Revelation Chapter by Chapter:
Revelation 1 – Intro, Blessing & Vision Of Jesus
Revelation 2-3 – 7 Letters to 7 Churches – The Church Age – Age of Grace
Revelation 4 – Trip To Heaven – Around the Throne
Revelation 5 – Trip to Heaven Part 2 - The Scroll & The Lion & Lamb
Revelation 6 – 6 Seals opened on Scroll
Revelation 7 – 5 Angels, 144k Jews & an Innumerable Tribulation Saints
Revelation 8 – 7th Seal opens Trumps 1-4
Revelation 9 – Trumps 5-6
Revelation 10 – The Mighty Angel and the Little Book
Revelation 11 – The Temple on Earth and IN Heaven
Revelation 12 – The Woman, the Child and the Dragon
Revelation 13 – The Beast of the Sea and the Beast of the Earth
Revelation 14 – The 144000 evangelists and the Angels of heaven
Revelation 15 – Another Sign in Heaven and the final 7 Angels with the last 7 Plagues
Revelation 16 – 7 Vials poured out, fulfilling God’s Wrath!
Revelation 17 – Babylon Destroyed – the Spiritual Roots Uprooted
Revelation 18 – Babylon Destroyed, part 2 – the eco/Political Fruits destroyed
Revelation 19 – Marriage of the Lamb, The Lamb Returns
Revelation 20 - Jesus reveals His return to earth for 1000 years (Millennium)
Revelation 21:1-22:6 - Jesus reveals New Heaven, New Earth, and New Jerusalem
Revelation 22:7-21 - Closing Remarks – Jesus Closes with an Invitation & Immanent Return
Revelation: Introduction
– Unveiling Jesus’ Plan! By Apostle John – written approximately about 95-100 AD – during the notorious reign of Domitian his era was = to great persecution!
Why is Revelation important to Study anyway?
1. Revelation the word itself in greek is Apocoloupsis, in English we get our word Apocolypse, which by definition means… UNVEILING, REVEALING, the title itself spurs us on to want to learn what is to be revealed or unveiled to us, like gifts at Christmas!
2. It was Given by Jesus Himself, to all who will hear! God elevates His Word above His Name!
Psalm 138:2 Who wouldn’t want to hear God the Son explain His plan for all mankind!
3. It involves your today and your tomorrows! Jesus said, “When you begin to see these things, look up for your redemption draws near… “ Luke 21:28, also READ Paul in Rom. 13:11-14 – we see!
4. It is not too difficult to understand, just take it at face value – don’t over read and don’t read into it… All symbols in Revelation have been explained or are used in prior texts, if something is difficult, take it at face value… Don’t over-spiritualize or under -estimate the ways of the Lord!
5. It promises a blessing to all those who read, hear and keep it! :3
6. It comes with its own precise outline 1:19 (WE WILL LOOK AT THAT AFTER THE 4 VIEWS)
Four interpretive views:
-1 – Preterist – believe Revelation was written in 65 AD and that all events of the Prophecy occurred around 70AD – Nero is Beast of Rev, 2nd advent has occurred, all judgements took place, Babylon was Jerusalem, and we now dwell in the new heaven & new earth (Hank Haanagraaf, RC Sproul)
-2 – Historicist – invented in the 12th century, Revelation is simply a birds eye view of all church history (Wycliffe, Knox, Tyndale, Luther, Calvin, Newton, Spurgeon, Henry)
-3 – Idealist – this is the spiritualizing view, everything in revelation deals with you personally on spiritual level, to help you through the spiritual battles of life… Popular way of interpreting today
-4 – Futurist – The events in chapters 4-22 are all going to happen in the future! I hold this view as well as Chuck Smith, John Walvoord, Macarthur, Pentecost, Ryrie, and earlier days Justin Martyr, Irenaeus, Hippolytus
(alternate 5th view – Eclectic or mixed view – mishmash of the 4) (thanks to Ryrie, Rose pub, Mark Hitchcock)
HERE IS THE REVELATION RUNDOWN… Precise Outline comes from Rev. 1:19
I. The Things Seen… JESUS! - CH.1
II. The Things which are… CHURCHES! Church Age - CH.2-3
III. The things hereafter… AFTER THE CHURCH TILL THE END! - CH.4-22:6
Here is the breakdown of the 3rd Part of revelation - Jesus foretells the Future Things – 4-22:6
1. Jesus reveals Heaven – 4-5
2. Jesus reveals 7-year tribulation – 6-19
3. Jesus reveals His return to earth for 1000 years – 20
4. Jesus reveals New Heaven, New Earth, New Jerusalem – 21-22:6
IV. Closing Words… Part 4 – Jesus Closes with an Invitation & Imminent Return – 22:7-21
Revelation – Unveiling Jesus’ Plan! By Apostle John – 95-100 AD – during Domition Era = persecution!
Revelation 1 – The Things Seen, JESUS!
The Divine Outline or the Holy cheat sheet for the book of Revelation is found in Rev. 1:19.
a. Part 1 – The Things Seen… Jesus the Victor – 1
i. Revealing the Author, Audience, Advantage & Allotment – 1:1-3
1. AUTHOR - 1a - The Revelation of Jesus Himself, these words given to Jesus by God the Father! Jesus sent/signified them to John by an Angel!
2. AUDIENCE –
a. 1b-2 – primarily to John then forwarded to the churches & later in history to readers of this prophecy of all time…
3. Advantage -3- Receive a blessing for reading, hearing and keeping the prophecy!
4. Allotment – of time - “which must shortly come to pass…(1b)” “for the time is at hand…(3d)” prophetically, we are looking for the imminent return of Christ!
ii. John writes, as instructed, to the Seven Churches from Jesus… - 1:4-20
1. Greeting to the Seven Churches from the Trinity… (4-6)
a. God – “who was and is and is to come” – 4 – He is the same yesterday today and forever! He set out His master plan and He will complete it! God the Father submits His plan for His Son!
b. Holy Spirit – “seven spirits which are before His throne” – 4b – seven spirits of God also talked about in Isaiah 11:1-5 & Zech. 4:2-6 – As we study these scriptures we see that the Holy Spirit has a seven fold nature!
c. Jesus – who is the “Faithful witness,” He became the Martyr for the World of sinners! “first begotten of the dead,” He is preeminent before all of us believers! “prince of the kings of the earth,” He is the ruler over all earthly authority! He who “loved us… washed us… in His own blood… made us kings and priests… to Him be the Glory forever and ever” Thank you Jesus for all you do and have already done! Amen
2. Two Reminders, to the Seven Churches… (7-8)
a. 7 – Jesus will come again a 2nd time! There will be a 2nd advent of Jesus Christ, you can find that account in Revelation 19:11-21
b. 8 – God is Almighty and fully in charge of all things eternal! In Him there is no change or variableness, He remains the Same, GOD! And we must believe that He is! Hebrews 11:6
3. John shares the backdrop of this Inspired writing (9-10)
a. Identity & Location – John defines himself as a brother and companion in tribulation & the Location of John was Patmos (an arid desert Island about 6o miles south of Ephesus in the Aegean Sea) as one persecuted for the Word of God and testimony of Jesus, by the Emperor Domitian – Historically, they say John was dipped in a boiling vat of oil, survived and was then thrown on the Island of Patmos to die, Patmos was like an Alcatraz only without walls… of course this was a possible scenario – 9
b. John’s State of mind was, “in the Spirit,” on the actual Lord’s Day or he was spiritually over taken by the Lord & heard a Voice as a “trumpet,” the trumpet revealing his absolute attention was expected! Jesus was speaking! When Jesus speaks we should all listen – 10
4. John shares what He Heard and saw… (11-20)
a. Heard instructions from Alpha/Omega, First/Last – Is. 41:4,44:6/ obvious claim of Deity by Jesus - to “what you see, write” to the specific 7 churches – 11 – “7” is the Hebrew number for completion or totality… It is used 54 times in Revelation! See Haley’s on “7” pg.688
b. What He saw when he turned to look at the voice that spoke…
i. 7 Golden Candlesticks – 12 - :20 interprets as 7 churches
ii. In middle, One like the Son of Man – JESUS! (Dan. 9:7)
1. Clothed w/ garment down to the feet – 13a – this is a priestly imagery, the long cloth symbolizing one of Authority – Exodus 39
2. Golden belt around the chest – 13b – still priestly, note the band was Golden, not just threads of gold like in Exodus 39
3. Head/hair white like wool, white as snow – 14a – Jesus is all-wise, the white hair alludes to that also reveals His pure – all forgiving nature of Jesus is also being portrayed here (Is. 1:18)
4. Eyes as a flame of fire – 14b – Rev. 2:18 – looking/inspecting towards judegment (Thyatira church) & 19:12 (2nd Advent)
5. Feet like fine brass – 15a – brass=judgement, refined in the fire – also rep’s sacrifice – Ex. 27
6. Voice as many waters – 15b – powerful/authoritative voice of God
7. 7 stars in right hand – 16a – interpreted in :20 – right hand is place of authority
8. Out of mouth a sharp two-edged sword – 16b – Hebrews 4:12
9. Countenance as sun shining, full strength – 16c Transfiguration His face shone like sun –Mt 17:2
c. John’s Response to this glorious vision of Jesus… (17-18)
i. John fell down
ii. Jesus comforted him & revealed who He was &…
d. Jesus Reveals the outline of the prophecy – 1:19
e. Jesus explains 7 Stars and 7 Candlesticks – 1:20
i. 7 Stars = 7 messengers, Pastors
ii. 7 Candlesticks = 7 churches = His complete church
So in Chapter 1 we see the glorious vision that Jesus revelaed Himself to John, what seems to be the Jesus of Antiquity, the Ancient of Days if you will! What a glorious picture of Christ in Rev 1!
Do you see Jesus with all of His amazing qualities in your life! These qualities are revealed for you today!
Give your life fully over to Him! Surrender! Live for Jesus completely, not half-heartedly! Amen!
The Church Age – Chapters 2-3
II. Part 2 - The Things which are… – Jesus speaks to the Churches – 2-3
Here in this section we will study the 7 letters that Jesus dictated to John through an angel to send to the 7 specific churches. Now these 7 letters have great significance to the church at large. There are several ways we have come to learn and understand the 7 letters to 7 churches… Keep in mind they were referenced as Lampstands or candlesticks and they were in a circle with Jesus in the middle and furthermore Jesus was holding the 7 messengers to the churches; therefore, we see that Jesus here means business and is truly trying to relay a message to the Christian masses! As we go through these churches you will find that 5 out of 7 of these churches were given strong corrections for their straying, waywardness or even abandonment of the Lord Jesus in their churches… there is no perfect church today!
A. Local church – each letter was written to an actual church in the particular city with a particular leader in Asia Minor, in modern day it is called Turkey. That church was receiving a personalized message for them at that time to learn from Jesus!
B. Prophetic Historical View – each church letter would represent a time or era in church history, such as…
- 33-100AD = 1st Century Apostolic Church Age = Ephesus
- 100-312AD = Early Church Age/Persecuted Church = Smyrna
- 313-600AD = Christian Empire/Mixed Up/ Compromising Church = Pergamos
- 600-1500AD = Middle Ages/Unfaithful/Corrupted/Worldly Church – Thyatira
- 1500-1750AD = The Dead Church/Protestant Reformation = Sardis
- 1750-1900AD = Evangelical Age/The Faithful Church = Philadelphia
- 1900-presentAD = The Apostate Church/The Lukewarm Church = Laodicea
C. Prophetic Church Heart View – each of the letters would represent any given church at any given time. Each individual church can read the 7 letters and see how it may apply to their certain church heart pulse or health of their church.
D. Personal View – any individual believer can read the 7 letters and check their own personal heart pulse, to see how healthy or unhealthy they are as a believer!
There is also a basic structure to each letter, each letter will include these basic components… This is the general flow of each letter
a. Greeting with reference to Jesus – to get each church focused on who is in charge
b. Critical Correction or Commendation or both – to help each church focus on strengths & weaknesses to improve on
c. Instruction / Warning – for specific directional issues of the church and things to look out for
d. Closes with Promise / Call to Listen/Hear! – Finally each church can be blessed and HEAR GOD’S beautiful voice and direction for their lives and the life of the church!
So let’s begin looking at each of these letters…
1. Letter to Ephesus – Revelation 2:1-7
A. Greeting – :1
- “unto the angel”
1. Angel in greek is aggelos – meaning angel or messenger. We know Jesus held these messengers or “stars” in His hand. It would be safe to say that the messengers who received the letter would be an individual who was in church of the actual church and would be reading and relaying this message, the Pastor. And if it is the Pastor this is a catch 22… On one hand what a blessing to know that the Pastor is in Jesus hand, that is just a beautiful thing but on the flipside what a scary fearful thing to know that you are in the hand of God! Wow, I would say this is built in accountability for any pastor or any messenger of the Gospel of Jesus Christ!
- Of the church of Ephesus write –
1. Church in greek is ekklesia – which means called out ones, it means to call humans out of their homes into a public place for a unified purpose. Believers are called out of their homes regularly to meet with Jesus and hear from their Pastor’s and be with other Christians in a public place
2. Ephesus – this is the same church that Paul founded in Ephesus on his 3rd missionary journey according to Acts 18-20, in approx. 54-57Ad.
3. Write – Jesus intstructs John to write these things down, this is being dictated to Him though an angel, these are actual words of Jesus that he wants believers at the local church and future church to hear and understand!
- These things says, “He that holds the seven stars in His right hand” –
1. Jesus is now going to address this church, remember the right hand is a place of authority so the message is authoritative and must be taken seriously and responded to with diligence
- Who walks in the midst of the seven golden candlesticks
1. Yet again another reminder of who is charge of the church, it is JESUS!
B. Commendation: Service & hatred of Evil - :2-3 & 6
- I know your works, labor, and patience and how you can’t bear them which are evil
1. Ephesus was known for these good works, they were solid in doctrine, they operated in the spirit and in the Word.
- And have tried them which say…are apostles ad are not, they are liars… and for my names sake you have labored
1. The Ephesians have doctrinally tested those who have passed through trying to sway them from the original gospel. They have labored to keep the pure gospel and have stood for the Name of Jesus!
- :6 – but this thou hast… you hate the deeds of the Nicolaitans, which I also hate
1. Jesus also commends them on their unacceptance of these Nicolaitans. There are two thoughts on the Nicolaitans… One, they were those who “nico”(greek) which means to Lord over, “laitans”(greek) the laity, possibly there was a group of individuals trying to rule the church in a way where there were the haves and the have nots. This is ungodly and I see why Jesus would hate this type of teaching or leadership. Secondly, another possibility is that there was a following created of Nicolas who was listed as one of the Apostles helpers to the widows in Acts CH. 6. Possibly Nicolas veered away from the true unadulterated Gospel and began to have a following of his own that was outlandish and over lording of others, thus leading believers away from the true Gospel of Jesus Christ!
C. Correction - :4
- Nevertheless, I have this against thee, you have left your first love…
1. Against thee – holy moly, could you imagine hearing this statement directly to you… I have this AGAINST YOU… those are horrifying words, what could God have against you, against me, against anyone???
2. You have left your first love – this is what He could have against us… You see we as believers are married to God, we are His bride, and if we have left our first love, HIM, he would feel betrayed, cheated on, lonely and unloved Himself!
3. What a revelation this must be to be told you have left your first love, HE has not left, we have left! Lord help us if we have left you… What do we do?
D. Instruction / Warning - :5
- Remember therefore from where you are fallen
1. Jesus is telling the church that they left their first love and that they could remember where they were and how that happened
2. When we fall from first love, the Lord wants us to look and see where we fell…
- Repent – Once we see what our problem was, we must repent, when we see where we decided to cheat on the Lord and go after other things, we must turn and repent
- Return - And do the first works
1. I heard a Pastor once say about returning, “Fall back in love with Jesus,” basically we need to go back to the devotion we once had toward our savior!
- Realize – Warning
1. Finally, we must realize that if we don’t repent, the lamp will be removed! Jesus will quickly come and remove the church, if there is no repentance!
2. This could be applied individually & corporately!
E. Close with Call to Listen & Promise to overcomer - :7
- Listen - He that Hath an ear, let him hear what the spirit says to the churches
1.
- Promise – To him that overcomes, will I give to eat of the tree of life, which is in the midst of the paradise of God
Revelation CH. 2 Continued…
We know that Revelation is in three major divisions according to the Holy Cheat Sheet 1:19… Part 1 was chapter 1, the things we have seen = Jesus. Part 2 being the church age of Chapter 2-3, and finally, part 3 the things that take place after the church age chapter 4-22.
We also now know each of the “7” letters basic outline and that each one is specific in its local time, possible Historical Prophetic era, Congregationally & lastly relates to us Personally… so let’s take a look at the next 3 Letters here in Ch. 2…
2. Letter to Smyrna – Revelation 2:8-11 - The Suffering/Persecuted Church – early Church Age – martyrs – 25 miles N of Ephesus – Well known Martyr, Polycarp Pastor of Smyrna – 86yrs old
II Timothy 3:12 “All that will live Godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution.”
John 15:18 “If the world hates you, no that it hated me before you.”
(100-312AD, yet this is where the historical era view breaks down a bit, when we see more persecution now than ever before, that’s why we can’t be dogmatic about the possible historical era view)
The name Smyrna means bitter and gives us insight into what happened to the church there… the root word within Smyrna, is myrrh – this is a gum-like resin from a tree crushed to bring forth a fragrant aromatic oil, it was an oil used at burial services. Thus we have a suffering church to the point of even Martyrdom, death.
So what messages or lessons can we glean from the church of Smyrna? In times of Persecution/Suffering Such as Today! Christians are becoming the target of those who want to practice sin and immorality!
a. Remember Jesus in time of Trial/Persecution! (:8)
- The Author being Jesus, the one who conquers death and is Alive!
b. Know that He Knows! (9)
- It is refreshing to know that the Lord lives and Sees us, and he is going to carry us through even the hardest of times! Though you feel poor you Are Rich in HIM!
c. Know that He would speak to you! (10)
- FEAR NOT! Years ago this was a popular sticker, well, Jesus coined the phrase!
- He guides & directs. He even warns the Smyrnians of the possible 10 day tribulation, this was ‘either literal or as some think it was the 10 major persecution attacks from Nero to Diocletion.’ (Ryrie)
d. Look forward to the Rewards! (:10c-11)
- If faithful till death = crown of life
- If overcomer = no second death!
3. Letter to Pergamos – Revelation 2:12-17 – Mixed up Church – 313-600 AD – Christianity became the legalized religion of Rome with Constantine at the edict of Millan of 313AD – 60m N. of Smy.
- Pergamos means marriage – symbolic of the Christians being married to the world, this is spiritual adultery! Mixing of God & Government won’t work!
What do we glean from this mixed Up Church?
- :12 - He that hath which has the sharp sword with two edges - As in 1:16. This is symbolic of Him being the word and He must be heeded! When you get out of line the Sword comes out!!!
- :13 - I know your works… You dwell in Satans seat… hold my name… not denied my faith… - Jesus commends their works and that they keep His name & faith! They live in an area where Satan sits, possibly referring to emperor worship or Zues - Jesus recognizes a certain man named Antipas who was a faithful Marty, not much else on him.
- :14-15 – I have a few things against thee … there are those tough love words of Jesus, I have something against you… Jesus cares! What… you have those that… here note they allowed them in the church, not necessarily embracing
1. Hold the doctrine of balaam – teaches idolatry, stumbled Israel
2. Them that hold the doctrine of Nicolaitans – those who lord it over others
- :16 – repent or I will come unto you quickly and fight against them with the sword of my mouth – The Lord will handle this personally if we don’t! It is better that we repent and change and quit mixing with the worlds teaching of idolatry and worship of man! God wants our complete attention and adoration, He is a Jealous God and wants us completely to Himself! It’s a love thing!
- :17 – He that hath an ear… hear what the spirit says to the churches
1. To him that overcomes
§ Eat of the hidden manna – ref. to hidden manna in Ark, see Ex.
§ Give a white stone – pure stone, possibly imagery of ticket they gave out back then to the theatre or ref. to urim & thummim, white being in the affirmative, positive
§ In the stone a new name – only he knows - a personal one!
“Wake Up Letters” Letters to Thyatira and Sardis – Revelation 2:18-29 & 3:1-6
{previously, Ephesus, return to first love, Smyrna, suffering for Jesus till death, Pergamos, mixing the world in, called to repent}
IN the next two letters, letters, 4 and 5 of the 7 we will see God trying to Wake Up believers to their one true faith in Jesus! Remember not only were these letters written to actual churches in Asia Minor but these are end times prophetic letters so we as well need to hear the call to “wake up!” Jesus said at the end of the Great Commission “…lo I will be with you even to the end of the age/world. Amen” Some don’t like talking about the end of the World but as you can see Jesus said He would be with us even until the end of the world and then He gave John the Revelation of the end of the World… Jesus said when we began to see the signs that He spoke of to know that our Redemption draws near! Signs like deception, Cataclysmic events, earthquakes, wars, terror, hatred, persecution, self-adornment, amazing rise in knowledge/technology, leaning towards one world currency, one world leader, one world religion…
So Listen up and hear what the Spirit says to the church! DO you need to wake up to God?
4. Letter to Thyratira – Revelation 2:18-29 – The Adulterous/Unfaithful/Messed up Church –God is going to Call this Church to wake up from it’s backsliding from there compromise with the world!
– 600-1500AD - Thyratira – means “Sacrifice of labor” – 40 mls E. of pergamos – commerce trade small but busy… Middle Ages – Roman Catholic Church - Longest letter - smallest church…
- :18 – Unto the Angel of the Church in Thyratira write…
1. These things saith Son of God… eyes like flame of fire… feet like fine brass
2. Jesus will see write though this church and bring a judgement to them!
- :19-23 – I know… works, charity, service, faith patience works – looked good
1. They were a working town, committed to the Lord to a certain degree
2. I have few things against you…
§ Suffer the woman Jezebel… teach & seduce… my servants to fornication, idols – tolerating sin and heresy, allowed seduction – persuaded to cheat on God with sin & Idols
§ Jezebel repented not
§ Jezebel will go into great tribulation – either a near great trying time or referring to the Great Trib. found in Revelation
§ Them that commit adultery with her also, except they repent
§ Jezebel’s children followers will also be killed with death, executed
§ Jezebel in Elijah’s time (I Kings 11 & 16) is the possible spirit behind this Jezebel, or this could possibly be an actual person at the time, either way we see the devastating reality of spiritual adultery & idolatry in the church
§ This will be a devastating blow to the universal church and all churches will see… God does mean business!
- :24-25 - But unto you I say, the messenger/pastor
1. And unto the rest in Thyratira
2. As many as have not this doctrine… I will put no other burden
3. That which you have hold fast till I come
4. Jesus speaks to those who don’t embrace Jezebel and her sinful teachings and lets them know that he will not put extra burdens on them!!! Referring to the consequence of Great Trib. From :22
- :26 – he that overcomes & keeps my work unto the end
1. To him power over the nations… to rule with a rod of iron – this will happen in the millennium found in Chapter 20
2. Receive the morning star, which is Jesus Himself
3. :29 – He that hath an ear to hear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches! Amen!
5. Letter to Sardis – means “escaping ones” – 1500-1750 – The Reformation – 30 Miles South of Thyratira - Pastor/Author Ray Stedman coins this church the “Zombie Church”
a. 3:1a - Greeting – from the one who has the 7 spirits and the 7 stars – Jesus holds the Holy Spirit and the entire church.
b. 3:1b –Correction - Jesus sees all, he sees that this church looks alive & has a name a reputation, yet it is DEAD! Death on the inside can be covered up on the outside! Are you dead in the inside? Wake Up! Looked like diamond but just a Cubic Zirconia!
c. 3:2-3 -Instruction– be watchful, strengthen… that are ready to die… I have not found your works perfect before God -Get your heart right, correct your motives, fix your eyes upon Jesus! :3 – Remember… hold fast… repent… WAKE UP and repent and gear up! Don’t be dead spiritually, LIVE the life Hold fast to the Gospel! If you don’t watch, I will come on you as a thief and you shall not know what hour I will come upon you… I will come as a thief and you shall not know the hour… This could refer to the Rapture
d. 3:4 – Observation/exhortation - A few names even in Sardis which have not defiled their garments, they shall walk with me in white, for they are worthy – God sees the all too famous cover up, façade putting on a good face, and He says, that won’t work with me! Church, Believer we must repent from our fakeness, saying we are spiritual in Christ yet our lives on the inside, behind closed doors, when no one is watching in the depths of our heart we are dying, almost dead! Let’s be like those few names in Sardis which have not defiled our garments, let us truly be Alive in Christ on the inside and the outside!
e. :5-6 – Promise – He that overcomes the same shall be clothed in white… I will not blot out His name form the book of life, but I will confess his name before my Father, and before His Angels. – There was a few already headed towards being clothed in white, now those who read this letter and overcome are promised to also be clothed in white! The overcomer is promised to be presented by name before the Father!
:6 – He that hath and ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.
SO what does the Spirit say to the Churches, in 2016, today… Wake Up! Rom. 13:11-14
1. Wake Up! Don’t add Sexual misconduct or idolatry to your life! Don’t Compromise or backslide! - Thyratira
2. Wake Up! Live life for Christ on the inside and the Outside, be genuine in your faith, love him on the inside it will shine forth!! – Sardis
- Come to Christ today and live for Him! Come to Him He is Waiting for you! Amen!
“The End Times Letters” – What Jesus says to them… Philadelphia 3:7-13 & Laodicea 3:14-22
(text Rev. 3:7-13, Mark 13:1-8, I Thess. 4:13-18, 5:1-11, II Peter 3:1-14)
All 7 letters represent the complete church and each church does represent the heart of any given church at any given time or individual believer for that matter. With that in mind, it does seem to appear that these last two churches run simultaneously till the end, one being faithful with a Great Open Door and one being unfaithful with a disappointing closed door, to the Lord!
Jesus, James, Peter, John, Paul and others said the end was near… we are that much closer… Here is what Jesus said to be on the lookout for at the end of the age & remember if Jesus said there would be an end, He is telling the Truth… SEE Mark 13:1-8
In the Last Days there will be these two types of churches predominantly… It’s The Church we want to be and the church we don’t want to be… Let’s take a look at the Church we want to be first…
6. Letter to Philadelphia 3:7-13 – The Faithful Church – The Open Door Church – Missions Emphasis - 1750 till Jesus comes back – Whitfield, Wesley, Spurgeon, Finney, Moody, Hudson Taylor, Billy Sunday, Billy Graham, Chuck Colson, Chuck Smith
Greeting :7 -
7 And to the angel of the church in Philadelphia write;
- Angel meaning pastor or messenger & Philadelphia means “brotherly love”
These things saith he that is holy, he that is true, he that hath the key of David, he that openeth, and no man shutteth; and shutteth, and no man openeth;
- Note the description of Jesus:
1. Holy, True, hath the key of David - Isaiah 22:22 – is referenced here, when King Hezekiah rejected the evil Shebna but honored the righteous Eliakim who was a type/picture of Christ was Chosen to be in Authority, to bear the governing decisions on his shoulder, (Is. 9:6-7) was given the key of David, this represents the authority of Jesus to rule and make decisions; to open and shut doors that only God can accomplish.
2. Look to Jesus the Author and Finisher of your faith! Trust in Him who lives and sees your plight
Commendation :8-10 -
8 I know thy works: behold, I have set before thee an open door, and no man can shut it:
3. I know your works – God sees their service, He’s been the one opening the doors for them thus far! He is pleased with their work!
4. I have set before you an open door… no man can shut it - WOW, what an awesome reality, biblically the open door would be evangelism, sharing our faith with others, leading others to Jesus Christ! Applicationally, this is another opportunity to learn that God is the one who sets the open door in front of us according to His schedule and His plan for His Glory!
5. Jesus said, “upon this rock I will build My Church, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it…” Matthew 16:18
for thou hast a little strength, and hast kept my word, and hast not denied my name.
6. Why does God set the open door before us? We have little strength… we keep His word… and we don’t deny His name!
7. What a legacy this church is leaving, weak but strong! So Biblical, so God! God takes the weak things of the world to confound the wise!
8. Keep His Word – treasure His Word, this is what one does when this is all that one can do!
9. Don’t deny His Name – when Jesus is all you have, you never let up on that grip of His name – Yashua – God is Salvation – JESUS!
10. In the end times the church will be tempted to strengthen themselves, forget his word and deny His name and rely upon their own religious ingenuity to accomplish the spiritual work of God with Intellect and braun! The church will be tempted to go the way of the Galatians, who started in the spirit but finished in the flesh!
9 Behold, I will make them of the synagogue of Satan, which say they are Jews, and are not, but do lie; behold, I will make them to come and worship before thy feet, and to know that I have loved thee.
- Jews who didn’t receive the Messiah Jesus were persecuting the believers in Philly and Jesus says that they will see the light, eventually they will see the Truth!
10 Because thou hast kept the word of my patience, I also will keep thee from the hour of temptation, which shall come upon all the world, to try them that dwell upon the earth.
- Because… You have KEPT The word of my patience – you have not counted the Lord slack in His return, you are patiently waiting for Him to come back for you! SEE 2 Peter 3:1-14
- I also will keep you from the hour of temptation… upon all the world… to try them that dwell… upon the earth…
1. Believers will be kept from hour of temptation… to try them that dwell upon the earth – hour is a period of time dedicated to them that dwell upon the earth- Here we see that the believers are not on the earth as the 7 year tribulation comes upon the earth dwellers! God will try those on earth and many will give their lives to the Lord many will not, most of those who do get saved in Great Trib will be killed… KEPT how? by way of the mysterious rapture… SEE 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18, 5:1-11 (John 14:1-3, I Cor. 15:51-53
2. Praise the Lord we escape the doom of God’s Wrath upon a God rejecting unrepentant world!
Closing Remarks :11-13
11 Behold, I come quickly: hold that fast which thou hast, that no man take thy crown.
- Jesus comes quickly – imminently – soon and suddenly He will come… we are closer than the Apostles to the Rapture, we are closer than previous Generations and we see all the signs from the Old Testament and from the Words of Jesus at the Mount of Olives… The time is nearer than when we first believed! Hold fast… let no one take your crown… Serve Jesus till the end! Finish Well! No one can take your salvation but be careful lest someone take your crown!
12 Him that overcometh will I make a pillar in the temple of my God, and he shall go no more out: and I will write upon him the name of my God, and the name of the city of my God, which is new Jerusalem, which cometh down out of heaven from my God: and I will write upon him my new name.
- Rewards: Be a part of the foundation, pillar, truly, receive the newness of life!
13 He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches.
- Do you hear what the spirit says to the church, to you!
- Look for the open door and with His strength, Word and Name go through it!
Revelation 3:14-22 – The Church You don’t want to be!” Let’s Read the Letter first…
Revelation remember is the book that promises blessing!
Part 1- We See Jesus! Ch.1 / Part 2 – The Church Age! Ch. 2-3 / Part 3 – The Future Things After the Church Age Ch. 4-22
The Church Age Review – Ephesus – Back to First Love Church / Smyrna – Persecuted Church / Pergamos – Mixed Up Church / Thyratira – The Adulterous Church / Sardis – The Dead, Zombie Church / Philly – The Open Door, Missionary Church, The Last Days Church, Church you want to be!
7. 7th Letter: to Laodicea – The Unfaithful Church – Closed Door Church – The Regurgitated church – The Neutral Church…
This is in fact the “Church you Don’t want to Be!” Some even call this the Apostate church, the church that has abandoned Jesus… you will see why some think this…
There seems to be 2 churches running parallel till Jesus comes back, the Church like at Philly & and this church at Laodicea seem to take us to the end of time, the last days churches, we have the Church on fire for Jesus like in Philly and we have the Lukewarm church like as Laodicea, shallow, tepid and oblivious to their own demise … These 2 styles of church seem to be prominent in the end of the age… OUR AGE! let’s take a deeper look…
A. Greeting - :14
14 And unto the angel of the church of the Laodiceans write; These things saith the Amen, the faithful and true witness, the beginning of the creation of God;
- Remember this church represents actual church on the postal route, possible church history such as 1900 till Jesus returns, a churches heart at any given time, or an individual for that matter… Listen to the Spirit!
- Jesus writes to John through an Angel to get the message out to the Pastor of Laodicea. Laodicea means “rule of the people,” and was wealthy and had lots of manufacturing, clothing, banking, commercial & medical work going on there, A little American City, if you will. There was an aqueduct that flowed into Laodicea from the Hot Springs of Hierapolis, as it reached Laodicea it was lukewarm it was undesirable & aweful.
- Jesus presents Himself to the church here as the AMEN, FAITHFUL & TRUE WITNESS, Amen means “so be it” He is the final decision and authority over the Laodicean Church, and He is Faithful and True in what he bears witness about this church!
- Next He says He is the beginning of the Creation of God – Paul had also written to the Laodiceans in his letter to the Colossians 2:1-11, encouraging them to not be persuaded away from Christ to the worldly things of this life! Jesus is the beginning of creation, this is His deity, do not persuaded otherwise!
- Truly todays church need to get back to this Faithful True Witness that Jesus is Creator God! No evolution no theistic evolution just JESUS is the ONE AMEN!
B. Condemnation - :15-17 – this church is uncommendable…
15 I know thy works, that thou art neither cold nor hot: I would thou wert cold or hot.
16 So then because thou art lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spue thee out of my mouth.
- Jesus wishes that this church was hot or cold not lukewarm. He sees their works but they seem to be indifferent, shallow, tepid, they seem to work with no real emotion either way. Like as to be going through the motions, like a puppet on strings, with no real motive for Christ!
- Hot or cold, lukewarm, these are all pictures possibly of the aqueduct that runs into their community... hot water is useful, cold water is useful but lukewarm water is not useful!!! Iced Coffee, Hot Coffee, lukewarm, no thanks!
- Jesus says here he will spue the lukewarm out of His mouth! WHAT!? Folks, listen, we don’t want to be regurgitated out of God’s Mouth! This has serious implications, something spued out of the mouth was swallowed and then later rejected! WARNING lights should be going off in your heads and heart… WHO WOULD EVER WANT TO BE SPUED AS NASTY LUKEWARM WATER OUT OF THE MOUTH OF JESUS? NO ONE I HOPE! Here is a few thoughts on being spued out… If He does spue…
a. Warning of not being HIS… unsaved
b. Warning of being out of His will… unusable
c. Warning of being belligerent… unrepentant
17 Because thou sayest, I am rich, and increased with goods, and have need of nothing; and knowest not that thou art wretched, and miserable, and poor, and blind, and naked:
- Jesus says he will spue them out because they say rather than do from the heart! They say this and that about themselves but truly they are the exact opposite. Sometimes we don’t see things as they are, we see what we want to see and we are reluctant to change or correction! We must keep ourselves in His presence that we might see spiritually what He sees!
- They believe they are rich and need nothing but Jesus says thou art, wretched, poor miserable and blind! They have a false evaluation of themselves… so what should this church do????
C. Instruction/Counsel - :18-20
1. Get true gold, white clothes and eyesalve to truly see! :18
18 I counsel thee to buy of me gold tried in the fire, that thou mayest be rich; and white raiment, that thou mayest be clothed, and that the shame of thy nakedness do not appear; and anoint thine eyes with eyesalve, that thou mayest see.
1. This is the remedy for the church of Laodicea – buy gold tried in the fire – this is the refiners fire, burn off the dross the impure, Jesus says get back in the fire of my refining love! This is true riches in Christ, to be like Him!
2. Buy white raiment – sign of being refined in the fire, truly clothed by Jesus, those clothed in white will travel with Jesus on white horses in the future!
3. Anoint eyes with eyesalve – Laoidcea was know for their medical prowess and eyesalve would be a product they had seen and understood. Jesus tells them to put some spiritual eyesalve so the can truly see! Look unto Jesus the Author and finisher of our faith! Heb. 12:2
4. Faith doesn’t walk by earthly sight but it walks by spiritual sight in spiritual clothing for a reward that was refined in the fire of the Lord, this is buying heavenly gold!! Get right Jesus says, your focus is on the wrong things, you essentially are abandoning the Lord for earthly pleasure… that’s not a true church!
2. Receive the rebuke out of Love and Repent! - :19
19 As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten: be zealous therefore, and repent.
- As Many AS I LOVE – Our Father in heaven loves us all! Feeling rebuked, you are loved! Feeling chastened, you are Loved!!!
- Be zealous and repent – zealous is to burn with zeal, to be heated or to boil, repent, turn form lukewarm, uselessness! It is sinful, wrong to be lukewarm in your relationship with Christ, let HIS love burn your heart to a place of repentance!
- The lukewarm church/individual is being asked to hear the Truth and receive the truth through repentance from sin and returning to His Love! Get Hot, get Cold, get in a useable relationship with Christ!
20 Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me.
- His sheep will hear his voice and open the door and fellowship with Him!
- The church, the believer, if ever caught in this lukewarm position needs to hear His voice, and respond by opening the door to Him, He will not bust the door down! He draws people to himself through His voice and his love!
- Also to anyone caught in the church without knowing Jesus, he may also open the door to Jesus and be saved! If you hear His voice, please always respond to it! Even Today! If you hear Him now, get up and open the door of your heart to Him! Don’t wait, don’t ignore Him! Let Him in and He will dine, fellowship have relationship with you!
D. Promise to the Overcomer -
21 To him that overcometh will I grant to sit with me in my throne, even as I also overcame, and am set down with my Father in his throne.
- Overcomers will be able to follow in Jesus footsteps and sit with Jesus just like Jesus overcame and sat with the Father! We will be in His throne! What a scene this will be, to those who overcome we will be at throne of Jesus which is at the throne of the Father!
22 He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches.
- DO you hear the Spirit calling you in to a deeper relationship with Him?
- Will you respond to the call to go deeper with Jesus!
- You don’t want ot be the one spued out of His mouth! Amen!
Are you this church, Lukewarm, if yes repent, let Jesus Back in! Or let Jesus in for the first time! Amen!
The things hereafter - Part 3 – Jesus foretells the Future Things – 4-22:6
3a. Jesus reveals Heaven – 4-5
1. The Heavenly Throne – A view of Heaven – gain a heavenly perspective! (Read 4:1-11)
I. The Great Transition :1 –
After this I looked, and, behold, a door was opened in heaven: and the first voice which I heard was as it were of a trumpet talking with me; which said, Come up hither, and I will shew thee things which must be hereafter.
- Notice, After this and hereafter – are the bookends of this one verse. They are both the same greek word(s) “meta-tauta,” which is a transition word/phrase. This would tie in to Ch 1:19 and its divine outline of the book of revelation. Making this the final great transition in the book of Revelation, pt1, ch.1, intro & great Vision of Jesus, CH 2-3, pt.2, the church age, then finally pt. 3,ch. 4-22 – things that take place in the hereafter or after the church age! See we see here a great transition in the prophecy, in the unveiling of the plans for the end of time!
1. Matter of fact the word church was last used in Rev. 3:22 and won’t be used again until 22:16 at the closing of the letter. In other words, after this transition the church is never mentioned again until the closing remarks of the book! The church is not seen in ch.4-22:6 which is the hereafter section of revelation!
- Door was opened in heaven – the door is the gospel, and the gospel is the way to heaven! Here we see John, see’s this door. Jesus also taught us that He is the Door into the kingdom of heaven!
- First voice… as trumpet… come up here… and I will shew you… the hereafter… John hears God’s voice calling up to heaven, this voice was like a trumpet with Authority and command, the instruction was to come up! And further details of the hereafter would be given!
- This possibly could be a picture or maybe just a good illustration of the rapture! WHY? When John writes after this, we ask after what… after he concluded the 7 letters to the 7 churches. The church is now complete. The Church Age is now over, therefore, John is taken up through the open door of the Gospel so to speak into Heaven! And will receive the events of the rest of Revelation from this vantage point, as if John would represent all believers being caught up into heaven through the gospel of Jesus before the future events of the great tribulation found in chapters 6-19. Believers being rescued from God’s Wrath, the Bride being rescued from God’s Wrathful fist of retribution!
- Let’s read now I Thessalonians 4:16-18
II. The View in Heaven :2-11
i. God The Father is in Heaven! (:2-3)
2 And immediately I was in the spirit: and, behold, a throne was set in heaven, and one sat on the throne.
- In the spirit – in a different non-earthy realm. John was beholding Heaven and God’s Throne with God on the throne! Also remember to absent in body is to be present with the Lord in Spirit! ONE SAT – God the Father is on His throne!
3 And he that sat was to look upon like a jasper and a sardine stone: and there was a rainbow round about the throne, in sight like unto an emerald.
- John tells us of the great color spectrum in heaven, the beauty and splendor that surrounds the throne of God! Jasper possibly a diamond, sardine possibly ruby…
- The Rainbow is there for obvious reasons, to declare that God has and will keep His promises! What He’s about to reveal comes from the place of the One who keeps His promises, He will follow through with what He is about to reveal!
- Emerald – bright green hue
ii. The Church – The Bride of Christ is in Heaven (:4, 10-11)
4 And round about the throne were four and twenty seats: and upon the seats (thrones) I saw four and twenty elders sitting, clothed in white raiment; and they had on their heads crowns of gold.
- 24 seats (thrones) around the throne 3:21, we were told the overcomers would be seated at the throne, 24 elders sitting upon them clothed in white in 3:5 we learned the overcomer would be clothed in white and in 2:10 we learned the overcomer would be crowned with gold… these are representatives of the church, believers are clothed in white , seathed on thrones and are promised rewards symbolized by the gold crowns, also see rev. 2:10 (M. Hitchcock)
- Who are the Elders? – 1. Angelic beings 2. Israel – 12 tribes & Church – 3. The Bride of Christ, believers from Pentecost to The Rapture! I agree with #3
- Elders, clothed in white – track them here, elders/overcomers in white clothes are seen in heaven in Rev. 4-19, then on earth for the Millennia in ch.20, then seen at the end of Rev. in the New Heavens in Rev. 21
1. Rev. 4:4,10 - They are in Heaven after the church age is complete
2. 5:5-10 – The sing the song of the redeemed of the Lamb
3. 7:9-13 – they see the Martyr’s under the altar
4. 11:16 – they are in Heaven
5. 14:3 – the 144k sing before them in Heaven
6. 19:4 – they are at the marriage supper of the Lamb
7. 20:4 – they come down for millennia and served as priests
8. 21:9-27 – they are in New Heaven with the Lamb a ready wife!
iii. The Holy Spirit (:5)
5 And out of the throne proceeded lightnings and thunderings and voices: and there were seven lamps of fire burning before the throne, which are the seven Spirits of God.
- AN amazing array of sounds and sights streaming from God’s throne. Also the presence of the Holy Spirit is seen through the seven lamps of fire, reminding us of the Menora in the temple. The Menora reveals to us the Spirit is always present where God is! We are God’s temple and the 7fold spirit resides with in us! See IS. 11:1-2 for the seven fold characteristics of the Spirit of God! When the Spirit was given to create the church we saw cloves of Fire in Acts 2:3 at Pentecost!
- The Holy Spirit is present with God the Father and God the Son at creation, He is then seen throughout the old testament empowering fathers of the faith and prophets, then of course He is seen in the Gospels reaching, speaking and empowering Jesus & other followers, finally He is released to Earth in Acts ch. 2 and draws, indwells and empowers the church! WE NEED YOU HOLY SPIRIT!
iv. The 4 Beasts (:6-9)
6 And before the throne there was a sea of glass like unto crystal: and in the midst of the throne, and round about the throne, were four beasts full of eyes before and behind.
- Crystal sea – there is also a crystal river in the New Jerusalem in Rev 22:1
- Now we see the sea and the 4 beasts full of eyes…
7 And the first beast was like a lion, and the second beast like a calf, and the third beast had a face as a man, and the fourth beast was like a flying eagle.
- First beast like a lion – Matthew’s gospel focused on the Jewish audience presents the Lion of Judah’s Kingship/Messiahship
- Second like a calf – Mark’s gospel focused on the Romans presents the messiah’s servanthood
- Third as the face of a man – Luke’s gospel focused on the greeks presents the humanity of Christ
- Fourth like flying eagle – John’s gospel reaching all groups presents Jesus as GOD!
1. Ezekiel 1:4-14 & 10:20-22 also pictured for us these 4 beasts
2. Some see the 4 gospels represented in the beasts, the lion unto Matthew, the calf unto Mark, the face of man unto Luke, and the eagle as unto John
8 And the four beasts had each of them six wings about him; and they were full of eyes within: and they rest not day and night, saying, Holy, holy, holy, Lord God Almighty, which was, and is, and is to come.
- Each beast was full of eyes before and behind, and six wings
- Rest not day and night saying HOLY, was is and is to come… Here is some insight in Heaven at this current time, the beasts know God has always been and that we believers are going to be caught up and worship God and that Jesus will come again to the earth! The beasts here announce this to us from a heavenly eternal perspective! Awesome!
9 And when those beasts give glory and honour and thanks to him that sat on the throne, who liveth for ever and ever,
- The beasts glorify honor and thank God!
10 The four and twenty elders fall down before him that sat on the throne, and worship him that liveth for ever and ever, and cast their crowns before the throne, saying,
- The 24 elders follow suit and cast their crowns down to God! He is Worthy!
11 Thou art worthy, O Lord, to receive glory and honour and power: for thou hast created all things, and for thy pleasure they are and were created.
- The elders/church say these things to God.
· This is how the church should think now…
1. God in Heaven is Worth looking forward too!
2. God is Worth everything we have, we should lay down our all to Him!
3. God should receive the glory and honor and strength that we may possess! Love God with all we have!
4. God created all of us for His pleasure! We should want to bring pleasure to God with our lives!!!
Surrender to Christ if you have not already! Accept Him, walk through the Door who is Jesus! Amen!
Revelation 5 – A Trip to Heaven, Part 2 – A True Heavenly Perspective – Gaining a Heavenly Perspective!
I. Behold the book - :1-4 - AUTHORITY
5 And I saw in the right hand of him that sat on the throne a book written within and on the backside, sealed with seven seals.
- God the Father is holding the book/ scroll, written on both sides and sealed with seven seals! WHAT IS THIS BOOK? A&B are the best theories…
a. Title Deed to the Earth – meaning that God is going to bring about the end of the world as we know it by the end of the deed
b. Last Will and Testament – meaning Christ receives the inheritance from the Father, which in the end Christ reigns & rules for 1k years and then all things new… we are joint heirs according to scripture, which we see in Revelation.
// more theories…
c. Lamb’s book of life
d. A bill of Divorce – The Lamb divorcing from Israel
e. Book of Last Days Doom & gloom
f. Record of the sin of mankind
- Bottom line is that the Book is in the Father’s hand, he wrote on it front and back and sealed it 7 times… a very specific, complete and important document! That none else could look on it let alone touch it!
2 And I saw a strong angel proclaiming with a loud voice, Who is worthy to open the book, and to loose the seals thereof?
- Take note an angel, strong angel at that, did not know who can open this book!
- Who has the authority for something this important to take out of God the Father’s hand?
3 And no man in heaven, nor in earth, neither under the earth, was able to open the book, neither to look thereon.
- No one can take it even look upon it!
4 And I wept much, because no man was found worthy to open and to read the book, neither to look thereon.
- John the Revelator is even puzzled to the point of weeping. This must be an extremely important looking document; John dipped in vat of oil left for dead on a stranded Island, wept!
II. Behold the Lamb - :5-7 - SACRIFICE
5 And one of the elders saith unto me, Weep not: behold, the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the Root of David, hath prevailed to open the book, and to loose the seven seals thereof.
- Great news, an elder steps forward and tells John, don’t weep…
- A strong angel didn’t know the answer, but an elder new the Answer, the bride of Christ knows the answer!
- Behold, the LION… root of David – this is none other than JESUS! Jesus is the Lion and the Lamb!
6 And I beheld, and, lo, in the midst of the throne and of the four beasts, and in the midst of the elders, stood a Lamb as it had been slain, having seven horns and seven eyes, which are the seven Spirits of God sent forth into all the earth.
- The Lamb, slain, seven horns, seven eyes – Jesus is the lamb slain, he has seven horns representing the full strength and authority that he carries. The seven eyes representing that the Spirit is sent out into all the earth through him!
7 And he came and took the book out of the right hand of him that sat upon the throne.
- Jesus simply stands up and walks over to the Father and takes the book!
- Took the book… out of right hand… WOW!
III. Behold the Voices - :8-14
8 And when he had taken the book, the four beasts and four and twenty elders fell down before the Lamb, having every one of them harps, and golden vials full of odours, which are the prayers of saints.
- The 4 beasts, and 24 elders fall down and worship the lamb
- They worship with harps and present the prayers of the saints!
- The church has harps and the prayers of the saints!
9 And they sung a new song, saying, Thou art worthy to take the book, and to open the seals thereof: for thou was slain, and hast redeemed us to God by thy blood out of every kindred, and tongue, and people, and nation; 10 And hast made us unto our God kings and priests: and we shall reign on the earth.
- Here we have a New Song – sung by the heavenly orchestra… let’s look at its elements of this song & what we can learn from it…
Jesus taught us to pray “Father in Heaven, hallowed be your name your kingdom come your will be done on earth as it is in Heaven.” Matthew 6:9-10
1. Reverence - You are worthy to take the book and open the seals – Jesus is to be revered above all else!
2. Remedy - For you were slain… the blood – Jesus is the answer to the sin problem! He was slain for us, He took our place, He paid off our debt to the Father!
3. Redemption - Redeemed us to God by the blood – we have been bought back by the Lord! He has paid the debt!
4. Reach - Out of every kindred, tongue people and nation – God wants to reach out into every part of the globe till the ends of the earth!
5. Reward – made us unto our God kings and priests: we shall reign un the earth – there is a reward for the believer! God will bless us with the ability to lead spiritually as priests and wisely as kings in the millennial reign! This truly is the fulfillment of the reality of having the mind of Christ that Paul challenged the Philippians and all believers to learn in Phil. 2:5.
11 And I beheld, and I heard the voice of many angels round about the throne and the beasts and the elders: and the number of them was ten thousand times ten thousand, and thousands of thousands; 12 Saying with a loud voice, Worthy is the Lamb that was slain to receive power, and riches, and wisdom, and strength, and honour, and glory, and blessing.
- Heard voice of many angels… beasts… elders… and the number – innumerable numbers of voices speaking and declaring these praises to the Lord!
- Worthy is the lamb that was slain – JESUS is the object/person/Deity of Worship!
- to receive power, and riches, and wisdom, and strength, and honour, and glory, and blessing – look at the immense reverence and preeminence the lamb has!
13 And every creature which is in heaven, and on the earth, and under the earth, and such as are in the sea, and all that are in them, heard I saying, Blessing, and honour, and glory, and power, be unto him that sitteth upon the throne, and unto the Lamb for ever and ever.
- Every creature then says… Blessing, and honour, and glory, and power, be unto him that sitteth upon the throne, and unto the Lamb for ever and ever.
14 And the four beasts said, Amen. And the four and twenty elders fell down and worshipped him that liveth for ever and ever.
- the four beasts said, Amen – these amazing celestial beings say, so be it, they agree
- four and twenty elders fell down and worshipped him that liveth for ever and ever. – the church represented by the 24 elders close out this scene by falling down and worshipping the Lamb!
The BOOK, the LAMB and the Voices! Do you see Jesus having absolute Authority in your life, by the book? Do you see his sacrifice for you in the Lamb? Do you cry out to God with the orchestra of heaven?
Surrender to the Lamb, now, as you see yourself later, you will be fully surrendered at His throne!
GIVE YOUR LIFE TO THE LAMB WHO IS WORTHY!
10/23/16 – Cover: Election in America, VOTE Biblical Worldview! Russia to Mediterranean, Ezek.38-39
Revelation 6 – The Opening of 6 Seals – Message Title: The Time Will Come!
3b. Jesus reveals / unveils the 7-year tribulation – 6-19
First things First… Learn to understand… Part 1 of revelation was Chapter 1 – a vision of Jesus, Part 2 was the Church age and its conclusion with 7 letters to 7 churches in Ch. 2-3… Now the 3rd section…
- The Third part of Revelation which is the future things of our world and beyond, CH. 4-22:6, is broken up into these 2 simple parts…
1. John The Revelators Heavenly Visit – CH. 4-5 – Heavens throne & inhabitants!
2. The Book/Scroll opened and Revealed – 6-22:6 (Book within a Book)
§ 7 year Tribulation, Time of God’s Wrath! – Ch. 6-19
§ 1000 year reign of Christ – Known as the Millennia- CH 20
§ New Heaven, New earth , New Jerusalem – CH. 21-22:6
- Part 4 of Rev. is Jesus Last Words, his Concluding thoughts! – CH. 22:7-21(15 verses)
- Also before we get into chapter 6, we must realize there is a 7-year period that was prophesied by Daniel to be induced by a man making a covenant for 7 years for peace and safety and then breaking his very own covenant half way through in order to become the evil world dictator that God will soon cast into the lake of fire. The 70 weeks prophecy of Daniel 9:24-27, fire - Rev. 19:20
- We must also understand that at this point the church age is complete, the Resurrection of the Holy Dead has happened and the Rapture or catching up of all born again believers are now in heaven with Jesus and the Father by the Spirit! Rapture – I Thess. 4:13-18, I Cor. 15:50-58, Titus 2:13, John 14:1-3
- Finally, as we enter chapter 6-19, there is a reality that God’s wrath is being allowed to come down upon the World that has rejected Christ, His Church has been removed, the restraining entity, the salt, is gone, therefore the Wrath og God can come… There is a strain of the term wrath of God/Christ that runs through this portion, this 7 year tribulation, take a look…
§ Rev. 6:16-17 – the people on earth momentarily realize the wrath of the Lamb! This is the first year or two of the tribulation
§ Rev. 11:18 – we see God’s wrath has come, this is the middle of the tribulation
§ Rev. 15:1,7,16:1,19 – these all lead us to the final filling up of the wrath of God through the final 7 bowls being poured out! Latter part of tribulation.
§ Rev. 19:15 – we see the culmination of the Wrath of God at the Second advent of our Lord, the end of tribulation…
§ THUS, you have God’s wrath throughout these 7 years… check these scriptures out…
“Much more then, being now justified by His blood, we shall be saved from the wrath to come.”Rom.5:9
“For God hath not appointed us to wrath, but to obtain salvation by our Lord Jesus Christ.” I Thess. 5:9
God’s Wrath was poured out upon Jesus for us, but for those who don’t believe, they will suffer great tribulation… SO let’s check out this BOOK that only Jesus can open…
*The World scene is set for the opening of the 7 sealed scroll, as soon as the church is raptured up, the 1st seal can be revealed…
Revelation 6 – The Opening of 6 Seals – Message Title: The Time Will Come!
A. Seal 1 - :1-2 – enter the Anti- Christ – Peace-Faker – Covenant Maker (beast 1 – lion?)
And I saw when the Lamb opened one of the seals, and I heard, as it were the noise of thunder, one of the four beasts saying, Come and see.
2 And I saw, and behold a white horse: and he that sat on him had a bow; and a crown was given unto him: and he went forth conquering, and to conquer.
- The Anti – Christ, means ‘the one who comes in the stead of Christ,’ he has a bow with no arrows, he was given a crown, a stephanos crown which is not the same as a royal crown and he went forth conquering and to conquer! He is also known as the man of sin, son of perdition, wicked/lawless one of II Thess. 2:1-12.
- This is a false Christ, the one who comes to cut a deal of peace for 7 years, according to Daniel 7:24-27 and he will break this covenant 3.5 years into it, which we will see later in chapter 13.
- This white horse of anti-christ can be compared to true Christ on his white horse Rev. 19:11-13
B. Seal 2 - :3-4 – enter Peace-Taker, War Maker (beast 2 – calf?)
3 And when he had opened the second seal, I heard the second beast say, Come and see.
4 And there went out another horse that was red: and power was given to him that sat thereon to take peace from the earth, and that they should kill one another: and there was given unto him a great sword.
- Note to take peace from the earth, the peace agreement made by the anti-christ was a false one, a false sense of security a smokescreen to pave the way for his true colors to shine thru!!!
C. Seal 3 - :5-6 – enter famine economic dictator (beast 3 - face of man?)
5 And when he had opened the third seal, I heard the third beast say, Come and see. And I beheld, and lo a black horse; and he that sat on him had a pair of balances in his hand.
6 And I heard a voice in the midst of the four beasts say, A measure of wheat for a penny, and three measures of barley for a penny; and see thou hurt not the oil and the wine.
- A penny or denarius was a days wage in that time! There’s going to be a food Tsar!
D. Seal 4 - :7-8 – enter widespread death (beast 4 – eagle?)
7 And when he had opened the fourth seal, I heard the voice of the fourth beast say, Come and see.
8 And I looked, and behold a pale horse: and his name that sat on him was Death, and Hell followed with him. And power was given unto them over the fourth part of the earth, to kill with sword, and with hunger, and with death, and with the beasts of the earth.
- Pale or sickly horse – the riders name was Death and hell followed him!
- ¼ part of the earth died: kill w/ sword, hunger, death itself and beasts!
- This is wrathful, vengeance upon a God rejecting world! YET…
E. Seal 5 - :9-11 – enter martyrdom
9 And when he had opened the fifth seal, I saw under the altar the souls of them that were slain for the word of God, and for the testimony which they held:
10 And they cried with a loud voice, saying, How long, O Lord, holy and true, dost thou not judge and avenge our blood on them that dwell on the earth?
11 And white robes were given unto every one of them; and it was said unto them, that they should rest yet for a little season, until their fellowservants also and their brethren, that should be killed as they were, should be fulfilled.
- There will be those who believe during the tribulation period and they will most all become martyrs, die for the faith in the word of God and they testified of their faith to the point of death!
F. Seal 6 - :12-17 – enter further tragedy & the reality of God in hearts of men for a moment – I call this the Shake Rattle and Roll Seal…
12 And I beheld when he had opened the sixth seal, and, lo, there was a great earthquake; and the sun became black as sackcloth of hair, and the moon became as blood;
13 And the stars of heaven fell unto the earth, even as a fig tree casteth her untimely figs, when she is shaken of a mighty wind.
14 And the heaven departed as a scroll when it is rolled together; and every mountain and island were moved out of their places.
15 And the kings of the earth, and the great men, and the rich men, and the chief captains, and the mighty men, and every bondman, and every free man, hid themselves in the dens and in the rocks of the mountains;
16 And said to the mountains and rocks, Fall on us, and hide us from the face of him that sitteth on the throne, and from the wrath of the Lamb:
17 For the great day of his wrath is come; and who shall be able to stand?
- The world for a moment recognizes that all that is occurring here is from the wrath of the Lamb! They wish they would be crushed so they would not have to face this reality!
- Jesus came that all might be forgiven and delivered from this wrath!
- We are redeemed by the precious blood of the Lamb! I Peter 1:18-19
- He who knew no sin became sin for us and died on the cross!
Revelation 7 – Intermission between 6th & 7th Seal opening – Sealed, Saved and Satisfied!
- a parenthesis around this chapter!
Chapter 7 will reveal to us 5 Angels, 144k Jews and Innumerable Tribulation Saints!
I. 5 Angels – (7:1-3)
And after these things – Parenthesis - After the first 6 seals were cracked open! 1-Anti-Christ 2-War 3- Famine 4- Death of ¼ earth 5- Martyred Saints 6- Shake Rattle Roll… WHO CAN STAND????
I saw four angels standing on the four corners of the earth, holding the four winds of the earth, that the wind should not blow on the earth, nor on the sea, nor on any tree – 4 Angels standing at 4 corners holding the wind back… Earth becomes calm, quiet, still… these 4 angels will bring doom to the earth & sea
2 And I saw another angel ascending from the east, having the seal of the living God: and he cried with a loud voice to the four angels, to whom it was given to hurt the earth and the sea,
3 Saying, Hurt not the earth, neither the sea, nor the trees, till we have sealed the servants of our God in their foreheads. – Another Angel the 5th Angel designated as coming from the east in this vignette comes with a seal and instructs the 4 not to hurt the earth & sea, until those who are going to be sealed with God’s seal are accomplished! WHO WILL BE SEALED & WHY?
- Sealed Who? – SERVANTS OF GOD!
- Sealed How? With Seal of God on their foreheads!
II. 144k Jews Sealed by God (7:4-8) The SEALED!
4 And I heard the number of them which were sealed: and there were sealed an hundred and forty and four thousand of all the tribes of the children of Israel.5 Of the tribe of Juda were sealed twelve thousand. Of the tribe of Reuben were sealed twelve thousand. Of the tribe of Gad were sealed twelve thousand.6 Of the tribe of Aser were sealed twelve thousand. Of the tribe of Nephthalim were sealed twelve thousand. Of the tribe of Manasses were sealed twelve thousand.7 Of the tribe of Simeon were sealed twelve thousand. Of the tribe of Levi were sealed twelve thousand. Of the tribe of Issachar were sealed twelve thousand.8 Of the tribe of Zabulon were sealed twelve thousand. Of the tribe of Joseph were sealed twelve thousand. Of the tribe of Benjamin were sealed twelve thousand. – Not only servants of God but - 144k Jews sealed with God’s handprint - Jesus was sealed by God in John 6:27 and all believers are sealed by God in Eph. 1:13 & 4:30
Song of Solomon 8:6-7 teaches us about the vital importance of the SEAL!
“Set me as a seal upon your heart, As a seal upon your arm; For love is as strong as death, Jealousy as cruel as the grave; Its flames are flames of fire, A most vehement flame. Many waters cannot quench love, Nor can the floods drown it. If a man would give for love All the wealth of his house, It would be utterly despised.”
When God seals or requests a seal, he means business, deep intimate relationship!
Now we move to a different scene in Heaven…
III. Innumerable Number of Tribulational Saints Identified (7:9-17) The SAVED!
9 After this – The 144k were sealed now we move to another scene in heaven at the throne of God!
I beheld, and, lo, a great multitude, which no man could number, of all nations, and kindreds, and people, and tongues, stood before the throne, and before the Lamb, clothed with white robes, and palms in their hands;10 And cried with a loud voice, saying, Salvation to our God which sitteth upon the throne, and unto the Lamb. – An innumerable crowd of all types of people stand before the throne clothed in white, washed in His Blood with palms in their hands, reminiscent of the crying of Hosanna, which means Save Now in Hebrew, when Jesus came into Jerusalem on a donkey!… We will find out who these people are soon in a few verses… (7:14)
11 And all the angels stood round about the throne, and about the elders and the four beasts, and fell before the throne on their faces, and worshipped God, 12 Saying, Amen: Blessing, and glory, and wisdom, and thanksgiving, and honour, and power, and might, be unto our God for ever and ever. Amen. – All the angels hung around the elders which represent the church and the 4 beasts and they fell to worship God! And they attributed to Him the greatest attributes of all for eternity: blessing, glory, wisdom, thanksgiving, honor, power and might!!!!
13 And one of the elders answered, saying unto me, What are these which are arrayed in white robes? and whence came they? Who is this innumerable crowd arrayed in white? An elder from the “elders” group (church) asks the question! SO note the different groups: angels, elders, beasts, these in white…
14 And I said unto him, Sir, thou knowest. And he said to me, These are they which came out of great tribulation, and have washed their robes, and made them white in the blood of the Lamb. ANSWER: they are those who were the martyrs for Christ out of the great Tribulation! Seal 5 “altar” in 6:9-11.
15 Therefore – what’s the therefore there for? Since these have been washed in the blood and clothed in white in the presence of the Almighty God…
are they before the throne of God, and serve him day and night in his temple: and he that sitteth on the throne shall dwell among them. – these martyred tribulation saints, serve God day and night and are with God in his throne-room! Praise God for these post rapture Christians, but do take note the difference for the pre-rapture Christians, they will be on thrones with God in Heaven (Rev. 4:4) still subservient to God but not in the roll of servant as these tribulation saints are. We pre-rapture Christians will be on thrones around his throne as the post rapture martyred tribulation saints are serving before him at his throne! We are all there, but we do have different rolls due to the time in which we got saved buy His blood!
16 They shall hunger no more, neither thirst any more; neither shall the sun light on them, nor any heat. 17 For the Lamb which is in the midst of the throne shall feed them, and shall lead them unto living fountains of waters: and God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes. – These tribulation saints will have the love, fulfillment, satisfaction and joys and privileges that we the pre-tribulational church age believers have, yet we have already been experiencing and do experience these blessings!
THE SAVED ARE SATISFIED!!!
· Salvation has greater benefits this side of the rapture and tribulation, are you saved, born again? Make sure today! Call unto Jesus today! Confess, repent and run to Jesus, He will Save you and lead you, day by day!
· Christian, share faith today, ask people to come to Jesus & Church! Reach the LOST NOW!! Are you saved & satisfied?
“The 7th Seal”
Revelation 8 – 7th Seal opens Trumps 1-4
I. 7th Seal opened - :1-6
And when he had opened the seventh seal, there was silence in heaven about the space of half an hour.
- The 7th , the final seal is cracked open = silence for 30 minutes! Probably seemed like a lifetime after the first 6 seals…
- the first 6 seals were cracked open! 1-Anti-Christ 2-War 3- Famine 4- Death of ¼ earth 5- Martyred Saints 6- Shake Rattle Roll… WHO CAN STAND????
- Silence Here truly is Golden! Like a deer caught in the headlights… What could be next… Like a silent hush before the lowering of a casket at a funeral…
2 And I saw the seven angels which stood before God; and to them were given seven trumpets.
- 7 is the number of completion – God has a plan he is unfolding before us
- Trumpets were sounded to prepare for Battle, and assemble to Worship… Seems as this is a trump of preparation for battle or vengeance against an enemy of God!
3 And another angel came and stood at the altar, having a golden censer; and there was given unto him much incense, that he should offer it with the prayers of all saints upon the golden altar which was before the throne.
- Another angel – some say this is Jesus the High Priest as this angel acts like a priest
- Censer – ‘libanatos’ in Greek – a container in which to burn frankincense gum for incense/fragrance…
- Prayers of the Saints - Revelation 5:8, 6:9-11, 8:3-4 (Psalm 141:2)
5 And the angel took the censer, and filled it with fire of the altar, and cast it into the earth: and there were voices, and thunderings, and lightnings, and an earthquake.
- Nevertheless a cataclysmic event hits earth as a result of this angel wrapping up his golden censer with fire from the altar and cast it to the earth
- “After prayer ascends, judgement descends (:5).” – C. Ryrie
- “The same golden censer from which the prayers of the saints are wafted heavenward now becomes a fiery weapon discharging judgement earthward.”
– H. Morris
- The prayers of the saints result in a precursor judgement, a tragic sign of what is to come following…
6 And the seven angels which had the seven trumpets prepared themselves to sound.
- Silence in heaven has ended a fiery golden senser had been cast to earth and now the 7 Angels get ready to sound their trumps!
- The Trumps are either symbolic or literal… As we go through them we will make note on both sides of this dilemma… Typically the Bible explains the symbolic and that which makes sense is usually the best sense! Positively we know its futuristic!
-
a. Trumps 1-4
7 The first angel sounded, and there followed hail and fire mingled with blood, and they were cast upon the earth: and the third part of trees was burnt up, and all green grass was burnt up.
- God used Moses to send thunder, hail with fire on the ground in Exodus 9:23-24
- 1/3 part of trees & grass burnt up = vegetation crisis
8 And the second angel sounded, and as it were a great mountain burning with fire was cast into the sea: and the third part of the sea became blood; 9 And the third part of the creatures which were in the sea, and had life, died; and the third part of the ships were destroyed.
- Note, “as it were” not a literal mountain, the literal sense is not interpreted.
- Familiarly, we saw this on a smaller scale in Exodus 20, with Moses rod and the Egyptian magicians turning water to blood…
- 1/3 of sea becomes blood, sea creature die, and ships are destroyed = ecoside and possibly a tsunami was set off to destroy ships
- Some speculate a Nuclear device is pictured in the “fiery mountain”, some meteor, asteroid, others a satellite fallen from the heavens.
10 And the third angel sounded, and there fell a great star from heaven, burning as it were a lamp, and it fell upon the third part of the rivers, and upon the fountains of waters; 11 And the name of the star is called Wormwood: and the third part of the waters became wormwood; and many men died of the waters, because they were made bitter.
- Once again this could be nuclear, Some even believe this to be an actual evil leader who comes on the scene bringing death by his leadership leading to War
- Also, more recently in History its interesting that Wormwood in Russian is… ‘Chernobyl’
- Most likely this is an actual star because it is indicated as such and given a name as many stars are named.
- Wormwood – bitter deadly poison, in greek it is absinthos or absinthe which is a deadly ingredient in liquor (H. Morris)
- 1/3 of rivers and springs made deadly bitter
12 And the fourth angel sounded, and the third part of the sun was smitten, and the third part of the moon, and the third part of the stars; so as the third part of them was darkened, and the day shone not for a third part of it, and the night likewise.
- As C. Ryrie observes, “The 24 hour cycle will be shortened to a 16 hour cycle… Mat. 24:22”
- Luke 21:25-26 – Jesus predicted signs in the sun moon and stars … for the powers of heaven shall be shaken before the Second Coming of Christ!
- Smitten by we do not know what???
- 1/3 of the heavenly lights are darkened – changing the atmosphere all around the world
13 And I beheld, and heard an angel flying through the midst of heaven, saying with a loud voice, Woe, woe, woe, to the inhabiters of the earth by reason of the other voices of the trumpet of the three angels… yet to sound!
- Some translations render ‘angel’ as ‘eagle’… if true, possibly this is the 4th beast in Heaven that had the face of an angel as seen in Rev. 4:7
- This is WOE angel presenting there are more woes to come, the 3 trumps are also called WOES!
- This WOE angel is a blessing as God is allowing this as a reminder to get right with HIM!!!
Revelation 9 – Demonic Armies – All Hell is Loosed… Hell on Earth!
Currently: We live in the end times, we are on the ‘s’ on end times, we are at the very end of the end! Time will eventually cease to exist, the earth as we know it will be dissolved and we will be living everlasting life in new glorified bodies in Heaven with God and all the saints! AMERICA – I believe God is showing some mercy to us, but truly there are 1.) We must support Israel 2.) We must overturn ROE V WADE, Abortion must be condemned & 3.) We must overturn the decision to allow Homosexual Marriages, these are the big 3 as I see it, AMERICA will not be blessed completely until these 3 issues are turned! Nonetheless, we are nearing the absolute end of time, Jesus will call us home, be ready, have your oil lamps filled, shine as lights and pray and watch! (close 4th , the discontinued support of Islamic nations & terrorists)
I like what Jon Courson recently said, ”We are not to look to Trump, we to listen for the voice of the trump, Jesus!
Let’s Review: Rev gives Blessing to those who read, understand and keep! Outline is in Rev. 1:19 - Part 1: Things we’ve seen: Revelation 1 – Intro, Blessing & Vision Of Jesus / Part 2: Things which are CH. 2-3 – 7 Letters to 7 Churches / Part 3: Things Hereafter(CH.4-22) – Ch. 4-5 – Trip To Heaven – All Around the Throne, The Scroll & The Lion & Lamb / CH. 6 (6-19, 7 Year Tribulation) – 6 Seals opened on Scroll / CH. 7 – 5 Angels, 144k Jews & #’s of Tribulation Saints / CH. 8 – 7th Seal, Trumps 1-4
Revelation 9 – Trumps 5-6 - Demonic Armies… All Hell is loosed on earth!!
I. Trump #5 - The Locusts – The 1st WOE of 3 WOE’S - 9:1-12 – All hell breaks loose!!
And the fifth angel sounded, and I saw a star fall from heaven unto the earth: and to him was given the key of the bottomless pit.
- Star - To Him was given – Lucifer – Isaiah 14:12-19 – God gives out the assignments, satan is not in charge – God is… Ezek. 28:12-17, Luke 10:18
2 And he opened the bottomless pit; and there arose a smoke out of the pit, as the smoke of a great furnace; and the sun and the air were darkened by reason of the smoke of the pit.
3 And there came out of the smoke locusts upon the earth: and unto them was given power, as the scorpions of the earth have power.
- Bottomless pit – unknown place in the depths of the abyss, abusso
- Locusts – such as the plague in Exodus the 8th plague in Ex. 10:1-20
1. They swarm in a massive group, like a cloud and destoy all vegetation in sight for miles at a time
- Given power – once again they are given power, they are not their own source
4 And it was commanded them that they should not hurt the grass of the earth, neither any green thing, neither any tree; but only those men which have not the seal of God in their foreheads.
- Was commanded – they are sent as tools in God’s hand
- Not hurt, earth, green thing, tree, only those men who have not the seal of God
1. The 144k were sealed in the forehead with God’s seal
5 And to them it was given that they should not kill them, but that they should be tormented five months: and their torment was as the torment of a scorpion, when he striketh a man.
- Not kill them – only hurt them, torment them, 5 months
- Torment as a scorpion – as,like used - scorpion bites cause numbness, difficulty swallowing and breathing, impaired vision, seizures and sometimes pancreatitis…
1. Only this has no cure for 5 months
6 And in those days shall men seek death, and shall not find it; and shall desire to die, and death shall flee from them.
- Men shall seek death – the torment will be so bad that men will attempt suicide
7 And the shapes of the locusts were like unto horses prepared unto battle; and on their heads were as it were crowns like gold, and their faces were as the faces of men.
8 And they had hair as the hair of women, and their teeth were as the teeth of lions.
9 And they had breastplates, as it were breastplates of iron; and the sound of their wings was as the sound of chariots of many horses running to battle.
10 And they had tails like unto scorpions, and there were stings in their tails: and their power was to hurt men five months.
- Shaped – like horse prepared for Battle
- Heads – Faces like Men and golden crowned
- Hair – like women
- Teeth – like lions teeth
- Breastplates – as iron
- Wings – sounded like many chariots running into battle
- Tails – like scorpions – sting – power to hurt 5 months
11 And they had a king over them, which is the angel of the bottomless pit, whose name in the Hebrew tongue is Abaddon, but in the Greek tongue hath his name Apollyon.
- Had a king – normal locusts don’t have a leader but this demonic army does! Prov. 30:17
- Abaddon in Hebrew is his name, Apollyon in Greek is His name – both mean ‘destroyer, or destruction’
- This is probably devil – or angel “adversary comes to steal, kill & destroy.” John 10:10
12 One woe is past; and, behold, there come two woes more hereafter.
- Woe – what are these… go back to 8:13, Woe, 3x, 3 angels left to sound, 3 trumps
- Ist woe – Locust Army / 2nd Woe – Rev. 9:13-21 – 11:14 / 3rd Woe – Rev. 11:15 7th Trump to 7 bowls
II. Trump #6 – 4 Angels & 200 million strong Army – 9:13-21
13 And the sixth angel sounded, and I heard a voice from the four horns of the golden altar which is before God
- A voice – do to the location at the altar, possibly the voice is Jesus, the Lamb of God!
- 4 horns – found in the temple on earth and in heaven, the priest would sprinkle the blood of the sacrifice on it. Blood would be mingled in the fire. Blood & fire
14 Saying to the sixth angel which had the trumpet, Loose the four angels which are bound in the great river Euphrates.
- 4 angels, bound – these bound angels have an appointment with God for a certain task
15 And the four angels were loosed, which were prepared for an hour, and a day, and a month, and a year, for to slay the third part of men.
- Prepared for an hour, day month, year – GOD KNOWS ALL THINGS!!!
- To slay 1/3 of men – death will come to million upon millions of people
16 And the number of the army of the horsemen were two hundred thousand thousand: and I heard the number of them.
- Number of the army- 200 million, possibly demonic, possibly human
17 And thus I saw the horses in the vision, and them that sat on them, having breastplates of fire, and of jacinth, and brimstone: and the heads of the horses were as the heads of lions; and out of their mouths issued fire and smoke and brimstone.
18 By these three was the third part of men killed, by the fire, and by the smoke, and by the brimstone, which issued out of their mouths.
19 For their power is in their mouth, and in their tails: for their tails were like unto serpents, and had heads, and with them they do hurt.
- Horses & them that sat
- Breastplates of fire…
- Heads of horses as heads of lions
- Mouths issued fire, smoke & brimstone – ingredients of the abyss
- Death came by those three ingredients – power came from the mouth and tail
- Tails like serpents
20 And the rest of the men which were not killed by these plagues yet repented not of the works of their hands, that they should not worship devils, and idols of gold, and silver, and brass, and stone, and of wood: which neither can see, nor hear, nor walk:
- Plagues – this is my biggest indicator that these would most likely be a demonic army, as it is labelled a plague
- Repented not – the world at this point is so deceived even demonic entities have them twisted up and not turning to God! As with Egypt they don’t respond to the plagues brought upon them
21 Neither repented they of their murders, nor of their sorceries, nor of their fornication, nor of their thefts.
- Repented not – 2x it is stated that they did not repent! They are doubly gone in sin!
- Murders, sorceries, fornication theft – abortions, mixing of drugs, sexual perversion, taking what is not your own
Revelation 10 – The Mighty Angel and the Little Book
Part 1 – CH. 1, Vision of Jesus, Part 2 – CH. 2-3, the Church Age,
NOW - Part 3, CH. 4-22 – Transitioning most likely into the second half of the trib. See 10:7
I. The Mighty Angel and his little book (1-11)
10 And I saw another mighty angel come down from heaven, clothed with a cloud: and a rainbow was upon his head, and his face was as it were the sun, and his feet as pillars of fire:
2 And he had in his hand a little book open: and he set his right foot upon the sea, and his left foot on the earth,
3 And cried with a loud voice, as when a lion roareth: and when he had cried, seven thunders uttered their voices.
- Another mighty angel – his description
1. Come down from heaven – Jesus will come down
2. Clothed with cloud – he will come down with a cloud
3. Rainbow upon his head – Jesus carries with Him all the Promises of God, Yes and Amen
4. Face like the sun –
5. Feet like pillars of fire – Rev. 1:15
6. A little open book – Jesus held the scroll?
7. Right foot sea, left foot earth – image of a massive angel
8. Voice as a lion roaring – Jesus is the lion of the tribe of Judah
9. Cried as seven thunders – seven is complete number, thunder is glory & power
§ This could be Jesus or just as it says another mighty angel, maybe a high-ranking angel.
§ Sure sounds like some of the qualities of Jesus
4 And when the seven thunders had uttered their voices, I was about to write: and I heard a voice from heaven saying unto me, Seal up those things which the seven thunders uttered, and write them not.
- I was about to write… voice from heaven saying… seal up those things… seven thunders – this could possibly refer to not writing down the next seven bowl judgements just yet
5 Andhe angel which I saw stand upon the sea and upon the earth lifted up his hand to heaven,
6 And sware by him that liveth for ever and ever, who created heaven, and the things that therein are, and the earth, and the things that therein are, and the sea, and the things which are therein, that there should be time no longer:
- Sware by him that liveth… who created – this would be a strong indicator that this is not Jesus, God would not have to sware to God… it would just be SO!
- Forever and ever – attributed to God the Father Rev. 4:9-10, attributed to Jesus Rev. 5:13-14
- Should be time no longer – the final judgements are on their way!
7 But in the days of the voice of the seventh angel, when he shall begin to sound, the mystery of God should be finished, as he hath declared to his servants the prophets.
- Mystery of God should be finished – the 7th Trump leads to the final bowl judgements- Vengence upon a God rejecting world
- The mystery is concealed in the Old and revealed in the New –
- Isaiah 51:6, the earth will dissolve with fervent heat, salvation is eternal!
8 And the voice which I heard from heaven spake unto me again, and said, Go and take the little book which is open in the hand of the angel which standeth upon the sea and upon the earth.
9 And I went unto the angel, and said unto him, Give me the little book. And he said unto me, Take it, and eat it up; and it shall make thy belly bitter, but it shall be in thy mouth sweet as honey.
- Eat it up – eat the word of God – whether this little book is the scroll, or the next judgements, the point is to eat the word of God -
- Bitter… sweet – we must also eat God’s word it is sweet like honey going in, then it turns bitter in our stomach
- Ephe. 6:17 God’s Word is the sword of the spirit
- Hebrews 4:12-13 – God’s Word is living and active… sharper than any two-edged sword! No creature is hid from Him, all are naked & open to Him, to whom we give account!
- James 1:21-27 – the word is a mirror – no-one looks in the mirror and does fix what they see is wrong!
10 And I took the little book out of the angel's hand, and ate it up; and it was in my mouth sweet as honey: and as soon as I had eaten it, my belly was bitter.
11 And he said unto me, Thou must prophesy again before many peoples, and nations, and tongues, and kings.
- John the revelator obeyed and ate the word and was filled with God’s Word, in this case it will be prophetic judgement
- Note here that God fills him with the Word to later release that word!
- God fills our mouth with His Word that we might release it to the people around us!
- God filled Moses mouth, though he thought he wasn’t worthy or adequate, God gave him the WORDS!
ARE YOU LISTENING FOR GOD’S WORD, ARE YOU EATING IT, DIGESTING IT, ALLOWING IT TO WORK IN YOU AND THEN LETTING IT GO FROM YOU TO OTHERS!
Revelation 11 – The Temple, The Two & the Final Trump - The Temple on Earth and IN Heaven
A. The Temple - Measure the Temple on Earth (1-2) It’s Coming!!!
11 Then I was given a reed like a measuring rod. And the angel stood,[a] saying, “Rise and measure the temple of God, the altar, and those who worship there. 2 But leave out the court which is outside the temple, and do not measure it, for it has been given to the Gentiles. And they will tread the holy city underfoot for forty-two months.
- The Temple of God – there will be a rebuilt temple in the 7 year tribulation period
- The Temple Institute is dedicated this cause and are continuing until they completer it. This is where the Jewish people will possibly help the Anti-Christ come on the scene as a part of the 7 year peace deal/process.
- Daniel prophesied this reality in the 70 weeks prophecy – Dan. 9:27
- Jesus also predicted this very act in Matthew 24:15
- Paul also taught that the Man of Sin would be II Thess. 2:3-5
- Leave out the gentile court – don’t worry about this area, they have rejected God
- 42 months = 1260 days = 3.5 years
B. The Two – Witnesses – 11:3-14
3 And I will give power to my two witnesses, and they will prophesy one thousand two hundred and sixty days, clothed in sackcloth.”
- Two Witnesses – eye witnesses of the glory wonder and wishes of God!
- Given POWER –
- They Prophecied – spoke and declared God’s word possibly bothe foretelling and forthtelling the Words of God!
- Who are they? Some Believe they are either Moses & Elijah or Enoch – The early church records that many believed it to be Elijah/Enoch because they were bothe taken to heaven without death. Others believe Elijah/Moses because of the Transfiguration and the following verses descriptions of the Two witnesses.
4 These are the two olive trees and the two lampstands standing before the God[b] of the earth.
- The imagery here can be compared to that found in Zechariah 4:1-14
5 And if anyone wants to harm them, fire proceeds from their mouth and devours their enemies. And if anyone wants to harm them, he must be killed in this manner. 6 These have power to shut heaven, so that no rain falls in the days of their prophecy; and they have power over waters to turn them to blood, and to strike the earth with all plagues, as often as they desire.
- As you can see these 2 witnesses are powerful and ordained by God for certain activities!
- You can see how many may associate them with the likes of Moses and Elijah
- Truly the Bible is silent and therefore I must maintain ignorance until revelaed at a later time in Heaven perhaps.
7 When they finish their testimony,
- As you can see they will finish what they are set out to do!
the beast that ascends out of the bottomless pit will make war against them, overcome them, and kill them.
- The beast that ascends – this is the Anti-Christ and kingdom – see Rev.13
- The Two will be killed
8 And their dead bodies will lie in the street of the great city which spiritually is called Sodom and Egypt, where also our[c] Lord was crucified.
- The bodies will lie in Jerusalem which has been over run by Sodom or immorality, and Egypt or bondage and slavery to sin.
- This is what happens when you reject Jesus! Immorality and enslavement to sin!
9 Then those from the peoples, tribes, tongues, and nations will see their dead bodies three-and-a-half days, and not allow[d] their dead bodies to be put into graves. 10 And those who dwell on the earth will rejoice over them, make merry, and send gifts to one another, because these two prophets tormented those who dwell on the earth.
- For 3.5 days the world will look on and see there bodies and the will celebrate and have an un-holy anti-christmas!
- The WHOLE World?? EASY now with the advanced technology
- The scene is set, the 3rd Temple is being prepared by the Temple Institute of Israel and the whole World can view anything in a split second!
11 Now after the three-and-a-half days the breath of life from God entered them, and they stood on their feet, and great fear fell on those who saw them. 12 And they[e] heard a loud voice from heaven saying to them, “Come up here.” And they ascended to heaven in a cloud, and their enemies saw them.
- God resurrects the Two to life as the world looks on in wonder and awe
13 In the same hour there was a great earthquake, and a tenth of the city fell. In the earthquake seven thousand people were killed,
- An earthquake shakes the city, destroys a tenth of it and 7thousand deaths occur
- God made quite a statement as he lifts these 2 from the earth to the heavenlies
and the rest were afraid and gave glory to the God of heaven.
- How long did this glory last I am not sure, whom repented we don’t know?
14 The second woe is past. Behold, the third woe is coming quickly.
- This completes the second woe… The third is now coming soon…
C. The 7th Trumpet – 11:15-19
Here we have the beginning of the 3rd WOE!
15 Then the seventh angel sounded: And there were loud voices in heaven, saying, “The kingdoms[f] of this world have become the kingdoms of our Lord and of His Christ, and He shall reign forever and ever!” 16 And the twenty-four elders who sat before God on their thrones fell on their faces and worshiped God, 17 saying:
- Here we again see the 24 elders praising God!
1. Rev. 4:10-11 – Worship the Creator
2. Rev. 5:8-14 – Worship the Redeemer
3. Here – We see them Worship the Ruler & Judge
4. Rev. 19:1-4 – Worship the Avenging King!
“We give You thanks, O Lord God Almighty,
The One who is and who was and who is to come,[g]
Because You have taken Your great power and reigned.
18 The nations were angry, and Your wrath has come,
And the time of the dead, that they should be judged,
And that You should reward Your servants the prophets and the saints,
And those who fear Your name, small and great,
- Jesus will reward the SAINTS and those who fear your name, small & great!
- This is wonderful truth, you matter and what you do for Christ matters
- BOTH small & great!!!
- Saints – may refer to the Raptured believers, while…
- ‘those who fear your name’ – may refer to the tribulation saints? Possibly?
And should destroy those who destroy the earth.”
- Destruction comes to those who follow the destroyer!
19 Then the temple of God was opened in heaven, and the ark of His covenant[h] was seen in His temple. And there were lightnings, noises, thunderings, an earthquake, and great hail.
- Then the Temple of – opened in heaven! – What a sight, what a wonder!
- The ark of the Covenant – the ultimate promise of God – seen!
- This is in the True Holy of Hollies where God does dwell in His GLORY!
- The 3rd Temple will be built! Sign of the times!
- The TWO will come and present the Truth – God still seeks the Lost!
- Heaven is for Real and we will be rewarded for our lives in Christ! It Does Matter!!!
Revelation 12 – The Woman, the Child and the Dragon
- The 7th Angel has sounded, but before we see the 7 bowls poured out we learn more about what is going on in the heavenlies and on the Earth. We learn more about some of the key players in the God’s Master Plan to redeem the World!
A. Three Characters - The Woman = Israel – The Child = Jesus – dragon = satan :1-6
- Israel – meaning Governed by God was a created people group by God in the book of Genesis though Abraham. Israel was promised many things from God including a Messiah, Land and peace on Earth. Jesus is the Messiah, the child spoken of here, the Land is Israel which was reattributed to Israel in 1948, and now the Lord is waiting to bring peace on Earth, the Millenia which is found in Rev. 20!
Now a great sign appeared in heaven: a woman clothed with the sun, with the moon under her feet, and on her head a garland of twelve stars. 2 Then being with child, she cried out in labor and in pain to give birth.3 And another sign appeared in heaven: behold, a great, fiery red dragon having seven heads and ten horns, and seven diadems on his heads. 4 His tail drew a third of the stars of heaven and threw them to the earth. And the dragon stood before the woman who was ready to give birth, to devour her Child as soon as it was born. 5 She bore a male Child who was to rule all nations with a rod of iron. And her Child was caught up to God and His throne. 6 Then the woman fled into the wilderness, where she has a place prepared by God, that they should feed her there one thousand two hundred and sixty days.
- In our text, we See three main Characters…
1. The Woman = Israel
- Women clothed with sun… moon under feet… 12 stars = Gen 37:9-10 – Joseph’s dream carries these same three symbols.
- Sun/Jacob, Moon/Rachel, Stars/12 Brothers
- Other teachers think this is either Mary or the Church…
- Neither of those could be correct as we see the Women in the future will flee for 3.5 years, 1260 days otherwise known as 42 months into a safe place provided for by God in verse 6.
- Some teachers believe that Israel has no place in today’s Christianity, I disagree, in order to preach that you have to change the simple practical meaning of scripture!
2. The Child = Jesus
- With child… cried… in labor… in pain… to give birth – This speaks of the Birth of Jesus. The promised Messiah would come though the promises that were made to Israel! We know that
- The dragon stood before the woman… to devour her Child…
- Male Child… to rule all nations… iron… was caught up to God and His throne… Jesus is the one Defined as King of Kings & Lord of Lords! (Rev. 19:16) Jesus rules with Iron. (PS. 2:9) He is the one the bible says all will bow before Him and confess Him as Lord! (Phil. 2:10-11)
3. dragon – satan
- fiery red dragon… 7 heads, 10 horns, 7 diadems… tail drew a third… dragon stood…to the earth
- satan has false copycat knowledge, power and royalty – he brings the false religious system to the world, more in chapter 13
- satan & his demonic angels have been cast to the earth – Is. 14:12-15, Ez. 28:14-16
- satan roams the earth look for prey, for victims to destroy! Job 1
B. A War in Heaven – 12:7-12
7 And war broke out in heaven: Michael and his angels fought with the dragon; and the dragon and his angels fought, 8 but they did not prevail, nor was a place found for them[a] in heaven any longer. 9 So the great dragon was cast out, that serpent of old, called the Devil and Satan, who deceives the whole world; he was cast to the earth, and his angels were cast out with him.10 Then I heard a loud voice saying in heaven, “Now salvation, and strength, and the kingdom of our God, and the power of His Christ have come, for the accuser of our brethren, who accused them before our God day and night, has been cast down. 11 And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony, and they did not love their lives to the death. 12 Therefore rejoice, O heavens, and you who dwell in them! Woe to the inhabitants of the earth and the sea! For the devil has come down to you, having great wrath, because he knows that he has a short time.”
- Here we see satan cast out of heaven for good!
- Previously he could enter the heavens to talk to God and even dispute and accuse God’s people… but this war breaks out and satan is now officially banned for good!
- Satan has many alias’s – great dragon, serpent of old referring to the garden fall, devil, deceiver, accuser of the brethren = know your enemy
- Today satan can roam the earth and go to the heavens and fight against you before God and the holy entities of heaven
- Please take not satan is real and we live TODAY on a battlefield!!!!
- Read pg.116-117 of Culture by AW Tozer
- HOW TO OVERCOME ENEMY?
1. Blood of Lamb – trust and claim victory in Jesus BLOOD!
2. Word of Testimony – speak your witness!
3. Courage (didn’t love lives to the point of death) – be strong in HIM!
C. A War on Earth – 12:13-17
13 Now when the dragon saw that he had been cast to the earth, he persecuted the woman who gave birth to the male Child.
- Another proof text that the Woman can’t be Mary, because Mary is already dead…
- And the Church did not give birth to Jesus, Jesus gave birth to the church, so the Woman could not be the church
- The woman must be Israel and is once again being persecuted by satan… this is not knew… Pharoah in Egypt, the Amalekites, Haman vs. Israel in the day of Esther… Hitler in the mid 1900’s and even now , Islam vs. Israel!!! Anit-semiteism…
14 But the woman was given two wings of a great eagle, that she might fly into the wilderness to her place, where she is nourished for a time and times and half a time, from the presence of the serpent.
- As usual God provides eagles wings so to speak to fly to safety – Ex. 19:4, Deut. 32:11-12
- God provides ‘a place’ for her to flee for 3.5 years’ time! Possibly Petra in Jordan, prophecy spoke of a safe place in Moab, modern day Jordan… IS 16:4
- Jesus referred to this moment in time in Matthew 24:15-20
15 So the serpent spewed water out of his mouth like a flood after the woman, that he might cause her to be carried away by the flood. 16 But the earth helped the woman, and the earth opened its mouth and swallowed up the flood which the dragon had spewed out of his mouth.
- Not exactly sure this will pan out, but we do know that satan hates Israel all the Jewish people
- This could be a flood of violent anti-Semitism
- God could swallow the enemy up from opening the ground, he did it before to the complaining Sons of Korah (Num. 26:10), see also Is. 59:19, “When the enemy comes in like a flood, the Spirit of the Lord will rise up a standard against him.”
17 And the dragon was enraged with the woman, and he went to make war with the rest of her offspring, who keep the commandments of God and have the testimony of Jesus Christ.
- The dragon couldn’t get the Jews so he went for anything that may have come from its roots… Jews who did not flee, the 144k, Gentiles that were on the run, and finally any believers in Christ still in hiding…
Revelation 13 – The Beast of the Sea and the Beast of the Earth
- we will see in this chapter the un-holy trinity or anti-trinity (anti most specifically means ‘instead of’) – satan, anti-christ & false prophet
- the demonic spirit of all these already exist here on earth, each one will receive more power in the end of the tribulation as God’s master plan winds down… till the very end of earth as we know it!
A. Beast rising out of the sea (:1-10) The anti-christ
Then I[a] stood on the sand of the sea. And I saw a beast rising up out of the sea, having seven heads and ten horns,[b] and on his horns ten crowns, and on his heads a blasphemous name.
- Out of the sea – possibly referring to gentile nations
- 7 heads – Rev. 17:9 – possibly Rome – European nation?
- Ten horns – rise out of 10 strong nations possibly
- Ten crowns – powerful, ruling nations
- Blasphemous name – completely against/rejecting God
1. See also Daniel 7:7
2. Anti-christ – a powerful political, military, religious leader
3. Daniel 9:24-27 – he makes covenant for 7 years, the last of the 70 year prophecy
2 Now the beast which I saw was like a leopard, his feet were like the feet of a bear, and his mouth like the mouth of a lion. The dragon gave him his power, his throne, and great authority.
- Beast – like a leopard = possibly greek empire– feet like bear= possibly Medo-Persian , mouth like lion= possibly Babylonian
- Empowered by dragon, satan to have power, throne, great authority
1. See Daniel 7:4-6 for similar
3 And I saw one of his heads as if it had been mortally wounded, and his deadly wound was healed. And all the world marveled and followed the beast. 4 So they worshiped the dragon who gave authority to the beast; and they worshiped the beast, saying, “Who is like the beast? Who is able to make war with him?”
- Beast mortally wounded & healed - :3
- World marveled - all will see - :3b – technology can help world to see!
- Followed & worshipped dragon and his beast - :4
5 And he was given a mouth speaking great things and blasphemies, and he was given authority to continue[c] for forty-two months. 6 Then he opened his mouth in blasphemy against God, to blaspheme His name, His tabernacle, and those who dwell in heaven. 7 It was granted to him to make war with the saints and to overcome them. And authority was given him over every tribe,[d] tongue, and nation. 8 All who dwell on the earth will worship him, whose names have not been written in the Book of Life of the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world.
- He was given a mouth speaking great things - :5
1. :6 – blasphemed GOD!
- He was given authority 42 months, 3.5 years, 1260 days - :5b
1. :7 – granted him to war – saints tribes, tongues, nations
- All on earth will worship, all the unsaved - :8
9 If anyone has an ear, let him hear. 10 He who leads into captivity shall go into captivity; he who kills with the sword must be killed with the sword. Here is the patience and the faith of the saints.
- Note it doesn’t say “spirit to the churches…” like in Revelation ch.2-3 – rapture has already occurred, thus the church, bride of Christ is in Heaven! -:9
- Any believers/saints out there listening to God’s Word, know they will die for their Faith! :10
B. Another beast coming from earth (:11-18) The false prophet
11 Then I saw another beast coming up out of the earth, and he had two horns like a lamb and spoke like a dragon.
- Another beast from earth – possibly referring to the abyss/demonic
- Two horns like a lamb – weaker than anti-christ – like lamb – promoter of the false messiah
- Spoke like a dragon, not satan but influenced by satan
- False prophet will be political/religious genius
12 And he exercises all the authority of the first beast in his presence, and causes the earth and those who dwell in it to worship the first beast, whose deadly wound was healed. 13 He performs great signs, so that he even makes fire come down from heaven on the earth in the sight of men. 14 And he deceives those[e] who dwell on the earth by those signs which he was granted to do in the sight of the beast, telling those who dwell on the earth to make an image to the beast who was wounded by the sword and lived.
- He mesmerizes the remaining people to worship the anti-christ
- He uses mesmerizing tricks and wonders to capture the heart of the people
- He deceives the people to make an image of the first beast – the anti-christ
1. This is what the PROPHET Daniel referred to in 9:24-27 and what Jesus referred to in Matthew 24:15, and Paul alluded to in II Thess. 2:4
15 He was granted power to give breath to the image of the beast, that the image of the beast should both speak and cause as many as would not worship the image of the beast to be killed.
- False prophet is granted power to give life to image
- The image speaks and kills those who won’t worship it
16 He causes all, both small and great, rich and poor, free and slave, to receive a mark on their right hand or on their foreheads, 17 and that no one may buy or sell except one who has the mark or[f] the name of the beast, or the number of his name.
- All will be caused into this receiving of the mark – to buy or sell!
- Must have mark of beast, name of beast, or number of His name – so we are not specifically told what & how only it will be the case. If you don’t have this mark, you will be singled out!!
18 Here is wisdom. Let him who has understanding calculate the number of the beast, for it is the number of a man: His number is 666.
- The number of the beast is given – 666… it isi the number of man… it is left to much speculation the many possibilities of the calculation of this number…
- I choose to calculate it at ground level approach, just a literal observatory approach, thus the number of the beast is 666 which is also the number of man, thus he, the beast represents the heart of all evil wicked man, and this number will be the number each follower of satan must take by some confessed means whether on the forehead or the right hand in order to buy or sell.
- Interesting – 666 is found in I Kings 10:14 – 25 tons of gold for Solomon
Regardless, we must preach the gospel to whoever we can, to spare some form this tribulation!
God is setting up all the pieces for the tribulation period!
The Rapture is sooner today than it was yesterday, are you ready? What about family, friends, co-workers… who do you care about? Tell them, bring them to church!!
Revelation 14 – The 144000 evangelists and the Angels of Heaven & Hell
A. More on the 144k - :1-5
Then I looked, and behold, a[a] Lamb standing on Mount Zion, and with Him one hundred and forty-four thousand, having[b] His Father’s name written on their foreheads.
- Previously in Revelation 7 we learned the 144k were 12k Jews out of each of the 12 tribes of Israel, they were servants of God and they are sealed by God!
- This scene could be at the Mt. Zion referring to the heavenly or this could be Jerusalem on Earth?
- They are with the Lamb
- Have their Father’s name written on foreheads – possibly YHWH
2 And I heard a voice from heaven, like the voice of many waters, and like the voice of loud thunder. And I heard the sound of harpists playing their harps. 3 They sang as it were a new song before the throne, before the four living creatures, and the elders; and no one could learn that song except the hundred and forty-four thousand who were redeemed from the earth.
- They sung a new song, their own song!
- They sung it before the 4 creatures & the elders, the church!
- Singing and harpists harping! Melody & Praise in Heaven!
4 These are the ones who were not defiled with women, for they are virgins. These are the ones who follow the Lamb wherever He goes. These were redeemed[c] from among men, being firstfruits to God and to the Lamb. 5 And in their mouth was found no deceit,[d] for they are without fault before the throne of God.
- They were virgins
- They follow the Lamb
- They were redeemed form men to God and to the Lamb – first-fruits, meaning more faithful to God and the Lamb to come!
B. 3 Angels speaking 3 important messages - :6-20
1. Angel of the everlasting Gospel :6-7
6 Then I saw another angel flying in the midst of heaven, having the everlasting gospel to preach to those who dwell on the earth—to every nation, tribe, tongue, and people— 7 saying with a loud voice, “Fear God and give glory to Him, for the hour of His judgment has come; and worship Him who made heaven and earth, the sea and springs of water.”
- This Angel brings the everlasting gospel, good news, to all who dwell still on earth
- The message was, fear God, and glorify God, and Worship God the creator of earth, who will also bring judgement upon it!
- All creation speaks of the Divine Godhead! Romans 1
- God still desires that none would perish, but all be saved!
2. Angel of Victory – Babylon is fallen :8
8 And another angel followed, saying, “Babylon[f] is fallen, is fallen, that great city, because she has made all nations drink of the wine of the wrath of her fornication.”
- This angel forecasts the destruction and demise of Babylon, the enemy city, which will be covered in great detail in Revelation Chapter 17-18.
- We are victorious through Jesus!
3. Angel of Warning :9-13 – Hell is For Real!
9 Then a third angel followed them, saying with a loud voice, “If anyone worships the beast and his image, and receives his mark on his forehead or on his hand, 10 he himself shall also drink of the wine of the wrath of God, which is poured out full strength into the cup of His indignation. He shall be tormented with fire and brimstone in the presence of the holy angels and in the presence of the Lamb. 11 And the smoke of their torment ascends forever and ever; and they have no rest day or night, who worship the beast and his image, and whoever receives the mark of his name.”
- Hell & the Lake of Fire is a real destination location for those who reject God and in essence choose to worship the beast and his image!
- Torment- means great physical pain or mental anguish… night and day, in presence of angels & Lamb! WOE! Ever seeing never experiencing His rest!
- Torment forever and ever, no rest day & night…
- I think there should be a movie called, “Hell is for real!” and do a just biblical view of this God forsaken reality, and it’s not a show!
- Psalm 9:17 “The wicked shall be turned into hell, and all the nations that forget God.”
- Proverbs 15:24 “The way of life is above to the wise, that he may depart from hell beneath.”
- Luke 16:23 “And in hell he lift up his eyes, being in torments, and seeth Abraham afar off, and Lazarus in his bosom”
- Matthew 25:41 “Then shall he say also unto them on the left hand, Depart from me, ye cursed, into everlasting fire, prepared for the devil and his angels
- Matthew 25:46 “And these shall go away into everlasting punishment: but the righteous into life eternal.
- Pink Floyd in their famous song, ‘Wish you were here’ from their The Wall album posed the question, “so, so you think you can tell Heaven from Hell, blue skies from pain…?” The answer is YES, you can tell, this is not Hell yet nor is it Heaven, both are real and one of them will be your destiny… IN the same song they say later, “ we’re just two lost souls swimming in a fish bowl, running over the same old ground, year after year...” The song presents a never ending monotonous life of meaninglessness and fears, doubts and wonders… It leaves the interpretation up to the listener… Yet God leaves us the Truth and defines life for us and there is love and meaning in life with Christ! The TRUTH is, plain and simple, God has a plan for each human and He wants us to have a loving fulfilling relationship of everlasting life with Him!!! Here and in Heaven!
12 Here is the patience of the saints; here are those[g] who keep the commandments of God and the faith of Jesus. 13 Then I heard a voice from heaven saying to me,[h] “Write: ‘Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord from now on.’” “Yes,” says the Spirit, “that they may rest from their labors, and their works follow them.”
- :12-13 – says to the saints on the earth, hold on rest is coming… itwill not be good for those who believe on earth at this time, but hold on, this will end… the patience of the saints!
God will faithfully pursue any person who is willing to respond to him, wishing none to perish!
Hell is real, Heaven is Real!
Jesus will come back!
Revelation 14:14-20 & Ch. 15
- Half way through the Tribulation period, God stills has His messengers reaching out to those who want to choose to believe in God Almighty. He has 144k evangelistic Jews, and Angels sharing from the Heavens, the Gospel, the Victory and the warnings of allegiance to a false Christ!
- God shows His willingness to continue to reach the wicked heart of man!
- Now at the end of Revelation 14, we see the return of Jesus and what that will bring to the earth… Judgement!
Fast Forward and…
C. The Return of Jesus to the Earth :14-20
a. Reaping of the earth – sudden judgement thrust upon the earth :14-16
14 Then I looked, and behold, a white cloud, and on the cloud sat One like the Son of Man, having on His head a golden crown, and in His hand a sharp sickle. 15 And another angel came out of the temple, crying with a loud voice to Him who sat on the cloud, “Thrust in Your sickle and reap, for the time has come for You[i] to reap, for the harvest of the earth is ripe.” 16 So He who sat on the cloud thrust in His sickle on the earth, and the earth was reaped.
- What was SOWN is now being reaped, the sowing of unbelief and rejection, reaps just that, judgement.
b. winepress of the wrath of God - :17-20 – severe wrath upon earth
17 Then another angel came out of the temple which is in heaven, he also having a sharp sickle.
18 And another angel came out from the altar, who had power over fire, and he cried with a loud cry to him who had the sharp sickle, saying, “Thrust in your sharp sickle and gather the clusters of the vine of the earth, for her grapes are fully ripe.” 19 So the angel thrust his sickle into the earth and gathered the vine of the earth, and threw it into the great winepress of the wrath of God. 20 And the winepress was trampled outside the city, and blood came out of the winepress, up to the horses’ bridles, for one thousand six hundred furlongs.
- 200 miles – war on earth – blood splattering up to the horses bridle
- Picturing here the battle of Armagedon
- Preview of what is to come in Revelation 19:11-21
- The Lord Jesus will return and have vengeance on the earth as it has rejected Him!
Revelation 15 – Another Sign in Heaven and the final 7 Angels with the last 7 Plagues
Then I saw another sign in heaven, great and marvelous: seven angels having the seven last plagues, for in them the wrath of God is complete.
- Sign – miracle, wonder
- 7 Angels – 7 LAST Plagues – final plagues for all time!
- In them the wrath of God is complete! Romans 5:9, I Thess. 5:9
1. Complete – this is the climax of the culmination of God’s Wrath. It will be finished after this! After the seventh bowl is poured a voice form Heaven says “It is Done!” Rev. 16:17
2 And I saw something like a sea of glass mingled with fire, and those who have the victory over the beast, over his image and over his mark[a]and over the number of his name, standing on the sea of glass, having harps of God. 3 They sing the song of Moses, the servant of God, and the song of the Lamb, saying:
- Sea of glass – Possible reference to 22:1
- Those who have the victory – over the anti-trinity
1. They were victorious – some will actually have the fortitude to withstand!
2. They were standing – they were not destroyed, on earththey may have had to crawl, hide, fight but in the end they will stand!
3. Having harps – they will play musical instruments
4. Singing
§ Song of Moses – Servant of God & Song of the Lamb
§ These tribulation saints are characterized as servants of God who were delivered from bondage into the light! Song of Moses
§ They were also those who learned of and loved the Lamb, and sang to him!
§ Note we Have Moses OT, Lamb NT… The Presenter & The Presented
Here is there song… (Moses sang in Exodus 15)
a. ponder his works his ways! (3)
“Great and marvelous are Your works,
Lord God Almighty!
Just and true are Your ways,
O King of the saints!
c. ponder His worth & worship Him only! (4)
4 Who shall not fear You, O Lord, and glorify Your name?
For You alone are holy.
For all nations shall come and worship before You,
For Your judgments have been manifested.”
The Final 7 – 7 last plagues poured upon the earth are coming from the temple in heaven!
5 After these things I looked, and behold,[c] the temple of the tabernacle of the testimony in heaven was opened.
- This judgement is coming straight from the Holiest of All in Heaven
6 And out of the temple came the seven angels having the seven plagues, clothed in pure bright linen, and having their chests girded with golden bands.
- 7 Angels with 7 last plagues – Moses wrote about a judgement of 7 plagues in Leviticus 26:21 – the 7 meaning completion – for rejecting God -
7 Then one of the four living creatures gave to the seven angels seven golden bowls full of the wrath of God who lives forever and ever.
- 7 golden bowls – divine ingredients in the bowl
- Ingredient is the Wrath of God
8 The temple was filled with smoke from the glory of God and from His power, and no one was able to enter the temple till the seven plagues of the seven angels were completed.
- The Shekinah glory of God as it’s been called since the glory seen in the Torah, the books of Moses, this is where the Glory originates from, Heavens Holy place!
- No One has been in this temple, no one canenter till the judgement is compled!
- BUT THEN – WE WILL ENTER IN!!!! GLORY!!! JUDE 24
The Lord promised to return to the earth and deliver all mankind from earth to Heaven! He will do this!
The Lord promised a judgement upon all things evil and sinful! He will follow through with that!
The Lord promised we would enter into His Glory, Jude 24, He will do it!!!
Amen
Revelation 16 – 7 Vials poured out, fulfilling God’s Wrath!
Remember Revelation 15:8 says, “The temple was filled with smoke from the glory of God and from His power, and no one was able to enter the temple till the seven plagues of the seven angels were completed.” Once these 7 plagues or bowls are complete, the Holy of Holies can be occupied! No One can enter until the complete wrath of God is removed from the Holiest place, then the saints of old, the bride of Christ and then the tribulation saints can enter!
Our world today does not suffer from Global Warming, what we are experiencing is Global Warning! Jesus told us the warning signs of the end of time… the world is panicking mostly unknowingly due to this reality! Jesus will return!!!!
So here we go, we are in the last half of the tribulation, we are not sure how far in, but we know that these last 7 plagues come rapid fire here in our text! Let’s begin…
16:1 - Then I heard a loud voice from the temple saying to the seven angels, “Go and pour out the bowls[a] of the wrath of God on the earth.”
- Pour – the imagery is that of a sudden washing, it means to shed forth, gush out…
- Wrath of God – this is the finishing touches of His wrath
Bowl/Vial/Plague #1 - :2 – Foul & Loathsome Sore
2 So the first went and poured out his bowl upon the earth, and a foul and loathsome sore came upon the men who had the mark of the beast and those who worshiped his image.
- Foul & loathsome sore – those who had mark & worship the image
- All of a sudden those who have received the Mark are again marked by a boil from God!
Bowl #2 - :3 – Sea turned to Blood
3 Then the second angel poured out his bowl on the sea, and it became blood as of a dead man; and every living creature in the sea died.
- On the sea – the oceans became blood – every creature died
- Bloodas of a dead man – coagulated thick nasty blood
Bowl #3 - :4-7 – Fresh Waters turn to blood
4 Then the third angel poured out his bowl on the rivers and springs of water, and they became blood. 5
- On rivers & springs – fresh waters turn to blood
And I heard the angel of the waters saying:
- Apparently there is angel that is overseer of the waters
“You are righteous, O Lord,[b] The One who is and who was and who is to be,[c] Because You have judged these things.
6 For they have shed the blood of saints and prophets, And You have given them blood to drink. For[d] it is their just due.”
- The angel speaks of God’s Eternal attribute, justice over a God rejecting world and justice for the persecuted saints and prophets! Vengeance of God is for Himself and for the saints of all time!
- Blood they have taken , we see blood they will drink
7 And I heard another from[e] the altar saying, “Even so, Lord God Almighty, true and righteous are Your judgments.”
- As this angel finishes speaking another one voice will chime in bearing witness to the same truth!
- Interesting to see 2 voices bearing witness of God’s Actions, for they are right & true!
Bowl #4 - :8-9 – Sun-Burning
8 Then the fourth angel poured out his bowl on the sun, power was given to him to scorch men w/ fire.
- On the sun – and power given to scorch men with fire!
- Not your average sun-tan!
9 And men were scorched with great heat, and they blasphemed the name of God who has power over these plagues; and they did not repent and give Him glory.
- As men were scorched they didn’t repent, but on the contrary blasphemed God!
Bowl #5 - :10-11 – Darkness & Pain over the False Kingdom
10 Then the fifth angel poured out his bowl on the throne of the beast, and his kingdom became full of darkness; and they gnawed their tongues because of the pain.
- On the throne of the beast – leading his kingdom into darkness – and they were tormented and gnawed their tongues
11 They blasphemed the God of heaven because of their pains and their sores, and did not repent of their deeds.
- They continued to blaspheme and curse God for their torment
- The sores from the 1st bowl still pain and agonize them
Bowl #6 - :12-16 – River Euphrates Dried Up, World-wide deception, Armageddon
12 Then the sixth angel poured out his bowl on the great river Euphrates, and its water was dried up, so that the way of the kings from the east might be prepared.
- On the Euphrates – which dried it up to prepare way for the kings of the east
- Kings of the east – possibly Chinese Army, or a demonic army?
13 And I saw three unclean spirits like frogs coming out of the mouth of the dragon, out of the mouth of the beast, and out of the mouth of the false prophet.
- Unclean spirits like frogs – came out of dragon/satan, beast/antichrist, and the false prophet – these entities are filled with demons and evil powers from within.
14 For they are spirits of demons, performing signs, which go out to the kings of the earth and[f] of the whole world, to gather them to the battle of that great day of God Almighty.
- These spirits will go deceive as many as possible to prepare them to fight against the soon returning KING JESUS!
Jesus speaks 15 “Behold, I am coming as a thief. Blessed is he who watches, and keeps his garments, lest he walk naked and they see his shame.”
- Jesus speaks here and warns anyone caught up in this time to stay focused on God!
16 And they gathered them together to the place called in Hebrew, Armageddon.
- Valley of Megido – Har Megedon – this is the location for the War at the end of the tribulation!
- Judges 4 - Barak beat up the Canaanites here - Judges 7 – Gideon conquered Midianites here
- JESUS WILL WIN HERE!
Bowl #7 - :17- Into the Air – It Is Done! Earthquake & Hale
17 Then the seventh angel poured out his bowl into the air, and a loud voice came out of the temple of heaven, from the throne, saying, “It is done!”
- Jesus said these words on the Cross… God the Father most likely says them here! John 19:30
18 And there were noises and thunderings and lightnings; and there was a great earthquake, such a mighty and great earthquake as had not occurred since men were on the earth. 19 Now the great city was divided into three parts,
- God will miraculously set up Jerusalem in 3 parts to make it His headquarters, Mt. Zion will be where the Kink of Kings set up his Headquarters for the Millennium! Psalm 48, Zechariah 12-14
and the cities of the nations fell. And great Babylon was remembered before God, to give her the cup of the wine of the fierceness of His wrath.
- While God sets up Jerusalem, all other cities of the world fall!
- AND Babylon is heavily on the radar to receive God’s Wrath!! See Rev. 17-18
20 Then every island fled away, and the mountains were not found.
- Geography & Topography of the earth changes!
21 And great hail from heaven fell upon men, each hailstone about the weight of a talent. Men blasphemed God because of the plague of the hail, since that plague was exceedingly great.
- Hail about 75 pounds each hitting earth at rapid speeds and force!
- Blasphemy once again comes from the lips and heart rather than repentance!
Revelation 17 – Babylon Destroyed – the False Spiritual/Religious Roots destroyed
Babylon, what about Babylon?
Rev. 14:8 – foretold the fact the Babylon will be destroyed!
Author Mark Hitchcock points out that 11% of Revelation talks about Babylon. Out of 404 verses, 44 verses deal with Babylon. It is the second most talked about city in the Bible mentioned 290 times behind Jerusalem, which is mentioned around 800 times. (Mark Hitchcock, 1010 Answers of Revelation pg.189)
Babylon, you must understand began early in the origin of earth, Genesis Ch. 10-11 to be exact is the location in which the people of earth built the first city called Babylon and then tried to create the Tower of Babel, a gateway to heaven made by man! Nimrod was the dictator of that first city. There is the Legend of Nimrod (which means Rebel) that he married Simirames also known as Ashteroth or Venus. She supposedly had an immaculate birth and gave birth to Tamuz who was born on Dec. 25th. Tamuz was celebrated with eggs and is called Ishtar… Later in history Babylon was the city that captured Israel, placed them under bondage again and was led by King Nebuchadnezzar! Then came Rome in the spirit of Babylon…
The name Babylon is associated with all things evil and wicked. Not just the actual city, but the spirit behind the name… Such as Hollywood or Wall Street… These names have history, pre-conceived understandings and associations… Babylon associates with evil and false teaching, leading people away from God to man made religions! Reputation is important and Babylon’s rep is despicable!
Babylon’s destruction was predicted by Isaiah in Is. 13:1-23, Jesus tied this prediction in to His message on the end of time in Matthew 24:29, by quoting Isaiah 13:10!
Let’s get into it… Let’s see the demise of Babylon…
A. The Woman the Rides the Beast!
Then one of the seven angels who had the seven bowls came and talked with me, saying to me,[a] “Come, I will show you the judgment of the great harlot who sits on many waters, 2 with whom the kings of the earth committed fornication, and the inhabitants of the earth were made drunk with the wine of her fornication.”
- Judgement of the Harlot is pronounced
3 So he carried me away in the Spirit into the wilderness. And I saw a woman sitting on a scarlet beast which was full of names of blasphemy, having seven heads and ten horns. 4 The woman was arrayed in purple and scarlet, and adorned with gold and precious stones and pearls, having in her hand a golden cup full of abominations and the filthiness of her fornication.[b] 5 And on her forehead a name was written:
MYSTERY, BABYLON THE GREAT,
THE MOTHER OF HARLOTS
AND OF THE ABOMINATIONS
OF THE EARTH.
- The Harlot’s name was Babylon the great, she is the Mother of Harlots and abominations of wickedness, and spiritual adulteries against Almighty God!
- She sat upon the scarlet beast (Rev. 13:1 – AC)
- Babylon is false religious system of all time and she rides the beast the AC
6 I saw the woman, drunk with the blood of the saints and with the blood of the martyrs of Jesus. And when I saw her, I marveled with great amazement.
- She is drunk with the blood of martyrs. Babylon is responsible for great persecutions and murders of believers of all times…
7 But the angel said to me, “Why did you marvel? I will tell you the mystery of the woman and of the beast that carries her, which has the seven heads and the ten horns. 8 The beast that you saw was, and is not, and will ascend out of the bottomless pit and go to perdition. And those who dwell on the earth will marvel, whose names are not written in the Book of Life from the foundation of the world, when they see the beast that was, and is not, and yet is.
- The woman rides the beast…
- The beast was and is not and ascends out of the pit and will go to perdition, to the lake of everlasting fire – it has 7 heads, 10 horns
- Unbelievers will one day marvel when they see who they have chosen to follow!
9 “Here is the mind which has wisdom: The seven heads are seven mountains on which the woman sits. 10 There are also seven kings. Five have fallen, one is, and the other has not yet come. And when he comes, he must continue a short time. 11 The beast that was, and is not, is himself also the eighth, and is of the seven, and is going to perdition.
- Here is wisdom – here is the explanation
- Woman sits on 7 heads = 7 mountains = possibly Rome known as city on 7 hills
- Also 7 Kings = 5 fallen, one is (during the time written) the other has not yet come
- WHEN the other not yet come – he has only a SHORT TIME
- The beast or anti-christ is also the 8th and is of the seven and will suffer hell-fire!
1. The five possibly could be past regimes: Egypt, Assyria, Babylonia, Medo-Persia, and Greece.
§ One is would be possibly Rome
§ Other not yet = Empire to come
§ AC will take over and reign and then suffer!
- NEEDLESS TO SAY, THIS IS AD PASSAGE OF GREAT DIFFICULTY STILL…
12 “The ten horns which you saw are ten kings who have received no kingdom as yet, but they receive authority for one hour as kings with the beast. 13 These are of one mind, and they will give their power and authority to the beast. 14 These will make war with the Lamb, and the Lamb will overcome them, for He is Lord of lords and King of kings; and those who are with Him are called, chosen, and faithful.”
- 10 horns = 10 kings – will be empowered at certain time in the end for ONE HOUR with the beast/anit-christ – These 10 could be symbolic or true 10 nation confederation some suggest the EU..
- The 10 kings pledge allegiance to the beast/AC
- They join forces with the AC and war against the Lamb – foretell of the great battle of Armagedon
- - ONCE AGAIN THE LAMB WILL WIN!!!
15 Then he said to me, “The waters which you saw, where the harlot sits, are peo
ples, multitudes, nations, and tongues. 16 And the ten horns which you saw on[d] the beast, these will hate the harlot, make her desolate and naked, eat her flesh and burn her with fire. 17 For God has put it into their hearts to fulfill His purpose, to be of one mind, and to give their kingdom to the beast, until the words of God are fulfilled. 18 And the woman whom you saw is that great city which reigns over the kings of the earth.”
- The waters from :1 are = people, many peoples
- 10 horns = will hate the Harlot/Babylon
- God has set it up that the kings will turn on Babylon in the end to fulfill God’s plan!
BEWARE OF BAYLON!
Revelation 17 – Babylon Destroyed – the False Spiritual/Religious Roots destroyed
Revelation 18 – Babylon Destroyed, part 2 – the eco/Political Fruits destroyed
Reminder/backdrop – Babylon began in Genesis founded by Nimrod/Rebel chapter 10:8-11. This is also where man tried to reach and exceed God with the Tower of Babel, Gen 11:1-9, which means confusion, because God confused the people from one language to many languages at this point! And scattered them abroad… Babylon is a real place and may be rebuilt completely at some point, but it is the Spirit of Babyom that is the most dangerous! WE MUST BEWARE OF BAYLON!
Man sinned in the Garden, thus separated from God, Man sinned at Babel thus separated one from another
Two chapters (3 if you include the Heavenly Celebration if its destuction in ch. 19) are dedicated to the destruction and dismissing of Babylon! Babylon must be destroyed as a tool of vengeance of the Lord for the blood of the saints and the prophets! Rev.18:20 & 24
God wants to not only bring His people to Himself thus redeeming the fall of man in the Garden, He also wants to reconcile man with man thus redeeming the fall in Babylon, this is why it is so important that Babylon itself and its spiritual root be obliterated from the face of the earth!!!
A. Babylon itself is condemned (1-8)
18 After these things I saw another angel coming down from heaven, having great authority, and the earth was illuminated with his glory. 2 And he cried mightily[e] with a loud voice, saying, “Babylon the great is fallen, is fallen, and has become a dwelling place of demons, a prison for every foul spirit, and a cage for every unclean and hated bird! 3 For all the nations have drunk of the wine of the wrath of her fornication, the kings of the earth have committed fornication with her, and the merchants of the earth have become rich through the abundance of her luxury.”
- Nations, Kings, Merchants have been deceived/intoxicated by Baylon- to their demise!
4 And I heard another voice from heaven saying, “Come out of her, my people, lest you share in her sins, and lest you receive of her plagues. 5 For her sins have reached[f] to heaven, and God has remembered her iniquities. 6 Render to her just as she rendered to you,[g] and repay her double according to her works; in the cup which she has mixed, mix double for her. 7 In the measure that she glorified herself and lived luxuriously, in the same measure give her torment and sorrow; for she says in her heart, ‘I sit as queen, and am no widow, and will not see sorrow.’ 8 Therefore her plagues will come in one day—death and mourning and famine. And she will be utterly burned with fire, for strong is the Lord God who judges[h] her.
- A voice from heaven calls out of her any who are left who can hear, separate from this spirit who only drags people away from God to his trap of death
- God will judge Babylon and all those who have intertwined with her!
B. Babylon’s Mirage has ended! (9-20)
- The grass is always greener on the other side, they say… In this case it was and those who went o these seemingly greener pastures will now go up on flames with Babylon!
“The kings of the earth who committed fornication and lived luxuriously with her will weep and lament for her, when they see the smoke of her burning, 10 standing at a distance for fear of her torment, saying, ‘Alas, alas, that great city Babylon, that mighty city! For in one hour your judgment has come.’
11 “And the merchants of the earth will weep and mourn over her, for no one buys their merchandise anymore: 12 merchandise of gold and silver, precious stones and pearls, fine linen and purple, silk and scarlet, every kind of citron wood, every kind of object of ivory, every kind of object of most precious wood, bronze, iron, and marble; 13 and cinnamon and incense, fragrant oil and frankincense, wine and oil, fine flour and wheat, cattle and sheep, horses and chariots, and bodies and souls of men. 14 The fruit that your soul longed for has gone from you, and all the things which are rich and splendid have gone from you,[i] and you shall find them no more at all. 15 The merchants of these things, who became rich by her, will stand at a distance for fear of her torment, weeping and wailing, 16 and saying, ‘Alas, alas, that great city that was clothed in fine linen, purple, and scarlet, and adorned with gold and precious stones and pearls! 17 For in one hour such great riches came to nothing.’ Every shipmaster, all who travel by ship, sailors, and as many as trade on the sea, stood at a distance 18 and cried out when they saw the smoke of her burning, saying, ‘What is like this great city?’
- This so called” great city” was just a mirage it was a deceptive ploy to gain followers within its evil ranks! Babylon succeeded in what it set out to do since Genesis, create an alternate path to God, a way greater than God with greater seemingly benefits… POOF it will all end here!
19 “They threw dust on their heads and cried out, weeping and wailing, and saying, ‘Alas, alas, that great city, in which all who had ships on the sea became rich by her wealth! For in one hour she is made desolate.’
- The duped see their demise and begin to weep
- In ONE HOUR = desolate! SO easily God takes down what took man millenia to rise up! God trumps man every time!
20 “Rejoice over her, O heaven, and you holy apostles[j] and prophets, for God has avenged you on her!”
- God the great Avenger! Has avenged saint, apostle & prophet!
C. Babylon No More! (21-24)
21 Then a mighty angel took up a stone like a great millstone and threw it into the sea, saying, “Thus with violence the great city Babylon shall be thrown down, and shall not be found anymore. 22 The sound of harpists, musicians, flutists, and trumpeters shall not be heard in you anymore. No craftsman of any craft shall be found in you anymore, and the sound of a millstone shall not be heard in you anymore. 23 The light of a lamp shall not shine in you anymore, and the voice of bridegroom and bride shall not be heard in you anymore. For your merchants were the great men of the earth, for by your sorcery all the nations were deceived.
Babylon’s Mirage Described… What satan tried to take from God’s creative tool box and use for His evil…
1. Music – 22 - harmony
2. Craftsman/Builders, Millstone/Food or textile = Work – 22 - accomplishments
3. Light – 23 - influence
4. Marriage – 23b – relationships as God intended
- Satan wants us to take these things for granted and trust in these things rather than in the God who created them! ALL NATIONS WERE DECIEVED!
- by her sorcery – deception came – she alters the mind with her imagery and mirages of better!
- Jesus teaches us to store up treasures in Heaven not on earth! Matthew 6:19-21
- Paul exhorts us to not trade the creator in for the creation! Rom. 1:25
24 And in her was found the blood of prophets and saints, and of all who were slain on the earth.
- THE TRUTH ABOUT BABYLON = in her is blood of saint and prophet!
- God had to destroy her!
Beware of Babylon – Beware of the greener grass syndrome! As walk through the wilderness of planet earth we thirst for God and the heavenlies, so beware of the mirages along the journey!
Amen
Quick Review…
Revelation 1 – Intro, Blessing & Vision Of Jesus, Ancient of Days look
Revelation 2-3 – 7 Letters to 7 Churches – The Church Age – Age of Grace
Revelation 4 –5 Trip To Heaven – Participants Around the Throne, The Scroll & The Lion & Lamb
Revelation 6 – 19 – Scroll Opened, 7 year Tribulation
Revelation 19 – The Return of Christ! 7 Year Tribulation ends!!
A. WOW - :1-6
:1 After these things I heard[a]
- After these things – after the utter destruction of Babylon
a loud voice of a great multitude in heaven, saying, “Alleluia! Salvation and glory and honor and power belong to the Lord[b] our God! 2 For true and righteous are His judgments, because He has judged the great harlot who corrupted the earth with her fornication; and He has avenged on her the blood of His servants shed by her.”
- WOW will be in heaven!
- Loud voice… multitude…servants… - Rev. 6:11, the servants, tribulation martyrs cried out! The servants refers to all those who died for Christ in the 7 year tribulation! The multitude consisted of them and other saints of old possibly!
- Alleluia – Praise The Lord – declarative and invitational – some say this is the holiest word in the heavenlies!
- Salvation, honor, glory, power, righteous judgements: judged the harlot Babylon and avenged the blood of tribulation saints/martyrs
Again they said, “Alleluia! Her smoke rises up forever and ever!” 4 And the twenty-four elders and the four living creatures fell down and worshiped God who sat on the throne, saying, “Amen! Alleluia!”
- 24 elders – the church is their worship with the 4 beasts as praises are rising!
- The say AMEN, they agree with the voice of the multitude! So be it! God is these things and they love God for them!
5 Then a voice came from the throne, saying, “Praise our God, all you His servants and those who fear Him, both[c] small and great!”
6 And I heard, as it were, the voice of a great multitude, as the sound of many waters and as the sound of mighty thunderings, saying, “Alleluia! For the[d] Lord God Omnipotent reigns!
- Alleluia/only time used in New Testament is here/ rings out again from an even larger group of worshipers… Such AWE in Heaven!
- AN AWESOME crescendo of praise, summits to the God of ALL Creation!
- This truly is the Alleluia Chorus!
- Lord God Omnipotent Reigns! -GOD ALL POWERFUL! Reigns, Rules sovereign!
B. Wedding - :7-10
7 Let us be glad and rejoice and give Him glory, for the marriage of the Lamb has come, and His wife has made herself ready.” 8 And to her it was granted to be arrayed in fine linen, clean and bright, for the fine linen is the righteous acts of the saints.
- The Marriage of the Lamb – The Bride the church has made herself ready, we one day will meet the Groom Jesus in the air if the Lord tarries.
- Nevertheless, we are to be preparing ourselves a spotless, blemishless Bride for the King our Groom, Jesus!
- Tozer says we as Christians are to be Worshippers and Workers for the Kingdom…
- Eph. 5:25-27 gives further insight into our Relationship with Christ!
- Salvation on Earth brings us into a Betrothal Relationship with Christ, so we prepare ourselves for Him, then we will have the Marriage Ceremony as written here in revelation, which then leads to the supper…
9 Then he said to me, “Write: ‘Blessed are those who are called to the marriage supper of the Lamb!’” And he said to me, “These are the true sayings of God.”
- Marriage Supper – this is the finale of the wedding ceremony, which will continue into the Millennial period in Revelation 20.
10And I fell at his feet to worship him. But he said to me, “See that you do not do that! I am your fellow servant, and of your brethren who have the testimony of Jesus. Worship God! For the testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy.”
- Worship God – the testimony of Jesus is the Spirit of Prophecy – Jesus reveals prophetically which in return leads us back to Him to Worship! Jesus and Prophecy just as Prophecy and Jesus… the two go together!
C. War - :11-21
11 Now I saw heaven opened, and behold, a white horse. And He who sat on him was called Faithful and True, and in righteousness He judges and makes war. 12 His eyes were like a flame of fire, and on His head were many crowns. He had[e] a name written that no one knew except Himself. 13 He was clothed with a robe dipped in blood, and His name is called The Word of God.
- He who sat on the white horse:
1. Faithful & True
2. He judges and makes war
3. Eyes like flame of fire – Rev. 1:14
4. His head many crowns – diadema/royal not stephanos/awarded
5. Name written – secret
6. Robe dipped in blood – his own and/or the enemies
7. His Name is The Word of God!
14 And the armies in heaven, clothed in fine linen, white and clean,[f] followed Him on white horses.
- Armies – clothed in fine linen, white and clean – OT Saints, Church, Trib. Saints!
He Who Sat on White Horse: continued…
15 Now out of His mouth goes a sharp[g] sword, that with it He should strike the nations. And He Himself will rule them with a rod of iron. He Himself treads the winepress of the fierceness and wrath of Almighty God. 16 And He has on His robe and on His thigh a name written:
KING OF KINGS AND
LORD OF LORDS.
17 Then I saw an angel standing in the sun; and he cried with a loud voice, saying to all the birds that fly in the midst of heaven, “Come and gather together for the supper of the great God,[h] 18 that you may eat the flesh of kings, the flesh of captains, the flesh of mighty men, the flesh of horses and of those who sit on them, and the flesh of all people, free[i] and slave, both small and great.”
- Second Supper – The Great Supper of God – carnage meal for the birds – Armageddon!
19 And I saw the beast, the kings of the earth, and their armies, gathered together to make war against Him who sat on the horse and against His army. 20 Then the beast was captured, and with him the false prophet who worked signs in his presence, by which he deceived those who received the mark of the beast and those who worshiped his image. These two were cast alive into the lake of fire burning with brimstone. 21 And the rest were killed with the sword which proceeded from the mouth of Him who sat on the horse. And all the birds were filled with their flesh.
- The Beast – Kings – armies WAR against Jesus and His Army!
- Beast False Prophet captured!
- Cast ALIVE Into lake of fire
- - rest killed with SWORD! From Jesus Mouth! HIS WORD CUTS AND JUDGES!
- The birds feasted!
Revelation 20 - 1000 years of Peace & The End of the World
I. Millennia –
A. Satan Chained for 1000 years (1-3) The 1000 year Chain
Then I saw an angel coming down from heaven, having the key to the bottomless pit and a great chain in his hand.
- Another angel messenger of God, Not Jesus, just another angel, and he has a chain!
2 He laid hold of the dragon, that serpent of old, who is the Devil and Satan, and bound him for a thousand years;
- This angel handles the devil, easy, no problem, binds him, cuffs him 1000 years!
3 and he cast him into the bottomless pit, and shut him up, and set a seal on him, so that he should deceive the nations no more till the thousand years were finished. But after these things he must be released for a little while.
- For a 1000 years satan will be bound in the abusso, the bottomless pit. God uses an angel to chain him and throw him into the pit, the devil really does not have much power! GOD IS IN CONTROL!
- pre-millennia teaches that the 1000 years literally happens after the 7 year tribulation beginning with the 2nd Advent of Christ and that Jesus will reign on earth for those 1000 years with the saints and there will be peace and rest on earth. READ IS. 11:6-9 & 61:4-7
- post-millennia teaches that the 1000 years or millennia is symbolic and exists spiritually within the church age through the second return of Christ. 2nd Advent comes after or post millenia
- amillennialists teach that the 1000 years or millennia is symbolic of a period where Christ is reigning and ruling in the Church and refers also to the eternal state.
B. Christ reigns for a 1000 years (4-6) The 1000 year reign
4 And I saw thrones, and they sat on them, and judgment was committed to them.
- Thrones – who are these? Pre-tribulation thought is that these are the saints of old, the church! We will reign with Christ see I Cor. 6:1-3
- Judgement – we will reign and rule under Jesus direction and authority, this is a role that has been committed to us by God! We will assist Jesus in the millenia!
Then I saw the souls of those who had been beheaded for their witness to Jesus and for the word of God, who had not worshiped the beast or his image, and had not received his mark on their foreheads or on their hands. And they lived and reigned with Christ for a[a] thousand years.
- Then… souls… of those beheaded… not worshipped the beast… lived and reigned 1000 years – the tribulation saints will be with those who are on thrones, and with Jesus ruling the earth.
5 But the rest of the dead did not live again until the thousand years were finished.
- The unbelievers of all time will rise to meet their maker after the millenia
This is the first resurrection.
- The first resurrection is what you want to be a part of, not the second one… the second one will be all the unbelievers rising to meet God for the first time and they will be cast away!
6 Blessed and holy is he who has part in the first resurrection.
- Oh how happy and set apart is the one who believes on the Lord Jesus Christ!
Over such the second death has no power, but they shall be priests of God and of Christ, and shall reign with Him a thousand years.
- There is no more death for the believer, the believer may physically die but will eternally live!
- It’s been said “die twice, live once, live once, die twice.”
II. The End of the World as They Will Know it!
C. The Battle of Satan (7-10) The Final Victory
7 Now when the thousand years have expired, Satan will be released from his prison 8 and will go out to deceive the nations which are in the four corners of the earth, Gog and Magog, to gather them together to battle, whose number is as the sand of the sea.
- Satan gets out of prison and immediately goes back to his old ways. Deceiving and recruiting a team of nations and people to fight Jesus Himself!
- Satan gathers, “Gog and Magog,” here basically used as a term representing any nation who has a leader and would like to overcome God!
- This can only happen thought delusion and deception!
- Who could satan get, whomever he can, those who have grown up in the millennia and others who don’t have the heart of God, they will be duped, hook, line & sinker!
9 They went up on the breadth of the earth and surrounded the camp of the saints and the beloved city. And fire came down from God out of heaven and devoured them.
- The battle ground was Jerusalem, and the enemy was God’s Saints and Saviour!
- Fire came down – devoured them – they did not have a chance! It was over before it began!
10 The devil, who deceived them, was cast into the lake of fire and brimstone where[b] the beast and the false prophet are. And they will be tormented day and night forever and ever.
- The devil, the deceiver is cast into the lake of fire!
- Tormented day and night – this is reality for all who cross God and reject His plan, they choose to join satan in the destination place that was prepared for him, not humans!!!
D. The Eternally Lost (11-15) The Great White Throne
11 Then I saw a great white throne and Him who sat on it, from whose face the earth and the heaven fled away. And there was found no place for them.
- The Great White Throne of judgement – all unrepentant sinners will stand here before God…
12 And I saw the dead, small and great, standing before God,[c]and books were opened. And another book was opened, which is the Book of Life. And the dead were judged according to their works, by the things which were written in the books.
- Books were opened – these are the records of each unrepentant sinner! Their works are revealed before God
- Book of Life – the names of the redeemed believers
13 The sea gave up the dead who were in it, and Death and Hades delivered up the dead who were in them. And they were judged, each one according to his works. 14 Then Death and Hades were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death.[d] 15 And anyone not found written in the Book of Life was cast into the lake of fire.
- All the dead rise, are judged at the throne and found lacking the blood of Jesus, therefore, cast into the Lake of Fire.
- Death & Hades delivers the unbelievers and they are cast into the fire
- BETWEEN 20:15 & 21:1 = I Peter 3:10-13
“Unveiling (Revealation) our Future Home!”
4c. Jesus reveals the New Heaven, New Earth, and New Jerusalem–21-22:6
A. New Heaven & Earth – 21:1-8
Now I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away. Also there was no more sea.
- New Heaven, New Earth – the word new is Kainos – meaning new, fresh in character. Some scholars believe a re-newing, some believe an absolute brand spanking new earth and universe.
- No more sea -oceans
- The first had passed away – II Peter 3:9-10 &
- Isaiah 65:17-19…
17 “For behold, I create new heavens and a new earth;
And the former shall not be remembered or come to mind.
18 But be glad and rejoice forever in what I create;
For behold, I create Jerusalem as a rejoicing,
And her people a joy.
19 I will rejoice in Jerusalem,
And joy in My people;
The voice of weeping shall no longer be heard in her,
Nor the voice of crying.
2 Then I, John,[a] saw the holy city, New Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband.
- The New Jerusalem – Our father’s House of John 14:1-3, fully detailed in (see) Revelation 21:9-27
3 And I heard a loud voice from heaven saying, “Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and He will dwell with them, and they shall be His people. God Himself will be with them and be their God. 4 And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes; there shall be no more death, nor sorrow, nor crying. There shall be no more pain, for the former things have passed away.”
- Behold the tabernacle of God with men… - Jesus came to earth and tabernacle amongst us, now He brings us to His tabernacle, where He the Godhead dwell is fullness and utter completion, satisfaction, GLORY!
- We will be in the very presence of God, rather than Christ in us we will be completely engulfed in Him, no separation whatsoever!
- No more death, sorrow, crying – we don’t know this kind of experience, maybe just simple glimpses, nit not this utter reality!
5 Then He who sat on the throne said, “Behold, I make all things new.” And He said to me,[b] “Write, for these words are true and faithful.”
6 And He said to me, “It is done![c] I am the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End. I will give of the fountain of the water of life freely to him who thirsts. 7 He who overcomes shall inherit all things,[d]and I will be his God and he shall be My son. 8 But the cowardly, unbelieving,[e] abominable, murderers, sexually immoral, sorcerers, idolaters, and all liars shall have their part in the lake which burns with fire and brimstone, which is the second death.”
- It is done! Jesus said that for the debt paid on the cross, here he says it for He has conquered evil, destroyed the earth and created us a new place in which to dwell with him in purity forever!
- Promise fulfilled!
- He who overcomes… inherits all things! Be His SON for al eternal life!!!
- BUT the cowardly… ANOTHER opportunity to repent and get right with God! The Lord always gives the unbeliever a chance to believe until the bitter end!
B. The New Jerusalem – My Father’s House – 21:9-27 & 22:1-6
9 Then one of the seven angels who had the seven bowls filled with the seven last plagues came to me[f] and talked with me, saying, “Come, I will show you the bride, the Lamb’s wife.”[g] 10 And he carried me away in the Spirit to a great and high mountain, and showed me the great city, the holy[h] Jerusalem, descending out of heaven from God, 11 having the glory of God. Her light was like a most precious stone, like a jasper stone, clear as crystal.
- John the revelator was taken to a high mountain on the new earth to witness the New Jerusalem descending out of Heaven from God. No more ocean, but there will be mountains! Hiker’s paradise!
- The city had the Glory Of God!
- Clear as crystal! What Beauty!
- Within this City was the BRIDE, the LAMB’S WIFE!
12 Also she had a great and high wall with twelve gates, and twelve angels at the gates, and names written on them, which are the names of the twelve tribes of the children of Israel: 13 three gates on the east, three gates on the north, three gates on the south, and three gates on the west.
- Gates of Pearl! – 12 tribes names were written on these gates
14 Now the wall of the city had twelve foundations, and on them were the names[i] of the twelve apostles of the Lamb.
- 12 foundation – 12 names of the Apostles – possibly to include Judas’s name, or his name replaced by either Mathias or the Apostle Paul. We will find out in heaven
15 And he who talked with me had a gold reed to measure the city, its gates, and its wall. 16 The city is laid out as a square; its length is as great as its breadth. And he measured the city with the reed: twelve thousand furlongs. Its length, breadth, and height are equal.
- 12,000 furlongs = 1,500 miles (distance from Maine to FL.) cubed/or squared, possibly the shape of a pyramid or cube
17 Then he measured its wall: one hundred and forty-four cubits, according to the measure of a man, that is, of an angel.
- 144 cubits – roughly 215 feet – the width of the wall
18 The construction of its wall was of jasper; and the city was pure gold, like clear glass. 19 The foundations of the wall of the city were adorned with all kinds of precious stones: the first foundation was jasper, the second sapphire, the third chalcedony, the fourth emerald, 20 the fifth sardonyx, the sixth sardius, the seventh chrysolite, the eighth beryl, the ninth topaz, the tenth chrysoprase, the eleventh jacinth, and the twelfth amethyst. 21 The twelve gates were twelve pearls: each individual gate was of one pearl. And the street of the city was pure gold, like transparent glass.
- Wall of Jasper
- City – Pure Gold, like glass
- Foundations – 12 precious stones, 1 per foundation
- Gates of Pearl – each gate 1 pearl!
Revelation 21:22 – 22:21 – The Final Dwelling Place & Jesus Final Call
Revelation 21:22-22:6 – New Jerusalem Continued
- As we come the conclusion of the book of Revelation we must remember and look for God’s promise in Revelation 1:3 – Those who read, hear and keep the words of this prophecy will receive a BLESSING!!!
- New Heaven & New Earth, NEW JERUSALEM…
22 But I saw no temple in it, for the Lord God Almighty and the Lamb are its temple. 23 The city had no need of the sun or of the moon to shine in it,[j] for the glory[k] of God illuminated it. The Lamb is its light. 24 And the nations of those who are saved[l] shall walk in its light, and the kings of the earth bring their glory and honor into it.[m] 25 Its gates shall not be shut at all by day (there shall be no night there). 26 And they shall bring the glory and the honor of the nations into it.[n] 27 But there shall by no means enter it anything that defiles, or causes[o] an abomination or a lie, but only those who are written in the Lamb’s Book of Life.
- God Almighty and the Lamb are its Temple!
- No actual temple replicas any more, Jesus & God Almighty, the Father are the Temple!
- NO sun or Moon – Glory of God illuminates Jesus the Lamb is the Light
- Nations of the saved – walk in its light
- Gates shall not be shut – NO Night!
- No defiling or abominable thing or lie – no dishonor to God or His family permitted!
22:1 And he showed me a pure[a] river of water of life, clear as crystal, proceeding from the throne of God and of the Lamb.
- Pure river of water of life – a different unique river – it is symbolic of the ever-flowing presence of God and Life with him in the heavens! Stemming straight from the Throne of God & Jesus!
2 In the middle of its street, and on either side of the river, was the tree of life, which bore twelve fruits, each tree yielding its fruit every month. The leaves of the tree were for the healing of the nations.
- Tree of Life – originally found in the Garden (Gen 2), now found in the City! This city & all things new, are eternally blessed!
- 12 fruits – every month – leaves were for the healing
- The Tree’s fruits represent for us the fruitfulness and diversities, changes that will occur within the eternity of heaven!
- The leaves represent the perpetual healing healthy quality of heaven!
- Heaven will be pure and unique consistently, never dull and grieving!
3 And there shall be no more curse, but the throne of God and of the Lamb shall be in it, and His servants shall serve Him. 4 They shall see His face, and His name shall be on their foreheads. 5 There shall be no night there: They need no lamp nor light of the sun, for the Lord God gives them light. And they shall reign forever and ever.
- No MORE CURSE – the curse on earth today effects believer and unbeliever, we all suffer the status of a fallen World. Yes, the believer is immune to the curse in the position of salvation but the effects of the curse still affect us…
- Here in the revelation we see there will be NO MORE CURSE AT ALL!!! Utter absolute freedom from the curse! Alleluia!
- We shall reign with the Lord forever and ever!!!
- The curse can’t be in the all present all-consuming presence of the God-Head!!!
- Oh, how we look forward to heaven!!! AMEN!!!
Revelation 22:7-21 – Jesus unveils that He is coming Quickly!
THIS IS THE…
Closing Remarks - Part 4 – Jesus Closes with an Invitation & Immanent Return – 22:7-22
6 Then he said to me, “These words are faithful and true.” And the Lord God of the holy[b] prophets sent His angel to show His servants the things which must shortly take place.
7 “Behold, I am coming quickly! Blessed is he who keeps the words of the prophecy of this book.”
- Behold, I am Coming quickly – This is said by Jesus 3 times in this chapter –
1. :7 – I am coming – so keep this prophecy, be watching!
2. :12 – I am coming – to reward the faithful, be faithful!
3. :20 – I am coming – surely! Be expectant! Be ready!!
8 Now I, John, saw and heard[c] these things. And when I heard and saw, I fell down to worship before the feet of the angel who showed me these things.
9 Then he said to me, “See that you do not do that. For[d] I am your fellow servant, and of your brethren the prophets, and of those who keep the words of this book. Worship God.”
- Worship God – we are not to worship angels, only GOD!
10 And he said to me, “Do not seal the words of the prophecy of this book, for the time is at hand. 11 He who is unjust, let him be unjust still; he who is filthy, let him be filthy still; he who is righteous, let him be righteous[e] still; he who is holy, let him be holy still.”
- DO not seal the words – For the time is at hand – God wants us to understand, things are continually winding down and headed towards the words of this book…
- The church age will end, the rapture will happen, 7 years of tribulation will come, the 1000 year reign will be initiated and then The NEW heaven earth and Jerusalem will come!!!
12 “And behold, I am coming quickly, and My reward is with Me, to give to every one according to his work. 13 I am the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End, the First and the Last.”
1. As mentioned… :12 – I am coming – to reward the faithful, be faithful!
- Jesus claims these titles… Alpha & Omega, Beginning and End, First & Last… these are titles of GOD! JESUS=GOD the Son!!!
14 Blessed are those who do His commandments,[g] that they may have the right to the tree of life, and may enter through the gates into the city.
- Blessed those who do His commandments – doers not hearers only make it into the Kingdom of God!!!
- We will have the right to the tree & enter the gates!!! WOW, things truly change, we will have rights! It will be a different world!
15 But[h] outside are dogs and sorcerers and sexually immoral and murderers and idolaters, and whoever loves and practices a lie.
- BUT, OUTSIDE – not in the city, unbelievers sent elsewhere…
- Dogs = filthy immoral people
- Sorcerers – unrepentant drug abusers, those of the occult practices of things like seances, witchcraft etc.
- Sexually immoral – unrepentant homosexual acts, prostitution, pornography, unbiblical promiscuous relationships etc…
- Murderers – unrepentant, habitually evil acts of premeditated killing
- Idolaters – attributing greater worth to something/someone other than GOD Himself!
16 “I, Jesus, have sent My angel to testify to you these things in the churches.
- In the churches – Jesus comes full circle back to the Churches of Revelation 2-3 – he is once again speaking to the church age… the word church was last used in Revelation 3:22, the last verse of the church age, the 7 letters.
I am the Root and the Offspring of David, the Bright and Morning Star.”
- Jesus claims to be the Root and Offspring of David – the messianic lineage!
- Bright and Morning Star – Numbers 24:17 – a star out of Jacob is prophesied, this is Jesus! God used Balaam to speak this prophecy!
17 And the Spirit and the bride say, “Come!” And let him who hears say, “Come!” And let him who thirsts come. Whoever desires, let him take the water of life freely.
- COME – the Spirit and the Spirit within the BRIDE say COME!
- The Church is the Bride and we supernaturally cry come, we desire the Return of Christ, because this means our desire to be with the Lord Jesus!
- WHOEVER DESIRES…take of the water of life freely – INVITATION granted tpo anyone who is listening, willing!
18 For[i] I testify to everyone who hears the words of the prophecy of this book: If anyone adds to these things, God will add[j] to him the plagues that are written in this book; 19 and if anyone takes away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God shall take away[k] his part from the Book[l] of Life, from the holy city, and from the things which are written in this book.
- Warning: don’t add to these words! These are important words! God wants them preserved and treasured!!!
- Consequences are great for disgracing God’s revelation!
20 He who testifies to these things says, “Surely I am coming quickly.”
1. As already mentioned - :20 – I am coming – surely! Be expectant! Be ready!!
Amen. Even so, come, Lord Jesus!21 The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all.[m] Am
Revelation 1 – Intro, Blessing & Vision Of Jesus
Revelation 2-3 – 7 Letters to 7 Churches – The Church Age – Age of Grace
Revelation 4 – Trip To Heaven – Around the Throne
Revelation 5 – Trip to Heaven Part 2 - The Scroll & The Lion & Lamb
Revelation 6 – 6 Seals opened on Scroll
Revelation 7 – 5 Angels, 144k Jews & an Innumerable Tribulation Saints
Revelation 8 – 7th Seal opens Trumps 1-4
Revelation 9 – Trumps 5-6
Revelation 10 – The Mighty Angel and the Little Book
Revelation 11 – The Temple on Earth and IN Heaven
Revelation 12 – The Woman, the Child and the Dragon
Revelation 13 – The Beast of the Sea and the Beast of the Earth
Revelation 14 – The 144000 evangelists and the Angels of heaven
Revelation 15 – Another Sign in Heaven and the final 7 Angels with the last 7 Plagues
Revelation 16 – 7 Vials poured out, fulfilling God’s Wrath!
Revelation 17 – Babylon Destroyed – the Spiritual Roots Uprooted
Revelation 18 – Babylon Destroyed, part 2 – the eco/Political Fruits destroyed
Revelation 19 – Marriage of the Lamb, The Lamb Returns
Revelation 20 - Jesus reveals His return to earth for 1000 years (Millennium)
Revelation 21:1-22:6 - Jesus reveals New Heaven, New Earth, and New Jerusalem
Revelation 22:7-21 - Closing Remarks – Jesus Closes with an Invitation & Immanent Return
Revelation: Introduction
– Unveiling Jesus’ Plan! By Apostle John – written approximately about 95-100 AD – during the notorious reign of Domitian his era was = to great persecution!
Why is Revelation important to Study anyway?
1. Revelation the word itself in greek is Apocoloupsis, in English we get our word Apocolypse, which by definition means… UNVEILING, REVEALING, the title itself spurs us on to want to learn what is to be revealed or unveiled to us, like gifts at Christmas!
2. It was Given by Jesus Himself, to all who will hear! God elevates His Word above His Name!
Psalm 138:2 Who wouldn’t want to hear God the Son explain His plan for all mankind!
3. It involves your today and your tomorrows! Jesus said, “When you begin to see these things, look up for your redemption draws near… “ Luke 21:28, also READ Paul in Rom. 13:11-14 – we see!
4. It is not too difficult to understand, just take it at face value – don’t over read and don’t read into it… All symbols in Revelation have been explained or are used in prior texts, if something is difficult, take it at face value… Don’t over-spiritualize or under -estimate the ways of the Lord!
5. It promises a blessing to all those who read, hear and keep it! :3
6. It comes with its own precise outline 1:19 (WE WILL LOOK AT THAT AFTER THE 4 VIEWS)
Four interpretive views:
-1 – Preterist – believe Revelation was written in 65 AD and that all events of the Prophecy occurred around 70AD – Nero is Beast of Rev, 2nd advent has occurred, all judgements took place, Babylon was Jerusalem, and we now dwell in the new heaven & new earth (Hank Haanagraaf, RC Sproul)
-2 – Historicist – invented in the 12th century, Revelation is simply a birds eye view of all church history (Wycliffe, Knox, Tyndale, Luther, Calvin, Newton, Spurgeon, Henry)
-3 – Idealist – this is the spiritualizing view, everything in revelation deals with you personally on spiritual level, to help you through the spiritual battles of life… Popular way of interpreting today
-4 – Futurist – The events in chapters 4-22 are all going to happen in the future! I hold this view as well as Chuck Smith, John Walvoord, Macarthur, Pentecost, Ryrie, and earlier days Justin Martyr, Irenaeus, Hippolytus
(alternate 5th view – Eclectic or mixed view – mishmash of the 4) (thanks to Ryrie, Rose pub, Mark Hitchcock)
HERE IS THE REVELATION RUNDOWN… Precise Outline comes from Rev. 1:19
I. The Things Seen… JESUS! - CH.1
II. The Things which are… CHURCHES! Church Age - CH.2-3
III. The things hereafter… AFTER THE CHURCH TILL THE END! - CH.4-22:6
Here is the breakdown of the 3rd Part of revelation - Jesus foretells the Future Things – 4-22:6
1. Jesus reveals Heaven – 4-5
2. Jesus reveals 7-year tribulation – 6-19
3. Jesus reveals His return to earth for 1000 years – 20
4. Jesus reveals New Heaven, New Earth, New Jerusalem – 21-22:6
IV. Closing Words… Part 4 – Jesus Closes with an Invitation & Imminent Return – 22:7-21
Revelation – Unveiling Jesus’ Plan! By Apostle John – 95-100 AD – during Domition Era = persecution!
Revelation 1 – The Things Seen, JESUS!
The Divine Outline or the Holy cheat sheet for the book of Revelation is found in Rev. 1:19.
a. Part 1 – The Things Seen… Jesus the Victor – 1
i. Revealing the Author, Audience, Advantage & Allotment – 1:1-3
1. AUTHOR - 1a - The Revelation of Jesus Himself, these words given to Jesus by God the Father! Jesus sent/signified them to John by an Angel!
2. AUDIENCE –
a. 1b-2 – primarily to John then forwarded to the churches & later in history to readers of this prophecy of all time…
3. Advantage -3- Receive a blessing for reading, hearing and keeping the prophecy!
4. Allotment – of time - “which must shortly come to pass…(1b)” “for the time is at hand…(3d)” prophetically, we are looking for the imminent return of Christ!
ii. John writes, as instructed, to the Seven Churches from Jesus… - 1:4-20
1. Greeting to the Seven Churches from the Trinity… (4-6)
a. God – “who was and is and is to come” – 4 – He is the same yesterday today and forever! He set out His master plan and He will complete it! God the Father submits His plan for His Son!
b. Holy Spirit – “seven spirits which are before His throne” – 4b – seven spirits of God also talked about in Isaiah 11:1-5 & Zech. 4:2-6 – As we study these scriptures we see that the Holy Spirit has a seven fold nature!
c. Jesus – who is the “Faithful witness,” He became the Martyr for the World of sinners! “first begotten of the dead,” He is preeminent before all of us believers! “prince of the kings of the earth,” He is the ruler over all earthly authority! He who “loved us… washed us… in His own blood… made us kings and priests… to Him be the Glory forever and ever” Thank you Jesus for all you do and have already done! Amen
2. Two Reminders, to the Seven Churches… (7-8)
a. 7 – Jesus will come again a 2nd time! There will be a 2nd advent of Jesus Christ, you can find that account in Revelation 19:11-21
b. 8 – God is Almighty and fully in charge of all things eternal! In Him there is no change or variableness, He remains the Same, GOD! And we must believe that He is! Hebrews 11:6
3. John shares the backdrop of this Inspired writing (9-10)
a. Identity & Location – John defines himself as a brother and companion in tribulation & the Location of John was Patmos (an arid desert Island about 6o miles south of Ephesus in the Aegean Sea) as one persecuted for the Word of God and testimony of Jesus, by the Emperor Domitian – Historically, they say John was dipped in a boiling vat of oil, survived and was then thrown on the Island of Patmos to die, Patmos was like an Alcatraz only without walls… of course this was a possible scenario – 9
b. John’s State of mind was, “in the Spirit,” on the actual Lord’s Day or he was spiritually over taken by the Lord & heard a Voice as a “trumpet,” the trumpet revealing his absolute attention was expected! Jesus was speaking! When Jesus speaks we should all listen – 10
4. John shares what He Heard and saw… (11-20)
a. Heard instructions from Alpha/Omega, First/Last – Is. 41:4,44:6/ obvious claim of Deity by Jesus - to “what you see, write” to the specific 7 churches – 11 – “7” is the Hebrew number for completion or totality… It is used 54 times in Revelation! See Haley’s on “7” pg.688
b. What He saw when he turned to look at the voice that spoke…
i. 7 Golden Candlesticks – 12 - :20 interprets as 7 churches
ii. In middle, One like the Son of Man – JESUS! (Dan. 9:7)
1. Clothed w/ garment down to the feet – 13a – this is a priestly imagery, the long cloth symbolizing one of Authority – Exodus 39
2. Golden belt around the chest – 13b – still priestly, note the band was Golden, not just threads of gold like in Exodus 39
3. Head/hair white like wool, white as snow – 14a – Jesus is all-wise, the white hair alludes to that also reveals His pure – all forgiving nature of Jesus is also being portrayed here (Is. 1:18)
4. Eyes as a flame of fire – 14b – Rev. 2:18 – looking/inspecting towards judegment (Thyatira church) & 19:12 (2nd Advent)
5. Feet like fine brass – 15a – brass=judgement, refined in the fire – also rep’s sacrifice – Ex. 27
6. Voice as many waters – 15b – powerful/authoritative voice of God
7. 7 stars in right hand – 16a – interpreted in :20 – right hand is place of authority
8. Out of mouth a sharp two-edged sword – 16b – Hebrews 4:12
9. Countenance as sun shining, full strength – 16c Transfiguration His face shone like sun –Mt 17:2
c. John’s Response to this glorious vision of Jesus… (17-18)
i. John fell down
ii. Jesus comforted him & revealed who He was &…
d. Jesus Reveals the outline of the prophecy – 1:19
e. Jesus explains 7 Stars and 7 Candlesticks – 1:20
i. 7 Stars = 7 messengers, Pastors
ii. 7 Candlesticks = 7 churches = His complete church
So in Chapter 1 we see the glorious vision that Jesus revelaed Himself to John, what seems to be the Jesus of Antiquity, the Ancient of Days if you will! What a glorious picture of Christ in Rev 1!
Do you see Jesus with all of His amazing qualities in your life! These qualities are revealed for you today!
Give your life fully over to Him! Surrender! Live for Jesus completely, not half-heartedly! Amen!
The Church Age – Chapters 2-3
II. Part 2 - The Things which are… – Jesus speaks to the Churches – 2-3
Here in this section we will study the 7 letters that Jesus dictated to John through an angel to send to the 7 specific churches. Now these 7 letters have great significance to the church at large. There are several ways we have come to learn and understand the 7 letters to 7 churches… Keep in mind they were referenced as Lampstands or candlesticks and they were in a circle with Jesus in the middle and furthermore Jesus was holding the 7 messengers to the churches; therefore, we see that Jesus here means business and is truly trying to relay a message to the Christian masses! As we go through these churches you will find that 5 out of 7 of these churches were given strong corrections for their straying, waywardness or even abandonment of the Lord Jesus in their churches… there is no perfect church today!
A. Local church – each letter was written to an actual church in the particular city with a particular leader in Asia Minor, in modern day it is called Turkey. That church was receiving a personalized message for them at that time to learn from Jesus!
B. Prophetic Historical View – each church letter would represent a time or era in church history, such as…
- 33-100AD = 1st Century Apostolic Church Age = Ephesus
- 100-312AD = Early Church Age/Persecuted Church = Smyrna
- 313-600AD = Christian Empire/Mixed Up/ Compromising Church = Pergamos
- 600-1500AD = Middle Ages/Unfaithful/Corrupted/Worldly Church – Thyatira
- 1500-1750AD = The Dead Church/Protestant Reformation = Sardis
- 1750-1900AD = Evangelical Age/The Faithful Church = Philadelphia
- 1900-presentAD = The Apostate Church/The Lukewarm Church = Laodicea
C. Prophetic Church Heart View – each of the letters would represent any given church at any given time. Each individual church can read the 7 letters and see how it may apply to their certain church heart pulse or health of their church.
D. Personal View – any individual believer can read the 7 letters and check their own personal heart pulse, to see how healthy or unhealthy they are as a believer!
There is also a basic structure to each letter, each letter will include these basic components… This is the general flow of each letter
a. Greeting with reference to Jesus – to get each church focused on who is in charge
b. Critical Correction or Commendation or both – to help each church focus on strengths & weaknesses to improve on
c. Instruction / Warning – for specific directional issues of the church and things to look out for
d. Closes with Promise / Call to Listen/Hear! – Finally each church can be blessed and HEAR GOD’S beautiful voice and direction for their lives and the life of the church!
So let’s begin looking at each of these letters…
1. Letter to Ephesus – Revelation 2:1-7
A. Greeting – :1
- “unto the angel”
1. Angel in greek is aggelos – meaning angel or messenger. We know Jesus held these messengers or “stars” in His hand. It would be safe to say that the messengers who received the letter would be an individual who was in church of the actual church and would be reading and relaying this message, the Pastor. And if it is the Pastor this is a catch 22… On one hand what a blessing to know that the Pastor is in Jesus hand, that is just a beautiful thing but on the flipside what a scary fearful thing to know that you are in the hand of God! Wow, I would say this is built in accountability for any pastor or any messenger of the Gospel of Jesus Christ!
- Of the church of Ephesus write –
1. Church in greek is ekklesia – which means called out ones, it means to call humans out of their homes into a public place for a unified purpose. Believers are called out of their homes regularly to meet with Jesus and hear from their Pastor’s and be with other Christians in a public place
2. Ephesus – this is the same church that Paul founded in Ephesus on his 3rd missionary journey according to Acts 18-20, in approx. 54-57Ad.
3. Write – Jesus intstructs John to write these things down, this is being dictated to Him though an angel, these are actual words of Jesus that he wants believers at the local church and future church to hear and understand!
- These things says, “He that holds the seven stars in His right hand” –
1. Jesus is now going to address this church, remember the right hand is a place of authority so the message is authoritative and must be taken seriously and responded to with diligence
- Who walks in the midst of the seven golden candlesticks
1. Yet again another reminder of who is charge of the church, it is JESUS!
B. Commendation: Service & hatred of Evil - :2-3 & 6
- I know your works, labor, and patience and how you can’t bear them which are evil
1. Ephesus was known for these good works, they were solid in doctrine, they operated in the spirit and in the Word.
- And have tried them which say…are apostles ad are not, they are liars… and for my names sake you have labored
1. The Ephesians have doctrinally tested those who have passed through trying to sway them from the original gospel. They have labored to keep the pure gospel and have stood for the Name of Jesus!
- :6 – but this thou hast… you hate the deeds of the Nicolaitans, which I also hate
1. Jesus also commends them on their unacceptance of these Nicolaitans. There are two thoughts on the Nicolaitans… One, they were those who “nico”(greek) which means to Lord over, “laitans”(greek) the laity, possibly there was a group of individuals trying to rule the church in a way where there were the haves and the have nots. This is ungodly and I see why Jesus would hate this type of teaching or leadership. Secondly, another possibility is that there was a following created of Nicolas who was listed as one of the Apostles helpers to the widows in Acts CH. 6. Possibly Nicolas veered away from the true unadulterated Gospel and began to have a following of his own that was outlandish and over lording of others, thus leading believers away from the true Gospel of Jesus Christ!
C. Correction - :4
- Nevertheless, I have this against thee, you have left your first love…
1. Against thee – holy moly, could you imagine hearing this statement directly to you… I have this AGAINST YOU… those are horrifying words, what could God have against you, against me, against anyone???
2. You have left your first love – this is what He could have against us… You see we as believers are married to God, we are His bride, and if we have left our first love, HIM, he would feel betrayed, cheated on, lonely and unloved Himself!
3. What a revelation this must be to be told you have left your first love, HE has not left, we have left! Lord help us if we have left you… What do we do?
D. Instruction / Warning - :5
- Remember therefore from where you are fallen
1. Jesus is telling the church that they left their first love and that they could remember where they were and how that happened
2. When we fall from first love, the Lord wants us to look and see where we fell…
- Repent – Once we see what our problem was, we must repent, when we see where we decided to cheat on the Lord and go after other things, we must turn and repent
- Return - And do the first works
1. I heard a Pastor once say about returning, “Fall back in love with Jesus,” basically we need to go back to the devotion we once had toward our savior!
- Realize – Warning
1. Finally, we must realize that if we don’t repent, the lamp will be removed! Jesus will quickly come and remove the church, if there is no repentance!
2. This could be applied individually & corporately!
E. Close with Call to Listen & Promise to overcomer - :7
- Listen - He that Hath an ear, let him hear what the spirit says to the churches
1.
- Promise – To him that overcomes, will I give to eat of the tree of life, which is in the midst of the paradise of God
Revelation CH. 2 Continued…
We know that Revelation is in three major divisions according to the Holy Cheat Sheet 1:19… Part 1 was chapter 1, the things we have seen = Jesus. Part 2 being the church age of Chapter 2-3, and finally, part 3 the things that take place after the church age chapter 4-22.
We also now know each of the “7” letters basic outline and that each one is specific in its local time, possible Historical Prophetic era, Congregationally & lastly relates to us Personally… so let’s take a look at the next 3 Letters here in Ch. 2…
2. Letter to Smyrna – Revelation 2:8-11 - The Suffering/Persecuted Church – early Church Age – martyrs – 25 miles N of Ephesus – Well known Martyr, Polycarp Pastor of Smyrna – 86yrs old
II Timothy 3:12 “All that will live Godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution.”
John 15:18 “If the world hates you, no that it hated me before you.”
(100-312AD, yet this is where the historical era view breaks down a bit, when we see more persecution now than ever before, that’s why we can’t be dogmatic about the possible historical era view)
The name Smyrna means bitter and gives us insight into what happened to the church there… the root word within Smyrna, is myrrh – this is a gum-like resin from a tree crushed to bring forth a fragrant aromatic oil, it was an oil used at burial services. Thus we have a suffering church to the point of even Martyrdom, death.
So what messages or lessons can we glean from the church of Smyrna? In times of Persecution/Suffering Such as Today! Christians are becoming the target of those who want to practice sin and immorality!
a. Remember Jesus in time of Trial/Persecution! (:8)
- The Author being Jesus, the one who conquers death and is Alive!
b. Know that He Knows! (9)
- It is refreshing to know that the Lord lives and Sees us, and he is going to carry us through even the hardest of times! Though you feel poor you Are Rich in HIM!
c. Know that He would speak to you! (10)
- FEAR NOT! Years ago this was a popular sticker, well, Jesus coined the phrase!
- He guides & directs. He even warns the Smyrnians of the possible 10 day tribulation, this was ‘either literal or as some think it was the 10 major persecution attacks from Nero to Diocletion.’ (Ryrie)
d. Look forward to the Rewards! (:10c-11)
- If faithful till death = crown of life
- If overcomer = no second death!
3. Letter to Pergamos – Revelation 2:12-17 – Mixed up Church – 313-600 AD – Christianity became the legalized religion of Rome with Constantine at the edict of Millan of 313AD – 60m N. of Smy.
- Pergamos means marriage – symbolic of the Christians being married to the world, this is spiritual adultery! Mixing of God & Government won’t work!
What do we glean from this mixed Up Church?
- :12 - He that hath which has the sharp sword with two edges - As in 1:16. This is symbolic of Him being the word and He must be heeded! When you get out of line the Sword comes out!!!
- :13 - I know your works… You dwell in Satans seat… hold my name… not denied my faith… - Jesus commends their works and that they keep His name & faith! They live in an area where Satan sits, possibly referring to emperor worship or Zues - Jesus recognizes a certain man named Antipas who was a faithful Marty, not much else on him.
- :14-15 – I have a few things against thee … there are those tough love words of Jesus, I have something against you… Jesus cares! What… you have those that… here note they allowed them in the church, not necessarily embracing
1. Hold the doctrine of balaam – teaches idolatry, stumbled Israel
2. Them that hold the doctrine of Nicolaitans – those who lord it over others
- :16 – repent or I will come unto you quickly and fight against them with the sword of my mouth – The Lord will handle this personally if we don’t! It is better that we repent and change and quit mixing with the worlds teaching of idolatry and worship of man! God wants our complete attention and adoration, He is a Jealous God and wants us completely to Himself! It’s a love thing!
- :17 – He that hath an ear… hear what the spirit says to the churches
1. To him that overcomes
§ Eat of the hidden manna – ref. to hidden manna in Ark, see Ex.
§ Give a white stone – pure stone, possibly imagery of ticket they gave out back then to the theatre or ref. to urim & thummim, white being in the affirmative, positive
§ In the stone a new name – only he knows - a personal one!
“Wake Up Letters” Letters to Thyatira and Sardis – Revelation 2:18-29 & 3:1-6
{previously, Ephesus, return to first love, Smyrna, suffering for Jesus till death, Pergamos, mixing the world in, called to repent}
IN the next two letters, letters, 4 and 5 of the 7 we will see God trying to Wake Up believers to their one true faith in Jesus! Remember not only were these letters written to actual churches in Asia Minor but these are end times prophetic letters so we as well need to hear the call to “wake up!” Jesus said at the end of the Great Commission “…lo I will be with you even to the end of the age/world. Amen” Some don’t like talking about the end of the World but as you can see Jesus said He would be with us even until the end of the world and then He gave John the Revelation of the end of the World… Jesus said when we began to see the signs that He spoke of to know that our Redemption draws near! Signs like deception, Cataclysmic events, earthquakes, wars, terror, hatred, persecution, self-adornment, amazing rise in knowledge/technology, leaning towards one world currency, one world leader, one world religion…
So Listen up and hear what the Spirit says to the church! DO you need to wake up to God?
4. Letter to Thyratira – Revelation 2:18-29 – The Adulterous/Unfaithful/Messed up Church –God is going to Call this Church to wake up from it’s backsliding from there compromise with the world!
– 600-1500AD - Thyratira – means “Sacrifice of labor” – 40 mls E. of pergamos – commerce trade small but busy… Middle Ages – Roman Catholic Church - Longest letter - smallest church…
- :18 – Unto the Angel of the Church in Thyratira write…
1. These things saith Son of God… eyes like flame of fire… feet like fine brass
2. Jesus will see write though this church and bring a judgement to them!
- :19-23 – I know… works, charity, service, faith patience works – looked good
1. They were a working town, committed to the Lord to a certain degree
2. I have few things against you…
§ Suffer the woman Jezebel… teach & seduce… my servants to fornication, idols – tolerating sin and heresy, allowed seduction – persuaded to cheat on God with sin & Idols
§ Jezebel repented not
§ Jezebel will go into great tribulation – either a near great trying time or referring to the Great Trib. found in Revelation
§ Them that commit adultery with her also, except they repent
§ Jezebel’s children followers will also be killed with death, executed
§ Jezebel in Elijah’s time (I Kings 11 & 16) is the possible spirit behind this Jezebel, or this could possibly be an actual person at the time, either way we see the devastating reality of spiritual adultery & idolatry in the church
§ This will be a devastating blow to the universal church and all churches will see… God does mean business!
- :24-25 - But unto you I say, the messenger/pastor
1. And unto the rest in Thyratira
2. As many as have not this doctrine… I will put no other burden
3. That which you have hold fast till I come
4. Jesus speaks to those who don’t embrace Jezebel and her sinful teachings and lets them know that he will not put extra burdens on them!!! Referring to the consequence of Great Trib. From :22
- :26 – he that overcomes & keeps my work unto the end
1. To him power over the nations… to rule with a rod of iron – this will happen in the millennium found in Chapter 20
2. Receive the morning star, which is Jesus Himself
3. :29 – He that hath an ear to hear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches! Amen!
5. Letter to Sardis – means “escaping ones” – 1500-1750 – The Reformation – 30 Miles South of Thyratira - Pastor/Author Ray Stedman coins this church the “Zombie Church”
a. 3:1a - Greeting – from the one who has the 7 spirits and the 7 stars – Jesus holds the Holy Spirit and the entire church.
b. 3:1b –Correction - Jesus sees all, he sees that this church looks alive & has a name a reputation, yet it is DEAD! Death on the inside can be covered up on the outside! Are you dead in the inside? Wake Up! Looked like diamond but just a Cubic Zirconia!
c. 3:2-3 -Instruction– be watchful, strengthen… that are ready to die… I have not found your works perfect before God -Get your heart right, correct your motives, fix your eyes upon Jesus! :3 – Remember… hold fast… repent… WAKE UP and repent and gear up! Don’t be dead spiritually, LIVE the life Hold fast to the Gospel! If you don’t watch, I will come on you as a thief and you shall not know what hour I will come upon you… I will come as a thief and you shall not know the hour… This could refer to the Rapture
d. 3:4 – Observation/exhortation - A few names even in Sardis which have not defiled their garments, they shall walk with me in white, for they are worthy – God sees the all too famous cover up, façade putting on a good face, and He says, that won’t work with me! Church, Believer we must repent from our fakeness, saying we are spiritual in Christ yet our lives on the inside, behind closed doors, when no one is watching in the depths of our heart we are dying, almost dead! Let’s be like those few names in Sardis which have not defiled our garments, let us truly be Alive in Christ on the inside and the outside!
e. :5-6 – Promise – He that overcomes the same shall be clothed in white… I will not blot out His name form the book of life, but I will confess his name before my Father, and before His Angels. – There was a few already headed towards being clothed in white, now those who read this letter and overcome are promised to also be clothed in white! The overcomer is promised to be presented by name before the Father!
:6 – He that hath and ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.
SO what does the Spirit say to the Churches, in 2016, today… Wake Up! Rom. 13:11-14
1. Wake Up! Don’t add Sexual misconduct or idolatry to your life! Don’t Compromise or backslide! - Thyratira
2. Wake Up! Live life for Christ on the inside and the Outside, be genuine in your faith, love him on the inside it will shine forth!! – Sardis
- Come to Christ today and live for Him! Come to Him He is Waiting for you! Amen!
“The End Times Letters” – What Jesus says to them… Philadelphia 3:7-13 & Laodicea 3:14-22
(text Rev. 3:7-13, Mark 13:1-8, I Thess. 4:13-18, 5:1-11, II Peter 3:1-14)
All 7 letters represent the complete church and each church does represent the heart of any given church at any given time or individual believer for that matter. With that in mind, it does seem to appear that these last two churches run simultaneously till the end, one being faithful with a Great Open Door and one being unfaithful with a disappointing closed door, to the Lord!
Jesus, James, Peter, John, Paul and others said the end was near… we are that much closer… Here is what Jesus said to be on the lookout for at the end of the age & remember if Jesus said there would be an end, He is telling the Truth… SEE Mark 13:1-8
In the Last Days there will be these two types of churches predominantly… It’s The Church we want to be and the church we don’t want to be… Let’s take a look at the Church we want to be first…
6. Letter to Philadelphia 3:7-13 – The Faithful Church – The Open Door Church – Missions Emphasis - 1750 till Jesus comes back – Whitfield, Wesley, Spurgeon, Finney, Moody, Hudson Taylor, Billy Sunday, Billy Graham, Chuck Colson, Chuck Smith
Greeting :7 -
7 And to the angel of the church in Philadelphia write;
- Angel meaning pastor or messenger & Philadelphia means “brotherly love”
These things saith he that is holy, he that is true, he that hath the key of David, he that openeth, and no man shutteth; and shutteth, and no man openeth;
- Note the description of Jesus:
1. Holy, True, hath the key of David - Isaiah 22:22 – is referenced here, when King Hezekiah rejected the evil Shebna but honored the righteous Eliakim who was a type/picture of Christ was Chosen to be in Authority, to bear the governing decisions on his shoulder, (Is. 9:6-7) was given the key of David, this represents the authority of Jesus to rule and make decisions; to open and shut doors that only God can accomplish.
2. Look to Jesus the Author and Finisher of your faith! Trust in Him who lives and sees your plight
Commendation :8-10 -
8 I know thy works: behold, I have set before thee an open door, and no man can shut it:
3. I know your works – God sees their service, He’s been the one opening the doors for them thus far! He is pleased with their work!
4. I have set before you an open door… no man can shut it - WOW, what an awesome reality, biblically the open door would be evangelism, sharing our faith with others, leading others to Jesus Christ! Applicationally, this is another opportunity to learn that God is the one who sets the open door in front of us according to His schedule and His plan for His Glory!
5. Jesus said, “upon this rock I will build My Church, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it…” Matthew 16:18
for thou hast a little strength, and hast kept my word, and hast not denied my name.
6. Why does God set the open door before us? We have little strength… we keep His word… and we don’t deny His name!
7. What a legacy this church is leaving, weak but strong! So Biblical, so God! God takes the weak things of the world to confound the wise!
8. Keep His Word – treasure His Word, this is what one does when this is all that one can do!
9. Don’t deny His Name – when Jesus is all you have, you never let up on that grip of His name – Yashua – God is Salvation – JESUS!
10. In the end times the church will be tempted to strengthen themselves, forget his word and deny His name and rely upon their own religious ingenuity to accomplish the spiritual work of God with Intellect and braun! The church will be tempted to go the way of the Galatians, who started in the spirit but finished in the flesh!
9 Behold, I will make them of the synagogue of Satan, which say they are Jews, and are not, but do lie; behold, I will make them to come and worship before thy feet, and to know that I have loved thee.
- Jews who didn’t receive the Messiah Jesus were persecuting the believers in Philly and Jesus says that they will see the light, eventually they will see the Truth!
10 Because thou hast kept the word of my patience, I also will keep thee from the hour of temptation, which shall come upon all the world, to try them that dwell upon the earth.
- Because… You have KEPT The word of my patience – you have not counted the Lord slack in His return, you are patiently waiting for Him to come back for you! SEE 2 Peter 3:1-14
- I also will keep you from the hour of temptation… upon all the world… to try them that dwell… upon the earth…
1. Believers will be kept from hour of temptation… to try them that dwell upon the earth – hour is a period of time dedicated to them that dwell upon the earth- Here we see that the believers are not on the earth as the 7 year tribulation comes upon the earth dwellers! God will try those on earth and many will give their lives to the Lord many will not, most of those who do get saved in Great Trib will be killed… KEPT how? by way of the mysterious rapture… SEE 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18, 5:1-11 (John 14:1-3, I Cor. 15:51-53
2. Praise the Lord we escape the doom of God’s Wrath upon a God rejecting unrepentant world!
Closing Remarks :11-13
11 Behold, I come quickly: hold that fast which thou hast, that no man take thy crown.
- Jesus comes quickly – imminently – soon and suddenly He will come… we are closer than the Apostles to the Rapture, we are closer than previous Generations and we see all the signs from the Old Testament and from the Words of Jesus at the Mount of Olives… The time is nearer than when we first believed! Hold fast… let no one take your crown… Serve Jesus till the end! Finish Well! No one can take your salvation but be careful lest someone take your crown!
12 Him that overcometh will I make a pillar in the temple of my God, and he shall go no more out: and I will write upon him the name of my God, and the name of the city of my God, which is new Jerusalem, which cometh down out of heaven from my God: and I will write upon him my new name.
- Rewards: Be a part of the foundation, pillar, truly, receive the newness of life!
13 He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches.
- Do you hear what the spirit says to the church, to you!
- Look for the open door and with His strength, Word and Name go through it!
Revelation 3:14-22 – The Church You don’t want to be!” Let’s Read the Letter first…
Revelation remember is the book that promises blessing!
Part 1- We See Jesus! Ch.1 / Part 2 – The Church Age! Ch. 2-3 / Part 3 – The Future Things After the Church Age Ch. 4-22
The Church Age Review – Ephesus – Back to First Love Church / Smyrna – Persecuted Church / Pergamos – Mixed Up Church / Thyratira – The Adulterous Church / Sardis – The Dead, Zombie Church / Philly – The Open Door, Missionary Church, The Last Days Church, Church you want to be!
7. 7th Letter: to Laodicea – The Unfaithful Church – Closed Door Church – The Regurgitated church – The Neutral Church…
This is in fact the “Church you Don’t want to Be!” Some even call this the Apostate church, the church that has abandoned Jesus… you will see why some think this…
There seems to be 2 churches running parallel till Jesus comes back, the Church like at Philly & and this church at Laodicea seem to take us to the end of time, the last days churches, we have the Church on fire for Jesus like in Philly and we have the Lukewarm church like as Laodicea, shallow, tepid and oblivious to their own demise … These 2 styles of church seem to be prominent in the end of the age… OUR AGE! let’s take a deeper look…
A. Greeting - :14
14 And unto the angel of the church of the Laodiceans write; These things saith the Amen, the faithful and true witness, the beginning of the creation of God;
- Remember this church represents actual church on the postal route, possible church history such as 1900 till Jesus returns, a churches heart at any given time, or an individual for that matter… Listen to the Spirit!
- Jesus writes to John through an Angel to get the message out to the Pastor of Laodicea. Laodicea means “rule of the people,” and was wealthy and had lots of manufacturing, clothing, banking, commercial & medical work going on there, A little American City, if you will. There was an aqueduct that flowed into Laodicea from the Hot Springs of Hierapolis, as it reached Laodicea it was lukewarm it was undesirable & aweful.
- Jesus presents Himself to the church here as the AMEN, FAITHFUL & TRUE WITNESS, Amen means “so be it” He is the final decision and authority over the Laodicean Church, and He is Faithful and True in what he bears witness about this church!
- Next He says He is the beginning of the Creation of God – Paul had also written to the Laodiceans in his letter to the Colossians 2:1-11, encouraging them to not be persuaded away from Christ to the worldly things of this life! Jesus is the beginning of creation, this is His deity, do not persuaded otherwise!
- Truly todays church need to get back to this Faithful True Witness that Jesus is Creator God! No evolution no theistic evolution just JESUS is the ONE AMEN!
B. Condemnation - :15-17 – this church is uncommendable…
15 I know thy works, that thou art neither cold nor hot: I would thou wert cold or hot.
16 So then because thou art lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spue thee out of my mouth.
- Jesus wishes that this church was hot or cold not lukewarm. He sees their works but they seem to be indifferent, shallow, tepid, they seem to work with no real emotion either way. Like as to be going through the motions, like a puppet on strings, with no real motive for Christ!
- Hot or cold, lukewarm, these are all pictures possibly of the aqueduct that runs into their community... hot water is useful, cold water is useful but lukewarm water is not useful!!! Iced Coffee, Hot Coffee, lukewarm, no thanks!
- Jesus says here he will spue the lukewarm out of His mouth! WHAT!? Folks, listen, we don’t want to be regurgitated out of God’s Mouth! This has serious implications, something spued out of the mouth was swallowed and then later rejected! WARNING lights should be going off in your heads and heart… WHO WOULD EVER WANT TO BE SPUED AS NASTY LUKEWARM WATER OUT OF THE MOUTH OF JESUS? NO ONE I HOPE! Here is a few thoughts on being spued out… If He does spue…
a. Warning of not being HIS… unsaved
b. Warning of being out of His will… unusable
c. Warning of being belligerent… unrepentant
17 Because thou sayest, I am rich, and increased with goods, and have need of nothing; and knowest not that thou art wretched, and miserable, and poor, and blind, and naked:
- Jesus says he will spue them out because they say rather than do from the heart! They say this and that about themselves but truly they are the exact opposite. Sometimes we don’t see things as they are, we see what we want to see and we are reluctant to change or correction! We must keep ourselves in His presence that we might see spiritually what He sees!
- They believe they are rich and need nothing but Jesus says thou art, wretched, poor miserable and blind! They have a false evaluation of themselves… so what should this church do????
C. Instruction/Counsel - :18-20
1. Get true gold, white clothes and eyesalve to truly see! :18
18 I counsel thee to buy of me gold tried in the fire, that thou mayest be rich; and white raiment, that thou mayest be clothed, and that the shame of thy nakedness do not appear; and anoint thine eyes with eyesalve, that thou mayest see.
1. This is the remedy for the church of Laodicea – buy gold tried in the fire – this is the refiners fire, burn off the dross the impure, Jesus says get back in the fire of my refining love! This is true riches in Christ, to be like Him!
2. Buy white raiment – sign of being refined in the fire, truly clothed by Jesus, those clothed in white will travel with Jesus on white horses in the future!
3. Anoint eyes with eyesalve – Laoidcea was know for their medical prowess and eyesalve would be a product they had seen and understood. Jesus tells them to put some spiritual eyesalve so the can truly see! Look unto Jesus the Author and finisher of our faith! Heb. 12:2
4. Faith doesn’t walk by earthly sight but it walks by spiritual sight in spiritual clothing for a reward that was refined in the fire of the Lord, this is buying heavenly gold!! Get right Jesus says, your focus is on the wrong things, you essentially are abandoning the Lord for earthly pleasure… that’s not a true church!
2. Receive the rebuke out of Love and Repent! - :19
19 As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten: be zealous therefore, and repent.
- As Many AS I LOVE – Our Father in heaven loves us all! Feeling rebuked, you are loved! Feeling chastened, you are Loved!!!
- Be zealous and repent – zealous is to burn with zeal, to be heated or to boil, repent, turn form lukewarm, uselessness! It is sinful, wrong to be lukewarm in your relationship with Christ, let HIS love burn your heart to a place of repentance!
- The lukewarm church/individual is being asked to hear the Truth and receive the truth through repentance from sin and returning to His Love! Get Hot, get Cold, get in a useable relationship with Christ!
20 Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me.
- His sheep will hear his voice and open the door and fellowship with Him!
- The church, the believer, if ever caught in this lukewarm position needs to hear His voice, and respond by opening the door to Him, He will not bust the door down! He draws people to himself through His voice and his love!
- Also to anyone caught in the church without knowing Jesus, he may also open the door to Jesus and be saved! If you hear His voice, please always respond to it! Even Today! If you hear Him now, get up and open the door of your heart to Him! Don’t wait, don’t ignore Him! Let Him in and He will dine, fellowship have relationship with you!
D. Promise to the Overcomer -
21 To him that overcometh will I grant to sit with me in my throne, even as I also overcame, and am set down with my Father in his throne.
- Overcomers will be able to follow in Jesus footsteps and sit with Jesus just like Jesus overcame and sat with the Father! We will be in His throne! What a scene this will be, to those who overcome we will be at throne of Jesus which is at the throne of the Father!
22 He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches.
- DO you hear the Spirit calling you in to a deeper relationship with Him?
- Will you respond to the call to go deeper with Jesus!
- You don’t want ot be the one spued out of His mouth! Amen!
Are you this church, Lukewarm, if yes repent, let Jesus Back in! Or let Jesus in for the first time! Amen!
The things hereafter - Part 3 – Jesus foretells the Future Things – 4-22:6
3a. Jesus reveals Heaven – 4-5
1. The Heavenly Throne – A view of Heaven – gain a heavenly perspective! (Read 4:1-11)
I. The Great Transition :1 –
After this I looked, and, behold, a door was opened in heaven: and the first voice which I heard was as it were of a trumpet talking with me; which said, Come up hither, and I will shew thee things which must be hereafter.
- Notice, After this and hereafter – are the bookends of this one verse. They are both the same greek word(s) “meta-tauta,” which is a transition word/phrase. This would tie in to Ch 1:19 and its divine outline of the book of revelation. Making this the final great transition in the book of Revelation, pt1, ch.1, intro & great Vision of Jesus, CH 2-3, pt.2, the church age, then finally pt. 3,ch. 4-22 – things that take place in the hereafter or after the church age! See we see here a great transition in the prophecy, in the unveiling of the plans for the end of time!
1. Matter of fact the word church was last used in Rev. 3:22 and won’t be used again until 22:16 at the closing of the letter. In other words, after this transition the church is never mentioned again until the closing remarks of the book! The church is not seen in ch.4-22:6 which is the hereafter section of revelation!
- Door was opened in heaven – the door is the gospel, and the gospel is the way to heaven! Here we see John, see’s this door. Jesus also taught us that He is the Door into the kingdom of heaven!
- First voice… as trumpet… come up here… and I will shew you… the hereafter… John hears God’s voice calling up to heaven, this voice was like a trumpet with Authority and command, the instruction was to come up! And further details of the hereafter would be given!
- This possibly could be a picture or maybe just a good illustration of the rapture! WHY? When John writes after this, we ask after what… after he concluded the 7 letters to the 7 churches. The church is now complete. The Church Age is now over, therefore, John is taken up through the open door of the Gospel so to speak into Heaven! And will receive the events of the rest of Revelation from this vantage point, as if John would represent all believers being caught up into heaven through the gospel of Jesus before the future events of the great tribulation found in chapters 6-19. Believers being rescued from God’s Wrath, the Bride being rescued from God’s Wrathful fist of retribution!
- Let’s read now I Thessalonians 4:16-18
II. The View in Heaven :2-11
i. God The Father is in Heaven! (:2-3)
2 And immediately I was in the spirit: and, behold, a throne was set in heaven, and one sat on the throne.
- In the spirit – in a different non-earthy realm. John was beholding Heaven and God’s Throne with God on the throne! Also remember to absent in body is to be present with the Lord in Spirit! ONE SAT – God the Father is on His throne!
3 And he that sat was to look upon like a jasper and a sardine stone: and there was a rainbow round about the throne, in sight like unto an emerald.
- John tells us of the great color spectrum in heaven, the beauty and splendor that surrounds the throne of God! Jasper possibly a diamond, sardine possibly ruby…
- The Rainbow is there for obvious reasons, to declare that God has and will keep His promises! What He’s about to reveal comes from the place of the One who keeps His promises, He will follow through with what He is about to reveal!
- Emerald – bright green hue
ii. The Church – The Bride of Christ is in Heaven (:4, 10-11)
4 And round about the throne were four and twenty seats: and upon the seats (thrones) I saw four and twenty elders sitting, clothed in white raiment; and they had on their heads crowns of gold.
- 24 seats (thrones) around the throne 3:21, we were told the overcomers would be seated at the throne, 24 elders sitting upon them clothed in white in 3:5 we learned the overcomer would be clothed in white and in 2:10 we learned the overcomer would be crowned with gold… these are representatives of the church, believers are clothed in white , seathed on thrones and are promised rewards symbolized by the gold crowns, also see rev. 2:10 (M. Hitchcock)
- Who are the Elders? – 1. Angelic beings 2. Israel – 12 tribes & Church – 3. The Bride of Christ, believers from Pentecost to The Rapture! I agree with #3
- Elders, clothed in white – track them here, elders/overcomers in white clothes are seen in heaven in Rev. 4-19, then on earth for the Millennia in ch.20, then seen at the end of Rev. in the New Heavens in Rev. 21
1. Rev. 4:4,10 - They are in Heaven after the church age is complete
2. 5:5-10 – The sing the song of the redeemed of the Lamb
3. 7:9-13 – they see the Martyr’s under the altar
4. 11:16 – they are in Heaven
5. 14:3 – the 144k sing before them in Heaven
6. 19:4 – they are at the marriage supper of the Lamb
7. 20:4 – they come down for millennia and served as priests
8. 21:9-27 – they are in New Heaven with the Lamb a ready wife!
iii. The Holy Spirit (:5)
5 And out of the throne proceeded lightnings and thunderings and voices: and there were seven lamps of fire burning before the throne, which are the seven Spirits of God.
- AN amazing array of sounds and sights streaming from God’s throne. Also the presence of the Holy Spirit is seen through the seven lamps of fire, reminding us of the Menora in the temple. The Menora reveals to us the Spirit is always present where God is! We are God’s temple and the 7fold spirit resides with in us! See IS. 11:1-2 for the seven fold characteristics of the Spirit of God! When the Spirit was given to create the church we saw cloves of Fire in Acts 2:3 at Pentecost!
- The Holy Spirit is present with God the Father and God the Son at creation, He is then seen throughout the old testament empowering fathers of the faith and prophets, then of course He is seen in the Gospels reaching, speaking and empowering Jesus & other followers, finally He is released to Earth in Acts ch. 2 and draws, indwells and empowers the church! WE NEED YOU HOLY SPIRIT!
iv. The 4 Beasts (:6-9)
6 And before the throne there was a sea of glass like unto crystal: and in the midst of the throne, and round about the throne, were four beasts full of eyes before and behind.
- Crystal sea – there is also a crystal river in the New Jerusalem in Rev 22:1
- Now we see the sea and the 4 beasts full of eyes…
7 And the first beast was like a lion, and the second beast like a calf, and the third beast had a face as a man, and the fourth beast was like a flying eagle.
- First beast like a lion – Matthew’s gospel focused on the Jewish audience presents the Lion of Judah’s Kingship/Messiahship
- Second like a calf – Mark’s gospel focused on the Romans presents the messiah’s servanthood
- Third as the face of a man – Luke’s gospel focused on the greeks presents the humanity of Christ
- Fourth like flying eagle – John’s gospel reaching all groups presents Jesus as GOD!
1. Ezekiel 1:4-14 & 10:20-22 also pictured for us these 4 beasts
2. Some see the 4 gospels represented in the beasts, the lion unto Matthew, the calf unto Mark, the face of man unto Luke, and the eagle as unto John
8 And the four beasts had each of them six wings about him; and they were full of eyes within: and they rest not day and night, saying, Holy, holy, holy, Lord God Almighty, which was, and is, and is to come.
- Each beast was full of eyes before and behind, and six wings
- Rest not day and night saying HOLY, was is and is to come… Here is some insight in Heaven at this current time, the beasts know God has always been and that we believers are going to be caught up and worship God and that Jesus will come again to the earth! The beasts here announce this to us from a heavenly eternal perspective! Awesome!
9 And when those beasts give glory and honour and thanks to him that sat on the throne, who liveth for ever and ever,
- The beasts glorify honor and thank God!
10 The four and twenty elders fall down before him that sat on the throne, and worship him that liveth for ever and ever, and cast their crowns before the throne, saying,
- The 24 elders follow suit and cast their crowns down to God! He is Worthy!
11 Thou art worthy, O Lord, to receive glory and honour and power: for thou hast created all things, and for thy pleasure they are and were created.
- The elders/church say these things to God.
· This is how the church should think now…
1. God in Heaven is Worth looking forward too!
2. God is Worth everything we have, we should lay down our all to Him!
3. God should receive the glory and honor and strength that we may possess! Love God with all we have!
4. God created all of us for His pleasure! We should want to bring pleasure to God with our lives!!!
Surrender to Christ if you have not already! Accept Him, walk through the Door who is Jesus! Amen!
Revelation 5 – A Trip to Heaven, Part 2 – A True Heavenly Perspective – Gaining a Heavenly Perspective!
I. Behold the book - :1-4 - AUTHORITY
5 And I saw in the right hand of him that sat on the throne a book written within and on the backside, sealed with seven seals.
- God the Father is holding the book/ scroll, written on both sides and sealed with seven seals! WHAT IS THIS BOOK? A&B are the best theories…
a. Title Deed to the Earth – meaning that God is going to bring about the end of the world as we know it by the end of the deed
b. Last Will and Testament – meaning Christ receives the inheritance from the Father, which in the end Christ reigns & rules for 1k years and then all things new… we are joint heirs according to scripture, which we see in Revelation.
// more theories…
c. Lamb’s book of life
d. A bill of Divorce – The Lamb divorcing from Israel
e. Book of Last Days Doom & gloom
f. Record of the sin of mankind
- Bottom line is that the Book is in the Father’s hand, he wrote on it front and back and sealed it 7 times… a very specific, complete and important document! That none else could look on it let alone touch it!
2 And I saw a strong angel proclaiming with a loud voice, Who is worthy to open the book, and to loose the seals thereof?
- Take note an angel, strong angel at that, did not know who can open this book!
- Who has the authority for something this important to take out of God the Father’s hand?
3 And no man in heaven, nor in earth, neither under the earth, was able to open the book, neither to look thereon.
- No one can take it even look upon it!
4 And I wept much, because no man was found worthy to open and to read the book, neither to look thereon.
- John the Revelator is even puzzled to the point of weeping. This must be an extremely important looking document; John dipped in vat of oil left for dead on a stranded Island, wept!
II. Behold the Lamb - :5-7 - SACRIFICE
5 And one of the elders saith unto me, Weep not: behold, the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the Root of David, hath prevailed to open the book, and to loose the seven seals thereof.
- Great news, an elder steps forward and tells John, don’t weep…
- A strong angel didn’t know the answer, but an elder new the Answer, the bride of Christ knows the answer!
- Behold, the LION… root of David – this is none other than JESUS! Jesus is the Lion and the Lamb!
6 And I beheld, and, lo, in the midst of the throne and of the four beasts, and in the midst of the elders, stood a Lamb as it had been slain, having seven horns and seven eyes, which are the seven Spirits of God sent forth into all the earth.
- The Lamb, slain, seven horns, seven eyes – Jesus is the lamb slain, he has seven horns representing the full strength and authority that he carries. The seven eyes representing that the Spirit is sent out into all the earth through him!
7 And he came and took the book out of the right hand of him that sat upon the throne.
- Jesus simply stands up and walks over to the Father and takes the book!
- Took the book… out of right hand… WOW!
III. Behold the Voices - :8-14
8 And when he had taken the book, the four beasts and four and twenty elders fell down before the Lamb, having every one of them harps, and golden vials full of odours, which are the prayers of saints.
- The 4 beasts, and 24 elders fall down and worship the lamb
- They worship with harps and present the prayers of the saints!
- The church has harps and the prayers of the saints!
9 And they sung a new song, saying, Thou art worthy to take the book, and to open the seals thereof: for thou was slain, and hast redeemed us to God by thy blood out of every kindred, and tongue, and people, and nation; 10 And hast made us unto our God kings and priests: and we shall reign on the earth.
- Here we have a New Song – sung by the heavenly orchestra… let’s look at its elements of this song & what we can learn from it…
Jesus taught us to pray “Father in Heaven, hallowed be your name your kingdom come your will be done on earth as it is in Heaven.” Matthew 6:9-10
1. Reverence - You are worthy to take the book and open the seals – Jesus is to be revered above all else!
2. Remedy - For you were slain… the blood – Jesus is the answer to the sin problem! He was slain for us, He took our place, He paid off our debt to the Father!
3. Redemption - Redeemed us to God by the blood – we have been bought back by the Lord! He has paid the debt!
4. Reach - Out of every kindred, tongue people and nation – God wants to reach out into every part of the globe till the ends of the earth!
5. Reward – made us unto our God kings and priests: we shall reign un the earth – there is a reward for the believer! God will bless us with the ability to lead spiritually as priests and wisely as kings in the millennial reign! This truly is the fulfillment of the reality of having the mind of Christ that Paul challenged the Philippians and all believers to learn in Phil. 2:5.
11 And I beheld, and I heard the voice of many angels round about the throne and the beasts and the elders: and the number of them was ten thousand times ten thousand, and thousands of thousands; 12 Saying with a loud voice, Worthy is the Lamb that was slain to receive power, and riches, and wisdom, and strength, and honour, and glory, and blessing.
- Heard voice of many angels… beasts… elders… and the number – innumerable numbers of voices speaking and declaring these praises to the Lord!
- Worthy is the lamb that was slain – JESUS is the object/person/Deity of Worship!
- to receive power, and riches, and wisdom, and strength, and honour, and glory, and blessing – look at the immense reverence and preeminence the lamb has!
13 And every creature which is in heaven, and on the earth, and under the earth, and such as are in the sea, and all that are in them, heard I saying, Blessing, and honour, and glory, and power, be unto him that sitteth upon the throne, and unto the Lamb for ever and ever.
- Every creature then says… Blessing, and honour, and glory, and power, be unto him that sitteth upon the throne, and unto the Lamb for ever and ever.
14 And the four beasts said, Amen. And the four and twenty elders fell down and worshipped him that liveth for ever and ever.
- the four beasts said, Amen – these amazing celestial beings say, so be it, they agree
- four and twenty elders fell down and worshipped him that liveth for ever and ever. – the church represented by the 24 elders close out this scene by falling down and worshipping the Lamb!
The BOOK, the LAMB and the Voices! Do you see Jesus having absolute Authority in your life, by the book? Do you see his sacrifice for you in the Lamb? Do you cry out to God with the orchestra of heaven?
Surrender to the Lamb, now, as you see yourself later, you will be fully surrendered at His throne!
GIVE YOUR LIFE TO THE LAMB WHO IS WORTHY!
10/23/16 – Cover: Election in America, VOTE Biblical Worldview! Russia to Mediterranean, Ezek.38-39
Revelation 6 – The Opening of 6 Seals – Message Title: The Time Will Come!
3b. Jesus reveals / unveils the 7-year tribulation – 6-19
First things First… Learn to understand… Part 1 of revelation was Chapter 1 – a vision of Jesus, Part 2 was the Church age and its conclusion with 7 letters to 7 churches in Ch. 2-3… Now the 3rd section…
- The Third part of Revelation which is the future things of our world and beyond, CH. 4-22:6, is broken up into these 2 simple parts…
1. John The Revelators Heavenly Visit – CH. 4-5 – Heavens throne & inhabitants!
2. The Book/Scroll opened and Revealed – 6-22:6 (Book within a Book)
§ 7 year Tribulation, Time of God’s Wrath! – Ch. 6-19
§ 1000 year reign of Christ – Known as the Millennia- CH 20
§ New Heaven, New earth , New Jerusalem – CH. 21-22:6
- Part 4 of Rev. is Jesus Last Words, his Concluding thoughts! – CH. 22:7-21(15 verses)
- Also before we get into chapter 6, we must realize there is a 7-year period that was prophesied by Daniel to be induced by a man making a covenant for 7 years for peace and safety and then breaking his very own covenant half way through in order to become the evil world dictator that God will soon cast into the lake of fire. The 70 weeks prophecy of Daniel 9:24-27, fire - Rev. 19:20
- We must also understand that at this point the church age is complete, the Resurrection of the Holy Dead has happened and the Rapture or catching up of all born again believers are now in heaven with Jesus and the Father by the Spirit! Rapture – I Thess. 4:13-18, I Cor. 15:50-58, Titus 2:13, John 14:1-3
- Finally, as we enter chapter 6-19, there is a reality that God’s wrath is being allowed to come down upon the World that has rejected Christ, His Church has been removed, the restraining entity, the salt, is gone, therefore the Wrath og God can come… There is a strain of the term wrath of God/Christ that runs through this portion, this 7 year tribulation, take a look…
§ Rev. 6:16-17 – the people on earth momentarily realize the wrath of the Lamb! This is the first year or two of the tribulation
§ Rev. 11:18 – we see God’s wrath has come, this is the middle of the tribulation
§ Rev. 15:1,7,16:1,19 – these all lead us to the final filling up of the wrath of God through the final 7 bowls being poured out! Latter part of tribulation.
§ Rev. 19:15 – we see the culmination of the Wrath of God at the Second advent of our Lord, the end of tribulation…
§ THUS, you have God’s wrath throughout these 7 years… check these scriptures out…
“Much more then, being now justified by His blood, we shall be saved from the wrath to come.”Rom.5:9
“For God hath not appointed us to wrath, but to obtain salvation by our Lord Jesus Christ.” I Thess. 5:9
God’s Wrath was poured out upon Jesus for us, but for those who don’t believe, they will suffer great tribulation… SO let’s check out this BOOK that only Jesus can open…
*The World scene is set for the opening of the 7 sealed scroll, as soon as the church is raptured up, the 1st seal can be revealed…
Revelation 6 – The Opening of 6 Seals – Message Title: The Time Will Come!
A. Seal 1 - :1-2 – enter the Anti- Christ – Peace-Faker – Covenant Maker (beast 1 – lion?)
And I saw when the Lamb opened one of the seals, and I heard, as it were the noise of thunder, one of the four beasts saying, Come and see.
2 And I saw, and behold a white horse: and he that sat on him had a bow; and a crown was given unto him: and he went forth conquering, and to conquer.
- The Anti – Christ, means ‘the one who comes in the stead of Christ,’ he has a bow with no arrows, he was given a crown, a stephanos crown which is not the same as a royal crown and he went forth conquering and to conquer! He is also known as the man of sin, son of perdition, wicked/lawless one of II Thess. 2:1-12.
- This is a false Christ, the one who comes to cut a deal of peace for 7 years, according to Daniel 7:24-27 and he will break this covenant 3.5 years into it, which we will see later in chapter 13.
- This white horse of anti-christ can be compared to true Christ on his white horse Rev. 19:11-13
B. Seal 2 - :3-4 – enter Peace-Taker, War Maker (beast 2 – calf?)
3 And when he had opened the second seal, I heard the second beast say, Come and see.
4 And there went out another horse that was red: and power was given to him that sat thereon to take peace from the earth, and that they should kill one another: and there was given unto him a great sword.
- Note to take peace from the earth, the peace agreement made by the anti-christ was a false one, a false sense of security a smokescreen to pave the way for his true colors to shine thru!!!
C. Seal 3 - :5-6 – enter famine economic dictator (beast 3 - face of man?)
5 And when he had opened the third seal, I heard the third beast say, Come and see. And I beheld, and lo a black horse; and he that sat on him had a pair of balances in his hand.
6 And I heard a voice in the midst of the four beasts say, A measure of wheat for a penny, and three measures of barley for a penny; and see thou hurt not the oil and the wine.
- A penny or denarius was a days wage in that time! There’s going to be a food Tsar!
D. Seal 4 - :7-8 – enter widespread death (beast 4 – eagle?)
7 And when he had opened the fourth seal, I heard the voice of the fourth beast say, Come and see.
8 And I looked, and behold a pale horse: and his name that sat on him was Death, and Hell followed with him. And power was given unto them over the fourth part of the earth, to kill with sword, and with hunger, and with death, and with the beasts of the earth.
- Pale or sickly horse – the riders name was Death and hell followed him!
- ¼ part of the earth died: kill w/ sword, hunger, death itself and beasts!
- This is wrathful, vengeance upon a God rejecting world! YET…
E. Seal 5 - :9-11 – enter martyrdom
9 And when he had opened the fifth seal, I saw under the altar the souls of them that were slain for the word of God, and for the testimony which they held:
10 And they cried with a loud voice, saying, How long, O Lord, holy and true, dost thou not judge and avenge our blood on them that dwell on the earth?
11 And white robes were given unto every one of them; and it was said unto them, that they should rest yet for a little season, until their fellowservants also and their brethren, that should be killed as they were, should be fulfilled.
- There will be those who believe during the tribulation period and they will most all become martyrs, die for the faith in the word of God and they testified of their faith to the point of death!
F. Seal 6 - :12-17 – enter further tragedy & the reality of God in hearts of men for a moment – I call this the Shake Rattle and Roll Seal…
12 And I beheld when he had opened the sixth seal, and, lo, there was a great earthquake; and the sun became black as sackcloth of hair, and the moon became as blood;
13 And the stars of heaven fell unto the earth, even as a fig tree casteth her untimely figs, when she is shaken of a mighty wind.
14 And the heaven departed as a scroll when it is rolled together; and every mountain and island were moved out of their places.
15 And the kings of the earth, and the great men, and the rich men, and the chief captains, and the mighty men, and every bondman, and every free man, hid themselves in the dens and in the rocks of the mountains;
16 And said to the mountains and rocks, Fall on us, and hide us from the face of him that sitteth on the throne, and from the wrath of the Lamb:
17 For the great day of his wrath is come; and who shall be able to stand?
- The world for a moment recognizes that all that is occurring here is from the wrath of the Lamb! They wish they would be crushed so they would not have to face this reality!
- Jesus came that all might be forgiven and delivered from this wrath!
- We are redeemed by the precious blood of the Lamb! I Peter 1:18-19
- He who knew no sin became sin for us and died on the cross!
Revelation 7 – Intermission between 6th & 7th Seal opening – Sealed, Saved and Satisfied!
- a parenthesis around this chapter!
Chapter 7 will reveal to us 5 Angels, 144k Jews and Innumerable Tribulation Saints!
I. 5 Angels – (7:1-3)
And after these things – Parenthesis - After the first 6 seals were cracked open! 1-Anti-Christ 2-War 3- Famine 4- Death of ¼ earth 5- Martyred Saints 6- Shake Rattle Roll… WHO CAN STAND????
I saw four angels standing on the four corners of the earth, holding the four winds of the earth, that the wind should not blow on the earth, nor on the sea, nor on any tree – 4 Angels standing at 4 corners holding the wind back… Earth becomes calm, quiet, still… these 4 angels will bring doom to the earth & sea
2 And I saw another angel ascending from the east, having the seal of the living God: and he cried with a loud voice to the four angels, to whom it was given to hurt the earth and the sea,
3 Saying, Hurt not the earth, neither the sea, nor the trees, till we have sealed the servants of our God in their foreheads. – Another Angel the 5th Angel designated as coming from the east in this vignette comes with a seal and instructs the 4 not to hurt the earth & sea, until those who are going to be sealed with God’s seal are accomplished! WHO WILL BE SEALED & WHY?
- Sealed Who? – SERVANTS OF GOD!
- Sealed How? With Seal of God on their foreheads!
II. 144k Jews Sealed by God (7:4-8) The SEALED!
4 And I heard the number of them which were sealed: and there were sealed an hundred and forty and four thousand of all the tribes of the children of Israel.5 Of the tribe of Juda were sealed twelve thousand. Of the tribe of Reuben were sealed twelve thousand. Of the tribe of Gad were sealed twelve thousand.6 Of the tribe of Aser were sealed twelve thousand. Of the tribe of Nephthalim were sealed twelve thousand. Of the tribe of Manasses were sealed twelve thousand.7 Of the tribe of Simeon were sealed twelve thousand. Of the tribe of Levi were sealed twelve thousand. Of the tribe of Issachar were sealed twelve thousand.8 Of the tribe of Zabulon were sealed twelve thousand. Of the tribe of Joseph were sealed twelve thousand. Of the tribe of Benjamin were sealed twelve thousand. – Not only servants of God but - 144k Jews sealed with God’s handprint - Jesus was sealed by God in John 6:27 and all believers are sealed by God in Eph. 1:13 & 4:30
Song of Solomon 8:6-7 teaches us about the vital importance of the SEAL!
“Set me as a seal upon your heart, As a seal upon your arm; For love is as strong as death, Jealousy as cruel as the grave; Its flames are flames of fire, A most vehement flame. Many waters cannot quench love, Nor can the floods drown it. If a man would give for love All the wealth of his house, It would be utterly despised.”
When God seals or requests a seal, he means business, deep intimate relationship!
Now we move to a different scene in Heaven…
III. Innumerable Number of Tribulational Saints Identified (7:9-17) The SAVED!
9 After this – The 144k were sealed now we move to another scene in heaven at the throne of God!
I beheld, and, lo, a great multitude, which no man could number, of all nations, and kindreds, and people, and tongues, stood before the throne, and before the Lamb, clothed with white robes, and palms in their hands;10 And cried with a loud voice, saying, Salvation to our God which sitteth upon the throne, and unto the Lamb. – An innumerable crowd of all types of people stand before the throne clothed in white, washed in His Blood with palms in their hands, reminiscent of the crying of Hosanna, which means Save Now in Hebrew, when Jesus came into Jerusalem on a donkey!… We will find out who these people are soon in a few verses… (7:14)
11 And all the angels stood round about the throne, and about the elders and the four beasts, and fell before the throne on their faces, and worshipped God, 12 Saying, Amen: Blessing, and glory, and wisdom, and thanksgiving, and honour, and power, and might, be unto our God for ever and ever. Amen. – All the angels hung around the elders which represent the church and the 4 beasts and they fell to worship God! And they attributed to Him the greatest attributes of all for eternity: blessing, glory, wisdom, thanksgiving, honor, power and might!!!!
13 And one of the elders answered, saying unto me, What are these which are arrayed in white robes? and whence came they? Who is this innumerable crowd arrayed in white? An elder from the “elders” group (church) asks the question! SO note the different groups: angels, elders, beasts, these in white…
14 And I said unto him, Sir, thou knowest. And he said to me, These are they which came out of great tribulation, and have washed their robes, and made them white in the blood of the Lamb. ANSWER: they are those who were the martyrs for Christ out of the great Tribulation! Seal 5 “altar” in 6:9-11.
15 Therefore – what’s the therefore there for? Since these have been washed in the blood and clothed in white in the presence of the Almighty God…
are they before the throne of God, and serve him day and night in his temple: and he that sitteth on the throne shall dwell among them. – these martyred tribulation saints, serve God day and night and are with God in his throne-room! Praise God for these post rapture Christians, but do take note the difference for the pre-rapture Christians, they will be on thrones with God in Heaven (Rev. 4:4) still subservient to God but not in the roll of servant as these tribulation saints are. We pre-rapture Christians will be on thrones around his throne as the post rapture martyred tribulation saints are serving before him at his throne! We are all there, but we do have different rolls due to the time in which we got saved buy His blood!
16 They shall hunger no more, neither thirst any more; neither shall the sun light on them, nor any heat. 17 For the Lamb which is in the midst of the throne shall feed them, and shall lead them unto living fountains of waters: and God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes. – These tribulation saints will have the love, fulfillment, satisfaction and joys and privileges that we the pre-tribulational church age believers have, yet we have already been experiencing and do experience these blessings!
THE SAVED ARE SATISFIED!!!
· Salvation has greater benefits this side of the rapture and tribulation, are you saved, born again? Make sure today! Call unto Jesus today! Confess, repent and run to Jesus, He will Save you and lead you, day by day!
· Christian, share faith today, ask people to come to Jesus & Church! Reach the LOST NOW!! Are you saved & satisfied?
“The 7th Seal”
Revelation 8 – 7th Seal opens Trumps 1-4
I. 7th Seal opened - :1-6
And when he had opened the seventh seal, there was silence in heaven about the space of half an hour.
- The 7th , the final seal is cracked open = silence for 30 minutes! Probably seemed like a lifetime after the first 6 seals…
- the first 6 seals were cracked open! 1-Anti-Christ 2-War 3- Famine 4- Death of ¼ earth 5- Martyred Saints 6- Shake Rattle Roll… WHO CAN STAND????
- Silence Here truly is Golden! Like a deer caught in the headlights… What could be next… Like a silent hush before the lowering of a casket at a funeral…
2 And I saw the seven angels which stood before God; and to them were given seven trumpets.
- 7 is the number of completion – God has a plan he is unfolding before us
- Trumpets were sounded to prepare for Battle, and assemble to Worship… Seems as this is a trump of preparation for battle or vengeance against an enemy of God!
3 And another angel came and stood at the altar, having a golden censer; and there was given unto him much incense, that he should offer it with the prayers of all saints upon the golden altar which was before the throne.
- Another angel – some say this is Jesus the High Priest as this angel acts like a priest
- Censer – ‘libanatos’ in Greek – a container in which to burn frankincense gum for incense/fragrance…
- Prayers of the Saints - Revelation 5:8, 6:9-11, 8:3-4 (Psalm 141:2)
5 And the angel took the censer, and filled it with fire of the altar, and cast it into the earth: and there were voices, and thunderings, and lightnings, and an earthquake.
- Nevertheless a cataclysmic event hits earth as a result of this angel wrapping up his golden censer with fire from the altar and cast it to the earth
- “After prayer ascends, judgement descends (:5).” – C. Ryrie
- “The same golden censer from which the prayers of the saints are wafted heavenward now becomes a fiery weapon discharging judgement earthward.”
– H. Morris
- The prayers of the saints result in a precursor judgement, a tragic sign of what is to come following…
6 And the seven angels which had the seven trumpets prepared themselves to sound.
- Silence in heaven has ended a fiery golden senser had been cast to earth and now the 7 Angels get ready to sound their trumps!
- The Trumps are either symbolic or literal… As we go through them we will make note on both sides of this dilemma… Typically the Bible explains the symbolic and that which makes sense is usually the best sense! Positively we know its futuristic!
-
a. Trumps 1-4
7 The first angel sounded, and there followed hail and fire mingled with blood, and they were cast upon the earth: and the third part of trees was burnt up, and all green grass was burnt up.
- God used Moses to send thunder, hail with fire on the ground in Exodus 9:23-24
- 1/3 part of trees & grass burnt up = vegetation crisis
8 And the second angel sounded, and as it were a great mountain burning with fire was cast into the sea: and the third part of the sea became blood; 9 And the third part of the creatures which were in the sea, and had life, died; and the third part of the ships were destroyed.
- Note, “as it were” not a literal mountain, the literal sense is not interpreted.
- Familiarly, we saw this on a smaller scale in Exodus 20, with Moses rod and the Egyptian magicians turning water to blood…
- 1/3 of sea becomes blood, sea creature die, and ships are destroyed = ecoside and possibly a tsunami was set off to destroy ships
- Some speculate a Nuclear device is pictured in the “fiery mountain”, some meteor, asteroid, others a satellite fallen from the heavens.
10 And the third angel sounded, and there fell a great star from heaven, burning as it were a lamp, and it fell upon the third part of the rivers, and upon the fountains of waters; 11 And the name of the star is called Wormwood: and the third part of the waters became wormwood; and many men died of the waters, because they were made bitter.
- Once again this could be nuclear, Some even believe this to be an actual evil leader who comes on the scene bringing death by his leadership leading to War
- Also, more recently in History its interesting that Wormwood in Russian is… ‘Chernobyl’
- Most likely this is an actual star because it is indicated as such and given a name as many stars are named.
- Wormwood – bitter deadly poison, in greek it is absinthos or absinthe which is a deadly ingredient in liquor (H. Morris)
- 1/3 of rivers and springs made deadly bitter
12 And the fourth angel sounded, and the third part of the sun was smitten, and the third part of the moon, and the third part of the stars; so as the third part of them was darkened, and the day shone not for a third part of it, and the night likewise.
- As C. Ryrie observes, “The 24 hour cycle will be shortened to a 16 hour cycle… Mat. 24:22”
- Luke 21:25-26 – Jesus predicted signs in the sun moon and stars … for the powers of heaven shall be shaken before the Second Coming of Christ!
- Smitten by we do not know what???
- 1/3 of the heavenly lights are darkened – changing the atmosphere all around the world
13 And I beheld, and heard an angel flying through the midst of heaven, saying with a loud voice, Woe, woe, woe, to the inhabiters of the earth by reason of the other voices of the trumpet of the three angels… yet to sound!
- Some translations render ‘angel’ as ‘eagle’… if true, possibly this is the 4th beast in Heaven that had the face of an angel as seen in Rev. 4:7
- This is WOE angel presenting there are more woes to come, the 3 trumps are also called WOES!
- This WOE angel is a blessing as God is allowing this as a reminder to get right with HIM!!!
Revelation 9 – Demonic Armies – All Hell is Loosed… Hell on Earth!
Currently: We live in the end times, we are on the ‘s’ on end times, we are at the very end of the end! Time will eventually cease to exist, the earth as we know it will be dissolved and we will be living everlasting life in new glorified bodies in Heaven with God and all the saints! AMERICA – I believe God is showing some mercy to us, but truly there are 1.) We must support Israel 2.) We must overturn ROE V WADE, Abortion must be condemned & 3.) We must overturn the decision to allow Homosexual Marriages, these are the big 3 as I see it, AMERICA will not be blessed completely until these 3 issues are turned! Nonetheless, we are nearing the absolute end of time, Jesus will call us home, be ready, have your oil lamps filled, shine as lights and pray and watch! (close 4th , the discontinued support of Islamic nations & terrorists)
I like what Jon Courson recently said, ”We are not to look to Trump, we to listen for the voice of the trump, Jesus!
Let’s Review: Rev gives Blessing to those who read, understand and keep! Outline is in Rev. 1:19 - Part 1: Things we’ve seen: Revelation 1 – Intro, Blessing & Vision Of Jesus / Part 2: Things which are CH. 2-3 – 7 Letters to 7 Churches / Part 3: Things Hereafter(CH.4-22) – Ch. 4-5 – Trip To Heaven – All Around the Throne, The Scroll & The Lion & Lamb / CH. 6 (6-19, 7 Year Tribulation) – 6 Seals opened on Scroll / CH. 7 – 5 Angels, 144k Jews & #’s of Tribulation Saints / CH. 8 – 7th Seal, Trumps 1-4
Revelation 9 – Trumps 5-6 - Demonic Armies… All Hell is loosed on earth!!
I. Trump #5 - The Locusts – The 1st WOE of 3 WOE’S - 9:1-12 – All hell breaks loose!!
And the fifth angel sounded, and I saw a star fall from heaven unto the earth: and to him was given the key of the bottomless pit.
- Star - To Him was given – Lucifer – Isaiah 14:12-19 – God gives out the assignments, satan is not in charge – God is… Ezek. 28:12-17, Luke 10:18
2 And he opened the bottomless pit; and there arose a smoke out of the pit, as the smoke of a great furnace; and the sun and the air were darkened by reason of the smoke of the pit.
3 And there came out of the smoke locusts upon the earth: and unto them was given power, as the scorpions of the earth have power.
- Bottomless pit – unknown place in the depths of the abyss, abusso
- Locusts – such as the plague in Exodus the 8th plague in Ex. 10:1-20
1. They swarm in a massive group, like a cloud and destoy all vegetation in sight for miles at a time
- Given power – once again they are given power, they are not their own source
4 And it was commanded them that they should not hurt the grass of the earth, neither any green thing, neither any tree; but only those men which have not the seal of God in their foreheads.
- Was commanded – they are sent as tools in God’s hand
- Not hurt, earth, green thing, tree, only those men who have not the seal of God
1. The 144k were sealed in the forehead with God’s seal
5 And to them it was given that they should not kill them, but that they should be tormented five months: and their torment was as the torment of a scorpion, when he striketh a man.
- Not kill them – only hurt them, torment them, 5 months
- Torment as a scorpion – as,like used - scorpion bites cause numbness, difficulty swallowing and breathing, impaired vision, seizures and sometimes pancreatitis…
1. Only this has no cure for 5 months
6 And in those days shall men seek death, and shall not find it; and shall desire to die, and death shall flee from them.
- Men shall seek death – the torment will be so bad that men will attempt suicide
7 And the shapes of the locusts were like unto horses prepared unto battle; and on their heads were as it were crowns like gold, and their faces were as the faces of men.
8 And they had hair as the hair of women, and their teeth were as the teeth of lions.
9 And they had breastplates, as it were breastplates of iron; and the sound of their wings was as the sound of chariots of many horses running to battle.
10 And they had tails like unto scorpions, and there were stings in their tails: and their power was to hurt men five months.
- Shaped – like horse prepared for Battle
- Heads – Faces like Men and golden crowned
- Hair – like women
- Teeth – like lions teeth
- Breastplates – as iron
- Wings – sounded like many chariots running into battle
- Tails – like scorpions – sting – power to hurt 5 months
11 And they had a king over them, which is the angel of the bottomless pit, whose name in the Hebrew tongue is Abaddon, but in the Greek tongue hath his name Apollyon.
- Had a king – normal locusts don’t have a leader but this demonic army does! Prov. 30:17
- Abaddon in Hebrew is his name, Apollyon in Greek is His name – both mean ‘destroyer, or destruction’
- This is probably devil – or angel “adversary comes to steal, kill & destroy.” John 10:10
12 One woe is past; and, behold, there come two woes more hereafter.
- Woe – what are these… go back to 8:13, Woe, 3x, 3 angels left to sound, 3 trumps
- Ist woe – Locust Army / 2nd Woe – Rev. 9:13-21 – 11:14 / 3rd Woe – Rev. 11:15 7th Trump to 7 bowls
II. Trump #6 – 4 Angels & 200 million strong Army – 9:13-21
13 And the sixth angel sounded, and I heard a voice from the four horns of the golden altar which is before God
- A voice – do to the location at the altar, possibly the voice is Jesus, the Lamb of God!
- 4 horns – found in the temple on earth and in heaven, the priest would sprinkle the blood of the sacrifice on it. Blood would be mingled in the fire. Blood & fire
14 Saying to the sixth angel which had the trumpet, Loose the four angels which are bound in the great river Euphrates.
- 4 angels, bound – these bound angels have an appointment with God for a certain task
15 And the four angels were loosed, which were prepared for an hour, and a day, and a month, and a year, for to slay the third part of men.
- Prepared for an hour, day month, year – GOD KNOWS ALL THINGS!!!
- To slay 1/3 of men – death will come to million upon millions of people
16 And the number of the army of the horsemen were two hundred thousand thousand: and I heard the number of them.
- Number of the army- 200 million, possibly demonic, possibly human
17 And thus I saw the horses in the vision, and them that sat on them, having breastplates of fire, and of jacinth, and brimstone: and the heads of the horses were as the heads of lions; and out of their mouths issued fire and smoke and brimstone.
18 By these three was the third part of men killed, by the fire, and by the smoke, and by the brimstone, which issued out of their mouths.
19 For their power is in their mouth, and in their tails: for their tails were like unto serpents, and had heads, and with them they do hurt.
- Horses & them that sat
- Breastplates of fire…
- Heads of horses as heads of lions
- Mouths issued fire, smoke & brimstone – ingredients of the abyss
- Death came by those three ingredients – power came from the mouth and tail
- Tails like serpents
20 And the rest of the men which were not killed by these plagues yet repented not of the works of their hands, that they should not worship devils, and idols of gold, and silver, and brass, and stone, and of wood: which neither can see, nor hear, nor walk:
- Plagues – this is my biggest indicator that these would most likely be a demonic army, as it is labelled a plague
- Repented not – the world at this point is so deceived even demonic entities have them twisted up and not turning to God! As with Egypt they don’t respond to the plagues brought upon them
21 Neither repented they of their murders, nor of their sorceries, nor of their fornication, nor of their thefts.
- Repented not – 2x it is stated that they did not repent! They are doubly gone in sin!
- Murders, sorceries, fornication theft – abortions, mixing of drugs, sexual perversion, taking what is not your own
Revelation 10 – The Mighty Angel and the Little Book
Part 1 – CH. 1, Vision of Jesus, Part 2 – CH. 2-3, the Church Age,
NOW - Part 3, CH. 4-22 – Transitioning most likely into the second half of the trib. See 10:7
I. The Mighty Angel and his little book (1-11)
10 And I saw another mighty angel come down from heaven, clothed with a cloud: and a rainbow was upon his head, and his face was as it were the sun, and his feet as pillars of fire:
2 And he had in his hand a little book open: and he set his right foot upon the sea, and his left foot on the earth,
3 And cried with a loud voice, as when a lion roareth: and when he had cried, seven thunders uttered their voices.
- Another mighty angel – his description
1. Come down from heaven – Jesus will come down
2. Clothed with cloud – he will come down with a cloud
3. Rainbow upon his head – Jesus carries with Him all the Promises of God, Yes and Amen
4. Face like the sun –
5. Feet like pillars of fire – Rev. 1:15
6. A little open book – Jesus held the scroll?
7. Right foot sea, left foot earth – image of a massive angel
8. Voice as a lion roaring – Jesus is the lion of the tribe of Judah
9. Cried as seven thunders – seven is complete number, thunder is glory & power
§ This could be Jesus or just as it says another mighty angel, maybe a high-ranking angel.
§ Sure sounds like some of the qualities of Jesus
4 And when the seven thunders had uttered their voices, I was about to write: and I heard a voice from heaven saying unto me, Seal up those things which the seven thunders uttered, and write them not.
- I was about to write… voice from heaven saying… seal up those things… seven thunders – this could possibly refer to not writing down the next seven bowl judgements just yet
5 Andhe angel which I saw stand upon the sea and upon the earth lifted up his hand to heaven,
6 And sware by him that liveth for ever and ever, who created heaven, and the things that therein are, and the earth, and the things that therein are, and the sea, and the things which are therein, that there should be time no longer:
- Sware by him that liveth… who created – this would be a strong indicator that this is not Jesus, God would not have to sware to God… it would just be SO!
- Forever and ever – attributed to God the Father Rev. 4:9-10, attributed to Jesus Rev. 5:13-14
- Should be time no longer – the final judgements are on their way!
7 But in the days of the voice of the seventh angel, when he shall begin to sound, the mystery of God should be finished, as he hath declared to his servants the prophets.
- Mystery of God should be finished – the 7th Trump leads to the final bowl judgements- Vengence upon a God rejecting world
- The mystery is concealed in the Old and revealed in the New –
- Isaiah 51:6, the earth will dissolve with fervent heat, salvation is eternal!
8 And the voice which I heard from heaven spake unto me again, and said, Go and take the little book which is open in the hand of the angel which standeth upon the sea and upon the earth.
9 And I went unto the angel, and said unto him, Give me the little book. And he said unto me, Take it, and eat it up; and it shall make thy belly bitter, but it shall be in thy mouth sweet as honey.
- Eat it up – eat the word of God – whether this little book is the scroll, or the next judgements, the point is to eat the word of God -
- Bitter… sweet – we must also eat God’s word it is sweet like honey going in, then it turns bitter in our stomach
- Ephe. 6:17 God’s Word is the sword of the spirit
- Hebrews 4:12-13 – God’s Word is living and active… sharper than any two-edged sword! No creature is hid from Him, all are naked & open to Him, to whom we give account!
- James 1:21-27 – the word is a mirror – no-one looks in the mirror and does fix what they see is wrong!
10 And I took the little book out of the angel's hand, and ate it up; and it was in my mouth sweet as honey: and as soon as I had eaten it, my belly was bitter.
11 And he said unto me, Thou must prophesy again before many peoples, and nations, and tongues, and kings.
- John the revelator obeyed and ate the word and was filled with God’s Word, in this case it will be prophetic judgement
- Note here that God fills him with the Word to later release that word!
- God fills our mouth with His Word that we might release it to the people around us!
- God filled Moses mouth, though he thought he wasn’t worthy or adequate, God gave him the WORDS!
ARE YOU LISTENING FOR GOD’S WORD, ARE YOU EATING IT, DIGESTING IT, ALLOWING IT TO WORK IN YOU AND THEN LETTING IT GO FROM YOU TO OTHERS!
Revelation 11 – The Temple, The Two & the Final Trump - The Temple on Earth and IN Heaven
A. The Temple - Measure the Temple on Earth (1-2) It’s Coming!!!
11 Then I was given a reed like a measuring rod. And the angel stood,[a] saying, “Rise and measure the temple of God, the altar, and those who worship there. 2 But leave out the court which is outside the temple, and do not measure it, for it has been given to the Gentiles. And they will tread the holy city underfoot for forty-two months.
- The Temple of God – there will be a rebuilt temple in the 7 year tribulation period
- The Temple Institute is dedicated this cause and are continuing until they completer it. This is where the Jewish people will possibly help the Anti-Christ come on the scene as a part of the 7 year peace deal/process.
- Daniel prophesied this reality in the 70 weeks prophecy – Dan. 9:27
- Jesus also predicted this very act in Matthew 24:15
- Paul also taught that the Man of Sin would be II Thess. 2:3-5
- Leave out the gentile court – don’t worry about this area, they have rejected God
- 42 months = 1260 days = 3.5 years
B. The Two – Witnesses – 11:3-14
3 And I will give power to my two witnesses, and they will prophesy one thousand two hundred and sixty days, clothed in sackcloth.”
- Two Witnesses – eye witnesses of the glory wonder and wishes of God!
- Given POWER –
- They Prophecied – spoke and declared God’s word possibly bothe foretelling and forthtelling the Words of God!
- Who are they? Some Believe they are either Moses & Elijah or Enoch – The early church records that many believed it to be Elijah/Enoch because they were bothe taken to heaven without death. Others believe Elijah/Moses because of the Transfiguration and the following verses descriptions of the Two witnesses.
4 These are the two olive trees and the two lampstands standing before the God[b] of the earth.
- The imagery here can be compared to that found in Zechariah 4:1-14
5 And if anyone wants to harm them, fire proceeds from their mouth and devours their enemies. And if anyone wants to harm them, he must be killed in this manner. 6 These have power to shut heaven, so that no rain falls in the days of their prophecy; and they have power over waters to turn them to blood, and to strike the earth with all plagues, as often as they desire.
- As you can see these 2 witnesses are powerful and ordained by God for certain activities!
- You can see how many may associate them with the likes of Moses and Elijah
- Truly the Bible is silent and therefore I must maintain ignorance until revelaed at a later time in Heaven perhaps.
7 When they finish their testimony,
- As you can see they will finish what they are set out to do!
the beast that ascends out of the bottomless pit will make war against them, overcome them, and kill them.
- The beast that ascends – this is the Anti-Christ and kingdom – see Rev.13
- The Two will be killed
8 And their dead bodies will lie in the street of the great city which spiritually is called Sodom and Egypt, where also our[c] Lord was crucified.
- The bodies will lie in Jerusalem which has been over run by Sodom or immorality, and Egypt or bondage and slavery to sin.
- This is what happens when you reject Jesus! Immorality and enslavement to sin!
9 Then those from the peoples, tribes, tongues, and nations will see their dead bodies three-and-a-half days, and not allow[d] their dead bodies to be put into graves. 10 And those who dwell on the earth will rejoice over them, make merry, and send gifts to one another, because these two prophets tormented those who dwell on the earth.
- For 3.5 days the world will look on and see there bodies and the will celebrate and have an un-holy anti-christmas!
- The WHOLE World?? EASY now with the advanced technology
- The scene is set, the 3rd Temple is being prepared by the Temple Institute of Israel and the whole World can view anything in a split second!
11 Now after the three-and-a-half days the breath of life from God entered them, and they stood on their feet, and great fear fell on those who saw them. 12 And they[e] heard a loud voice from heaven saying to them, “Come up here.” And they ascended to heaven in a cloud, and their enemies saw them.
- God resurrects the Two to life as the world looks on in wonder and awe
13 In the same hour there was a great earthquake, and a tenth of the city fell. In the earthquake seven thousand people were killed,
- An earthquake shakes the city, destroys a tenth of it and 7thousand deaths occur
- God made quite a statement as he lifts these 2 from the earth to the heavenlies
and the rest were afraid and gave glory to the God of heaven.
- How long did this glory last I am not sure, whom repented we don’t know?
14 The second woe is past. Behold, the third woe is coming quickly.
- This completes the second woe… The third is now coming soon…
C. The 7th Trumpet – 11:15-19
Here we have the beginning of the 3rd WOE!
15 Then the seventh angel sounded: And there were loud voices in heaven, saying, “The kingdoms[f] of this world have become the kingdoms of our Lord and of His Christ, and He shall reign forever and ever!” 16 And the twenty-four elders who sat before God on their thrones fell on their faces and worshiped God, 17 saying:
- Here we again see the 24 elders praising God!
1. Rev. 4:10-11 – Worship the Creator
2. Rev. 5:8-14 – Worship the Redeemer
3. Here – We see them Worship the Ruler & Judge
4. Rev. 19:1-4 – Worship the Avenging King!
“We give You thanks, O Lord God Almighty,
The One who is and who was and who is to come,[g]
Because You have taken Your great power and reigned.
18 The nations were angry, and Your wrath has come,
And the time of the dead, that they should be judged,
And that You should reward Your servants the prophets and the saints,
And those who fear Your name, small and great,
- Jesus will reward the SAINTS and those who fear your name, small & great!
- This is wonderful truth, you matter and what you do for Christ matters
- BOTH small & great!!!
- Saints – may refer to the Raptured believers, while…
- ‘those who fear your name’ – may refer to the tribulation saints? Possibly?
And should destroy those who destroy the earth.”
- Destruction comes to those who follow the destroyer!
19 Then the temple of God was opened in heaven, and the ark of His covenant[h] was seen in His temple. And there were lightnings, noises, thunderings, an earthquake, and great hail.
- Then the Temple of – opened in heaven! – What a sight, what a wonder!
- The ark of the Covenant – the ultimate promise of God – seen!
- This is in the True Holy of Hollies where God does dwell in His GLORY!
- The 3rd Temple will be built! Sign of the times!
- The TWO will come and present the Truth – God still seeks the Lost!
- Heaven is for Real and we will be rewarded for our lives in Christ! It Does Matter!!!
Revelation 12 – The Woman, the Child and the Dragon
- The 7th Angel has sounded, but before we see the 7 bowls poured out we learn more about what is going on in the heavenlies and on the Earth. We learn more about some of the key players in the God’s Master Plan to redeem the World!
A. Three Characters - The Woman = Israel – The Child = Jesus – dragon = satan :1-6
- Israel – meaning Governed by God was a created people group by God in the book of Genesis though Abraham. Israel was promised many things from God including a Messiah, Land and peace on Earth. Jesus is the Messiah, the child spoken of here, the Land is Israel which was reattributed to Israel in 1948, and now the Lord is waiting to bring peace on Earth, the Millenia which is found in Rev. 20!
Now a great sign appeared in heaven: a woman clothed with the sun, with the moon under her feet, and on her head a garland of twelve stars. 2 Then being with child, she cried out in labor and in pain to give birth.3 And another sign appeared in heaven: behold, a great, fiery red dragon having seven heads and ten horns, and seven diadems on his heads. 4 His tail drew a third of the stars of heaven and threw them to the earth. And the dragon stood before the woman who was ready to give birth, to devour her Child as soon as it was born. 5 She bore a male Child who was to rule all nations with a rod of iron. And her Child was caught up to God and His throne. 6 Then the woman fled into the wilderness, where she has a place prepared by God, that they should feed her there one thousand two hundred and sixty days.
- In our text, we See three main Characters…
1. The Woman = Israel
- Women clothed with sun… moon under feet… 12 stars = Gen 37:9-10 – Joseph’s dream carries these same three symbols.
- Sun/Jacob, Moon/Rachel, Stars/12 Brothers
- Other teachers think this is either Mary or the Church…
- Neither of those could be correct as we see the Women in the future will flee for 3.5 years, 1260 days otherwise known as 42 months into a safe place provided for by God in verse 6.
- Some teachers believe that Israel has no place in today’s Christianity, I disagree, in order to preach that you have to change the simple practical meaning of scripture!
2. The Child = Jesus
- With child… cried… in labor… in pain… to give birth – This speaks of the Birth of Jesus. The promised Messiah would come though the promises that were made to Israel! We know that
- The dragon stood before the woman… to devour her Child…
- Male Child… to rule all nations… iron… was caught up to God and His throne… Jesus is the one Defined as King of Kings & Lord of Lords! (Rev. 19:16) Jesus rules with Iron. (PS. 2:9) He is the one the bible says all will bow before Him and confess Him as Lord! (Phil. 2:10-11)
3. dragon – satan
- fiery red dragon… 7 heads, 10 horns, 7 diadems… tail drew a third… dragon stood…to the earth
- satan has false copycat knowledge, power and royalty – he brings the false religious system to the world, more in chapter 13
- satan & his demonic angels have been cast to the earth – Is. 14:12-15, Ez. 28:14-16
- satan roams the earth look for prey, for victims to destroy! Job 1
B. A War in Heaven – 12:7-12
7 And war broke out in heaven: Michael and his angels fought with the dragon; and the dragon and his angels fought, 8 but they did not prevail, nor was a place found for them[a] in heaven any longer. 9 So the great dragon was cast out, that serpent of old, called the Devil and Satan, who deceives the whole world; he was cast to the earth, and his angels were cast out with him.10 Then I heard a loud voice saying in heaven, “Now salvation, and strength, and the kingdom of our God, and the power of His Christ have come, for the accuser of our brethren, who accused them before our God day and night, has been cast down. 11 And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony, and they did not love their lives to the death. 12 Therefore rejoice, O heavens, and you who dwell in them! Woe to the inhabitants of the earth and the sea! For the devil has come down to you, having great wrath, because he knows that he has a short time.”
- Here we see satan cast out of heaven for good!
- Previously he could enter the heavens to talk to God and even dispute and accuse God’s people… but this war breaks out and satan is now officially banned for good!
- Satan has many alias’s – great dragon, serpent of old referring to the garden fall, devil, deceiver, accuser of the brethren = know your enemy
- Today satan can roam the earth and go to the heavens and fight against you before God and the holy entities of heaven
- Please take not satan is real and we live TODAY on a battlefield!!!!
- Read pg.116-117 of Culture by AW Tozer
- HOW TO OVERCOME ENEMY?
1. Blood of Lamb – trust and claim victory in Jesus BLOOD!
2. Word of Testimony – speak your witness!
3. Courage (didn’t love lives to the point of death) – be strong in HIM!
C. A War on Earth – 12:13-17
13 Now when the dragon saw that he had been cast to the earth, he persecuted the woman who gave birth to the male Child.
- Another proof text that the Woman can’t be Mary, because Mary is already dead…
- And the Church did not give birth to Jesus, Jesus gave birth to the church, so the Woman could not be the church
- The woman must be Israel and is once again being persecuted by satan… this is not knew… Pharoah in Egypt, the Amalekites, Haman vs. Israel in the day of Esther… Hitler in the mid 1900’s and even now , Islam vs. Israel!!! Anit-semiteism…
14 But the woman was given two wings of a great eagle, that she might fly into the wilderness to her place, where she is nourished for a time and times and half a time, from the presence of the serpent.
- As usual God provides eagles wings so to speak to fly to safety – Ex. 19:4, Deut. 32:11-12
- God provides ‘a place’ for her to flee for 3.5 years’ time! Possibly Petra in Jordan, prophecy spoke of a safe place in Moab, modern day Jordan… IS 16:4
- Jesus referred to this moment in time in Matthew 24:15-20
15 So the serpent spewed water out of his mouth like a flood after the woman, that he might cause her to be carried away by the flood. 16 But the earth helped the woman, and the earth opened its mouth and swallowed up the flood which the dragon had spewed out of his mouth.
- Not exactly sure this will pan out, but we do know that satan hates Israel all the Jewish people
- This could be a flood of violent anti-Semitism
- God could swallow the enemy up from opening the ground, he did it before to the complaining Sons of Korah (Num. 26:10), see also Is. 59:19, “When the enemy comes in like a flood, the Spirit of the Lord will rise up a standard against him.”
17 And the dragon was enraged with the woman, and he went to make war with the rest of her offspring, who keep the commandments of God and have the testimony of Jesus Christ.
- The dragon couldn’t get the Jews so he went for anything that may have come from its roots… Jews who did not flee, the 144k, Gentiles that were on the run, and finally any believers in Christ still in hiding…
Revelation 13 – The Beast of the Sea and the Beast of the Earth
- we will see in this chapter the un-holy trinity or anti-trinity (anti most specifically means ‘instead of’) – satan, anti-christ & false prophet
- the demonic spirit of all these already exist here on earth, each one will receive more power in the end of the tribulation as God’s master plan winds down… till the very end of earth as we know it!
A. Beast rising out of the sea (:1-10) The anti-christ
Then I[a] stood on the sand of the sea. And I saw a beast rising up out of the sea, having seven heads and ten horns,[b] and on his horns ten crowns, and on his heads a blasphemous name.
- Out of the sea – possibly referring to gentile nations
- 7 heads – Rev. 17:9 – possibly Rome – European nation?
- Ten horns – rise out of 10 strong nations possibly
- Ten crowns – powerful, ruling nations
- Blasphemous name – completely against/rejecting God
1. See also Daniel 7:7
2. Anti-christ – a powerful political, military, religious leader
3. Daniel 9:24-27 – he makes covenant for 7 years, the last of the 70 year prophecy
2 Now the beast which I saw was like a leopard, his feet were like the feet of a bear, and his mouth like the mouth of a lion. The dragon gave him his power, his throne, and great authority.
- Beast – like a leopard = possibly greek empire– feet like bear= possibly Medo-Persian , mouth like lion= possibly Babylonian
- Empowered by dragon, satan to have power, throne, great authority
1. See Daniel 7:4-6 for similar
3 And I saw one of his heads as if it had been mortally wounded, and his deadly wound was healed. And all the world marveled and followed the beast. 4 So they worshiped the dragon who gave authority to the beast; and they worshiped the beast, saying, “Who is like the beast? Who is able to make war with him?”
- Beast mortally wounded & healed - :3
- World marveled - all will see - :3b – technology can help world to see!
- Followed & worshipped dragon and his beast - :4
5 And he was given a mouth speaking great things and blasphemies, and he was given authority to continue[c] for forty-two months. 6 Then he opened his mouth in blasphemy against God, to blaspheme His name, His tabernacle, and those who dwell in heaven. 7 It was granted to him to make war with the saints and to overcome them. And authority was given him over every tribe,[d] tongue, and nation. 8 All who dwell on the earth will worship him, whose names have not been written in the Book of Life of the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world.
- He was given a mouth speaking great things - :5
1. :6 – blasphemed GOD!
- He was given authority 42 months, 3.5 years, 1260 days - :5b
1. :7 – granted him to war – saints tribes, tongues, nations
- All on earth will worship, all the unsaved - :8
9 If anyone has an ear, let him hear. 10 He who leads into captivity shall go into captivity; he who kills with the sword must be killed with the sword. Here is the patience and the faith of the saints.
- Note it doesn’t say “spirit to the churches…” like in Revelation ch.2-3 – rapture has already occurred, thus the church, bride of Christ is in Heaven! -:9
- Any believers/saints out there listening to God’s Word, know they will die for their Faith! :10
B. Another beast coming from earth (:11-18) The false prophet
11 Then I saw another beast coming up out of the earth, and he had two horns like a lamb and spoke like a dragon.
- Another beast from earth – possibly referring to the abyss/demonic
- Two horns like a lamb – weaker than anti-christ – like lamb – promoter of the false messiah
- Spoke like a dragon, not satan but influenced by satan
- False prophet will be political/religious genius
12 And he exercises all the authority of the first beast in his presence, and causes the earth and those who dwell in it to worship the first beast, whose deadly wound was healed. 13 He performs great signs, so that he even makes fire come down from heaven on the earth in the sight of men. 14 And he deceives those[e] who dwell on the earth by those signs which he was granted to do in the sight of the beast, telling those who dwell on the earth to make an image to the beast who was wounded by the sword and lived.
- He mesmerizes the remaining people to worship the anti-christ
- He uses mesmerizing tricks and wonders to capture the heart of the people
- He deceives the people to make an image of the first beast – the anti-christ
1. This is what the PROPHET Daniel referred to in 9:24-27 and what Jesus referred to in Matthew 24:15, and Paul alluded to in II Thess. 2:4
15 He was granted power to give breath to the image of the beast, that the image of the beast should both speak and cause as many as would not worship the image of the beast to be killed.
- False prophet is granted power to give life to image
- The image speaks and kills those who won’t worship it
16 He causes all, both small and great, rich and poor, free and slave, to receive a mark on their right hand or on their foreheads, 17 and that no one may buy or sell except one who has the mark or[f] the name of the beast, or the number of his name.
- All will be caused into this receiving of the mark – to buy or sell!
- Must have mark of beast, name of beast, or number of His name – so we are not specifically told what & how only it will be the case. If you don’t have this mark, you will be singled out!!
18 Here is wisdom. Let him who has understanding calculate the number of the beast, for it is the number of a man: His number is 666.
- The number of the beast is given – 666… it isi the number of man… it is left to much speculation the many possibilities of the calculation of this number…
- I choose to calculate it at ground level approach, just a literal observatory approach, thus the number of the beast is 666 which is also the number of man, thus he, the beast represents the heart of all evil wicked man, and this number will be the number each follower of satan must take by some confessed means whether on the forehead or the right hand in order to buy or sell.
- Interesting – 666 is found in I Kings 10:14 – 25 tons of gold for Solomon
Regardless, we must preach the gospel to whoever we can, to spare some form this tribulation!
God is setting up all the pieces for the tribulation period!
The Rapture is sooner today than it was yesterday, are you ready? What about family, friends, co-workers… who do you care about? Tell them, bring them to church!!
Revelation 14 – The 144000 evangelists and the Angels of Heaven & Hell
A. More on the 144k - :1-5
Then I looked, and behold, a[a] Lamb standing on Mount Zion, and with Him one hundred and forty-four thousand, having[b] His Father’s name written on their foreheads.
- Previously in Revelation 7 we learned the 144k were 12k Jews out of each of the 12 tribes of Israel, they were servants of God and they are sealed by God!
- This scene could be at the Mt. Zion referring to the heavenly or this could be Jerusalem on Earth?
- They are with the Lamb
- Have their Father’s name written on foreheads – possibly YHWH
2 And I heard a voice from heaven, like the voice of many waters, and like the voice of loud thunder. And I heard the sound of harpists playing their harps. 3 They sang as it were a new song before the throne, before the four living creatures, and the elders; and no one could learn that song except the hundred and forty-four thousand who were redeemed from the earth.
- They sung a new song, their own song!
- They sung it before the 4 creatures & the elders, the church!
- Singing and harpists harping! Melody & Praise in Heaven!
4 These are the ones who were not defiled with women, for they are virgins. These are the ones who follow the Lamb wherever He goes. These were redeemed[c] from among men, being firstfruits to God and to the Lamb. 5 And in their mouth was found no deceit,[d] for they are without fault before the throne of God.
- They were virgins
- They follow the Lamb
- They were redeemed form men to God and to the Lamb – first-fruits, meaning more faithful to God and the Lamb to come!
B. 3 Angels speaking 3 important messages - :6-20
1. Angel of the everlasting Gospel :6-7
6 Then I saw another angel flying in the midst of heaven, having the everlasting gospel to preach to those who dwell on the earth—to every nation, tribe, tongue, and people— 7 saying with a loud voice, “Fear God and give glory to Him, for the hour of His judgment has come; and worship Him who made heaven and earth, the sea and springs of water.”
- This Angel brings the everlasting gospel, good news, to all who dwell still on earth
- The message was, fear God, and glorify God, and Worship God the creator of earth, who will also bring judgement upon it!
- All creation speaks of the Divine Godhead! Romans 1
- God still desires that none would perish, but all be saved!
2. Angel of Victory – Babylon is fallen :8
8 And another angel followed, saying, “Babylon[f] is fallen, is fallen, that great city, because she has made all nations drink of the wine of the wrath of her fornication.”
- This angel forecasts the destruction and demise of Babylon, the enemy city, which will be covered in great detail in Revelation Chapter 17-18.
- We are victorious through Jesus!
3. Angel of Warning :9-13 – Hell is For Real!
9 Then a third angel followed them, saying with a loud voice, “If anyone worships the beast and his image, and receives his mark on his forehead or on his hand, 10 he himself shall also drink of the wine of the wrath of God, which is poured out full strength into the cup of His indignation. He shall be tormented with fire and brimstone in the presence of the holy angels and in the presence of the Lamb. 11 And the smoke of their torment ascends forever and ever; and they have no rest day or night, who worship the beast and his image, and whoever receives the mark of his name.”
- Hell & the Lake of Fire is a real destination location for those who reject God and in essence choose to worship the beast and his image!
- Torment- means great physical pain or mental anguish… night and day, in presence of angels & Lamb! WOE! Ever seeing never experiencing His rest!
- Torment forever and ever, no rest day & night…
- I think there should be a movie called, “Hell is for real!” and do a just biblical view of this God forsaken reality, and it’s not a show!
- Psalm 9:17 “The wicked shall be turned into hell, and all the nations that forget God.”
- Proverbs 15:24 “The way of life is above to the wise, that he may depart from hell beneath.”
- Luke 16:23 “And in hell he lift up his eyes, being in torments, and seeth Abraham afar off, and Lazarus in his bosom”
- Matthew 25:41 “Then shall he say also unto them on the left hand, Depart from me, ye cursed, into everlasting fire, prepared for the devil and his angels
- Matthew 25:46 “And these shall go away into everlasting punishment: but the righteous into life eternal.
- Pink Floyd in their famous song, ‘Wish you were here’ from their The Wall album posed the question, “so, so you think you can tell Heaven from Hell, blue skies from pain…?” The answer is YES, you can tell, this is not Hell yet nor is it Heaven, both are real and one of them will be your destiny… IN the same song they say later, “ we’re just two lost souls swimming in a fish bowl, running over the same old ground, year after year...” The song presents a never ending monotonous life of meaninglessness and fears, doubts and wonders… It leaves the interpretation up to the listener… Yet God leaves us the Truth and defines life for us and there is love and meaning in life with Christ! The TRUTH is, plain and simple, God has a plan for each human and He wants us to have a loving fulfilling relationship of everlasting life with Him!!! Here and in Heaven!
12 Here is the patience of the saints; here are those[g] who keep the commandments of God and the faith of Jesus. 13 Then I heard a voice from heaven saying to me,[h] “Write: ‘Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord from now on.’” “Yes,” says the Spirit, “that they may rest from their labors, and their works follow them.”
- :12-13 – says to the saints on the earth, hold on rest is coming… itwill not be good for those who believe on earth at this time, but hold on, this will end… the patience of the saints!
God will faithfully pursue any person who is willing to respond to him, wishing none to perish!
Hell is real, Heaven is Real!
Jesus will come back!
Revelation 14:14-20 & Ch. 15
- Half way through the Tribulation period, God stills has His messengers reaching out to those who want to choose to believe in God Almighty. He has 144k evangelistic Jews, and Angels sharing from the Heavens, the Gospel, the Victory and the warnings of allegiance to a false Christ!
- God shows His willingness to continue to reach the wicked heart of man!
- Now at the end of Revelation 14, we see the return of Jesus and what that will bring to the earth… Judgement!
Fast Forward and…
C. The Return of Jesus to the Earth :14-20
a. Reaping of the earth – sudden judgement thrust upon the earth :14-16
14 Then I looked, and behold, a white cloud, and on the cloud sat One like the Son of Man, having on His head a golden crown, and in His hand a sharp sickle. 15 And another angel came out of the temple, crying with a loud voice to Him who sat on the cloud, “Thrust in Your sickle and reap, for the time has come for You[i] to reap, for the harvest of the earth is ripe.” 16 So He who sat on the cloud thrust in His sickle on the earth, and the earth was reaped.
- What was SOWN is now being reaped, the sowing of unbelief and rejection, reaps just that, judgement.
b. winepress of the wrath of God - :17-20 – severe wrath upon earth
17 Then another angel came out of the temple which is in heaven, he also having a sharp sickle.
18 And another angel came out from the altar, who had power over fire, and he cried with a loud cry to him who had the sharp sickle, saying, “Thrust in your sharp sickle and gather the clusters of the vine of the earth, for her grapes are fully ripe.” 19 So the angel thrust his sickle into the earth and gathered the vine of the earth, and threw it into the great winepress of the wrath of God. 20 And the winepress was trampled outside the city, and blood came out of the winepress, up to the horses’ bridles, for one thousand six hundred furlongs.
- 200 miles – war on earth – blood splattering up to the horses bridle
- Picturing here the battle of Armagedon
- Preview of what is to come in Revelation 19:11-21
- The Lord Jesus will return and have vengeance on the earth as it has rejected Him!
Revelation 15 – Another Sign in Heaven and the final 7 Angels with the last 7 Plagues
Then I saw another sign in heaven, great and marvelous: seven angels having the seven last plagues, for in them the wrath of God is complete.
- Sign – miracle, wonder
- 7 Angels – 7 LAST Plagues – final plagues for all time!
- In them the wrath of God is complete! Romans 5:9, I Thess. 5:9
1. Complete – this is the climax of the culmination of God’s Wrath. It will be finished after this! After the seventh bowl is poured a voice form Heaven says “It is Done!” Rev. 16:17
2 And I saw something like a sea of glass mingled with fire, and those who have the victory over the beast, over his image and over his mark[a]and over the number of his name, standing on the sea of glass, having harps of God. 3 They sing the song of Moses, the servant of God, and the song of the Lamb, saying:
- Sea of glass – Possible reference to 22:1
- Those who have the victory – over the anti-trinity
1. They were victorious – some will actually have the fortitude to withstand!
2. They were standing – they were not destroyed, on earththey may have had to crawl, hide, fight but in the end they will stand!
3. Having harps – they will play musical instruments
4. Singing
§ Song of Moses – Servant of God & Song of the Lamb
§ These tribulation saints are characterized as servants of God who were delivered from bondage into the light! Song of Moses
§ They were also those who learned of and loved the Lamb, and sang to him!
§ Note we Have Moses OT, Lamb NT… The Presenter & The Presented
Here is there song… (Moses sang in Exodus 15)
a. ponder his works his ways! (3)
“Great and marvelous are Your works,
Lord God Almighty!
Just and true are Your ways,
O King of the saints!
c. ponder His worth & worship Him only! (4)
4 Who shall not fear You, O Lord, and glorify Your name?
For You alone are holy.
For all nations shall come and worship before You,
For Your judgments have been manifested.”
The Final 7 – 7 last plagues poured upon the earth are coming from the temple in heaven!
5 After these things I looked, and behold,[c] the temple of the tabernacle of the testimony in heaven was opened.
- This judgement is coming straight from the Holiest of All in Heaven
6 And out of the temple came the seven angels having the seven plagues, clothed in pure bright linen, and having their chests girded with golden bands.
- 7 Angels with 7 last plagues – Moses wrote about a judgement of 7 plagues in Leviticus 26:21 – the 7 meaning completion – for rejecting God -
7 Then one of the four living creatures gave to the seven angels seven golden bowls full of the wrath of God who lives forever and ever.
- 7 golden bowls – divine ingredients in the bowl
- Ingredient is the Wrath of God
8 The temple was filled with smoke from the glory of God and from His power, and no one was able to enter the temple till the seven plagues of the seven angels were completed.
- The Shekinah glory of God as it’s been called since the glory seen in the Torah, the books of Moses, this is where the Glory originates from, Heavens Holy place!
- No One has been in this temple, no one canenter till the judgement is compled!
- BUT THEN – WE WILL ENTER IN!!!! GLORY!!! JUDE 24
The Lord promised to return to the earth and deliver all mankind from earth to Heaven! He will do this!
The Lord promised a judgement upon all things evil and sinful! He will follow through with that!
The Lord promised we would enter into His Glory, Jude 24, He will do it!!!
Amen
Revelation 16 – 7 Vials poured out, fulfilling God’s Wrath!
Remember Revelation 15:8 says, “The temple was filled with smoke from the glory of God and from His power, and no one was able to enter the temple till the seven plagues of the seven angels were completed.” Once these 7 plagues or bowls are complete, the Holy of Holies can be occupied! No One can enter until the complete wrath of God is removed from the Holiest place, then the saints of old, the bride of Christ and then the tribulation saints can enter!
Our world today does not suffer from Global Warming, what we are experiencing is Global Warning! Jesus told us the warning signs of the end of time… the world is panicking mostly unknowingly due to this reality! Jesus will return!!!!
So here we go, we are in the last half of the tribulation, we are not sure how far in, but we know that these last 7 plagues come rapid fire here in our text! Let’s begin…
16:1 - Then I heard a loud voice from the temple saying to the seven angels, “Go and pour out the bowls[a] of the wrath of God on the earth.”
- Pour – the imagery is that of a sudden washing, it means to shed forth, gush out…
- Wrath of God – this is the finishing touches of His wrath
Bowl/Vial/Plague #1 - :2 – Foul & Loathsome Sore
2 So the first went and poured out his bowl upon the earth, and a foul and loathsome sore came upon the men who had the mark of the beast and those who worshiped his image.
- Foul & loathsome sore – those who had mark & worship the image
- All of a sudden those who have received the Mark are again marked by a boil from God!
Bowl #2 - :3 – Sea turned to Blood
3 Then the second angel poured out his bowl on the sea, and it became blood as of a dead man; and every living creature in the sea died.
- On the sea – the oceans became blood – every creature died
- Bloodas of a dead man – coagulated thick nasty blood
Bowl #3 - :4-7 – Fresh Waters turn to blood
4 Then the third angel poured out his bowl on the rivers and springs of water, and they became blood. 5
- On rivers & springs – fresh waters turn to blood
And I heard the angel of the waters saying:
- Apparently there is angel that is overseer of the waters
“You are righteous, O Lord,[b] The One who is and who was and who is to be,[c] Because You have judged these things.
6 For they have shed the blood of saints and prophets, And You have given them blood to drink. For[d] it is their just due.”
- The angel speaks of God’s Eternal attribute, justice over a God rejecting world and justice for the persecuted saints and prophets! Vengeance of God is for Himself and for the saints of all time!
- Blood they have taken , we see blood they will drink
7 And I heard another from[e] the altar saying, “Even so, Lord God Almighty, true and righteous are Your judgments.”
- As this angel finishes speaking another one voice will chime in bearing witness to the same truth!
- Interesting to see 2 voices bearing witness of God’s Actions, for they are right & true!
Bowl #4 - :8-9 – Sun-Burning
8 Then the fourth angel poured out his bowl on the sun, power was given to him to scorch men w/ fire.
- On the sun – and power given to scorch men with fire!
- Not your average sun-tan!
9 And men were scorched with great heat, and they blasphemed the name of God who has power over these plagues; and they did not repent and give Him glory.
- As men were scorched they didn’t repent, but on the contrary blasphemed God!
Bowl #5 - :10-11 – Darkness & Pain over the False Kingdom
10 Then the fifth angel poured out his bowl on the throne of the beast, and his kingdom became full of darkness; and they gnawed their tongues because of the pain.
- On the throne of the beast – leading his kingdom into darkness – and they were tormented and gnawed their tongues
11 They blasphemed the God of heaven because of their pains and their sores, and did not repent of their deeds.
- They continued to blaspheme and curse God for their torment
- The sores from the 1st bowl still pain and agonize them
Bowl #6 - :12-16 – River Euphrates Dried Up, World-wide deception, Armageddon
12 Then the sixth angel poured out his bowl on the great river Euphrates, and its water was dried up, so that the way of the kings from the east might be prepared.
- On the Euphrates – which dried it up to prepare way for the kings of the east
- Kings of the east – possibly Chinese Army, or a demonic army?
13 And I saw three unclean spirits like frogs coming out of the mouth of the dragon, out of the mouth of the beast, and out of the mouth of the false prophet.
- Unclean spirits like frogs – came out of dragon/satan, beast/antichrist, and the false prophet – these entities are filled with demons and evil powers from within.
14 For they are spirits of demons, performing signs, which go out to the kings of the earth and[f] of the whole world, to gather them to the battle of that great day of God Almighty.
- These spirits will go deceive as many as possible to prepare them to fight against the soon returning KING JESUS!
Jesus speaks 15 “Behold, I am coming as a thief. Blessed is he who watches, and keeps his garments, lest he walk naked and they see his shame.”
- Jesus speaks here and warns anyone caught up in this time to stay focused on God!
16 And they gathered them together to the place called in Hebrew, Armageddon.
- Valley of Megido – Har Megedon – this is the location for the War at the end of the tribulation!
- Judges 4 - Barak beat up the Canaanites here - Judges 7 – Gideon conquered Midianites here
- JESUS WILL WIN HERE!
Bowl #7 - :17- Into the Air – It Is Done! Earthquake & Hale
17 Then the seventh angel poured out his bowl into the air, and a loud voice came out of the temple of heaven, from the throne, saying, “It is done!”
- Jesus said these words on the Cross… God the Father most likely says them here! John 19:30
18 And there were noises and thunderings and lightnings; and there was a great earthquake, such a mighty and great earthquake as had not occurred since men were on the earth. 19 Now the great city was divided into three parts,
- God will miraculously set up Jerusalem in 3 parts to make it His headquarters, Mt. Zion will be where the Kink of Kings set up his Headquarters for the Millennium! Psalm 48, Zechariah 12-14
and the cities of the nations fell. And great Babylon was remembered before God, to give her the cup of the wine of the fierceness of His wrath.
- While God sets up Jerusalem, all other cities of the world fall!
- AND Babylon is heavily on the radar to receive God’s Wrath!! See Rev. 17-18
20 Then every island fled away, and the mountains were not found.
- Geography & Topography of the earth changes!
21 And great hail from heaven fell upon men, each hailstone about the weight of a talent. Men blasphemed God because of the plague of the hail, since that plague was exceedingly great.
- Hail about 75 pounds each hitting earth at rapid speeds and force!
- Blasphemy once again comes from the lips and heart rather than repentance!
Revelation 17 – Babylon Destroyed – the False Spiritual/Religious Roots destroyed
Babylon, what about Babylon?
Rev. 14:8 – foretold the fact the Babylon will be destroyed!
Author Mark Hitchcock points out that 11% of Revelation talks about Babylon. Out of 404 verses, 44 verses deal with Babylon. It is the second most talked about city in the Bible mentioned 290 times behind Jerusalem, which is mentioned around 800 times. (Mark Hitchcock, 1010 Answers of Revelation pg.189)
Babylon, you must understand began early in the origin of earth, Genesis Ch. 10-11 to be exact is the location in which the people of earth built the first city called Babylon and then tried to create the Tower of Babel, a gateway to heaven made by man! Nimrod was the dictator of that first city. There is the Legend of Nimrod (which means Rebel) that he married Simirames also known as Ashteroth or Venus. She supposedly had an immaculate birth and gave birth to Tamuz who was born on Dec. 25th. Tamuz was celebrated with eggs and is called Ishtar… Later in history Babylon was the city that captured Israel, placed them under bondage again and was led by King Nebuchadnezzar! Then came Rome in the spirit of Babylon…
The name Babylon is associated with all things evil and wicked. Not just the actual city, but the spirit behind the name… Such as Hollywood or Wall Street… These names have history, pre-conceived understandings and associations… Babylon associates with evil and false teaching, leading people away from God to man made religions! Reputation is important and Babylon’s rep is despicable!
Babylon’s destruction was predicted by Isaiah in Is. 13:1-23, Jesus tied this prediction in to His message on the end of time in Matthew 24:29, by quoting Isaiah 13:10!
Let’s get into it… Let’s see the demise of Babylon…
A. The Woman the Rides the Beast!
Then one of the seven angels who had the seven bowls came and talked with me, saying to me,[a] “Come, I will show you the judgment of the great harlot who sits on many waters, 2 with whom the kings of the earth committed fornication, and the inhabitants of the earth were made drunk with the wine of her fornication.”
- Judgement of the Harlot is pronounced
3 So he carried me away in the Spirit into the wilderness. And I saw a woman sitting on a scarlet beast which was full of names of blasphemy, having seven heads and ten horns. 4 The woman was arrayed in purple and scarlet, and adorned with gold and precious stones and pearls, having in her hand a golden cup full of abominations and the filthiness of her fornication.[b] 5 And on her forehead a name was written:
MYSTERY, BABYLON THE GREAT,
THE MOTHER OF HARLOTS
AND OF THE ABOMINATIONS
OF THE EARTH.
- The Harlot’s name was Babylon the great, she is the Mother of Harlots and abominations of wickedness, and spiritual adulteries against Almighty God!
- She sat upon the scarlet beast (Rev. 13:1 – AC)
- Babylon is false religious system of all time and she rides the beast the AC
6 I saw the woman, drunk with the blood of the saints and with the blood of the martyrs of Jesus. And when I saw her, I marveled with great amazement.
- She is drunk with the blood of martyrs. Babylon is responsible for great persecutions and murders of believers of all times…
7 But the angel said to me, “Why did you marvel? I will tell you the mystery of the woman and of the beast that carries her, which has the seven heads and the ten horns. 8 The beast that you saw was, and is not, and will ascend out of the bottomless pit and go to perdition. And those who dwell on the earth will marvel, whose names are not written in the Book of Life from the foundation of the world, when they see the beast that was, and is not, and yet is.
- The woman rides the beast…
- The beast was and is not and ascends out of the pit and will go to perdition, to the lake of everlasting fire – it has 7 heads, 10 horns
- Unbelievers will one day marvel when they see who they have chosen to follow!
9 “Here is the mind which has wisdom: The seven heads are seven mountains on which the woman sits. 10 There are also seven kings. Five have fallen, one is, and the other has not yet come. And when he comes, he must continue a short time. 11 The beast that was, and is not, is himself also the eighth, and is of the seven, and is going to perdition.
- Here is wisdom – here is the explanation
- Woman sits on 7 heads = 7 mountains = possibly Rome known as city on 7 hills
- Also 7 Kings = 5 fallen, one is (during the time written) the other has not yet come
- WHEN the other not yet come – he has only a SHORT TIME
- The beast or anti-christ is also the 8th and is of the seven and will suffer hell-fire!
1. The five possibly could be past regimes: Egypt, Assyria, Babylonia, Medo-Persia, and Greece.
§ One is would be possibly Rome
§ Other not yet = Empire to come
§ AC will take over and reign and then suffer!
- NEEDLESS TO SAY, THIS IS AD PASSAGE OF GREAT DIFFICULTY STILL…
12 “The ten horns which you saw are ten kings who have received no kingdom as yet, but they receive authority for one hour as kings with the beast. 13 These are of one mind, and they will give their power and authority to the beast. 14 These will make war with the Lamb, and the Lamb will overcome them, for He is Lord of lords and King of kings; and those who are with Him are called, chosen, and faithful.”
- 10 horns = 10 kings – will be empowered at certain time in the end for ONE HOUR with the beast/anit-christ – These 10 could be symbolic or true 10 nation confederation some suggest the EU..
- The 10 kings pledge allegiance to the beast/AC
- They join forces with the AC and war against the Lamb – foretell of the great battle of Armagedon
- - ONCE AGAIN THE LAMB WILL WIN!!!
15 Then he said to me, “The waters which you saw, where the harlot sits, are peo
ples, multitudes, nations, and tongues. 16 And the ten horns which you saw on[d] the beast, these will hate the harlot, make her desolate and naked, eat her flesh and burn her with fire. 17 For God has put it into their hearts to fulfill His purpose, to be of one mind, and to give their kingdom to the beast, until the words of God are fulfilled. 18 And the woman whom you saw is that great city which reigns over the kings of the earth.”
- The waters from :1 are = people, many peoples
- 10 horns = will hate the Harlot/Babylon
- God has set it up that the kings will turn on Babylon in the end to fulfill God’s plan!
BEWARE OF BAYLON!
Revelation 17 – Babylon Destroyed – the False Spiritual/Religious Roots destroyed
Revelation 18 – Babylon Destroyed, part 2 – the eco/Political Fruits destroyed
Reminder/backdrop – Babylon began in Genesis founded by Nimrod/Rebel chapter 10:8-11. This is also where man tried to reach and exceed God with the Tower of Babel, Gen 11:1-9, which means confusion, because God confused the people from one language to many languages at this point! And scattered them abroad… Babylon is a real place and may be rebuilt completely at some point, but it is the Spirit of Babyom that is the most dangerous! WE MUST BEWARE OF BAYLON!
Man sinned in the Garden, thus separated from God, Man sinned at Babel thus separated one from another
Two chapters (3 if you include the Heavenly Celebration if its destuction in ch. 19) are dedicated to the destruction and dismissing of Babylon! Babylon must be destroyed as a tool of vengeance of the Lord for the blood of the saints and the prophets! Rev.18:20 & 24
God wants to not only bring His people to Himself thus redeeming the fall of man in the Garden, He also wants to reconcile man with man thus redeeming the fall in Babylon, this is why it is so important that Babylon itself and its spiritual root be obliterated from the face of the earth!!!
A. Babylon itself is condemned (1-8)
18 After these things I saw another angel coming down from heaven, having great authority, and the earth was illuminated with his glory. 2 And he cried mightily[e] with a loud voice, saying, “Babylon the great is fallen, is fallen, and has become a dwelling place of demons, a prison for every foul spirit, and a cage for every unclean and hated bird! 3 For all the nations have drunk of the wine of the wrath of her fornication, the kings of the earth have committed fornication with her, and the merchants of the earth have become rich through the abundance of her luxury.”
- Nations, Kings, Merchants have been deceived/intoxicated by Baylon- to their demise!
4 And I heard another voice from heaven saying, “Come out of her, my people, lest you share in her sins, and lest you receive of her plagues. 5 For her sins have reached[f] to heaven, and God has remembered her iniquities. 6 Render to her just as she rendered to you,[g] and repay her double according to her works; in the cup which she has mixed, mix double for her. 7 In the measure that she glorified herself and lived luxuriously, in the same measure give her torment and sorrow; for she says in her heart, ‘I sit as queen, and am no widow, and will not see sorrow.’ 8 Therefore her plagues will come in one day—death and mourning and famine. And she will be utterly burned with fire, for strong is the Lord God who judges[h] her.
- A voice from heaven calls out of her any who are left who can hear, separate from this spirit who only drags people away from God to his trap of death
- God will judge Babylon and all those who have intertwined with her!
B. Babylon’s Mirage has ended! (9-20)
- The grass is always greener on the other side, they say… In this case it was and those who went o these seemingly greener pastures will now go up on flames with Babylon!
“The kings of the earth who committed fornication and lived luxuriously with her will weep and lament for her, when they see the smoke of her burning, 10 standing at a distance for fear of her torment, saying, ‘Alas, alas, that great city Babylon, that mighty city! For in one hour your judgment has come.’
11 “And the merchants of the earth will weep and mourn over her, for no one buys their merchandise anymore: 12 merchandise of gold and silver, precious stones and pearls, fine linen and purple, silk and scarlet, every kind of citron wood, every kind of object of ivory, every kind of object of most precious wood, bronze, iron, and marble; 13 and cinnamon and incense, fragrant oil and frankincense, wine and oil, fine flour and wheat, cattle and sheep, horses and chariots, and bodies and souls of men. 14 The fruit that your soul longed for has gone from you, and all the things which are rich and splendid have gone from you,[i] and you shall find them no more at all. 15 The merchants of these things, who became rich by her, will stand at a distance for fear of her torment, weeping and wailing, 16 and saying, ‘Alas, alas, that great city that was clothed in fine linen, purple, and scarlet, and adorned with gold and precious stones and pearls! 17 For in one hour such great riches came to nothing.’ Every shipmaster, all who travel by ship, sailors, and as many as trade on the sea, stood at a distance 18 and cried out when they saw the smoke of her burning, saying, ‘What is like this great city?’
- This so called” great city” was just a mirage it was a deceptive ploy to gain followers within its evil ranks! Babylon succeeded in what it set out to do since Genesis, create an alternate path to God, a way greater than God with greater seemingly benefits… POOF it will all end here!
19 “They threw dust on their heads and cried out, weeping and wailing, and saying, ‘Alas, alas, that great city, in which all who had ships on the sea became rich by her wealth! For in one hour she is made desolate.’
- The duped see their demise and begin to weep
- In ONE HOUR = desolate! SO easily God takes down what took man millenia to rise up! God trumps man every time!
20 “Rejoice over her, O heaven, and you holy apostles[j] and prophets, for God has avenged you on her!”
- God the great Avenger! Has avenged saint, apostle & prophet!
C. Babylon No More! (21-24)
21 Then a mighty angel took up a stone like a great millstone and threw it into the sea, saying, “Thus with violence the great city Babylon shall be thrown down, and shall not be found anymore. 22 The sound of harpists, musicians, flutists, and trumpeters shall not be heard in you anymore. No craftsman of any craft shall be found in you anymore, and the sound of a millstone shall not be heard in you anymore. 23 The light of a lamp shall not shine in you anymore, and the voice of bridegroom and bride shall not be heard in you anymore. For your merchants were the great men of the earth, for by your sorcery all the nations were deceived.
Babylon’s Mirage Described… What satan tried to take from God’s creative tool box and use for His evil…
1. Music – 22 - harmony
2. Craftsman/Builders, Millstone/Food or textile = Work – 22 - accomplishments
3. Light – 23 - influence
4. Marriage – 23b – relationships as God intended
- Satan wants us to take these things for granted and trust in these things rather than in the God who created them! ALL NATIONS WERE DECIEVED!
- by her sorcery – deception came – she alters the mind with her imagery and mirages of better!
- Jesus teaches us to store up treasures in Heaven not on earth! Matthew 6:19-21
- Paul exhorts us to not trade the creator in for the creation! Rom. 1:25
24 And in her was found the blood of prophets and saints, and of all who were slain on the earth.
- THE TRUTH ABOUT BABYLON = in her is blood of saint and prophet!
- God had to destroy her!
Beware of Babylon – Beware of the greener grass syndrome! As walk through the wilderness of planet earth we thirst for God and the heavenlies, so beware of the mirages along the journey!
Amen
Quick Review…
Revelation 1 – Intro, Blessing & Vision Of Jesus, Ancient of Days look
Revelation 2-3 – 7 Letters to 7 Churches – The Church Age – Age of Grace
Revelation 4 –5 Trip To Heaven – Participants Around the Throne, The Scroll & The Lion & Lamb
Revelation 6 – 19 – Scroll Opened, 7 year Tribulation
Revelation 19 – The Return of Christ! 7 Year Tribulation ends!!
A. WOW - :1-6
:1 After these things I heard[a]
- After these things – after the utter destruction of Babylon
a loud voice of a great multitude in heaven, saying, “Alleluia! Salvation and glory and honor and power belong to the Lord[b] our God! 2 For true and righteous are His judgments, because He has judged the great harlot who corrupted the earth with her fornication; and He has avenged on her the blood of His servants shed by her.”
- WOW will be in heaven!
- Loud voice… multitude…servants… - Rev. 6:11, the servants, tribulation martyrs cried out! The servants refers to all those who died for Christ in the 7 year tribulation! The multitude consisted of them and other saints of old possibly!
- Alleluia – Praise The Lord – declarative and invitational – some say this is the holiest word in the heavenlies!
- Salvation, honor, glory, power, righteous judgements: judged the harlot Babylon and avenged the blood of tribulation saints/martyrs
Again they said, “Alleluia! Her smoke rises up forever and ever!” 4 And the twenty-four elders and the four living creatures fell down and worshiped God who sat on the throne, saying, “Amen! Alleluia!”
- 24 elders – the church is their worship with the 4 beasts as praises are rising!
- The say AMEN, they agree with the voice of the multitude! So be it! God is these things and they love God for them!
5 Then a voice came from the throne, saying, “Praise our God, all you His servants and those who fear Him, both[c] small and great!”
6 And I heard, as it were, the voice of a great multitude, as the sound of many waters and as the sound of mighty thunderings, saying, “Alleluia! For the[d] Lord God Omnipotent reigns!
- Alleluia/only time used in New Testament is here/ rings out again from an even larger group of worshipers… Such AWE in Heaven!
- AN AWESOME crescendo of praise, summits to the God of ALL Creation!
- This truly is the Alleluia Chorus!
- Lord God Omnipotent Reigns! -GOD ALL POWERFUL! Reigns, Rules sovereign!
B. Wedding - :7-10
7 Let us be glad and rejoice and give Him glory, for the marriage of the Lamb has come, and His wife has made herself ready.” 8 And to her it was granted to be arrayed in fine linen, clean and bright, for the fine linen is the righteous acts of the saints.
- The Marriage of the Lamb – The Bride the church has made herself ready, we one day will meet the Groom Jesus in the air if the Lord tarries.
- Nevertheless, we are to be preparing ourselves a spotless, blemishless Bride for the King our Groom, Jesus!
- Tozer says we as Christians are to be Worshippers and Workers for the Kingdom…
- Eph. 5:25-27 gives further insight into our Relationship with Christ!
- Salvation on Earth brings us into a Betrothal Relationship with Christ, so we prepare ourselves for Him, then we will have the Marriage Ceremony as written here in revelation, which then leads to the supper…
9 Then he said to me, “Write: ‘Blessed are those who are called to the marriage supper of the Lamb!’” And he said to me, “These are the true sayings of God.”
- Marriage Supper – this is the finale of the wedding ceremony, which will continue into the Millennial period in Revelation 20.
10And I fell at his feet to worship him. But he said to me, “See that you do not do that! I am your fellow servant, and of your brethren who have the testimony of Jesus. Worship God! For the testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy.”
- Worship God – the testimony of Jesus is the Spirit of Prophecy – Jesus reveals prophetically which in return leads us back to Him to Worship! Jesus and Prophecy just as Prophecy and Jesus… the two go together!
C. War - :11-21
11 Now I saw heaven opened, and behold, a white horse. And He who sat on him was called Faithful and True, and in righteousness He judges and makes war. 12 His eyes were like a flame of fire, and on His head were many crowns. He had[e] a name written that no one knew except Himself. 13 He was clothed with a robe dipped in blood, and His name is called The Word of God.
- He who sat on the white horse:
1. Faithful & True
2. He judges and makes war
3. Eyes like flame of fire – Rev. 1:14
4. His head many crowns – diadema/royal not stephanos/awarded
5. Name written – secret
6. Robe dipped in blood – his own and/or the enemies
7. His Name is The Word of God!
14 And the armies in heaven, clothed in fine linen, white and clean,[f] followed Him on white horses.
- Armies – clothed in fine linen, white and clean – OT Saints, Church, Trib. Saints!
He Who Sat on White Horse: continued…
15 Now out of His mouth goes a sharp[g] sword, that with it He should strike the nations. And He Himself will rule them with a rod of iron. He Himself treads the winepress of the fierceness and wrath of Almighty God. 16 And He has on His robe and on His thigh a name written:
KING OF KINGS AND
LORD OF LORDS.
17 Then I saw an angel standing in the sun; and he cried with a loud voice, saying to all the birds that fly in the midst of heaven, “Come and gather together for the supper of the great God,[h] 18 that you may eat the flesh of kings, the flesh of captains, the flesh of mighty men, the flesh of horses and of those who sit on them, and the flesh of all people, free[i] and slave, both small and great.”
- Second Supper – The Great Supper of God – carnage meal for the birds – Armageddon!
19 And I saw the beast, the kings of the earth, and their armies, gathered together to make war against Him who sat on the horse and against His army. 20 Then the beast was captured, and with him the false prophet who worked signs in his presence, by which he deceived those who received the mark of the beast and those who worshiped his image. These two were cast alive into the lake of fire burning with brimstone. 21 And the rest were killed with the sword which proceeded from the mouth of Him who sat on the horse. And all the birds were filled with their flesh.
- The Beast – Kings – armies WAR against Jesus and His Army!
- Beast False Prophet captured!
- Cast ALIVE Into lake of fire
- - rest killed with SWORD! From Jesus Mouth! HIS WORD CUTS AND JUDGES!
- The birds feasted!
Revelation 20 - 1000 years of Peace & The End of the World
I. Millennia –
A. Satan Chained for 1000 years (1-3) The 1000 year Chain
Then I saw an angel coming down from heaven, having the key to the bottomless pit and a great chain in his hand.
- Another angel messenger of God, Not Jesus, just another angel, and he has a chain!
2 He laid hold of the dragon, that serpent of old, who is the Devil and Satan, and bound him for a thousand years;
- This angel handles the devil, easy, no problem, binds him, cuffs him 1000 years!
3 and he cast him into the bottomless pit, and shut him up, and set a seal on him, so that he should deceive the nations no more till the thousand years were finished. But after these things he must be released for a little while.
- For a 1000 years satan will be bound in the abusso, the bottomless pit. God uses an angel to chain him and throw him into the pit, the devil really does not have much power! GOD IS IN CONTROL!
- pre-millennia teaches that the 1000 years literally happens after the 7 year tribulation beginning with the 2nd Advent of Christ and that Jesus will reign on earth for those 1000 years with the saints and there will be peace and rest on earth. READ IS. 11:6-9 & 61:4-7
- post-millennia teaches that the 1000 years or millennia is symbolic and exists spiritually within the church age through the second return of Christ. 2nd Advent comes after or post millenia
- amillennialists teach that the 1000 years or millennia is symbolic of a period where Christ is reigning and ruling in the Church and refers also to the eternal state.
B. Christ reigns for a 1000 years (4-6) The 1000 year reign
4 And I saw thrones, and they sat on them, and judgment was committed to them.
- Thrones – who are these? Pre-tribulation thought is that these are the saints of old, the church! We will reign with Christ see I Cor. 6:1-3
- Judgement – we will reign and rule under Jesus direction and authority, this is a role that has been committed to us by God! We will assist Jesus in the millenia!
Then I saw the souls of those who had been beheaded for their witness to Jesus and for the word of God, who had not worshiped the beast or his image, and had not received his mark on their foreheads or on their hands. And they lived and reigned with Christ for a[a] thousand years.
- Then… souls… of those beheaded… not worshipped the beast… lived and reigned 1000 years – the tribulation saints will be with those who are on thrones, and with Jesus ruling the earth.
5 But the rest of the dead did not live again until the thousand years were finished.
- The unbelievers of all time will rise to meet their maker after the millenia
This is the first resurrection.
- The first resurrection is what you want to be a part of, not the second one… the second one will be all the unbelievers rising to meet God for the first time and they will be cast away!
6 Blessed and holy is he who has part in the first resurrection.
- Oh how happy and set apart is the one who believes on the Lord Jesus Christ!
Over such the second death has no power, but they shall be priests of God and of Christ, and shall reign with Him a thousand years.
- There is no more death for the believer, the believer may physically die but will eternally live!
- It’s been said “die twice, live once, live once, die twice.”
II. The End of the World as They Will Know it!
C. The Battle of Satan (7-10) The Final Victory
7 Now when the thousand years have expired, Satan will be released from his prison 8 and will go out to deceive the nations which are in the four corners of the earth, Gog and Magog, to gather them together to battle, whose number is as the sand of the sea.
- Satan gets out of prison and immediately goes back to his old ways. Deceiving and recruiting a team of nations and people to fight Jesus Himself!
- Satan gathers, “Gog and Magog,” here basically used as a term representing any nation who has a leader and would like to overcome God!
- This can only happen thought delusion and deception!
- Who could satan get, whomever he can, those who have grown up in the millennia and others who don’t have the heart of God, they will be duped, hook, line & sinker!
9 They went up on the breadth of the earth and surrounded the camp of the saints and the beloved city. And fire came down from God out of heaven and devoured them.
- The battle ground was Jerusalem, and the enemy was God’s Saints and Saviour!
- Fire came down – devoured them – they did not have a chance! It was over before it began!
10 The devil, who deceived them, was cast into the lake of fire and brimstone where[b] the beast and the false prophet are. And they will be tormented day and night forever and ever.
- The devil, the deceiver is cast into the lake of fire!
- Tormented day and night – this is reality for all who cross God and reject His plan, they choose to join satan in the destination place that was prepared for him, not humans!!!
D. The Eternally Lost (11-15) The Great White Throne
11 Then I saw a great white throne and Him who sat on it, from whose face the earth and the heaven fled away. And there was found no place for them.
- The Great White Throne of judgement – all unrepentant sinners will stand here before God…
12 And I saw the dead, small and great, standing before God,[c]and books were opened. And another book was opened, which is the Book of Life. And the dead were judged according to their works, by the things which were written in the books.
- Books were opened – these are the records of each unrepentant sinner! Their works are revealed before God
- Book of Life – the names of the redeemed believers
13 The sea gave up the dead who were in it, and Death and Hades delivered up the dead who were in them. And they were judged, each one according to his works. 14 Then Death and Hades were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death.[d] 15 And anyone not found written in the Book of Life was cast into the lake of fire.
- All the dead rise, are judged at the throne and found lacking the blood of Jesus, therefore, cast into the Lake of Fire.
- Death & Hades delivers the unbelievers and they are cast into the fire
- BETWEEN 20:15 & 21:1 = I Peter 3:10-13
“Unveiling (Revealation) our Future Home!”
4c. Jesus reveals the New Heaven, New Earth, and New Jerusalem–21-22:6
A. New Heaven & Earth – 21:1-8
Now I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away. Also there was no more sea.
- New Heaven, New Earth – the word new is Kainos – meaning new, fresh in character. Some scholars believe a re-newing, some believe an absolute brand spanking new earth and universe.
- No more sea -oceans
- The first had passed away – II Peter 3:9-10 &
- Isaiah 65:17-19…
17 “For behold, I create new heavens and a new earth;
And the former shall not be remembered or come to mind.
18 But be glad and rejoice forever in what I create;
For behold, I create Jerusalem as a rejoicing,
And her people a joy.
19 I will rejoice in Jerusalem,
And joy in My people;
The voice of weeping shall no longer be heard in her,
Nor the voice of crying.
2 Then I, John,[a] saw the holy city, New Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband.
- The New Jerusalem – Our father’s House of John 14:1-3, fully detailed in (see) Revelation 21:9-27
3 And I heard a loud voice from heaven saying, “Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and He will dwell with them, and they shall be His people. God Himself will be with them and be their God. 4 And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes; there shall be no more death, nor sorrow, nor crying. There shall be no more pain, for the former things have passed away.”
- Behold the tabernacle of God with men… - Jesus came to earth and tabernacle amongst us, now He brings us to His tabernacle, where He the Godhead dwell is fullness and utter completion, satisfaction, GLORY!
- We will be in the very presence of God, rather than Christ in us we will be completely engulfed in Him, no separation whatsoever!
- No more death, sorrow, crying – we don’t know this kind of experience, maybe just simple glimpses, nit not this utter reality!
5 Then He who sat on the throne said, “Behold, I make all things new.” And He said to me,[b] “Write, for these words are true and faithful.”
6 And He said to me, “It is done![c] I am the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End. I will give of the fountain of the water of life freely to him who thirsts. 7 He who overcomes shall inherit all things,[d]and I will be his God and he shall be My son. 8 But the cowardly, unbelieving,[e] abominable, murderers, sexually immoral, sorcerers, idolaters, and all liars shall have their part in the lake which burns with fire and brimstone, which is the second death.”
- It is done! Jesus said that for the debt paid on the cross, here he says it for He has conquered evil, destroyed the earth and created us a new place in which to dwell with him in purity forever!
- Promise fulfilled!
- He who overcomes… inherits all things! Be His SON for al eternal life!!!
- BUT the cowardly… ANOTHER opportunity to repent and get right with God! The Lord always gives the unbeliever a chance to believe until the bitter end!
B. The New Jerusalem – My Father’s House – 21:9-27 & 22:1-6
9 Then one of the seven angels who had the seven bowls filled with the seven last plagues came to me[f] and talked with me, saying, “Come, I will show you the bride, the Lamb’s wife.”[g] 10 And he carried me away in the Spirit to a great and high mountain, and showed me the great city, the holy[h] Jerusalem, descending out of heaven from God, 11 having the glory of God. Her light was like a most precious stone, like a jasper stone, clear as crystal.
- John the revelator was taken to a high mountain on the new earth to witness the New Jerusalem descending out of Heaven from God. No more ocean, but there will be mountains! Hiker’s paradise!
- The city had the Glory Of God!
- Clear as crystal! What Beauty!
- Within this City was the BRIDE, the LAMB’S WIFE!
12 Also she had a great and high wall with twelve gates, and twelve angels at the gates, and names written on them, which are the names of the twelve tribes of the children of Israel: 13 three gates on the east, three gates on the north, three gates on the south, and three gates on the west.
- Gates of Pearl! – 12 tribes names were written on these gates
14 Now the wall of the city had twelve foundations, and on them were the names[i] of the twelve apostles of the Lamb.
- 12 foundation – 12 names of the Apostles – possibly to include Judas’s name, or his name replaced by either Mathias or the Apostle Paul. We will find out in heaven
15 And he who talked with me had a gold reed to measure the city, its gates, and its wall. 16 The city is laid out as a square; its length is as great as its breadth. And he measured the city with the reed: twelve thousand furlongs. Its length, breadth, and height are equal.
- 12,000 furlongs = 1,500 miles (distance from Maine to FL.) cubed/or squared, possibly the shape of a pyramid or cube
17 Then he measured its wall: one hundred and forty-four cubits, according to the measure of a man, that is, of an angel.
- 144 cubits – roughly 215 feet – the width of the wall
18 The construction of its wall was of jasper; and the city was pure gold, like clear glass. 19 The foundations of the wall of the city were adorned with all kinds of precious stones: the first foundation was jasper, the second sapphire, the third chalcedony, the fourth emerald, 20 the fifth sardonyx, the sixth sardius, the seventh chrysolite, the eighth beryl, the ninth topaz, the tenth chrysoprase, the eleventh jacinth, and the twelfth amethyst. 21 The twelve gates were twelve pearls: each individual gate was of one pearl. And the street of the city was pure gold, like transparent glass.
- Wall of Jasper
- City – Pure Gold, like glass
- Foundations – 12 precious stones, 1 per foundation
- Gates of Pearl – each gate 1 pearl!
Revelation 21:22 – 22:21 – The Final Dwelling Place & Jesus Final Call
Revelation 21:22-22:6 – New Jerusalem Continued
- As we come the conclusion of the book of Revelation we must remember and look for God’s promise in Revelation 1:3 – Those who read, hear and keep the words of this prophecy will receive a BLESSING!!!
- New Heaven & New Earth, NEW JERUSALEM…
22 But I saw no temple in it, for the Lord God Almighty and the Lamb are its temple. 23 The city had no need of the sun or of the moon to shine in it,[j] for the glory[k] of God illuminated it. The Lamb is its light. 24 And the nations of those who are saved[l] shall walk in its light, and the kings of the earth bring their glory and honor into it.[m] 25 Its gates shall not be shut at all by day (there shall be no night there). 26 And they shall bring the glory and the honor of the nations into it.[n] 27 But there shall by no means enter it anything that defiles, or causes[o] an abomination or a lie, but only those who are written in the Lamb’s Book of Life.
- God Almighty and the Lamb are its Temple!
- No actual temple replicas any more, Jesus & God Almighty, the Father are the Temple!
- NO sun or Moon – Glory of God illuminates Jesus the Lamb is the Light
- Nations of the saved – walk in its light
- Gates shall not be shut – NO Night!
- No defiling or abominable thing or lie – no dishonor to God or His family permitted!
22:1 And he showed me a pure[a] river of water of life, clear as crystal, proceeding from the throne of God and of the Lamb.
- Pure river of water of life – a different unique river – it is symbolic of the ever-flowing presence of God and Life with him in the heavens! Stemming straight from the Throne of God & Jesus!
2 In the middle of its street, and on either side of the river, was the tree of life, which bore twelve fruits, each tree yielding its fruit every month. The leaves of the tree were for the healing of the nations.
- Tree of Life – originally found in the Garden (Gen 2), now found in the City! This city & all things new, are eternally blessed!
- 12 fruits – every month – leaves were for the healing
- The Tree’s fruits represent for us the fruitfulness and diversities, changes that will occur within the eternity of heaven!
- The leaves represent the perpetual healing healthy quality of heaven!
- Heaven will be pure and unique consistently, never dull and grieving!
3 And there shall be no more curse, but the throne of God and of the Lamb shall be in it, and His servants shall serve Him. 4 They shall see His face, and His name shall be on their foreheads. 5 There shall be no night there: They need no lamp nor light of the sun, for the Lord God gives them light. And they shall reign forever and ever.
- No MORE CURSE – the curse on earth today effects believer and unbeliever, we all suffer the status of a fallen World. Yes, the believer is immune to the curse in the position of salvation but the effects of the curse still affect us…
- Here in the revelation we see there will be NO MORE CURSE AT ALL!!! Utter absolute freedom from the curse! Alleluia!
- We shall reign with the Lord forever and ever!!!
- The curse can’t be in the all present all-consuming presence of the God-Head!!!
- Oh, how we look forward to heaven!!! AMEN!!!
Revelation 22:7-21 – Jesus unveils that He is coming Quickly!
THIS IS THE…
Closing Remarks - Part 4 – Jesus Closes with an Invitation & Immanent Return – 22:7-22
6 Then he said to me, “These words are faithful and true.” And the Lord God of the holy[b] prophets sent His angel to show His servants the things which must shortly take place.
7 “Behold, I am coming quickly! Blessed is he who keeps the words of the prophecy of this book.”
- Behold, I am Coming quickly – This is said by Jesus 3 times in this chapter –
1. :7 – I am coming – so keep this prophecy, be watching!
2. :12 – I am coming – to reward the faithful, be faithful!
3. :20 – I am coming – surely! Be expectant! Be ready!!
8 Now I, John, saw and heard[c] these things. And when I heard and saw, I fell down to worship before the feet of the angel who showed me these things.
9 Then he said to me, “See that you do not do that. For[d] I am your fellow servant, and of your brethren the prophets, and of those who keep the words of this book. Worship God.”
- Worship God – we are not to worship angels, only GOD!
10 And he said to me, “Do not seal the words of the prophecy of this book, for the time is at hand. 11 He who is unjust, let him be unjust still; he who is filthy, let him be filthy still; he who is righteous, let him be righteous[e] still; he who is holy, let him be holy still.”
- DO not seal the words – For the time is at hand – God wants us to understand, things are continually winding down and headed towards the words of this book…
- The church age will end, the rapture will happen, 7 years of tribulation will come, the 1000 year reign will be initiated and then The NEW heaven earth and Jerusalem will come!!!
12 “And behold, I am coming quickly, and My reward is with Me, to give to every one according to his work. 13 I am the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End, the First and the Last.”
1. As mentioned… :12 – I am coming – to reward the faithful, be faithful!
- Jesus claims these titles… Alpha & Omega, Beginning and End, First & Last… these are titles of GOD! JESUS=GOD the Son!!!
14 Blessed are those who do His commandments,[g] that they may have the right to the tree of life, and may enter through the gates into the city.
- Blessed those who do His commandments – doers not hearers only make it into the Kingdom of God!!!
- We will have the right to the tree & enter the gates!!! WOW, things truly change, we will have rights! It will be a different world!
15 But[h] outside are dogs and sorcerers and sexually immoral and murderers and idolaters, and whoever loves and practices a lie.
- BUT, OUTSIDE – not in the city, unbelievers sent elsewhere…
- Dogs = filthy immoral people
- Sorcerers – unrepentant drug abusers, those of the occult practices of things like seances, witchcraft etc.
- Sexually immoral – unrepentant homosexual acts, prostitution, pornography, unbiblical promiscuous relationships etc…
- Murderers – unrepentant, habitually evil acts of premeditated killing
- Idolaters – attributing greater worth to something/someone other than GOD Himself!
16 “I, Jesus, have sent My angel to testify to you these things in the churches.
- In the churches – Jesus comes full circle back to the Churches of Revelation 2-3 – he is once again speaking to the church age… the word church was last used in Revelation 3:22, the last verse of the church age, the 7 letters.
I am the Root and the Offspring of David, the Bright and Morning Star.”
- Jesus claims to be the Root and Offspring of David – the messianic lineage!
- Bright and Morning Star – Numbers 24:17 – a star out of Jacob is prophesied, this is Jesus! God used Balaam to speak this prophecy!
17 And the Spirit and the bride say, “Come!” And let him who hears say, “Come!” And let him who thirsts come. Whoever desires, let him take the water of life freely.
- COME – the Spirit and the Spirit within the BRIDE say COME!
- The Church is the Bride and we supernaturally cry come, we desire the Return of Christ, because this means our desire to be with the Lord Jesus!
- WHOEVER DESIRES…take of the water of life freely – INVITATION granted tpo anyone who is listening, willing!
18 For[i] I testify to everyone who hears the words of the prophecy of this book: If anyone adds to these things, God will add[j] to him the plagues that are written in this book; 19 and if anyone takes away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God shall take away[k] his part from the Book[l] of Life, from the holy city, and from the things which are written in this book.
- Warning: don’t add to these words! These are important words! God wants them preserved and treasured!!!
- Consequences are great for disgracing God’s revelation!
20 He who testifies to these things says, “Surely I am coming quickly.”
1. As already mentioned - :20 – I am coming – surely! Be expectant! Be ready!!
Amen. Even so, come, Lord Jesus!21 The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all.[m] Am