Heeding the Warning.

(((Continuing once again with our study on in part on Revelation and the end times. May God bless our endeavor with His guidance. All through Jesus Christ our Lord!))))

'From WWN4(87) - The Jewish Equation -- Part I:

A Look at Revelation

The book of Revelation naturally divides itself into two sections: Chapters 1-11 & 12-22. 

(((For those who have studied Revelation before you may already know this. For those who haven't it's a very interesting to really note this factually. The book of Revelation is divided into two sections, it really is, read it for yourself.))))

The final section contains two predominant symbols - two women and two cities - with the other symbols either as war with, or in alliance with these two women or cities.

As the final section of the prophecy opens, the power operating behind the symbols of the book of Daniel is revealed - the dragon, that old serpent, the devil or Satan. However, because of the victory of the Cross, he is pictured as defeated, and a time limit set upon his activities. He is "cast down" (12:10) and he knows he has "but a short time." (12:12)

Satan is also pictured as operating behind a facade. He gives "his power, and his seat, and great authority" to the beast, one of whose heads is "wounded to death." (13:2-3)

He has his prophet, "a false Elijah," who though lamb-like speaks as a "dragon." (Comp. 13:14 with 19:20; note 13:11,13)

Rev 13:14  And 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. 

Rev 19:20  And 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. 

Rev 13:11  And I beheld another beast coming up out of the earth; and he had two horns like a lamb, and he spake as a dragon. 

Rev 13:13  And he doeth great wonders, so that he maketh fire come down from heaven on the earth in the sight of men, 

 It is this false prophet who suggests "to them that dwell on the earth, that they should make an image to the beast, which had a wound by a sword and did live." (13:14)

God's response to all "of this behind-the scenes activity of Satan is a message of warning that if- anyone worships .the beast and his image shall suffer the wrath of God which is poured out in the Seven Last Plagues (14: 9-10, 15:1)

(((Let's take a moment here to note… God IS giving us a warning. Who we worship is important and has been since we were created.  Adam and Eve were to worship their Creator and they did until the serpent tempted Eve into giving up her allegiance to God and giving it to him. When they abdicated their position from being in charge of earth and all in it, and gave it to Satan to rule they were still allowed a choice. Everything changed in their situation yet they were still offered a chance to worship God. Of their three sons, Cain chose to follow Satan's ways, Abel was murdered yet dedicated to God, and Seth worshiped God.  Adam and Eve were warned before they yielded to temptation and sin was conceived. Cain was warned before sin overtook him. We are all warned and in the end days- every single person alive is warned. We have to believe these are WARNINGS for us, not just a bunch of nonsense left to others to try and comprehend. Warnings are given for a very good reason, and left unheeded disaster follows. And disaster WILL follow! Eternal disaster where there is no more opportunity for recovery, for repentance. We must heed the warning and to do that, we have to comprehend the warning. It does us no good to have a warning we can't understand. God would not give us a warning that was impossible to heed. We need wisdom, we need understanding and our Lord will give these to us.))))

'God's response to all "of this behind-the scenes activity of Satan is a message of warning that if- anyone worships .the beast and his image shall suffer the wrath of God which is poured out in the Seven Last Plagues (14: 9-10, 15:1)

During the portrayal of the Seven Last Plagues to John, he is shown the second woman - "the great whore that sitteth upon many waters." (17: 1)

The woman, Babylon, (17:5,18) had been seen sitting on the River Euphrates which was dried up under the sixth plague (16:12)

But when one of the angels of the plagues reveals in symbolic detail this whore, she is riding upon a scarlet colored beast. (17:3)

This beast is defined as one that "was, and is not, and yet is," and though being "the eighth" is "of the seven." (17:8,11) He is the source of the seven heads. In John's day, five had fallen - Egypt, Assyria, Babylon, Medo-Persia, and Greece. One was - Rome. Daniel noted it consistently as being in two phases - pagan and papal. One was yet to come - the 2nd beast of Rev. 13, or the false prophet. (See 17:10)

The beast of Rev. 17 carrying the whore is the "yet is" phase of Satan. And it is in this connection that Revelation 17 touches Daniel 11:45. (Bold and italicized emphasis added.)

((( Rev 17:10  And 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. 

Rev 17:11  And the beast that was, and is not, even he is the eighth, and is of the seven, and goeth into perdition. 

Rev 17:12  And 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. 

Rev 17:13  These have one mind, and shall give their power and strength unto the beast. 

Rev 17:14  These 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. 

Making war with the Lamb- they that are with the Lamb are called, chosen and faithful. The Lamb WILL overcome.

This ultimate overcoming is the end. The war has an end. The war between Satan and God will end.  We will be found on one side or the other when before it ends. When I think of Daniel 12:1- when our Savior finally ceases His intercession on our behalf I have to contemplate the things that happen prior to this because AFTER this, there is no more intercession, none! We want the end to come. This sin-sick world needs to end. The pain and suffering sin bring needs to stop. The cup is so full, just a few more drops and surely it can hold no more. We want the Lord to come, yet are we prepared for the truth of what that means? Before He comes so much will happen. Even after probation has ended and all intercession is over, the time of trouble - the seven last plagues will fall- all BEFORE our Lord returns.  Let's continue with the study…tomorrow, all by the will of our LORD and SAVIOR, JESUS CHRIST now and forever!!!!!!!