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Revelation
Chapter 6
Chapter 6 opens with the Lamb beginning to open the seals on the
book. This beginning causes the noise of thunder. The first four
seals revealed four horses, white, red, black, and pale
respectively, each with a rider upon it.
This white horse comes on peacefully with a bow but no arrows, but
it conquers and goes forth to conquer. This seal appears to be a
power that is not in natural weapons, but rather a rule or influence
that has the support of the government of this world. In studying
the book of Daniel, one will find the image (Dan. 2) and the 4 beast
(Dan. 7) which describes the 4 literal kingdoms that have ruled this
world. What is interesting is that the 4th kingdom (Roman) never
died but rather went into perdition. This seal would seem to show us
the rise again of this Roman Empire spirit, but, this time, in the
form of a religious mode. If one studies one will find that it was
customary in the Roman army the victor would return home riding on a
white horse.
The red horse seems to indicate bloodshed and/or warfare. This color
represents wrath and anger causing heated passion and violent
emotion. This seal probably is tied into communism. It is the power
drive and authority which will enforce the desires of the
antichrist.
The black horse represents world-wide famine and shortage of food.
Under this seal will probably come programs to ration and distribute
food on a world-wide basis, thus, moving us just one step closer to
the complete takeover of the beast.
The pale horse represents a period of tremendous loss of life. These
deaths come about by war, famine, and even creation turning on man.
One fourth of all the earth will die during this period.
The conclusion of these four seals is that God is bringing judgment
acts over a sinful and antagonistic world. These acts of judgment
seems to be in a general sense of the work, either for good or for
evil. The purpose seems to be for the chastising of man. It also
becomes clear that, just as Israel had to face the first portion of
the plagues of Egypt, so must the church during this period.
As
the 5th seal is opened, we see the souls of those who had died for
the gospel crying from under the altar to be avenged, but they were
told that they would have to wait until those of the end-time church
would complete their mission which included being killed for the
truth.
The opening of the 6th seal ushers in tremendous acts of nature and creation
becoming unkind to man. The devastation will be so intense that men
will cry for the rocks and mountains to fall and hide them from the
presence of God, yet we find no repentance.
Revelation
Chapter 7
This chapter begins with telling us that the events that will be
described take place after the first six seals and before the
seventh seal. The events begin with four angels standing on the four
corners of the earth holding the four winds of the earth. This is
symbolic in nature in that it represents the power that God has
given to them to administer over nature. They are instructed to hold
their power and not hurt the earth until the servants of God have
been sealed in their foreheads. It further tells us who these
servants of God are — all the tribes of Israel. Now what this
passage is really telling us is that God is going to turn back to
Israel at this time with a tremendous revival that will usher them
into the mainstream of the church. This will set them up for the
70th week prophesied by Daniel that will consummate, or complete
their punishment for sin, and graft them back in to the tree. This
passage describes in detail that there are 144,000, 12,000 from each
tribe, all Jews. This gives us convincing proof that God is going to
turn back to the Jew and Israel will be a part of the church, not to
be saved outside the church, nor for God to institute another plan
to save Israel. To teach such is to blaspheme Calvary.
Verse 9 tells us that "after this" John beholds in heaven
a great multitude which no man can number consisting of all nations,
kindred .peoples and tongues. This group "stood before the
throne" clothed in white robes and palms in their hands. At the
same time John sees all the angels, the 24 elders and the 4 beasts.
The first inclination would cause one to think that the church has
truly raptured and is with the Lord. However, with proper analyzing
one will find several problems with such a conclusion. First, the
"white robed" multitude stands "before the
throne" and the angels, elders, and beasts stand "around
the throne" and then fall "before the throne." This
shows us that the multitude is still not a part of this elite group.
If they were I see no need for, at least, the elders being there
because they are only representatives of the old and new testament
saints. You need no representative if you are already there.
Secondly, notice the difference that the two groups say when they
approach the throne of God. The multitude is still crying for
salvation while the heavenly host falls on their face
and worships God. There would be no reason for the cry of salvation
if we are already with the Lord. The truth is, the church in all
generations have presented themselves before the throne of God.
Thirdly, when we rapture, we will not meet the Lord in heaven, but,
rather, in the mid-way air for the marriage supper of the Lamb. Only
after millennium does new Jerusalem come down out of heaven.
In verse 13 one of the elders questions John as to his knowledge of
who are these dressed in white robes, and where did they come from.
John tells him that he does not know but would like to know the
answer. The elder informs John that this multitude are they that
have come out of great tribulation and have been washed in the blood
of the Lamb. It is interesting that we have not yet come to the
point of great tribulation. This period is after the seventh seal
has been opened which begins in the eighth chapter. From this we
come to understand two points. One, this multitude is not the
complete church but those who came through a certain period of the
church, and, two, this period has not even happened when John sees
it. It is in the mind of God as if it has already happen, but in the
future as it relates to prophecy. Verse 15 tells us that this group
is before the throne of God. To be before the throne means to be
remembered. It further tells us that God shall dwell among
them. The word "shall" indicates that it has not yet
happened.
The chapter closes with the statement that this great multitude
shall never hunger or thirst, weather will not affect them, the Lamb
shall feed them, and God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes.
Again note that these thing shall happen, meaning that it has
not yet been accomplished. This also means that the church is still
in existence on the earth. If not, there would be no tears or hunger
for God to take care of, for when we are with Him, we shall be like
Him, and the former things will be past away, and behold, all things
will become new.
Revelation
Chapters 8 & 9
Chapter 8 begins with the Lamb opening the 7th seal. This opening
causes such an affect on heaven that worship and praise totally
ceased for a period of one half an hour. This had never been before
nor will this ever be again, but the awesome events that unfolded at
the opening of this final seal was so overwhelming that even the
heavenly host had never encountered such a sight. John then sees 7
angels come before God and receive each
a trumpet. It would be worthy to note that no trumpets have been
given out to angels previously, which, again, makes one believe that
the church has not raptured, knowing that scripture declares this
event requires a trumpet sounding. Verse 6 tells us that these
angels prepared themselves to sound, meaning they had not sounded
but only went through the process of practicing to sound.
In verses 3-5, we find another angel before the throne having a
golden censer. He was then given much incense that was to be blended
with the prayers of the saints upon the golden altar which was
before the throne. This altar represents the altar of praise and
worship. With this mixture of incense and the prayers of the saints
on the altar brought forth a smoke which ascended up before God. The
angel then took fire from off the altar and put it in the censer and
casted it to the earth. This brought forth voices, thunder,
lightings and earthquakes on the earth.
At verse 7 we see the beginning of the 7 angels to sound their
trumpets. The first one sounds and hail and fire mingled with blood
fall upon the earth. One third of all vegetation is destroyed. The
second angel sounds and one third of all sea life is destroyed, and
one third of the sea becomes blood. The third angel sounds and the
star Wormwood falls from heaven upon one third of the rivers which
caused the waters to become bitter. The fourth angel sounds and one
third of the sun, moon and stars becomes blacken, and the days are
shorten by one third. Then John saw another angel flying throughout
heaven with a loud voice declaring three woes, and explaining
that these woes are the last three angels' trumpet sounds that have
not yet sounded.
Chapter 9 opens with the 5th angel sounding his trumpet. John then
saw a star fall from heaven to the earth. This star had the key to
the bottomless pit, with which he open. There arose smoke like a
great furnace and the air was darken. John then saw locusts being
released upon the earth. These creatures had the power and sting of
a scorpion. They were, however, commanded to only sting those men
who had not received the seal of God in their foreheads. They were
further commanded to not hurt the earth. We see by these
instructions that those who have the seal of God still remain on the
earth. Those who are hurt by these creatures will seek to die but
death will flee. The torment will last for five months. It seems
that God is only giving men an example of the torment of an endless
hell.
In verse 13 we find the sixth angel sounding. John then hears a
voice instructing this angel to loose the four angels which have
been bound in the Euphrates River. These angels were given an
army of 200,000,000 horsemen that were to go into the earth and kill
one third of all men. Their weapons produced plagues throughout the
earth that should have brought men to repentance, but those who
survived this terrible ordeal refused to repent or give up their
lifestyle or worship, which included devil worship, sorceries,
murdering, stealing, and fornication.
Revelation
Chapter 10
This chapter begins with John seeing another mighty angel coming
down from heaven. This statement again sets up the stage for where
the action is happening. John is and the scene is still on the
earth, thus indicating that no rapture has taken place. This angel
has a little book in his hand and the book is open. Some claim that
this book was the "Seven Sealed Book". I find some problem
with this theory because the events leading up has been the details
of events which occur at the opening of the seven seals. It also
seems out of context to reveal the book at this point, understanding
that we are between the sixth and seventh trumpet of the seventh
seal. This does not appear to be the proper place to introduce the
book. However, whether it is or not, we do have a similar set of
circumstances that exist in Daniel 12. Daniel is instructed to shut
up the words, and seal the book, even to the time of the end. (Dan.
12:4) Here in John's writings we find seven thunders uttering their
voices. John is about to write, no doubt what he had heard, when he
heard a voice from heaven telling him to "Seal up those things
which the seven thunders uttered, and write them not. It doesn't
seem logical to present this situation with the thunder without
coming to the conclusion that their message would be revealed at the
proper time. That time seems to correspond with Daniel's book and
probably was what was written in the little book that John saw.
One of the key verses to the understanding of Revelation and all the
words of prophecy is verse 7 of this chapter. This verse explains
that the mystery of God would be finished in the days when the
seventh angel (last angel) begins to sound his trumpet. What is the
mystery of God? The Apostle Paul tells us in 1 Cor. 15 that he shows
us a mystery; We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed,
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. He further verifies this in
1 Thess. 4:13-17. Jesus verifies the same in Matthew 24. In this
chapter the disciples ask Jesus what
will be the sign of His coming. Jesus reveals to them many
things they can look for, but reveals that one sign in verse 31.
That sign is a great sound of a trumpet. The conclusion of all of
this is that the rapture will take place at the beginning of the
sounding of the seventh trumpet and not before.
John
is finally told to take the book from the angel. The angel tells
John to take it and eat it up, and it will be sweet in his mouth and
bitter in his belly. John obeyed and it was so. John is then
personally promised that he will be delivered from his present
situation in order to go and continue his ministry to many peoples,
nations, tongues, and kings.
Revelation
Chapter 11
In this chapter we find the establishing of religious boundaries
which will exist in Jerusalem, namely, on Mt. Moriah, at the
end-time. It gives us strong proof that the temple will be rebuilt,
but, also, that the worship centers of other religious group will
continue to exist along with Israel's temple. In fact, Jerusalem
will, apparently, become the headquarters for Jews, Christians,
Catholics, and Moslems. This passage seems to be verified in Dan.
8:11-14, 9:27, and 12:11.
All of this seems to be leading us up to three very important
things; first, there comes a revival in Israel; next comes the rise
of the beast to full power; and, finally, the Lord raptures His
church.
Verse 3 tells us that God is going to send His two witnesses with a
ministry of power for 1260 days. These are the two olive trees
spoken of by Zechariah in chapter 4, that gives fuel to the end-time
church. They are men of God with the same anointing that Moses and
Elijah had. Moses was the law giver, and Elijah was a type of the
spirit. Spirit and truth is the power of the church. This passage
also seems to parallel Ezekiel chapters 37-39. These passages tell
us that Israel receives a great revival in the last days, not by
building back the temple, but by receiving the spirit of God. After
that, this mighty army of Gog literally comes to annihilate Israel
from the face of God's earth. But God has something to say about
that. He will answer with an earthquake, pestilence, overflowing
rain, great hailstones, fire, and brimstone, and the bloodshed will
be unthinkable. This army of Gog will consist of forces from Russia,
Turkey, Libya, Iran, Ethiopia, and possibly Iraq. Notice that the
true Arab nations are not involved. Only one sixth of this mighty
army will survive. It will take Israel seven years to burn the
weapons and seven months to bury the dead.
Only after the two witnesses have finished their ministry of
restoring Israel back to God through the revelation of Jesus Christ,
and the Jews are a part of the bride of Christ, does the beast step
forward in full power and slays these men of God. This is the first
mention of the beast in the entire Book of Revelation. For 3 1/2
days the bodies of the two witnesses lie in the streets of
Jerusalem. All the world views their bodies and rejoices. Its the
largest party the devil has thrown since Jesus was in the tomb. But
just like our Lord, these two come forth with resurrection power and
are "caught up." This is not the rapture but it does end
the second woe and the sixth trumpet.
Verse 14 tells us that the third woe (seventh/last trumpet) comes
quickly. This does not mean it comes immediately, but soon. This is
probably what Jesus was referring to in Matt. 24:22 when He tells us
that except those days should be shortened, there should no flesh be
saved: but for the elect's sake those days shall be shortened.
The seventh angel sounds in verse 15. The inhabitants of heaven
begin to respond with worship and makes declaration that the Lord
God Almighty is moving in His great power and ready to reign. Verse
18 tells us that the nations are angry and God's wrath is come. I
believe that this is the point of rapture. Dan. 12:12 says that this
period is 1334 days. There is no doubt that this is the time the
church will be with the Lord in the air. This is the Marriage Supper
of the Lamb.
What this means to the church is that we will go through the 3 1/2
years of the beast reign. This is the period of Tribulation. We
will, however, be with the Lord during the last 31/2 years of the
beast reign. This is the period of God's wrath upon this earth.
There is no such thing as a period of Tribulation and Great
Tribulation; but, rather, a period of Tribulation and a period of
Wrath. Tribulation is basically Satan's fury against the church, and
Wrath is God's anger against the beast, false prophet, and those who
received the Mark of the Beast.
Revelations
Chapter 12
This chapter unfolds as an allegory. An allegory is a story which
has hidden or symbolic meanings. Notice that what appeared was
"a great wonder in heaven." This means that it was a
heavenly vision. What this chapter does is take us on a history and
prophetic trip of heavenly history and prophetic ending of the
church.
The first thing John saw was the wonder of a woman clothed with the
sun, and the moon under her feet, and upon her head a crown of
twelve stars. She is also with child, travailing in birth, and
pained to be delivered. Verse 5 tells us that the woman brought
forth a man child, who was to rule all nations with a rod of iron:
and her child was caught up unto God and to his throne. Then we find
the woman fleeing to the wilderness, where God has prepared a place
for her. There she is to stay for 1260 days and will be fed by
divine providence.
The second wonder John sees is the war in heaven where Satan and 1/3
of the angels rise up in revolt. They are then cast to the earth and
stood before the woman as she delivered her child, for to devour her
child as soon as it was born.
The scene changes as a declaration is made in heaven that there is
now a redemption plan and the power to see it happen. The story
closes with the woman taking wings and flying to the wilderness with
the serpent trying to get to her and destroy her; but he could not.
This woman is Israel and the church, which is one and the same in
spiritual terms. The child is the sonship, the man Jesus. This
flight that the church takes is not the rapture, but, rather, the
promise that God is going to keep the church through the 3 1/2 years
of the Beast reign. He will feed us, like he did Israel in the
wilderness, even when we are not able to buy or sell. Verse 16 tells
us that even the earth will help the woman. We must also understand
that the dragon is going to make war with the church in the last
days. It is going to be a fight all the way, but the church
prevails; for God is on our side.
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