Chapters: 1
| 2 | 3 | 4
| 5 | 6 | 7
| 8 | 9 | 10
| 11 | 12 | 13
| 14 | 15 | 16
| 17 | 18 | 19
| 20 | 21 | 22
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To begin our study on the Book of Revelation, we will start with the meaning of the word. If we go to the Greek dictionary of the Strong's concordance, we will find that it means "Apocalypse" or the unveiling. (#602 apokalupsis from the prime #601 apokalupto) which means "to take off the cover" i.e. disclose or reveal. Many so called scholars, critics and hierarchy will tell you that you cannot understand this book, or that you do not need to understand Revelation because it does not apply to us and those who believe in God will not be here during this period. DO NOT BE DECEIVED! The book of Revelation would not be in the Bible if was not meant to be understood; not to mention the fact that in the third verse of chapter one it tells us that blessed is the ones who read, understand, and teach this prophecy. The Book of Revelation was written approximately 95 or 96 A.D. in the aisles of Patmos by the apostle John, better know as "John the revelator" while he was imprisoned. John was full of zeal and a little quick tempered, which earned him the nickname "Boanerges" given to him by Christ. The name means Son of Thunder. It is very important as we study this book that you keep in mind that in the tenth verse of chapter 1, John was taken in the Spirit to the future in the Lord's day, or the millennium. Throughout the Book we will be going back and forth in time from the millennium age. Also keep in mind that 1,000 of our years is one year with the Lord, as stated in (II Peter 3:8). There is a lot of controversy between scholars about certain chapters and verses in the book of Revelation, but if we carefully follow the book chapter by chapter and verse by verse, it all flows and reveals the finale of God's glorious plan as we enter into a new world age.
1The
Revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave unto him, to shew
unto his servants things which must shortly come to pass; and
he sent and signified it by his angel unto his servant John: The
angel was sent by God to John to show unto His servants. John
was shown these future activities that would occur in a
vision.
2Who bare record of the
word of God, and of the testimony of Jesus Christ, and of all
things that he saw. John wrote down all the words of
God and testimony of Jesus Christ and everything he heard and
saw.
3Blessed is he that readeth,
and they that hear the words of this prophecy, and keep those
things which are written therein: for the time is at hand. If
you read this prophecy aloud to the church, you will receive a
special blessing from the Lord. Those who listen to it being
read and do what it says will also be blessed. The time is
near when all these things will come true.
4John to the seven churches
which are in Asia: Grace be unto you, and peace, from him
which is, and which was, and which is to come; and from the
seven Spirits which are before his throne; To the seven
churches which circled around in Asia Minor. (This is how you
will be able to choose the right church, or see if your church
is teaching the full truth). Grace and peace from the God who
is, and was, and is to come. And from the seven fold spirits
before His throne. (Speaking of
the Holy Spirit).
5And from Jesus Christ, who
is the faithful witness, and the first begotten of the dead,
and the prince of the kings of the earth. Unto him that loved
us, and washed us from our sins in his own blood. Jesus
Christ who faithfully reveals all truth to us. He was the
first to rise from the dead to die no more. Christ paid the
awesome price for us at the crucifixion, with His blood to
wash away all our sins.
6And hath made us kings and
priests unto God and his Father; to him be glory and dominion
for ever and ever. Amen. Today we are His servants, but
in the future those who are faithful, He will make Kings and
priests in His Kingdom.
7Behold, he cometh with
clouds; and every eye shall see him, and they also which
pierced him: and all kindreds of the earth shall wail because
of him. Even so, Amen. There will be no mystery when He
comes at the seventh trump. This is when we will all be
changed to our spirit bodies. Everyone will see Him come, even
those who pierced Him. All nations will weep in sorrow and
terror when He comes. Let it be so... Amen!
8I am Alpha and Omega, the
beginning and the ending, saith the Lord, which is, and which
was, and which is to come, the Almighty. From A-Z, the
Alpha and Omega; the beginning and the end. He becomes the
full God Head.
9I John, who also am your
brother, and companion in tribulation, and in the kingdom and
patience of Jesus Christ, was in the isle that is called
Patmos, for the word of God, and for the testimony of Jesus
Christ. John, our brother in Christ who has suffered
for the Lord's sake as we will, for the testimony of Christ.
We will all share His Kingdom.
10I was in the Spirit on
the Lord's day, and heard behind me a great voice, as of a
trumpet. As we said in the introduction, you must
understand this verse and keep it in mind throughout our
study. John was in the spirit on the Lord's day, and taken to
the future at the beginning of the millennium. Again as stated
in (II Peter 3:8-10) 1,000 of our years is one year with the
Lord. (The millennium) in which God is longsuffering that any
should perish, but all would come to repentance. This is the
time when all the rudiments and evil will be burnt up.
11Saying, I am Alpha and
Omega, the first and the last: and, What thou seest, write in
a book, and send it unto the seven churches which are in Asia;
unto Ephesus, and unto Smyrna, and unto Pergamos, and unto
Thyatira, and unto Sardis, and unto Philadelphia, and unto
Laodicea. God is the A-Z, the beginning and the end.
These churches represent all churches, and you can identify
your church by these examples and what they teach.
12And I turned to see the
voice that spake with me. And being turned, I saw seven golden
candlesticks; We must understand that there is a great
deal of symbology used in the book of revelations. We will
find out what the seven golden candlesticks represent below in
verse 20.
13And in the midst of the
seven candlesticks one like unto the Son of man, clothed with
a garment down to the foot, and girt about the paps with a
golden girdle. The Son of man is Christ.
14His head and his hairs
were white like wool, as white as snow; and his eyes were as a
flame of fire; This was the actual presence of God.
15And his feet
like unto fine brass, as if they burned in a furnace; and his
voice as the sound of many waters. Waters utilized here
means many peoples.
16And he had in his right
hand seven stars: and out of his mouth went a sharp twoedged
sword: and his countenance was as the sun shineth in his
strength. We will find out what the seven stars
represent below also in verse 20. The sharp two edged sword
represents the Word of God. The Word can cut deep into our
soul and set people straight, or it can teach us and build us
up. God wants us all to come to the truth of His Word, and He
uses symbology throughout the bible to teach.
17And when I saw him, I
fell at his feet as dead. And he laid his right hand upon me,
saying unto me, Fear not; I am the first and the last: From
A-Z, the Alpha and Omega; the beginning and the end. (I am
that I am).
18I am he that liveth, and
was dead; and, behold, I am alive for evermore, Amen; and have
the keys of hell and of death. He will give us the
knowledge to open the doors of truth, and the truth shall set
you free. He also holds the key to Heaven and hell.
19Write the things which
thou hast seen, and the things which are, and the things which
shall be hereafter; These things were given to the
apostle John to write down from the Lord's day.
20The mystery of the seven
stars which thou sawest in my right hand, and the seven golden
candlesticks. The seven stars are the angels of the seven
churches: and the seven candlesticks which thou sawest are the
seven churches. Here is the big mystery that is so easy
to understand if you just study God's Word and let it flow as
it is written. The seven stars represent the seven angels or
overseers of the church. The seven candlesticks represent the
churches themselves. The book of revelation is no big mystery,
and symbology helps simplify His teachings. Do you attend a
church that teaches the truth of God's Word, or do you just
attend a church system that teaches traditions of men?
Chapters 2 & 3 in the book of Revelation are written to the churches of Asia minor, which made up the group of churches representing the churches of the world. We will discover in these two chapters which churches were pleasing to God. Only two of the seven churches were pleasing to God because of what they taught. The two churches were the church of Smyrna and the church of Philadelphia. These names have nothing to do with names of churches today, they just represent a type. They will however tell us what your church should be teaching. (It is their deeds that apply to us today).
1Unto
the angel of the church of Ephesus write; These things saith
he that holdeth the seven stars in his right hand, who walketh
in the midst of the seven golden candlesticks; Again
the mystery of the seven stars represent the seven angels or
overseers of the church, and the seven candlesticks represent
the churches themselves.
2I know thy works, and thy
labour, and thy patience, and how thou canst not bear them
which are evil: and thou hast tried them which say they are
apostles, and are not, and hast found them liars: They
did not tolerate sin among their members and they carefully
examined those who claimed to apostles but were not. Just as
we need to check out the teachings we may be receiving with
the Word of God.
3And hast borne, and hast
patience, and for my name's sake hast laboured, and hast not
fainted. They patiently worked hard at it without
quitting.
4Nevertheless I have
somewhat against thee, because thou hast left thy first love. But,
they wondered away from Christ, the living Word.
5Remember therefore from
whence thou art fallen, and repent, and do the first works; or
else I will come unto thee quickly, and will remove thy
candlestick out of his place, except thou repent. Remember
how it was with thy first love (Christ) when you followed the
Word. Now they just play church and follow doctrines of men.
If they do not repent and change their ways, they will be
removed from the place among the churches.
6But this thou hast, that
thou hatest the deeds of the Nicolaitanes, which I also hate. The
good part was that they hated the immoral deeds of the
Nicolaitanes. The Nicolaitanes were Balaamites; followers of
the man who induced the Israelites to fall by lust and attend
idol feasts. (Revelation 2:14 / Numbers 31:15-16)
7He that hath an ear, let
him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches; To him that
overcometh will I give to eat of the tree of life, which is in
the midst of the paradise of God. Do you have an ear to
hear? To everyone that overcomes and is victorious, He will
give the tree of life which is Christ. Paradise is the Garden
of God.
8And unto the angel of the
church in Smyrna write; These things saith the first and the
last, which was dead, and is alive; This message was
from Christ, who died for us and came back to life, defeating
death and the one who had the power of death which is Satan.
(Hebrews 2:14)
9I know thy works, and
tribulation, and poverty, (but thou art rich) and I know the
blasphemy of them which say they are Jews, and are not, but
are the synagogue of Satan. We are not speaking of our
brother Judah, but hose who claimed to be Jews and were not.
We are speaking of the Kenites who were the sons of Cain, the
first murderer, who are sons of the devil. (John 8:42-44) A
church must know the truth and not be afraid to teach it.
Knowing who the children of Satan are (The Kenites) and teach
it. Does your church teach this? Or does it teach a bunch of
fairy tales, lies, and traditions of men.
10Fear none of those things
which thou shalt suffer: behold, the devil shall cast some of
you into prison, that ye may be tried; and ye shall have
tribulation ten days: be thou faithful unto death, and I will
give thee a crown of life. We should not fear living in
the pre-tribulation, or what lies ahead in the tribulation.
The important part for Christians in the tribulation is taught
in (Mark 13:9-11), when we will be delivered up before Satan
in the hour of temptation. We are not to think or premeditate
what to say at that time, because the Holy Spirit will speak
for us like on Pentecost day. Not an unknown tongue, but a
language that everyone understands. And they can't harm us in
any way as stated in (Luke 21:18). If we are faithful till the
end, even when facing death, God will give us the Crown of
Life, an unending glorious future.
11He that hath an ear, let
him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches; He that
overcometh shall not be hurt of the second death. He
who overcomes will not fear the second death, which is the one
who can destroy your soul, that is Christ! Your church needs
to be teaching these things like the church of Smyrna, or
maybe you need to find a new church.
12And to the angel of the
church in Pergamos write; These things saith he which hath the
sharp sword with two edges. Out of the mouth of Christ
comes the Word that is the two edge sword.
13I know thy works, and
where thou dwellest, even where Satan's seat is: and thou
holdest fast my name, and hast not denied my faith, even in
those days wherein Antipas was my faithful martyr, who was
slain among you, where Satan dwelleth. They lived in a
city where Satan's was at the center of satanic worship.
Antipas was one of the church's first martyrs. But we must not
forget that Antipas also has another meaning we should be
aware of. In the Strong's concordance numbers 493, 473, and
3962 in the Greek dictionary it means "instead of"
or anti-father. As stated in II Thessalonians 2, when the
gathering back to Christ will not be until the anti-father
(anti-Christ) sits in the temple of God, claiming to be
Christ.
14But I have a few things
against thee, because thou hast there them that hold the
doctrine of Balaam, who taught Balac to cast a stumblingblock
before the children of Israel, to eat things sacrificed unto
idols, and to commit fornication. They tolerated things
of Balaam such as sexual sin and idol worship. "One of
Balaam's main sins was that he was a preacher for money."
Does any of this sound familiar?
15So hast thou also them
that hold the doctrine of the Nicolaitanes, which thing I
hate. "The Nicolaitanes were a Greek form of
Balaamites." Doctrines of false teachings and just
playing religion, as so many churches do today.
16Repent; or else I will
come unto thee quickly, and will fight against them with the
sword of my mouth. When Christ returns, He will fight
against such churches with the truth of the Word. Do you
support such churches that Christ would be against?
17He that hath an ear, let
him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches; To him that
overcometh will I give to eat of the hidden manna, and will
give him a white stone, and in the stone a new name written,
which no man knoweth saving he that receiveth it. The
manna is the truth of God's Word. The
stone could identify Christ. (Revelation 3:12, 19:12). But
wait, A stone is also used in (Revelation 13:18), to count the
number of the beast. Remember their is a true Christ and a
false Christ (Anti-Christ) who will come first. Make sure that
your stone (your rock) is Jesus Christ, and not the stone used
to identify Satan who comes pretending to be Christ.
18And unto the angel of the
church in Thyatira write; These things saith the Son of God,
who hath his eyes like unto a flame of fire, and his feet are
like fine brass. Eyes that can see right into the core,
and the treading feet of polished brass.
19I know thy works, and
charity, and service, and faith, and thy patience, and thy
works; and the last to be more than the first. Their
kindness, gifts and service to the poor, and constant
improvement in all these things.
20Notwithstanding I have a
few things against thee, because thou sufferest that woman
Jezebel, which calleth herself a prophetess, to teach and to
seduce my servants to commit fornication, and to eat things
sacrificed unto idols. Jezebel is a type that would
teach that sexual sin is not important, practice immorality,
and idolatry. (False religions and traditions). Example: They
like to incorporate the Easter bunny and egg rolling in with
the resurrection of Christ. If you need to celebrate Easter
instead of Passover, at least do it for the right reason and
leave out the commercialism and paganism of the Easter bunny.
(The word Easter comes from "Ester" a festival in
honor of the goddess of spring). A time they celebrated with
sexual orgies. God does not like it! The last supper and the
resurrection of Christ was meant to be celebrated as Passover.
21And I gave her space to
repent of her fornication; and she repented not. Just
kept messing with pagan rights, heathen religions, and
traditions of men.
22Behold, I will cast her
into a bed, and them that commit adultery with her into great
tribulation, except they repent of their deeds. They
will be cast into a sickbed of intense affliction, or in the
bed with Satan, unless they repent and change their ways.
23And I will kill her
children with death; and all the churches shall know that I am
he which searcheth the reins and hearts: and I will give unto
every one of you according to your works. He will make
them spiritually dead according to what they deserve.
24But unto you I say, and
unto the rest in Thyatira, as many as have not this doctrine,
and which have not known the depths of Satan, as they speak; I
will put upon you none other burden. Those who have not
followed these false teachings and went to the depths of
Satan, He will ask nothing further of them.
25But that which ye have
already hold fast till I come. Hold tightly to the
truth until He returns.
26And he that overcometh,
and keepeth my works unto the end, to him will I give power
over the nations. Those who overcome and hang till the
end with truth, He will give the strength.
27And he shall rule them
with a rod of iron; as the vessels of a potter shall they be
broken to shivers: even as I received of my Father. God
will rule with those who overcome, and those who do not will
be smashed just like a clay pot.
28And I will give him the
morning star. The "Morning Star" is Christ.
But, the morning star is also one of Satan's names, and he is
coming first to deceive many. (Strong's Hebrew dictionary
#1966 heylel, "in sense of brightness" the morning
star - Lucifer). But he is the fake that come first. (II
Thessalonians 2:1-4)
29He that hath an ear, let
him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches. Do
you have an ear to hear?
In chapter 3 we will find the other church that Christ found favor in, that aligned with the church of Smyrna. It is the church of Philadelphia, who's meaning is brotherly love. They both taught the truth of God's Word and are examples of what all churches should be teaching.
1And
unto the angel of the church in Sardis write; These things
saith he that hath the seven Spirits of God, and the seven
stars; I know thy works, that thou hast a name that thou
livest, and art dead. Sardis was a live and active
church, but they were spiritually dead. Sardis was a merchant
town and was the area of all the crud and low life.
2Be watchful, and
strengthen the things which remain, that are ready to die: for
I have not found thy works perfect before God. Their
deeds were far from right in the sight of God.
3Remember therefore how
thou hast received and heard, and hold fast, and repent. If
therefore thou shalt not watch, I will come on thee as a
thief, and thou shalt not know what hour I will come upon
thee. He is warning them to repent and turn back to Him
again. He is also warns us here of the hour of temptation when
anti-Christ appears.
4Thou hast a few names even
in Sardis which have not defiled their garments; and they
shall walk with me in white: for they are worthy. Some
in Sardis have not soiled their garments with the worlds
filth. They stuck with His Word. White always signifies
purity.
5He that overcometh, the
same shall be clothed in white raiment; and I will not blot
out his name out of the book of life, but I will confess his
name before my Father, and before his angels. Everyone
who overcomes with the help of the Holy Spirit will be clothed
in white robes. The white linen garments that are woven by
your works here on earth. They will not be blotted out of the
book of life. When your blotted out you do not exist.
6He that hath an ear, let
him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches. These
are the facts that the spirit is telling us.
7And to the angel of the
church in Philadelphia write; 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;
Philadelphia meaning brotherly love; He finds no fault
with this church because they have the "key of
David" that shows you all truth. The seed of David which
is Christ.
8I know thy works: behold,
I have set before thee an open door, and no man can shut it:
for thou hast a little strength, and hast kept my word, and
hast not denied my name. They were not a strong church,
or large popular super church, but they kept God's Word and
new the truth. A little strength from God goes a long way.
9Behold, 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. This
is Christ speaking of the Kenites who have caused Judah much
dismay over the years. This church aligns with the teachings
of Smyrna who taught about the Kenites. Christ taught it in
the "parable of the sower" Matthew 13 and Mark 4.
This is what your church should be teaching, or they are not
teaching everything about God's Word.
10Because 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. If you keep His Word He
will keep you from failing in the hour of temptation during
the great tribulation. But, you must first know the truth of
His Word before you can keep it. Have ye not read?
11Behold, I come quickly:
hold that fast which thou hast, that no man take thy crown. Your
crown is coming if you stay strong and know the truth.
12Him 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. Christ is speaking of the spiritual
wedding that will be taking place to those who overcome.
(Isaiah 62:4-5) We will be pillars of strength to hold up in
the temple of God.
13He that hath an ear, let
him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches. Do
you have ears to hear and eyes to see the truth? Church is
where the truth of God's Word is being taught; then Christ is
present. It has nothing to do with a big building or country
club setting. We have one more church to cover below, but
Smyrna and Philadelphia are the examples of what churches
should be teaching today.
14And 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; Amen meaning "That's That" or it is
complete. One who stands firm, the faithful and true witness,
the primary source of God's creation.
15I know thy works, that
thou art neither cold nor hot: I would thou wert cold or hot. Always
trying to please everyone, afraid to offend anybody because it
may drive them out of the church. It is good to teach the
truth of the Word because it weeds out the dead heads.
16So then because thou art
lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spue thee out of my
mouth. God does not like it when you are just lukewarm
and spiritually dead. You must teach the truth and not be
afraid to do so.
17Because 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: They may be financially rich, but
are spiritually dead and blind to the truth. Naked in
righteous acts of the saints. (Revelations 19:8)
18I 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. Spiritual gold that is
refined truth form Christ. Eye salve, or spiritual medicine to
see the truth. The eye is the mirror to the soul.
19As many as I love, I
rebuke and chasten: be zealous therefore, and repent. Christ
will continually discipline and punish everyone He loves till
they turn from their indifference and become enthusiastic
about the things of God. Not the things of the world.
20Behold, I stand at the
door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door,
I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me. Christ
will not beg people to be saved and we can't either. When you
hear Him calling you need to answer, and then He will come and
fellowship with you. Conversion comes from within!
21To 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. To
all that conquer He will let sit beside Him on the throne,
just as He conquered and took His place with the Father on His
throne.
22He that hath an ear, let
him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches. This
is what the spirit is saying to those who have an ear to hear.
This completes the letter to the churches.
In the first verse of chapter 4, many will tell you this is the rapture of the church. The writings about the church is over in chapter 3 of revelation. The church has no article in the first verse of chapter 4. Remember in chapter 1 verse 10 of the book of Revelation that it was John that was taken in the Spirit to the first day of the millennium, not the church.
1After
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. It is Christ that
is going to show John, not the church. This is only for the
churches benefit, it has nothing to do with the rapture of the
church.
2And immediately I was in
the spirit: and, behold, a throne was set in heaven, and one
sat on the throne. Again, it was John that was in the
Spirit and they are talking here about the throne of God.
3And 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.
On the breastplate of the priest there were twelve
stones, each representing a tribe of Israel. The jasper and
the sardis stone were the first and the last of the twelve
stones. (Exodus 28:17-21) These two stones were symbolic of
the twelve tribes of Israel. The rainbow being the prism of
all the stones. The entire priesthood was there.
4And round about the throne
were four and twenty seats: and upon the seats I saw four and
twenty elders sitting, clothed in white raiment; and they had
on their heads crowns of gold. These represent the
twelve patriarchs (Fathers of those tribes) and the twelve
apostles (Disciples) of Christ.
5And 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. The seven spirits or the
seven lights of the menorah.
6And 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 represents
purity. The four beasts are the Cherubim's (Protectors) to
guard the throne of God. These are living creatures that are
all knowing. Remember we are at God's throne at the beginning
of the millennium.
7And 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. Again, these four beasts (living
creatures) with wings are Cherubim, symbolic representation of
the Glory of God in His divine attributes. The face of a lion
is the image depicting God's strength, the face of a calf
depicts His sacrifice, the face of a man God as He was
manifested in the flesh, and the face of the flying Eagle, His
judgment or protection over us. These symbols point directly
to the Glory of God. For the deeper student, whenever Israel
camped it was according to a standard. Dan (The Eagle) took
the north, Judah (The Lion) took the east, Reuben (Man) took
the south, and Ephraim (The calf or Ox) took the west.
(Numbers 2)
8And 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. These
four beast (living creatures) were created without free will
to guard the throne of God. Believed by most scholars to be
the same living creatures described in Ezekiel chapter one
between 550 and 600 B.C. when God's throne was said to be
aboard the vehicles described by Ezekiel.
9And when those beasts give
glory and honor and thanks to him that sat on the throne, who
liveth for ever and ever, That is what they were
created for.
10The 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, As in verse four,
these are the twelve twelve patriarchs (Fathers of those
tribes) and the twelve apostles (Disciples) of Christ. They
tip their crowns to the King of King's and Lord of Lord's.
11Thou 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. God
created all things for His pleasure, but He has given us free
will. He will not force anyone to love Him, because that would
be fake love. God is long suffering, and is willing that all
will come to repentance. (II Peter 3:9) Do you wish to be
saved and come to repentance? Remember that we are all sinners
in the eyes of God and we all need to repent and come to know
Christ.
Verses 1-4 in chapter 5 talks of one being worthy to open the book or scroll. In John's time, official messages were often sent rolled up and then a wax seal was applied to hold it shut. The seal usually contained an official stamp. Jesus' tomb itself was sealed in this manner. To break the seal was not a matter of ability, but of authority. Or in today's terms, it's illegal to open someone else's mail. It was apparent that this particular seal required supreme authority to open. Let us continue to see who that was.
1And
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. Seven
meaning spiritual completeness. The book or scroll is the
Logos (Written Word) or Christ who is the Living Word.
2And I saw a strong angel
proclaiming with a loud voice, Who is worthy to open the book,
and to loose the seals thereof? A mighty angel was
shouting: Who is worthy to break the seals on this scroll, and
unroll it? This was a strong angel; No wimp!
3And no man in heaven, nor
in earth, neither under the earth, was able to open the book,
neither to look thereon. No one in all heaven or earth,
or among the dead was permitted to open the book and read it.
4And I wept much, because
no man was found worthy to open and to read the book, neither
to look thereon. No one was worthy. They were all
failures!
5And 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. The Lion of the tribe
of Judah and the root of David is Christ. He paid the price on
the cross at His crucifixion and was the only one worthy to
break the seals and open the scroll.
6And 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 that was slain
was Christ, with the wounds showing that once had caused His
death as He was crucified. The seven horns and seven eyes
which represent the seven fold Spirit of God. (Zechariah
4:2-6) The seven light of the menorah. And see (Zechariah
3:9-10, and 4:10) where the seven eyes are equated with the
seven lamps and the one Spirit. Christ is our light!
7And he came and took the
book out of the right hand of him that sat upon the throne. Our
Heavenly Fathers Throne.
8And 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
odors or incense are the prayers of the saints (God's people).
He hears our prayers if we need it.
9And they sung a new song,
saying, Thou art worthy to take the book, and to open the
seals thereof: for thou wast slain, and hast redeemed us to
God by thy blood out of every kindred, and tongue, and people,
and nation; Christ's blood has bought our salvation if
we accept it, and all can have eternal life.
10And hast made us unto our
God kings and priests: and we shall reign on the earth. Those
who have overcome (again the saints) He will gather into His
Kingdom. (Revelation: 20:6)
11And 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; A countless
number singing around the throne of God.
12Saying 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. They were singing of the lamb being worthy
and the seven Spirits, and the seven things that were
received.
13And 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. All
inclusive! This is the Lord's day when every knee will bow.
14And the four beasts said,
Amen. And the four and twenty elders fell down and worshipped
him that liveth for ever and ever. When they say Amen;
It means That's, That! That is how it is and will be forever.
In the next two chapters we are going to cover six of the seven seals. Keep in mind that the seals are not in chronological order as far as time is concerned, but are given in chronological order for a better understanding of events that will take place. The seals are a teaching tool. The trumps and the vials are in chronological order as far as time is concerned. However, the sixth seal, the sixth trump, and the sixth vial all align in order and refer to the time of Anti-Christ (666).
1And
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. One of the first living creatures
(Angels) opened the first seal.
2And 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
white horse here represents the Anti-Christ and the bow
described here means (Toxon) Strong's Concordance Greek
Dictionary #5115 meaning a cheap fabrication or fake. The
Anti-Christ come first before the real Christ and he is coming
in peace to play savior. (Remember Matthew 24:4-5 and Mark
13:5-6) Christ has foretold us all things.
3And when he had opened the
second seal, I heard the second beast say, Come and see. One
of the second living creatures.
4And 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. (Remember
the wars and rumors of wars mentioned in Matthew 24:6 and Mark
13:7) Satan will utilize this time to try to bring peace to
the earth gaining favor with those who follow him. Through his
peace he will deceive and destroy many. (Daniel 8:25)
5And 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. Balances stands for
justice, and black represents famine. There will be famines in
the land just as there is today, but the famine in the end
time is not for bread or water, but for hearing the truth of
God's Word. (Amos 8:11-12)
6And 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. There will be famines in the
land as stated in (Matthew 24:7 and Mark 13:8) and a time is
coming when you will work a full day for a loaf of bread. Were
not that far off now with the rising cost of living. People
barely getting by working paycheck to paycheck, without even a
dollar left over at the end of the day.
7And when he had opened the
fourth seal, I heard the voice of the fourth beast say, Come
and see. The fourth living creature says to look with
understanding.
8And 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. We
are speaking here of the "Beast System" that looks
so religious, but is controlled by Satan. (Remember that Satan
represents death).
9And 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: Back to the beginning of time, all those souls
who stood up for the Word of God.
10And 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? The revenge of the Lord for all those souls that
were persecuted for following God.
11And 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. This refers to the
ones who remain on earth till this day that will also be
persecuted for their faith. We will be delivered up before
Satan at the hour of temptation. (Mark 13:9-12) Again, Christ
has foretold us all things. (Mark 13:13-23) But those who
remain faithful till the end, not one hair on our heads will
be touched. (Luke 21:18)
12And 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; The sky turns dark because of all the
deception and lies.
13And 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. The figs
that are harvested out of season. This is the time when Satan
is already on the scene and will be exposed. (666), The sixth
seal, the sixth vial, and the sixth trump. Then after these
days of the tribulation, "Not before" is when the
real Christ shall appear. (Mark 13:24-27) This is when our
gathering back to Christ will be. (II Thessalonians 2)
14And the heaven departed
as a scroll when it is rolled together; and every mountain and
island were moved out of their places. This is the time
when the second Heaven age ends and the third heaven age
begins.
15And 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; All that were deceived that are in shame for
what they believed in and taught to others. Super preachers,
phony pastors, and false teachers!
16And 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: They
will want to die because they are ashamed and let Satan and
false teachings deceive them.
17For the great day of his
wrath is come; and who shall be able to stand? Remember
"Revelations Chapter 1 verse 10" this is the Lord's
Day, and the wrath of the Lord has come! Who will survive It?
There is two tribulations. The tribulation of anti-Christ
which comes first and then the tribulation of the real Christ.
The first tribulation we stand against the anti-Christ and if
you are in Christ, you do not need to worry about the second
tribulation, Christ is not coming to harm you.
Again it is very important to remember as stated in the tenth verse of chapter 1, John was taken in the Spirit to the future in the Lord's day, or the millennium. So we will continue this study into the future of the Lord's day.
1And
after these things 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. Keep in mind that in biblical numeric,
four means earth. When we mention the holding of the four
winds of the earth, it has to do with the end of this earth
age, as mentioned in Daniel Chapter 7, "Vision of the
four beasts" and Ezekiel Chapter 37, "The valley of
dry bones." The winds are being held back till this time
of the end.
2And 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, This is the
angel that would sound the seventh trump.
3Saying, Hurt not the
earth, neither the sea, nor the trees, till we have sealed the
servants of our God in their foreheads. We are speaking
of things of nature here that are about to be destroyed. The
seal of God in our foreheads is a working knowledge of the
truth of God's Word. The "mark of the beast" is just
the opposite. False doctrine, false teachings, and traditions
of men, brought forth by Satan to deceive as many as he can.
No one can deceive you when you have the seal of God in your
forehead (Your brain). This is meant for all the twelve tribes
of all races and kinds, on an individual basis.
4And 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. This does not mean that 144,000 are the only
ones that are going to heaven as many may believe. The subject
here is the sealing of the truth in their foreheads.
5Of 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. These are just a few of the full house of
Israel.
6Of 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. Again just a few of the full house of Israel.
7Of 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. Just a few more of the full house of Israel.
8Of 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. And the last few of the full house of
Israel.
9After this 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; Gentiles and Jews alike, and all
peoples of the world of every race and kind, who stood before
the throne of God. The palms were for the feast of tabernacles
as stated in Leviticus 23:39-41.
10And cried with a loud
voice, saying, Salvation to our God which sitteth upon the
throne, and unto the Lamb. Salvation belongs to our
Heavenly Father.
11And 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, They were paying honor to God.
12Saying, Amen: Blessing,
and glory, and wisdom, and thanksgiving, and honour, and
power, and might, be unto our God for ever and ever. Amen. Amen,
(That is That)! These (7) things are stated to the Lamb. In
revelation 5:12, the same (7) things are stated worthy is the
Lamb.
13And one of the elders
answered, saying unto me, What are these which are arrayed in
white robes? and whence came they? Who, what and where
did these come from?
14And 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. These are the ones
who hung in there through the tribulation and were not
deceived by Satan. They did the work they were supposed to do,
and they washed their robes with the blood of the Lamb which
is Christ.
15Therefore 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
are the ones who serve and work for the Lord, and He shall be
with them forever. Yes, there will be plenty of work to be
done. There are no free rides!
16They shall hunger no
more, neither thirst any more; neither shall the sun light on
them, nor any heat. They will hunger for the
"Word" no more, for they will have the truth of
God's Word sealed within.
17For 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. Christ will constantly feed them
and be their shepherd, leading them to the fountains of living
water. When the "Word" is opened up to you, it is
such a precious thing. Study His Word and exercise the spirit.
As we study the eighth chapter of the book of Revelation, remember that the seals are not in chronological order as to time like the trumps and the vials. They are for a teaching tool to forewarn us of what is to come. And to let us know for sure that Satan, the "Anti-Christ" appears on the scene before the real Christ. Satan will try to deceive as many as he can coming in peace with many deceptions and lies. Do not be deceived!
1And
when he had opened the seventh seal, there was silence in
heaven about the space of half an hour. This is when
the last seal was opened. We are speaking here of the first
half of the hour of temptation. The six seal speaks of the one
who comes in the first seal. This is to let us know when the
others come to past and help us understand the first six
seals. Christ foretells us all things, just as He did in Mark
13:23-31 "the parable of the fig tree." Again the
four winds are mentioned just before this time to let us know
when the time is and what we are talking about. It also speaks
of the "generation of the fig tree" or "last
generation" which is spoken of in Jeremiah 24, when
Israel would become a nation again. The house of Judah and the
house of Benjamin formed a nation Jerusalem. This happened in
the year of our Lord 1948. Remember that every seal was opened
by the "Lamb" which is Christ, so go to Him if you
need help on this subject. Do not be deceived by Satan or
false teachers!
2And I saw the seven angels
which stood before God; and to them were given seven trumpets.
The word trumpets here means "action" or to
"charge" just as the angels were ready for.
3And 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. This is a different angel from the ones
holding the seven trumps. The incense represents all the
prayers of the saints. God always here's our prayers. He may
not always answer the ones that are not of His will, but He
hears all prayers.
4And the smoke of the
incense, which came with the prayers of the saints, ascended
up before God out of the angel's hand. This angel makes
sure that all your prayers are heard.
5And 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. God is that consuming
fire of the alter. He warms the hearts with the "Holy
Spirit" to those who know the truth of His Word. But, He
will also consume those who do not!
6And the seven angels which
had the seven trumpets prepared themselves to sound. Ready
for action, prepared to blow their mighty blasts!
7The 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. This is
speaking of nature being hurt here, not people.
8And 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;
Remember that the "waters" represent
multitudes of people. (Revelation 17:15) and the famine in the
end time is for these people to hear the truth of God's Word.
If this is so shocking, just look at the people today that are
dying because of (HIV) infected blood.
9And the third part of the
creatures which were in the sea, and had life, died; and the
third part of the ships were destroyed. They died a
spiritual death because they fallow the false messiah. The
"ships" represent one of the "four hidden
dynasties" which is commerce. Just take a good look at
the economy and see where it is heading.
10And 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. We are talking of
"Satan" here, pretending to be Christ. Remember that
"Lucifer" was the morning star that fell in the
"first earth age." The "lamp or light"
here is deception from Satan. Christ warns us in "Luke
10:18" about Satan falling from heaven. Remember that
Christ is our true morning star, but He does not return till
after the Anti-Christ. (Matthew 24:29-30, Mark 13:24-26)
11And 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. The wormwood here is
"Bitterness" or "Grievous" (Satan) who
makes them die a spiritual death because of his deception and
lies. Just as he did with 1/3 of the angels who followed him
in the first earth age.
12And 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. These are
the signs in the sky's given to us as visual warnings of the
end times. As stated in Genesis 1:14, for signs and for years.
13And 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,
which are yet to sound! The angel here is translated
"Eagle" because of it's cry with a loud voice. The
first four trumpets had to do with things of nature. The next
three trumpets will be concerning the flesh.
The anti-Christ appears on the scene when the sixth trump is sounded, but the fifth trump also warns us before hand, just as Christ would tell us in Mark 13:23, I have foretold you all things.
1And
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 is translated as angel here. Just as in
Revelation 1:20, "the stars are the angels." Here it
is believed by most scholars to be a satanic person. One of
the fallen angels. Others believe this is a reference to
Christ. The problem with that is, Christ does not appear until
the seventh trump. I believe it is a satanic being.
2And 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. A
counterfeit has appeared, shown by the darkness of the sun and
the air. Just the opposite of what happens when Christ comes.
3And
there came out of the smoke locusts upon the earth: and unto
them was given power, as the scorpions of the earth have
power. The locust devours everything in it's path, but
these were not like regular locust that feed on the grass or
plants. They had the power like the scorpion. A scorpion
stings with power in it's tail and paralyzes it's victims.
Then it's body fluids turn it's victim to mush before it
devours it. Just like Satan does with the minds of people.
4And 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. The locust army
is commanded to hurt those without the seal of God in their
minds. What is the seal of God? The Word of God! A working
knowledge of the Word and God's overall plan, so you cannot be
tempted or deceived by Satan and receive his mark, also known
as "the beast mark." This locust army was sent
by God among His own people, and is spoken of in "Joel
2:25-31" when it speaks of the outpouring of God's
spirit, just before the great and terrible day of the Lord
comes! They cannot hurt the ones with the seal of God in their
heads because they have power over them and over Satan, as
stated in the Book of Luke. Behold, I
give unto you power to tread on serpents and scorpions, and
over all the power of the enemy: and nothing shall by any
means hurt you. (Luke 10:19) They can only hurt the
one's who follow Satan!
5And 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. For five months
their minds will be turned to mush because of the flood of
lies and deception. Satan will steal your thought process
right from you and you will be in his control!
6And in those days shall
men seek death, and shall not find it; and shall desire to
die, and death shall flee from them. They will want to
die because they are ashamed for following Satan and his lies.
Death flees them because death is about to be destroyed at the
seventh trump.
7And 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. Horses represents power, and
they are ready for battle. They had crown of gold because they
were servants of the King.
8And they had hair as the
hair of women, and their teeth were as the teeth of lions. The
hair of a woman represents gentleness, and they appeared
gentle. But they had the teeth of a lion, that rips and tears
it's prey.
9And 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.
A priest wears the breastplate, but these are false
teachers.
10And they had tails like
unto scorpions, and there were stings in their tails: and
their power was to hurt men five months. Remember that
they cannot touch those who have the seal of God, but can hurt
all others. They will only have five months of power! Now,
when will this five month period take place? No one knows the
exact date, but Christ does tell us the time period when
referring to the locust. (The time of the locust is May
through September). This is the natural time of the
locust, and God always uses nature in His Word to give us
insight and clues in the Word.
11And 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. Satan is their king; Apollyon means
destroyer. Satan is the destroyer and son of perdition,
playing his roll as anti-Christ. This is spoken of in "II
Corinthians 11:13-15" when false apostles are
transforming themselves into apostles of Christ, and Satan
himself is transformed into an angel of light. In the Strong's,
"transformed" is to "transfigure or
disguise." Strong's #3345 in the Greek dictionary. DO NOT
BE DECEIVED!
12One woe is past; and,
behold, there come two woes more hereafter. One terror
now ends, but there are two more coming!
13And the sixth angel
sounded, and I heard a voice from the four horns of the golden
altar which is before God, These are the four horns of
power that come from the altar of God.
14Saying to the sixth angel
which had the trumpet, Loose the four angels which are bound
in the great river Euphrates. Euphrates represents the
boundary between Gods children and Babylon. The angels that
are bound are bad angels. These angels are spoken of in
"Jude 1:6." The fallen angels! Paul would also speak
of these angels in "I Corinthians 11:10." The woman
must have the power of God (the word of God), upon her head to
protect her from the return of the "fallen angels."
15And 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. To
be released upon the earth in that moment.
16And the number of the
army of the horsemen were two hundred thousand thousand: and I
heard the number of them. An army of at least 200
million in Satan's army. This could be a larger number in view
of the world population will be over 6 billion in the near
future.
17And 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. They are playing
the roll of priests and out of their mouths comes lies and
deception. Kind of like a lot of preachers today!
18By 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. They
die a spiritual death, because of the lies and deception.
False religious teachers! They look and act so holy, but
deceive one third of the people on earth.
19For 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. The
only power they have because they follow the serpent. Satan!
They will hurt when they lie to you. Did you ever have someone
lie to you just to find out later? It hurts, doesn't it?
20And 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: The ones
claiming to be servants of God. They can't save anyone!
21Neither repented they of
their murders, nor of their sorceries, nor of their
fornication, nor of their thefts. Their spiritual
murders and polluting of the minds of others trying to steal
Gods Kingdom. Do you know what "sorceries" means in
the bible? Strong's Greek dictionary #5331 "Pharmakeia"
from #5332 "Pharmakeus" meaning medication, a
spell-giving potion, a druggist, a poisoner! There are a lot
of legal and illegal drug dealers out there in the world today
that are poisoning the minds of adults and children. You know
who they are, and God does not like it!
In chapter 10 of the Book of Revelation we are going to touch on the seven thunders. In order to understand the thunders, we need to know that it is lightening that causes thunder. The thunder always comes after the lightening or after the action. Keep in mind that Satan falls like lightening as stated in "Luke 10:19."
1And
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: The
mighty angel of God Himself!
2And 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, He held open in his hand a
small scroll, standing all powerful.
3And cried with a loud
voice, as when a lion roareth: and when he had cried, seven
thunders uttered their voices. A great shout as the
roar of the lion, as the seven thunders crashed their reply.
4And 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. The
voices of the seven thunders were not to be revealed at this
time. Many teachers will tell you that you cannot understand
the Book of Revelation because it is sealed. It is the seven
thunders that were sealed. Not the Book of Revelation!
5And the angel which I saw
stand upon the sea and upon the earth lifted up his hand to
heaven, The mighty angel of God lifted his right hand
to heaven.
6And 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: The time is up! There is no
more delay.
7But 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. Through the prophets God has
told us of the "great mystery." Jesus speaks of it
in "Matthew 13" the parable of the sower and the
parable of the tares of the field. It was the understanding of
this "Mystery" that separated the church of
"Smyrna and Philadelphia" from the other five
churches. (Revelation 2, 3) It is important that we also
understand this "mystery" and the parable of the
sower and tares!
8And 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. The book
(scroll) is opened and it is being offered to take it.
9And 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. We
need to ask for the knowledge of the Word before we receive
it. To eat it means to gain knowledge or to digest the Word.
When you first take the Word in it is as sweet as honey, but
as you digest the truth and see the things that will happen in
the end times to the unbelievers, (those who follow Satan) it
will make your stomach sour.
10And 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. The bitterness is what you are going to see
in the near future.
11And he said unto me, Thou
must prophesy again before many peoples, and nations, and
tongues, and kings. We are supposed to prophecy the
truth of the Word to the unlearned. Just as they did on
Pentecost day, that was spoken by the prophet Joel. But
this is that which was spoken by the prophet Joel; And it
shall come to pass in the last days, saith God, I will pour
out of my Spirit upon all flesh: and your sons and your
daughters shall prophesy, and your young men shall see
visions, and your old men shall dream dreams: And on my
servants and on my handmaidens I will pour out in those days
of my Spirit; and they shall prophesy: And I will shew wonders
in heaven above, and signs in the earth beneath; blood, and
fire, and vapour of smoke: The sun shall be turned into
darkness, and the moon into blood, before the great and
notable day of the Lord come: And it shall come to pass, that
whosoever shall call on the name of the Lord shall be saved.
(Acts 2:16-21) The same that will be before the great
day of the Lord. (The millennium) DO NOT BE DECEIVED!
As we study chapter 11, keep in mind that the book of Revelation is the fulfillment of the old and the new testament. We will find out in this chapter about the two witnesses, and how God will work through His elect. The many member bodied temple that will take place at the return of Christ.
1And
there was given me a reed like unto a rod: and the angel
stood, saying, Rise, and measure the temple of God, and the
altar, and them that worship therein. This reed is
likened to a rod of correction or destruction.
2But the court which is
without the temple leave out, and measure it not; for it is
given unto the Gentiles: and the holy city shall they tread
under foot forty and two months. Keep in mind that any
prophecy that is given in months or moons is speaking of the
anti-Christ (Satan), because he represents the children of the
night. This forty two months or 3-1/2 years is the time of
great trials and persecutions as stated in Daniel 12:5-10. The
time will be shortened to five months for the elects sake.
3And I will give power unto
my two witnesses, and they shall prophesy a thousand two
hundred and threescore days, clothed in sackcloth. These
are the two witnesses, the two individuals or prophets clothed
in sackcloth that shall prophecy 1,260 days. Again keep in
mind that any prophecy given in days are solar and of the sun
or light, or of God. No one knows who the two witnesses will
be, but most scholars believe they will be Moses and Elijah.
Remember that Moses was buried by God as stated in the last
chapter of Deuteronomy, and Elijah did not die, but was taken
by a whirlwind as stated in II Kings 2.
4These are the two olive
trees, and the two candlesticks standing before the God of the
earth. The two olive trees are the two witnesses (the
anointed ones) that help God as stated in Zechariah chapter 4.
The two candlesticks I believe could represent the two
churches that God approved of that were the church of Smyrna
and Philadelphia. (In Revelations chapter 1 the seven candle
sticks represented the seven churches).
5And if any man will hurt
them, fire proceedeth out of their mouth, and devoureth their
enemies: and if any man will hurt them, he must in this manner
be killed. God warns us not to touch His anointed ones.
6These have power to shut
heaven, that it rain not in the days of their prophecy: and
have power over waters to turn them to blood, and to smite the
earth with all plagues, as often as they will. The two
witnesses have the power to control nature any way they
please. They will also be able to control people and turn them
to the truth. (In Revelations 17:15 it states that the waters
represent peoples of every race and nation).
7And when they shall have
finished their testimony, the beast that ascendeth out of the
bottomless pit shall make war against them, and shall overcome
them, and kill them. In Revelation 9:4 it states not to
touch anyone with the seal of God, but Satan breaks this
direct rule from God. Satan is the tyrant that rises from the
bottomless pit and destroys them when they complete their
3-1/2 years of solemn testimony.
8And their dead bodies
shall lie in the street of the great city, which spiritually
is called Sodom and Egypt, where also our Lord was crucified. Their
corpse will lie in the city of Jerusalem where Christ was
crucified.
9And they of the people and
kindreds and tongues and nations shall see their dead bodies
three days and an half, and shall not suffer their dead bodies
to be put in graves. For 3-1/2 actual days they will
lie there for people from many nations to gaze at. No one will
be allowed to bury them because Satan does not want to make
martyrs of them.
10And they that dwell upon
the earth shall rejoice over them, and make merry, and shall
send gifts one to another; because these two prophets
tormented them that dwelt on the earth. There will be a
worldwide holiday, and people everywhere will rejoice partying
and giving gifts to one another because of the death of the
two witnesses who had tormented them with the truth of God's
Word. The biblically illiterate who have been deceived by
Satan.
11And after three days and
an half the spirit of life from God entered into them, and
they stood upon their feet; and great fear fell upon them
which saw them. After 3-1/2 days God brings them back
to life in their spirit bodies, and a paralyzing fear comes
upon the people.
12And they heard a great
voice from heaven saying unto them, Come up hither. And they
ascended up to heaven in a cloud; and their enemies beheld
them. They will rise to Heaven as their enemies watch.
They are the only two that ascend to Heaven, so don't try to
make a rapture out of this event.
13And the same hour was
there a great earthquake, and the tenth part of the city fell,
and in the earthquake were slain of men seven thousand: and
the remnant were affrighted, and gave glory to the God of
heaven. The 7,000 who die are believed to be the
"fallen angels" who came to earth to seduce woman.
14The second woe is past;
and, behold, the third woe cometh quickly. The first
two woe's were the locust from the pit and the two witnesses,
and the third quickly follows.
15And the seventh angel
sounded; and there were great voices in heaven, saying, The
kingdoms of this world are become the kingdoms of our Lord,
and of his Christ; and he shall reign for ever and ever. The
seventh and final trump, the return of Christ, and the time we
put on our spiritual bodies. The Lord and His anointed shall
now rule the world from this day to eternity.
16And the four and twenty
elders, which sat before God on their seats, fell upon their
faces, and worshipped God, These are said to be by many
scholars the 12 Patriarchs and 12 disciples, but we will not
know till that time.
17Saying, We give thee
thanks, O LORD God Almighty, which art, and wast, and art to
come; because thou hast taken to thee thy great power, and
hast reigned. From the beginning, till the end times,
and forever.
18And the nations were
angry, and thy wrath is come, and the time of the dead, that
they should be judged, and that thou shouldest give reward
unto thy servants the prophets, and to the saints, and them
that fear thy name, small and great; and shouldest destroy
them which destroy the earth. The time has come for
Christ to judge the dead and reward His servants and prophets,
and destroy those who destroy and corrupt the earth.
19And the temple of God was
opened in heaven, and there was seen in his temple the ark of
his testament: and there were lightnings, and voices, and
thunderings, and an earthquake, and great hail. The
very temple of God in Heaven is opened to us and the Ark of
the Covenant could be seen, which is God's contract with us.
The thunders, earthquake and hail is when Armageddon is taking
place.
Keep in mind that chapter 12 of Revelation covers a very long time span that goes back as far as the first earth age and far into the future. Many of the following chapters were also set aside explaining things that were prophesied of to make it easier to understand.
1And
there appeared a great wonder in heaven; a woman clothed with
the sun, and the moon under her feet, and upon her head a
crown of twelve stars: The woman represents Israel
or a type.
2And she being with child
cried, travailing in birth, and pained to be delivered. Her
delivery represents a birth of a new world age.
3And there appeared another
wonder in heaven; and behold a great red dragon, having seven
heads and ten horns, and seven crowns upon his heads. A
sign in heaven... The great red dragon is Satan, and he
utilizes the same government as he did in the first earth age.
In the first earth age he wanted the mercy seat of God. He no
longer wanted to serve God, but wanted to be like God.
4And his tail drew the
third part of the stars of heaven, and did cast them to the
earth: and the dragon stood before the woman which was ready
to be delivered, for to devour her child as soon as it was
born. The stars of heaven are the children of heaven.
Satan's tail represents his flood of lies as he drew 1/3 of
the angels in the first earth age. Now we switch to the woman
in this earth age who represents the virgin Marry giving birth
to her child. Satan wanted to destroy Him but failed.
5And she brought forth a
man child, who was to rule all nations with a rod of iron: and
her child was caught up unto God, and to his throne. The
man child would be Christ who ascended into heaven and would
return in the second advent.
6And the woman fled into
the wilderness, where she hath a place prepared of God, that
they should feed her there a thousand two hundred and
threescore days. 1,260 days as compared to the days in
Daniel. God always utilizes nature to protect His children.
7And there was war in
heaven: Michael and his angels fought against the dragon; and
the dragon fought and his angels. The war in heaven
against good and evil.
8And prevailed not; neither
was their place found any more in heaven. The dragon
looses the battle and is no longer in heaven.
9And the great dragon was
cast out, that old serpent, called the Devil, and Satan, which
deceiveth the whole world: he was cast out into the earth, and
his angels were cast out with him. This is when Satan
is cast out of heaven and into the earth. Up to this period it
was just his spirit roaming the earth. Satan will be cast out
to the earth just before the return of Christ, the 5 months of
tribulation when Satan will be here in the flesh pretending to
be Christ. (Mark 13:22-25) Jesus warns us in the seven seals
Revelation 6:12-13, and also in Matthew 24:36-38. It will be
as in the days of Noah when they were eating, drinking, and
marrying with the fallen angels. (Genesis 6) Noah's flood also
lasted 5 months.
10And I heard a loud voice
saying in heaven, Now is come salvation, and strength, and the
kingdom of our God, and the power of his Christ: for the
accuser of our brethren is cast down, which accused them
before our God day and night. The accuser is Satan
himself who accuses us today when we fall short, just as he
did to Job in the Old Testament. (Job 1:6-11)
11And they overcame him by
the blood of the Lamb, and by the word of their testimony; and
they loved not their lives unto the death. They
overcame by the blood of the lamb and the Word of their
testimony which is the Word of God. The truth of God's Word,
not a bunch of false teachings and traditions of men.
12Therefore rejoice, ye
heavens, and ye that dwell in them. Woe to the inhabiters of
the earth and of the sea! for the devil is come down unto you,
having great wrath, because he knoweth that he hath but a
short time. They rejoice in heaven because Satan is
gone. But woe to those who are biblically illiterate on earth
because Satan is now here to deceive many.
13And when the dragon saw
that he was cast unto the earth, he persecuted the woman which
brought forth the man child. He persecutes the children
of God and wants to hurt them.
14And to the woman were
given two wings of a great eagle, that she might fly into the
wilderness, into her place, where she is nourished for a time,
and times, and half a time, from the face of the serpent. 3-1/2
years that is shortened to 5 months Satan persecutes the
children of God. God is the great eagle that protects His
children and the two wings represent the two witnesses.
(Deuteronomy 32:10-12) Moses' Song, God protects as the eagle
and carries the weak.
15And the serpent cast out
of his mouth water as a flood after the woman, that he might
cause her to be carried away of the flood. The flood of
lies from Satan.
16And the earth helped the
woman, and the earth opened her mouth, and swallowed up the
flood which the dragon cast out of his mouth. Mother
nature protects us, God always utilizes nature to protect His
children. To the none believer it is just overlooked as a
freak accident, but God is always in control.
17And the dragon was wroth
with the woman, and went to make war with the remnant of her
seed, which keep the commandments of God, and have the
testimony of Jesus Christ. Remnant of the woman seed
(Eve), which keep the commandments of God. (Genesis 3:15) But
beware of the serpent seed and the difference between the two.
(I John 3:8-12) The church of Smyrna and Philadelphia taught
who the serpent seed was. The Sons of Cain, the Kenites!
In chapter 13 we will find the rise of two beasts. One will be the rise of a one world political system and the other will be the rise of the religious beast which is the anti-Christ. In this chapter we will find several analogies that many find confusing, but if we follow this chapter verse by verse and stay focused on the subject and object in His Word, it all comes together.
1And
I stood upon the sand of the sea, and saw a beast rise up out
of the sea, having seven heads and ten horns, and upon his
horns ten crowns, and upon his heads the name of blasphemy. In
Revelation 17:15 it tells us that the waters represent the
mass of people from every race and nation. Out of the waters
are the people that the one world political system will rise
from. This same type of beast rose against God in the first
earth age as stated in Revelation 12:3.
2And the beast which I saw
was like unto a leopard, and his feet were as the feet of a
bear, and his mouth as the mouth of a lion: and the dragon
gave him his power, and his seat, and great authority. Swift
like a leopard, trample like a bear, and the tearing power of
the lion. Satan's spiritual
powers will utilize this political system, or one world order.
(This one world order started to take shape around 2005).
3And I saw one of his heads
as it were wounded to death; and his deadly wound was healed:
and all the world wondered after the beast. This one
world power will almost come together but it receives a deadly
wound and falls apart. But, Satan will come as anti-Christ
playing the roll of Jesus to heal the wound and bring it all
together. Much of the world will marvel at this miracle and
follow after Satan.
4And they worshipped the
dragon which gave power unto the beast: and they worshipped
the beast, saying, Who is like unto the beast? who is able to
make war with him? Many will worship Satan and the
political system. This is when the spiritual war will take
place against him.
5And there was given unto
him a mouth speaking great things and blasphemies; and power
was given unto him to continue forty and two months. Remember
that Satan's prophecy is given in months or moons.
6And he opened his mouth in
blasphemy against God, to blaspheme his name, and his
tabernacle, and them that dwell in heaven. He
blasphemes Gods temple and all who are in heaven. This is the
time when Satan comes to power and claims to be God. Christ
spoke of this blasphemy in (Luke 12:8-12) about the hour of
temptation when some will be delivered up to anti-Christ. Paul
speaks of this time in (II Thessalonians 2:2-12) as it is the
time just before the true Christ returns.
7And it was given unto him
to make war with the saints, and to overcome them: and power
was given him over all kindreds, and tongues, and nations. This
is the time when Satan makes war against God's people and the
two witnesses when he kills them. (Three days before the real
Christ returns).
8And all that dwell upon
the earth shall worship him, whose names are not written in
the book of life of the Lamb slain from the foundation of the
world. The foundation of the world in the first earth
age when the overthrow of Satan took place.
9If any man have an ear,
let him hear. Do you understand about the events that
have come to pass and the ones about to happen?
10He that leadeth into
captivity shall go into captivity: he that killeth with the
sword must be killed with the sword. Here is the patience and
the faith of the saints. Some of God's people will be
put into prison and some put to death. But, if anyone
imprisons you, he will be imprisoned. If anyone kills you, he
will be killed. How much faith do you have? You will find
yourself in captivity with anti-Christ if you are not familiar
with God's Word. Spoken of also in Jeremiah 43:11, Satan is
spoken of as the King of Babylon.
11And I beheld another
beast coming up out of the earth; and he had two horns like a
lamb, and he spake as a dragon. The religious beast
comes to power on earth (anti-Christ) and appears to be the
lamb slain, but he speaks as a dragon, because he is the
dragon. The two horns representing he has come to maturity.
12And he exerciseth all the
power of the first beast before him, and causeth the earth and
them which dwell therein to worship the first beast, whose
deadly wound was healed. He utilized the first beast
(the one world political system) and many will fall for it and
worship the beast. Why? Because the system will be offering
those who fall for it a free ride, (Pay your bills and get a
free check every month), look how many people are using and
abusing the system already.
13And he doeth great
wonders, so that he maketh fire come down from heaven on the
earth in the sight of men, Makes miracles happen, like
lightning coming from the sky with a snap of his finger.
14And deceiveth them that
dwell on the earth by the means of those miracles which he had
power to do in the sight of the beast; saying to them that
dwell on the earth, that they should make an image to the
beast, which had the wound by a sword, and did live. Many
will worship and use the one world political system to their
benefit.
15And he had power to give
life unto the image of the beast, that the image of the beast
should both speak, and cause that as many as would not worship
the image of the beast should be killed. Satan brings
to life and gives authority to the religious beast or one
world religious/political system. To
worship or take part in this one world system would be to
die a spiritual death. Satan wants your soul! He wants
you to surrender and worship him and he will give you what you
want. He tried the same thing with Jesus in (Matthew 4:1-9)
when he offered Jesus all the kingdoms of the world. Who will
Satan utilize as the one world religious beast/political
system? Many scholars believe he will use the largest and most
popular of the Christian organizations, the Papacy. The
Catholic Church is the largest Christian church, representing
over half of all Christians, and is the largest organized body
of any world religion. According to the Statistical
Yearbook of the Catholic Church, the Catholic Church's
worldwide recorded membership at the end of 2005 was
1,114,966,000, approximately one-sixth of the worlds
population. (This would be a type in the end times, just as
the King of Babylon).
16And he causeth all, both
small and great, rich and poor, free and bond, to receive a
mark in their right hand, or in their foreheads: Many
will receive the beast mark, but it will not be on their head,
it will be in their head through the deception of Satan. The
mark in the hand is a metaphor for doing the work of Satan.
(The Greek word for in = en or in, and that is exactly what it
means).
17And that no man might buy
or sell, save he that had the mark, or the name of the beast,
or the number of his name. They must receive the mark
of the beast or know the number of his name in order to
benefit from the beast.
18Here is wisdom. Let him
that hath understanding count the number of the beast: for it
is the number of a man; and his number is Six hundred
threescore and six. Lets take the word count back to
the Greek. (Strong's Concordance #5585 & #5586 Greek
Dictionary, to use pebbles in enumeration, a pebble worn
smooth by handling, a verdict or ticket, a vote: stone,
voice). Remember the white stone of (Revelation 2:17) that we
could identify with Christ. Here we identify the number of the
beast (Satan), which is the fake rock or stone. How can we
count the number of the beast? One way is that at the sixth
seal, sixth trump, and sixth vial, Satan appears on the scene.
The appearance of a man and his number, and his number is 666!
Many scholars believe this refers to the Papacy. Example or
type: The pope
wears upon his pontifical crown in jeweled letters, this
title: "Vicarius Filii Dei," (Viceregent of the Son
of God), the numerical value of which title is just six
hundred and sixty-six. (Again, another type that could be utilized in the
end times like the king of Babylon, that was utilized in earlier times). Are we judging here? Not at all...
We are discerning truth for a better and broader
understanding. DO NOT BE DECEIVED!
Chapter 14 of the great book of revelation has to do with here on earth and what happens when the true Christ returns as King of Kings and Lord of Lord's.
1And
I looked, and, lo, a Lamb stood on the mount Sion, and with
him an hundred forty and four thousand, having his Father's
name written in their foreheads. The lamb here is
Christ when He returns to mount Zion. Chapter 7 of revelation
told us who the 144,000 were. The servants of God, or the
spiritual virgins, those who have overcome.
2And I heard a voice from
heaven, as the voice of many waters, and as the voice of a
great thunder: and I heard the voice of harpers harping with
their harps: The singing of the choir accompanied by
harps because we have the victory.
3And they sung as it were a
new song before the throne, and before the four beasts, and
the elders: and no man could learn that song but the hundred
and forty and four thousand, which were redeemed from the
earth. The ones who overcame and were redeemed from the
earth.
4These are they which were
not defiled with women; for they are virgins. These are they
which follow the Lamb whithersoever he goeth. These were
redeemed from among men, being the firstfruits unto God and to
the Lamb. These are the ones that were converted and
not defiled by the great harlot.
5And in their mouth was
found no guile: for they are without fault before the throne
of God. Guile used here from the Strong's Concordance
#1388 is (Dolos) meaning a trick, deceit, or lie. They
believed and received the truth of God's Word. As it is said
in II Thessalonians 2:10-12 those who do not receive the
truth, God will send them strong delusion that they should
believe a lie. Just as so many do today listening to doctrines
of men and false teachings. Why would God let some believe
a lie? Because if they new
the truth, they would not believe it anyway, or even if they
did, they would not do anything constructive with it. How many
people have you passed on a truth of God's Word and they just
brushed it off or said that it was ridiculous.
6And I saw another angel
fly in the midst of heaven, having the everlasting gospel to
preach unto them that dwell on the earth, and to every nation,
and kindred, and tongue, and people, Those deceived
will finally here the truth of the Word. Some may say that the
Gospel is preached all over the world today, so this must be a
second chance. Not at all; some never had a chance in the
first place to hear the real truth.
7Saying with a loud voice,
Fear God, and give glory to him; for the hour of his judgment
is come: and worship him that made heaven, and earth, and the
sea, and the fountains of waters. The love of our
Heavenly Father as He sits as judge who made all things.
8And there followed another
angel, saying, Babylon is fallen, is fallen, that great city,
because she made all nations drink of the wine of the wrath of
her fornication. Sister Babylon the harlot. Babble
means confusion and here all confusion will be removed.
9And the third angel
followed them, saying with a loud voice, If any man worship
the beast and his image, and receive his mark in his forehead,
or in his hand, Speaking of the false Christ and his
mark of deception.
10The same shall drink of
the wine of the wrath of God, which is poured out without
mixture into the cup of his indignation; and he shall be
tormented with fire and brimstone in the presence of the holy
angels, and in the presence of the Lamb: Remember that
God is that consuming fire. This is the cup of wrath that
Jesus would say "Let this cup pass from me" in
Matthew 26. He didn't want this cup of wrath to be poured out
on the world if possible.
11And the smoke of their
torment ascendeth up for ever and ever: and they have no rest
day nor night, who worship the beast and his image, and
whosoever receiveth the mark of his name. Those who are
deceived by and follow Satan. Psalm 27 also speaks of the
wicked and those who follow the ways of Satan; the enemies of
the Lord shall be as the fat of the lambs: smoke shall consume
them away. Psalm 27 also tells us to never worry about the
wicked who seem to always get ahead in this world, for their
day is coming and they will get what is coming to them.
Remember that we are all God's children and don't think
that God is happy that some of His children are ridding the
gravy train in life while others struggle from day to day.
12Here is the patience of
the saints: here are they that keep the commandments of God,
and the faith of Jesus. Those who are steadfast and
keep the faith in the true Christ; not the fake!
13And I heard a voice from
heaven saying unto me, Write, Blessed are the dead which die
in the Lord from henceforth: Yea, saith the Spirit, that they
may rest from their labours; and their works do follow them. Your
works are the only things that will go with you or mean
anything. The good things that you do in this life. As stated
in Revelation 19:8 the fine linen that makes up our robes for
the wedding feast of the lamb are (righteous acts of the
saints), our righteous acts.
14And I looked, and behold
a white cloud, and upon the cloud one sat like unto the Son of
man, having on his head a golden crown, and in his hand a
sharp sickle. Harvest time! First He sowed the
seed, which is the Word of God; Now He comes to harvest.
15And another angel came
out of the temple, crying with a loud voice to him that sat on
the cloud, Thrust in thy sickle, and reap: for the time is
come for thee to reap; for the harvest of the earth is ripe. Fair
for judgment day that needs to be brought upon the earth.
16And he that sat on the
cloud thrust in his sickle on the earth; and the earth was
reaped. The Reaper has appeared!
17And another angel came
out of the temple which is in heaven, he also having a sharp
sickle. Stay in Christ and you need not fear the
reaper.
18And another angel came
out from the altar, which had power over fire; and cried with
a loud cry to him that had the sharp sickle, saying, Thrust in
thy sharp sickle, and gather the clusters of the vine of the
earth; for her grapes are fully ripe. Again God is a
consuming fire in His wrath. If you know anything about
agriculture, you know that you don't harvest grapes with a
sickle if you plan to use them because it will smash and crush
them. This is the wrath of judgment upon the earth because the
time has come.
19And the angel thrust in
his sickle into the earth, and gathered the vine of the earth,
and cast it into the great winepress of the wrath of God. Our
Heavenly Father is not happy because of man and the ways of
the world.
20And the winepress was
trodden without the city, and blood came out of the winepress,
even unto the horse bridles, by the space of a thousand and
six hundred furlongs. Blood will flow about 200 miles
long and as high as a horse's bridle. Spoken of in the Old
Testament "Song of Moses" Deuteronomy 32:32-35. You
can't hide from the wrath of God if you are His enemy.
Chapter 15 of the great book of revelation has to do with Heaven and those who have overcome.
1And
I saw another sign in heaven, great and marvellous, seven
angels having the seven last plagues; for in them is filled up
the wrath of God. The wrath of God for only those He is
angry with.
2And I saw as it were a sea
of glass mingled with fire: and them that had gotten the
victory over the beast, and over his image, and over his mark,
and over the number of his name, stand on the sea of glass,
having the harps of God. The glass meaning pure, as it
is pure in Heaven.
3And they sing the song of
Moses the servant of God, and the song of the Lamb, saying,
Great and marvellous are thy works, Lord God Almighty; just
and true are thy ways, thou King of saints. The
complete Song of Moses can be found in (Deuteronomy 32:1-43)
The song of the lamb would be the entire Word of God.
4Who shall not fear thee, O
Lord, and glorify thy name? for thou only art holy: for all
nations shall come and worship before thee; for thy judgments
are made manifest. Everything is rectified. Judgment is
for the good and evil alike.
5And after that I looked,
and, behold, the temple of the tabernacle of the testimony in
heaven was opened. Tabernacle of the congregation; as
it reads in earlier ancient manuscripts.
6And the seven angels came
out of the temple, having the seven plagues, clothed in pure
and white linen, and having their breasts girded with golden
girdles. The linen also representing the righteous
acts.
7And one of the four beasts
gave unto the seven angels seven golden vials full of the
wrath of God, who liveth for ever and ever. The wrath
of God; if He is angry with you. If God is not angry with you,
then you need not worry. God takes care of His own (the
righteous), so why would you not want to be here during the
tribulation. (Psalm 37) will tell you that the election (the
righteous) will see this come to pass.
8And the temple was filled
with smoke from the glory of God, and from his power; and no
man was able to enter into the temple, till the seven plagues
of the seven angels were fulfilled. Heaven is closed
before this time of the correction taking place from the vials
of wrath. I hope that you are on the good side of God my
friend. It is up to you, weather you want to be protected
during the tribulation under the care of the Heavenly Father.
Or you can follow the ways of the world and of Satan as he
comes to deceive as many as he can. Remember that Satan has
already been sentenced to death; and he wants to take as many
with him as he can. DO NOT BE DECEIVED!
Chapter 16 deals with the wrath of God upon the earth as the vials come forth. This wrath from God is not upon His children, but rather the enemies of God.
1And I heard a great voice out of the temple saying to the seven angels, Go your ways, and pour out the vials of the wrath of God upon the earth. The vials that are filled with the wrath of God will be focused upon the earth.
2And the first went, and poured out his vial upon the earth; and there fell a noisome and gievous sore upon the men which had the mark of the beast, and upon them which worshipped his image. There are many who already have the Mark of the beast. They are being deceived by following traditions of men rather than God's Word.
3And the second angel poured out his vial upon the sea; and it became as the blood of a dead man: and every living soul died in the sea. The sea represents the great sea or multitudes of people. (Revelation 17:15) The two witnesses also have power over these natural acts. (Revelation 11:6)
4And the third angel poured out his vial upon the rivers and fountains of waters; and they became blood. Again you have the people who are receiving God's wrath.
5And I heard the angel of the waters say, Thou art righteous, O Lord, which art, and wast, and shalt be, because thou hast judged thus. God's plan is fair and just, even to the wicked.
6For they have shed the blood of saints and prophets, and thou hast given them blood to drink; for they are worthy. The blood is poured out upon those who have martyred the saints and prophets of the past. Those who have done this deserve what they get. Again, many believe this ties in with Rome and the Papacy as they persecuted many Christians, and the Romans had their part in the crucifixion of Christ. (Again, this would be another type in the end times, just as the King of Babylon, or King of Tyre). But, do not forget the other group that was present at the crucifixion of Christ, who stirred up the crowd to crucify Him. The Kenites! Not our brother Judah. These were the ones pretending to be Jews, but were not of our brother Judah, but rather the son's of the devil. (John 8:44, Matthew 23: 30-35)
7And I heard another out of the altar say, Even so, Lord God Almighty, true and righteous are thy judgments. Every act of God is an act of love. Sometimes it needs to be tough love!
8And the fourth angel poured out his vial upon the sun; and power was given unto him to scorch men with fire. Remember that God is a consuming fire. He can burn His enemies while He warms the hearts of His servants. The Word of God can also scorch as a consuming fire to the wicked, while it gives relief and assurance to the good.
9And men were scorched with great heat, and blasphemed the name of God, which hath power over these plagues: and they repented not to give him glory. With the truth of God's Word they were scorched, as they did not change their mind and attitude.
10And the fifth angel poured out his vial upon the seat of the beast; and his kingdom was full of darkness; and they gnawed their tongues for pain, The day is coming soon. Darkness will come upon the Creature from the sea, and his kingdom will perish.
11And blasphemed the God of heaven because of their pains and their sores, and repented not of their deeds. Those who follow false teachings and curse God for their own problems which they brought upon themselves. But still refuse to repent for their evil deeds.
12And the sixth angel poured out his vial upon the great river Euphrates; and the water thereof was dried up, that the way of the kings of the east might be prepared. This is when the sixth seal, sixth trump, and sixth vial announce the appearance of antichrist. (666), the beast and his mark. Early manuscripts read "those of the rising sun" rather than "kings of the east." The river "Euphrates" has always been a boundary between Israel and Babylon both physical and symbolic. Between truth and babble, between God and Satan's camp. This boundary will be removed.
13And I saw three unclean spirits like frogs come out of the mouth of the dragon, and out of the mouth of the beast, and out of the mouth of the false prophet. The frogs represent unclean spirits which out of the mouth comes deception and false teachings. This is Satan's power structure!
14For they are the spirits of devils, working miracles, which go forth unto the kings of the earth and of the whole world, to gather them to the battle of that great day of God Almighty. There will be visible miracles to see by these demons as they gather for battle against the Lord. The Apostle Paul warns us of this coming day. (II Thessalonians 2:1-9)
15Behold, I come as a thief. Blessed is he that watcheth, and keepeth his garments, lest he walk naked, and they see his shame. Now Christ begins to speak to us and lets us know that those who await His coming will not need to walk naked and ashamed. The garments that we will be wearing is the robe woven together by are righteous acts.
16And he gathered them together into a place called in the Hebrew tongue Armageddon. Armageddon means city or mountain of Megiddo. Gathering place of devils!
17And the seventh angel poured out his vial into the air; and there came a great voice out of the temple of heaven, from the throne, saying, It is done. It is finished. Christ will return at this time!
18And there were voices, and thunders, and lightnings; and there was a great earthquake, such as was not since men were upon the earth, so mighty an earthquake, and so great. When Christ's feet touch the ground, it will be leveled and cleanse mount Zion. This is when we are all changed to our spirit bodies. (I Corinthians 15:51-53) This seals, trumps, and vials happen simultaneously. The seals tell you what is therein, the trumps tell you when that round is executed. and the vials show you the wrath of God and how He feels.
19And the great city was divided into three parts, and the cities of the nations fell: and great Babylon came in remembrance before God, to give unto her the cup of the wine of the fierceness of his wrath. Babylon splits into three sections, and the cities around the world fell in heaps of rubble. God remembers the sins of Babylon, and punishes her to the last drop of anger in His wrath.
20And every island fled away, and the mountains were not found. Mountains represent the nations that were flattened out because the King of Kings and Lord of Lords returns with a rod of iron.
21And there fell upon men a great hail out of heaven, every stone about the weight of a talent: and men blasphemed God because of the plague of the hail; for the plague thereof was exceeding great. An incredible hail storm as never before fell from the sky. The weight of a talent is between 110 and 180lbs. And they cursed God for the terrible hail storm, but our Heavenly Father is always fair. Where will you stand at His return?
Chapter 17 of the great book of Revelation is a very important chapter as it explains symbolism. God explains the symbology interpreted for you, to clarify the book of Revelation. Our heavenly Father teaches by signs and utilizes objects to help us better understand His interpretation. Never try to change what God has already interpreted.
1And there came one of the seven angels which had the seven vials, and talked with me, saying unto me, Come hither; I will shew unto thee the judgment of the great whore that sitteth upon many waters: He will explain who the great whore is and how she came about.
2With whom the kings of the earth have committed fornication, and the inhabitants of the earth have been made drunk with the wine of her fornication. He is speaking about religious fornication, better know as idolatry. False teachings and worship of things that they should not.
3So he carried me away in the spirit into the wilderness: and I saw a woman sit upon a scarlet coloured beast, full of names of blasphemy, having seven heads and ten horns. She looks so holy and religious, but has blasphemies against God written all over her. The seven heads and ten horns is a political system which teams up with the church. (Revelation 13)
4And the woman was arrayed in purple and scarlet colour, and decked with gold and precious stones and pearls, having a golden cup in her hand full of abominations and filthiness of her fornication: Her idolatry! The woman is a city or group of people. Babylon, the city or state of confusion.
5And upon her forehead was a name written, MYSTERY, BABYLON THE GREAT, THE MOTHER OF HARLOTS AND ABOMINATIONS OF THE EARTH. She is the mother of prostitutes and of idol worship, the harlot that whores around with Satan. Mystery in the Strong's #3466 is (Musterion), initiation of religious rights. The religious rights of Satan. As explained in (II Thessalonians 2:7-12), the mystery of iniquity doth already work and will be revealed. But God will send many a strong delusion that they should believe a lie. And so it is today that so many believe such false doctrines and lies such as the rapture. Make a few movies about something and people fall all over it's message, never searching for the truth themselves.
6And I saw the woman drunken with the blood of the saints, and with the blood of the martyrs of Jesus: and when I saw her, I wondered with great admiration. Totally amazed at a fake religion!
7And the angel said unto me, Wherefore didst thou marvel? I will tell thee the mystery of the woman, and of the beast that carrieth her, which hath the seven heads and ten horns. God will tell us the secret of who the harlot is and what the beast she is riding represents.
8The beast that thou sawest was, and is not; and shall ascend out of the bottomless pit, and go into perdition: and they that dwell on the earth shall wonder, whose names were not written in the book of life from the foundation of the world, when they behold the beast that was, and is not, and yet is. The beast that rises out of the bottomless pit is Satan.
9And here is the mind which hath wisdom. The seven heads are seven mountains, on which the woman sitteth. The seven heads represent a certain city. That city is Jerusalem.
10And there are seven kings: five are fallen, and one is, and the other is not yet come; and when he cometh, he must continue a short space. We are speaking of an entity here. Satan!
11And the beast that was, and is not, even he is the eighth, and is of the seven, and goeth into perdition. The son of perdition which is Satan. The seven kings are the roles that Satan plays throughout time from the beginning.
12And the ten horns which thou sawest are ten kings, which have received no kingdom as yet; but receive power as kings one hour with the beast. The ten kings who have not yet risen to power; but they will be appointed to their kingdoms for a brief time to reign with the religious beast.
13These have one mind, and shall give their power and strength unto the beast. They will all sign a treaty giving their power and strength to the beast. He controls them!
14These shall make war with the Lamb, and the Lamb shall overcome them: for he is Lord of lords, and King of kings: and they that are with him are called, and chosen, and faithful. Together they will wage war against the Lamb, and the Lamb will conquer them; for the Lamb is the King of Kings and Lord of Lords.
15And he saith unto me, The waters which thou sawest, where the whore sitteth, are peoples, and multitudes, and nations, and tongues. The waters which the woman is sitting on represent masses of people of every race and nation. Billions who are deceived! Those who play church, attending once a week and then back to their everyday lives and old grind, never learning the truth of God's Word.
16And the ten horns which thou sawest upon the beast, these shall hate the whore, and shall make her desolate and naked, and shall eat her flesh, and burn her with fire. (Revelation 18:8-9)
17For God hath put in their hearts to fulfil his will, and to agree, and give their kingdom unto the beast, until the words of God shall be fulfilled. God will put a plan into their minds, a plan that will carry out His purpose. IT WILL HAPPEN AS IT IS WRITTEN!
18And the woman which thou sawest is that great city, which reigneth over the kings of the earth. Again that woman represents the "great city" that will rule over the kings of the earth. Babylon! Nimrod named it. Nimrod’s motive was to keep the promised child from ruling, he used the fear of the wild beasts as a pretense for uniting the people, and established the kingdom of Babel. Presenting himself as savior, Nimrod convinced the inhabitants to look to him as the lord of the earth instead of the true God. Thus, the establishment of the kingdom was the beginning of the Babylon we read about in the Bible. Historically and symbolically, Babylon is any organized system that replaces God’s rule with human or demonic rule.
In this chapter we will cover the fall of Babylon, (the harlot religious system) because of her fornications with all nations. She will be paid for her works and blood of the prophets by The Wrath of God!
1And after these things I saw another angel come down from heaven, having great power; and the earth was lightened with his glory. To the earth; prepare to receive the light or truth.
2And he cried mightily with a strong voice, saying, Babylon the great is fallen, is fallen, and is become the habitation of devils, and the hold of every foul spirit, and a cage of every unclean and hateful bird. Within the confounds of Babylon are caged everything that is spiritually unclean and evil and it will be destroyed.
3For all nations have drunk of the wine of the wrath of her fornication, and the kings of the earth have committed fornication with her, and the merchants of the earth are waxed rich through the abundance of her delicacies. The ten kings (rulers of the earth) and businessmen throughout the world have grown rich from her luxurious living.
4And I heard another voice from heaven, saying, Come out of her, my people, that ye be not partakers of her sins, and that ye receive not of her plagues. We are to come away from her and not take part in her sins. We do not need to worry about or tolerate any of the plagues when we know the truth of God's Word. That is what salvation is all about.
5For her sins have reached unto heaven, and God hath remembered her iniquities. You can't con God! He knows all that is going on in the world. He is giving every soul a chance to pass through this world age to have free will to make their own decision on who they want to follow.
6Reward her even as she rewarded you, and double unto her double according to her works: in the cup which she hath filled fill to her double. She will get hers with a double wrath of God.
7How much she hath glorified herself, and lived deliciously, so much torment and sorrow give her: for she saith in her heart, I sit a queen, and am no widow, and shall see no sorrow. God doesn't glorify her. She glorifies herself with her followers, (those who live deliciously), the biggest and prettiest church. She also identifies herself as a queen, and her king is none other than Satan himself.
8Therefore shall her plagues come in one day, death, and mourning, and famine; and she shall be utterly burned with fire: for strong is the Lord God who judgeth her. Tested by fire, because God is a consuming fire. He can warm the hearts of His people while He consumes the rudiments of evil.
9And the kings of the earth, who have committed fornication and lived deliciously with her, shall bewail her, and lament for her, when they shall see the smoke of her burning, They will all burn up in smoke!
10Standing afar off for the fear of her torment, saying, Alas, alas that great city Babylon, that mighty city! for in one hour is thy judgment come. The religious will be judged by what they teach! When? In the hour of temptation. Satan's hour! (the five month period of Satan's reign on earth).
11And the merchants of the earth shall weep and mourn over her; for no man buyeth their merchandise any more: Selling religion! How many churches and ministries are all about the money today? Waiting to rip you off with the Word and their religious doctrine and products.
12The merchandise of gold, and silver, and precious stones, and of pearls, and fine linen, and purple, and silk, and scarlet, and all thyine wood, and all manner vessels of ivory, and all manner vessels of most precious wood, and of brass, and iron, and marble, All which will have no value in the end times.
13And cinnamon, and odours, and ointments, and frankincense, and wine, and oil, and fine flour, and wheat, and beasts, and sheep, and horses, and chariots, and slaves, and souls of men. Can't buy religion. But wait! Souls of men? Satan wants your soul! He is already sentenced to death.
14And the fruits that thy soul lusted after are departed from thee, and all things which were dainty and goodly are departed from thee, and thou shalt find them no more at all. All the fancy things are gone. Truth is the only thing of value.
15The merchants of these things, which were made rich by her, shall stand afar off for the fear of her torment, weeping and wailing, All those taking part in making her rich with these things stand back and watch in fear for their destruction. The earth will not be destroyed, only the rudiments. Heaven and God's Kingdom will be right here on earth.
16And saying, Alas, alas that great city, that was clothed in fine linen, and purple, and scarlet, and decked with gold, and precious stones, and pearls! The false teachers and false doctrines they teach!
17For in one hour so great riches is come to nought. And every shipmaster, and all the company in ships, and sailors, and as many as trade by sea, stood afar off, Judgment starts with the pulpit!
18And cried when they saw the smoke of her burning, saying, What city is like unto this great city! Where else in the world is such a great city. This harlot or false religion!
19And they cast dust on their heads, and cried, weeping and wailing, saying, Alas, alas that great city, wherein were made rich all that had ships in the sea by reason of her costliness! for in one hour is she made desolate. She made us all rich with her great wealth and false teachings and in one hour it is all gone.
20Rejoice over her, thou heaven, and ye holy apostles and prophets; for God hath avenged you on her. She is set for judgment from God. Payback time!
21And a mighty angel took up a stone like a great millstone, and cast it into the sea, saying, Thus with violence shall that great city Babylon be thrown down, and shall be found no more at all. The great religious church shall be thrown down. Not one specific denomination or religion, but all that are teaching false religion and doctrines of men. They will be bundled up into one religion in the end times.
22And the voice of harpers, and musicians, and of pipers, and trumpeters, shall be heard no more at all in thee; and no craftsman, of whatsoever craft he be, shall be found any more in thee; and the sound of a millstone shall be heard no more at all in thee; The millstone produces bread. No more truth in them!
23And the light of a candle shall shine no more at all in thee; and the voice of the bridegroom and of the bride shall be heard no more at all in thee: for thy merchants were the great men of the earth; for by thy sorceries were all nations deceived. No light because the prince of darkness is present. The light is also blinded by their sorceries. This word sorceries in the Strong's Greek dictionary is #5331 (Pharmakeia) medication "Pharmacy" from #5332 (Pharmakeus) a drug, spell giving potion, druggist or poisoner. We are not talking about legal Pharmacist here, or are we; We are mainly speaking of drug dealers pedaling their poison to children and adults. Today we even find Doctors prescribing drugs that they shouldn't, turning patients into addicts.
24And in her was found the blood of prophets, and of saints, and of all that were slain upon the earth. She was responsible for the blood of all the martyred prophets and the saints. The true teachers put down by the false prophets.
Chapter 19 of the great book of revelation consummates the seventh trump. Also keep in mind that the horses of the bible represent vehicles in which God's army will arrive upon.
1And after these things I heard a great voice of much people in heaven, saying, Alleluia; Salvation, and glory, and honour, and power, unto the Lord our God: Shouting "Praise Ye The Lord" salvation is from our God. Honor and authority belongs to Him. We can also claim these powers He has given us, if you believe and are in a good walk with our Heavenly Father.
2For true and righteous are his judgments: for he hath judged the great whore, which did corrupt the earth with her fornication, and hath avenged the blood of his servants at her hand. Fornication used symbolically through the prophets for the worship of false gods. God always takes care of His own. Vengeance is mine says the Lord!
3And again they said, Alleluia And her smoke rose up for ever and ever. The smoke from her burning ascends for ever and ever. This is why many would ask; why do the wicked always prosper? They don't! They will be corrected at the right time.
4And the four and twenty elders and the four beasts fell down and worshipped God that sat on the throne, saying, Amen; Alleluia. That's that! Praise Ye The Lord!
5And a voice came out of the throne, saying, Praise our God, all ye his servants, and ye that fear him, both small and great. Alleluia. Fear is revere! We are to revere God, not some man with a title!
6And I heard as it were the voice of a great multitude, and as the voice of many waters, and as the voice of mighty thunderings, saying, Alleluia: for the Lord God omnipotent reigneth. Shouting of many people for the one and only God!
7Let us be glad and rejoice, and give honour to him: for the marriage of the Lamb is come, and his wife hath made herself ready. Time for the wedding banquet of the Lamb, and His bride has prepared herself. For those He knew before (Romans 8:29-30), for the deeper student.
8And to her was granted that she should be arrayed in fine linen, clean and white: for the fine linen is the righteousness of saints. Meaning pure because her deeds our pure. The righteous acts of the saints. The good deeds done by the people of God.
9And he saith unto me, Write, Blessed are they which are called unto the marriage supper of the Lamb. And he saith unto me, These are the true sayings of God. These are the true words of God and you will never find a better truth. Many are called but few are chosen. (Matthew 22:1-14)
10And I fell at his feet to worship him. And he said unto me, See thou do it not: I am thy fellowservant, and of thy brethren that have the testimony of Jesus: worship God: for the testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy. The purpose of all prophecy is to tell about Jesus. The spirit of prophecy is the living Word, and Christ is that living Word!
11And I saw heaven opened, and behold a white horse; and he that sat upon him was called Faithful and True, and in righteousness he doth judge and make war. Yes! He is the real thing, and Jesus is the one who justly punishes and makes war!
12His eyes were as a flame of fire, and on his head were many crowns; and he had a name written, that no man knew, but he himself. Remember that God is a consuming fire.
13And he was clothed with a vesture dipped in blood: and his name is called The Word of God. "The Word of God." All of it! In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. (John 1:1)
14And the armies which were in heaven followed him upon white horses, clothed in fine linen, white and clean. Christ's second advent and His return. His army is coming! The horses represent the vehicles the army of Christ will arrive upon.
15And out of his mouth goeth a sharp sword, that with it he should smite the nations: and he shall rule them with a rod of iron: and he treadeth the winepress of the fierceness and wrath of Almighty God. His mouth is a two edge sword. (Revelation 1:16) Striking down the nations with power and He will rule them with an iron grip. This wrath is only against His enemies, not His people.
16And he hath on his vesture and on his thigh a name written, KING OF KINGS, AND LORD OF LORDS. The one and only "King of Kings, and Lord of Lord's."
17And I saw an angel standing in the sun; and he cried with a loud voice, saying to all the fowls that fly in the midst of heaven, Come and gather yourselves together unto the supper of the great God; A feast for the birds of the earth.
18That ye may eat the flesh of kings, and the flesh of captains, and the flesh of mighty men, and the flesh of horses, and of them that sit on them, and the flesh of all men, both free and bond, both small and great. Again, this is for the enemies of God. When the seventh trump sounds, we are changed to out spirit bodies. Zechariah 14:12, gives a good explanation of what happens to the flesh at this time.
19And I saw the beast, and the kings of the earth, and their armies, gathered together to make war against him that sat on the horse, and against his army. The evil creature gathers the governments of the earth (the one world political system) and their armies to fight against the army of God.
20And the beast was taken, and with him the false prophet that wrought miracles before him, with which he deceived them that had received the mark of the beast, and them that worshipped his image. These both were cast alive into a lake of fire burning with brimstone. The one world political system and anti-Christ. Those who worship him and had received his mark of deception. (Revelation 13:11-16) Remember Satan has many rolls. He will have another short reign, but his roll as anti-Christ is over.
21And the remnant were slain with the sword of him that sat upon the horse, which sword proceeded out of his mouth: and all the fowls were filled with their flesh. The two edged sword of His mouth! The birds of the air feasted on the flesh or their bodies.
In chapter 20 we will be entering the millennium. This is the time we are changed to our spirit bodies and all will be taught the truth of the Word for the 1,000 year period. We will also discover the second death for those not written in the book of life, as will death and Satan be destroyed forever.
1And I saw an angel come down from heaven, having the key of the bottomless pit and a great chain in his hand. This is not a physical chain, but a spiritual chain that Satan will be bound by.
2And he laid hold on the dragon, that old serpent, which is the Devil, and Satan, and bound him a thousand years. All the roles of Satan shall be bound. Remember that Satan is a play actor and a fake with many rolls that he plays throughout the bible.
3And cast him into the bottomless pit, and shut him up, and set a seal upon him, that he should deceive the nations no more, till the thousand years should be fulfilled: and after that he must be loosed a little season. This is a full proof seal from almighty God. Satan's evil spirit is locked up so that he cannot fool the nations any more until the thousand years are finished. But, then he must be loosed for a short period of time. Why? To test those who never new the truth before. There will be many at this time of the millennium (1,000 years of teaching) who never had a chance to know God's Word, and also those who have been deceived in God's Word most of their lives. Many have already overcome and were chosen before the foundation of the world in the first earth age. (Ephesians 1:4 / II Peter 3:5-10).
4And I saw thrones, and they sat upon them, and judgment was given unto them: and I saw the souls of them that were beheaded for the witness of Jesus, and for the word of God, and which had not worshipped the beast, neither his image, neither had received his mark upon their foreheads, or in their hands; and they lived and reigned with Christ a thousand years. These are the souls who had overcame Satan's lies and deceptions and many died for their testimony of Christ. These are the ones who will teach with Christ in the millennium.
5But the rest of the dead lived not again until the thousand years were finished. This is the first resurrection. This is the first resurrection. There has been no gathering back to Christ before this time and don't let anyone tell you different. (The rest of the dead did not come back to life until the thousand years have ended). We are speaking of the spiritually dead! (Some take part in the first resurrection , and some don't take part till the second resurrection after being tested by Satan). We are talking about the seventh and last trump now when the true Christ returns. (I Corinthians 15:50-53)
6Blessed and holy is he that hath part in the first resurrection: on such the second death hath no power, but they shall be priests of God and of Christ, and shall reign with him a thousand years. Blessed are those who take part in the first resurrection, because the second death cannot effect them. What is the second death? The death of the soul! (Matthew 10:28) Those taking part in the first resurrection will be priests of God that teach the spiritual dead.
7And when the thousand years are expired, Satan shall be loosed out of his prison, Satan will be loosed for a short time to test those who were spiritually dead.
8And shall go out to deceive the nations which are in the four quarters of the earth, Gog, and Magog, to gather them together to battle: the number of whom is as the sand of the sea. Satan will go out to deceive the nations of the world once again, gathered from the east to the west and the four corners of the earth.
9And they went up on the breadth of the earth, and compassed the camp of the saints about, and the beloved city: and fire came down from God out of heaven, and devoured them. God fights this battle; remember that God is a consuming fire!
10And the devil that deceived them was cast into the lake of fire and brimstone, where the beast and the false prophet are, and shall be tormented day and night for ever and ever. All the roles of Satan are gone. Satan is turned to ashes forever. Blotted out!
11And I saw a great white throne, and him that sat on it, from whose face the earth and the heaven fled away; and there was found no place for them. The white throne judgment... The presents of the full God head. (Yahveh Shamah) God is there!
12And I saw the dead, small and great, stand before God; and the books were opened: and another book was opened, which is the book of life: and the dead were judged out of those things which were written in the books, according to their works. Talking again of the spiritual dead. Those who were never taught the truth. They will be judged according to their works (good deeds), not by their faith. This only applies to those in the second resurrection.
13And the sea gave up the dead which were in it; and death and hell delivered up the dead which were in them: and they were judged every man according to their works. Again; the sea or waters represents the people who give up the spiritually dead.
14And death and hell were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death. The second death is the death of the soul. (Matthew 10:28). Blotted out forever!
15And whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire. Are you in the book of life? Remember that all who are not in the book of life will be blotted out for ever and death will be swallowed up in victory. (I Corinthians 15:54-58)
What is Heaven like? Chapter 21 of the book of Revelation tells us what it will be like. Keep in mind that at this time, everyone has been changed to their spiritual bodies and all flesh is gone, and the millennium (1,000 year reign) has passed. We are talking spiritual now.
1And I saw a new heaven and a new earth: for the first heaven and the first earth were passed away; and there was no more sea. We are speaking literally here of the heavens, earth and sea. The oceans are all dried-up, back to like it was in the first earth age. The earth is put back into it's original order. Note: North is 90 miles off from dead north in the earths alignment. Our Heavenly Father is the one who can dry the seas, who planted the stars and molded the earth. (Isaiah 51:15-16) Read Isaiah chapter 51, and our topic about the foundation of the world.
2And I John saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down from God out of heaven, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. The new city is the new government of the full God Head. Yahveh Shamma! (God with us or God is there). The last verse in the book of Ezekiel in English language. The Lord is there! (Ezekiel 48:35)
3And I heard a great voice out of heaven saying, Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and he will dwell with them, and they shall be his people, and God himself shall be with them, and be their God. He will dwell here with men. In Hebrew; The Shekinah Glory! (Shekinah meaning "He caused to dwell").
4And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away. No more pain because all is destroyed including hell. "GONE" The second death!
5And he that sat upon the throne said, Behold, I make all things new. And he said unto me, Write: for these words are true and faithful. It is going to be an awesome time. His Word is trustworthy and true and you can count on it just as other things have come to pass in our lifetime, our parents and grandparents lifetime.
6And he said unto me, It is done. I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end. I will give unto him that is athirst of the fountain of the water of life freely. It is finished! Draw from the deep waters; The wells of salvation. "The Truth of His Word."
7He that overcometh shall inherit all things; and I will be his God, and he shall be my son. There is no gender intended here. Everyone who conquers will inherit all the blessings.
8But the fearful, and unbelieving, and the abominable, and murderers, and whoremongers, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone: which is the second death. It is the second death to those who enter the lake of fire. (Revelation 20:14, Matthew 10:28)
9And there came unto me one of the seven angels which had the seven vials full of the seven last plagues, and talked with me, saying, Come hither, I will shew thee the bride, the Lamb's wife. Here we have the bride and the wife. We are to be as the virgin bride (Symbolically speaking) at the return of Christ. The wife symbolic of God's elect, those who overcame in the first earth age. (Romans 8:28-30)
10And he carried me away in the spirit to a great and high mountain, and shewed me that great city, the holy Jerusalem, descending out of heaven from God, The full Godhead is returning. Only Christ was there before because of salvation.
11Having the glory of God: and her light was like unto a stone most precious, even like a jasper stone, clear as crystal; The Shekinah Glory! The presents of God so clean and pure.
12And had a wall great and high, and had twelve gates, and at the gates twelve angels, and names written thereon, which are the names of the twelve tribes of the children of Israel: Each of the names of the tribes of Israel.
13On the east three gates; on the north three gates; on the south three gates; and on the west three gates. Three gates on each side of the city.
14And the wall of the city had twelve foundations, and in them the names of the twelve apostles of the Lamb. The twelve apostles of Christ. (Including Judas), who had repented. Judas did not commit suicide, he was killed.
15And he that talked with me had a golden reed to measure the city, and the gates thereof, and the wall thereof. The reed used for measuring, not a reed of destruction.
16And the city lieth foursquare, and the length is as large as the breadth: and he measured the city with the reed, twelve thousand furlongs. The length and the breadth and the height of it are equal. A perfect cube that is 1,500 miles each way.
17And he measured the wall thereof, an hundred and forty and four cubits, according to the measure of a man, that is, of the angel. A cubic was measured from the elbow to the tip of the finger. (approx. 1.5 ft.), The thickness of the wall was 216 feet across.
18And the building of the wall of it was of jasper: and the city was pure gold, like unto clear glass. A figure of speech that it was pure, likened to glass.
19And the foundations of the wall of the city were garnished with all manner of precious stones. The first foundation was jasper; the second, sapphire; the third, a chalcedony; the fourth, an emerald.
20The fifth, sardonyx; the sixth, sardius; the seventh, chrysolyte; the eighth, beryl; the ninth, a topaz; the tenth, a chrysoprasus; the eleventh, a jacinth; the twelfth, an amethyst. The same type of stones that the priests wore on their breastplate to symbolize the twelve tribes of Israel. (Exodus 28:17-21)
21And the twelve gates were twelve pearls: every several gate was of one pearl: and the street of the city was pure gold, as it were transparent glass. A time of purity and beauty that we will be living in.
22And I saw no temple therein: for the Lord God Almighty and the Lamb are the temple of it. Christ is that temple that we look forward to, the "Temple of God."
23And the city had no need of the sun, neither of the moon, to shine in it: for the glory of God did lighten it, and the Lamb is the light thereof. The Shekinah Glory! Jesus would say... "I AM THE LIGHT OF THE WORLD." (John 12:46)
24And the nations of them which are saved shall walk in the light of it: and the kings of the earth do bring their glory and honour into it. "Nations" plural is #1484 in the Strong's Concordance. Meaning (Ethnos) which are the (non-Jewish) or Gentiles. Abraham was to be the father of all nations. All those saved by the Word of God and His salvation. (Isaiah 60:1-3, 18-22), Spoken of in the prophets of old, talking about the eternity.
25And the gates of it shall not be shut at all by day: for there shall be no night there. The gates will be open all the time and the sun will shine as a prism through the firmament.
26And they shall bring the glory and honour of the nations into it. All the nations! (The Ethnos).
27And there shall in no wise enter into it any thing that defileth, neither whatsoever worketh abomination, or maketh a lie: but they which are written in the Lamb's book of life. Nothing evil, anyone immoral, or dishonest will not be permitted in. Nothing left to defile! Only those written in the "Lamb's Book of Life" will be allowed to enter into the city. IS YOUR NAME IN THE BOOK?
At the end of chapter 21 in the book of revelation we covered that those who are written in the "Lamb's Book of Life" will be the only ones who enter into the city. In chapter 22 we will cover "God giving Light" and that "Water of Life" proceeding out of the throne of God.
1And he shewed me a pure river of water of life, clear as crystal, proceeding out of the throne of God and of the Lamb. This is a spiritual water of life that is pouring fourth in front of the throne. The book of Ezekiel speaks of "Living Waters" as Ezekiel was shown the vision of the temple. (Chapter 47:1-12) Chapter 40 till the end of Ezekiel speaks of the end times millennium and the eternity).
2In the midst of the street of it, and on either side of the river, was there the tree of life, which bare twelve manner of fruits, and yielded her fruit every month: and the leaves of the tree were for the healing of the nations. The tree of life is Christ that will spiritually heal the nations. Keep in mind the word nations. (Ethnos ---- ethnic gentile people). All people will be included.
3And 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: Yahveh Shamma! (God with us or God is there).
4And they shall see his face; and his name shall be in their foreheads. The seal of God; IN THEIR MINDS!
5And there shall be no night there; and they need no candle, neither light of the sun; for the Lord God giveth them light: and they shall reign for ever and ever. The messiah! The "Light of the world."
6And he said unto me, These sayings are faithful and true: and the Lord God of the holy prophets sent his angel to shew unto his servants the things which must shortly be done. The "Holy Spirit" was sent to the prophets.
7Behold, I come quickly: blessed is he that keepeth the sayings of the prophecy of this book. Blessed are those who believe what is written and "TEACH THIS BOOK." The Word of God; all of it! Many will tell you that you do not need to understand the "Book of Revelation" because it does not pertain to us, or the church is going to be gone. That is an outright LIE!
8And I John saw these things, and heard them. And when I had heard and seen, I fell down to worship before the feet of the angel which shewed me these things. Keep in mind that in chapter 1 verse 10, John was taken to the millennium. In this 8th verse, John is brought back to 96 A.D.
9Then saith he unto me, See thou do it not: for I am thy fellowservant, and of thy brethren the prophets, and of them which keep the sayings of this book. worship God. Do not worship me, for I am just a servant like you. Worship God Alone! (Do not worship man or angels).
10And he saith unto me, Seal not the sayings of the prophecy of this book: for the time is at hand. Do not seal up what you have written. This book is to be understood by all. (Revelation means the unveiling).
11He that is unjust, let him be unjust still: and he which is filthy, let him be filthy still: and he that is righteous, let him be righteous still: and he that is holy, let him be holy still. When that time comes; all doing wrong will be doing it more. Those doing God's work will continue on even greater. (In other words, let those who choose their way, stay that way). Remember what Christ said; Cast not your pearls before swine. If someone does not want to hear the truth of God's Word, don't force it on them, just plant the seed and move on. God is fair, and He gives everyone free-will to make their own decision.
12And, behold, I come quickly; and my reward is with me, to give every man according as his work shall be. Christ is returning soon to reward everyone according to the deeds he has done. DO YOU HAVE A REWARD COMING?
13I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end, the first and the last. From A to Z, "I AM EVERYTHING."
14Blessed are they that do his commandments, that they may have right to the tree of life, and may enter in through the gates into the city. Those washing their robes, to have the right to enter in through the gates of the city. God likes doers. Not a bunch of pew potatoes!
15For without are dogs, and sorcerers, and whoremongers, and murderers, and idolaters, and whosoever loveth and maketh a lie. Outside the city are all those who have strayed away from God. (The drug dealers, the immoral, murderers, idolaters, and those who like to make up lies). They tell you that you do not need to understand the book of Revelation because you are going to be "Rartured away" and gone. THAT IS A FLAT OUT LIE! And is not from God. Don't be deceived by false preachers and teachers that are to lazy to dig in and study the manuscripts to uncover the truth of the Word. Instead they are worrying about church attendance and the cash flow. Teaching traditions of men and false doctrine just to please their congregation. You know who you are and so does God!
16I Jesus have sent mine angel to testify unto you these things in the churches. I am the root and the offspring of David, and the bright and morning star. Mentioned to the churches all these things. The church is still there, it did not fly away. Make sure you accept the right morning star (Christ). Remember that Satan was also called "The morning star" and he returns first pretending to be Christ to deceive even the elect if possible.
17And the Spirit and the bride say, Come. And let him that heareth say, Come. And let him that is athirst come. And whosoever will, let him take the water of life freely. Never hold back the truth of God's Word when someone thirsts for it. But don't waste your time on those who will not listen and do not accept the Word.
18For I testify unto every man that heareth the words of the prophecy of this book, If any man shall add unto these things, God shall add unto him the plagues that are written in this book. Do you hear them with understanding.
19And if any man shall take away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God shall take away his part out of the book of life, and out of the holy city, and from the things which are written in this book. How many times have you may heard that you do not need to understand the book of Revelation because you will be gone. They want to take away the whole book. That isn't what God says; He wants us to understand what is written, as it is written.
20He which testifieth these things saith, Surely I come quickly. Amen. Even so, come, Lord Jesus. Christ is coming soon at the seventh trump no matter what you do!
21The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all. Amen. Amen meaning: That's That! (The way it is, take it or leave it). The true church does "God's Work" on this earth, and it will be here at the return of Christ. DO NOT BE DECEIVED!
Keep The Faith,
Pastor Bart
