1995 Aug -- XXVIII -- 8(95) -- EXEGESIS OF REVELATION -- The Seven Last Plagues -- Part 4 --
In the pronouncement of the Third Angel a warning was given that if ANYONE worshipped the beast or his image, that one "shall drink of the wine of the wrath of God." (14:9-10)
Rev 14:9 And 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,
Rev 14:10 The 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:
In the vision beginning with Chapter 15, this wrath is described as being the Seven Last Plagues. (v. 1)
Rev 15:1 And I saw another SIGN in heaven, great and marvelous, seven angels having the seven last plagues; for in them is filled up the WRATH OF GOD.
The format for the giving of this vision is the same as was the format of Revelation 12 - a great wonder is seen in heaven - the screen upon which the divine revelation is portrayed. (The Greek word for "WONDER" in Rev. 12:1, and "SIGN" in Rev. 15:1 is the same)
These plagues are defined as the seven last plagues.
The first reference to "plagues" in Revelation is in connection with the sixth trumpet. (9:20)
Rev 9:20 And the rest of the men which were not killed by these PLAGUES yet repented not of the works of their hands, that they should not worship devils, and idols of gold, and silver, and brass, and stone, and of wood: which neither can see, nor hear, nor walk
This would indicate that the fulfillment of the "trumpets" in the time sequence of the book of Revelation PRECEDES the final wrath of God, and therefore, is NOT a parallel prophecy.
The second reference to "plagues" is noted in reference to the Two Witnesses which are given authority "to smite the earth with all PLAGUES, as often as they will." (11:6)
Rev 11:6 These 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.
It is interesting to note that in the Greek text, the word "WOUND" is used to translate the "PLAGUE" received by one of the heads of the beast of Revelation 13.
In verses 3 and 12, the phrase is "plague of death," while in verse 14, it is "the plague of the sword."
Rev 13:3 And 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.
Rev 13:12 And 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.
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.
These previous plagues as described under the sixth trumpet, and the wound received by the beast are ministered by earthly forces--
while the seven last are directly ordered by God, and placed under seven angels who come from the Throne of God with their mandate. (15:5-6)
Rev 15:5 And after that I looked, and, behold, the temple of the tabernacle of the testimony in heaven was opened:
Rev 15:6 And 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.
*******
Verses 2 - 4 are interpolated like Rev. 16:15, and serve as an interlude as does Rev. 19:1-4.
In each of these interludes, we are taken back to the original vision given to John when "a door was opened in heaven" and John was instructed by "the first voice" to "Come up hither, and I will shew thee things which must be hereafter." (4:1)
He sees a throne "set in heaven" upon which sat the Eternal Majesty.
Around the throne sat 24 elders, while before the throne were "seven torches of fire burning" declared to be "the seven Spirits of God sent forth into all the earth," representing the omnipotence (horns) and omnipresence (eyes) of the Lamb. (4:5; 5:6; Hab. 3:4; Zech. 4:10)
Hab 3:4 And his brightness was as the light; he had horns coming out of his hand: and there was the hiding of his power.
Zec 4:10 For who hath despised the day of small things? for they shall rejoice, and shall see the plummet in the hand of Zerubbabel with those seven; they are the eyes of the LORD, which run to and fro through the whole earth.
Also before the throne, there is "a sea of glass like unto crystal." (4:6)
In the midst of the throne are four living creatures, and "a Lamb as it had been slain." (4:6; 5:6)
The interlude of Revelation 15:2-4 returns to the setting of the vision of the open door with its sea of glass; but here it is "mingled with fire" rather than merely being "clear as crystal."
(Compare 4:6 with 15:2)
Rev 4:6 And before the throne there was a sea of glass like unto CRYSTAL: and in the midst of the throne, and round about the throne, were four beasts full of eyes before and behind.
Rev 15:2 And 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.
Could the "fire" be symbolic of the means by which the ones standing on the sea of glass were victorious over the beast and his image and purified so as to be fitted to be in the presence of God? (See Mal. 3:2-3; Luke 3:16)
Mal 3:2 But who may abide the day of his coming? and who shall stand when he appeareth? for he is like a refiner's FIRE, and like fullers' soap:
Mal 3:3 And he shall sit as a refiner and purifier of silver: and he shall purify the sons of Levi, and purge them as gold and silver, that they may offer unto the LORD an offering in righteousness.
Luk 3:16 John answered, saying unto them all, I indeed baptize you with water; but one mightier than I cometh, the latchet of whose shoes I am not worthy to unloose: he shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost and with FIRE.
There are some parallels between THIS vision and the vision of Rev. 14:1-5, as well as some distinct differences.
Here it is stated that those who stand on the sea of glass are victors "over the beast and over his image," while such a conclusion concerning the 144,000 on Mount Sion can only be inferred.
The 144,000 sing an unique song, while those standing on the sea of glass sing the song of Moses and the Lamb, the words of which are given.
Another question arises, how far back in time must we go to find victors over the beast?
Is the "beast" only that phase of the beast which had a wound by the sword and did live?
That is the emphasis used in previous identification of the beast in connection with "his image." (13:12, 14)
Rev 13:12 And 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.
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.
However, the beast has "seven heads" which, depending on the interpretation given to the seven heads, could reach back to Egypt the first power to "persecute" the corporate people of God.
Of interest in this connection, "the song of Moses" is introduced. All of these factors must be programmed into any exegetical study of these verses.
After recording this interlude, John's attention is returned to the "seven angels having the seven last plagues."
He sees the open temple - "the tabernacle of the testimony" - from which these angels are to come.
This is none other than the Most Holy Place of the HEAVENLY SANCTUARY wherein is the ark of the covenant with the Law of God.
John has seen this tabernacle before as the vision of the trumpets was concluded. (11:19)
Rev 11:19 And 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.
Another parallel between these two revelations is that God in Chapter 11 is declared to have taken His "great power, and has reigned," while in Chapter 15, "the temple was filled with smoke from the glory of God, and from His great power."
This assumption on the part of God brings forth His wrath in judgment, and no "man" is able to "enter the temple, till the seven plagues of the seven angels were fulfilled. (15:8)
Rev 15:8 And 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.
Intercession has CEASED, for there is but "One mediator between God and men, the Man, Christ Jesus." (I Tim. 2:5)
1Ti 2:5 For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus
Next John hears a voice described as "a great voice out of the temple." (16:1)
Rev 16:1 And 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.
It is a mandate from the throne. (See 16:17)
Rev 16:17 And 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.
To the seven angels, the command is given - "Go your ways, and pour out the vials of the wrath of God upon the earth."
Little have we realized what the mercy of God has been, and what the wrath of God against sin is.
We have tried to reconcile the God of the Old Testament with how we perceive the God of the New Testament.
In our finite perceptions we have not realized the hatred God has toward sin, nor the significance of the separation that took place when on the cross, Christ became verily sin for us, nor the full significance of the fact that "in the midst of the throne" has "stood a Lamb as it had been slain." (5:6) But when that Lamb steps aside and when no longer His blood pleads for the sinful race, and the wrath of God unmixed falls upon the unsheltered heads of the devotees of the beast and his image, then will all know that the Eternal God is the same God as is revealed in both the Old and New Testaments.
*******
This is so TRUE!
We don't want to think that there WILL be a time when PROBATION IS OVER!!! We want to imagine that there won't be a split second between the last decided case and the coming of our Lord and Savior. The Bible tells us a different story though.
There will be a people SEALED and a people UNSEALED but MARKED!
This is FACT! This is NOT FICTION!
WAKE UP EVERYONE! You are either sealed by God or marked by the Beast! What decides? WE DO! We make the choice no one makes it for us, not a single person, not God, not Satan- WE MAKE THAT DECISION!
People are RESPONSIBLE for their own eternal life, or if they choose, eternal death.
WE decide whether or not to ACCEPT the offer of Salvation, the GIFT of Salvation through Jesus Christ our Lord, our Savior! If we do not accept this offer and this way of life in our Savior then we are not going to have salvation.
When we are sealed by God we are His and we will be able to live through the horrors of the seven last plagues and they will not touch us. We will be able to live through the all consuming fire of the wrath of God that is let loose upon those who choose to disobey Him, those who choose to receive the mark of the beast, those who choose to allow themselves to be deceived, by the GRACE and MERCY of our Savior we will be HIS, depending fully upon Him and His righteousness. Please Lord, please SEAL us as yours so we may live in the darkest times ahead. We do not deserve Your mercy and grace, we are sinners, filthy sinners.
Only through YOU!
Amen.
Wednesday, October 12, 2011
Monday, October 10, 2011
Prophecy - 101
This study is guided by the thought paper of William Grotheer. He was a former SDA member who clearly saw and revealed the apostasy within the SDA corporate church. A lot of what he wrote on makes a person think for themselves, study for themselves. He's not trying to convince anyone to believe as he believes, any more than I am trying to get a single person to believe what I believe. I would much rather everyone study for themselves. Study, study, study, study, study! We can never cease to study God's word, never. We need to pray and ask for guidance and clear understanding. When we face things we aren't sure about we have to keep praying and keep studying, never giving up but always receptive to the truth as God will reveal it to us. If we don't have this very REAL active faith, this very REAL active belief in God then we need to pray harder, pray for a clean heart, for a renewed spirit. Satan is going to do all he can to keep as many people as he can with him and he'll stop at nothing to deceive us, nothing. With an open heart, with an open mind all before God may we study and understand. Let the Holy Spirit bring us all the enlightenment we need, and may we never be discouraged, never despair of being in our Savior's will, wholly His.
Thought Paper - Watchman What of the Night- 1995 Jul -- XXVIII -- 7(95) -- EXEGESIS OF REVELATION -- THE 144,000 AND THE THREE ANGELS -- Part 3 --
The first vision given to John after he was told, "Here is wisdom," is a climax to a series of revelations given in the previous chapters.
He was told that "all that dwell on the earth shall worship" the first beast, except those whose names are in "the book of life of the Lamb." (13:8)
Rev 13:8 And 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.
It was also stated that those who would "not worship the image of the beast should be killed." (13:15)
Rev 13:15 And 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.
In Chapter 12, it was declared that those who overcome "the dragon" do so "by the blood of the Lamb," and these "loved not their lives unto death." (12:11)
Rev. 12:11 And 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.
Now John sees a company with the Lamb on mount Sion, 144,000.
This number stands in direct CONTRAST to the "all" who worship, the dragon, beast, and image. (13:4, 15)
Rev 13:4 And 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?
Rev 13:15 And 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.
These are commandment keepers; they have no other gods before Jehovah Elohim. (Ex. 20:2-3)
Exo 20:2 I am the LORD thy God, which have brought thee out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of bondage.
Exo 20:3 Thou shalt have no other gods before me.
Further, they do not bow down to, nor serve any "image." (Ex. 20:4-5)
Exo 20:4 Thou shalt not make unto thee any graven image, or any likeness of any thing that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth:
Exo 20:5 Thou shalt not bow down thyself to them, nor serve them: for I the LORD thy God am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children unto the third and fourth generation of them that hate me
God honors them for their FIDELITY in the midst of universal apostasy by placing His name in their foreheads.
The 144,000 on mount Sion, the remnant of the seed the of the woman who face the death decree in the warfare with the dragon, are also revealed in the first section of the book.
(Chapter 7) There these victors are portrayed as having "washed their robes, and made them white in the blood of the Lamb." (v. 14)
Rev 7:14 And I said unto him, Sir, thou knowest. And he said to me, These are they which came out of great tribulation, and have washed their robes, and made them white in the blood of the Lamb.
The picture is heightened by further comparison.
The 144,000 receive "His Father's name."
These "follow the Lamb whithersoever He goeth." (14:4)
Rev 14:4 These 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.
*******
The high point of this last section of Revelation before the Millennial reign is that "the marriage of the Lamb is come, and His wife hath made herself ready." She is clothed in"fine linen, clean and white," a righteousness obtained by the blood of the Lamb.
Rev 19:6 And 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.
Rev 19:7 Let 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.
Rev 19:8 And to her was granted that she should be arrayed in fine linen, clean and white: for the fine linen is the righteousness of saints.
There is another "knitting" back into the first section.
The victors of "Laodicea" sit with "the True Witness" (Gr. ho martus) on His throne. (3:21)
Rev 3:21 To him that overcometh will I grant to sit with me in my throne, even as I also overcame, and am set down with my Father in his throne.
They REFUSE to worship the dragon, beast and image - they KEEP the commandments - and they HAVE the "witness" (Gr. marturian) of Jesus Christ.
They are the "remnant" of the woman's seed, the "Queen" - the wife of the Lamb accepting only "His Father's name."
The 144,000 with the Father's name in their foreheads "the seal of God" (Rev. 7:3)
Rev 7:3 Saying, Hurt not the earth, neither the sea, nor the trees, till we have SEALED the servants of our God in their foreheads.
- are in contrast to the "ALL" who worship the beast and receive "a mark in their right hand, or in their foreheads." (13:16)
Rev 13:16 And 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
With the emphasis on "the blood of the Lamb" as the means of victory, the 144,000 have nothing in their hands to bring, simply to the Lamb they cling. *******AMEN!
Those who trust in the merits of their own works - Cain worship - receive a mark in their right hand.
*******
John next heard a duo singing "a new song" in which the 144,000 unite their voices.
These voices are accompanied "by harpers harping on their harps." (14:2-3)
Rev 14:2 And 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:
Rev 14:3 And 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 voice of many waters" is the voice of "the Son of man." (1:15)
Rev 1:15 And his feet like unto fine brass, as if they burned in a furnace; and his voice as the sound of many waters.
The voice "of a great thunder" is God Himself.
Zephaniah seeing "the remnant of Israel" who do no iniquity, neither is a "deceitful tongue found in their mouth," foretells that the Lord God "will joy over (them) with singing." (3:13, 17)
Zep 3:13 The remnant of Israel shall not do iniquity, nor speak lies; neither shall a deceitful tongue be found in their mouth: for they shall feed and lie down, and none shall make them afraid.
Zep 3:17 The LORD thy God in the midst of thee is mighty; he will save, he will rejoice over thee with joy; he will rest in his love, he will joy over thee with singing.
[See John 12:28-29….
Joh 12:28 Father, glorify thy name. Then came there a voice from heaven, saying, I have both glorified it, and will glorify it again.
Joh 12:29 The people therefore, that stood by, and heard it, said that it thundered: others said, An angel spake to him.
... and note the phrase, "lightnings and thunderings and voices" associated with descriptions of the Throne of God in Revelation 4:5; 16:17-18.]
Rev 4:5 And out of the throne proceeded lightnings and thunderings and voices: and there were seven lamps of fire burning before the throne, which are the seven Spirits of God.
Rev 16:17 And 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.
Rev 16:18 And 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.
An interesting question for consideration is why, and what is the "new song" which only God, the Lamb and the 144,000 will sing together.
The 144,000 are indicated as having been "redeemed from among men."
Rev 14:4 These 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.
James White made an insightful observation on this point.
He wrote: "Not out of their graves; no, no, - 'from among men.' They must, therefore, be the living saints who are changed to immortality at the coming of the Lord." (R&H, May 9, 1854, p. 124; emphasis his)
These are declared to be "the first fruits unto God and to the Lamb." Here again is the Divine Duo with a stated relationship of the 144,000 to Them. This entwining picture should be carefully considered:
1) The 144,000 are with the Lamb on mount Sion with God's name in their foreheads.
2) The Lamb and God sing a "new song" in which only the 144,000 can unite their voices.
3) The 144,000 become "first fruits" to God and the Lamb.
If James White's observation first penned in 1850 is correct, and we believe it is, this relationship between the 144,000 and the Divine Duo is further heightened by the fact that those who are translated without seeing death put on "immortality" in contrast to the "incorruption" of the resurrected saints. (I Cor. 15:51-54)
1Co 15:51 Behold, I shew you a mystery; We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed,
1Co 15:52 In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed.
1Co 15:53 For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality.
1Co 15:54 So when this corruptible shall have put on incorruption, and this mortal shall have put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written, Death is swallowed up in victory.
The word translated, "immortality" (athanasia) is used only three times in the New Testament, twice in I Corinthians 15:53-54,
and once in I Tim. 6:16.
1Ti 6:16 Who only hath immortality, dwelling in the light which no man can approach unto; whom no man hath seen, nor can see: to whom be honour and power everlasting. Amen.
Here in these related verses is a clear suggestion that the 144,000 will share in an attribute of God as did the exalted Jesus who had laid aside this prerogative to accomplish redemption. This resurrected Christ is also called, "the first fruits." (I Cor. 15:23
1Co 15:23 But every man in his own order: Christ the firstfruits; afterward they that are Christ's at his coming.
There is an interpretation read into these verses which designates the 144,000 as the instruments by which God brings together the "great multitude" of Revelation 7:9
Rev 7:9 After 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
Inasmuch as the 144,000 are discussed in both Revelation 7, and 14, we need to pause and consider the two prophetic pictures together.
In Revelation 7, the question is asked, "Who are these arrayed in white robes, and where did they come from?" (v. 13 NKJV) There is no question but that the great multitude are arrayed in white robes. The text so states. (7:9) It also declares that the "multitude" come from "all nations, and kindreds, and people, and tongues."
Applying the same question asked by "one of the elders" in Chapter 7 to Revelation 14 in regard to the 144,000, the answer is - they result from the Three Angels' Mesages, which are likewise given not only to "every nation, and kindred, and tongue, and people" (14:6)
Rev 14:6 And 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
... but also to them "that dwell on the earth."
The 144,000 are not only "redeemed from among men," but also are "redeemed from the earth." (14:3)
Rev 14:3 And 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.
Here a judgment call must be made once again.
Are we to interpret "earth" as the symbolic "earth" of the continuous prophecy of Revelation 12 & 13, or do we interpret the word as applied to the planet as a whole?
From the picture in Revelation 14, must be added the descriptive concept of the 144,000 -
"in their mouth was found no guile: for they are without fault before the throne of God." (v. 5)
In other words, "they keep the commandments of God and the faith of Jesus." (v. 12)
Compare Rev. 14:5
Rev 14:5 And in their mouth was found no guile: for they are without fault before the throne of God.
with I Peter 2:22,
1Pe 2:22 Who did no sin, neither was guile found in his mouth
... and consider the basic revelation of Chapter 12 - the "Seed" of the Woman, the Man-child, and the "remnant of her seed" which keep the commandments of God, and have the witness of Jesus. (12:17) Where then does the "great multitude" enter the picture?
In Rev. 14:13 "a voice from heaven" is heard. The Holy Spirit speaks - "Blessed are the dead which die in the Lord from henceforth."
There is a point of time from which those who die in the Lord are called "blessed." The text would suggest that point as the beginning of the Three Angels' Messages.
We next turn our attention to the Three Angels and their messages. Immediately we face a problem. How are we to identify these angels, as symbols or real angels?
We have said that they represent a movement.
We have perceived that movement to be the Adventist Movement.
However, there are more than three angels in Revelation 14.
Besides the three which "fly in the midst of heaven," there are three other angels: two come "out of the temple," and one "out from the altar." (vs. 15-18)
Rev 14:15 And 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.
Rev 14:16 And he that sat on the cloud thrust in his sickle on the earth; and the earth was reaped.
Rev 14:17 And ANOTHER ANGEL came out of the temple which is in heaven, he also having a sharp sickle.
Rev 14:18 And 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.
One from the "temple" and the one from the "altar" are involved with "the great winepress of the wrath of God" and "the city." (vs. 19-20)
Rev 14:19 And 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.
Rev 14:20 And 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.
The previous reference where "temple," "altar," and "city" are associated together is Rev. 11:1-2.
Rev 11:1 And 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.
Rev 11:2 But 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.
The references previous to Rev. 11:1, where the "altar" is seen is in Chapters 8 & 9. There it is called, "the golden altar before the throne." (8:3; 9:13)
Our problem is that if we interpret the three angels flying in the midst of heaven as an earthly movement, how can we interpret the last three as literal?
If all are symbolic of "movements," what movements do the last three represent?
How do we interrelate these angels which come out of the temple with the two temple scenes of Chapter 11:1, 19?
Rev 11:1 And 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.
Rev 11:19 And 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.
Either we say that they mean something different in Revelation 14, or we say that they must be given a consistent identification in each reference where the term is used.
Whichever interpretive decision we make, we come face to face with the realization that there are still areas in the book of Revelation that need prayer and study. *******AMEN!
A suggestive interpretation of the angels of Revelation 14 might be found in the designation of the sixth angel.
He had "authority ("power" - KJV) over the fire." (v. 18 Gr.)
Rev 14:18 And 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.
In Revelation 16,the angel of the third plague is spoken of as "the angel of the waters." (16:5)
Rev 16:5 And 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.
Throughout the ENTIRE BOOK, angels are given specific responsibilities in carrying out the directives that come from the throne of God.
Thus we could say that the first angel of Revelation 14 was given the "authority" to see that the everlasting gospel with its specific emphasis for earth's last hour was implemented. This he did through the Advent Movement.
From this viewpoint, the "angels of God" in Revelation are REAL BEINGS - "ministering spirits" - placed in charge of God's plans and purposes to bring about the full realization of the victory of "His Christ." (12:10)
Considering the messages of the first three angels of Revelation 14, as we seek to let the text speak, we face problems in harmonizing what the text says with what our tradition has read into these verses.
The first angel comes in the midst of heaven "having the everlasting gospel." (14:6)
It is age-long (aionion); the same gospel as promised to Eve in the beginning, and realized in the victory of the Man-child. It is to go not only to "them that dwell on the earth," but also to "every nation, and kindred, and tongue, and people."
It carried a specific message. "The hour of God's judgment is come."
"Is come" (elthen) is in the past tense (Gr. aorist).
When this angel gives its message, the judgment has commenced.
The message of the first angel is NOT a message telling of something to come, but a PROCLAMATION of what HAS begun - God's judgment hour.
Further it is connected with three imperatives:
1) "Fear God,"
2) "Give glory to Him," and
3) "Worship Him who made."
This message could not be given until the Judgment had begun in Heaven no more than the Spirit could come on Pentecost until the enthronement of Christ as High Priest in the Heavenly Sanctuary. (See Acts 2:33)
Act 2:33 Therefore being by the right hand of God exalted, and having received of the Father the promise of the Holy Ghost, he hath shed forth this, which ye now see and hear.
Thus the first angel began to sound AFTER 1844, NOT before.
It is also a historical fact that the Movement directed by this angel did not see the sanctuary truth of the final atonement of the great High Priest, or the Sabbath truth until AFTER October 22, 1844.
Further, since this message is a part of the age-long gospel, it will continue to be proclaimed till the close of all human probation.
The other two which follow only JOIN their voices with this first angel.
The second angel proclaims - "Babylon is fallen, is fallen."
Again, this is in the past tense (epesen).
When this angel sounds, there is an ACCOMPLISHED FACT.
In fact, the reason for the fall of Babylon - "because she made all nations drink of the wine of the wrath of her fornication" - is in the Greek perfect tense (pepotiken), indicating COMPLETED action.
The message of this angel is that the "nations" to whom "the everlasting gospel" was to be proclaimed, INSTEAD of accepting it, chose to drink of Babylon's wine under religious duress.
The third angel joins the other two. However, in John's recording of this message, he places it in the present tense -
"If any man is worshiping (proskunei) the beast and his image, and is receiving (lambanei) a mark ...." (14:9)
This message, therefore, except in a warning of what will be, cannot be "present truth" until the "mark" is in place, and the proclamation to worship is made.
It needs to be kept in mind that the cause to worship this beast is contingent on the fact that "the deadly wound was healed." (13:12)
When we consider the "wisdom" and "under-standing" given to John in the previous chapter (13:18), we discover that the basic element in this warning is against the worship of man for the "beast" is a man!
The third angel joins his voice in warning that the rejection of the everlasting gospel's imperatives -
"Fear God, and give glory to Him ... and worship Him who made" -
- and in its place, worshiping man in whatever form that may take, brings "the wine of the wrath of God, which is poured out without mixture." (14:10)
In the final confrontation when all that dwell on the face of the earth bow in worship to the beast that had a deadly wound and "was healed," there will be a "remnant of Israel" who, as the Three Worthies before them, refuse to bow to the image - they will keep the commandments of God, and the faith of Jesus." (14:12)
It will be a trying ordeal for it will reveal the "endurance" (patience - KJV) of the saints. "But he that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be saved." (Matt. 24:13)
Mat 24:13 But he that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be saved.
This verse - 14:12 - is interesting in that not only do the "saints" keep the commandments of God, they ALSO keep the faith of Jesus.
We hear much about "keeping" the commandments of God, but we hear little, if any thing, about keeping the faith of Jesus.
This word, "keep" (tereo) is the same word as used in the blessing pronounced upon those who "keep those things which are written" in the book of Revelation. (1:3; 22:7, 9)
John uses this word frequently in both his Gospel and first Epistle. In these books, it is used primarily with keeping the commandments, and the sayings of Jesus.
We might ask, does the keeping of the faith of Jesus mean entering into the experience He entered, in both Gethsemane and Calvary, where unable to see through the darkness, He simply prayed, "Thy will be done. Father into thy hands I commend my spirit."
Will the 144,000 who go with the Lamb "withsoever He goeth," have also gone with Him through their Gethsemane and Calvary?
" One thing will certainly be understood from a study of Revelation, - that the connection between God and His people is close and decided. "
(TM, p. 114)
*******
We who despise hardships. We who run to the pharmacy at the least sign of discomfort. We who bemoan our existence so often when we lack the things we believe we need, deserve, desire. We who are taught that any anxiety is a bad thing. We who are raised to believe that depression is a state we must shun at all costs - rather than use it to examine our lives and learn to develop a trust in God unlike any can imagine. We who are so incredibly far from where we need to be- is it ANY wonder at all that there will be so few people who have the true FAITH of Jesus? We suffer and we are supposed to suffer. We aren't supposed to like it at all. We need to put our lives in God's hands NOW, not later. We need to develop a trust in God that can withstand everything and anything Satan wants to throw at us. We have to submit to God, we need to learn this submission. God will NOT force us to love Him. God will NOT force us to trust Him. God will NOT force us to believe. We have a choice and making that choice decides our eternal fate. It's a choice that needs to be made so much more often than people realize. It's a choice we make throughout our daily lives in ALL we do. Are we REALLY, HONESTLY letting our Savior guide our every action? Is that too much to ask of us sinners? I didn't ask are we really doing everything right? You might say that's what His guiding our every action means, but it isn't. We are sinners, we are humans, we are fallible, we will make mistakes, we will fail, we will mess things up bad, but if we are really doing ALL we can to put our Savior in all we do then we are choosing Christ. When we fail to choose Christ we are sinning every bit as much as the sinful action. It's putting Christ second, it's putting other things before God that causes us to fail. We need to ask ourselves if we ARE putting Christ first in our choices. If we're afraid to even ask ourselves that question we need to pray so much more than we are doing now. Christ is our Salvation. Christ is our Rock. Christ is Everything. We need the FAITH of JESUS, a faith that is fully in God in all things.
Please Lord, help us! We are desperately in need of Your help. We don't always see a way out of our situations, a way to be Yours in all things, help us find a way PLEASE!
Guide us.
Love us.
Forgive us.
Please…forgive us.
All in YOUR righteousness!
Amen.
Thought Paper - Watchman What of the Night- 1995 Jul -- XXVIII -- 7(95) -- EXEGESIS OF REVELATION -- THE 144,000 AND THE THREE ANGELS -- Part 3 --
The first vision given to John after he was told, "Here is wisdom," is a climax to a series of revelations given in the previous chapters.
He was told that "all that dwell on the earth shall worship" the first beast, except those whose names are in "the book of life of the Lamb." (13:8)
Rev 13:8 And 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.
It was also stated that those who would "not worship the image of the beast should be killed." (13:15)
Rev 13:15 And 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.
In Chapter 12, it was declared that those who overcome "the dragon" do so "by the blood of the Lamb," and these "loved not their lives unto death." (12:11)
Rev. 12:11 And 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.
Now John sees a company with the Lamb on mount Sion, 144,000.
This number stands in direct CONTRAST to the "all" who worship, the dragon, beast, and image. (13:4, 15)
Rev 13:4 And 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?
Rev 13:15 And 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.
These are commandment keepers; they have no other gods before Jehovah Elohim. (Ex. 20:2-3)
Exo 20:2 I am the LORD thy God, which have brought thee out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of bondage.
Exo 20:3 Thou shalt have no other gods before me.
Further, they do not bow down to, nor serve any "image." (Ex. 20:4-5)
Exo 20:4 Thou shalt not make unto thee any graven image, or any likeness of any thing that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth:
Exo 20:5 Thou shalt not bow down thyself to them, nor serve them: for I the LORD thy God am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children unto the third and fourth generation of them that hate me
God honors them for their FIDELITY in the midst of universal apostasy by placing His name in their foreheads.
The 144,000 on mount Sion, the remnant of the seed the of the woman who face the death decree in the warfare with the dragon, are also revealed in the first section of the book.
(Chapter 7) There these victors are portrayed as having "washed their robes, and made them white in the blood of the Lamb." (v. 14)
Rev 7:14 And I said unto him, Sir, thou knowest. And he said to me, These are they which came out of great tribulation, and have washed their robes, and made them white in the blood of the Lamb.
The picture is heightened by further comparison.
The 144,000 receive "His Father's name."
These "follow the Lamb whithersoever He goeth." (14:4)
Rev 14:4 These 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.
*******
The high point of this last section of Revelation before the Millennial reign is that "the marriage of the Lamb is come, and His wife hath made herself ready." She is clothed in"fine linen, clean and white," a righteousness obtained by the blood of the Lamb.
Rev 19:6 And 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.
Rev 19:7 Let 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.
Rev 19:8 And to her was granted that she should be arrayed in fine linen, clean and white: for the fine linen is the righteousness of saints.
There is another "knitting" back into the first section.
The victors of "Laodicea" sit with "the True Witness" (Gr. ho martus) on His throne. (3:21)
Rev 3:21 To him that overcometh will I grant to sit with me in my throne, even as I also overcame, and am set down with my Father in his throne.
They REFUSE to worship the dragon, beast and image - they KEEP the commandments - and they HAVE the "witness" (Gr. marturian) of Jesus Christ.
They are the "remnant" of the woman's seed, the "Queen" - the wife of the Lamb accepting only "His Father's name."
The 144,000 with the Father's name in their foreheads "the seal of God" (Rev. 7:3)
Rev 7:3 Saying, Hurt not the earth, neither the sea, nor the trees, till we have SEALED the servants of our God in their foreheads.
- are in contrast to the "ALL" who worship the beast and receive "a mark in their right hand, or in their foreheads." (13:16)
Rev 13:16 And 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
With the emphasis on "the blood of the Lamb" as the means of victory, the 144,000 have nothing in their hands to bring, simply to the Lamb they cling. *******AMEN!
Those who trust in the merits of their own works - Cain worship - receive a mark in their right hand.
*******
John next heard a duo singing "a new song" in which the 144,000 unite their voices.
These voices are accompanied "by harpers harping on their harps." (14:2-3)
Rev 14:2 And 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:
Rev 14:3 And 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 voice of many waters" is the voice of "the Son of man." (1:15)
Rev 1:15 And his feet like unto fine brass, as if they burned in a furnace; and his voice as the sound of many waters.
The voice "of a great thunder" is God Himself.
Zephaniah seeing "the remnant of Israel" who do no iniquity, neither is a "deceitful tongue found in their mouth," foretells that the Lord God "will joy over (them) with singing." (3:13, 17)
Zep 3:13 The remnant of Israel shall not do iniquity, nor speak lies; neither shall a deceitful tongue be found in their mouth: for they shall feed and lie down, and none shall make them afraid.
Zep 3:17 The LORD thy God in the midst of thee is mighty; he will save, he will rejoice over thee with joy; he will rest in his love, he will joy over thee with singing.
[See John 12:28-29….
Joh 12:28 Father, glorify thy name. Then came there a voice from heaven, saying, I have both glorified it, and will glorify it again.
Joh 12:29 The people therefore, that stood by, and heard it, said that it thundered: others said, An angel spake to him.
... and note the phrase, "lightnings and thunderings and voices" associated with descriptions of the Throne of God in Revelation 4:5; 16:17-18.]
Rev 4:5 And out of the throne proceeded lightnings and thunderings and voices: and there were seven lamps of fire burning before the throne, which are the seven Spirits of God.
Rev 16:17 And 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.
Rev 16:18 And 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.
An interesting question for consideration is why, and what is the "new song" which only God, the Lamb and the 144,000 will sing together.
The 144,000 are indicated as having been "redeemed from among men."
Rev 14:4 These 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.
James White made an insightful observation on this point.
He wrote: "Not out of their graves; no, no, - 'from among men.' They must, therefore, be the living saints who are changed to immortality at the coming of the Lord." (R&H, May 9, 1854, p. 124; emphasis his)
These are declared to be "the first fruits unto God and to the Lamb." Here again is the Divine Duo with a stated relationship of the 144,000 to Them. This entwining picture should be carefully considered:
1) The 144,000 are with the Lamb on mount Sion with God's name in their foreheads.
2) The Lamb and God sing a "new song" in which only the 144,000 can unite their voices.
3) The 144,000 become "first fruits" to God and the Lamb.
If James White's observation first penned in 1850 is correct, and we believe it is, this relationship between the 144,000 and the Divine Duo is further heightened by the fact that those who are translated without seeing death put on "immortality" in contrast to the "incorruption" of the resurrected saints. (I Cor. 15:51-54)
1Co 15:51 Behold, I shew you a mystery; We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed,
1Co 15:52 In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed.
1Co 15:53 For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality.
1Co 15:54 So when this corruptible shall have put on incorruption, and this mortal shall have put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written, Death is swallowed up in victory.
The word translated, "immortality" (athanasia) is used only three times in the New Testament, twice in I Corinthians 15:53-54,
and once in I Tim. 6:16.
1Ti 6:16 Who only hath immortality, dwelling in the light which no man can approach unto; whom no man hath seen, nor can see: to whom be honour and power everlasting. Amen.
Here in these related verses is a clear suggestion that the 144,000 will share in an attribute of God as did the exalted Jesus who had laid aside this prerogative to accomplish redemption. This resurrected Christ is also called, "the first fruits." (I Cor. 15:23
1Co 15:23 But every man in his own order: Christ the firstfruits; afterward they that are Christ's at his coming.
There is an interpretation read into these verses which designates the 144,000 as the instruments by which God brings together the "great multitude" of Revelation 7:9
Rev 7:9 After 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
Inasmuch as the 144,000 are discussed in both Revelation 7, and 14, we need to pause and consider the two prophetic pictures together.
In Revelation 7, the question is asked, "Who are these arrayed in white robes, and where did they come from?" (v. 13 NKJV) There is no question but that the great multitude are arrayed in white robes. The text so states. (7:9) It also declares that the "multitude" come from "all nations, and kindreds, and people, and tongues."
Applying the same question asked by "one of the elders" in Chapter 7 to Revelation 14 in regard to the 144,000, the answer is - they result from the Three Angels' Mesages, which are likewise given not only to "every nation, and kindred, and tongue, and people" (14:6)
Rev 14:6 And 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
... but also to them "that dwell on the earth."
The 144,000 are not only "redeemed from among men," but also are "redeemed from the earth." (14:3)
Rev 14:3 And 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.
Here a judgment call must be made once again.
Are we to interpret "earth" as the symbolic "earth" of the continuous prophecy of Revelation 12 & 13, or do we interpret the word as applied to the planet as a whole?
From the picture in Revelation 14, must be added the descriptive concept of the 144,000 -
"in their mouth was found no guile: for they are without fault before the throne of God." (v. 5)
In other words, "they keep the commandments of God and the faith of Jesus." (v. 12)
Compare Rev. 14:5
Rev 14:5 And in their mouth was found no guile: for they are without fault before the throne of God.
with I Peter 2:22,
1Pe 2:22 Who did no sin, neither was guile found in his mouth
... and consider the basic revelation of Chapter 12 - the "Seed" of the Woman, the Man-child, and the "remnant of her seed" which keep the commandments of God, and have the witness of Jesus. (12:17) Where then does the "great multitude" enter the picture?
In Rev. 14:13 "a voice from heaven" is heard. The Holy Spirit speaks - "Blessed are the dead which die in the Lord from henceforth."
There is a point of time from which those who die in the Lord are called "blessed." The text would suggest that point as the beginning of the Three Angels' Messages.
We next turn our attention to the Three Angels and their messages. Immediately we face a problem. How are we to identify these angels, as symbols or real angels?
We have said that they represent a movement.
We have perceived that movement to be the Adventist Movement.
However, there are more than three angels in Revelation 14.
Besides the three which "fly in the midst of heaven," there are three other angels: two come "out of the temple," and one "out from the altar." (vs. 15-18)
Rev 14:15 And 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.
Rev 14:16 And he that sat on the cloud thrust in his sickle on the earth; and the earth was reaped.
Rev 14:17 And ANOTHER ANGEL came out of the temple which is in heaven, he also having a sharp sickle.
Rev 14:18 And 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.
One from the "temple" and the one from the "altar" are involved with "the great winepress of the wrath of God" and "the city." (vs. 19-20)
Rev 14:19 And 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.
Rev 14:20 And 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.
The previous reference where "temple," "altar," and "city" are associated together is Rev. 11:1-2.
Rev 11:1 And 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.
Rev 11:2 But 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.
The references previous to Rev. 11:1, where the "altar" is seen is in Chapters 8 & 9. There it is called, "the golden altar before the throne." (8:3; 9:13)
Our problem is that if we interpret the three angels flying in the midst of heaven as an earthly movement, how can we interpret the last three as literal?
If all are symbolic of "movements," what movements do the last three represent?
How do we interrelate these angels which come out of the temple with the two temple scenes of Chapter 11:1, 19?
Rev 11:1 And 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.
Rev 11:19 And 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.
Either we say that they mean something different in Revelation 14, or we say that they must be given a consistent identification in each reference where the term is used.
Whichever interpretive decision we make, we come face to face with the realization that there are still areas in the book of Revelation that need prayer and study. *******AMEN!
A suggestive interpretation of the angels of Revelation 14 might be found in the designation of the sixth angel.
He had "authority ("power" - KJV) over the fire." (v. 18 Gr.)
Rev 14:18 And 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.
In Revelation 16,the angel of the third plague is spoken of as "the angel of the waters." (16:5)
Rev 16:5 And 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.
Throughout the ENTIRE BOOK, angels are given specific responsibilities in carrying out the directives that come from the throne of God.
Thus we could say that the first angel of Revelation 14 was given the "authority" to see that the everlasting gospel with its specific emphasis for earth's last hour was implemented. This he did through the Advent Movement.
From this viewpoint, the "angels of God" in Revelation are REAL BEINGS - "ministering spirits" - placed in charge of God's plans and purposes to bring about the full realization of the victory of "His Christ." (12:10)
Considering the messages of the first three angels of Revelation 14, as we seek to let the text speak, we face problems in harmonizing what the text says with what our tradition has read into these verses.
The first angel comes in the midst of heaven "having the everlasting gospel." (14:6)
It is age-long (aionion); the same gospel as promised to Eve in the beginning, and realized in the victory of the Man-child. It is to go not only to "them that dwell on the earth," but also to "every nation, and kindred, and tongue, and people."
It carried a specific message. "The hour of God's judgment is come."
"Is come" (elthen) is in the past tense (Gr. aorist).
When this angel gives its message, the judgment has commenced.
The message of the first angel is NOT a message telling of something to come, but a PROCLAMATION of what HAS begun - God's judgment hour.
Further it is connected with three imperatives:
1) "Fear God,"
2) "Give glory to Him," and
3) "Worship Him who made."
This message could not be given until the Judgment had begun in Heaven no more than the Spirit could come on Pentecost until the enthronement of Christ as High Priest in the Heavenly Sanctuary. (See Acts 2:33)
Act 2:33 Therefore being by the right hand of God exalted, and having received of the Father the promise of the Holy Ghost, he hath shed forth this, which ye now see and hear.
Thus the first angel began to sound AFTER 1844, NOT before.
It is also a historical fact that the Movement directed by this angel did not see the sanctuary truth of the final atonement of the great High Priest, or the Sabbath truth until AFTER October 22, 1844.
Further, since this message is a part of the age-long gospel, it will continue to be proclaimed till the close of all human probation.
The other two which follow only JOIN their voices with this first angel.
The second angel proclaims - "Babylon is fallen, is fallen."
Again, this is in the past tense (epesen).
When this angel sounds, there is an ACCOMPLISHED FACT.
In fact, the reason for the fall of Babylon - "because she made all nations drink of the wine of the wrath of her fornication" - is in the Greek perfect tense (pepotiken), indicating COMPLETED action.
The message of this angel is that the "nations" to whom "the everlasting gospel" was to be proclaimed, INSTEAD of accepting it, chose to drink of Babylon's wine under religious duress.
The third angel joins the other two. However, in John's recording of this message, he places it in the present tense -
"If any man is worshiping (proskunei) the beast and his image, and is receiving (lambanei) a mark ...." (14:9)
This message, therefore, except in a warning of what will be, cannot be "present truth" until the "mark" is in place, and the proclamation to worship is made.
It needs to be kept in mind that the cause to worship this beast is contingent on the fact that "the deadly wound was healed." (13:12)
When we consider the "wisdom" and "under-standing" given to John in the previous chapter (13:18), we discover that the basic element in this warning is against the worship of man for the "beast" is a man!
The third angel joins his voice in warning that the rejection of the everlasting gospel's imperatives -
"Fear God, and give glory to Him ... and worship Him who made" -
- and in its place, worshiping man in whatever form that may take, brings "the wine of the wrath of God, which is poured out without mixture." (14:10)
In the final confrontation when all that dwell on the face of the earth bow in worship to the beast that had a deadly wound and "was healed," there will be a "remnant of Israel" who, as the Three Worthies before them, refuse to bow to the image - they will keep the commandments of God, and the faith of Jesus." (14:12)
It will be a trying ordeal for it will reveal the "endurance" (patience - KJV) of the saints. "But he that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be saved." (Matt. 24:13)
Mat 24:13 But he that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be saved.
This verse - 14:12 - is interesting in that not only do the "saints" keep the commandments of God, they ALSO keep the faith of Jesus.
We hear much about "keeping" the commandments of God, but we hear little, if any thing, about keeping the faith of Jesus.
This word, "keep" (tereo) is the same word as used in the blessing pronounced upon those who "keep those things which are written" in the book of Revelation. (1:3; 22:7, 9)
John uses this word frequently in both his Gospel and first Epistle. In these books, it is used primarily with keeping the commandments, and the sayings of Jesus.
We might ask, does the keeping of the faith of Jesus mean entering into the experience He entered, in both Gethsemane and Calvary, where unable to see through the darkness, He simply prayed, "Thy will be done. Father into thy hands I commend my spirit."
Will the 144,000 who go with the Lamb "withsoever He goeth," have also gone with Him through their Gethsemane and Calvary?
" One thing will certainly be understood from a study of Revelation, - that the connection between God and His people is close and decided. "
(TM, p. 114)
*******
We who despise hardships. We who run to the pharmacy at the least sign of discomfort. We who bemoan our existence so often when we lack the things we believe we need, deserve, desire. We who are taught that any anxiety is a bad thing. We who are raised to believe that depression is a state we must shun at all costs - rather than use it to examine our lives and learn to develop a trust in God unlike any can imagine. We who are so incredibly far from where we need to be- is it ANY wonder at all that there will be so few people who have the true FAITH of Jesus? We suffer and we are supposed to suffer. We aren't supposed to like it at all. We need to put our lives in God's hands NOW, not later. We need to develop a trust in God that can withstand everything and anything Satan wants to throw at us. We have to submit to God, we need to learn this submission. God will NOT force us to love Him. God will NOT force us to trust Him. God will NOT force us to believe. We have a choice and making that choice decides our eternal fate. It's a choice that needs to be made so much more often than people realize. It's a choice we make throughout our daily lives in ALL we do. Are we REALLY, HONESTLY letting our Savior guide our every action? Is that too much to ask of us sinners? I didn't ask are we really doing everything right? You might say that's what His guiding our every action means, but it isn't. We are sinners, we are humans, we are fallible, we will make mistakes, we will fail, we will mess things up bad, but if we are really doing ALL we can to put our Savior in all we do then we are choosing Christ. When we fail to choose Christ we are sinning every bit as much as the sinful action. It's putting Christ second, it's putting other things before God that causes us to fail. We need to ask ourselves if we ARE putting Christ first in our choices. If we're afraid to even ask ourselves that question we need to pray so much more than we are doing now. Christ is our Salvation. Christ is our Rock. Christ is Everything. We need the FAITH of JESUS, a faith that is fully in God in all things.
Please Lord, help us! We are desperately in need of Your help. We don't always see a way out of our situations, a way to be Yours in all things, help us find a way PLEASE!
Guide us.
Love us.
Forgive us.
Please…forgive us.
All in YOUR righteousness!
Amen.
Prophecy - 100
More from the thought papers of Elder Grotheer on the study of Revelation. May God help us to find all the truth we need to find, not being deceived by Satan. Protect us Lord as we study others interpretations, help us to glean the wisdom from what we read and only further our understanding of Your truth. Bless us Lord, we ask this in the name of our Savior Jesus Christ and thank you because we know you are able to do all things. In Your love!
*******
Recognizing that the first beast represents the Papacy, then one criterion which determines where our names are placed is our attitude toward Roman Catholicism.
This includes much more than mere Sunday observance. The doctrine of the Trinity - basic in Romanism, the Eucharist, and other issues enter the picture. Little wonder then that the admonition follows -
"If any man have an ear, let him hear." (13:9)
In Rev. 13:10 an unique comment is made - "Here is the patience and faith of the saints." It is found again in Revelation 14:12, and only in these two texts in Revelation.
Do these serve as "brackets" for the revelation that is given between? If so, then this call to observe the steadfastness of "the saints" is associated with the activities of the second beast of chapter 13 and the giving of the Three Angels' Messages.
The second beast came "up out of the earth; and he had two horns like a lamb, and he spake as a dragon." (13:11)
Two things of importance need to be noted.
The prophetic symbolism does not connect this beast with the other beasts - there is no common denominator, the multiple heads or horns which mark the other beast symbols are missing.
Only two horns are noted.
No prophetic, or literal time factors are associated with this second beast.
He doesn't speak as "THE dragon," but simply "as A dragon."
"His two horns are like the horns of a lamb." The symbolism combines the two representations which in Chapter 12 are pictured as in deadly conflict, the dragon and the Lamb.
This beast "exerciseth all the power (authority - exousia) of the first beast."
Is this saying that its authority is derived from the same source as the first beast, or is it stating that its controlling influence is as extensive as was that of the first beast, or both?
The evident time of prophetic emphasis for the second beast is after the deadly wound of the first beast "was healed." (v. 12)
Is it then, that we are to consider the exercise of, and source for its authority?
If so, the activities of this beast, as described in Chapter 13, would not find fulfillment until AFTER 1929, when the deadly wound began to be healed. But when was it "healed"?
One of the wonders which this beast performs is to make "fire come down from heaven on the earth in the sight of men." (v. 13)
This beast is defined as "the false prophet." (19:20)
The allusion to fire coming down from heaven, being done by a prophet, calls to mind, Elijah who is to come before "the great and dreadful day of the Lord." (Mal. 4:5)
This is telling us two things:
1) In the final confrontation, there will be a reversal of evidence. The false and deceptive will produce what will appear to be genuine evidence of Divine manifestation. And
2) This second beast is a religious power seeking to fulfill the role of Elijah.
In determining the identify of this "beast power," we have given it two identifications, the United States and Apostate Protestantism.
In the transitional verses from the first beast to the second, is found the dictum - "He that leadeth into captivity shall go into captivity."
This is interpreted as having been fulfilled in taking the Pope captive, and by declaring the government of the Papacy at an end in 1798, thus concluding the 1260 prophetic days.
It was at this time, as the Papacy ceased its domination over "the kings of the earth," that the United States came into existence as a nation - "coming up out of the earth."
However, to so interpret, excludes the identification as Protestantism, because Protestantism arose in the area prophetically identified as "the sea," and over two hundreds years before the downfall of the Pope.
We can respond that it is Apostate Protestantism that is being identified since the symbol is termed, "the false prophet." If this be so, then one must ask, "When did Protestantism become apostate?" To this, we have responded that this state resulted from the rejection of the First Angel's Message. And textually the First Angel's Message is placed in the setting of this prophetic revelation to John, with the Second Angel proclaiming the fall of Babylon, of which the "false prophet" is one part. (Rev. 16:13, 19)
In recognizing this "beast" as a religious power we must also recognize two other factors of prophecy.
1) As noted above, the prophetic emphasis in Revelation 13 is on the activities of the "false prophet" after the "deadly wound was healed." This extends the time element for the main thrust of "apostate" Protestantism well over 100 years from the above date (1844) set for its inception.
2) This religious force causes the "image" to be formed. (13:14) The "image" to the first beast would be religio-political even as the Papacy was and is. It must also be understood, that this "religious" power says to those "that dwell on the earth, that they should make an image to the beast." This clearly indicates that the political power through which the "image" will be formed is democratic, the electorate is asked to grant the authority. But the "life" of this image is given to it by the "false prophet." (13:15)
Penalties for failure to come into line are twofold:
1) The "false prophet" initiates economic sanctions (13:16-17).
2) The created "image" of the union of church and state - issues the death decree (13:15).
The final verse of Revelation 13 - verse 18 - demands careful exegesis. It can be noted as both a literal fact, and it can convey spiritual import.
Rev 13:8 And 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.
A spiritual truth is also hidden in this number and "wisdom." The Greek text reads - "For a number of man, it is" - no article, and the word for man is anthropos. Six is one shy of seven, which is a Biblical perfect number, but it is a combination of three sixes, three being another perfect number. Thus the number 666 could be interpreted as perfected imperfection. This even carries overtones of "six days shalt thou labor and do all thy work." Man in the worship of the works of his hands - Cain worship - and self glorification, cannot "Fear God and give glory to Him ... and worship Him who made ..." providing for man, the seventh day of rest, which is the essence of the First Angel's Message. (14:6-7) The Third Angel's Message also addresses this issue. "If any man worship the beast," but the "beast" is man in the height of his imperfection and rebellion against God.
This full picture justifies Thayer's definition of "the Wicked" one, "the man of sin," as "he in whom all iniquity has as it were fixed its abode" (II Thess. 2:8.) (See Thayer's Greek-English Lexicon of the New Testament, p. 48, art. anomos) This is the one which the "false prophet" leads those who dwell on the earth to worship.
In contrast to this, comes the next vision given to John.
*******
More tomorrow… so much to study! So much to contemplate. Please Lord help us, give us the wisdom we need.
By Your Grace!
By Your Love!
In You Lord always!!!
Amen.
*******
Recognizing that the first beast represents the Papacy, then one criterion which determines where our names are placed is our attitude toward Roman Catholicism.
This includes much more than mere Sunday observance. The doctrine of the Trinity - basic in Romanism, the Eucharist, and other issues enter the picture. Little wonder then that the admonition follows -
"If any man have an ear, let him hear." (13:9)
In Rev. 13:10 an unique comment is made - "Here is the patience and faith of the saints." It is found again in Revelation 14:12, and only in these two texts in Revelation.
Do these serve as "brackets" for the revelation that is given between? If so, then this call to observe the steadfastness of "the saints" is associated with the activities of the second beast of chapter 13 and the giving of the Three Angels' Messages.
The second beast came "up out of the earth; and he had two horns like a lamb, and he spake as a dragon." (13:11)
Two things of importance need to be noted.
The prophetic symbolism does not connect this beast with the other beasts - there is no common denominator, the multiple heads or horns which mark the other beast symbols are missing.
Only two horns are noted.
No prophetic, or literal time factors are associated with this second beast.
He doesn't speak as "THE dragon," but simply "as A dragon."
"His two horns are like the horns of a lamb." The symbolism combines the two representations which in Chapter 12 are pictured as in deadly conflict, the dragon and the Lamb.
This beast "exerciseth all the power (authority - exousia) of the first beast."
Is this saying that its authority is derived from the same source as the first beast, or is it stating that its controlling influence is as extensive as was that of the first beast, or both?
The evident time of prophetic emphasis for the second beast is after the deadly wound of the first beast "was healed." (v. 12)
Is it then, that we are to consider the exercise of, and source for its authority?
If so, the activities of this beast, as described in Chapter 13, would not find fulfillment until AFTER 1929, when the deadly wound began to be healed. But when was it "healed"?
One of the wonders which this beast performs is to make "fire come down from heaven on the earth in the sight of men." (v. 13)
This beast is defined as "the false prophet." (19:20)
The allusion to fire coming down from heaven, being done by a prophet, calls to mind, Elijah who is to come before "the great and dreadful day of the Lord." (Mal. 4:5)
This is telling us two things:
1) In the final confrontation, there will be a reversal of evidence. The false and deceptive will produce what will appear to be genuine evidence of Divine manifestation. And
2) This second beast is a religious power seeking to fulfill the role of Elijah.
In determining the identify of this "beast power," we have given it two identifications, the United States and Apostate Protestantism.
In the transitional verses from the first beast to the second, is found the dictum - "He that leadeth into captivity shall go into captivity."
This is interpreted as having been fulfilled in taking the Pope captive, and by declaring the government of the Papacy at an end in 1798, thus concluding the 1260 prophetic days.
It was at this time, as the Papacy ceased its domination over "the kings of the earth," that the United States came into existence as a nation - "coming up out of the earth."
However, to so interpret, excludes the identification as Protestantism, because Protestantism arose in the area prophetically identified as "the sea," and over two hundreds years before the downfall of the Pope.
We can respond that it is Apostate Protestantism that is being identified since the symbol is termed, "the false prophet." If this be so, then one must ask, "When did Protestantism become apostate?" To this, we have responded that this state resulted from the rejection of the First Angel's Message. And textually the First Angel's Message is placed in the setting of this prophetic revelation to John, with the Second Angel proclaiming the fall of Babylon, of which the "false prophet" is one part. (Rev. 16:13, 19)
In recognizing this "beast" as a religious power we must also recognize two other factors of prophecy.
1) As noted above, the prophetic emphasis in Revelation 13 is on the activities of the "false prophet" after the "deadly wound was healed." This extends the time element for the main thrust of "apostate" Protestantism well over 100 years from the above date (1844) set for its inception.
2) This religious force causes the "image" to be formed. (13:14) The "image" to the first beast would be religio-political even as the Papacy was and is. It must also be understood, that this "religious" power says to those "that dwell on the earth, that they should make an image to the beast." This clearly indicates that the political power through which the "image" will be formed is democratic, the electorate is asked to grant the authority. But the "life" of this image is given to it by the "false prophet." (13:15)
Penalties for failure to come into line are twofold:
1) The "false prophet" initiates economic sanctions (13:16-17).
2) The created "image" of the union of church and state - issues the death decree (13:15).
The final verse of Revelation 13 - verse 18 - demands careful exegesis. It can be noted as both a literal fact, and it can convey spiritual import.
Rev 13:8 And 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.
A spiritual truth is also hidden in this number and "wisdom." The Greek text reads - "For a number of man, it is" - no article, and the word for man is anthropos. Six is one shy of seven, which is a Biblical perfect number, but it is a combination of three sixes, three being another perfect number. Thus the number 666 could be interpreted as perfected imperfection. This even carries overtones of "six days shalt thou labor and do all thy work." Man in the worship of the works of his hands - Cain worship - and self glorification, cannot "Fear God and give glory to Him ... and worship Him who made ..." providing for man, the seventh day of rest, which is the essence of the First Angel's Message. (14:6-7) The Third Angel's Message also addresses this issue. "If any man worship the beast," but the "beast" is man in the height of his imperfection and rebellion against God.
This full picture justifies Thayer's definition of "the Wicked" one, "the man of sin," as "he in whom all iniquity has as it were fixed its abode" (II Thess. 2:8.) (See Thayer's Greek-English Lexicon of the New Testament, p. 48, art. anomos) This is the one which the "false prophet" leads those who dwell on the earth to worship.
In contrast to this, comes the next vision given to John.
*******
More tomorrow… so much to study! So much to contemplate. Please Lord help us, give us the wisdom we need.
By Your Grace!
By Your Love!
In You Lord always!!!
Amen.
Saturday, October 8, 2011
Prophecy - 99
'We have also a more sure word of prophecy; whereunto ye do well that ye take heed, as unto a light that shineth in a dark place, until the day dawn, and the day star arise in your hearts' (II Peter 1:19)
Continuing our study, may God bless us and open our understanding to His truths. All praise, all thanksgiving, all worship, all honor, all glory to our God!
*******
As the description and comment on the first beast is concluded, there is found a clause that will be repeated several times in the ensuing revelation - them "that dwell on the earth." (13:8, 12, 14-2x; 14:6; 17:2)
Rev 13:8 And 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.
Rev 13:12 And 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.
Rev 13:14 And deceiveth them THAT DWELL UPON 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 UPON THE EARTH, that they should make an image to the beast, which had the wound by a sword, and did live.
Rev 14:6 And I saw another angel fly in the midst of heaven, having the everlasting gospel to preach unto them THAT DWELL UPON THE EARTH, and to every nation, and kindred, and tongue, and people
Rev 17:2 With 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.
Since the warning in Chapter 12, was to the "inhabiters" (v. 12) of the earth
Rev 12:12 Therefore 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.
-- and since the second beast comes "up out of the earth" (13:11),
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.
-- is this phraseology to be restricted to the area prophetically designated the earth?
Or is to be given the concept which we give to earth - the whole planet?
***The answer to this question will even effect the understanding of Revelation 14:6.****
Rev 14:6 And 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,
Should the text read as in the KJV - "unto them that dwell on the earth, and to every nation, and kindred, and tongue, and people."
Or, should the conjunctive, kai, (AND) be given its alternate meaning with the text reading, "unto them that dwell on the earth, ALSO to every nation, and kindred, and tongue, and people."
G2532
καί
kai
kahee
Apparently a primary particle, having a copulative and sometimes also a cumulative force; AND, ALSO, even, so, then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words: - and, also, both, but, even, for, if, indeed, likewise, moreover, or, so, that, then, therefore, when, yea, yet.
In other words, was "the everlasting gospel" to be FIRST proclaimed to the dwellers of the prophetic "EARTH"-- (Which we've noted in the past is the United States) -- and THEN to every nation worldwide. This is historically what happened. (Historically in the early-to mid 1800's the prophecies were opened and the prophecies ALL point to the message of the everlasting gospel, salvation in Jesus Christ our Lord and His return. This began in earnest in the United States first and this is historical.)
Does this fact, therefore, help us to read aright as prophetic language - "them that dwell on the earth."
In the Greek New Testament text of the United Bible Societies different Greek words are used in the various verses in Revelation 12, 13, 14, and 17 for the word, "dwell" in the clause, "that dwell on the earth."
ONLY in Chapter 13, is the Greek word the same for "dwell" in verses 8 and 14.
However, in the Received Text (Textus Receptus), the same word for "dwell" (katoikeo) is used consistently in Rev. 12:12; 13:8, 14; 14:6; and 17:2.
If this is then to be interpreted prophetically, it adds a different dimension to the understanding of where the final events will be focused.
Those "that dwell on the earth" will "worship him (the beast)" (13:8). They will be deceived into making an image to the beast (13:14). They will become intoxicated with the wine of the harlot (17:2).
It would also appear when the "whole" earth is meant rather than its use as a prophetic symbol, the word, "dwell" is NOT used, but rather HOLOS, meaning entire, is associated with the word, "earth." See 13:3.
Rev 13:3 And I saw one of his heads as it were wounded to death; and his deadly wound was healed: and ALL (holos) the world wondered after the beast.
In the connecting verses between the two "beasts" of Revelation 13, there is both warning and admonition. "All that dwell on the earth (PROPHETIC EARTH United States - NOT HOLOS) shall worship the first beast" with but one exception, those whose names are "written in the book of life of the Lamb" do not do so (13:8).
Rev 13:8 And 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.
This is important to note- this means that ALL in the United States WILL worship the first beast UNLESS their names are written in the LAMB'S book of life! And is it possible this is a progression that the MARK which people will possess will start HERE in the United States? We've talked about the mark before and noted logically that while a lot of people are expecting to be forced to submit to some freaky computer chip implant, or bar code mark- this isn't how it will be given at all- more on that later. This is just a thought- one of many that keeps us studying and searching for the truth that will one day be fully realized, even if we have yet to comprehend we are warned, we are watching, and we are praying.
I want to read the verse noted above and substitute the words United States where it is indicated the prophetic term for earth is used and not the whole world earth term.
Rev 13:8 And all THAT DWELL IN THE UNITED STATES shall worship him, whose names are not written in the book of life of the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world.
Rev 13:12 And he exerciseth all the power of the first beast before him, and causeth THE UNITED STATES and THEM WHICH DWELL THEREIN to worship the first beast, whose deadly wound was healed.
Rev 13:14 And deceiveth them THAT DWELL IN THE UNITED STATES by the means of those miracles which he had power to do in the sight of the beast; saying to them THAT DWELL IN THE UNITED STATES, that they should make an image to the beast, which had the wound by a sword, and did live.
Rev 14:6 And I saw another angel fly in the midst of heaven, having the everlasting gospel to preach unto them THAT DWELL IN THE UNITED STATES, and to every nation, and kindred, and tongue, and people
Rev 17:2 With whom the KINGS OF THE UNITED STATES have committed fornication, and the INHABITANTS OF THE UNITED STATES have been made drunk with the wine of her fornication.
Now this changes the entire picture of HOW people truly believe prophecy will be unfolded, doesn't it?
It fits better though, it really does. It fits so much better when we consider the verses that tell us people will be marrying and given in marriage as it was in the days of Noah. IF everyone in the world was caught up in the mark it presents a whole new outlook. The waiting for globalization to take place. The looking for a suspicious mark that would make everyone in the whole world receive it or they couldn't buy or sell. Think about that logically for a moment. We have SO incredibly many places in our world that don't even have a monetary system set up like the huge western world cultures. We have many individual monetary systems. I'm NOT saying it's on the realm of the impossible though- remember Satan loves to deceive and he's more than happy to encourage things to come to pass as a wide majority might expect so those people can point at the seemingly unfolding prophecies and deceive many! I am saying that we have to take into consideration that it is highly possible that the United States will be the focus of the mark of the beast. So let's examine this as a possibility at the least...
Rev 13:1 And I stood upon the sand of the sea, and saw a beast rise up out of the sea (Europe/Middle East), having seven heads and ten horns, and upon his horns ten crowns, and upon his heads the name of blasphemy. (This beast is proven to be the Papacy - 7 blasphemous heads- 10 horns- 10 crowns)
Rev 13:2 And 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. (A composite beast of which the Papacy is having become the culminating beast that would live until Christ's return)
Rev 13:3 And 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. (The papacy receive what many thought was a death blow in 1798 but obviously the papacy survived that deadly would and was healed and yes- many wondered that it could recover from such a blow.)
Rev 13:4 And 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? (Satan gives the papacy its power and many worship Satan inadvertently, unknowingly, uncaringly. There are no other forces exactly like the papacy- none make war with the papacy- not any longer.)
Rev 13:5 And there was given unto him a mouth speaking great things and blasphemies; and power was given unto him to continue forty and two months. (The papacy reigned for 1260 years - 42 prophetic months.)
Rev 13:6 And he opened his mouth in blasphemy against God, to blaspheme his name, and his tabernacle, and them that dwell in heaven. (In many of its beliefs the papacy has blasphemed against God, His name, His tabernacle, and them that dwell in heaven.)
Rev 13:7 And 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. (The papacy has faced great animosity worldwide and has overcome that animosity in many, many ways. There are many ambassadors to the Vatican, and more added all the time.)
FUTURE-- ?
Rev 13:8 And 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 U.S. will worship the Papacy ((Remember this is Satan we are dealing with, and deception is his greatest tool, the worship of the Papacy in the U.S. will NOT necessarily be a blatant worship- meaning the whole of the U.S. will NOT convert to Catholicism. However the whole of the U.S. aside from those who are truly God's will be deceived into worshipping the papacy power, the beast, in spite of itself.)
Rev 13:9 If any man have an ear, let him hear.
Rev 13:10 He 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.
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. (The beast power of democracy- seemingly good and right and yet the controlling power is corrupt and evil.)
Rev 13:12 And 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. (The papacy wielded and wields a deceptive power, a hidden power very political as well as religious. This democratic power that controls the U.S. is also a religious/political power no matter how much the political power tries to divorce itself from all things religious. In spite of itself the U.S. worships the first beast - a false religious/political power exactly like the Papacy.)
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, (Elijah made fire come down from heaven and exposed the pagan religion at work. In these last days it will be the beast of the U.S. that will make fire come down from heaven- and in truth haven't we? Weren't we the ones to wield the first nuclear explosions that changed the course of history? Something to think about.)
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. (People in the U.S. are deceived by the seeming miracles that occur here- the grand inventions, the American dream, the American way, the pride of the U.S.A. - are we making an image to the beast? Do we encourage our political parties to profess their belief in Jesus Christ? There has been great controversy over whether our current president truly believes in Jesus Christ. There is great controversy over the incoming political candidates and their stance on religion and Jesus Christ. The U.S. is a huge image- truly- of that first beast, only in such away many will NEVER see it, many never want to see it.
Rev 13:15 And 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. (Power to the image- we can only imagine how this will come to pass but we see more and more governmental control all the time- the 'big brother' aspect of our lives has grown by leaps and bounds and show NO signs of lessening. Is it possible the worshipping is as one worshipping a golden calf? They worshipped that calf that had NOTHING at all to do with the One True God. They worshipped a THING that to our thinking is nothing at all religious. Worshipping something doesn't necessarily have to mean it's a known religion, not by a long shot. )
Rev 13:16 And 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: (Our actions and thoughts- we act from the beliefs we have in our thoughts. We are marked by our beliefs. We all will have to choose whether to believe God or Satan, and our thoughts and actions will reveal our marked state.)
Rev 13:17 And 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. (We cannot forget how at the beginning of the book of Revelation we read this--(((Rev 3:18 I counsel thee to buy of me gold tried in the fire, that thou mayest be rich; and white raiment, that thou mayest be clothed, and that the shame of thy nakedness do not appear; and anoint thine eyes with eyesalve, that thou mayest see. )))) What if… and it's a big what if… this is a spiritual buying and selling? Seriously. Is it possible? If we receive the mark of the beast- of Satan we most certainly cannot buy gold tried in fire from God, we most certainly cannot offer to sell to anyone anything Godly if we do not possess anything truly from God. These are marks that GOD sees! We aren't told they will be visible marks known to man. We are told we will receive the mark if we are Not God's. God also seals people-(((Rev 9:4 And it was commanded them that they should not hurt the grass of the earth, neither any green thing, neither any tree; but only those men which have not the seal of God in their foreheads. )))) There is a mark and a seal and while so many are concentrating on the tiny 666 devilish marking on the back of a fictional anti-christ's head, and concentrating on being controlled by a government power that forces them to accept numbers to label them (don't we have that with our social security numbers already?) these people are being deceived! It's much more logical to believe that Satan- who knows those who are marked as His and those who are not- will be AFTER those who are not and will make an effort to destroy all those who are not his by any means possible.)
Rev 13:18 Here 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. (When people receive the mark of the beast, when people choose Satan over God, they are bowing down to the Papacy which is the head of all things ungodly. The papacy is the most deceptive of all evils and all things that deceive imitate this great deception of the dragon.)
Now I'm not saying I'm right with all this, I'm really not. But I am saying we have to consider all things and not just get set in our ways to the point that we are deceived ourselves.
May God bless us as we continue our studying! Help us Lord, help us! We want to buy of you gold tried in fire! We need Your eye salve! We have to have YOUR raiment! Please Lord! Please!
Thank you God! Thank YOU! All praise, all glory, all honor to YOU always!
In Christ forever!
Amen.
Continuing our study, may God bless us and open our understanding to His truths. All praise, all thanksgiving, all worship, all honor, all glory to our God!
*******
As the description and comment on the first beast is concluded, there is found a clause that will be repeated several times in the ensuing revelation - them "that dwell on the earth." (13:8, 12, 14-2x; 14:6; 17:2)
Rev 13:8 And 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.
Rev 13:12 And 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.
Rev 13:14 And deceiveth them THAT DWELL UPON 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 UPON THE EARTH, that they should make an image to the beast, which had the wound by a sword, and did live.
Rev 14:6 And I saw another angel fly in the midst of heaven, having the everlasting gospel to preach unto them THAT DWELL UPON THE EARTH, and to every nation, and kindred, and tongue, and people
Rev 17:2 With 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.
Since the warning in Chapter 12, was to the "inhabiters" (v. 12) of the earth
Rev 12:12 Therefore 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.
-- and since the second beast comes "up out of the earth" (13:11),
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.
-- is this phraseology to be restricted to the area prophetically designated the earth?
Or is to be given the concept which we give to earth - the whole planet?
***The answer to this question will even effect the understanding of Revelation 14:6.****
Rev 14:6 And 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,
Should the text read as in the KJV - "unto them that dwell on the earth, and to every nation, and kindred, and tongue, and people."
Or, should the conjunctive, kai, (AND) be given its alternate meaning with the text reading, "unto them that dwell on the earth, ALSO to every nation, and kindred, and tongue, and people."
G2532
καί
kai
kahee
Apparently a primary particle, having a copulative and sometimes also a cumulative force; AND, ALSO, even, so, then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words: - and, also, both, but, even, for, if, indeed, likewise, moreover, or, so, that, then, therefore, when, yea, yet.
In other words, was "the everlasting gospel" to be FIRST proclaimed to the dwellers of the prophetic "EARTH"-- (Which we've noted in the past is the United States) -- and THEN to every nation worldwide. This is historically what happened. (Historically in the early-to mid 1800's the prophecies were opened and the prophecies ALL point to the message of the everlasting gospel, salvation in Jesus Christ our Lord and His return. This began in earnest in the United States first and this is historical.)
Does this fact, therefore, help us to read aright as prophetic language - "them that dwell on the earth."
In the Greek New Testament text of the United Bible Societies different Greek words are used in the various verses in Revelation 12, 13, 14, and 17 for the word, "dwell" in the clause, "that dwell on the earth."
ONLY in Chapter 13, is the Greek word the same for "dwell" in verses 8 and 14.
However, in the Received Text (Textus Receptus), the same word for "dwell" (katoikeo) is used consistently in Rev. 12:12; 13:8, 14; 14:6; and 17:2.
If this is then to be interpreted prophetically, it adds a different dimension to the understanding of where the final events will be focused.
Those "that dwell on the earth" will "worship him (the beast)" (13:8). They will be deceived into making an image to the beast (13:14). They will become intoxicated with the wine of the harlot (17:2).
It would also appear when the "whole" earth is meant rather than its use as a prophetic symbol, the word, "dwell" is NOT used, but rather HOLOS, meaning entire, is associated with the word, "earth." See 13:3.
Rev 13:3 And I saw one of his heads as it were wounded to death; and his deadly wound was healed: and ALL (holos) the world wondered after the beast.
In the connecting verses between the two "beasts" of Revelation 13, there is both warning and admonition. "All that dwell on the earth (PROPHETIC EARTH United States - NOT HOLOS) shall worship the first beast" with but one exception, those whose names are "written in the book of life of the Lamb" do not do so (13:8).
Rev 13:8 And 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.
This is important to note- this means that ALL in the United States WILL worship the first beast UNLESS their names are written in the LAMB'S book of life! And is it possible this is a progression that the MARK which people will possess will start HERE in the United States? We've talked about the mark before and noted logically that while a lot of people are expecting to be forced to submit to some freaky computer chip implant, or bar code mark- this isn't how it will be given at all- more on that later. This is just a thought- one of many that keeps us studying and searching for the truth that will one day be fully realized, even if we have yet to comprehend we are warned, we are watching, and we are praying.
I want to read the verse noted above and substitute the words United States where it is indicated the prophetic term for earth is used and not the whole world earth term.
Rev 13:8 And all THAT DWELL IN THE UNITED STATES shall worship him, whose names are not written in the book of life of the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world.
Rev 13:12 And he exerciseth all the power of the first beast before him, and causeth THE UNITED STATES and THEM WHICH DWELL THEREIN to worship the first beast, whose deadly wound was healed.
Rev 13:14 And deceiveth them THAT DWELL IN THE UNITED STATES by the means of those miracles which he had power to do in the sight of the beast; saying to them THAT DWELL IN THE UNITED STATES, that they should make an image to the beast, which had the wound by a sword, and did live.
Rev 14:6 And I saw another angel fly in the midst of heaven, having the everlasting gospel to preach unto them THAT DWELL IN THE UNITED STATES, and to every nation, and kindred, and tongue, and people
Rev 17:2 With whom the KINGS OF THE UNITED STATES have committed fornication, and the INHABITANTS OF THE UNITED STATES have been made drunk with the wine of her fornication.
Now this changes the entire picture of HOW people truly believe prophecy will be unfolded, doesn't it?
It fits better though, it really does. It fits so much better when we consider the verses that tell us people will be marrying and given in marriage as it was in the days of Noah. IF everyone in the world was caught up in the mark it presents a whole new outlook. The waiting for globalization to take place. The looking for a suspicious mark that would make everyone in the whole world receive it or they couldn't buy or sell. Think about that logically for a moment. We have SO incredibly many places in our world that don't even have a monetary system set up like the huge western world cultures. We have many individual monetary systems. I'm NOT saying it's on the realm of the impossible though- remember Satan loves to deceive and he's more than happy to encourage things to come to pass as a wide majority might expect so those people can point at the seemingly unfolding prophecies and deceive many! I am saying that we have to take into consideration that it is highly possible that the United States will be the focus of the mark of the beast. So let's examine this as a possibility at the least...
Rev 13:1 And I stood upon the sand of the sea, and saw a beast rise up out of the sea (Europe/Middle East), having seven heads and ten horns, and upon his horns ten crowns, and upon his heads the name of blasphemy. (This beast is proven to be the Papacy - 7 blasphemous heads- 10 horns- 10 crowns)
Rev 13:2 And 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. (A composite beast of which the Papacy is having become the culminating beast that would live until Christ's return)
Rev 13:3 And 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. (The papacy receive what many thought was a death blow in 1798 but obviously the papacy survived that deadly would and was healed and yes- many wondered that it could recover from such a blow.)
Rev 13:4 And 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? (Satan gives the papacy its power and many worship Satan inadvertently, unknowingly, uncaringly. There are no other forces exactly like the papacy- none make war with the papacy- not any longer.)
Rev 13:5 And there was given unto him a mouth speaking great things and blasphemies; and power was given unto him to continue forty and two months. (The papacy reigned for 1260 years - 42 prophetic months.)
Rev 13:6 And he opened his mouth in blasphemy against God, to blaspheme his name, and his tabernacle, and them that dwell in heaven. (In many of its beliefs the papacy has blasphemed against God, His name, His tabernacle, and them that dwell in heaven.)
Rev 13:7 And 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. (The papacy has faced great animosity worldwide and has overcome that animosity in many, many ways. There are many ambassadors to the Vatican, and more added all the time.)
FUTURE-- ?
Rev 13:8 And 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 U.S. will worship the Papacy ((Remember this is Satan we are dealing with, and deception is his greatest tool, the worship of the Papacy in the U.S. will NOT necessarily be a blatant worship- meaning the whole of the U.S. will NOT convert to Catholicism. However the whole of the U.S. aside from those who are truly God's will be deceived into worshipping the papacy power, the beast, in spite of itself.)
Rev 13:9 If any man have an ear, let him hear.
Rev 13:10 He 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.
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. (The beast power of democracy- seemingly good and right and yet the controlling power is corrupt and evil.)
Rev 13:12 And 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. (The papacy wielded and wields a deceptive power, a hidden power very political as well as religious. This democratic power that controls the U.S. is also a religious/political power no matter how much the political power tries to divorce itself from all things religious. In spite of itself the U.S. worships the first beast - a false religious/political power exactly like the Papacy.)
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, (Elijah made fire come down from heaven and exposed the pagan religion at work. In these last days it will be the beast of the U.S. that will make fire come down from heaven- and in truth haven't we? Weren't we the ones to wield the first nuclear explosions that changed the course of history? Something to think about.)
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. (People in the U.S. are deceived by the seeming miracles that occur here- the grand inventions, the American dream, the American way, the pride of the U.S.A. - are we making an image to the beast? Do we encourage our political parties to profess their belief in Jesus Christ? There has been great controversy over whether our current president truly believes in Jesus Christ. There is great controversy over the incoming political candidates and their stance on religion and Jesus Christ. The U.S. is a huge image- truly- of that first beast, only in such away many will NEVER see it, many never want to see it.
Rev 13:15 And 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. (Power to the image- we can only imagine how this will come to pass but we see more and more governmental control all the time- the 'big brother' aspect of our lives has grown by leaps and bounds and show NO signs of lessening. Is it possible the worshipping is as one worshipping a golden calf? They worshipped that calf that had NOTHING at all to do with the One True God. They worshipped a THING that to our thinking is nothing at all religious. Worshipping something doesn't necessarily have to mean it's a known religion, not by a long shot. )
Rev 13:16 And 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: (Our actions and thoughts- we act from the beliefs we have in our thoughts. We are marked by our beliefs. We all will have to choose whether to believe God or Satan, and our thoughts and actions will reveal our marked state.)
Rev 13:17 And 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. (We cannot forget how at the beginning of the book of Revelation we read this--(((Rev 3:18 I counsel thee to buy of me gold tried in the fire, that thou mayest be rich; and white raiment, that thou mayest be clothed, and that the shame of thy nakedness do not appear; and anoint thine eyes with eyesalve, that thou mayest see. )))) What if… and it's a big what if… this is a spiritual buying and selling? Seriously. Is it possible? If we receive the mark of the beast- of Satan we most certainly cannot buy gold tried in fire from God, we most certainly cannot offer to sell to anyone anything Godly if we do not possess anything truly from God. These are marks that GOD sees! We aren't told they will be visible marks known to man. We are told we will receive the mark if we are Not God's. God also seals people-(((Rev 9:4 And it was commanded them that they should not hurt the grass of the earth, neither any green thing, neither any tree; but only those men which have not the seal of God in their foreheads. )))) There is a mark and a seal and while so many are concentrating on the tiny 666 devilish marking on the back of a fictional anti-christ's head, and concentrating on being controlled by a government power that forces them to accept numbers to label them (don't we have that with our social security numbers already?) these people are being deceived! It's much more logical to believe that Satan- who knows those who are marked as His and those who are not- will be AFTER those who are not and will make an effort to destroy all those who are not his by any means possible.)
Rev 13:18 Here 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. (When people receive the mark of the beast, when people choose Satan over God, they are bowing down to the Papacy which is the head of all things ungodly. The papacy is the most deceptive of all evils and all things that deceive imitate this great deception of the dragon.)
Now I'm not saying I'm right with all this, I'm really not. But I am saying we have to consider all things and not just get set in our ways to the point that we are deceived ourselves.
May God bless us as we continue our studying! Help us Lord, help us! We want to buy of you gold tried in fire! We need Your eye salve! We have to have YOUR raiment! Please Lord! Please!
Thank you God! Thank YOU! All praise, all glory, all honor to YOU always!
In Christ forever!
Amen.
FULFILLED prophecy in our day!
Were you alive in 1948? What about 1967? 1980?
Luk 21:24 ... and Jerusalem shall be trodden down of the Gentiles, until the times of the Gentiles be fulfilled.
Gentiles the dictionary definition for this word is -
Gentile
GEN'TILE
In the scriptures, a pagan; a worshipper of false gods; any person not a Jew or a christian; a heathen.
The biblical term "Israelites" (or the Twelve Tribes or Children of Israel) means both a people (the descendants of the patriarch Jacob/Israel, and the historical population of the kingdom of Israel), and a follower of the God of Israel and Mosaic law.[3] In Modern Hebrew usage, an Israelite is, broadly speaking, a lay member of the Jewish faith, as opposed to the priestly orders of Kohenim and Levites.
Pasted from
According to our Savior-
Luk 13:34 O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, which killest the prophets, and stonest them that are sent unto thee; how often would I have gathered thy children together, as a hen doth gather her brood under her wings, and ye would not!
Luk 13:35 Behold, your house is left unto you desolate: and verily I say unto you, Ye shall not see me, until the time come when ye shall say, Blessed is he that cometh in the name of the Lord.
Jerusalem's house was LEFT desolate. Spiritually they denied God's Son. The Israeli's alive in Christ's time as a corporate whole condemned Jesus Christ. Because of their condemnation they were to be left spiritually desolate and this became a reality--
Luk 21:24 ... and Jerusalem shall be trodden down of the Gentiles
In AD 70 the temple in Jerusalem was destroyed.
It wasn't until 1948 that Israeli's regained any sort of control over some of the land that had once been theirs.
1948 Arab–Israeli War
Pasted from
And in 1967 the Old City Jerusalem was recaptured by the Israeli's.
June 7: The Old City is captured by the IDF.
Pasted from
And in 1980 A law claiming Jerusalem to be the capital of Israel is enacted.
The Jerusalem Law is a common name of Basic Law: Jerusalem, Capital of Israel passed by the Knesset on July 30, 1980 (17th Av, 5740).
Pasted from
And Jesus' words were--
Luk 21:24 ... and Jerusalem shall be trodden down of the Gentiles, until the times of the Gentiles be fulfilled.
So this leads us to only ONE conclusion the times of the Gentiles has been fulfilled and it was fulfilled in OUR day!
*******
Now we need to ask ourselves a few questions- was there anything going on between the Israeli-Jews and the Gentiles in Jesus' day and shortly there after?
Let's just look at the way Jesus spoke of the Gentiles-
Mat 6:24 No man can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon.
Mat 6:25 Therefore I say unto you, Take no thought for your life, what ye shall eat, or what ye shall drink; nor yet for your body, what ye shall put on. Is not the life more than meat, and the body than raiment?
Mat 6:26 Behold the fowls of the air: for they sow not, neither do they reap, nor gather into barns; yet your heavenly Father feedeth them. Are ye not much better than they?
Mat 6:27 Which of you by taking thought can add one cubit unto his stature?
Mat 6:28 And why take ye thought for raiment? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow; they toil not, neither do they spin:
Mat 6:29 And yet I say unto you, That even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these.
Mat 6:30 Wherefore, if God so clothe the grass of the field, which to day is, and to morrow is cast into the oven, shall he not much more clothe you, O ye of little faith?
Mat 6:31 Therefore take no thought, saying, What shall we eat? or, What shall we drink? or, Wherewithal shall we be clothed?
Mat 6:32 (For after all these things do the Gentiles seek:) for your heavenly Father knoweth that ye have need of all these things.
Mat 6:33 But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.
Mat 6:34 Take therefore no thought for the morrow: for the morrow shall take thought for the things of itself. Sufficient unto the day is the evil thereof.
Mat 6:31...What shall we eat? or, What shall we drink? or, Wherewithal shall we be clothed?
Mat 6:32 (For after all these things do the Gentiles seek)
Those who did NOT claim the Heavenly Father as their Heavenly Father worried and thought constantly about eating, drinking, and clothing. Those who claimed the Heavenly Father as their God should KNOW that God MUST come first in all things- before food, before drink, before clothing. Obviously Jesus was pointing out that those who made the claim of being Jews were in fact acting like the Gentiles, acting as those who do NOT have a Heavenly Father who watches over them.
It would be THOSE who do NOT have God as their Heavenly Father who would trod down Jerusalem until that time was fulfilled.
Mat 10:5 These twelve Jesus sent forth, and commanded them, saying, Go not into the way of the Gentiles, and into any city of the Samaritans enter ye not:
Mat 10:6 But go rather to the lost sheep of the house of Israel.
Mat 10:7 And as ye go, preach, saying, The kingdom of heaven is at hand.
Mat 10:8 Heal the sick, cleanse the lepers, raise the dead, cast out devils: freely ye have received, freely give.
Go not into the way of the Gentiles.
At this time Jesus did NOT want His apostles to go to the Gentiles. They were to go to the lost sheep of the house of Israel.
Jesus is making a distinction between Israeli's and the Gentiles. We can't ignore this! Jesus gave the prophecy of Luke 21:24 for a reason, not just for filler. NOTHING Jesus said was said just for it to be said offhandedly, nothing!
Mat 10:16 Behold, I send you forth as sheep in the midst of wolves: be ye therefore wise as serpents, and harmless as doves.
Mat 10:17 But beware of men: for they will deliver you up to councils, and in their synagogues they will scourge you;
Mat 10:18 yea and before governors and kings shall ye be brought for my sake, for a testimony to them and to the Gentiles. (RV)
Jesus told of a time when His followers would be brought before legal authorities and why - for a testimony. Not just a testimony for those authorities but for Gentiles as well. Gentiles would get to hear the message of salvation through Jesus Christ, the gospel of the kingdom.
Mat 12:17 That it might be fulfilled which was spoken by Esaias the prophet, saying,
Mat 12:18 Behold my servant, whom I have chosen; my beloved, in whom my soul is well pleased: I will put my spirit upon him, and he shall shew judgment to the Gentiles.
HE SHALL SHEW JUDGEMENT TO THE GENTILES.
The Gentiles would be given a chance to understand salvation to know that judgment would come to all even them.
Mat 12:21 And in his name shall the Gentiles trust.
Praise God. Do you see? While Jesus didn't send His apostles to the Gentiles, the plan was for the good news to go to them in the time Jesus allowed.
Mat 20:17 And Jesus going up to Jerusalem took the twelve disciples apart in the way, and said unto them,
Mat 20:18 Behold, we go up to Jerusalem; and the Son of man shall be betrayed unto the chief priests and unto the scribes, and they shall condemn him to death,
Mat 20:19 And shall deliver him to the Gentiles to mock, and to scourge, and to crucify him: and the third day he shall rise again.
Jesus knew His fate at the hands of the Gentiles- delivered by the Israeli chief priest and scribes.
uk 2:25 And, behold, there was a man in Jerusalem, whose name was Simeon; and the same man was just and devout, waiting for the consolation of Israel: and the Holy Ghost was upon him.
Luk 2:26 And it was revealed unto him by the Holy Ghost, that he should not see death, before he had seen the Lord's Christ.
Luk 2:27 And he came by the Spirit into the temple: and when the parents brought in the child Jesus, to do for him after the custom of the law,
Luk 2:28 Then took he him up in his arms, and blessed God, and said,
Luk 2:29 Lord, now lettest thou thy servant depart in peace, according to thy word:
Luk 2:30 For mine eyes have seen thy salvation,
Luk 2:31 Which thou hast prepared before the face of all people;
Luk 2:32 A light to lighten the Gentiles, and the glory of thy people Israel.
A LIGHT to lighten the Gentiles!
Joh 7:33 Then said Jesus unto them, Yet a little while am I with you, and then I go unto him that sent me.
Joh 7:34 Ye shall seek me, and shall not find me: and where I am, thither ye cannot come.
Joh 7:35 Then said the Jews among themselves, Whither will he go, that we shall not find him? will he go unto the dispersed among the Gentiles, and teach the Gentiles?
The followers of Christ couldn't fully comprehend going to the Gentiles to preach the message of God. The Gentiles were NOT Jews, they were NOT the chosen people of God. To these men Jesus going to preach to the Gentiles was somewhere He could go that they couldn't imagine going with Him.
Act 4:13 Now when they saw the boldness of Peter and John, and perceived that they were unlearned and ignorant men, they marvelled; and they took knowledge of them, that they had been with Jesus.
Act 4:14 And beholding the man which was healed standing with them, they could say nothing against it.
Act 4:15 But when they had commanded them to go aside out of the council, they conferred among themselves,
Act 4:16 Saying, What shall we do to these men? for that indeed a notable miracle hath been done by them is manifest to all them that dwell in Jerusalem; and we cannot deny it.
Act 4:17 But that it spread no further among the people, let us straitly threaten them, that they speak henceforth to no man in this name.
Act 4:18 And they called them, and commanded them not to speak at all nor teach in the name of Jesus.
Act 4:19 But Peter and John answered and said unto them, Whether it be right in the sight of God to hearken unto you more than unto God, judge ye.
Act 4:20 For we cannot but speak the things which we have seen and heard.
Act 4:21 So when they had further threatened them, they let them go, finding nothing how they might punish them, because of the people: for all men glorified God for that which was done.
Act 4:22 For the man was above forty years old, on whom this miracle of healing was shewed.
Act 4:23 And being let go, they went to their own company, and reported all that the chief priests and elders had said unto them.
Act 4:24 And when they heard that, they lifted up their voice to God with one accord, and said, Lord, thou art God, which hast made heaven, and earth, and the sea, and all that in them is:
Act 4:25 Who by the mouth of thy servant David hast said, Why did the heathen rage, and the people imagine vain things?
Act 4:26 The kings of the earth stood up, and the rulers were gathered together against the Lord, and against his Christ.
Act 4:27 For of a truth against thy holy child Jesus, whom thou hast anointed, both Herod, and Pontius Pilate, with the Gentiles, and the people of Israel, were gathered together,
Act 4:28 For to do whatsoever thy hand and thy counsel determined before to be done.
Act 4:29 And now, Lord, behold their threatenings: and grant unto thy servants, that with all boldness they may speak thy word,
Still the apostles were preaching to the lost sheep of Israel and not to the Gentiles.
Act 6:9 Then there arose certain of the synagogue, which is called the synagogue of the Libertines, and Cyrenians, and Alexandrians, and of them of Cilicia and of Asia, disputing with Stephen.
Act 6:10 And they were not able to resist the wisdom and the spirit by which he spake.
Act 6:11 Then they suborned men, which said, We have heard him speak blasphemous words against Moses, and against God.
Act 6:12 And they stirred up the people, and the elders, and the scribes, and came upon him, and caught him, and brought him to the council,
Act 6:13 And set up false witnesses, which said, This man ceaseth not to speak blasphemous words against this holy place, and the law:
Act 6:14 For we have heard him say, that this Jesus of Nazareth shall destroy this place, and shall change the customs which Moses delivered us.
Act 6:15 And all that sat in the council, looking stedfastly on him, saw his face as it had been the face of an angel.
Act 7:1 Then said the high priest, Are these things so?
Act 7:2 And he said, Men, brethren, and fathers, hearken; The God of glory appeared unto our father Abraham, when he was in Mesopotamia, before he dwelt in Charran,
Act 7:3 And said unto him, Get thee out of thy country, and from thy kindred, and come into the land which I shall shew thee.
Act 7:4 Then came he out of the land of the Chaldaeans, and dwelt in Charran: and from thence, when his father was dead, he removed him into this land, wherein ye now dwell.
Act 7:5 And he gave him none inheritance in it, no, not so much as to set his foot on: yet he promised that he would give it to him for a possession, and to his seed after him, when as yet he had no child.
Act 7:6 And God spake on this wise, That his seed should sojourn in a strange land; and that they should bring them into bondage, and entreat them evil four hundred years.
Act 7:7 And the nation to whom they shall be in bondage will I judge, said God: and after that shall they come forth, and serve me in this place.
Act 7:8 And he gave him the covenant of circumcision: and so Abraham begat Isaac, and circumcised him the eighth day; and Isaac begat Jacob; and Jacob begat the twelve patriarchs.
Act 7:9 And the patriarchs, moved with envy, sold Joseph into Egypt: but God was with him,
Act 7:10 And delivered him out of all his afflictions, and gave him favour and wisdom in the sight of Pharaoh king of Egypt; and he made him governor over Egypt and all his house.
Act 7:11 Now there came a dearth over all the land of Egypt and Chanaan, and great affliction: and our fathers found no sustenance.
Act 7:12 But when Jacob heard that there was corn in Egypt, he sent out our fathers first.
Act 7:13 And at the second time Joseph was made known to his brethren; and Joseph's kindred was made known unto Pharaoh.
Act 7:14 Then sent Joseph, and called his father Jacob to him, and all his kindred, threescore and fifteen souls.
Act 7:15 So Jacob went down into Egypt, and died, he, and our fathers,
Act 7:16 And were carried over into Sychem, and laid in the sepulchre that Abraham bought for a sum of money of the sons of Emmor the father of Sychem.
Act 7:17 But when the time of the promise drew nigh, which God had sworn to Abraham, the people grew and multiplied in Egypt,
Act 7:18 Till another king arose, which knew not Joseph.
Act 7:19 The same dealt subtilly with our kindred, and evil entreated our fathers, so that they cast out their young children, to the end they might not live.
Act 7:20 In which time Moses was born, and was exceeding fair, and nourished up in his father's house three months:
Act 7:21 And when he was cast out, Pharaoh's daughter took him up, and nourished him for her own son.
Act 7:22 And Moses was learned in all the wisdom of the Egyptians, and was mighty in words and in deeds.
Act 7:23 And when he was full forty years old, it came into his heart to visit his brethren the children of Israel.
Act 7:24 And seeing one of them suffer wrong, he defended him, and avenged him that was oppressed, and smote the Egyptian:
Act 7:25 For he supposed his brethren would have understood how that God by his hand would deliver them: but they understood not.
Act 7:26 And the next day he shewed himself unto them as they strove, and would have set them at one again, saying, Sirs, ye are brethren; why do ye wrong one to another?
Act 7:27 But he that did his neighbour wrong thrust him away, saying, Who made thee a ruler and a judge over us?
Act 7:28 Wilt thou kill me, as thou diddest the Egyptian yesterday?
Act 7:29 Then fled Moses at this saying, and was a stranger in the land of Madian, where he begat two sons.
Act 7:30 And when forty years were expired, there appeared to him in the wilderness of mount Sina an angel of the Lord in a flame of fire in a bush.
Act 7:31 When Moses saw it, he wondered at the sight: and as he drew near to behold it, the voice of the Lord came unto him,
Act 7:32 Saying, I am the God of thy fathers, the God of Abraham, and the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob. Then Moses trembled, and durst not behold.
Act 7:33 Then said the Lord to him, Put off thy shoes from thy feet: for the place where thou standest is holy ground.
Act 7:34 I have seen, I have seen the affliction of my people which is in Egypt, and I have heard their groaning, and am come down to deliver them. And now come, I will send thee into Egypt.
Act 7:35 This Moses whom they refused, saying, Who made thee a ruler and a judge? the same did God send to be a ruler and a deliverer by the hand of the angel which appeared to him in the bush.
Act 7:36 He brought them out, after that he had shewed wonders and signs in the land of Egypt, and in the Red sea, and in the wilderness forty years.
Act 7:37 This is that Moses, which said unto the children of Israel, A prophet shall the Lord your God raise up unto you of your brethren, like unto me; him shall ye hear.
Act 7:38 This is he, that was in the church in the wilderness with the angel which spake to him in the mount Sina, and with our fathers: who received the lively oracles to give unto us:
Act 7:39 To whom our fathers would not obey, but thrust him from them, and in their hearts turned back again into Egypt,
Act 7:40 Saying unto Aaron, Make us gods to go before us: for as for this Moses, which brought us out of the land of Egypt, we wot not what is become of him.
Act 7:41 And they made a calf in those days, and offered sacrifice unto the idol, and rejoiced in the works of their own hands.
Act 7:42 Then God turned, and gave them up to worship the host of heaven; as it is written in the book of the prophets, O ye house of Israel, have ye offered to me slain beasts and sacrifices by the space of forty years in the wilderness?
Act 7:43 Yea, ye took up the tabernacle of Moloch, and the star of your god Remphan, figures which ye made to worship them: and I will carry you away beyond Babylon.
Act 7:44 Our fathers had the tabernacle of witness in the wilderness, as he had appointed, speaking unto Moses, that he should make it according to the fashion that he had seen.
Act 7:45 Which also our fathers that came after brought in with Jesus(Joshua) into the possession of the Gentiles, whom God drave out before the face of our fathers, unto the days of David;
Act 7:46 Who found favour before God, and desired to find a tabernacle for the God of Jacob.
Act 7:47 But Solomon built him an house.
Act 7:48 Howbeit the most High dwelleth not in temples made with hands; as saith the prophet,
Act 7:49 Heaven is my throne, and earth is my footstool: what house will ye build me? saith the Lord: or what is the place of my rest?
Act 7:50 Hath not my hand made all these things?
Act 7:51 Ye stiffnecked and uncircumcised in heart and ears, ye do always resist the Holy Ghost: as your fathers did, so do ye.
Act 7:52 Which of the prophets have not your fathers persecuted? and they have slain them which shewed before of the coming of the Just One; of whom ye have been now the betrayers and murderers:
Act 7:53 Who have received the law by the disposition of angels, and have not kept it.
Act 7:54 When they heard these things, they were cut to the heart, and they gnashed on him with their teeth.
Act 7:55 But he, being full of the Holy Ghost, looked up stedfastly into heaven, and saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing on the right hand of God,
Act 7:56 And said, Behold, I see the heavens opened, and the Son of man standing on the right hand of God.
Act 7:57 Then they cried out with a loud voice, and stopped their ears, and ran upon him with one accord,
Act 7:58 And cast him out of the city, and stoned him: and the witnesses laid down their clothes at a young man's feet, whose name was Saul.
Act 7:59 And they stoned Stephen, calling upon God, and saying, Lord Jesus, receive my spirit.
Act 7:60 And he kneeled down, and cried with a loud voice, Lord, lay not this sin to their charge. And when he had said this, he fell asleep.
Stephen martyred, Stephen's last words declaring that the Gentiles were driven out by God by Joshua- a history lesson for the Israelis proving that their own written word of God revealed their rejections of the prophets time and time again.
Act 9:11 And the Lord said unto him, Arise, and go into the street which is called Straight, and enquire in the house of Judas for one called Saul, of Tarsus: for, behold, he prayeth,
Act 9:12 And hath seen in a vision a man named Ananias coming in, and putting his hand on him, that he might receive his sight.
Act 9:13 Then Ananias answered, Lord, I have heard by many of this man, how much evil he hath done to thy saints at Jerusalem:
Act 9:14 And here he hath authority from the chief priests to bind all that call on thy name.
Act 9:15 But the Lord said unto him, Go thy way: for he is a chosen vessel unto me, to bear my name before the Gentiles, and kings, and the children of Israel:
Act 9:16 For I will shew him how great things he must suffer for my name's sake.
After Saul of Tarsus took part in the stoning of Stephen, holding the coats of the men who killed him, he had an encounter with Jesus that changed him from a persecutor of those who followed Jesus to a devout servant of Jesus. Ananias knew of Saul of Tarsus and knew he wasn't a Christian and the Lord told him pointedly… He is a chosen vessel unto me, to bear my name before the GENTILES and kings, and the children of Israel. The word was to go to the Gentiles! The Israelis, the chosen of God, the Jewish people had rejected the word and the word would now go to the Gentiles by one of their own converted by the love of Jesus.
Act 10:44 While Peter yet spake these words, the Holy Ghost fell on all them which heard the word.
Act 10:45 And they of the circumcision which believed were astonished, as many as came with Peter, because that on the Gentiles also was poured out the gift of the Holy Ghost.
The Gentiles were now receiving Christ proven beyond a doubt in the presence of many as they too received the gift of the Holy Ghost.
Act 11:1 And the apostles and brethren that were in Judaea heard that the Gentiles had also received the word of God.
Act 11:18 When they heard these things, they held their peace, and glorified God, saying, Then hath God also to the Gentiles granted repentance unto life.
Act 13:42 And when the Jews were gone out of the synagogue, the Gentiles besought that these words might be preached to them the next sabbath.
Act 13:46 Then Paul and Barnabas waxed bold, and said, It was necessary that the word of God should first have been spoken to you: but seeing ye put it from you, and judge yourselves unworthy of everlasting life, lo, we turn to the Gentiles.
Act 13:47 For so hath the Lord commanded us, saying, I have set thee to be a light of the Gentiles, that thou shouldest be for salvation unto the ends of the earth.
FIRST the world of God was given to the Jews, but they rejected it! NEXT the word of God was to go to the Gentiles. This was God's plan! There would be a time allotted to the Gentiles to hear the word of God and that time would be up, just as Jesus foretold- remember?
Luk 21:24 ... and Jerusalem shall be trodden down of the Gentiles, until the times of the Gentiles be fulfilled.
God does all things in order, not haphazardly, we can't believe that God is a God of chaos and flights of fancy- we can't humanize God. We can't put our failings on Him. He has foretold what would happen, thousands of years ago and we are allowed to see the signs of the times. This sign- of Jerusalem being trodden down of the Gentiles- and they were for 19 centuries- has been fulfilled. Jerusalem is NO longer trod down by the Gentiles.
The message that was to go to them has been given. Just as the message was given for an allotted time to the Jews and they put it from them. So, if the Jews and the Gentiles have had time to receive the message of Salvation through Jesus Christ our Lord and Savior- what remains?
Luk 21:25 And there shall be signs in the sun, and in the moon, and in the stars; and upon the earth distress of nations, with perplexity; the sea and the waves roaring;
Luk 21:26 Men's hearts failing them for fear, and for looking after those things which are coming on the earth: for the powers of heaven shall be shaken.
Luk 21:27 And then shall they see the Son of man coming in a cloud with power and great glory.
Luk 21:28 And when these things begin to come to pass, then look up, and lift up your heads; for your redemption draweth nigh.
Since 1980 - 31 years ago now we've been living in this end time where all the last prophecies will be fulfilled and our LORD WILL RETURN! We can't ignore all this, we CAN'T! But then again- many will, most will, and it's heart breaking!
By the grace of God may we keep our eyes opened watching!
By the grace of God may we keep praying always!
All by the grace of God may be ready for Him when He returns! May He KNOW us! Please Lord, know us!
By His love, through His righteousness always!
Amen.
Luk 21:24 ... and Jerusalem shall be trodden down of the Gentiles, until the times of the Gentiles be fulfilled.
Gentiles the dictionary definition for this word is -
Gentile
GEN'TILE
In the scriptures, a pagan; a worshipper of false gods; any person not a Jew or a christian; a heathen.
The biblical term "Israelites" (or the Twelve Tribes or Children of Israel) means both a people (the descendants of the patriarch Jacob/Israel, and the historical population of the kingdom of Israel), and a follower of the God of Israel and Mosaic law.[3] In Modern Hebrew usage, an Israelite is, broadly speaking, a lay member of the Jewish faith, as opposed to the priestly orders of Kohenim and Levites.
Pasted from
According to our Savior-
Luk 13:34 O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, which killest the prophets, and stonest them that are sent unto thee; how often would I have gathered thy children together, as a hen doth gather her brood under her wings, and ye would not!
Luk 13:35 Behold, your house is left unto you desolate: and verily I say unto you, Ye shall not see me, until the time come when ye shall say, Blessed is he that cometh in the name of the Lord.
Jerusalem's house was LEFT desolate. Spiritually they denied God's Son. The Israeli's alive in Christ's time as a corporate whole condemned Jesus Christ. Because of their condemnation they were to be left spiritually desolate and this became a reality--
Luk 21:24 ... and Jerusalem shall be trodden down of the Gentiles
In AD 70 the temple in Jerusalem was destroyed.
It wasn't until 1948 that Israeli's regained any sort of control over some of the land that had once been theirs.
1948 Arab–Israeli War
Pasted from
And in 1967 the Old City Jerusalem was recaptured by the Israeli's.
June 7: The Old City is captured by the IDF.
Pasted from
And in 1980 A law claiming Jerusalem to be the capital of Israel is enacted.
The Jerusalem Law is a common name of Basic Law: Jerusalem, Capital of Israel passed by the Knesset on July 30, 1980 (17th Av, 5740).
Pasted from
And Jesus' words were--
Luk 21:24 ... and Jerusalem shall be trodden down of the Gentiles, until the times of the Gentiles be fulfilled.
So this leads us to only ONE conclusion the times of the Gentiles has been fulfilled and it was fulfilled in OUR day!
*******
Now we need to ask ourselves a few questions- was there anything going on between the Israeli-Jews and the Gentiles in Jesus' day and shortly there after?
Let's just look at the way Jesus spoke of the Gentiles-
Mat 6:24 No man can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon.
Mat 6:25 Therefore I say unto you, Take no thought for your life, what ye shall eat, or what ye shall drink; nor yet for your body, what ye shall put on. Is not the life more than meat, and the body than raiment?
Mat 6:26 Behold the fowls of the air: for they sow not, neither do they reap, nor gather into barns; yet your heavenly Father feedeth them. Are ye not much better than they?
Mat 6:27 Which of you by taking thought can add one cubit unto his stature?
Mat 6:28 And why take ye thought for raiment? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow; they toil not, neither do they spin:
Mat 6:29 And yet I say unto you, That even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these.
Mat 6:30 Wherefore, if God so clothe the grass of the field, which to day is, and to morrow is cast into the oven, shall he not much more clothe you, O ye of little faith?
Mat 6:31 Therefore take no thought, saying, What shall we eat? or, What shall we drink? or, Wherewithal shall we be clothed?
Mat 6:32 (For after all these things do the Gentiles seek:) for your heavenly Father knoweth that ye have need of all these things.
Mat 6:33 But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.
Mat 6:34 Take therefore no thought for the morrow: for the morrow shall take thought for the things of itself. Sufficient unto the day is the evil thereof.
Mat 6:31...What shall we eat? or, What shall we drink? or, Wherewithal shall we be clothed?
Mat 6:32 (For after all these things do the Gentiles seek)
Those who did NOT claim the Heavenly Father as their Heavenly Father worried and thought constantly about eating, drinking, and clothing. Those who claimed the Heavenly Father as their God should KNOW that God MUST come first in all things- before food, before drink, before clothing. Obviously Jesus was pointing out that those who made the claim of being Jews were in fact acting like the Gentiles, acting as those who do NOT have a Heavenly Father who watches over them.
It would be THOSE who do NOT have God as their Heavenly Father who would trod down Jerusalem until that time was fulfilled.
Mat 10:5 These twelve Jesus sent forth, and commanded them, saying, Go not into the way of the Gentiles, and into any city of the Samaritans enter ye not:
Mat 10:6 But go rather to the lost sheep of the house of Israel.
Mat 10:7 And as ye go, preach, saying, The kingdom of heaven is at hand.
Mat 10:8 Heal the sick, cleanse the lepers, raise the dead, cast out devils: freely ye have received, freely give.
Go not into the way of the Gentiles.
At this time Jesus did NOT want His apostles to go to the Gentiles. They were to go to the lost sheep of the house of Israel.
Jesus is making a distinction between Israeli's and the Gentiles. We can't ignore this! Jesus gave the prophecy of Luke 21:24 for a reason, not just for filler. NOTHING Jesus said was said just for it to be said offhandedly, nothing!
Mat 10:16 Behold, I send you forth as sheep in the midst of wolves: be ye therefore wise as serpents, and harmless as doves.
Mat 10:17 But beware of men: for they will deliver you up to councils, and in their synagogues they will scourge you;
Mat 10:18 yea and before governors and kings shall ye be brought for my sake, for a testimony to them and to the Gentiles. (RV)
Jesus told of a time when His followers would be brought before legal authorities and why - for a testimony. Not just a testimony for those authorities but for Gentiles as well. Gentiles would get to hear the message of salvation through Jesus Christ, the gospel of the kingdom.
Mat 12:17 That it might be fulfilled which was spoken by Esaias the prophet, saying,
Mat 12:18 Behold my servant, whom I have chosen; my beloved, in whom my soul is well pleased: I will put my spirit upon him, and he shall shew judgment to the Gentiles.
HE SHALL SHEW JUDGEMENT TO THE GENTILES.
The Gentiles would be given a chance to understand salvation to know that judgment would come to all even them.
Mat 12:21 And in his name shall the Gentiles trust.
Praise God. Do you see? While Jesus didn't send His apostles to the Gentiles, the plan was for the good news to go to them in the time Jesus allowed.
Mat 20:17 And Jesus going up to Jerusalem took the twelve disciples apart in the way, and said unto them,
Mat 20:18 Behold, we go up to Jerusalem; and the Son of man shall be betrayed unto the chief priests and unto the scribes, and they shall condemn him to death,
Mat 20:19 And shall deliver him to the Gentiles to mock, and to scourge, and to crucify him: and the third day he shall rise again.
Jesus knew His fate at the hands of the Gentiles- delivered by the Israeli chief priest and scribes.
uk 2:25 And, behold, there was a man in Jerusalem, whose name was Simeon; and the same man was just and devout, waiting for the consolation of Israel: and the Holy Ghost was upon him.
Luk 2:26 And it was revealed unto him by the Holy Ghost, that he should not see death, before he had seen the Lord's Christ.
Luk 2:27 And he came by the Spirit into the temple: and when the parents brought in the child Jesus, to do for him after the custom of the law,
Luk 2:28 Then took he him up in his arms, and blessed God, and said,
Luk 2:29 Lord, now lettest thou thy servant depart in peace, according to thy word:
Luk 2:30 For mine eyes have seen thy salvation,
Luk 2:31 Which thou hast prepared before the face of all people;
Luk 2:32 A light to lighten the Gentiles, and the glory of thy people Israel.
A LIGHT to lighten the Gentiles!
Joh 7:33 Then said Jesus unto them, Yet a little while am I with you, and then I go unto him that sent me.
Joh 7:34 Ye shall seek me, and shall not find me: and where I am, thither ye cannot come.
Joh 7:35 Then said the Jews among themselves, Whither will he go, that we shall not find him? will he go unto the dispersed among the Gentiles, and teach the Gentiles?
The followers of Christ couldn't fully comprehend going to the Gentiles to preach the message of God. The Gentiles were NOT Jews, they were NOT the chosen people of God. To these men Jesus going to preach to the Gentiles was somewhere He could go that they couldn't imagine going with Him.
Act 4:13 Now when they saw the boldness of Peter and John, and perceived that they were unlearned and ignorant men, they marvelled; and they took knowledge of them, that they had been with Jesus.
Act 4:14 And beholding the man which was healed standing with them, they could say nothing against it.
Act 4:15 But when they had commanded them to go aside out of the council, they conferred among themselves,
Act 4:16 Saying, What shall we do to these men? for that indeed a notable miracle hath been done by them is manifest to all them that dwell in Jerusalem; and we cannot deny it.
Act 4:17 But that it spread no further among the people, let us straitly threaten them, that they speak henceforth to no man in this name.
Act 4:18 And they called them, and commanded them not to speak at all nor teach in the name of Jesus.
Act 4:19 But Peter and John answered and said unto them, Whether it be right in the sight of God to hearken unto you more than unto God, judge ye.
Act 4:20 For we cannot but speak the things which we have seen and heard.
Act 4:21 So when they had further threatened them, they let them go, finding nothing how they might punish them, because of the people: for all men glorified God for that which was done.
Act 4:22 For the man was above forty years old, on whom this miracle of healing was shewed.
Act 4:23 And being let go, they went to their own company, and reported all that the chief priests and elders had said unto them.
Act 4:24 And when they heard that, they lifted up their voice to God with one accord, and said, Lord, thou art God, which hast made heaven, and earth, and the sea, and all that in them is:
Act 4:25 Who by the mouth of thy servant David hast said, Why did the heathen rage, and the people imagine vain things?
Act 4:26 The kings of the earth stood up, and the rulers were gathered together against the Lord, and against his Christ.
Act 4:27 For of a truth against thy holy child Jesus, whom thou hast anointed, both Herod, and Pontius Pilate, with the Gentiles, and the people of Israel, were gathered together,
Act 4:28 For to do whatsoever thy hand and thy counsel determined before to be done.
Act 4:29 And now, Lord, behold their threatenings: and grant unto thy servants, that with all boldness they may speak thy word,
Still the apostles were preaching to the lost sheep of Israel and not to the Gentiles.
Act 6:9 Then there arose certain of the synagogue, which is called the synagogue of the Libertines, and Cyrenians, and Alexandrians, and of them of Cilicia and of Asia, disputing with Stephen.
Act 6:10 And they were not able to resist the wisdom and the spirit by which he spake.
Act 6:11 Then they suborned men, which said, We have heard him speak blasphemous words against Moses, and against God.
Act 6:12 And they stirred up the people, and the elders, and the scribes, and came upon him, and caught him, and brought him to the council,
Act 6:13 And set up false witnesses, which said, This man ceaseth not to speak blasphemous words against this holy place, and the law:
Act 6:14 For we have heard him say, that this Jesus of Nazareth shall destroy this place, and shall change the customs which Moses delivered us.
Act 6:15 And all that sat in the council, looking stedfastly on him, saw his face as it had been the face of an angel.
Act 7:1 Then said the high priest, Are these things so?
Act 7:2 And he said, Men, brethren, and fathers, hearken; The God of glory appeared unto our father Abraham, when he was in Mesopotamia, before he dwelt in Charran,
Act 7:3 And said unto him, Get thee out of thy country, and from thy kindred, and come into the land which I shall shew thee.
Act 7:4 Then came he out of the land of the Chaldaeans, and dwelt in Charran: and from thence, when his father was dead, he removed him into this land, wherein ye now dwell.
Act 7:5 And he gave him none inheritance in it, no, not so much as to set his foot on: yet he promised that he would give it to him for a possession, and to his seed after him, when as yet he had no child.
Act 7:6 And God spake on this wise, That his seed should sojourn in a strange land; and that they should bring them into bondage, and entreat them evil four hundred years.
Act 7:7 And the nation to whom they shall be in bondage will I judge, said God: and after that shall they come forth, and serve me in this place.
Act 7:8 And he gave him the covenant of circumcision: and so Abraham begat Isaac, and circumcised him the eighth day; and Isaac begat Jacob; and Jacob begat the twelve patriarchs.
Act 7:9 And the patriarchs, moved with envy, sold Joseph into Egypt: but God was with him,
Act 7:10 And delivered him out of all his afflictions, and gave him favour and wisdom in the sight of Pharaoh king of Egypt; and he made him governor over Egypt and all his house.
Act 7:11 Now there came a dearth over all the land of Egypt and Chanaan, and great affliction: and our fathers found no sustenance.
Act 7:12 But when Jacob heard that there was corn in Egypt, he sent out our fathers first.
Act 7:13 And at the second time Joseph was made known to his brethren; and Joseph's kindred was made known unto Pharaoh.
Act 7:14 Then sent Joseph, and called his father Jacob to him, and all his kindred, threescore and fifteen souls.
Act 7:15 So Jacob went down into Egypt, and died, he, and our fathers,
Act 7:16 And were carried over into Sychem, and laid in the sepulchre that Abraham bought for a sum of money of the sons of Emmor the father of Sychem.
Act 7:17 But when the time of the promise drew nigh, which God had sworn to Abraham, the people grew and multiplied in Egypt,
Act 7:18 Till another king arose, which knew not Joseph.
Act 7:19 The same dealt subtilly with our kindred, and evil entreated our fathers, so that they cast out their young children, to the end they might not live.
Act 7:20 In which time Moses was born, and was exceeding fair, and nourished up in his father's house three months:
Act 7:21 And when he was cast out, Pharaoh's daughter took him up, and nourished him for her own son.
Act 7:22 And Moses was learned in all the wisdom of the Egyptians, and was mighty in words and in deeds.
Act 7:23 And when he was full forty years old, it came into his heart to visit his brethren the children of Israel.
Act 7:24 And seeing one of them suffer wrong, he defended him, and avenged him that was oppressed, and smote the Egyptian:
Act 7:25 For he supposed his brethren would have understood how that God by his hand would deliver them: but they understood not.
Act 7:26 And the next day he shewed himself unto them as they strove, and would have set them at one again, saying, Sirs, ye are brethren; why do ye wrong one to another?
Act 7:27 But he that did his neighbour wrong thrust him away, saying, Who made thee a ruler and a judge over us?
Act 7:28 Wilt thou kill me, as thou diddest the Egyptian yesterday?
Act 7:29 Then fled Moses at this saying, and was a stranger in the land of Madian, where he begat two sons.
Act 7:30 And when forty years were expired, there appeared to him in the wilderness of mount Sina an angel of the Lord in a flame of fire in a bush.
Act 7:31 When Moses saw it, he wondered at the sight: and as he drew near to behold it, the voice of the Lord came unto him,
Act 7:32 Saying, I am the God of thy fathers, the God of Abraham, and the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob. Then Moses trembled, and durst not behold.
Act 7:33 Then said the Lord to him, Put off thy shoes from thy feet: for the place where thou standest is holy ground.
Act 7:34 I have seen, I have seen the affliction of my people which is in Egypt, and I have heard their groaning, and am come down to deliver them. And now come, I will send thee into Egypt.
Act 7:35 This Moses whom they refused, saying, Who made thee a ruler and a judge? the same did God send to be a ruler and a deliverer by the hand of the angel which appeared to him in the bush.
Act 7:36 He brought them out, after that he had shewed wonders and signs in the land of Egypt, and in the Red sea, and in the wilderness forty years.
Act 7:37 This is that Moses, which said unto the children of Israel, A prophet shall the Lord your God raise up unto you of your brethren, like unto me; him shall ye hear.
Act 7:38 This is he, that was in the church in the wilderness with the angel which spake to him in the mount Sina, and with our fathers: who received the lively oracles to give unto us:
Act 7:39 To whom our fathers would not obey, but thrust him from them, and in their hearts turned back again into Egypt,
Act 7:40 Saying unto Aaron, Make us gods to go before us: for as for this Moses, which brought us out of the land of Egypt, we wot not what is become of him.
Act 7:41 And they made a calf in those days, and offered sacrifice unto the idol, and rejoiced in the works of their own hands.
Act 7:42 Then God turned, and gave them up to worship the host of heaven; as it is written in the book of the prophets, O ye house of Israel, have ye offered to me slain beasts and sacrifices by the space of forty years in the wilderness?
Act 7:43 Yea, ye took up the tabernacle of Moloch, and the star of your god Remphan, figures which ye made to worship them: and I will carry you away beyond Babylon.
Act 7:44 Our fathers had the tabernacle of witness in the wilderness, as he had appointed, speaking unto Moses, that he should make it according to the fashion that he had seen.
Act 7:45 Which also our fathers that came after brought in with Jesus(Joshua) into the possession of the Gentiles, whom God drave out before the face of our fathers, unto the days of David;
Act 7:46 Who found favour before God, and desired to find a tabernacle for the God of Jacob.
Act 7:47 But Solomon built him an house.
Act 7:48 Howbeit the most High dwelleth not in temples made with hands; as saith the prophet,
Act 7:49 Heaven is my throne, and earth is my footstool: what house will ye build me? saith the Lord: or what is the place of my rest?
Act 7:50 Hath not my hand made all these things?
Act 7:51 Ye stiffnecked and uncircumcised in heart and ears, ye do always resist the Holy Ghost: as your fathers did, so do ye.
Act 7:52 Which of the prophets have not your fathers persecuted? and they have slain them which shewed before of the coming of the Just One; of whom ye have been now the betrayers and murderers:
Act 7:53 Who have received the law by the disposition of angels, and have not kept it.
Act 7:54 When they heard these things, they were cut to the heart, and they gnashed on him with their teeth.
Act 7:55 But he, being full of the Holy Ghost, looked up stedfastly into heaven, and saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing on the right hand of God,
Act 7:56 And said, Behold, I see the heavens opened, and the Son of man standing on the right hand of God.
Act 7:57 Then they cried out with a loud voice, and stopped their ears, and ran upon him with one accord,
Act 7:58 And cast him out of the city, and stoned him: and the witnesses laid down their clothes at a young man's feet, whose name was Saul.
Act 7:59 And they stoned Stephen, calling upon God, and saying, Lord Jesus, receive my spirit.
Act 7:60 And he kneeled down, and cried with a loud voice, Lord, lay not this sin to their charge. And when he had said this, he fell asleep.
Stephen martyred, Stephen's last words declaring that the Gentiles were driven out by God by Joshua- a history lesson for the Israelis proving that their own written word of God revealed their rejections of the prophets time and time again.
Act 9:11 And the Lord said unto him, Arise, and go into the street which is called Straight, and enquire in the house of Judas for one called Saul, of Tarsus: for, behold, he prayeth,
Act 9:12 And hath seen in a vision a man named Ananias coming in, and putting his hand on him, that he might receive his sight.
Act 9:13 Then Ananias answered, Lord, I have heard by many of this man, how much evil he hath done to thy saints at Jerusalem:
Act 9:14 And here he hath authority from the chief priests to bind all that call on thy name.
Act 9:15 But the Lord said unto him, Go thy way: for he is a chosen vessel unto me, to bear my name before the Gentiles, and kings, and the children of Israel:
Act 9:16 For I will shew him how great things he must suffer for my name's sake.
After Saul of Tarsus took part in the stoning of Stephen, holding the coats of the men who killed him, he had an encounter with Jesus that changed him from a persecutor of those who followed Jesus to a devout servant of Jesus. Ananias knew of Saul of Tarsus and knew he wasn't a Christian and the Lord told him pointedly… He is a chosen vessel unto me, to bear my name before the GENTILES and kings, and the children of Israel. The word was to go to the Gentiles! The Israelis, the chosen of God, the Jewish people had rejected the word and the word would now go to the Gentiles by one of their own converted by the love of Jesus.
Act 10:44 While Peter yet spake these words, the Holy Ghost fell on all them which heard the word.
Act 10:45 And they of the circumcision which believed were astonished, as many as came with Peter, because that on the Gentiles also was poured out the gift of the Holy Ghost.
The Gentiles were now receiving Christ proven beyond a doubt in the presence of many as they too received the gift of the Holy Ghost.
Act 11:1 And the apostles and brethren that were in Judaea heard that the Gentiles had also received the word of God.
Act 11:18 When they heard these things, they held their peace, and glorified God, saying, Then hath God also to the Gentiles granted repentance unto life.
Act 13:42 And when the Jews were gone out of the synagogue, the Gentiles besought that these words might be preached to them the next sabbath.
Act 13:46 Then Paul and Barnabas waxed bold, and said, It was necessary that the word of God should first have been spoken to you: but seeing ye put it from you, and judge yourselves unworthy of everlasting life, lo, we turn to the Gentiles.
Act 13:47 For so hath the Lord commanded us, saying, I have set thee to be a light of the Gentiles, that thou shouldest be for salvation unto the ends of the earth.
FIRST the world of God was given to the Jews, but they rejected it! NEXT the word of God was to go to the Gentiles. This was God's plan! There would be a time allotted to the Gentiles to hear the word of God and that time would be up, just as Jesus foretold- remember?
Luk 21:24 ... and Jerusalem shall be trodden down of the Gentiles, until the times of the Gentiles be fulfilled.
God does all things in order, not haphazardly, we can't believe that God is a God of chaos and flights of fancy- we can't humanize God. We can't put our failings on Him. He has foretold what would happen, thousands of years ago and we are allowed to see the signs of the times. This sign- of Jerusalem being trodden down of the Gentiles- and they were for 19 centuries- has been fulfilled. Jerusalem is NO longer trod down by the Gentiles.
The message that was to go to them has been given. Just as the message was given for an allotted time to the Jews and they put it from them. So, if the Jews and the Gentiles have had time to receive the message of Salvation through Jesus Christ our Lord and Savior- what remains?
Luk 21:25 And there shall be signs in the sun, and in the moon, and in the stars; and upon the earth distress of nations, with perplexity; the sea and the waves roaring;
Luk 21:26 Men's hearts failing them for fear, and for looking after those things which are coming on the earth: for the powers of heaven shall be shaken.
Luk 21:27 And then shall they see the Son of man coming in a cloud with power and great glory.
Luk 21:28 And when these things begin to come to pass, then look up, and lift up your heads; for your redemption draweth nigh.
Since 1980 - 31 years ago now we've been living in this end time where all the last prophecies will be fulfilled and our LORD WILL RETURN! We can't ignore all this, we CAN'T! But then again- many will, most will, and it's heart breaking!
By the grace of God may we keep our eyes opened watching!
By the grace of God may we keep praying always!
All by the grace of God may be ready for Him when He returns! May He KNOW us! Please Lord, know us!
By His love, through His righteousness always!
Amen.
Friday, October 7, 2011
Prophecy - 98
Picking up where we left off yesterday we were talking about the relationship between the first beast of Rev. 13 and the two witnesses in Rev. 11.
Why then this differentiation?
Is it for interpretive purposes so that we can put together the various symbolisms?
Is it saying that the first beast of Revelation 13 is the power involved with the work described in Rev. 11:2; and the woman of Revelation 12 has a connection with "the two witnesses"?
If this be so, then there is some "knitting" back and forth between the last section of Revelation and Chapter 11, which must be considered.
Before pursuing further the "beasts" of Revelation 13, let us ask ourselves, what is Rev. 11:2 saying?
The verse is couched in symbolism.
Rev 11:2 But 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.
The "court" of the temple was the place of the Altar of Burnt Offering.
Here the sacrifices which were symbolic of the one great Sacrifice for sin, were offered.
That Sacrifice was offered on earth.
The ministry of the sanctuary typified a Heavenly ministration.
How do we understand then, the symbolism of "the holy city"?
It cannot be the Holy City which comes down at the close of the Millennium, for the "holy city" noted in Rev. 11:2 is already on earth.
However, in the chapters which follow, the Harlot is described not only as a woman, but also a city. (Rev. 17:18)
Rev 17:18 And the woman which thou sawest is that great city, which reigneth over the kings of the earth.
Is the symbol of the "holy city" in Rev. 11:2 then to be equated with the "woman" of Rev. 12?
All of this places the time frame for the first beast of Revelation as the instrument through which the dragon sought to destroy the woman who fled into the wilderness.
The section of the prophecy of Revelation 13 which describes the first beast, can be divided in two parts:
1) A symbolic description of the beast itself and a brief overview of its history (vs. 1-4); and
Rev 13:1 And 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.
Rev 13:2 And 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.
Rev 13:3 And 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.
Rev 13:4 And 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?
2) What it was to do in the time period allotted (vs. 5-7).
Rev 13:5 And there was given unto him a mouth speaking great things and blasphemies; and power was given unto him to continue forty and two months.
Rev 13:6 And he opened his mouth in blasphemy against God, to blaspheme his name, and his tabernacle, and them that dwell in heaven.
Rev 13:7 And 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.
A question arises at this point, do we consider the verses as consecutive, thus placing the 42 months after the healing of the "deadly wound," or is one section a prophetic amplification of the other?
What is interesting is the parallel between the 42 months, if understood literally, and the 3 1/2 days of Rev. 11:9, if considered prophetically.
Both would equal exactly 3 1/2 years.
However, the connection between the "first beast" and Revelation 11 is with "the holy city," while "the beast that ascendeth out of the bottomless pit" is connected with the 3 1/2 days (11:7-9; See also 17:8).
Rev 11:7 And 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.
Rev 11:8 And 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.
Rev 11:9 And 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.
Rev 17:8 The 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.
Again we are left with SO much to consider.
The first beast matches up with the fourth beast in Daniel 7.
Rome was a composite of all the beasts that had come before it. Rome the power that would exist in a fallen state- divided- until Christ comes again.
The first beast in Rev. 13 Rome (Pagan/Papal) and Rev. 11 - connected with the holy city.
Rev 11:1 And 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.
Rev 11:2 But 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.
Rev 11:3 And I will give power unto my two witnesses, and they shall prophesy a thousand two hundred and threescore days, clothed in sackcloth.
Rev 11:4 These are the two olive trees, and the two candlesticks standing before the God of the earth.
Forty-two months- the first beast would reign, forty-two months- the witnesses would be tread underfoot.
The Papacy - the first beast was wounded as the two witnesses were finished being trod underfoot- as God's written word began to flourish, as His prophecies were being revealed as the little book was opened. These aren't haphazard occurrences - this is all foretold by our God. Our Savior is coming again and this WE have to look forward to. The beast will be destroyed and Christ will reign.
More tomorrow by the grace of our SAVIOR!
In His LOVE.
Amen.
Why then this differentiation?
Is it for interpretive purposes so that we can put together the various symbolisms?
Is it saying that the first beast of Revelation 13 is the power involved with the work described in Rev. 11:2; and the woman of Revelation 12 has a connection with "the two witnesses"?
If this be so, then there is some "knitting" back and forth between the last section of Revelation and Chapter 11, which must be considered.
Before pursuing further the "beasts" of Revelation 13, let us ask ourselves, what is Rev. 11:2 saying?
The verse is couched in symbolism.
Rev 11:2 But 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.
The "court" of the temple was the place of the Altar of Burnt Offering.
Here the sacrifices which were symbolic of the one great Sacrifice for sin, were offered.
That Sacrifice was offered on earth.
The ministry of the sanctuary typified a Heavenly ministration.
How do we understand then, the symbolism of "the holy city"?
It cannot be the Holy City which comes down at the close of the Millennium, for the "holy city" noted in Rev. 11:2 is already on earth.
However, in the chapters which follow, the Harlot is described not only as a woman, but also a city. (Rev. 17:18)
Rev 17:18 And the woman which thou sawest is that great city, which reigneth over the kings of the earth.
Is the symbol of the "holy city" in Rev. 11:2 then to be equated with the "woman" of Rev. 12?
All of this places the time frame for the first beast of Revelation as the instrument through which the dragon sought to destroy the woman who fled into the wilderness.
The section of the prophecy of Revelation 13 which describes the first beast, can be divided in two parts:
1) A symbolic description of the beast itself and a brief overview of its history (vs. 1-4); and
Rev 13:1 And 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.
Rev 13:2 And 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.
Rev 13:3 And 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.
Rev 13:4 And 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?
2) What it was to do in the time period allotted (vs. 5-7).
Rev 13:5 And there was given unto him a mouth speaking great things and blasphemies; and power was given unto him to continue forty and two months.
Rev 13:6 And he opened his mouth in blasphemy against God, to blaspheme his name, and his tabernacle, and them that dwell in heaven.
Rev 13:7 And 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.
A question arises at this point, do we consider the verses as consecutive, thus placing the 42 months after the healing of the "deadly wound," or is one section a prophetic amplification of the other?
What is interesting is the parallel between the 42 months, if understood literally, and the 3 1/2 days of Rev. 11:9, if considered prophetically.
Both would equal exactly 3 1/2 years.
However, the connection between the "first beast" and Revelation 11 is with "the holy city," while "the beast that ascendeth out of the bottomless pit" is connected with the 3 1/2 days (11:7-9; See also 17:8).
Rev 11:7 And 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.
Rev 11:8 And 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.
Rev 11:9 And 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.
Rev 17:8 The 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.
Again we are left with SO much to consider.
The first beast matches up with the fourth beast in Daniel 7.
Rome was a composite of all the beasts that had come before it. Rome the power that would exist in a fallen state- divided- until Christ comes again.
The first beast in Rev. 13 Rome (Pagan/Papal) and Rev. 11 - connected with the holy city.
Rev 11:1 And 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.
Rev 11:2 But 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.
Rev 11:3 And I will give power unto my two witnesses, and they shall prophesy a thousand two hundred and threescore days, clothed in sackcloth.
Rev 11:4 These are the two olive trees, and the two candlesticks standing before the God of the earth.
Forty-two months- the first beast would reign, forty-two months- the witnesses would be tread underfoot.
The Papacy - the first beast was wounded as the two witnesses were finished being trod underfoot- as God's written word began to flourish, as His prophecies were being revealed as the little book was opened. These aren't haphazard occurrences - this is all foretold by our God. Our Savior is coming again and this WE have to look forward to. The beast will be destroyed and Christ will reign.
More tomorrow by the grace of our SAVIOR!
In His LOVE.
Amen.
Wednesday, October 5, 2011
Prophecy - 97
Let's take a closer look at the beasts.
Rev 13:1 And I stood upon the sand of the sea, and saw a beast (((FIRST BEAST HERE)))) 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.
Rev 13:2 And 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.
Rev 13:3 And 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.
Rev 13:11 And I beheld another beast (((SECOND BEAST HERE))))coming up out of the earth; and he had two horns like a lamb, and he SPAKE AS A DRAGON.
Rev 13:12 And 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.
From the study we did a few days ago-
The commonality between the first beast and the dragon is further heightened in the imagery.
Both have seven heads and ten horns (12:3; 13:1)
Rev 12:3 And there appeared another wonder in heaven; and behold a great red dragon, having seven heads and ten horns, and seven crowns upon his heads.
Rev 13:1 And I stood upon the sand of the sea, and saw a beast (((FIRST BEAST HERE)))) 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.
However, there is a movement of one item in the symbols; the crowns are placed on the "horns" of the first beast, rather than remaining on the "heads."
It must also be kept in mind that the book of Revelation presents a third beast with seven heads and ten horns. (17:3) No crowns are seen on this symbolism either on the "heads" or the "horns."
Rev 17:3 So 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.
What is this telling us? If a "crown" is symbolic of reigning, then the "dragon" is portrayed as functioning through its seven heads from the time of the first gospel promise to the time of, and including the war with the "remnant of her seed."
(((We really have to note this- The DRAGON functions through its SEVEN heads from the first gospel until the very end.))))
The first beast of Revelation 13, would then be operating at the time of the reigning of "the ten horns."
(((The first beast has the crowns on its horns NOT its head. This beast the FIRST beast in Rev. 13 will function during the reigning of the 10 horns.))))
To further identify this beast, the description is closely associated with the vision given to Daniel (Chap. 7). The lion, the bear, and the leopard are followed by a nondescript beast.
In Revelation 13, the nondescript beast is a COMPOSITE, "like unto a LEOPARD, and his feet were as the feet of a BEAR, and his mouth as the mouth of a LION" (v. 2). This is the exact order as found in Daniel 7, only REVERSED. In the vision to Daniel, he saw that the dominion of the three beasts was "taken away: yet their lives were prolonged for a season and time." (7:12).
The symbolic representation in Revelation 13, tells us that the lives of the three beasts of Daniel 7 lived on in the first beast.
(((It's true that even today we STILL have the history of the great kingdoms that have affected each other one after the other and so on. Today people know about Babylon- they know about Medo-Persia, they know about Greece- THESE are facts, THESE are real parts of our history and lives no one can deny this- no one.))))
We must next turn our attention to the seven heads. What do they represent?
The span of Revelation 12 covers the time from the first gospel promise made in Eden till the war against the "remnant of her seed."
Genesis gives the beginning of the first nation or peoples through whom this promised "seed" would be realized. (Gen. 12:3; 21:12)
Gen 12:3 And I will bless them that bless thee, and curse him that curseth thee: and in thee shall all families of the earth be blessed.
Gen 21:12 And God said unto Abraham, Let it not be grievous in thy sight because of the lad, and because of thy bondwoman; in all that Sarah hath said unto thee, hearken unto her voice; for in Isaac shall thy seed be called.
They were to go into bondage. (Gen. 15:13-15)
Gen 15:13 And he said unto Abram, Know of a surety that thy seed shall be a stranger in a land that is not theirs, and shall serve them; and they shall afflict them four hundred years;
Gen 15:14 And also that nation, whom they shall serve, will I judge: and afterward shall they come out with great substance.
Gen 15:15 And thou shalt go to thy fathers in peace; thou shalt be buried in a good old age.
This defiant power - EGYPT - was the first power to seek to "devour" the people of God. Pharaoh was the "son of Ra," one of the sun gods of Egypt. The symbolisms of Egypt used to represent their sun gods, as noted in the previous study of Revelation 12, was the "serpent of fire" around a sun disc.
From the first attempt to destroy the people of God through whom the Promised Seed would come, there were five powers to John's day -
Egypt
Assyria
Babylon
Medo-Persia
Grecia
The power of John's day was Rome, another was yet to come. (Rev. 17:10)
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.
At this point, we need to determine how we are to understand prophecy.
Do we place the count, "five are fallen, one is, and the other is not yet come," as beginning in our day, or do we understand it to be in the time frame of John to whom the statement was made?
There is another problem however, the seventh head was "to continue a short space."
If the sixth head is pagan Rome, and the seventh, papal Rome, we have the seventh head continuing for a longer period than any of the previous six heads which the wording of the definitive statement will not permit.
The book of Daniel in the visions as recorded in Chapters 7 & 8, present both pagan and papal Rome as one continuous power.
The "little horn" of Daniel 7, ever remains in and is nourished by the nondescript beast (7:8).
Further this beast is pictured as continuing "till ... slain, and his body destroyed, and given to the burning flame." (7:11)
Dan 7:11 I beheld then because of the voice of the great words which the horn spake: I beheld even till the beast was slain, and his body destroyed, and given to the burning flame.
The problem then is to interrelate all of this data to the first beast of Revelation 13, for it is this beast along with the second which are consigned to "the burning flame" (Rev. 19:20).
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.
There is another textual relating between symbols which must be considered.
The first beast of Revelation 13 is "to act, or work" (Gr.- poiesai) his will "forty and two months." (13:5) The only other place where this same time period of prophecy is indicated is Chapter 11:2. There the "holy city" is to be "tread under foot forty and two months."
Rev 13:5 And there was given unto him a mouth speaking great things and blasphemies; and power was given unto him to continue forty and two months.
The next verse (11:3) speaks of the "two witnesses" prophesying in sackcloth 1260 days.
Rev 11:3 And I will give power unto my two witnesses, and they shall prophesy a thousand two hundred and threescore days, clothed in sackcloth
As noted in exegeting Chapter 12, this time period is identical in terminology with the time period that the woman was to be in the wilderness.
It can be shown that all of these time periods -
Daniel 7:25
Revelation 11:2, 3; 12:6, 14; and 13:5 - are equal and apply to the same period.
Why then this differentiation?
Is it for interpretive purposes so that we can put together the various symbolisms?
Is it saying that the first beast of Revelation 13 is the power involved with the work described in Rev. 11:2; and the woman of Revelation 12 has a connection with "the two witnesses"?
If this be so, then there is some "knittng" back and forth between the last section of Revelation and Chapter 11, which must be considered.
More tomorrow by the grace of God!
We need understanding and all this will help us to understand through the Holy Spirit's guidance.
There are a lot of questions as we noted already and hopefully there will be answers, all the answers we need.
In Christ!
Amen.
Rev 13:1 And I stood upon the sand of the sea, and saw a beast (((FIRST BEAST HERE)))) 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.
Rev 13:2 And 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.
Rev 13:3 And 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.
Rev 13:11 And I beheld another beast (((SECOND BEAST HERE))))coming up out of the earth; and he had two horns like a lamb, and he SPAKE AS A DRAGON.
Rev 13:12 And 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.
From the study we did a few days ago-
The commonality between the first beast and the dragon is further heightened in the imagery.
Both have seven heads and ten horns (12:3; 13:1)
Rev 12:3 And there appeared another wonder in heaven; and behold a great red dragon, having seven heads and ten horns, and seven crowns upon his heads.
Rev 13:1 And I stood upon the sand of the sea, and saw a beast (((FIRST BEAST HERE)))) 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.
However, there is a movement of one item in the symbols; the crowns are placed on the "horns" of the first beast, rather than remaining on the "heads."
It must also be kept in mind that the book of Revelation presents a third beast with seven heads and ten horns. (17:3) No crowns are seen on this symbolism either on the "heads" or the "horns."
Rev 17:3 So 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.
What is this telling us? If a "crown" is symbolic of reigning, then the "dragon" is portrayed as functioning through its seven heads from the time of the first gospel promise to the time of, and including the war with the "remnant of her seed."
(((We really have to note this- The DRAGON functions through its SEVEN heads from the first gospel until the very end.))))
The first beast of Revelation 13, would then be operating at the time of the reigning of "the ten horns."
(((The first beast has the crowns on its horns NOT its head. This beast the FIRST beast in Rev. 13 will function during the reigning of the 10 horns.))))
To further identify this beast, the description is closely associated with the vision given to Daniel (Chap. 7). The lion, the bear, and the leopard are followed by a nondescript beast.
In Revelation 13, the nondescript beast is a COMPOSITE, "like unto a LEOPARD, and his feet were as the feet of a BEAR, and his mouth as the mouth of a LION" (v. 2). This is the exact order as found in Daniel 7, only REVERSED. In the vision to Daniel, he saw that the dominion of the three beasts was "taken away: yet their lives were prolonged for a season and time." (7:12).
The symbolic representation in Revelation 13, tells us that the lives of the three beasts of Daniel 7 lived on in the first beast.
(((It's true that even today we STILL have the history of the great kingdoms that have affected each other one after the other and so on. Today people know about Babylon- they know about Medo-Persia, they know about Greece- THESE are facts, THESE are real parts of our history and lives no one can deny this- no one.))))
We must next turn our attention to the seven heads. What do they represent?
The span of Revelation 12 covers the time from the first gospel promise made in Eden till the war against the "remnant of her seed."
Genesis gives the beginning of the first nation or peoples through whom this promised "seed" would be realized. (Gen. 12:3; 21:12)
Gen 12:3 And I will bless them that bless thee, and curse him that curseth thee: and in thee shall all families of the earth be blessed.
Gen 21:12 And God said unto Abraham, Let it not be grievous in thy sight because of the lad, and because of thy bondwoman; in all that Sarah hath said unto thee, hearken unto her voice; for in Isaac shall thy seed be called.
They were to go into bondage. (Gen. 15:13-15)
Gen 15:13 And he said unto Abram, Know of a surety that thy seed shall be a stranger in a land that is not theirs, and shall serve them; and they shall afflict them four hundred years;
Gen 15:14 And also that nation, whom they shall serve, will I judge: and afterward shall they come out with great substance.
Gen 15:15 And thou shalt go to thy fathers in peace; thou shalt be buried in a good old age.
This defiant power - EGYPT - was the first power to seek to "devour" the people of God. Pharaoh was the "son of Ra," one of the sun gods of Egypt. The symbolisms of Egypt used to represent their sun gods, as noted in the previous study of Revelation 12, was the "serpent of fire" around a sun disc.
From the first attempt to destroy the people of God through whom the Promised Seed would come, there were five powers to John's day -
Egypt
Assyria
Babylon
Medo-Persia
Grecia
The power of John's day was Rome, another was yet to come. (Rev. 17:10)
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.
At this point, we need to determine how we are to understand prophecy.
Do we place the count, "five are fallen, one is, and the other is not yet come," as beginning in our day, or do we understand it to be in the time frame of John to whom the statement was made?
There is another problem however, the seventh head was "to continue a short space."
If the sixth head is pagan Rome, and the seventh, papal Rome, we have the seventh head continuing for a longer period than any of the previous six heads which the wording of the definitive statement will not permit.
The book of Daniel in the visions as recorded in Chapters 7 & 8, present both pagan and papal Rome as one continuous power.
The "little horn" of Daniel 7, ever remains in and is nourished by the nondescript beast (7:8).
Further this beast is pictured as continuing "till ... slain, and his body destroyed, and given to the burning flame." (7:11)
Dan 7:11 I beheld then because of the voice of the great words which the horn spake: I beheld even till the beast was slain, and his body destroyed, and given to the burning flame.
The problem then is to interrelate all of this data to the first beast of Revelation 13, for it is this beast along with the second which are consigned to "the burning flame" (Rev. 19:20).
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.
There is another textual relating between symbols which must be considered.
The first beast of Revelation 13 is "to act, or work" (Gr.- poiesai) his will "forty and two months." (13:5) The only other place where this same time period of prophecy is indicated is Chapter 11:2. There the "holy city" is to be "tread under foot forty and two months."
Rev 13:5 And there was given unto him a mouth speaking great things and blasphemies; and power was given unto him to continue forty and two months.
The next verse (11:3) speaks of the "two witnesses" prophesying in sackcloth 1260 days.
Rev 11:3 And I will give power unto my two witnesses, and they shall prophesy a thousand two hundred and threescore days, clothed in sackcloth
As noted in exegeting Chapter 12, this time period is identical in terminology with the time period that the woman was to be in the wilderness.
It can be shown that all of these time periods -
Daniel 7:25
Revelation 11:2, 3; 12:6, 14; and 13:5 - are equal and apply to the same period.
Why then this differentiation?
Is it for interpretive purposes so that we can put together the various symbolisms?
Is it saying that the first beast of Revelation 13 is the power involved with the work described in Rev. 11:2; and the woman of Revelation 12 has a connection with "the two witnesses"?
If this be so, then there is some "knittng" back and forth between the last section of Revelation and Chapter 11, which must be considered.
More tomorrow by the grace of God!
We need understanding and all this will help us to understand through the Holy Spirit's guidance.
There are a lot of questions as we noted already and hopefully there will be answers, all the answers we need.
In Christ!
Amen.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)