bad of this church so it can be uplifted and reproved through this letter. It is the hope of God that it repent and remain.
Christ lets it be known that He finds some favorable things in this church. First, that it does not tolerate false teachers who come in sheep’s clothing, feigning to be of the true faith, calling themselves apostles. The Ephesus believers tested those who tried to enter in the door of the church and if they were found to hold any beliefs contrary to scripture, they were shut out. How churches could learn from this example when everyone today is welcome to come and participate. The heresy teaching prevails “As long as they are in church that is all that matters.” This is all-contrary to the scriptures. 1 Corinthians 5:9-12 tells us not to associate with immoral people who call themselves believers. We do not associate with any Christian who is covetous, an idolater, reviler, drunkard or swindler—we don’t even eat with such ones!
2 John 2:6-11 teaches us we are not even to greet those who are not abiding in the commandments of Christ who come to church; we are not to let them in the door. 2 Thessalonians teaches we are not to associate with those who are not abiding in the apostles taught traditions and commands.
The Ephesus church was walking correctly in many avenues, but Christ was going to bring judgment. We all can ask ourselves “why.” This church seems superior to most churches today.
Christ was going to remove this church because it had lost its first love. This church did not love Christ with all its heart, soul and might as commanded from the beginning. This is the greatest commandment as stated by Christ and it was first delivered in Deuteronomy 6:5.
Christ called for the Ephesians to repent and we certainly trust they did as their witness was significantly needed within this pagan Roman Empire.
Letter to believers in Smyrna:
This church is the persecuted church. We do not grasp such a concept easily, as we live in a free country. The persecuted believers in oppressed nations can easily relate to the Smyrna church. We must always be consistently praying for our brothers and sisters in nations of oppression, as they are often times beaten, raped, imprisoned, and murdered for their faith.
This was an exceptional church due to its impoverishment and persecution. It had to rely on Christ and Christ alone for its sustenance and encouragement. It is a good thing when we have only Christ to run to, as He becomes our all and all. If we live in a styling society full of worldly entertainment and amusements, it is easy to put Christ second and the ways and things of culture first. However, we are commanded not to become entangled with those things adored by the unsaved population nor imitate them. Yes, satan makes everything fleshly-appealing but we are called to separate from them. If we do not, Christ will discipline as witnessed all so clearly in Revelation.
The believers of Smyrna had not lost their first love; they loved Christ unto death. Christ tells them in this letter that they will be tested and persecuted for ten days and that they were to be faithful until death so they would reap the crown of life. If these believers stayed faithful, they would not be hurt by the second death, which is eternal fire, as we know from Scripture: Revelation 20:11-15; especial verse 14.
Letter to the believers in Pergamum:
Christ is revealed with His two edged sword in verse 12; this vivifies His wrath and anger over sin in the believer’s life. This is to cause us to fear and tremble before Him; Philippians 2:12 and 1 Chronicles 16:30.
Pergamaum was a great city—a styling city of commerce, entertainment, religion, advanced medicine, sexual promiscuity…you just name it. If you wanted anything, it was here. This was a vacation spot of the world adjacent to the Aegean Sea. There was no better place to rock and roll…It was grooving. It was like a New York City. That is why it states in 2:13, that this is “where satan’s throne is.” The saints who resided here were under tremendous continuous temptation. Sound familiar?
In the Pergamum church there had been only one believer who had been faithful unto death—Antipas. He was Christ’s martyr. He was dedicated to Christ as His witness. Christ states only good concerning Antipas. We certainly desire that Christ view us in every positive way. Antipas is a Greek name meaning “against all.” He certainly was true to his name as he stood for Christ against a satanic culture.
Christ had certain things “against” this church. They held to the teachings of Balaam and Balak. You can read of these characters in Numbers chapters 22-25. You may remember Balaam’s donkey spoke and rebuked him in his folly. Balaam was a false prophet for hire and Balak was the king of Moab, an idolatrous nation that wanted to annihilate the nation of Israel. Balak tried to hire Balaam to bring about an end to the Jews, but God would not allow it.
Balaam loved money and would do just about anything to get it as a religious man. He even attempted to curse the children of God.
Balaam and his clones:
Balaam held the scent of greed wherever he trod. He can represent many today who use gimmickry so people will give to their cause in the name of false Christianity. Balaams are everywhere present in Christianity and they seem to be growing in number. Many televangelists are Balaams.
Balaams are people who serve God expecting substantial financial rewards. These types of pastors love large collection plates filled to the brim and thousands in their congregation to adore them because they have put their church on the map of success. There are pastors who will refuse to oversee a church unless the price is right and the price has to be significantly right. Balaams are in Christianity for what they can get not what they can give. These preachers will not engage in visitation as it is no longer in style in the pastorate role as it is a humbling chore.
Balaam and Balak (the king of Moab) were both immoral in intent. They coveted the Jews destruction. When this proved unobtainable, they desired to own the Jews so they would follow after false religious teachings and engage in sexual promiscuity of pagan kind.
Balak was not being successful in getting the Hebrews, God’s children, to stumble so he determined if they couldn’t beat them then they should get them to join them. Balaam and Balak instigated a plan whereby they would introduce the men of God to the lovely Moabite women, whereby they would intermarry with the pagan Moabites.
Balaam and Balak succeeded to a degree because many desired to follow their immoral religion of fleshly delights. In Numbers chapter 25, the sexually immoral daughters of Moab became triumphant in their persuasions of idol worship and sex, whereby the Jews followed and God’s judgment fell.
Balaam sounded very godly and even prophesied in the name of God. He was a powerful preacher who knew about God and His Word. Judas knew about God and performed miracles and preached with the other disciples, but he was a Balaam, following Christ for fortune. Judas, do doubt, reveled in everyone looking up to him as a miracle-performing preacher. He, though very religious in appearance, wanted everyone putting money in the collection box for the poor so he could steal its contents when no one was looking. He desired to be its greatest benefactor. He spoke flowery words that sounded so sincere when making a plea for the poor, but it all held ulterior motives. None of the disciples even suspected his heart of black wool as his sheep’s clothing costume of white wool was so sincere.
Beware of the Balaam dogs in religion—see Jude verses 11-16 and 2 Peter chapter 2, especially verse 12.
On top of following the immoral ways of Balaam and Balak, the Pergamum church also held to the false teachings of the Nicolaitans, which the Ephesians refused to follow. No one knows what these teachings were, but looking at verses 14-15, it probably combined Christianity with some sort of idol worship and immorality. It was a religion that most likely permitted license to some degree so they could blend in with culture. This church, though close to Smyrna, did not seem to be suffering the same arriving deadly fate…perhaps due to their compromising worldly compliance.
They were faithful in not denying Christ’s name even though they were under a tyrant Roman dictator who hated the Savior; verse 13. It does appear there was some suffering for not denying Christ but no death bell seems to be tolling nor closing of cell doors.
God’s judgment is going to fall on Pergamum believers if they don’t turn from their wicked ways of sinful sporting delights.
For those who refused to follow the false ways in this church, Christ had reserved a white stone (white represents purity in scripture) with a new name written on it.
Letter to believers in Thyatira:
This letter also commences with Christ positioned as a revengeful God as He is displayed having eyes like a flame of fire. His feet proclaim supremacy being of burnished bronze which spells fiery refining. This is a frightful way to start a piece of correspondence!
Christ is always swift to reveal a church’s good deeds before launching into their shortcomings. This church seems all on-fire for Christ as it is engaging in good deeds of love and faith. It is persevering and even increasing in these areas.
It is hard to understand since sexual impurity is present in this church; verses 20-23. How can they coexist? Well, it appears from verse 24 that there are innocent parties present who are faithful and pure—blameless in the ways of evil. They, without a doubt, hated those things indecently performed and let it be known. Ephesians 5:11-12 commands us to expose the evil ways of darkness as we are not even to speak of the intimate details of vile activity. We are to hate it. Jude verse 23 states, we are even to hate the garment polluted by the flesh. We are to hate every immoral way and never enjoy it. We must never deliberately place anything but innocence before our eyes and ears.
Despite what society proclaims, the Bible does not justify sinful tolerance. Christ condemns this church as it is being tolerant of a woman who is called Jezebel. Not her actual name, but that which represents her character. She is a replica to a degree of Jezebel revealed in 1 and 2 Kings, who was a false teacher and murdered true believers.
The Jezebel of Thyatira was an immoral sexy woman who allured the saints into acts of impurity and false religious beliefs. She, like the Jezebel of the Old Testament, set religious heresies before God’s people. She too was following the paths imbedded by idolatrous Balaam.
Death by disease was the fate of Jezebel’s children if she did not repent. Jezebel herself was destined for a bed of tribulation sickness where she would languish in excruciating pain.
The death fate was pronounced upon Jezebel of the Old Testament for her unrepentant sins—2 Kings 9:30-37 and on her sons—2 Kings 10:7. She tried to avoid what God had preordained for her. When God’s henchmen arrived, she tried to set before them a beautiful alluring woman. She caked on the eye make-up to divert them away from their calling. But no glittering Hollywood-like woman was going to stop them from fulfilling what the LORD had preordained. They threw her out a window, God’s fateful doom—“the dogs will eat Jezebel’s flesh.”
We do hope Christ’s painful wrath did not descend upon this alluring Jezebel of Thyatira. Christ was providing the time for her to repent and we trust she took the opportunity and all who followed her fleshly exciting behavior that always leads to the path of death; Proverbs chapters 6 & 7—especially 6:32 and 7:22-23. We hope and imagine that she became a woman of bashful behavior and modest dress.
Many believers today need to repent as they put Jezebels before their eyes continually. They indulge in the productions of sensual Hollywood filled with women who employ the most skilled make-up artists to paint them and seamstresses who create the most fancy-fitted seductive clothing to sell sexual pleasantries on the screen. Partaking in Jezebel’s mentality in any way is an abomination to Christ. Our minds and eyes are to be centered on the righteous ways of our holy, innocent, undefiled Lord.
Christ hates all sin in the church. He made this clear when he murdered Ananias and Sapphira for lying and deception. This same God still is overseeing the church and bringing judgment for compromise. We recognize through these churches that the slightest deviancy from His Word induces His sword of wrath. Verse 23 informs us that Christ disciplines the church and those within according to their deeds. We all reap what we sow and Christ makes sure this is so.
Lofty promises are provided to those in Thyatira who stay true to their Savior. He will grant them exalted rule over the nations in the millennial period. They will enforce Christ’s iron rod for obedience.
Verse 29 tells us we need to take great heed to all that is being stated in warning to these churches.
Letter to believers in Sardis:
All the letters to the churches were addressed to an overseeing angel that was set above each fellowship through God’s orchestration. This is declared in the first verse of each letter. We are commanded to respect angelic authority as we see in Jude, 2 Peter, and many other sections in scripture.
John is the secretary that is scripting physically the words of Christ. Each letter also came from the angels that were over each fellowship and from Christ, Himself; Revelation 1:5. We also know a male human messenger delivered the letters. He took them from John’s hand as John was imprisoned on the island of Patmos for his forthright fearless preaching of the Gospel.
Another text that reveals the importance of respecting angels who oversee the churches is 1 Corinthians chapter 11. This passage commands women who are praying or prophesying (telling forth God’s Word) to don a covering on their heads for the angels who observe the assembling of believers. By researching the Greek, you can accurately decipher the word “angels” found in this passage, is referring to God’s angelic army in heaven.
Women are also charged to have long hair in this Corinthian passage. God has devised distinctions between the sexes and one is through men wearing their hair short and women wearing it long. A woman’s locks are her crowning glory and a modest covering. Having a covering on the head marks her out more in her feminine portrayal that angels are attentive to. It also symbolizes her submissive heart to her husband.
Revelation 3:2 refers to Christ’s authority, as He possesses the seven spirits and seven stars. We know from 1:20 that the seven stars are the seven spirits who are the overseeing angels of the seven churches.
We also note in 3:2 that other fellowships believe this church is alive in the faith; however, Christ, who is the true discerner of hearts, announces, this church is dead. He knows their deeds and actions and He is the one who determines which churches are truly obeying Him in all Scriptural matters. It is not a determination by man’s assessment in any way, shape or form.
This is a warning letter to tell these Sardis believers to get about the business of their church, which is dying. It is almost time to pick out their tombstone; their living light is almost extinguished.
Most likely, unbiblical agendas had entered the doors of the church; perhaps the agendas of local society, which had deviated folk from commanded scripture. They set those things they were to be about on a back burner and the essentials had been left and forgotten.
Christ sees all and knows all; including what we have forsaken in the way of obedience. He is omniscient and nothing is hidden from His all-seeing eyes.
The church is responsible to be performing all that is commanded for it, which includes the work of the ministry. All the saints are to be equipped by the church for Christian service and Ephesians chapter 4 speaks to that fact. Christians are to be engaging in the work of ministry—discipleship, evangelism, teaching, etc. They are to be exercising their Biblical gifts in love; and are to be growing in the knowledge of God through comprehensive Bible teaching and the example set by leadership—in every scriptural designated area.
The books of Timothy and Titus instruct concerning the qualifications for church leadership and its functioning calling. (Alan and I enjoy supporting Thru the Bible ministries as Dr. J. Vernon McGee taught comprehensively through the Bible. Though he has gone to be with the Lord, his programs are still aired. All TTB producers meet the godly requirements of leadership listed in Timothy and Titus. My husband and I rejoice in such obedience.)
Every New Testament epistle is presented so every church develops into all that is commanded by the Savior. Christ calls for the Sardis church to repent and this would include all churches that fall short today as well. Christ warns He is coming like a thief to judge and no one will have an idea as to His arrival time.
One of Christ’s attributes is that of a thief, who arrives unawares. In 1 Thessalonians 5:2-4, we read that Christ is coming like a thief to judge the earth when its fun-loving inhabitants are totally unsuspecting. Those who ignore Christ and His holy inerrant Word will not escape from His fiery judging hand. Such a warning is also located in Matthew 24:36-51 and many other texts in the Old and New Testament. We must not neglect giving out the Gospel so people are delivered from this wicked evil age of fleshly fun activities and the consequential lake of fire.
In verse 4, Christ makes it known that there are some believers in Sardis who have kept themselves clean and pure and will walk with Him in white apparel. We also read of the purity of the 144,000 male virgin Jews who tell no lies in chapter 14, verses 1-5.
The importance of holy purity is stressed in this Revelation section of letters to the churches. Nowhere do we find Christ commanding the churches to be grooving with secular, sensual and immodest society. God knows if believers are holding to all chaste and holy behavior—not being entangled by the world in its fruitless and sensual thinking—they will be a glowing light in this dark world.
We also note the true dedicated purified believers will not have their names erased from the book of life; 3:5.
Letters to the believers in Philadelphia:
This church is made up of good guys who wear white hats—well…to be honest…white clothing in heaven. It is interesting that white was what symbolized goodness in America several decades ago and black represented evil. General society knew that the Bible stressed a clean white garment type lifestyle.
Emphasized in verse 7 of Revelation chapter 3, is Christ possessing the key of David or key of Israel—God’s chosen people. He opens what no being can close and closes what no being can open. He is the ultimate omnipotent authority over all.
The converted Jews of this church were being harassed by godless Jews who attended synagogues. The synagogues did not acknowledge Christ as God and therefore were of satan. Everyone who is not saved is an obedient child of satan; 2 Corinthians 6:14f.
The Jews who attended synagogues despised the Jews of the Philadelphia church who had been reborn by Christ’s atoning blood; Revelation 1:5. We read throughout the New Testament of Jews who tried to place the requirements of the law on new converts. These deceived Jews insisted that new believers hold to the festivals and regulations that God delivered to the Old Testament Jews. Christ fulfilled the Law Himself—the law that sinful man could never fully achieve nor reach salvation, “By the works of the law shall no man be justified.” It is through the law that man learns he is a sinner; Romans 3:20. Man can never be saved by the works of the law or perfected; only by faith in the Savior, can a person be saved and regenerated. Only by the Holy Spirit’s controlling, can a person live righteously. Various religions teach salvation by works, but good works can never deliver from sin and its consequences. Good works and intentions can never purify a heart. We must believe John 3:16 and ask God the Father to forgive us of our sins through his Son, Jesus Christ who died on the cross on our behalf and arose from the grave. We also yield our lives to God; asking Him to take control. We also ask Him to forgive us when we sin after we are saved.
The Apostles were Jews who stood apposed to those Jews (Judaizers) who held to the Old Testament laws. The Judaizers persecuted believers who acknowledged Christ. The apostles led the New Testament church into truth and godliness and away from attempting to accomplish good through the carnal flesh. They made it clear that apart from God, men can do nothing good.
Obedience to the Bible can only be accomplished through the empowerment of the Holy Spirit—yielding one’s life to God in humility. One receives the Holy Spirit when they surrender their life to Christ through faith.
Getting back to Revelation chapter 3, we note from verses 9-10 that Christ only considers born again Jews as forming the true Jewish race. Someday every living Jew will come to Christ as Romans 11:26-27 and Jeremiah 3:-31-36 acknowledge, but that is far from the case today. We read of the future elevation of the Jews in Revelation 21:14. Here the names of the 12 Jewish apostles will be written on the walls of New Jerusalem that descends out of heaven. Included in the names will be John the Apostle who wrote Revelation and was an example to the churches of living godly in Christ Jesus. The names of the 12 Jewish tribes will be inscribed on the gates of the New Jerusalem as Revelation 21:12 discloses. God’s chosen race will be elevated in the Millennial kingdom and throughout eternity. John and the other apostles will have a superior place in God’s kingdom; so will 12 of the Old Testament faithful Jews.
Peering at verse 9, back in Revelation chapter 3, we witness Christ graciously informing these persecuted Christian Jews that He is going to make sure their Jewish enemies—those who did not pick up their cross to follow Christ— will bow down before them someday. We do need to recognize, Christ does loves all true believers—Jews and Gentiles. His loving grace and peace are shed abroad in all believers’ hearts. He is longsuffering toward all of us who fall so short so often.
Verse 10 informs us the key of being in good standing with our Savior is keeping His Word no matter the cost to our being. His Bible is inerrant when translated accurately with no contemporary added spins, twists and turns. We can obey it in confidence.
The Philadelphia church was experiencing persecution for holding tightly to Christ. They were holding to the true Christ of Scripture, who is the only true Jewish high priest. His character embodies holiness, innocence, and undefilement. He is separated from sinners and exalted above the heavens; Hebrews 7:27.
This church was elevated as a result of their undying faithfulness. Multitudes of countless people through the centuries know of this church of brotherly love that would not waver from its solid foundation.
A church in this general area survived through the ages until the Muslim faith removed religious freedom from Turkey about a decade ago. There may be a church hidden underground somewhere close to this local that is unknown. When Dr. J. Vernon McGee was alive, he took part in one of the church services in the Philadelphia, Turkey area that presented itself as the Philadelphia church and he was richly blessed by the surviving faith.
Christ stated that this church would be kept from the great tribulation that will fall upon the whole earth someday; verse 10. Warnings of this tribulation can be traced back to Enoch as we read in Jude 14-15. Tribulation warnings are placed throughout scripture. Nothing in time present or in time past can compare to what is to come when Christ rains His avenging wrath upon sinful mankind. This great tribulation period is the main theme of Revelation. It is to be preached in warning to mankind. These factual threats are what consume the majority of this book’s account.
The Philadelphia church body addressed is in heaven today and it did not endure the great tribulation that is to arrive on schedule—that has been predetermined by God’s time clock. This church was factual and the true dedicated church today can still reap the same blessings that Christ bestowed upon this faithful early assembly. Christ keeps true to His promises as the unchanging God of antiquity and time present. Obedience to His Word always produces blessings in any economy.
Even though Christ still has not arrived on the earth, it must be remembered, His time clock does not run on the same principal as ours. When Enoch preached the great tribulation in time beginning, it was as if it could arrive tomorrow.
2 Peter 3:3-9 also deals with God’s fiery tribulation judgment. It states that one day can be like a thousand years to God or visa versa. We cannot asses it in terms of global 24-hour time when trying to judge God’s prophetical Word.
Christ warns the Philadelphia believers to remain steadfast so no one robs them of their crown in Revelation 3:11. No earthly allurements can compare to the crown offered to those who are faithful unto death. We must always confront ourselves with the question, what eternal value does this hold?
Revelation 3:12 is full of promises of heavenly glories for those who overcome and do not give into any agendas divergent to the Word of God. God will display the believer and their name in the New Jerusalem which will ascend out of heaven. This verse is full of grandeur beyond our earthly comprehension. All we basically know, is a cursed earth full of wicked sin. A place full of righteousness and God’s splendid glory is a bit hard to grasp, but we know it will be genuine as God never lies or deceives.
Letters to the believers in Laodicea:
This is the final correspondence to the churches. Verse 14 is a glorious tribute to Christ our Savior, who is the only true Witness. He is the beginning of creation as the Biblical books of John, 1 John, and Colossians substantiate.
This is the lukewarm church that God was all disgusted with and many a sermon has been preached concerning it. This is the church that Christ was completely abhorred with, even to the point of vomiting it out of His mouth. Some versions do not translate the word “vomit” accurately. But the word is EMEO in the Greek and it literally means to regurgitate the stomach’s digesting contents. This is a repugnant visual picture of Christ’s rejection of believers who are not on fire for Him. He would rather they be cold and honest about it than lukewarm. Believers who walk in lukewarmness are completely distasteful to our LORD. They are abominable. Why? Because such Christians are not excited or cold to the Gospel in forthright honesty. They are those who blend in to please all; they hold no solid ground in their stances behind all the scenes.
When my husband, Alan, and I were in Aruba celebrating our 25th wedding anniversary we partook of lukewarm water, it was our tap water. It was originally ocean water that was filtered and purified in Aruba’s desalination plant—the second largest in the world. Alan and I made faces when we first tasted it, as it was all unpleasant. It had to have added ice or placed in the frig to make it palatable. See: http://here.alfalaval.com/zino.aspx?pageID=3&articleID=172
The Laodiceans received their water lukewarm as well because their water source was a nearby hot spring. The water cooled to lukewarm before arriving to homes. People who waver to please every palate are disgusting to our Savior like lukewarm arriving water.
It is God’s command for believers to be on fire for Him and His Word. Our lifestyle is to be that which reflects Christ at all times. We are never to be ashamed to uplift Him who was rejected and is still rejected today by the majority of inhabitants of the world. Christ never desired to be socially acceptable. He never chased after people saying, “I will act in a way that is pleasing to everyone. I will say whatever gets a laugh and I will make my presentations fun to keep the crowds adoring me.” Many pastors chase after crowds in such a way today, making themselves disgusting to the palate.
Christ exposed the fleshly inner man that is self-centered and self-seeking. Christ dismantles the “get all the gusto you can out of life” agendas of playful culture. His holiness has always shamed society; therefore, it has always hated Him.
Laodicea was a rich indulgent society as revealed in verse 17. They had little need and little time for Christ as culture fed their flesh to the fullest—with its entangling activities that held goodies for the wealthy.
I find this astute richness in Laodicea interesting, especially when viewing a Bible map. It can be plainly seen that all seven churches were close in proximately. You would think this Laodicean church was outside of Roman rule, where religious freedom might have reigned. It is a shock to know the Laodicean church lived next door to the persecuted church; approximately 40 miles southwest of the hurting believers in Philadelphia.
Smyrna was a Mediterranean port city so you can rightly assume wealth existed there. It is called Izmir today and it is still very wealthy as a large harbor city. However, the Smyrna church of Revelation represented the poorest of believers, being impoverished; 2:9.
The churches, no matter the local, that were unwavering held members who were poor, suffering and dying for the Gospel. The persecuted churches could never fit into rich, snobbish society. Thank goodness!
The Laodicean church was rich and influential. Obviously, because it was not a threat to the surrounding unsaved. They must have kept their mouths shut when it came to religion. They probably followed the popular motto of never bringing up touchy subjects.
Christ is blunt and forthright in verse 17 and lets this fellowship know they are totally depraved and deprived. Without Christ reigning in their lives, life is not worth living. They are thriving on that which is passing away and brings no glory to their Savior.
These believers may have possessed all the enviable products of the world, placed in fancy displayed homes on Main Street; but they were wretched, miserable, cold, blind and naked. By today’s standards, their assembly might resemble a fifth Avenue New York church of enviable prestige—being the place to be on Sunday in the world’s vain religious eyes of uppity society. But not in Christ’s! You can well bet this dignified Laodicean church rarely engaged in street preaching and door to door witnessing.
It is easy not be persecuted if you blend in. I was reading an insightful article today. It stated that the apostles did not seek permission to preach Christ everywhere. They had the ultimate permission from God Almighty. Christian evangelism is our right and mandate no matter the governing laws. Of course, wisdom in evangelism is essential; folly is unacceptable. Drawing a crowd to show off preaching skills is not what pleases Christ. The sincere heart of a man who preaches Christ simply to win souls is wise.
In verse 18, Christ teaches this off-the-track church that blending in with culture is vain and they need to buy from Him gold refined by fire so they can become spiritually rich. They need to submit to His discipline, thus becoming righteous, pure, and holy so they can walk in white (purified) garments with Him. Hebrews 12 teaches believers to submit to the discipline of God. When this passage speaks of God’s spanking discipline it means scourging. It is the same word that is used for when Christ was scourged with a whip before His crucifixion—PAIDEUO. God is our heavenly father and as such disciplines us perfectly. If we submit to His fatherly corrective discipline, it will result in spiritual growth and purified perfection. Purified perfection should be our desire no matter the pain that it may involve to arrive.
Continuing further in verse 18, we come to the subject of ophthalmology. The people in this church were experiencing flawed vision that no optometrist-prescribed corrective lenses could resolve. They required the spiritual prescription Christ was advising, that being the truths of His Word applied. This would permit them to achieve the perfect spiritual vision of discernment.
Verse 20 represents Christ outstretched hand reaching out to them so they can experience the best. He loved them and wanted them to receive His love. He was knocking on this church’s door so they would let Him in. He wanted to fellowship with every believer associated with the Laodicean church. He had been calling out to them, but they never listened because they were having so much fun in the Mediterranean sun. Now, He wants to be taken seriously so they dine or fellowship with Him personally. He wants them to own all the heavenly glories awaiting by casting aside society’s allurements.
The LORD calls out and reaches out to every believer for greater fellowship and commitment. Are you listening? Am I listening? He loves us and is beckoning to us. As our Father, He does not want to have to spank us.
Verse 21 is a promise of seated kingly glory next to Christ on His throne. However, there is an “if clause” attached to this whole letter. It can only occur if this church changes its ways and transforms itself into the church of the over-comers.
Verse 22 is what has been repeated by Christ throughout the section to the churches. Every church has now been warned, in their last notation, to take heed to all that has been revealed.
Every church in America needs to take heed to the warnings in the church section of Revelation. They apply to every Bible-believing assembly that is in existence today.
Most fellowships are missing the mark of the calling to total dedication. Christ is watching and waiting. He is longsuffering but only to a point. He foretold that the church would become completely apostate, as it is easier to be lukewarm and blend in with all. It is harder to be on fire for Him and His inerrant Word and stand mostly alone. The majority of churches today do not take His Word seriously, down to every jot and tittle and many false teachers are dismantling it so believers can justify doing their own thing. Many false teachers are proclaiming Christ will never discipline the believer so do not worry about your lifestyle.
Let us always hear what Christ says to the churches.
Chapter 4
Chapter 3, ended the church age—the church now goes off the air. We no longer read the word “church,” until the end of Revelation, when John is to report his vision to the churches. As in the Old Testament, the focus was on Israel, so it is throughout the rest of Revelation. We suffer with God’s chosen nation as we travel on in Revelation, in her persecution—anti-Semitism. And we rejoice when she is delivered, exalted and glorified.
Verse 1 opens this chapter with John having a heavenly experience. He looks upward in this vision and spies an open door to paradise and a voice, like the sound of a trumpet, heralding him, saying, “Come up here, and I will show you what must take place after these things.”
John was in the Spirit, taking part in this setting, while imprisoned on the island of Patmos for his unrelenting faith and its proclamation. He experienced this vision through the power of the Holy Spirit, not in participation with his body—he never departed from his prison confinement to witness what is to come.
John entered that opened door to stand in heaven where God is enthroned in all glory and majesty. John is brought face to face with God upon His summoning. He sees his LORD in all glorious splendor, appearing as a jasper stone (opaque, crypto crystalline variety of quartz, usually red) and a sardius stone (ruby). God is all radiant in beauty and His breathtaking appearance is pronounced more with a “rainbow around the throne, like an emerald in appearance.”
What an awe-inspiring happening that takes one’s breathe away. No presentation before a king for queen could ever match this! Nothing on this cursed earth could ever compete with the splendor of heaven untouched by cursed sin.
In verse 4, we are introduced to twenty-four elders, who are seated around our enthroned LORD. They are in white garments, representing holiness, and are capped with golden crowns to divulge their station of exaltation.
You may inquire who are these godly elders who have the privilege of being seated around God.
Well, I will tell you what I believe. If you turn to Matthew chapter 19, verse 27, you will read that Peter wanted to know what was being offered to him and the other Jewish disciples who had left everything to follow Christ. The LORD educates the disciples to their assigned roles in heaven as we read in the following verse. They will be provided with their own thrones on which they will judge the twelve tribes of Israel. Because Judas was removed from his position as one of the twelve, the Apostle Paul resumed his post.
If you turn to Revelation 21:14, you will read of a another prestigious recognition of the Jewish apostles as their names will be on the twelve foundation stones of the New Jerusalem that will descend from heaven in the brilliance of precious gems. Due to these verses, I believe twelve of the twenty-four elders will be the twelve apostles. The Jewish apostles are the only men who are exalted on the heavenly Jerusalem walls by name that we see in Scripture.
You may ask, “Did not John see himself seated with the twelve apostles?” I would have to say, “Yes.” Of course, he may not have recognized himself in his future condition, being in his incorruptible glorification. Because Christ told him he would be seated on his own throne in heaven, he may have thought about it or even knew which of the twelve seated was himself. I have to admit this part is a guessing game for us.
You might also raise the question, “Did he see me?” It is possible. This is after the church age, which opens the door to the tribulation period. Our God’s transit ways of traveling through all ages is mind-boggling. How can we even begin to comprehend?
I believe the other twelve will be representatives from Israel’s twelve tribes. If you look at Revelation 21:12, two verses previous, you will read that there will be twelve gates which have the names of the twelve tribes. Therefore, I believe twelve Old Testament saints represent each tribe of Israel as elders. I believe you can locate all these outstanding men in the Old Testament and a great deal of them will be the prophets—presumably, Jeremiah, Isaiah, Daniel, Ezekiel, etc. I believe Abraham and Moses will be amongst them too. This is simply my opinion from studying scripture.
The Jews are God’s first chosen, so it should not surprise us that some of them will be the loftiest souls surrounding God’s throne in heaven. They are those who rule under Christ.
You may ask here, “Where does that leave us, Gentiles?” Gentiles will have a place of authority as well. I Corinthians 6:1-11 informs us, we will judge angels and the world and that is why our churches are to the courts of law for believers. I Corinthians, chapters 5-6, speak in regard to us judging believers and that we are to do so; but of course, never in an unbiblical physically-destructive manner. We learn here that we are to exercise our Biblical wisdom so we do not associate with so-called believers who are immoral, covetous, idolaters, revilers, drunkards or swindlers. We are not even to eat with these people who call themselves Christians and attempt to come into our churches. Romans 16:17-18, 2 Peter, Jude, etc; also command that we have nothing to do with so-called believers who do not hold to Biblical teaching and who teach contrary to Scripture. They persuade believers not to take the Word seriously through their flattering speech. Being on guard is part of the believers’ walk. This is why we must study the Bible to show ourselves approved unto God so we are never seduced into falsehood.
Reuniting with Revelation chapter 4, in verse 5, we see the omnipotence of God displayed in unchallengeable authority. No one rules over the Godhead or in place of. His will is revealed throughout the whole earth. The whole Word of God displays the fact that nothing can thwart His will and ways. Isaiah chapter 40 is one chapter that explains that no king or authority is placed in leadership on this earth outside of God’s orchestration and He dethrones any ruler by desire.
Around God’s throne are flashes of lightening, and pounding thunder! This reveals the fact that our holy, innocent, pure Savior is to be feared, praised, honored and obeyed. Job 38:25, teaches us that it is God who fashions lightening and determines where a thunderbolt lands. Reading the complete chapter of Job 38 as well as 39, provides great insight into God’s total global control over His creation. Job 40:9 inquires of us who can “thunder with a voice like His?” Psalm 29:3-9 teaches us that His voice is upon the waters; the “God of glory thunders.” His voice is “powerful” and “majestic” and His voice “breaks the cedars.” His voice “hews out flames of fire” and He “shakes the wilderness.” He makes the “deer to calve” and “strips the forests bare.”
In Daniel 7:9-10, we view Daniel coming face to face with the throne of God—His lofty seat “ablaze with flames.” Here thousands upon thousands constantly attend Him and are attending Him now in heights above, billions and billions of years away in distances, beyond all galaxies. His heaven is above all heavens and no man can comprehend or view all that exists beyond the broadest degree of countless years that stretch far beyond our minute earth. Isaiah, Ezekiel, and Paul also had encounters with heaven’s majesty.
We also cannot begin to activate our mind to imagine the royal power that emerges forth from God’s hand—His scepter. Touring London, facing the history of regality and the present presence of monarchial rule, gave me insights concerning the history of the kings of Israel and what respect and fear for enthroned authority entails.
This same fear of a regent is what we need to comprehend and grasp when it comes to our Sovereign King—though our subjection to God, is on a far greater and reaching scale—He is the Creator and sustainer of all.
What we witness here in Daniel, is the judgment throne period, which we will behold ourselves in the future. The unsaved will come face to face with the fact that they failed completely in honoring their enthroned God, who reveals His commands in His Word. He rules over the heavens and the earth and abhors every disobedient action. This is why we are commanded to fear and tremble before our LORD, working out our salvation; Philippians 2:12. Moreover, we must share the Gospel that the wayward might be rescued from the eternal wrath of fire to come; Jude 23. They relentlessly dig their own graves as they live day by day apart from the Savior. We dwell amidst a universal graveyard.
Verse 5 of Revelation chapter 4, is full of the truths that surround our enthroned God. He has seven lamps burning before Him, which are actually seven spirits or angels. We read of these angels in the previous chapters of Revelation as they were assigned to the seven churches; 1:20. They are represented as lamps as they are full of the brightness of God’s holiness that five of the seven churches fell short of and were to be judged accordingly if they did not repent.
Someday, us true believers will be like Christ in holy purity, as we will shed these bodies of sin; Romans 6:5-6. We will never be tempted to disobey our holy LORD again.
You may recall that we witnessed Christ exalted in all fearful glory in chapter 1, verses 12-16, whereby a sharp two-edged sword extended from His mouth and His voice was like the sound of many waters. John fell like a dead man before this awesome scene. God’s throne area is gorgeous and fearful beyond comprehension.
We view in verse 6, returning to chapter 4, something resembling a sea of glass in the center and surrounding the seat of all omnipotence. This adds to the luminosity of our King of majesty, reigning above every subjected and formed thing.
The book of Esther provides insight into the respected area of a king, though all minuscule in comparison to God’s hallowed dwelling. We read in Esther chapter 4 that she, even as queen, could lose her life by coming near the imperial area of the king without permission. We read in chapter 1 of Esther of the riches and brilliance of the king’s citadel—the gold, silver, mosaic pavement of precious stones, artistic hangings, etc. We see throughout Esther that the palace area was exquisite, reaching far beyond the normal splendor that represented wealth in that period. Who can even phantom the glorious splendor of holy heaven when we all have been subjected to a sin-filled cursed earth?
We see also in verses 6-7 of Revelation chapter 4, creatures full of eyes in front and behind. These eyes can certainly be representative of the fact that God sees and hears all, that nothing escapes His notice—Proverbs 15:3 and 2 Chronicles 16:9. He writes every action and thought of every person down in His book. That is why Christ stated, “that every careless word people speak, they will give an accounting of in the day of judgment.” Certainly, this statement should place obedient fear in my heart and yours so we strive to bring Him constant glory through our thoughts, words, and actions.
The first of these creatures is like a lion, the second a calf, and the third like a man, and the forth like a flying eagle—a flying eagle in Revelation 8:13, will verbally speak of the woes falling on dwellers of the earth that will arise by the hand of Christ as he soars through the atmosphere.
These creatures are all representative of the attributes of Christ, He being a devouring and fearless “lion” of judgment and condemnation. He too is like a “calf,” who moved meek and lowly upon the earth as a “man” to serve others. As an “eagle” Christ’s eyes of omniscience roam and monitor all. Moreover, He is tenacious in His dealings and strong and resourceful in fulfilling His will. All the attributes displayed in these creatures are disclosed throughout God’s Word concerning His multifaceted character.
These six-winged beings, full of eyes, never stop repeating this praise to God, “HOLY, HOLY, HOLY IS THE LORD GOD, THE ALMIGHTY, WHO WAS AND WHO IS AND WHO IS TO COME.” Christ is coming again onto the earth just as He left—this time, to rule as King of all; Acts 1:9-11, Revelation 19:11-20:6, etc.
God lives forever and ever and these creatures never stop acknowledging His glory and honor in eternal thanksgiving.
These beings are also exposed in Ezekiel chapter 1, providing additional insight into their complexity and appearance. Ezekiel too had an encounter with Christ and His heavenly frightening presence. His penned account is very similar to John’s, and Ezekiel also fell on his face before the omnipotent appearance of God-man.
We have been peering through our imagination’s eye as we have traveled through this chapter trying to grasp the displayed, and we close it viewing the 24 elders falling down before our LORD. They too, add to the worship of the creatures by lauding the Godhead with glory, honor and power for the fact He created all things and by Him they existed. Colossians 1, verses 15-18, magnifies God the Son as the Creator of all. This reveals to us that there is no question concerning Christ being God, part of the Trinity Godhead. Revelation makes it totally apparent as well that Christ is magnified God.
Revelation Chapter 5
Photo clip by photo clip is how we continue to tread into Revelation. John is relaying his astonishing heavenly vision systematically, which commenced with the previous chapter. We enter this section, chapter 5, with John telling us he saw a book written inside and on the back—interesting, don’t you think? It was in the right hand of Him who sat on the throne. I believe this to be God the Father. We know following Christ’s ascension that He sat to His Father’s right; Mark 16:19.
You may inquire, what is this book he wants me to know about? Well, I will tell you what I think. If you turn back in your Bible to Daniel 12:4, you will read Daniel was commanded by God to seal up the book that held the concluding prophesies that the LORD set before him in visions—visions similar to John’s. I believe this is that book. It was to be sealed and to be unsealed when the time of last day fulfillment was to arrive—the days previous to the unleashing of the tribulation period.
We also see in this verse in Daniel that one of the signs regarding the last days will be the abundance of travel. My…hasn’t that come to pass?
In verse 2, back in Revelation chapter 5, we observe a strong angel (we know from the Word that angles are all male, have differing appearances, assignments, and obviously strengths) seeking to locate, “Who is worthy to open the book and to break its seals?” He is asking in a very loud, very intense voice, so all will hear. It is a very concerning thing that we are beholding here in this segment of this flight into the future.
As we attempt to grasp exactly all John is viewing in this heavenly scene, we notice no one is found worthy to open the book. Though the angel’s resounding voice penetrated throughout heaven, no one is stepping forward.
Now, we need turn and look toward John. To our dismay, we see this appointed apostle is weeping greatly. He obviously knows the importance of having the book unsealed. He may have known this to be Daniel’s writings (my assessment) that needed to come to pass. (Placing the prophesies of Daniel beside Revelation gives us a clearer photo of all that will unfold in the ghastly final days.)
Encouragement arrives on the scene for us in verse 5 as we witness John being told that he need no longer lament as Christ, the Lion of Judah, the root of David, is the One appointed to open the book of revealed prophesies.
The words here are entirely significant as this reveals that Jesus, born of the tribe of Judah, is the root of David. This fulfills all the prophecies concerning the line of David ruling on the throne in Jerusalem over the Jews. The Messiah is the ultimate King in this line. Matthew 1:1-17 displays Joseph’s genealogy, Christ’s adoptive ancestral right to the Davidic throne. Mary’s line is provided in Luke chapter 3, which traces her ancestry back to Nathan, David’s son. Nathan was not of the line of Solomon. Solomon’s line eventually begot King Jeconiah. God revealed in Jeremiah 22:30 and 36:30 that none of Jeconiah’s (AKA Coniah and Jehoiachin) descendants would successfully reign on the throne of David.
Zerubbabel was Jeconiah’s grandson (Mathew 1:12), but he never sat on the throne as king when the Jews returned to Israel from the chastening captivities placed on them by God when they desired to be styling with surrounding culture and society. Zerubbabel did rule as governor and oversaw the rebuilding of the temple as recorded in Ezra and Zechariah 4:6f. Nevertheless, God being gracious, did state of Zerubbabel in Haggai 2:21-23, that during the millennial period Zerubbabel would be like a signet ring, for God had chosen him. Kings wore signet rings for legalizing documents. The ring’s insignia was set in a small mound of soft wax or clay, which solidified. The document’s addressee could only break this royal embossment. This teaches us Zerubbabel will have exalted rexis power on the earth during the millennial reign of Christ.
Christ has right to Jerusalem’s throne through David, and of course, as God Almighty! He being of the tribe of Judah, the root of David, will rule as God over the world from His throne. Much of the nativity story deals with Christ’s legal prophetic right to the throne. When the angel appeared to Mary in Luke 1:30-33, the angel spoke in millennial terms, never referencing the church age. Of course, Mary was a Jew, therefore the angel Gabriel spoke of all the millennial promises that would be fulfilled by her Seed. In Luke 1:32, she was told God, who would be formed within, would someday reign as Messiah on His throne of David, as a Jew and as LORD. This pre-info, powerfully proclaimed, procured He will reign over her people, the Jews (Jacob’s line), forever and His kingdom will have no end. Every believing Jew awaited the Messiah’s reign—prophesied throughout the Old Testament. Mary anticipated as a Jewess, the promises of the reigning Messiah. She was told this would come to pass through her. She was God’s chosen, pure (but not sinless) instrument. God speaks in timeless ways as a thousand years are as one day to Him. None of the millennial prophesies set before Mary would come to pass till centuries following her entering into paradise. Christ’s perfection of supremacy rule on the earth is what believers still await.
A Few References:
(Revelation 2:26 And he that overcomes, and keeps my works unto the end, to him will I give power over the nations: 27: And He shall rule them with a rod of iron; as the vessels of a potter shall they be broken to shivers: even as I received of my Father.Israel) brought forth a man child, who was to rule all nations with a rod of iron…
Revelation 12:5 And she (
Revelation 19:15 And out of His mouth goes a sharp sword, that with it He should smite the nations: and He shall rule them with a rod of iron: and He treads the winepress of the fierceness and wrath of Almighty God. 16: And He hath on His vesture and on His thigh a name written, KING OF KINGS, AND LORD OF LORDS.
Micah 4:1 But in the last days it shall come to pass, that the mountain of the house of the LORD shall be established in the top of the mountains, and it shall be exalted above the hills; and people shall flow unto it. 2: And many nations shall come, and say, Come, and let us go up to the mountain of the LORD, and to the house of the God of Jacob; and He will teach us of His ways, and we will walk in His paths: for the law shall go forth of Zion, and the word of the LORD from Jerusalem. 3: And He shall judge among many people, and rebuke strong nations afar off; and they shall beat their swords into plowshares, and their spears into pruning hooks: nation shall not lift up a sword against nation, neither shall they learn war any more…7: And I will make her that halted a remnant, and her that was cast far off a strong nation: and the LORD shall reign over them in mount Zion from henceforth, even for ever..Jerusalem shall be safely inhabited. 12: And this shall be the plague wherewith the LORD will smite all the people that have fought against Jerusalem; Their flesh shall consume away while they stand upon their feet, and their eyes shall consume away in their holes, and their tongue shall consume away in their mouth…16: And it shall come to pass, that every one that is left of all the nations which came against Jerusalem shall even go up from year to year to worship the King, the LORD of hosts, and to keep the feast of tabernacles. 17: And it shall be, that whoso will not come up of all the families of the earth unto Jerusalem to worship the King, the LORD of hosts, even upon them shall be no rain. 18: And if the family of Egypt go not up, and come not, that have no rain; there shall be the plague, wherewith the LORD will smite the heathen that come not up to keep the feast of tabernacles. 19: This shall be the punishment of Egypt, and the punishment of all nations that come not up to keep the feast of tabernacles.
Zechariah 14:9 And the LORD shall be king over all the earth: in that day shall there be one LORD, and His name one…11: And men shall dwell in it, and there shall be no more utter destruction; but
Psalms 47:2 For the LORD most high is terrible; He is a great King over all the earth. 3: He shall subdue the people under us, and the nations under our feet.)
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In Revelation 5:6, we see Christ the lamb standing as if slain. This sad truth, in heavenly vision form, is to remind us that Christ died for our sins as the only one worthy—as the sinless Lamb of God.
We are to take communion often in remembrance of this. 1 Corinthians 11:26 speaks of communion being consumed often (“As often as you eat”) and, of course, the apostles exampled this. We observe in Acts 2:46 that believers partook in the breaking of bread— doing so as they went from house to house.
1 Corinthians 11:20 speaks in regard to the church engaging in a pre-communion meal, addressed as the “Lord’s Supper.” It is also designated as a “love feast” in Jude 12.
In warning of communion, if we take it unworthily, our lives can be snuffed out as 1 Corinthians 11:28-31 renders. This is a form of church discipline performed by God Almighty. Whereby, He allows believers to become ill and eventually die if they do not repent of undisclosed, scripturally disobedient undertakings. The church too is to discipline Biblically, but leadership is not always aware of all the sin present in a congregation and this implements a safeguard. Our mighty God knows all the facts and can judge without any misguidance.
We read also in Revelation 5:6; of the seven spirits. Remember, they oversaw the churches and pronounced judgment upon those fellowships that allowed in its doors acts of Biblical disrespect. Christ was going to discipline those churches that fell short of submission in various areas of scriptural nonconformance. Here, we witness these angels being sent into all the earth.
In verses 7-8, one of the elders (I believe the 24 elders are the Jewish chosen ones of God. They are made up of twelve Old Testament saints secured from the twelve tribes and the twelve apostles, including John, who are elevated in heaven; Revelation 21:12-14.) is taking the book out of the Father’s hand and is handing it to the Son of God.
Subsequently, the four living creatures and twenty-four elders fall before the Lamb…what a holy sight to behold. Each is holding a harp. This is the only played instrument implemented for singing that we witness in heaven—it being a medium that transmits pure and lovely tones. We are commanded to dwell an all that is lovely, pure, honorable…all that is above reproach—Philippians 4:8. This includes compositions listened to and sung.
These elders and angels are also holding bowls of incense, which are the prayers of the saints. It is interesting that believers’ intercessions are represented by sweet smelling incense. Praying according to scriptural truths is entreating in the will of the Lord and we see these supplications are very precious and delightfully fragrant to God.
Next in presentation in this moving scene, are the elders singing praise to Christ the Lamb, the only One worthy to break the seals of the book. It was only He who shed His blood for the sins of mankind, so that mankind everywhere in the world might be saved who call upon Him.
The other Sunday we sung this hymn for communion which is so apropos for this time and for this lesson:
The tune can be heard here: http://www.cyberhymnal.org/htm/b/t/btcjesus.htm
Beneath the Cross of Jesus
Beneath the cross of Jesus I fain would take my stand,
The shadow of a mighty rock within a weary land;
A home within the wilderness, a rest upon the way,
From the burning of the noontide heat, and the burden of the day.
O safe and happy shelter, O refuge tried and sweet,
O trysting place where Heaven’s love and Heaven’s justice meet!
As to the holy patriarch that wondrous dream was given,
So seems my Savior’s cross to me, a ladder up to heaven.
There lies beneath its shadow but on the further side
The darkness of an awful grave that gapes both deep and wide
And there between us stands the cross two arms outstretched to save
A watchman set to guard the way from that eternal grave.
Upon that cross of Jesus mine eye at times can see
The very dying form of One Who suffered there for me;
And from my stricken heart with tears two wonders I confess;
The wonders of redeeming love and my unworthiness.
I take, O cross, thy shadow for my abiding place;
I ask no other sunshine than the sunshine of His face;
Content to let the world go by to know no gain or loss,
My sinful self my only shame, my glory all the cross.
We behold, as we glimpse more intently into this heavenly panorama, that every person from every tribe and tongue will be represented as benefactors of Christ’s shed blood. Therefore, He is worthy to bring judgment upon all who have rejected him. When the actual seals are broken in time future, His judgment will be cast and all evil will receive His avenging anger and wrath unleashed in incomprehensible omnipotence never eye has witnessed before on this sinful cursed earth.
Examining verse 10, we grasp hold of the fact that God’s promises are to us, true believers, who will be a kingdom of priests to God and we will reign on the earth with Christ during the blessed millennial period.
Verse 11 ensues us to casts our eyes upon countless angels before the throne of God who are giving praise to Christ with their voices. They sing that familiar hymn, Worthy is the Lamb that was Slain, with delightful, magnified voices untarnished by sin. (I hope your church sings this hymn of awarding praise for God’s sacrificial death.)
Every created thing in the heaven, earth, and under the earth, and on the sea and all things in them repeat the same; verse 13. Job 12:7-9 teaches us that animals do not question God and His mighty works. This creature-praise should not surprise us.
The total worship scene here is completely awesome—the glorification of Christ—our slain Lamb. This is one example set before us of bowing down before God in all reverential fear and adoration. We must understand our humbled state before Almighty God. There is no room for pride and self-elevation, only knees collapsing.
Revelation Chapter 6
In chapter 5, we witnessed a need arise. A sealed book had to be opened and no one seemed qualified for the task. This penned eschatological work, when opened, would unleash holocaustic terrors upon the whole earth, never witnessed before. We know at the end of the book of Daniel, that Daniel was commanded to seal up his recorded account of the last days, which I believe to be this sealed book.
We finally witnessed, the only qualified person coming forth—Christ, our slain Lamb. We concluded chapter 5 with the angels and elders awarding praise to Christ who died that men might be saved. What tremendous accolades to the One deserving!
In verse 1 of chapter 6, we witness our slain Lamb breaking one of the seals. At this juncture, the first of the angels (of four living creatures) says, “Come.” This thunderous angel is commanding a white horse (representing purity) with rider holding a bow, to come forward; verse 2. This angelic mount is presented with a crown, which proclaims exalted authority—his authority to conquer in Christ’s pure righteousness.
In verse 3, we observe our omnipotent Christ, the worthy One, breaking the second seal. Whereby, the second living angel commands “Come.” A red horse looms forward, representing avenging blood. One of the Biblical names for our God is terror and this name is apropos to Revelation. This riding angel will take peace from the earth with his great sword, the peace we presently experience. Our world still grasps some peace, even in its depraved state. We do not see masses of people killing one another. I do not look out my window and witness by neighbors shooting one another. My neighborhood is most always peaceful. We still have some law and order that prevents continuous mass murdering. Yes, we have murders and other crimes that plague our globe, but nothing at all similar to when all peace is completely abolished. We are grateful that we can now relish some peace on earth.
We do know in the last days evil will increase as satan’s power will increase and we do witness the criminal aspect unchecked as never before. Good is definitely called evil and visa versa, which was not the case in previous centuries. Murder ensued the death penalty without question in most cases. The majority of people were imprisoned for unlawfully transgressing others.
We witness in this apocalyptic setting, men slaying one another, as permitted by God. Without God’s constant intervening omnipotence, this globe would be a far cry from its current state of affairs. As we view this approaching horrific prophetic episode, we see how much we have to be appreciative for even amidst a very sinful generation. Christ addressed mankind, as being an adulterous and sinful generation; Mark 3:38. His judgment must finally fall on the earth as things have not changed; they are continually worsening. This world’s fallen state will result in a murderous sword encompassing it, held within the hand of Christ the Judge.
Yes, we still have more seals of judgment to witness— remember, there are seven seals. The third seal is broken my Christ in verse 5. Another angel commands another horse and rider to “Come.” This horse is black and its horseman is holding a pair of scales—scales to weigh. There will be little food to weigh during this time of famine when men experience the justice of God’s frightful hand—a frightful hand that does not encompass tolerance.
In verse 6, we see a denarius used as money accounting, which = a day’s wages. A denarius could buy a quart of wheat or three quarts of barley…not much to feed, house and clothe a family. The prices are outrageous, we would appallingly state. We see the angel, out of God’s grace, not being allowed to damage the oil or wine. These preserved supplies will be protected out of God’s kind love.
A fourth seal is unleashed in verse 7 as the command to “Come” arises once again. Here we have an ashen (pale) horse bearing a rider whose name is “Death and Hades.” This is the last of the four living creatures to cast woes upon the earth.
Hades is a holding tank for the condemned dead who will someday be placed in the Lake of Fire. Not until the white throne judgment, Revelation chapter 20, will anyone be cast to this fate. We do know Hades is a very hot place, as is hell, through the story of the rich man and Lazarus; Luke chapter 16. This “Death and Hades” rider will be provided with authority to kill a fourth of the earth with sword, famine, sickness and wild beasts in time advancing. When these wild beasts strike, they will extinguish all animal rights groups. Everyone will be walking in trepidation, watching for wild beasts out of the corner of their eye.
This will be a trying time for the human race when these four plaguing woes beset a fourth of our globe. It will be a sad time for the rebellious who have rejected Christ, when the death bell tolls these grievous judgments.
There will be little or no food to nourish, and sickness resulting in death will be present everywhere. The call of the wild will be knocking at the door—animals and those who want to mass murder. This section of Scripture reminds me of the dreadful perils that were present on the Oregon Trail. However, this arriving revelational period will surpass those road hazards in untold unimaginable levels.
We now arrive at the fifth seal which presents a different photo of what we have previously witnessed. We see no horse and rider beckoning. What we do witness in this portrayed footage is souls—the embodiment of the persecuted church. This is an interlude period that refrains from earthly woes; verse 10.
These believers who held the faith unto death, lie beneath the alter. They have been sacrificed for their faith in Christ. In the Old Testament, alters were erected for blood sacrifices for sin atonement. There is also an alter placed in heaven to remind us of Christ’s crucifixion.
We do not know how many sacrificed individuals are represented, but it would not surprise me if a million souls rest beneath the alter. These faithful believers desire revenge and are awaiting judgment on the unsaved. They want blood revenge as we see in verse 10. In 2 Thessalonians 1:6-8 we read of God’s promises of affliction—repayment placed upon those who persecute believers. This will be fulfilled in the last days as verse 7 states “when Christ is revealed from heaven with His mighty angels in flaming fire,” he will deal out retribution on the unsaved. Of course, we know many persecutors have come to Christ and are still coming to Him, out of His charity. We must witness to those who hate us, remembering we are were simply saved by grace.
Verse 10 addresses Christ refraining from judgment even though the martyrs are begging for it. God is longsuffering that all might be saved. We see there is a certain number of destined martyrs, and that accounting must be fulfilled before judgment. In Romans 11:25-26, we read of the “fullness of the Gentiles.” Here also there is a number set before God, this dealing with Gentile salvation. During this church dispensation, God has predestined a number of Gentiles to be saved. Subsequently, when this number is completed, then the focus will return to the Jewish nation and their complete salvation.
Returning to Revelation, we see God loves these faithful tortured ones who never compromised to save their own hides. As a result, He presents each of them with a white robe for their faith of obedience that led to their frightful deaths.
It is now time for the sixth seal unveiling, which arrives in a quake, an earthquake; verse 12. No horse and rider arrive for this sealed judgment as there were only four assigned to the seven seal breakings. The earthquake is accompanied by darkness that covers the sun like a thick black feed sack—called sackcloth. Sackcloth was a rough material used in sacking goods. It was made from goat or camel hair. A burlap sack serves the same purpose today.
We also witness the moon becoming like blood and the stars falling from the sky to the earth. A rhythmic picture is presented, ending verse 13—“as a fig tree casts its unripe figs when shaken by a great wind.” It is set before us to reveal that the whole earth will suffer shaking deadly turmoil at this time.
It is hard to imagine planets falling and landing on the earth and the bloodshed which will ensue from their crushing, burning destruction. In 8:10, we see a great star falling from heaven and it was burning like a torch. I assume these stars in 6:13 will begin to burn also when they enter earth’s upper atmosphere as do meteors.
Meteors become heated by friction and are set afire by the Earth’s oxygen mantel. There is such an onslaught to the earth’s atmosphere that the available oxygen in places is completely consumed. Heated gas in the comet’s tail form petrol chemicals, which when falling through the atmosphere burst into flame, a sheet of flame falling to Earth.
Christ quoted the same catastrophes that are listed here in Matthew 24:29 when he preached on the tribulation.
Picturing the heavens splitting “like a scroll, when it is rolled up,” seems to defy my intellect. It appears the clouds and blue sky will simply disappear before men’s eyes; verse 14.
Joel 2:31-32 also describes this and we know it is this period as it states “the great and awesome day of the LORD” which always refers to end time prophesies. Joel refers to the wonders of the sky and earth, blood, fire and columns of smoke; the sun turning to darkness, and the moon into blood. This text teaches us that there will be those who escape who live in Jerusalem, “the survivors whom the LORD calls.”
As we read further we see every mountain and island, not just some, will be moved out of their places. Wow, this far surpasses any earthquake or tsunami.
The result appears in verse 15, where kings, great men, commanders, rich and strong, slaves and freemen will hide themselves in caves and rocks. All of mankind will be living in terror of God! Yes, they all know this is the wrath of Christ as they command the mountain and rocks to fall on them so they can be hid from the presence of Christ the Lamb; verse 16. There will be no professing atheists during this time!!
Now, man makes a great statement, “the great day of their wrath has come, who is able to stand;” verse 17. When I read these words, I could not help but think of the lyrics to Handel’s Messiah, which covers a great deal of the apocalypse. This musical masterpiece comprises only Scripture. Alan and I enjoy listening to Messiah throughout the year as it encompasses Christ’s outlined life, including what is to come.
From Handel’s Messiah: “But who may abide the day of His coming? and who shall stand when He appeareth? For He is like a refiner’s fire. And He shall Purify;” Malachi 3:2.
What powerful words to end this chapter. Christ will purify the earth like a refiner’s fire. How we look forward to the time when all evil will cease—every unrighteous, unholy and unchaste way.
This chapter instructs us to be about the Gospel that men might be saved from the wrath to come!
Revelation Chapter 7
The power of angels is difficult to comprehend. Revelation and other Bible references make it clear that they are not sweet, little ladies with wings, appearing similar to fairies. As I have stated previously, there are no female angels listed in Scripture and they were created countless years before Eve, who was created by taking a rib from Adam—which I don’t believe he missed. I don’t know any man who misses this rib. ☺
Sinful humankind has always desired to worship women as history and present day religions example. Female angels appeal to depraved humanity.
We view in verse 1, four angels and they are standing at each corner of the earth, holding back the four winds of our globe as extremely powerful beings. Obviously, the four corners of the earth would be the rudimental points of the four winds, where their force looms forth. Our earth has four prevailing winds and these winds will be held back through God’s selected celestial beings:
4 Prevailing winds — the general circulation of the atmosphere
“Prevailing winds are winds which come about as a consequence of global circulation patterns. These include the Trade Winds, the Westerlies, the Polar Easterlies, and the jet streams.
The Trade Winds are the most familiar consistent and reliable winds on the planet, exceeded in constancy only by the katabatic winds of the major ice sheets of Antarctica and Greenland. It was these winds that early mariners relied upon to propel their ships from Europe to North and South America. Their name derives from the Middle High German trade, akin to Old English trod meaning “path” or “track”, and thus the phrase “the wind blows trade”, that is to say, on track.
Along the east coast of North America, friction twists the flow of the Trades even further clockwise. The result is that the Trades feed into the Westerlies, and thus provide a continuous zone of wind for ships travelling between Europe and the Americas.
The Westerlies, which can be found at the mid-latitudes beneath the Ferrel circulation cell, likewise arise from the tendency of winds to move in a curved path on a rotating planet. Together with the airflow in the Ferrel cell, poleward at ground level and tending to equatorward aloft (though not clearly defined, particularly in the winter), this predisposes the formation of eddy currents which maintain a more-or-less continuous flow of westerly air. The upper-level polar jet stream assists by providing a path of least resistance under which low pressure areas may travel.
The Polar Easterlies result from the outflow of the Polar high, a permanent body of descending cold air which makes up the poleward end of the Polar circulation cell. These winds, though persistent, are not deep. However, they are cool and strong, and can combine with warm, moist Gulf Stream air transported northward by weather systems to produce violent thunderstorms and tornadoes as far as 60°N on the North American continent.
The jet streams are rapidly moving upper-level currents. Travelling generally eastward in the tropopause, the polar jets reside at the juncture of the Ferrel cell and the Polar cell and mark the location of the polar cold front. During winter, a second jet stream forms at about the 30th parallel, at the interface of the Hadley and Ferrel cells, as a result of the contrast in temperature between tropical air and continental polar air.
The jet streams are not continuous, and fade in and out along their paths as they speed up and slow down. Though they move generally eastward, they may range significantly north and south. The polar jet stream also marks the presence of Rossby waves, long-scale (4000 – 6000 km in wavelength) harmonic waves which perpetuate around the globe.”
Our Miraculous LORD is certainly past finding out!!
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These angels, under God’s direction, must see to it that no winds blow on the earth, on the sea and not on any tree. And we know these angels will not fail God, as God’s holy angels never question—only trust and obey. We too are simply to trust and obey. Now this does not mean we never ask questions, as we are very limited in our knowledge to comprehend all things. I, on occasion, ask the Father to assist me in understanding a passage of Scripture in the name of Christ. The Holy Spirit is always faithful to assist and inform as the One who grants enlightenment within.
Another angel appears in verse 2, ascending from the rising sun. It does not seem fire, ice or other elements effect angels. We could never ascend from the rising sun, not being able to soar in these bodies that are earthbound. These dusty shells also hate extremely hot temperatures, and would suffer destruction if exposed to the sun’s flames. Someday, the born again will have perfect bodies that will not be frail or subject to harm. We will no longer consist of dust. However, God is graciously mindful that we are simply made of dust; Psalm 103:13-14.
This sun-ascending angel holds the seal of the living God. It must be placed on the 144,000 male, virgin Jews by God’s decree. They are sealed as God’s chosen, righteous ones. Their numbers are 12,000 X 12,000—12,000 from every tribe of Israel which = 144,000. Even though the Jews have intermarried with other Jewish tribes (every tribe descended from one of Jacob’s twelve sons; Genesis chapter 49) and Gentile peoples throughout the centuries, God is making sure there will be those who can be distinguished by their tribe. Remember also, Revelation 21:12-14 teaches that the twelve gates of the new city of Jerusalem will display the names of all twelve Jewish tribes. The twelve foundation stones of this unsurpassed, magnificent, suspended city will have the names of the twelve Jewish apostles.
We see the names of the twelve tribes listed in verses 5-8; though, for some reason, Dan is not listed. Perhaps it is included with another tribe.
It is clear, by verse 4, that they will encompass all twelve tribes.
This special unit of God’s army of righteousness is also spoken of in Ezekiel chapter 9. Here, Ezekiel makes it clear that everyone in Jerusalem will be murdered except for the 144,000 male virgin Jews taken from each tribe. Everyone dies excluding those with the mark or seal—the 144,000. The 144,000 are secured because they “sigh and groan over all the abominations” which are in the city of Jerusalem. They will hate all the sin displayed in the holy city and will mourn over it, resulting in the protective sealing by God—which is the name of the Lamb and His Father; Revelation 14:1. They will not compromise in any way, shape or form. (I recently saw an ad for the Marines, which stated they do not compromise.) This is something the church should be able to proclaim also; but unfortunately, never can.
All those without “The Mark” die in Jerusalem in the tribulation. This includes men, women, children and the elderly. Though the Ezekiel text does not specifically state 144,000; we know it refers to them as no other Jewish male group in Scripture is so distinguished with this godly mark on their foreheads; Ezekiel 9:4 and Revelation 7:3.
These holy Jews are also spoken of in chapter 14 of Revelation, as these men will stand with Christ on Mount Zion, which is Jerusalem, AKA the temple area. This will be where the new temple will be built and where Solomon’s temple stood and Zerubbabel’s. King Herod’s temple, that we view in the New Testament, is Zerubbabel’s Temple holding all the glorification Herod erected in an attempt to bring Zerubbabel’s Temple to the standard of Solomon’s Temple. However, it never achieved Solomon’s total grandeur. Still, it was very impressive, as we note by the disciples acclaim in Luke 21:5-6. We note here that Christ was totally unimpressed. God is never impressed by the work of man’s hands, which will someday all be dismantled when this earth is destroyed.
Herod’s Temple:
“Solomon’s Temple was an artistic structure of the highest conception. In its commanding position on the mount, in the pleasing effect of its white stone ornamented with cedar-wood, and in its symmetrical proportions it surpassed Herod’s Temple, though the latter exceeded the former in mere magnificence. Herod’s Temple was the most beautiful building in the world designed by one of the most infamous men in the world.
It was constructed entirely of polished granite interspersed with dark-colored marble, with beveled edges, set in plaster. Herod even proposed to fill up the edges with gold; but the Rabbis advised him to abstain from doing so, as the white plaster combined with the granite and marble gave the Temple the appearance of waves of the sea” (Suk. 57b). Thus it is evident that Herod was somewhat gaudy in his taste and that his Temple was less artistic in design and coloring than that of Solomon.”
The Two Temples Compared.
The sacredness of Solomon’s Temple was greater than that of Herod’s, as the latter lacked five important accessories: (1) the Ark and the “kapporet” (mercy-seat, cherubim), (2) the divine fire, (3) the Shekinah, (4) the Holy Spirit, and (5) Urim and Thummim (Yoma 21b). It lacked also the pot of manna and Aaron’s staff alongside the Ark, the jar of holy oil, and the coffer with jewels of gold presented by the Philistines as a trespass-offering on returning the Ark (I Sam. vi. 8). King Josiah, anticipating the fall of the Temple, concealed these sacred objects (Yer. Sheḳ. vi. 1). Evidently they were hidden in the subterranean passage under the Temple, where, it is claimed, were buried also, as soon as the Temple was finished, all the parts of the Tabernacle (Soṭah 9a). In the Second Temple two curtains, instead of the cedar-wood partition of the First Temple, separated the Hekal from the Holy of Holies. The First Temple was destroyed on account of three sins, namely, bloodshed, immorality, and idolatry. Wicked Herod beautified Zerubbabel’s (the second temple) and it was destroyed. He attempted to kill the LORD , following his birth—Herod being defiled with all vileness.
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Christ preached in this Luke passage to warn the disciples that many will come in His name and deceive in the last days.
We certainly see this today in the church where the holy Christ of the Bible has been removed and replaced with a rock and rolling christ, who loves to rock out and relishes references to television and movies. The Biblical Christ, who hates this world and the things of this world, has mostly been abolished—not to be found in most Christian circles. The church apostasy is not being extinguished and will not until Christ rules on the earth with a rod of iron.
The very popular Message Bible has totally changed Christ’s identity to form a false christ who is trendy and culturally acceptable. It also removes the fact that Christ is the only begotten Son (only born) of the Father, as does the NIV version, which is heretical too. These Bibles and others delete much of the original texts to please all men. Publishers change the original penned texts in the current translations for sale purposes, not fearing God. They present a christ for Hollywood—one who doesn’t step on anyone’s toes too hard or harms anyone’s sensual agendas. You will not find the word “homosexual” in the Message translation. Only cheap sex, abusive sex and sex without love seem to be condemned. It is not surprising that homosexuals applaud this Message translation as being “nicely done.”
God states adulterers and those who engage in premarital sex will be judged. God only approves of virgins coming together in holy wedlock for a lifetime; Hebrews 13:4. Of course, we understand Christ’s gracious forgiveness and restoration (the woman at the well being a perfect example). But we cannot change God’s holy declarations that set forth His innocent heart desire that produces the greatest blessing. This is what must be taught—abstinence till marriage.
This Message christ is also environmentally concerned: Romans 15:13: “Oh! May the God of green hope fill you up with joy, fill you up with peace, so that your believing lives, filled with the life-giving energy of the Holy Spirit, will brim over with hope!”
The “green hope” Hindu mantra is a popular rallying cry in the new age Mother-Earth demonic environmental movement. In NAM (New Age Movement) “green” signifies Oneness with the Earth, hence the title of William Anderson’s book, Green Man: The Archetype of Our Oneness with the Earth.
The Christ of the Bible speaks of this sinful earth passing away. He commands us to keep our mind on things above not on the things of this vile earth. The Bible makes it clear, satan is the god of this earth.
This false Message translation speaks in sterile, matter of fact tones. It is void of the Spirit. The author, Eugene Peterson, is of a liberal, sin-accepting, denomination. He takes abusive liberties with the Greek and Hebrew texts, manufacturing continuous false renderings. Changing the Scriptures, adding and subtracting, is forbidden by God; Matthew 5:18-19, Deuteronomy 4:2, Revelation 22:19.
This blasphemous translation is now widely used in churches as it presents a non-threatening environment and a non-threatening christ. The church apostasy is not being extinguished, but is growing in unbelievable rates. We witness in our fellowships many church attendees who appear unwashed, not cleansed in the blood of Christ. They engulf themselves in filth during the week; walking in it as one. They walk down the road of eternal destruction, parading a religious facade.
Other Message examples:
| 1 Tim 1:9-10. “…realizing the fact that law is not made for a righteous man, but for those who are lawless and rebellious, for the ungodly and sinners, for the unholy and profane, for those who kill their fathers and mothers, for murderers and immoral men and homosexuals and kidnappers and liars and perjurers, and whatever else is contrary to sound teaching. | The Message: “It’s obvious, isn’t it, that the law code isn’t primarily for people who live responsibly, but for the irresponsible, who defy all authority, riding roughshod over God, life, sex, truth, whatever!” |
| John 3:5. “Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God.” | The Message: “Unless a person submits to this original creation—the ‘wind hovering over the water’ creation, the invisible moving the visible, a baptism into a new life—it’s not possible to enter God’s kingdom.” |
| 1 Corinthians 6:9-11: “Do you not know that the wicked will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived: Neither the sexually immoral nor idolaters nor adulterers nor male prostitutes nor homosexual offenders [sodomites] nor thieves nor the greedy nor drunkards nor slanderers nor swindlers will inherit the kingdom of God. And that is what some of you were. But you were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified…” | The Message: “Unjust people who don’t care about God will not be joining in his kingdom. Those who use and abuse each other, use and abuse sex, use and abuse the earth and everything in it don’t qualify as citizens in God’s kingdom. A number of you know from experience what I’m talking about, for not so long ago you were on that list. Since then, you’ve been cleaned up and given a fresh start….” [Emphasis added] |
| Romans 8:35-37: “Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword?” | The Message: “Do you think anyone is going to be able to drive a wedge between us and Christ’s love for us? There is no way! Not trouble, not hard times, not hatred, not hunger, not homelessness, not bullying threats, not backstabbing, not even the worst sins listed in Scripture:” |
| Romans 9:27-28. And Isaiah cries out concerning Israel, Though the number of the sons of Israel be as the sand of the sea, only a remnant of them will be saved. For the Lord will carry out his sentence upon the earth fully and without delay. | The Message: Isaiah maintained this same emphasis: If each grain of sand on the seashore were numbered and the sum labeled “Chosen of God,” they’de be numbers still, not names; salvation comes by personal selection. God doesn’t count us; he calls us by name. Arithmetic is not his focus. |
You notice in the Romans 9 passage, God’s chosen nation Israel, is completely removed from the Message translation. Peterson lies and rewrites the Word of God according to his own theology passions.
The 144,000 Jews of Israel will not stand with the rewriting of God’s Word—changing the original language, which waters it down and erases its convicting power. These godly males will not compromise the truths of Christ in any manner! They will not follow a contemporary christ—who only exists in the mind of those who cannot accept the Biblical, separated, innocent, holy Christ.
Verse 9, of chapter 7, moves us to a hallowed scene, a remarkable scene, as it reveals the power of God to save to the uttermost. We observe here, the saved of the world, being of every nation, tribe, people and language. There are so many of these believers, no one can count them! My, what a mighty God we serve! Christ announced if He be lifted up, He will draw all men unto Himself; John 12:32.
These blessed redeemed ones, cry out with a loud voice, while holding palm branches in their hands, “Salvation to our God who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb;” verse 10. On Palm Sunday, before Easter Sunday, we remember how Christ was uplifted and adored. The inhabitants of Jerusalem proclaimed, “Blessed is He who comes in the name of the LORD, even the King of Israel,” with palm branches; John 12:12-13.
What occurred on Palm Sunday, a week previous to the crucifixion, was the prophecy of Zechariah 9:9 being partially fulfilled. Christ will again come into Jerusalem riding on a donkey when He is made King over the entire earth. It will be the entire globe that rejoices at this time. It will be completely fulfilled beyond our comprehension. Praise God!
Returning to Revelation, we see all the angles taking part in continued worship as they surround the twenty-four elders and four living creatures; verses 11-12. They reverently fall on their faces before God, seated on His throne, and worship, saying, “Amen, blessing and glory and wisdom and thanksgiving and honor and power and might, be to our God forever and ever. Amen.”
We can all fall on our knees right now and proclaim the same praise to our God and King—the only One deserving of praise and adoration. We can pray multitudes of verses as we read through His Word. Whenever we entreat with His Word, we pray His perfect will.
In verse 13, our attention turns to John as one of the elders approaches and speaks to him. Remember John, in this future time, will be one of these elders, as presented in a previous lesson. We locate this truth in Matthew 19:27-28. Due to this passage, I believe the apostles will represent twelve of the twenty-four elders. In light of Revelation 21:12, I believe the other twelve will be twelve godly Jews who lived in the Old Testament period—possibly Elijah, Isaiah, Ezekiel, Jeremiah, Moses, etc. Yes, I know I have gone over all this; but repetition can help cement the Word in our minds.
We do not know the name of the godly elder who is conversing with John. (Though someday, all things will be disclosed to believers.) This elder is asking John, who are the ones who are clothed in white robes? John respectfully replies to this elevated one, “You know.”
This elder is answering John’s inquiring mind—they are the ones who came out of the great tribulation, and they have washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb—Jesus Christ. We know blood makes things red, but Christ’s cleansing blood makes believers whiter than snow; verse 14.
These future tribulation martyrs will never deny Christ and will never stop preaching Him (Acts 5:40-42, Acts 4:20, 1 Corinthians 9:16; etc), no matter the opposition and they will be slain. It will be contrary to the laws of men to be a Christian at this time, but these will sacrificially die for breaking the laws of men to spread the salvation message of Christ. Today, many believers are perishing because they refuse to obey the laws of silence.
Yes, we are to obey the laws of the land, but not when these laws forbid the spreading of the Gospel. We cannot place our stamp of approval on any person or government that forbids the spreading of the Gospel; Acts 5:28-31. We can never say it is fine for a government to enact anti-Christian laws. Satan is the author and legislator of all such laws.
These godly persecuted ones will be completely worthy to walk in white as those who would not compromise. They will serve Jesus Christ day and night in His temple and He will spread His tabernacle over them. His holiness will engulf them.
We see from Revelation that if we do not walk in compromise to God’s Word, we will be significantly blessed in heaven. Being willing to be persecuted, produces eternal blessings overflowing. Why walk in compromise on this earth to please sinful man and to feed your fleshly desires? This earth is passing away and also its lusts. Is it worth it? No person can love you like God. No person will be as faithful to you.
These uncompromising righteous ones who feared only God, will find total contentment and deliverance from their earthly persecuted trials that led to their termination. They will no longer suffer from hunger, thirst or having to work under the hot sun and its heat. Many of the persecuted today suffer as governments withhold from those who bear Christ’s name. Many suffer grave hardships, as they slave away as prisoners.
There is no better reward than being before the Lamb who sits in the center of the throne. He will be their Shepherd and will guide them to springs of the water of life. And God will wipe away their every tear.
What a spectacular vibrato note to end our study on. It will be a glory for us when we never have to shed another tear of sadness.
What a grand day when we can see our slain Lamb who suffered and died for every sin we ever committed…He is holy, pure, innocent and separated from the influence of sinners.
I have compiled a list of the seven seals with chapters and verses to assist you:
The Seven Seals, chapters 6 & 8:
First Seal: Conquering angel on white horse, 6:1-2.
Second Seal: War—men slaying one another, 6:3-4.
Third Seal: Inflation and famine; but oil and wine preserved, 6:5-6.
Fourth Seal: Death—famine, pestilence and wild beasts, 6:7-8.
Fifth Seal: Christ’s martyrs, 6:9-11.
Sixth Seal: Terror—unsaved call for the rocks to fall on them to protect them from the LAMB, 6:12-16.
Seventh Seal: Silence about ½ hour and 7 trumpets are given to 7 angels; 8:1-5.
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Revelation chapters 1-3 http://vallee7.wordpress.com/2008/09/29/49/
Revelation Chapter 8
The book of Revelation is our personal premier of ecological phenomenons.
We were provided with great optimism as we departed from chapter 7. We learned those faithful believers who had been persecuted unto death during the tribulation, would never again suffer harm. Christ the Lamb “will be their Shepherd and will guide them to springs of the water of life and God will wipe every tear from their eyes;” Revelation 7:17.
This is also the eternal hope of believers who have been washed clean in the blood of the Lamb. Heaven is our delivery destination—here we will find freedom from all earthly turmoil and testing.
In this new chapter, the seventh seal of the seven seals is now broken. This event leaves heaven silent for a space of a half hour. This reveals the solemness set toward the destructive dramatics that will now appear before our eyes in predicted display.
Seven trumpets given to
seven angels to sound—
chapters 8,9 and 11
First Trumpet: Hail, fire, blood and 1/3 of the earth is burned, 1/3 of trees and 1/3 of grass; 8:7.
Second Trumpet: Great mountain burning with fire and thrown into sea…results in 1/3 of it becoming blood. 1/3 of the sea creatures die and 1/3 of the ships are destroyed; 8:8-9.
Third Trumpet: Star falls on 1/3 of the rivers and on springs. The star is called wormwood and many men will die from the poisonous, bitter water; 8:10-11.
Fourth Trumpet: 1/3 of the sun, moon and stars are struck and the earth is completely darkened for 4 hours during the day and 4 hours during the night; 8:12-13.
Fifth Trumpet: The angel who is the “star” (1:20 informs us that stars represent angels) is given a key by Christ to open the bottomless pit; 9:1-12. (We know the key came from Christ as 1:18 tells us as He holds the keys of death and of Hades).
Sixth Trumpet: Four angels are unbound from Euphrates River and the army from the east arrives. This military force consists of 2 hundred million horses and riders. The horses’ heads resemble ferocious lions. Fire, smoke and brimstone proceed forth from their mouths. Their serpent-like tails also bring harm. 1/3 of mankind is killed by this out-breathed fire, smoke and brimstone; 9:13-19 and Joel 2:30-31.
Seventh Trumpet: Christ’s kingdom revealed, with His eternal judgment and heaven’s temple glory; 11:15-19.
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Following the quiet interlude, seven angels receive seven trumpets. Another angel appears and is given a golden censer as he stands at the altar.
Censer: “A small portable vessel of metal fitted to receive burning coals from the altar, and on which the incense for burning was sprinkled. (2 Chronicles 26:19; Luke 1:9) The only distinct precepts regarding the use of the censer are found in (Leviticus 16:12) and in (Numbers 4:14) Solomon prepared “censers of pure gold” as part of the temple furniture. (1 Kings 7:50; 2 Chronicles 4:22)
Much incense was provided so this angel could add it to the prayers of the saints on the altar which is before the throne of God.
We can truly recognize, as we peer into heaven, how significant the tabernacle and temple were as they represented heavenly activities of service.
A censer filled with live coals was used in temple worship. A beautiful picture is set before us in verse 4, back in Revelation, as we witness this incense—representing the prayers of saints flowing up to God, issuing from the angel’s hand. See also Exodus 30:7-9, Psalm 141:2, Revelation 5:8, Luke 1:9-10.
The altar is very symbolic in Scripture as well. We know the continuous blood from animals that flowed from the Jerusalem temple altar represented the blood the Messiah would shed for the whole world in prophesied future. All this was fulfilled two thousand years ago. From this time forward, the world has reaped the benefits of the Lamb’s chosen death. His sacrificed cleansing blood is offered today to all, that all might be saved (whosoever believes—John 3:16). However, the road is narrow that leads to heaven, as few choose to be washed clean from all filth and vileness.
In Revelation 6:9-11, the Christian martyrs were crying for revenge; wanting God’s punishment placed upon those who had slain them for their powerful, convicting testimony.
Returning to chapter 8, we survey more of the revenge of God spilling on the earth. Joel and other prophets spoke to this occasion. Joel 2:30-31 discloses tribulation facts by addressing the wonders that will come to pass—blood, fire and columns of smoke. Moreover, the sun being turned to darkness and the moon to blood. Joel and other prophets, through inspiration, rightly referred to the tribulation as “The great and awesome day of the LORD.” God’s promises of judgment will be fulfilled.
In verse 5, back in chapter 8 of Revelation, one of the angels takes the censer and fills it with the fire from the altar and throws it to the earth. Earth’s inhabitants continue to reject Christ and they are paying the consequences once again. We witness that our world will be filled with fire, thunder, and lightening.
When it appears things cannot worsen, an earthquake rattles the earth. In chapter 6, we had the unleashing of all the tribulation seals…all except the seventh. The six seal also held an earthquake of unimaginable magnitude. Every mountain and island were moved out of their places. The sun was blackened and the moon became like blood. The stars of the sky fell to the earth.
This planet will reap what it has sown throughout the multiplied centuries of its existence. God is very gracious and longsuffering, but only to a point. Today is the day of salvation—salvation from the wrath to come, which holds eternal fire.
These befalling episodes compare to nothing you and I have ever witnessed. Devastating consequences will be observed that we cannot even begin to fathom. This is the wrath of God unleashed—predicted throughout the Old and New Testament. We have not been shut out and left unawares.
We know earthly disasters will increase as we journey closer to closing times. We do seem to be witnessing catastrophes on a larger scale. They are all leading toward this epoch. We are commanded to warn the unsaved of what is to arrive. We do not want our unsaved friends and neighbors suffering the wrath of God. Knowing the fear of the LORD, we persuade men; 2 Corinthians 5:11.
We now move on, toward the time when the sounding of the seven trumpets is going to take place. We have thus ended the seven seal judgments and now the judgment of the seven trumpets arrives. In verse 7, the first angel trumpets the first war cry. This produces hail and fire mixed with blood. This explosive conglomerate is thrown on the earth. This will hit our planet, descending from above, and it will suffer this destruction for its Biblical disobedience.
The consequences of this highest court judicial verdict thrust upon evil mankind will affect a third of the earth—trees and green grass burned to oblivion.
The Bible says judgment arrives because man does not give thanks to God for His many blessings. Many unsaved people we personally know would not think of offering praise to the Creator for the green grass and the lush tress. They could not reflect on the importance of giving thanks for the sun-enhanced blue sky and fluffy passing clouds.
Verse 8 brings us to the sounding of the second trumpet by the second angel. John, our recorder, describes this by scribing “something like a great mountain burning with fire was thrown into the sea; and a third of the sea became blood.”
Overall, the world has rejected the shed blood of Christ. It will one day witness the apocalyptic judgments, which will unleash immeasurable avenging hemal.
We have noted that God’s punishment is being dished out in thirds. He is not destroying the whole earth, as He still desires that men repent. Even in all His revenge, God still desires salvation for all. The judgments keep falling, however, because man is very hardened and he would rather curse God than praise Him—the One from whom all blessings flow.
Along with the second trumpeting, we see a third of aquatic life brought to stinging death and a third of all ocean vessels destroyed—human carnage floating in the seas.
By this time, there will be few places to run. Who can escape the One who rules the heavens and the earth?
In verse 10, we are brought to the third sounding angel. Following his musical charge, a great star falls from heaven; possibly one of the known planets. It will be “burning like a torch” and of course, we know that when meteors enter our atmosphere, they burn like a torch.
There are 70,000 million million million stars—sextillion, in the God’s heaven!
That’s the total number of stars in the known universe, according to a study by Australian astronomers. There are about 10 times as many stars as grains of sand on all the world’s beaches and deserts.
The figure — 7 followed by 22 zeros or, more accurately, 70 sextillion — was calculated by a team of stargazers based at the Australian National University.
(A third more stars arrayed the heavens before Christ’s birth—this disclosed to us in Revelation 12:3-4. Satan wanted Christ eliminated the moment He departed the womb. Satan angrily threw the heavenly beams to the earth as he witnessed the fulfilled prophecy concerning the Messiah. He implemented King Herod to try to destroy the King of the Jews! God held a great hedge of protection around His Son. Today, satan works around the clock to get people to question God’s holy Word. He is angry with its total inerrant truth. He is irate with Revelation and he wants its truths discarded. Many so-called believers comply and say it is not relevant for today and its events have already unfolded. They believe satan was bound in 70 AD and no longer roams the earth.)
Meteors, ranging in size from that of a pinhead, to many tons, are visible to the naked eye at night, when the friction between the surfaces of the meteors and of the air, produces heat as the meteors enter the earth’s atmosphere. The intense heat incinerates the meteors, which leave a blazing trail of light in their wake.Most meteors do burn up when they enter the earth’s atmosphere, with the exception of the large meteors, which are dragged through the earth’s atmosphere by the earth’s gravitational pull. After successful landings upon the earth, these huge bodies are renamed meteorites. Some scientists theorize that thousands of meteors fall to the earth during the daytime and the nighttime, but this theory is impossible to prove or to disprove, as most would necessarily land in water, which covers most of the earth’s surface.Generally speaking, meteors and meteor particles travel together in swarms like bees, with the exception of the loners, and travel in any direction they choose. God’s spectacular fireworks will show a “meteor shower.” It comes into view when the swarms encounter the upper layer of the earth’s atmosphere during the earth’s perpetual revolution around the sun. The friction produced when the meteors and the meteor particles rub against the atmospheric air incinerates the swarms, and they fall towards the earth in a brilliant display of light.
We know this blazing planet will not burn to nothing before it reaches the earth; it will be massive when it hammers a third of our planet. It will induce momentous catastrophes. It will fall on a third of the rivers and springs of water.
God names this star wormwood:
Wormwood (Artemisia absinthium)
The wormwood shrub grows wild in Europe, North Africa, and western Asia. It is now cultivated in North America as well. The leaves and flowers, and the oil obtained from them, are used as medicine.
Historical or traditional use: Wormwood is perhaps best known because of the use of its oil to prepare certain alcoholic beverages, most notably vermouth and absinthe. Absinthe, popular in the nineteenth century in Europe, caused several cases of brain damage and even death and was banned in most places in the early twentieth century.1Wormwood oil continues to be used as a flavoring agent for foods, although in much smaller amounts than were found in absinthe. As a medicine, wormwood was traditionally used as a bitter to improve digestion, to fight worm infestations, and to stimulate menstruation.2 It was regarded as a useful remedy for problems involving the liver and gallbladder.
Are there any side effects or interactions? Long-term intake of the thujone-containing oil or alcoholic beverages (absinthe) made with the oil is strictly contraindicated—it is addictive and causes brain damage, seizures, and even death. Short-term use of the wormwood tea or tincture has not resulted in any reports of significant side effects. Longer-term use can cause nausea, vomiting, insomnia, restlessness, vertigo, tremors, and seizures.
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Wormwood is a deadly and bitter herb that cannot be consumed in significant quantities. This star is referred to as wormwood in verse 11, as it will be ghastly destructive and will leave countless people in bitter pain. Many men will die from the infested bitter waters that this star pollutes. People will not be able to locate fresh unpolluted water in this sphere.
In verse 12, a fourth angel blows his trumpet in perfect montage sequence. It is time now for a third of the sun, moon and stars to be “struck.” A third of the day and night will be total darkness—eight hours. This will be a very scary total blackout.
We conclude this chapter by being introduced to a remarkable eagle—a loud speaking eagle; verse 13. Now, we cannot be too surprised as God allowed Balaam’ s donkey to speak to him in reproof.
It is possible that animals could speak before the fall. Eve was not surprised by the speaking serpent or so it appears. Of course, Balaam wasn’t surprised by his verbal donkey who told him off. Stupid Balaam just argued back. Our omnipotent God can make anything speak. Christ revealed in Luke 19:37-40 that the stones would cry out if the God-praising crowd became silent.
This eagle is a prophesying bird of prey (very apropos). He soars the sky telling the earth’s inhabitants “Woe, woe, woe to those who dwell on the earth, because of the remaining blasts of the trumpet of the three angels who are about to sound!” Yes, four angels have now trumpeted the perils of God, but three are still left.
God throughout history has warned of His wrath to come. He desires repentance not judgment. Silly man just shakes his fist toward God.
Please remember there are no atheists at this time. We learned this from chapter 6 as the residents of the earth were crying for the rocks to fall on them so they would be hidden from the omnipotent, avenging catastrophes of the Lamb of God and the Father; 6:16-17.
If you want to read something similar to what we are reading in Revelation, you can study the nine plagues found in Exodus, chapters 7-10. Here you observe horrific plagues placed on Egyptians due to their hard hearts. Of course, these are very minute when scaled in comparison to the world calamities of revealed times.
This ends this lesson, but the trumpets will continue in chapter 9.
Revelation Chapter 9
In this chapter, we arrive at the fifth trumpet of tribulation judgment brought upon the entire earth by the sounding of the fifth angel. If you review my chapter 8 commentary, you will note I listed all the trumpets and consequences. God’s placement of plagues imposed on sinful unrepentant beings arrives in His perfect timing.
We can take note of some slight similarities regarding the plagues of Revelation and those found in the book of Exodus. The Exodus afflictions can be viewed as an extremely light pre-shadowing of apocalyptic tragedies. God is very longsuffering that men might repent, but there comes a day of accountable comeuppance. One of curses the LORD placed on the rebellious Egyptians was swarming locusts; this same type of scenario will someday afflict the entire globe. As the locust plague in Egypt involved darkness due to the locust numbers (Exodus 10:15) so will the arriving locust epidemic of Revelation. However, the locusts of the forecasted encounter will be immeasurably fiercer.
Viewing verse 1, we witness a star falling from heaven, which obviously is an angel. We get to glimpse the power of angels through the book of Revelation. We have noted that all elements, including fire and gravity, pose no harm or threat to them. We witnessed an angel that ascended from the sun in 7:2. They can soar at incompressible speed, rocketing through the galaxies that are trillions of years away, in the simplicity of a moment. Their abilities reach far beyond our comprehension. God’s holy angels are rightly to be respected as Scripture exhorts.
The key of the bottomless pit is handed to this star (angel) of verse 1. Remember, Revelation 1:20 holds a key for us when it comes to understanding the fact stars represent angels (though not in all cases). There were seven angels (stars) that were assigned to the seven churches that we read of in chapters 1-3.
The earth-landing angel of chapter 9 uses a key to open the demonized hot bottomless pit; whereby smoke arises like that of a great furnace; verse 2. On this future day, the sun and air will be darkened via the smoke of the dreadful pit. We know from 20:11-15 that anyone whose name is not penned in the book of life will be cast into this bottomless infernos crater one day. Hell is the destination for the unredeemed (those who have not been washed in the blood of the Savior, being made clean in God’s sight through rebirth) who have perished. Currently, Hades (a very hot temporary holding place) contains the unsaved who have expired. We know it is very hot from the story of the rich man and Lazarus; Luke chapter 16. “Hades” is the correct Greek word translation for this Lazarus account exposure.
In Revelation 9:3, we witness bizarre locusts arising out of the fiery pit. They are very fierce and remarkable in appearance. We do not know their size as this is not revealed. Movies and books like to portray them in giant structure, but we do not know if they will be larger than the common locust. We do they will plague men to a degree that we cannot fully process in our minds.
God created over 9,000 of these uniquely modeled species:
“Locusts are migratory members of the short-horned grasshopper family; the name applied to almost 9,000 different species of singing, jumping insects in two families of the order Orthoptera. Grasshoppers are long, slender, winged insects with powerful hind legs and strong mandibles, or mouthparts, adapted for chewing.”
The Old Testament prophetical book of Joel addresses a portion of what is described in this Revelation chapter. God directed Joel to write on the tribulation period in general. This exposing little book also divulges the sins that Israel partook of during his era, approximately 835-796 BC. We can relate to this disclosure as humanity’s sensual sinful nature does not transform except by rebirth.
Joel foretold of the locusts that will arrive upon the earth in the tribulation. One fearsome manifestation will be their mighty teeth—teeth of a lion; Joel 1:6. Revelation 9:8 also bears this fact. Chapter 2 of Joel deals with the great horrors that will arrive within the tribulation period, including these unfathomable locusts. We know Joel is addressing this period as he refers to it as the day of the LORD’s coming. He speaks of these locusts arriving in a day of darkness and gloom—so true to Revelation’s forecast. No one in ages past has experienced anything like what is to come! The appearance of these creatures will be that of horses; 2:4. This is also verified in Revelation 9:7. They will run like mighty men—climbing, marching, and coming into homes; 2:8-9. Revelation 9:9 further testified to these facts. Joel also addressed present time foreclosure of God’s judgment of locust that was soon arriving to plague Israel; this being somewhere in the 700 BC time period. God’s nation was going to experience common locusts, possibly the “Pink” species, which is known to that region. Israel was to experience grasshopper devastation due to sin.
In 2004 Israel’s crops were once again greatly plagued by these little critters: http://forumgarden.com/forums/current-events/1599-israel-hit-worst-locust-plague-since-1950s.html
Israel today is far from Christ and in rebellion and the terrain still suffers in multitudes of ways. One day, the whole land of Israel will serve Christ in total willingness. Then the soil will again be blessed with agricultural abundance and beauty.
These Revelation locusts will also own characteristics of the scorpion, being painfully powerful. Like the scorpion, they will sting; whereby men will suffer for five months as if they had been stung by a scorpion. Scorpions are potent in their harm to men, yet minute in mass. It is interesting to contemplate on the tiny creatures God has created and their unique abilities and appearances.
One distinctive of the Revelation locust is their lack of harm when it comes to crops and foliage; verse 4. They will not eat any green thing, acting oppositely of known locust. We also learn from this verse that the 144,000 male virgin Jews will not be touched by these dreadful creatures. They will not pose harm to those who own the seal on their foreheads. We learned from chapter 7 that the 144,000 will have a seal on their foreheads. Chapter 14 of Revelation teaches us that they will be completely pure and holy, not being defiled with women, as blameless male, virgin Jews.
These locusts will harm every person who does not have the mark of God on their foreheads. However, they will not kill any person with their sting. People will want to die because their inflicted, painful agony will be so gnawing. However, they will not be allowed to extinguish their own lives. They will not be permitted to commit hara-kiri.
We perceive from this portion of Scripture that these locusts are battle-like in appearance and action, as they will display breastplates, like shields of iron. They will have wings and their sound will be like that of chariots, of many horses running into battle.
They will be kings in that they will exhibit what appears to be crowns of gold on their heads. Their faces will be like the faces of men—how very odd indeed. They will be dreadful in every aspect of the word! They will also have hair, like the flowing hair of women. I Corinthians chapter 11 informs us that God made women’s hair beautiful and it is her glory. It is to be long. Women are to be feminine and distinct from men. God hates unisex and homosexuality. Women’s long hair provides a sexual differing as men are to wear their hair short. It is also a modest covering as we read in this Corinthian passage.
Even though these locusts are of Satan, they are governed by God. The locust invading army cannot harm the 144,000 or kill mankind as I stated previously. Satan would love to destroy all mankind as man is made in the image of God, whom Satan hates. He will take every opportunity God allows to thrust his sword at him. Job chapters 1 and 2 informs us that Satan cannot harm without God’s permission. He must appear before God on occasion and give an accounting of his activities Satan was allowed to harm Job in tremendous ways, but he could not snuff out Job’s life. All of Job’s trials, though completely destructive, worked together for good and God was glorified.
Someday Satan will have all his wicked power withdrawn and will be cast into the lake of fire. I look toward this marvelous day.
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Locusts were the main staple entree for John the baptizing prophet; Matthew 3:4. John lived a lowly life, minus all worldly hindrances, as he desired to be all about the Messiah. A simple locust and honey diet represented this simple-living godly man.
You can locate locust recipes. Some people find them to be quite pleasant to the taste as they taste like shrimp. I guess this is the way to go when they destroy everyone’s crops. “Locust swarms, which can range in size from one square kilometer to 100 square kilometers, are spread by the wind. With up to 3,000 locusts per cubic meter, swarms can comprise tens of millions of insects which consume vast amounts of food. Each locust can eat two grams of food per day, and experts reckon that every million locusts gobble as much food as 5,000 people in one day. They are known to eat their own weight each day, consuming just about anything that grows—anything green. They are known to strip every shred of vegetation from areas where they invade.”
You can obtain an itsybitsy amount of produce from their stomachs.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/shared/spl/hi/picture_gallery/07/africa_desert_shrimps/html/1.stm
Barbecue (grilled): prepare the embers or charcoal. Place about one dozen locusts on a skewer, stabbing each through the centre of the abdomen. If you only want to eat the abdomen, then you may want to take off the legs or wings either before or after cooking. Several skewers of locusts may be required for each person. Place the skewers above the hot embers and grill while turning continuously to avoid burning the locusts until they are done.
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We learn in verse 11 one of the names of Lucifer and that is Apollyon, which is the same as Apollo. We know this verse refers to Satan as he is the angel of the abyss. Ancient civilizations worshipped Apollo as the Greek god of the sun who owned curly golden hair and was the son of Zeus. Satan arrives in many names in the realm of idolatry. He even appears as female goddesses. Mary of the Catholic Church is portrayed as a female goddess and countless idols have been imaged in wicked honor. Lucifer has held other goddess names such as Diana or Artemis of the Ephesians; her temple being one of the seven wonders of the ancient world. Many of her attributes were transferred to Mary and an idol of the multi-breasted Diana is stationed in the Vatican Museum. In Ayasalouk (formerly Ephesus) there are two main idol shrines that are visited; one to Mary and the other to Diana/Artemis. In the book of Jeremiah, the Jews were commanded not to worship the “queen of heaven” which was one of the titles of the female goddess, Ashtoreth. Mary holds this same “queen of heaven” title and so did Diana and Venus.
God declares image worshippers are kept out of heaven and we must be warned as idolatrous religions are viewed as a good ecumenical thing. Yoga, which is part of the idolatrous Hindu religion, and other New Age pursuits are on the rise in America. Satan is behind all idol worship. When people worship a graven image, they worship him and they are held accountable for worshipping Satan in his multitude of forms. Satan is the head of our present ecumenical movement and will be the head of the apocalypse ecumenical movement when countless idols will be worshipped to please all tastes. Idol worship will be all the rage in the tribulation. Multitudes of idols will be adored; verse 20 and 9:20. I would not be surprised if Apollo is once again upheld.
The antichrist will have his own speaking image that the world will worship; 13:15. If people refuse to partake in its worship, their lives will be extinguished. Perilless times await those who come to Christ during the great and horrific tribulation.
Bouncing back to chapter 9 verse 13, we observe a heavenly temple scene as the four horns of the golden alter are mentioned. It is very interesting that the temple in heaven resembles the tabernacle as well as the temple structure (built during the time of Solomon) that was designed by God for Jewish worship. There was a brazen alter with four horns created for sacrifice (Exodus 27:1-2). One will be formed again when the millennial temple (Ezekiel chapters 40-44) is build in Jerusalem on the original temple mount, where Abraham was called to sacrifice Isaac. It is from this heavenly temple that the sixth angel blows his trumpet, upon which four angels who have been bound in the great River Euphrates are released. The River Euphrates is in present day Iraq and seems to be the central local of Revelational happenings. Of course, Jerusalem is the foremost staging area. This should not surprise us as there will be a new Babylon and it will most likely be near ancient Babylon as it is called Babylon. Though, of course, we do not know what its actual name will be. God declared ancient Babylon would not be rebuilt, so it cannot be in the exact same local. Baghdad is not far from the remains of Babylon. New Babylon will acquire all the sinful attributes of ancient Babylon and it is natural to believe it will be near the same local. The River Euphrates is also referred to in 16:12, so we recognize what area of the world will be key in end times. Of course, all the world will be taking its cues from this region.
In verse 15, we see the four angels of God are assigned to kill a third of mankind. If you will recall, we observed God destroying by thirds in chapter 8, verses 9-12. I think it is safe to assume the 144,000 virgin men will not be harmed at this time as well. This holocaustic mass killing will be accomplished by armies of horsemen of two million. The apostle John is still present, observing and recording and he states “I heard the number of them.” He noted the riders had breastplates the color of fire and the heads of the horses were like the heads of lions and “out of their mouths proceed fire and smoke and brimstone.” These are not the kind of horses I would want to be around. They certainly will resemble the mythical dragon. A third of humanity will be executed “by the fire and the smoke and brimstone that proceeds out of their mouths;” verse 18. We also learn from verse 19 that their tails will be like serpents and they will have heads from which they do harm.
One would assume this punishment for sin would cause the living two thirds of the inhabitants of the world to repent. Unfortunately, they will not; verse 20. They will not turn away from a Harry Potter mentality of sorcery. They will not turn away from their murders, thievery, and sexual deviances (they will not hold to sex in marriage alone). These pagans will continual to worship false gods of idolatry in this future era. It is amazing that people will worship idols made by the hands of wicked man that cannot hear or talk. They can easily be hit right off a table in one swing. How absolutely ridiculous to adore things manufactured by the hands of sinful folk.
Yes, we end this chapter on a sad note as the world’s population in general is not repenting. They still are refusing to adhere to Jesus Christ, the only Savior. Their hearts are totally hardened, being in bondage to sin. We witness this same hardness of heart today, even in the church. Many do not take God seriously and His words of warning placed in Revelation. It is very foolish not to fear and tremble before God; Philippians 2:12 and 1 Peter 1:17.
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Revelation Chapter 10
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/21134540/vp/28689311#28689311
Plane crashes in Hudson River. People prayed, people were saved. No doubt, Christians were on the plane and prayed. Everyone refers to it as a miracle.
America, as a whole, is very thankful for everyone’s survival.
One day, men will not seek after God and He will no longer be gracious to mankind.
We ended chapter 9 on a sad note. It speaks to the time when God will bring painful and deadly nightmare horrors upon the earth during the tribulation. He will use locusts who have the faces of men and wear the hair of women to sting mankind. These locusts will plague earth’s inhabitants with torment for five months. People will want to die but God will not permit suicide. Civilization will suffer to the full extent He predetermined. In this same chapter, God reveals a third of rebellious mankind will perish. God will implement armies of two hundred million horsemen. There is no greater military strategist than God. These horses will pour forth fire, smoke and brimstone like dragons, whereby a third of mankind will perish. The chapter went on to explain to us that the horses’ tails will be like serpents, also creating harm as they will have heads. What a very frightful thing to contemplate on.
Chapter 10 opens with a strong angel arriving from heaven, clothed with a cloud and with a rainbow upon this head and his face is like the sun and his feet appear as pillars of fire. How poetically stated and what a powerful backdrop to introduce us to this chapter and future earth happenings. So much of Scripture comes to us in poetry. A great deal of the Old Testament was penned in Hebrew poetry. It is nice to own a translation of the Bible that does not remove God’s poetic and lofty nature.
This impressive angel who came from above has something in his hand. It is a little book which is open. I like little books and I have antique little books with which I decorate. They sit very nicely in the palm of one’s hand. These books are nice to pick up once in awhile as they are ancient and do not speak forth worldly degrading agendas. They are simplistic, expelling bright innocent writings that were a significant part of generations past…when modesty and decency had a large foothold, holding our society more firmly in place.
This angel, with the open book in hand, places his right foot on the sea and his left on the land. He is a expansive angel of magnitude impressiveness. Maintaining his stance, he cries out with a loud voice. We do not know what he cried out but it was like “when a lion roars.” This certainly must have placed great fear in John the Apostle. John is currently stationed on the earth in this future display. John was one who feared and trembled before God and who, no doubt, trembled before His frightful angelic creation as well.
When this angel cried, the seven peals (meaning a prolonged sound) of thunder also uttered their voices. We have eight loud angels at work in unison here. The Bible teaches us in Job that thunder is the voice of God; Job 37:2-5 and 40:9. God does thunder from heaven and His power over Creation should cause us to stand in awe.
The seven angels speak and we note John is about to write their words in obedience; verse 4. God had told him to communicate what would be set before him. He had to pen it for you and for me; 1:1-3.
John is suddenly stopped. A voice from paradise commands him “Seal up the things which the seven peals of thunder have spoke and do not write them.” This is a secret and John is to seal his lips and never tell a soul. To this very day, we do not know what was spoken. Daniel too was told to seal up things in a book (Daniel 12:4) and I believe this to be the book we read of in Revelation 5:1-2. When it was unsealed, it detonated the devastating Tribulation plagues as prescribed by God.
In verse 5 we return to the gigantic angle that is standing on the sea and on land. This angel lifts his right hand to heaven. Remember, there are no female angels in Scripture. Angles were created countless years before Eve ever appeared on the earth. She was created to be a helpmeet for Adam. She was formed to be his loving assistant and wife.
This angel swears by Him who lives forever and ever, “WHO CREATED HEAVEN AND THE EARTH AND THE THINGS IN IT, AND THE EARTH AND THE THINGS IN IT, AND THE SEA AND THE THINGS IN IT, that there will be delay no longer.” This verse reminds us that evolution is a lie that everything was uniquely and wonderful manufactured by God. Not even man who has a brain and mobility can recreate what has been made. He cannot reconstruct to perfection one single strand of hair. Unfortunately, many silly arrogant men and women believe everything came from absolutely nothing. Someday they will bow before Christ, the Creator of all (Colossians chapter 1, John chapter 1, etc.), and will suffer unfathomable incinerating eternal pain if they do not repent.
Verse 7 refers to the seventh angel and to the days of this angel who has no name. No angel in Revelation holds a stated name. This angel is the one assigned to blow the final trumpet. Six trumpets have sounded. (I did send an account of all trumpets and their woes earlier as well as the previous seven seals.) This verse addresses the time when he is about to sound. This will be the time when the mystery of God is finished. The seventh angel will sound at the appropriate time. This occurs in the next chapter subsequent to the powerful judgment revelation of the two witnesses and their death and resurrection. This all transpires in Zion—Jerusalem. It is at this time the seventh angel blasts the trumpet and proclaims Christ will reign over everything forever and ever; 11:15. Eternal life for the true believer is forever and ever. What a blessed thing to dwell upon in this evil age.
Returning to 10:7, God sets our sights on the prophets to whom He preached His truths. In 2 Peter 3:2 we are commanded to remember the words spoken by the holy prophets and the apostles. We are to be diligent studiers of the Word of God so we are never made ashamed of our lack of knowledge. We note here that the “mystery” is mentioned. We know the mystery surrounds Christ. Even though the prophets wrote of His first coming and the suffering surrounding it, the Jews never picked up on these truths. The Jews understood the Messiah would arrive and reign as king. They could not comprehend a humble, dying Messiah. Isaiah 53 and Psalm 22 are key locations that speak to a suffering Messiah. We do know there is no place in the Old Testament that directly addresses the church age. Ephesians 3:9-21 refers to the “mystery” of Christ, which was hidden from mankind for many generations. This consisting of Christ’s first appearance on the earth and the church age. Numerous truths have been unleashed through the church age Scripture writers and aren’t we glad?
When studying the Word, it is important to pray for understanding. The Holy Spirit does teach and enlighten. It is key for us to ask for guidance. We should pray continually to understand the Bible and the mind of God. Sometimes we lack because we do not ask.
In verse 8, John recognizes the voice from heaven speaking to him; this being the same voice as in verse 4. He is told to go and take the book that is held open in the angle’s hand—the divine messenger of verse 2 who stands on the land and sea. John approaches this angel and tells him to give him the book. Remember John is in the spirit (Revelation 4:2) and can travel in miraculous ways. He was able to travel to heaven and back to earth, where he is now. If we contemplate the heavenlies, and orbiting planets trillions of years beyond and farther, we can recognize this was a remarkable transitioning act of God. How brilliant the day when in heaven we land.
John removes the book from the angel’s hand and the angel commands him to eat it and relates the consequences of its consumption which will cause bitterness in his stomach, but will be sweet as honey in his mouth. You might ask what kind of book was it and what did John scribe these events on. Was it a scroll? I would say yes. The Greek word is “Biblos” which means book, and of course, “Bible” means book. Most books were constructed using papyrus. We get our word “paper” from papyrus. It came to denote paper made from the bark grown in Egypt; later it expanded into a common word used for any type of paper.
Video on papermaking: http://www.revver.com/video/154633/how-papyrus-is-made/
Ancient Egyptian Papyrus
Papyrus was very important to the ancient Egyptians. It helped transform Egyptian society in many ways. Once the technology of papyrus making was developed, its method of production was kept secret allowing the Egyptians to have a monopoly on it. The first use of papyrus paper is believed to have been 4000 BC.
The raw material of papyrus paper comes from the plant Cyperus papyrus. This plant grew along the banks of the Nile and provided the Egyptians with the necessary raw materials. This plant was quite versatile and was not only used in the production of paper but it was also used in the manufacture of boats, rope and baskets. However, the singularly most important and valuable product was the papyrus paper. Not only was this ancient Egypt’s greatest export but it revolutionized the way people kept valuable information. No substitution for papyrus paper could be found that was as durable and lightweight until the development of pulped paper by the Arabs. The way of making pulp paper was far easier to produce but not as durable. This not only led to a decline in papyrus paper making, but also to a decline in the papyrus plant cultivation. Eventually, the papyrus plant disappeared from the area of the Nile, where it was once the lifeblood for ancient Egypt.
Papyrus making was not revived until around 1969. An Egyptian scientist named Dr. Hassan Ragab reintroduced the papyrus plant to Egypt and started a papyrus plantation near Cairo. He also had to research the method of production. Because the exact methods for making papyrus paper was such a secret, the ancient Egyptians left no written records as to the manufacturing process. Dr. Ragab finally figured out how it was done, and now papyrus making is back in Egypt after a very long absence.
The Method of Papyrus Paper Production
- The stalks of the papyrus plant are harvested.
- Next the green skin of the stalk is removed and the inner pith is taken out and cut into long strips. The strips are then pounded and soaked in water for 3 days until pliable.
-The strips are cut to the length desired and laid horizontally on a cotton sheet overlapping about 1 millimeter. Other strips are laid vertically over the horizontal strips resulting in the criss-cross pattern in papyrus paper. Another cotton sheet is placed on top.
- The sheet is put in a press and squeezed together, with the cotton sheets being replaced until all the moisture is removed.
- Finally, all the strips are pressed together forming a single sheet of papyrus paper.
The earliest account of how to make the paper is given by Pliny the Elder, a Roman citizen from the first century B.C. Even though the Egyptians did not leave a record of how they made papyrus it is probably similar to the Roman method of the first century A.D., since the Romans learned how to make papyrus from the Egyptians.
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In verse 10, we see John obeys the heavenly voice and takes the book and eats it. It was sweet as honey in John’s mouth, just as explained. And it also left a bitter taste in his stomach as predicted. The forthcoming judgments on the earth will be a bitter pill to swallow as were the previous. John is told he must prophecy again concerning many peoples and nations and tongues and kings. God’s judgment will continue to encompass the entire earth as set before John’s eyes.
Ezekiel was an Old Testament prophet. He also had a vision, whereby he was told to eat a scroll; Ezekiel 2:8-3:3. It was sweet to his taste like honey though he was to deliver a bitter message. His vision involved the judgment of God on his disobedient children, the Jews, because they rebelled and not heeded the truths of Scripture even during their discipline of Babylonian captivity. They did what was right in their owns eyes and they were going to continue to pay for their disobedience as reveled to Ezekiel. They believed their captivity might be short lived, but God made sure what He spoke was fulfilled and they were going to suffer the complete 70 years as prophesied. See also Jeremiah chapter 29.
John’s scroll consumption concludes chapter 10 and chapter 11 will take us into more amazing acts of God. These acts will someday take place on the earth. It takes the faith of a true born again believer to accept these apocalyptic occurrences. It is the Holy Spirit within that confirms these happenings. Many today, even pastors in Bible churches, deny Revelation as actually coming to pass. Some pastors deny it behind closed doors. Catholics have always discounted Revelation, but its denunciation is becoming more and more prominent in so-called Bible churches. The apostasy is grave.
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Revelation chapters 11-14 http://vallee7.wordpress.com/2009/03/19/revelation-chapter-11-mouths-of-fire/
Letter From Missionary Pastor and Fawn Photo
I shot this fawn at a local park
I request prayer for Christian women everywhere to dress in feminine, discreet, and modest (shamefaced) apparel that is not low, short or tight. We, as women, must dress in chaste apparel in order for men to look upon us in all purity as sisters in obedience to the Word of God (1 Tim. 2:9 and 5:1-2, 1 Cor. 11:5, 1 Peter 3:1-2). I pray this for myself as well. I often ask my husband if my attire is modest.
Edited letter to me and other women from missionary pastor:
One of the main comments he makes: “Do you know that I as a preacher I have had to turn my eyes from seeing up a dress when I have stood up to preach or have had to look else where to not look at a sister’s back, stomach or chest?”
Dear sisters in Christ,
Thank you for taking the time to read the following. I have a burden on my heart, as one that will have to give account for you before God on the last day as Heb13:17.
On Sunday we studied the question if we are growing in holiness to be more like Christ and less like the world. In the discussion it was brought out that we have fallen from where we were and instead of being more holy we are become more like the world. This is very serious in light of 2Pet.3:17,18
In light of these scriptures, our present situation in the Church and the responsibility I have before God I would like to ask you to prayerfully answer the following questions…
My goal is not to have you please men (Gal.1:10) but God. I know that the flesh, the world and the devil are working day and night to make you sin in this area and I hope this article will help you fulfill the desire of your heart to please God daily as He looks from heaven at His godly daughters.
A true Christian is called to deny him self take up his cross and follow Christ in every area of his life. Have you done this in your way of dress?
Do you believe that the way you are dressing today in comparison with when you first confessed Christ as Lord is more godly, more modest? Does your dress reflect a growth in that meek and quite inner spirit of Christ that is of great value before God? 1Pet.3:5
Does your dress correspond with that of a holy woman that professes godliness?
Do you believe that it is godlier to dress in a way to draw more attention to you face than to your body?
Do all the clothes you use fulfill this goal?
Is it godlier to wear loose fitting clothes or tight ones to show the form of your body?
Generally speaking is it more godly to wear simple looking clothing than fancy or costly clothing?
Has your way of dress been a testimony to others giving you an opportunity to share your faith?
To unbelievers does you dress reflect more godliness, Christ likeness,__ or worldliness__?
Should a godly Christian woman dress in any way that could possible cause a brother to be tempted in any way to think of her body?
Are you aware of the fact that many brothers all over the world (according to the knowledge that I have gained working with men) have problems when they see a sister with tight clothing or clothing that doesn’t properly cover their legs and chest and some times even arms?
Do you know that many brothers who fight with all the visual temptations around them on the street do not want to have to fight with the same thing in the church, as one brother said “he had to look up at the ceiling or at the floor”?
Do you know that I as a preacher I have had to turn my eyes from seeing up a dress when I have stood up to preach or have had to look else where to not look at a sister’s back, stomach or chest?
Do you believe that God would testify that you are dressing the way he has said you should dress in 1Tim.2:9,10 and 1Pt.3:4,5.
Do you believe that for a woman to wear a bathing suit (one peace or two peaces) is dressing modestly when she is before men or brothers in the Church?
God says that what ever is not of faith is sin, Rom.14:23 Do you dress in faith, with conviction, never changing your moral standard no matter who you are with or what your circumstances are ? Never change__ Seldom __ Often__
Do we still believe that it is an abomination to God for men to dress in women’s clothes or women to dress in men’s clothes as He wants a distinction between the sexes. Deut 22:5
If you think that this principle has changed could you please give some scripture that makes you think that way. ________
Rom. 12:1,2 Have you personally sought not to be conformed to the world in the way you dress?
In sincerity who do you think has had more influence over you in the clothing you use God’s word ___ other Christians___ the world___?
Have you studied the scriptures on this subject to have you mind freed from the world’s mentality to be able to think as our Holy Father thinks concerning the godly way He wants His daughters to dress?
How often have you given way to you flesh, to the pride of life to dress immodestly and sin against God? Never__ seldom__ often__
Have you given into the temptation to be a friend of the world to dress in a way that seeks more the approval of the world? Never___ Seldom___ Often___
Have you made your self as James says an enemy of God?
As God is a jealous God do you think that you have provoked Him to jealousy more than once by dressing more to gain the worlds admiration that His. Sometimes___ Never___
If you have sinned against God in this area are you willing to take time to prayerfully remove all clothing from your house that could cause you to stumble at a weak moment in your life?
Have you seen other sisters dress immodestly or in a worldly manner? Have you prayed for them, talked to them and tried to help them? If you didn’t admonish them was it because you feared their reaction? Or was it because you haven’t always been a good example?
Generally speaking what is the motive most women use jewelry? To draw attention to them selves _____? To be more attractive _____? To please God ____ ? Other _______ Do the following scriptures encourage ____ or discourage_____ the wearing of Jewelry?
If a sister doesn’t want to obey what the elders teach on modesty or doesn’t agree with it what should she do? 1. For the good of the church submit with all her heart as Heb.13:17 says.___ 2. Talk with the elders about her convictions.___ 3. If she still has no peace then with the counsel and blessing of the elders go to another assembly where she is more fully in agreement.___
______________
(1 John 5:10-13—the Bible)
The Emerging Church—What it is
The Emerging Church Facts
Please watch these videos:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qGSQjtWTpaw&feature=related
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rkhq0R0TIyM
The hippie-like emerging church is moving in power and its philosophies are being slyly introduced into so-called Biblical Christianity. It actually has been reaching in and taking hold for many years. This is a demonic movement that has loomed out of hell. It has no problems with satansim, New Age, Catholicism, Episcopalism, etc. It also covets diversity and affirming mandates. It seems anything goes.
As I write my Revelation commentaries, I can see the church slowly entering the religious realm that will someday fight against the Christ of the Bible—who is completely chaste, pure, undefiled, harmless, separated from sinners and made higher than the heavens; Hebrews 7:26. This emergent, ecumenical religious body, foreseen in Revelation, will be he heathenistic, worshipping countless false gods as Israel did in her apostasy being documented in the books of Jeremiah, Isaiah, etc. Israel was condemned for displaying more false gods than the pagan nations that surrounded her. The church seems headed in that same direction.
The church today wants to mirror a Hollywood mentality. It is the avenue that unveils every new contemporary way. Even Christians will turn to it to see how they should be acting, what they should be wearing and what new lingo should be flowing from their lips.
It is no wonder the church wants all people coming in its doors to see a new look—a Christianity that implements the best of productions…videos that entertain more than they preach convicting truth if any truth is presented.
The church of today relishes explaining Christ to an audience that loves the satanic sensual realm, people who love mystical (demonic) books and movies with “sexy” included. Today’s contemporary church presents an apostate Jesus for all to enjoy. The true Jesus Christ hates Hollywood’s worldly productions. He hates the fact the church desires to imitate this state-of-the-art fanfare. He hates the fact pastors want to refer to the entrainment business in their sermons in a positive way. These so-called men of God want to use television programs and movies to get a point across while attempting to entertain at the same time. They want to be one with their entertaining-loving congregation. They do not want to be different. They do not truly fear and tremble before God.
The LORD hates all sin and He hates this realm that does not uplift His holy name with His holy, innocent and pure ways.
The church does not present a Christ who was despised and hated of men. A Christ who was the song of drunkards and the object of gossip because He taught holy righteousness and separation; Psalm 69:12f. Jesus Christ was not a Hollywood star nor was He a rock star nor did He desire to be. He walked the hated road of separation. He was totally separated from man’s desires for fame and popularity. His kingdom was not of this nasty world.
Many believers are into pornography and movies that show skin. Today’s church attendees relish the thought that everyone can come to church as they are. Many men (including pastors and teachers) of the church like women dressing provocatively. They like a bit of cleavage showing and it shows in most every church today. It wasn’t that long ago that such a thing was viewed as disgraceful.
Our churches need Biblical change not emergent change. Fellowships need to throw out the false Jesus of sensuality, and move in the true Christ of holy righteousness. The Christ of innocent chastity.
For churches to make a positive change, pastors and leaders need to follow all the instructions for the church structure, exhibited in the books of Timothy, Titus, 2 Peter, Jude, Ephesians, etc. They must focus on the true Jesus Christ who never lies nor does His holy, inerrant provided Word.
They must throw off the emergent social mandates. Socials have replaced Biblical callings. He calls it to preach, teach the Word, evangelize, pray, perform communion, minister and to humbly sing hymns and spiritual songs. God made the church simple. He does not call for community incentives to raise money through silly fundraisers. All church monies are simply to be collected from those who give cheerfully on the first day of the week.
Adding to the church mandates is pharisaical. Christ condemned the religious leaders as they added their own traditions to Scripture. Pastors feel they have to add program upon program. When one program fizzes out, they add another. And every silly program has to have a theme to catch the attention of a floating congregation. Getting back to the simple commands is the only answer no matter the dwindling congregation. Actually, it would probably become most blessed if everyway was followed.
It is not about numbers; however, it is about evangelism and the harvest is plentiful. But it is not man who gives the increase it is God. Remember Christ did not need any rock group and fun comedians. It is totally blasphemous to imagine such a thing. He never implemented music as he spoke nor did the apostles. He left no example to entertain and leave an audience in awe. We are to follow His example totally, not man’s, not Hollywood, and not the emerging church exampled.
The church is a complicated socialized structure of the emergent mindset. It is in trendy “conversation” with the world, when it is to be alienated from the world. We are strangers and aliens on this earth. The church is not to mingle in the social stream of a community church. The church is not of the community of men, it is of the realm of God alone. We are to be separate from satan’s children. We are the called out ones. We are not one flowing river of social reform. We are not a “village” of one-mindedness with the globe. We do not engage in “peer to peer” dialog with those who have not been born again. We have nothing in common with the unsaved outside of normal life behaviors. Our true family is of the true saints, not those who curse our Savior. Satan is the father of blasphemes and the nations that blaspheme Christ, being made clear in Revelation chapter 13. The emerging church is a blasphemous church that will manufacture more strength when satan moves to center stage on a gigantic scale when the apocalypse reaches nearer.
We should not want to partake of the contemporary experience. We are called to the ambassador role in total humility. We are not to conform to the culture that surrounds as if we were one in the same. Our calling is not humanitarianism, it is evangelism.
May the apostate emerging church wake-up and reach upward for truth.
In Him who warns of every wayward way taught in the church today,
Val Lee (It is my heart to follow the apostles’ example. For many walk according to what they think or have experienced or what others think or have experienced. This hurts my heart and such actions made Paul and the other apostles weep. We are to walk according to their example and teachings without questioning; 1 Corinthians 11:1, 2 Thessalonians 2:15, 2 Peter 3:2 and Jude 17. Those who do not are enemies of the cross of Christ, whose end is their destruction, whose god is their appetite, and whose glory is their shame, who set their minds on earth things; Philippians 3:17-19)
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Emerging_church
Wickipedia edited:
The emerging church (sometimes referred to as the emergent movement) is a Christian movement of the late 20th and early 21st century that crosses a number of theological boundaries: participants can be described as evangelical, post-evangelical, liberal, post-liberal, charismatic, neocharismatic (both Pentecostal and charismatic) and post-charismatic. Participants seek to live their faith in what they believe to be a “postmodern” (meaning after the modernist movement. A style and concept in the arts characterized by distrust of theories and ideologies and by the drawing of attention to conventions) society—a new cultural society. Proponents of this movement call it a “conversation” to emphasize its developing and decentralized nature, its vast range of standpoints and its commitment to dialogue.
The emerging church favors the use of simple story and narrative not strong Scriptural charging. Members of the movement often place a high value on good works or social activism, sometimes including missional living or new monasticism (commune or monastery). Many emergents emphasize the here and now.
Some have noted a difference between the terms “emerging” and “Emergent.” Whilst emerging is a wider, informal, church-based, global movement, Emergent refers to an official organization, the Emergent Village, associated with Brian McLaren, and has also been called the “Emergent stream.”
Emerging churches can be found throughout the globe, predominantly in North America, Western Europe, Australia, New Zealand, and Africa. Some attend local independent churches or house church labeled “emerging” while others worship in traditional Christian denominations.
Dr. Stuart Murray states:
It will bring together the most helpful of the old and best of the new, blending the dynamic of a personal Gospel with the compassion of social concern. It will find its ministry being expressed by a whole people, wherein the distinction between clergy and laity will be that of function, not of status or hierarchical division. In the emerging Church, due emphasis will be placed on both theological rootage and contemporary experience, on celebration in worship and involvement in social concerns, on faith and feeling, reason and prayer, conversion and continuity, the personal and the conceptual.
The emerging church seeks a post-Christendom approach to being church and mission through: renouncing imperialistic approaches to language and cultural imposition; making ‘truth claims’ with humility and respect; overcoming the public/private dichotomy; moving church from the center to the margins; moving from a place of privilege in society to one voice amongst many; a transition from control to witness, maintenance to mission and institution to movement.
In the face of criticism, some in the emerging church respond that this it is important to attempt a “both and” approach to redemptive and incarnational theologies. Some Evangelicals and Fundamentalists are perceived as “overly redemptive” and therefore in danger of condemning people by communicating the Good News in aggressive and angry ways. A more loving and affirming approach is proposed in the context of post-modernity where distrust may occur in response to power claims. It is suggested that this can form the basis of a constructive engagement with twenty-first century post-industrial western cultures. According to Ian Mobsby, the suggestion that the emerging church is mainly focused on deconstruction and the rejection of current forms of church should itself be rejected.
The emerging church is a response to the perceived influence of modernism in Western Christianity. As some sociologists commented on a cultural shift that they believed to correspond to postmodern ways of perceiving reality in the late 20th century, some Christians began to advocate changes within the church in response. These Christians saw the contemporary church as being culturally bound to modernism. They changed their practices to relate to the new cultural situation. Emerging Christians began to challenge the modern church on issues such as: institutional structures, systematic theology, propositional teaching methods, a perceived preoccupation with buildings, an attractional understanding of mission, professional clergy, and a perceived preoccupation with the political process and unhelpful jargon (“Christian-ese”).
As a result, some in the emerging church believe it is necessary to deconstruct modern Christian dogma. One way this happens is by engaging in dialogue, rather than proclaiming a predigested message, believing that this leads people to Jesus through the Holy Spirit on their own terms. Many in the movement embrace the missiology that drives the movement in an effort to be like Christ and make disciples by being a good example. The emerging church movement contains a great diversity in beliefs and practices, although some have adopted a preoccupation with sacred rituals, good works, and political and social activism. Much of the Emerging Church movement have also adopted the approach to evangelism which stressed peer-to-peer dialogue rather than dogmatic proclamation and proselytizing.
A plurality of Scriptural interpretations is acknowledged in the emerging church movement. Participants in the movement exhibit a particular concern for the effect of the modern reader’s cultural context on the act of interpretation echoing the ideas of postmodern thinkers such as Jacques Derrida and Stanley Fish.
Therefore a narrative approach to Scripture, and history are emphasized in some emerging churches over exegetical and dogmatic approaches (such as that found in systematic theology and systematic exegesis), which are often viewed as reductionist. Others embrace a multiplicity of approaches.
Some leaders in the movement publicly welcome open discussion with other religions regarding the definition of Christian faith. Others in the movement label the practice differently, calling the interfaith dialog a means to share their narratives as they learn from the narratives of others. Some Emerging Church Christians believe there are radically diverse perspectives within Christianity that are valuable for humanity to progress toward truth and a better resulting relationship with God, and that these different perspectives deserve Christian charity rather than condemnation.
The movement appropriates set theory as a means of understanding a basic change in the way the Christian church thinks about itself as a group. Set theory is a concept in mathematics that allows an understanding of what numbers belong to a group, or set. A bounded set would describe a group with clear “in” and “out” definitions of membership. The Christian church has largely organized itself as a bounded set, those who share the same beliefs and values are in the set and those who disagree are outside.
The centered set does not limit membership to pre-conceived boundaries. Instead a centered set is conditioned on a centered point. Membership is contingent on those who are moving toward that point. Elements moving toward a particular point are part of the set, but elements moving away from that point are not. As a centered-set Christian membership would be dependent on moving toward the central point of Jesus. A Christian is then defined by their focus and movement toward Christ rather than a limited set of shared beliefs and values. John Wimber utilized the centered set understanding of membership in his Vineyard Churches. The centered set theory of Christian Churches came largely from missional anthropologist Paul Hiebert. The centered set understanding of membership allows for a clear vision of the focal point, the ability to move toward that point without being tied down to smaller diversions, a sense of total egalitarianism with respect for differing opinions, and an authority moved from individual members to the existing center.
Authenticity and Conversation
The movement favors the sharing of experiences via testimonies, prayer, group recitation, sharing meals and other communal practices, which they believe are more personal and sincere than propositional presentations of the Gospel. Teachers in the Emerging Church tend to view the Bible and its stories through a lens which they believe finds significance and meaning for their community’s social and personal stories rather than for the purpose of finding cross-cultural, propositional absolutes regarding salvation and conduct.
The emerging church claims they are creating a safe environment for those with opinions ordinarily rejected within modern conservative evangelicalism and fundamentalism. Non-critical, interfaith dialog is preferred over dogmatically-driven evangelism in the movement. Story and narrative replaces the dogmatic:
The relationship between words and images has changed in contemporary culture. In a post-foundational world, it is the power of the image that takes us to the text. The bible is no longer a principal source of morality, functioning as a rulebook. The gradualism of postmodernity has transformed the text into a guide, a source of spirituality, in which the power of the story as but on potential moral reference point has superseded the didactic. Thus the meaning of the Good Samaritan is more important than the Ten Commandments – even assuming that the latter could be remembered in any detail by anyone. Into this mileau the image speaks with power.
Those in the movement do not engage in aggressive apologetics or confrontational evangelism in the traditional sense, preferring to encourage the freedom to discover truth through conversation and relationships with the Christian community.
Missional living
Participants in this movement assert that the incarnation of Christ informs their theology, believing that as God entered the world in human form, adherents enter (individually and communally) into the context around them, aiming to transform that culture through local involvement in it. This holistic involvement may take many forms, including social activism, hospitality, and acts of kindness. This beneficent involvement in culture is part of what is called “missional living.
This approach leads to their focus on temporal and social issues, as opposed to a perceived Evangelical overemphasis on eternal salvation. Drawing on research and models of contextual theology, Mobsby asserts that the Emerging Church is using different models of contextual theology to Conservative Evangelicals. Conservative Evangelical Churches tend to use a ‘translation’ model of contextual theology, (which has been criticized for being colonialist and having a very low opinion of culture and humanity), where the Emerging Church tends to use a ’synthetic’ or ‘transcendent’ model of contextual theology. The Emerging Church has charged many Conservative Evangelical Churches of withdrawal from involvement from contextual mission and seeking contextualisation of the gospel.
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Revelation Chapter 15 Explained
My Revelation commentaries for chapters 1-10: http://vallee7.wordpress.com/2009/08/27/revelation-chapters-1-10-explained/
My Revelation commentaries for chapters 11-14: http://vallee7.wordpress.com/2009/03/19/revelation-chapter-11-mouths-of-fire/
“Like an eagle that stirs up its nest, that hovers over its young,
He spread His wings and caught them, He carried them in His pinions.”
Revelation Chapter 15
We concluded chapter 14 with the sickle of Christ, which will gather His opposers and will throw them “into the great wine-press of the wrath of God.”
Entering chapter 15, we see verse 1 deals with the completion of the wrath of God, this being a great and marvelous sign—the seven plagues or bowls filled with the fury of God. The initiation of these bowl judgments are unveiled in chapter 16. When these bowls are unleashed by seven designated angels, it will mark the end of God’s wrath and the destruction of Mystery Babylon. This sensual-driven culture will meet its end and our Holy, innocent, undefiled high priest—Jesus Christ, who is separated from sinners (Hebrews 7:26), will sit on His world-dominating throne from Jerusalem. As world regent, He will reign with a righteous rod of iron as an uncompromising undefiled, truthful dictator (Revelation 2:27). He will be feared and we are called to fear and tremble (Philippians 2:12).
At this time, Christians will be completely elated! All sin will be made absent from the world and God’s people will live lives completely pleasing to Christ.
We are again reminded in verse 1 and following that the apostle John is observing and recording all that is disclosed in the book of Revelation. He is explaining to you and me what is set before him in this heavenly setting of chapter 15. In verse 2, He tells us he sees something resembling a sea of glass mixed with fire and standing on the glass are those who have been victorious over the beast and his image. These overcomers stand with harps in hand. (Remember, harps are the only musical instruments we observe in heaven implemented for worship. Harps present a lovely and pure sound and we are to dwell on those things that are lovely and completely innocent—absent from cultural tainting.) These believers will be the uncompromisers who will not yield to cultural methodologies, terminologies and activities. They will be all about their Savior alone.
They will refuse to do what everyone else will do—take the mark of the beast so they can buy and sell, by which they can achieve prosperous lives. They will not buy into the prosperity false gospel that promises you can have all if you simply do this or that in the name of religion; so taught by false teachers (1 Timothy 6:8-11).
These children of God will hold no desire to be grooving and moving with the world. They will have no longing to sound culturally cool and appear styling. Every unclean and perverted way will be detestable to them. They will be those who are willing to die for Christ and the truths found in His holy and inerrant Word. They will be pronounced the victorious ones—holding victory over the flamboyant and charismatic antichrist who will lead the multitudes to eternal damnation. The Judge of judges will charge antichrist’s followers with sinful lawlessness. Their crimes will include not believing in the Biblical God and His Word, which leads to practicing abominations.
They will be murderers and those who practice witchcraft (including sorcery, contemplative mystic spirituality, spiritism—all part of the emergent church movement that promotes every belief move as one—no one is wrong including the mystic-filled Catholic Church: http://simple.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sacred_Heart
Yes, “emergent or emerging” is simply a new packaged name for ecumenicalism and contemporarism. It is a new title to enable silly religious ones to sound grooving so they are no longer just tied to the dub—ecumenicalism. No, this new package does not hide the forever-false satanic design of accumulating and consolidating beliefs, which will be totally lived out in the time of the tribulation; 9:20-21. There is nothing new under the sun in religious deception. It is simply to sound stupid-post-modern). They will commit idolatry (worshipping things made by man’s hands such as idols and whatever or whomever they fancy, which walks hand in hand with witchcraft). They will be liars (today many pastors lie without a second thought; I have heard them far too often) and adulterers (few will preach against divorce and remarriage today and many so-called Christians approve and justify). They will not maintain themselves in shamefacedness (dressing and acting in bashful purity) in the realm of sexuality. The destination for these visually unredeemed ones will be the lake of fire and brimstone (Revelation 21:8 and 22:15).
In that Day of Judgment, many will plead with Christ, saying, did we not perform the miraculous using your name—Jesus Christ. Such words of works will not deceive the LORD who will respond, “Depart from me, you workers of iniquity” (Matthew 7:21-23). Many will think they are going to heaven because they have named the name of Christ. However, in reality, they have never been washed clean in His sacrificed blood—never actually born again through the Holy Spirit of Scripture. They will be exposed as the pretenders who love sinful activities and covet the things of lusting society. God will expose their inward deceptions that hide their contempt for the righteous commandments and truths of the Bible.
Our LORD also condemned people who seek for signs. The antichrist will entertain those who seek for them and will provide them (16:13-14). Christ declared and exposed, those who seek for signs are evil and adulterous (Matthew 12:39).
In contrast, the true dedicated believers in the days of the tribulation will guard themselves from the strange and supernatural alluring signs of the demonic mystical world. They will walk by faith not by sight. They will not be afraid to be different and will move in Christ’s righteous light of separation, holy living, and bashful purity. Naming the name of their slain Lamb will not be for personal gain or recognition, but truly selfless and sacrificial.
Moses is mentioned in verse 3, as his song will be sung. Moses was God’s true “bond-servant” and his hymn of the Lamb (Jesus Christ) will be uplifted in this day and time. Moses will not be hated in heaven as one who stifled women’s rights in his day and age. Many restrictions were allotted to women in Moses’ day; far more than today, but all by the design of God. This day, some women in the church cast hate toward Paul, but will rarely or never mention Moses. Yes, funny-strange. Of course, Moses and Paul wrote the Words of God in vivid reality. Women’s libber hate is in fact directed at God who wrote His inerrant Word—the Bible in its true accurately translated text.
The complete songs of Moses can be located in Exodus 15, Deuteronomy 32 and Psalm 90. Moses may have written more Psalms as some of the Psalms have no listed author. In the Deuteronomy 32 song, verse 11 speaks powerfully of the love of God for the Hebrews as it proclaims, “Like an eagle that stirs up its nest, that hovers over its young, He spread His wings and caught them, He carried them in His pinions.” Verses 41-43 appear to be directed at the time of tribulation and God’s final judgment of the earth: “If I sharpen My flashing sword, And My hand takes hold on justice, I will render vengeance on My adversaries, And I will repay those who hate Me. I will make My arrows drunk with blood, And My sword will devour flesh, With the blood of the slain and the captives, From the long-haired leaders of the enemy.’ Rejoice, O nations, with His people; For He will avenge the blood of His servants, And will render vengeance on His adversaries, And will atone for His land and His people.”
These songs of Moses address God’s equitability in fulfilling His Word. Moses sung of the securing omnipotence of God who is forever faithful to His people. Verse 10 of Psalm 90 is faith-precious—stating, “we fly away,” referring to the finale of believers. We ourselves can pray and sing the words of Moses as well as countless verses in Scripture. We can worship in past tense as well regarding God fulfilling His stated words to us in the past. We can give thanks for the various times God delivered the Jews and fulfilled His Word to them in the past. When we repeat Scripture to God, we know we are always praying or praising in the will of God. Paul left us examples of intercessions such as Colossians 1:9-14—that includes imploring God for spiritual discernment and for the power to walk in the way that pleases Him in every manner.
Here is one of Moses’ most powerful songs “The Song of the Lamb,” which uplifts Christ as King of the nations—all kingdoms will come and worship before Him and fear Him.
This will be strum on lovely harps held by those who will not yield to the antichrist or any false way.
The Song of the Lamb
Great and marvelous are thy works,
Lord God Almighty;
Just and true are thy ways,
Thou King of saints.
Who shall not fear thee,
O Lord, and glorify thy name?
For thou only art holy:
For all nations shall come and worship before thee;
For Thy judgments are made manifest.
This extolling segment is reminiscent of chapter 5, verses 11-14.
Following this interlude of rightful praise, John tells us the temple of the tabernacle will open in heaven; verse 5. It is unveiled to present before us seven angels clothed in clean and bright linen, with their chests girded with sashes of gold (these are the same angels stated in verse 1). Unquestionably, the bright linen represents the righteousness of God and the gold—His despot royalty. Heaven is a sinless realm where there is no spot or wrinkle and all continually glorify God Almighty. These angels walk out of the temple to perform all God’s commands in the way of bringing in His final judgment plagues.
We next observe through John’s unerring eyes, one of the four living creatures providing the seven angels with the seven bowls of the wrath of God; verse 7.
To conclude this ceremony, the temple is filled with smoke from the glory of God, revealing His supreme dynamism. From this moment, no one will be able to enter the temple until these closing plagues conclude.
Remember God’s judgment began with the seven seals that were to be poured on the earth beginning in chapter 6. Following the six seals, we were presented with the trumpets of judgment, which were introduced by the seventh seal.
Love in our Savior who never lies or changes His holy Bible,
Val Lee
(1 John 5:10-13—the Bible) http://vallee7.wordpress.com/2009/02/26/paradise/
Photo by Val Lee
November 10, 2009 Posted by Val Lee | Bible, Bible Commentary, Christian, Christianity, Church, Heresy, New Babylon, Religion, Revelation, Salvation, Theology, Uncategorized | Revelation Chapter 15 | No Comments Yet