THE BOOK OF THE REVELATION – Chapter 8 – The 7 Trumpets

Episode 10

(These Episodes are meant to not only ask and answer the questions, “When, Why, How and What?”, but also the question, “SO WHAT?”)

Revelation chapter eight begins with the conclusion of the Seal Judgments with the breaking of the Seventh Seal and the ‘interlude’ seen in chapter seven. Then a strange thing occurs: “there was silence in heaven for about an hour”.

The Book of The Revelation – Chapter 8 – The Text

Revelation 8:1, When He (the Lamb) broke open the seventh seal, there was silence in heaven for about half an hour. Verse 2. Then I saw the seven angels who stand before God, and seven, [footnote ‘a], trumpets were given to them.

Commentary break: Scripture does not specify the reasons for this silence, but if it is kept in context of what has already occurred, it is doubtless, an ominous sign and a deafening hush.

Here are some possibilities for the silence in heaven of half an hour. (from Got Questions website):

 1) The silence in heaven for the space of half an hour is a sign of deep respect and awe in the presence of the Judge of all the earth. Just as earthly courtrooms demand silence when the judge is presiding, so does the heavenly courtroom. “Be silent before the Sovereign LORD, for the day of the LORD is near” (Zephaniah 1:7). “The LORD is in his holy temple; let all the earth be silent before him” (Habakkuk 2:20).

2) The half-hour silence in heaven is the result of somber reflection on what has just been revealed. When Jesus Christ breaks the seventh seal, the scroll of God’s judgment is fully revealed for the first time. Now all heaven can see God’s plan to judge the wickedness of the earth, destroy the kingdom of the beast, and set things right. All heaven remains silent as God’s righteousness is on display. At the sight of full scroll and all the judgments about to fall, the denizens of heaven take their cue from Job, who, faced with God’s awesome presence, said, “I am unworthy—how can I reply to you? I put my hand over my mouth” (Job 40:4).

3) The silence in heaven is due to the severity of the actions the Lord God is about to take. With the scroll fully open, heaven can now see the trumpet judgments (in the next verse, seven nearby angels are handed seven trumpets of judgment, Revelation 8:2) and the bowl judgments (which the seventh trumpet introduces). These judgments are more terrible than anything the world will have ever seen (Mark 13:19–20). The final catastrophes are about to befall the earth, and silence and stillness fill the time of tense expectation. “Be silent, all flesh, before the LORD, for he has roused Himself from his holy dwelling” (Zechariah 2:13, ESV).

In a way, the silence in heaven could be seen as the calm before the storm—the storm of final judgment coming upon the earth. The silence emphasizes the importance and impressiveness of the seventh and final seal. With the opening of the seventh seal comes a climax in the Day of the Lord. Evil has had its day; now the Lord will have His. (End of Commentary break).

Verse 3. Another angel came’ and stood at the altar. He had a golden, [footnote ‘b’], censer, and much, [footnote ‘c’], incense was given to him, so that he might add it to the prayers of all the saints (God’s people) on the golden altar in front of the throne. Verse 4. And the smoke and fragrant aroma of the incense, with the prayers of the saints (God’s people), ascended before God from the angel’s hand. Verse 5. So the angel took the censer and filled it with fire from the altar, and hurled it to the earth; and there were peals of thunder and loud rumblings and sounds and flashes of lightning and an earthquake.

Commentary break: Verses 3 through 5 are ripe with significant symbolism. Please use the “footnote links” for details. However, for the imaginative mind, just read these verses as God’s opening salvos of the final war.  It would be as if God were ‘softening up’ the front lines of the enemy’s forces, in preparation for His final assault and the absolute victory over the Dragon and the Beasts of the earth,

(a.)  In Revelation 13, John sees a nightmarish vision of a dragon and two beasts.

 The first Beast comes out of the sea and receives power from the dragon, or Satan. This beast is a true monstrosity: “It had ten horns and seven heads, with ten crowns on its horns, and on each head a blasphemous name. The beast I saw resembled a leopard, but had feet like those of a bear and a mouth like that of a lion” (Revelation 13:1–2). Daniel’s vision of the beast is similar in many ways to John’s (Daniel 7:7–8, 19–27). Studying both Daniel and Revelation in tandem is profitable.

In Revelation, the term beast refers to two related entities. 

(a .) Sometimes “the beast” refers to the end-times’ empire. The seven heads and ten horns indicate that the beast will be a coalition of nations that rises to power to subdue the earth under Satan’s control.

 (b .) Later references to “the beast” in Revelation picture an individual, the man who is the political leader and head of the beastly empire.

The beast will receive a deadly wound and be healed of it (Revelation 13:3). He will exert authority over the whole world and demand worship (verses 7 and 8). He will wage war against God’s people, and he will prevail against them for a time (Revelation 13:7; Daniel 7:21). However, the beast’s time is short: according to Revelation 13:5 and Daniel 7:25, he will only be permitted absolute authority for forty-two months, (which are the three-and-a-half years that make up the second half of the Great Tribulation, also known as The Wrath of the Lamb. This will commence at or after the 6^th Trumpet Judgment and will conclude at the end of the 7^th Bowl Judgment.)

We believe that the beast in Revelation is the Antichrist, the one who will “oppose and will exalt himself over everything that is called God or is worshiped, so that he sets himself up in God’s temple, proclaiming himself to be God” (2 Thessalonians 2:4). He is also called “the man of lawlessness” and “the man doomed to destruction” (2 Thessalonians 2:3). In Daniel’s vision, the Antichrist is the “little horn” that rises from the head of the terrifying beast (Daniel 7:8). (End Commentary break).

Verse 6. Then the seven angels who had the seven trumpets prepared themselves to sound them [initiating the judgments].

Verse 7. The first [angel] sounded [his trumpet], and there was [a storm of] hail and fire, mixed with blood, and it was hurled to the earth; and a third of the earth was burned up, and a third of the trees were burned up, and all the green grass was burned up.

Verse 8. The second angel sounded [his trumpet], and something like a great mountain blazing with fire was hurled into the sea; and a third of the sea was turned to blood; verse 9, and a third of the living creatures that were in the sea died, and a third of the ships were destroyed.

Verse 10. The third angel sounded [his trumpet], and a great star fell from heaven, burning like a torch [flashing across the sky], and it fell on a third of the rivers and on the springs of [fresh] waters. Verse 11. The name of the star is [footnote ‘d’], Wormwood; and a third of the waters became wormwood, and many people died from the waters, because they had become bitter (toxic).

Verse 12. Then the fourth angel sounded [his trumpet], and a third of the sun and a third of the moon and a third of the stars were struck, so that a third of them would be darkened and a third of the daylight would not shine, and the night in the same way [would not shine].

Verse 13. Then I looked, and I heard a solitary eagle flying in, [footnote ‘e’], mid-heaven [for all to see], saying with a loud voice, “[footnote ‘f’], Woe, woe, woe [great wrath is coming] to those who dwell on the earth, because of the remaining blasts of the trumpets which the three angels are about to sound [announcing ever greater judgments]!”

It is clear from the final verses of this chapter, that another intensification of God’s Judgments, the likes of which the world has never been seen before, and never will again, are about to occur. These final Trumpet Judgments and the Bowl Judgments will serve, according to the context of the Greek language, as ‘a sundering, and a separation of right from wrong’, and the ‘Righteous from the Unrighteous’.

God’s ‘beach head’ has been, is being and will be established and the final assault for a complete destruction of the enemy force, is coming.

NEXT:  THE BOOK OF THE REVELATION – Chapter 9 – The Abyss & The Army of the East – Episode 11.

Your Brother and Friend,

Mike Young

PREVIOUS: The Book of The Revelation – Chapter 7 – Episode NINE

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The Book of The Revelation – The Day of The Lord – Chapter 7

EPISODE NINE.

(These Episodes are meant to not only ask and answer the questions, “When, Why, How and What?”, but also the question, “SO WHAT?”)

Revelation chapter seven is a continuation of the breaking of the scroll of SEVEN SEALS, but is interrupted by an interlude of events, setting the stage and making preparation for another intensification of God’s judgements upon the world. It might be difficult to imagine how much worse could things get, after reading Revelation chapter six, but Jesus explains, in Matthew 24, verses 21 and 22, that “For at that time there will be a great tribulation (pressure, distress, oppression), such as has not occurred since the beginning of the world until now, nor ever will [again]. And if those days [of tribulation] had not been cut short, no human life would be saved; but for the sake of the elect (God’s chosen ones) those days will be shortened.”

NOTE: A question to be asked at this point is, ‘If Christians will have been removed from the earth through the Rapture, why continue this narrative. It would seem that the redeemed are now safe in heaven and those left are doomed to destruction; so there would be no one left to know these things nor to have any recourse’.

This is to let all of humanity, who are willing to know, the sequence of events to come, presumably, so we can prepare ourselves. And what is to come is nothing if it is not astounding as it will be, literally, earthshaking!

Additionally, there apparently will be some who will have the opportunity to be saved during the period between the last two Seal Judgements, and up until the 6^th Tribulation Trumpet, known as the Great and Terrible Day of the Lord. It is perhaps for this reason the narrative continues, offering hope until the last moment.

It is at the 6^th Trumpet that God’s mercy ends and no one else is to be saved from God’s wrath and destruction. “The rest of mankind, who were not killed by these plagues, did not repent even then of the works of their hands, so as to cease worshiping and paying homage to the demons and the idols of gold and of silver and of bronze and of stone and of wood, which can neither see nor hear nor walk; and they did not repent of their murders nor of their sorceries (drugs, intoxications) nor of their [sexual] immorality nor of their thefts. (see Revelation 9, verses 20 and 21.)

The Book of the Revelation – Chapter 7 – The text

The Interlude

Revelation 7:1, After this I saw four angels stationed at the four corners of the earth, holding back the, [footnote ‘a’], four winds of the earth so that no wind would blow on the earth or on the sea or on any tree. Verse 2. Then I saw another angel coming up from the rising of the sun, holding the seal of the living God; and with a loud voice he called out to the four angels to whom it was granted [to have authority and power] to harm the earth and the sea, verse 3, saying, “Do not harm the earth nor the sea nor the trees until we, [footnote ‘b’], seal (mark) the bond-servants of our God on their foreheads.”

Commentary break: Simply put, the ‘four corners of the earth’ signifies the entire earth, from north to south, east to west.

Everything comes to a stop, it seems. And, here is what would happen, (according to an article found on the weather channel), it the winds stopped blowing:

“It would rarely rain in inland locations (wind moves moist air over dry spots and falls as rain). All land not near a body of water would turn into a desert.

“There would be more extreme temperatures (the warm/cold air over the ground would not be replaced by the steady temperature air of the oceans and seas).

“The trade winds would no longer exist, and ocean stream currents would eventually stop. This would to serious climate changes. (The Gulf Stream keeps Europe warm).”

“After a few days the problem arrives. Without wind systems, warm, moist air won’t move around. Water might still evaporate, but it won’t travel, meaning anywhere away from a large body of water will dry up. Lakes might be alright as the evaporating water will fall back into them and the sea will be fine but anywhere else will get very dry, very quickly. Plants, animals and humans will slowly die from dehydration with most water inaccessible as salt water or ice. Even if we survive this, the problems don’t stop. The equator will no longer shed its heat as quickly, so it will become very warm, mountains may remain cool enough to be habitable but nowhere else will. At the same time, the poles, deprived of heat from the equator, will freeze solid.” Science is finally saying what the Bible has been saying for centuries.

This pause, apparently ends after the sealing of the bond-servants of God, according to verse 3. (End commentary).

 The 144,000.

Verse 4. And I heard how many were sealed, a hundred and forty-four thousand; [twelve thousand] sealed from, [footnote ‘c’], every tribe of the sons of Israel:

Verse 5. Twelve thousand were sealed from the tribe of Judah, twelve thousand from the tribe of Reuben, twelve thousand from the tribe of Gad,

verse 6, twelve thousand from the tribe of Asher, twelve thousand from the tribe of Naphtali, twelve thousand from the tribe of Manasseh,

verse 7, twelve thousand from the tribe of Simeon, twelve thousand from the tribe of Levi, twelve thousand from the tribe of Issachar,

verse 8, twelve thousand from the tribe of Zebulun, twelve thousand from the tribe of Joseph, and twelve thousand from the tribe of Benjamin were sealed (marked, redeemed, protected).

A Multitude from the Tribulation

Verse 9. After these things I looked, and this is what I saw: a vast multitude which no one could count, [gathered] from every nation and from all the tribes and peoples and languages [of the earth], standing before the throne and before the Lamb (Christ), dressed in white robes, with, [footnote ‘d’], palm branches in their hands; verse 10, and in a loud voice they cried out, saying,

“Salvation [belongs] to our God who is seated on the throne, and to the Lamb [our salvation is the Trinity’s to give, and to God the Trinity we owe our deliverance].” Verse 11. And all the angels were standing around the throne and around the [twenty-four] elders and the four living creatures; and they fell to their faces before the throne and worshiped God, verse 12, saying,

“Amen! Blessing and glory and majesty and wisdom and thanksgiving and honor and power and might belong to our God forever and ever. Amen.”

Verse 13. Then one of the elders responded, saying to me, “These who are dressed in the long white robes–who are they, and from where did they come?” Verse 14. I said to him, “My lord, you know [the answer].” And he said to me, “These are the people who come out of the great tribulation (persecution), and they have washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb [because of His atoning sacrifice]. Verse 15. For this reason, they are [standing] before the throne of God; and they serve Him [in worship] day and night in His temple; and He who sits on the throne will, [footnote ‘e’], spread His tabernacle over them and shelter and protect them [with His presence].

Commentary break: These are debated verses. Some will say that this is a peek, forward in time, after the one hundred forty-four thousand from the twelve tribes of Israel have completed their task of evangelizing the nation of Israel and bringing untold numbers to salvation through faith in Christ Jesus.

 However, and first, the number of Jews, alive and on the earth at any imaginable time are certainly ‘countable’. These verses say, first, it is to be “a vast multitude which no one could count”; and secondly they say these people come “from every nation and from all the tribes and peoples and languages [of the earth]”, clearly not exclusively Jews.

 Third, this is an amazing picture of the sudden appearance of “a vast multitude which, (a), no one could count, (and, b), from every nation and from all the tribes and peoples and languages [of the earth]” – A perfect and clear depiction of the Rapture!

 Finally, this is spoken of as being “after these things”, referring to as having come after the interlude; again, clearly not later as seen in Revelation chapter 14, when the one hundred forty-four thousand from the 12 tribes of Israel are with The Lamb (Jesus), which is the period following the 6^th Tribulation Trumpet. This is when the Angel is proclaiming the Gospel, announcing the fall and destruction of Babylon, the doom of the Beast, and the final reaping of the earth, and judgement, both for the righteous to salvation and the unrighteous for judegment and destruction. This is the period just prior to the final 7 Bowl judgements, the Wrath of the Lamb. (End of Commentary).

Verse 16. They will hunger no longer, nor thirst anymore; nor will the sun, [footnote ‘f’], beat down on them, nor any [scorching] heat; verse 17, for the Lamb who is in the center of the throne will be their Shepherd, and He will guide them to springs of the waters of life; and God will wipe every tear from their eyes [giving them eternal comfort].”

Commentary break: After the gathering of “a vast multitude which no one could count, gathered from every nation and from all the tribes and peoples and languages, standing before the throne and before the Lamb (Christ), dressed in white robes, with palm branches in their hands; and in a loud voice they cried out, saying, “Salvation to our God who is seated on the throne, and to the Lamb”,

Verse 16 tells us, IN THE FUTURE TENSE, that, “They will hunger no longer, nor thirst anymore; nor will the sun beat down on them, nor any heat; for the Lamb who is in the center of the throne will be their Shepherd, and He will guide them to springs of the waters of life; and God will wipe every tear from their eyes.” This is an event yet to come. It is found, later, in Revelation 21, verse 4.

THE GREAT FALLING AWAY (APOSTASY) & THE REVEALING OF THE ANTICHRIST, THE MAN OF LAWLESSNESS.

It is important to understand the time of breaking of the 6^th Tribulation Seal is near, and in fact is upon us, and that you and I, as Christians, must be ready and found doing what Jesus has commanded.

All the necessary prophecies leading up to Jesus’ return, have been fulfilled, WITH THE EXCEPTION OF:

(1 .) The great falling away, the great apostasy: 2 Thessalonians 2, verses 1 through 4, “Now in regard to the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ and our gathering together to meet Him, we ask you, brothers and sisters, not to be quickly unsettled or alarmed either by a [so-called prophetic revelation of a] spirit or a message or a letter [alleged to be] from us, to the effect that the day of the Lord has [already] come. Let no one in any way deceive or entrap you, for that day will not come unless the apostasy comes first [that is, the great rebellion, the abandonment of the faith by professed Christians], (which is occurring now, in this 21^st century, in the year of 2024),

(2. ) and, the man of lawlessness is revealed, the son of destruction [the Antichrist, the one who is destined to be destroyed], who opposes and exalts himself [so proudly and so insolently] above every so-called god or object of worship, so that he [actually enters and] takes his seat in the temple of God, publicly proclaiming that he himself is God.

We have been warned. We must be prepared. We must stay ready.

Your Brother and Friend,

Mike Young

NEXT: (coming soon). THE BOOK OF THE REVELATION – Chapter 8 – The 7 Trumpets – Episode 10.

PREVIOUS:  The Book of The Revelation – The Seven Seals of The Scroll – Chapter 6 – Episode 8

The Book of The Revelation – The Scrolls – Chapter 5

EPISODE SEVEN

(These Episodes are meant to not only ask and answer the questions, “When, Why, How and What?”, but also the question, “SO WHAT?”)

The significance of the announcement made in this chapter cannot be overstated. It begins with an image of Jesus sitting on His Throne with the scroll with seven seals in His right hand, and a strong angel asks ‘who is worthy to open the scroll?’ and no one in heaven, on or beneath the earth is found to be worthy. Then it is proclaimed that Jesus alone is deemed worthy to break the seals of the scroll. Then all those in attendance bow before Jesus and break into praise and worship Him, and His Works. This is the opening scene to the final act of God’s Journey of Perfection! This is also our model for praise, worship, adoration and thanks to the One Who is Worthy!

The Book of The Revelation – Chapter 5 – The Scroll with Seven Seals.

Revelation 5:1, I saw in the right hand of Him who was seated on the throne a scroll written on the inside and on the back, closed and sealed with seven seals. Verse 2. And I saw a strong angel announcing with a loud voice, “Who is worthy [having the authority and virtue] to open the scroll and to, [footnote ‘a’], break its seals?” Verse 3. And no one in heaven or on earth or under the earth [in Hades, the realm of the dead] was able to open the scroll or look into it. Verse 4. And I began to weep greatly because no one was found worthy to open the scroll or look into it. Verse 5. Then one of the [twenty-four] elders said to me, “Stop weeping! Look closely, the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the Root of David, has overcome and conquered! He can open the scroll and [break] its seven seals.”

Verse 6. And there [footnote ‘b’], between the throne (with the four living creatures) and among the elders I saw a Lamb (Christ) standing, [bearing scars and wounds] as though it had been slain, with seven horns (complete power) and with seven eyes (complete knowledge), which are, [footnote ‘c’], the seven Spirits of God who have been sent [on duty] into all the earth. Verse 7. And He came and, [footnote ‘d’], took the scroll from the right hand of Him who sat on the throne. Verse 8. And when He had taken the scroll, the four living creatures and the twenty-four elders fell down before the Lamb (Christ), each one holding a harp and golden bowls full of fragrant incense, which are the prayers of the saints (God’s people). Verse 9. And they sang a new song [of glorious redemption], saying,

“Worthy and deserving are You to take the scroll and to break its seals; for You were slain (sacrificed), and with Your blood You purchased people for God from every tribe and language and people and nation.

Verse 10. “You have made them to be a kingdom [of royal subjects] and priests to our God; and they will reign on the earth.”

Angels Exalt the Lamb

Verse 11. Then I looked, and I heard the voice of many angels around the throne and [the voice] of the living creatures and the elders; and they numbered myriads of myriads, and thousands of thousands (innumerable), verse 12, saying in a loud voice,

“Worthy and deserving is the Lamb that was sacrificed to receive power and riches and wisdom and might and honor and glory and blessing.” Verse 13. And I heard every created thing that is in heaven or on earth or under the earth [in Hades, the realm of the dead] or on the sea, and everything that is in them, saying [together],

“To Him who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb (Christ), be blessing and honor and glory and dominion forever and ever.” Verse 14. And the four living creatures kept saying, “Amen.” And the elders fell down and worshiped [Him who lives forever and ever].

(End of Chapter 6 and its text).

Next, in Revelation chapter 6, (episode 7), Jesus breaks the Seven Seals of the scroll, releasing the first of seven judgements of the Great Tribulation, also known as The Great and Terrible Day of The Lord, and the coming Wrath of the Lamb, onto the earth, and into the lives of all His creation.

Please note: The books of The Revelation, as previously discussed, are not always in chronological order. So, I will do my best to refer to appropriate and relevant scriptural cross-references, at appropriate times, in an attempt to aid in a clearer understanding and of the order of these events.

For example, as previous explained in Episode 2, the tribulation seals, one through five, were opened as early as the birth of Jesus.  These first 5 seals were referred to as the ‘Last Days’, ‘The Last Times’, ‘The End of All Things is at hand’, ‘The End of The Ages has come’, “Jesus has appeared, once for all, at the End of The Ages’, by the Apostles Paul, Peter, Timothy and John and referred to as such by Jesus, Himself.

 In Revelation chapters 6 and 7 and 8, we will hear, read about and see the breaking of the Seals. However, scriptures show that Seals one through five were opened as early as the birth of Jesus through A.D 95. The Sixth Seal is yet to be broken (in our natural world).

 I do not mean to make this any more confusing than it already seems, but, to the casual reader, it would appear that Seals Six and Seven are ‘lumped in’ with the first 5 Seals, and would be broken in a quick series – which is NOT the case. That is why it is important to know that in the book of Matthew chapter 24, references to these verses are spoken in the present and future tenses, BUT IN THESE VERSES IN REVELATION, Jesus (through John) is speaking in the ‘AORIST TENSE’. The Aorist tense combines the past, present and future into one time frame. It is a view from God’s perspective of time. Jesus is saying that these things ‘have already happened, they are now happening, and will continue to happen’, simultaneously, all while He is speaking, and until He brings them to their conclusion. It is a truly a view from above. ‘That which was, is, and is to come’.

Your Brother and Friend,

Mike Young

PREVIOUS:  THE BOOK OF THE REVELATION – Chapter 4 – What Comes Next – Episode 6.

NEXT:  The Book of The Revelation – Chapter 6 – The End Has Begun – Episode 7.

The Book of The Revelation – What is to Come Next – Chapter 4

EPISODE SIX

(These Episodes are meant to not only ask and answer the questions, “When, Why, How and What?”, but also the question, “SO WHAT?”)

Revelation chapter four marks the third and longest section of the book of the Revelation and is the point at which it considers the future prophecies to be revealed.

The phrase ‘after this’ (meta tauta in ancient Greek) as found in Revelation 1:19 is repeated twice in Revelation 4:1 and is a link telling us that these are the things that are now coming after.

Importantly, these things are also written in the aorist tense, (which God’s view of time from a heavenly perspective, looking down on earth), where the past, present and the future are all occurring simultaneously – a view from above!

This is important because it reveals the reason the Bible primarily uses the present and future tenses in the books of the New Testament – except for the Book of Revelation, which primarily uses the aorist tense, when dealing with future prophetic matters relating to the tribulation periods.

The Apostles Paul, Peter, John, Timothy and Jesus, Himself, refer to the tribulation seals one through five, which Jesus called the ‘birth pains’ stage of the tribulation, as early as A.D. 30 through A.D. 95,

The breaking of the 6^th Tribulation Seal, marks the beginning of the second stage of the tribulation and the beginning of Daniel’s 70^th Week – also known as the Great Tribulation, the Great and Terrible Day of the Lord and the coming Wrath of the Lamb. This period includes Tribulation seal SIX, through the SEVENTH Bowl of Wrath.

God primarily uses the aorist tense in the Book of the Revelation to reveal those things that ‘have happened, are currently happening and will continue to happen’. (I.e., “That which was, and is, and is yet to come”.)

All of these points back (to around the time of the birth of Jesus) in order to explain the present and to point to the future and to “the things that come after”.

Now to the text of Revelation chapter 4:

THE BOOK OF THE REVELATION – The Text – Chapter 4

Scene in Heaven

Revelation 4:1, After this I looked, and behold, [footnote ‘a’], a door standing open in heaven! And the first voice which I had heard, like the sound of a [war] trumpet speaking with me, said, “Come up here, and I will show you what must take place after these things.” Verse 2. At once, I was in [special communication with] the Spirit; and behold, a throne stood in heaven, with One seated on the throne. Verse 3. And He who sat there appeared like [the crystalline sparkle of], [footnote ‘b’], a jasper stone and [the fiery redness of] a sardius stone, and encircling the throne there was a rainbow that looked like [the color of an] emerald. Verse 4. Twenty-four [other] thrones surrounded the throne; and seated on these thrones were, [footnote ’c’], twenty-four elders dressed in white clothing, with crowns of gold on their heads.

The Throne and Worship of the Creator

Verse 5. From the throne came flashes of lightning and [rumbling] sounds and peals of thunder. Seven lamps of fire were burning in front of the throne, which are, [footnote ‘d’], the seven Spirits of God; verse 6. And in front of the throne there was something like a sea or large expanse of glass, like [the clearest] crystal. In the center and around the throne were four living,  [footnote ‘e’], creatures who were full of eyes in front and behind [seeing everything and knowing everything that is around them]. Verse 7. [footnote ‘f’]. The first living creature was like a lion, the second creature like a calf (ox), the third creature had the face of a man, and the fourth creature was like a flying eagle. Verse. 8. And the four living creatures, each one of them having six wings, are full of eyes all over and within [underneath their wings]; and day and night they never stop saying,

“HOLY, HOLY, HOLY [is the] LORD GOD, THE ALMIGHTY [the Omnipotent, the Ruler of all], WHO WAS AND WHO IS AND WHO IS TO COME [the ever present, unchanging, eternal God].” Verse 9. Whenever the living creatures give glory and honor and thanksgiving to Him who sits on the throne, to Him who lives forever and ever, verse 10, the twenty-four elders fall down before Him who sits on the throne, and they worship Him who lives forever and ever; and they throw down their crowns before the throne, saying,

Verse 11. “Worthy are You, our Lord and God, to receive the glory and the honor and the power; for You created all things, and because of Your will they exist, and were created and brought into being.”

Revelation, chapter four, is rich with symbolism and the glory of God in His throne. It also introduces us to the place judgment comes from: God’s throne in heaven.

Revelation chapter 4 through chapter 19 is mainly concerned with God’s judgment upon the world, the period known as the “Messianic Woes” or the “Great Tribulation.” God’s judgments are announced by a seven-sealed scroll, seven trumpets, seven signs, and seven bowls.

Please Note: It is obvious from Jesus’ own words that this is a description of the tribulation periods and that they begin with ‘birth pains’ – which are not “the End”, and will progress to the blowing of the Great Tribulation Trumpet Judgments, concluding with the pouring out of the Bowls of God’s Wrath.

Please review the following words of Jesus, taken from the book of Matthew, chapter twenty-four and linked to relevant verses from the Book of The Revelation, which chronologically categorizes the tribulation from the ‘birth pains’ stage, progressing to the Great Tribulation, The Great and Terrible Day of the Lord tribulation stage, concluding with the Wrath of the Lamb Judgments:

See Matthew 24:4, And Jesus answered and said to them, “See to it that no one misleads you. Verse 5. For many will come in My name, saying, ‘I am the Christ,’ and they will mislead many people. Verse 6. And you will be hearing of wars and rumors of wars. See that you are not alarmed, for those things must take place, but that is not yet the end.

Continuing with Matthew 24, verse 7. For nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom, (also see Revelation chapter 6, verses one through 4), and there will be famines and earthquakes in various places, (also see Revelation chapter 6, verses 5 through 7).

Continuing with Matthew 24, verse 8. But all these things are merely the beginning of birth pains.

Continuing with Matthew 24, verse 9. “Then they will hand you over to tribulation and kill you, and you will be hated by all nations because of My name, (also see Revelation chapter 6, verses 9 through 11).

Continuing with Matthew 24, verse 21. For then there will be a great tribulation, such as has not occurred since the beginning of the world until now, nor ever will again, (see Revelation 6, verses 12 through 17, Revelation 8, verses 1 through 13, Revelation 9, verses 1 through 21, Revelation 11 verses 15 through 19, and Revelation 16, verses 1 through 20).

These are hotly debated matters by bible teachers and theologians. There are various views on why, when and how these events will take place. The differing views are often at odds and are often contentious, creating divisions within the Body of Christ. Notwithstanding, let there be no doubt that you are dealing with serious and powerful forces at work.

A mistake in your understanding and how you prepare and respond to these events could be catastrophic. You do not want to have to experience or endure the coming Great and Terrible Day of the Lord. Therefore, I would suggest you take each prophetic word seriously, and if you are to err, err on the side of extreme caution and in obedience to the Word of God. (Also please note that there will be some of those who are not raptured prior to the breaking of the SIXTH Tribulation Seal, who can be saved up until the SIXTH Tribulation Trumpet. But what you would suffer is hardly worth the chance of waiting. Accept God’s gift of salvation through faith in Jesus, now.

Your Brother and Friend,

Mike Young

NEXT:  The Book of The Revelation – Chapter 5 – The Scroll with Seven Seals – Episode 7.

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THE BOOK OF THE REVELATION – IMPORTANT DETAILS

FIRST THINGS FIRST

EPISODE THREE

Now that we have reviewed a summary of the Book of the Revelation, let’s take a step back and look at the most important details of this Book by taking  a more complete view and the actual beginnings or the Genesis of the Book of Revelation.

(By the way, a good primer for this essay, or study, would be the brief series, “The Journey to Perfection”, which attempts to lay out God’s full Plan, from Genesis to The Revelation, complete with an explanation of His purpose and His methods.)

In the beginning, God created. He began with the imperfect and created His Masterpiece. First in the heavens and then on the earth. His work completed in just seven days; He would allow His Masterpiece to mature for millennia until it became His Perfection. A journey of discovery and Revelation of God’s Grand Plan and Design, from creation through the End of the Age, then into a New Heaven and a New Earth.

God’s plan is unfolding exactly as He purposed; from The Creation, through the Garden of Eden and the Fall of Man to the Great Flood, the Tower of Babel, the Exodus from Egypt, the possessing of The Promised Land, the Destruction of the First Temple and the Jewish Captivity in Babylon, the birth, death and resurrection of Jesus, the Destruction of the Second Temple, our steady march through time has been exactly as Bible prophecy has foretold.  We have entered an era leading to the destruction and, eventually, a rebirth of the heavens and the earth.

The Purpose of God’s Eternal Plan is “Perfection”.  He is maturing and perfecting His people into His image, ultimately to live in Perfect harmony with Him and with one another, in a New and Perfect heaven and earth.

To Wit:  “Because by a single offering He has made perfect for all time those who are being sanctified.” Hebrews 10:14

Each and every chapter, verse and word in the Bible, when viewed within this context of  God’s Eternal Plan of Perfection, begins to make perfect sense.

Secondly, as God’s Plan and Purpose unfold over the millennia we can see the purpose of the coming Day of The Lord and the End of the Age as found in Daniel 9 verse 24 through 27. Here, The scriptures give an overview or a panorama of the timing of the events leading to the Last Days.

Daniel 9, verse 24 says, “Seventy weeks (explained in further detain in this link) have been decreed for your people and your holy city, to finish the wrongdoing, to make an end of sin, to make atonement for guilt, to bring in everlasting righteousness, to seal up vision and prophecy, and to anoint the Most Holy Place.

Verse 25. “So, you are to know and understand that from the issuing of a decree to restore and rebuild Jerusalem, until Messiah the Prince, there will be seven weeks and sixty-two weeks; it will be built again, with streets and moat, even in times of distress.

Verse 26. “Then after the sixty-two weeks, the Messiah will be cut off and have nothing, and the people of the prince who is to come will destroy the city and the sanctuary. And its end will come with a flood; even to the end there will be war; desolations are determined.

 Verse 27. “And he will confirm a covenant with the many for one week, but in the middle of the week he will put a stop to sacrifice and grain offering; and on the wing of abominations will come the one who makes desolate, until a complete destruction, one that is decreed, gushes forth on the one who makes desolate.”

The Timing, Place and Purpose of Daniel’s 70 Weeks.

It is important to place the approximate timing of Daniel’s Seventy Weeks whenever possible, and the 7oth Week in particular.

The “seventy weeks” prophecy is one of the most significant and detailed Messianic prophecies of the Old Testament. It is found in Daniel chapter 9. The chapter begins with Daniel praying for Israel, acknowledging the nation’s sins against God and asking for God’s mercy. As Daniel prayed, the angel Gabriel appeared to him and gave him a vision of Israel’s future.

The Divisions of the 70 Weeks

(NOTE: This section on the division of The 70 Weeks is detailed, very helpful to the serious student of eschatology but is very complex. It is intended to unravel a mystery of the chronology and timing of the final SEVEN weeks of the Great Tribulation. But if numbers and historical detail tend to confuse you or are ‘not your thing’, just skip down to the paragraphs titled ‘The Final Week of the 70 Weeks’.)

In verse Daniel 9 verse 24, Gabriel says, “’Seventy Sevens’ are decreed for your people and your holy city.” Almost all commentators agree that the seventy “sevens” should be understood as seventy “weeks” of years; in other words, a period of 490 years. These verses provide a sort of “clock” that gives an idea of when the Messiah would come and some of the events that would accompany His appearance.

This prophecy goes on to divide the 490 years into three smaller units: one of 49 years, one of 434 years, and one 7 years. The final “week” of 7 years is further divided in half. Verse 25 says, “From the time the word goes out to restore and rebuild Jerusalem until the Anointed One, the ruler, comes, there will be seven ‘sevens,’ (7 x 7 = 49 years) and sixty-two ‘sevens (62 x 7 = 434 years).’” (Forty-nine years + Four hundred thirty four years = 483 years.)

The Fulfillment of the 70 Weeks

Gabriel said the prophetic clock would start at the time that a decree was issued to rebuild Jerusalem and from the date of that decree to the time of the Messiah would be 483 years. We know from history that the command to “restore and rebuild Jerusalem” was given by King Artaxerxes of Persia 444 B.C. (see Nehemiah 2:1-8).

The first unit of 49 years (seven “sevens”) covers the time that it took to rebuild Jerusalem, “with streets and a trench, but in times of trouble” (see Daniel 9 verse 25). This rebuilding is chronicled in the book of Nehemiah.

Converting the 360-day year used by the ancient Jews, 483 years becomes 476 years on our solar calendar. Adjusting for the switch from B.C. to A.D., 476 years after 444 B.C. places us at A.D. 33, which coincides with Jesus’ triumphal entry into Jerusalem (see Matthew 21 verses 1 through 9). The prophecy in Daniel 9 specifies that, after the completion of the 483 years, “the Anointed One will be cut off” (Daniel 9, verse 26), which was fulfilled when Jesus was crucified.

Daniel 9 verse 26continues with a prediction that, after the Messiah is killed, “the people of the ruler who will come will destroy the city and the sanctuary.” This was fulfilled with the destruction of Jerusalem in A.D. 70.

“The ruler who will come” as referenced in Daniel 9, verse 26is a type or a forerunner of the Antichrist. Many ancient Jews viewed the actions of Antiochus Epiphanes as the fulfillment of Daniel 9, verse 27, which says, “On the wing of abominations shall come one who makes desolate.” But Antiochus Epiphanes was merely a forerunner to the ‘man of lawlessness’ who is to come.

The Final Week of the 70 Weeks

SIXTY-NINE of the SEVENTY “SEVENS” of Daniels 70 weeks have been fulfilled. One more “SEVEN” is yet to be fulfilled. Many scholars believe that we are now living in a ‘gap’ of time between the 69th week and the 70th week.

The prophetic clock has been paused, as it were. The final “seven” of Daniel is what we usually call the tribulation period. However, as the Day of The Lord has drawn nearer, it is becoming clear that the that the tribulation period known as the Tribulation Seal Judgements is separated into two stages.

The first stage includes tribulation seals 1 through 5, (which, as previously discussed, have been ‘broken’ or began between the birth of Christ and A.D. 95). These Seals are also known as the “the birth pains” as described by Jesus in Matthew chapter 24, verses 4 through 9.  Jesus clearly says of these Seals and of this first stage of the tribulation, that “This is not yet the end”.

But at the completion of Jesus’ description of these first five tribulation seals, He says, “This gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in the whole world as a testimony to all the nations, and then the end will come. (see Matthew 24, verse 14).

(It is helpful to note that Jesus’ description of the Seal Judgements are found, both in Matthew 24, verses 1 though 28, and again in Revelation 6, verses 1 through 11),

Jesus then continues His teaching by describing what comes at the end (of those days) in verses 15 through 28,

“Therefore when you see the abomination of desolation which was spoken of through Daniel the prophet, standing in the holy place, let the reader understand; then those who are in Judea must flee to the mountains. Whoever is on the housetop must not go down to get things out of his house. And whoever is in the field must not turn back to get his cloak. But woe to those women who are pregnant, and to those who are nursing babies in those days! Moreover, pray that when you flee, it will not be in the winter, or on a Sabbath. For then there will be a great tribulation, such as has not occurred since the beginning of the world until now, nor ever will again. And if those days had not been cut short, no life would have been saved; but for the sake of the elect those days will be cut short.

Then if anyone says to you, ‘Behold, here is the Christ,’ or ‘He is over here,’ do not believe him.  For false christs  and false prophets will arise and will provide great signs and wonders, so as to mislead, if possible, even the elect. Behold, I have told you in advance. So if they say to you, ‘Behold, He is in the wilderness,’ do not go out; or, ‘Behold, He is in the inner rooms,’ do not believe them. For just as the lightning comes from the east and flashes as far as the west, so will the coming of the Son of Man be. Wherever the corpse is, there the vultures will gather.”

The second stage of the Tribulation inaugurates The Day of The Lord, and is also known as The Great and Terrible Day of the Lord and the coming Wrath of the Lamb. This second stage commences with the breaking of the SIXTH Tribulation Seal and is followed by the breaking of the SEVENTH Tribulation Seal as described by Jesus in Matthew chapter 24, verses 29 through 31,

“But immediately after the tribulation of those days, (those days spoken of in the preceding verses), the sun will be darkened, and the moon will not give its light, and the stars will fall from the sky, and the powers of the heavens will be shaken. And then the sign of the Son of Man will appear in the sky, and then all the tribes of the earth will mourn, and they will see the Son of Man coming on the clouds of the sky with power and great glory. And He will send forth His angels with a great trumpet blast, and they will gather together His elect from the four winds, from one end of the sky to the other.” 

(These events are repeated by Jesus, in a similar order, in Revelation chapter 6, verse 12 through Revelation chapter 7, verses 1 through 17.)

(Special note: If you will look closely in Matthew 24, verses 30 through 31,  and Revelation 7, verses 13 through 17, you will see what appears to be, and I and many others have come to believe, is in fact, the rapture – hidden in plain sight!)

Daniel’s prophecy reveals some of the actions of the Antichrist, who the “ruler who will come.” Verse 27 says, “He will confirm a covenant with many for one ‘seven.’” However, “in the middle of the ‘seven,’ . . . he will set up “an abomination that causes desolation” in the temple. Jesus warned of this event in Matthew 24 verse 15. After the Antichrist breaks the covenant with Israel, a time of “Great Tribulation” begins (Matthew 24 verse 21, NKJV).

Daniel tells us that the Antichrist will face the severest of judgments. He will rule only “until the end that is decreed is poured out on him” (Daniel 9:27). God will only allow evil to go so far, and the judgment the Antichrist will face has already been planned out.

Finally – What Came Before?

Genesis 6, verse 5 gives us the first example of how God purges, cleanses and refines His creation whenever a universal state of worldwide and perpetual wickedness exists.

“Then the LORD saw that the wickedness of mankind was great on the earth, and that every intent of the thoughts of their hearts was only evil continually. So the LORD was sorry that He had made mankind on the earth, and He was grieved  in His heart. Verse 7. Then the LORD said, “I will wipe out mankind whom I have created from the face of the land; mankind, and animals as well, and crawling things, and the birds of the sky. For I am sorry that I have made them.” But Noah found favor in the eyes of the LORD.”

After the great flood God promised He would never again use a flood to destroy the earth.

However, 2nd Peter, chapter 3, verse 10, tells us that the heavens and the earth will be destroyed once again, but next time it is to be purged, cleansed and refined in preparation for our Eternal home and Kingdom with Him.

“The day of the Lord will come as a robber comes. The heavens will pass away with a loud noise. The sun and moon and stars will burn up. The earth and all that is in it will be burned up.”

This will come at the End of the Age, following the Great Tribulation which is also known as The Great and Terrible Day of The Lord.

NEXT:  THE REVELATION OF JESUS CHRIST – Chapter 1 – Episode 4

Your Brother and Friend,

Mike Young

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THE BOOK OF THE REVELATION OF JESUS CHRIST

EPISODE 1

(Presented In a Way So Even You and I Can Understand and Apply Its Truth. These Episodes are not meant to ask and answer just the question “What”, but they are meant to answer the question, “SO WHAT?”)

The interest, and yes, even the demand for teaching on the Book of The Revelation is on the rise. It has always been a wildly popular subject, especially among Christians.

The problem associated with teaching and learning about this Book is its complexity, and the odd and even weird hard-to-understand imagery, and that it cannot be studied and fully understood without references to scores of other scriptures throughout the Bible. The Book of The Revelation explains and foretells the history of all creation, from the beginning to its end. Its scarlet threads can be found woven throughout the prophet books of Daniel, Zechariah, Isaiah, Joel, Amos, Psalms, Zephaniah, and Ezekiel.

As a result, most of those who begin a study on the Book of The Revelation either quit before it is completed or they finish the study with more questions than when they began – and with very little idea of what to do with what they have read and heard.

This task not only seems monumental – it is monumental! It can be likened to the quote and answer, “How do you eat an elephant? One small bite at a time!”

The Book of the Revelation – The Run-up

A study of the Book of the Revelation cannot and should not be studied as a standalone book. Most studies of this Book normally begin with Revelation chapter 1 and verse 1, and will conclude with Revelation chapter 22 and verse 21.  Naturally, there are references and cross-references to other books of the Bible which must be made.

However, such a study should be done within the longer narrative of the entire Bible, its historicity, through the lens of eschatology. Otherwise it can be interminably confusing and bewildering, and subject to wide speculation.

As a standalone study, the reader or student can get the main points about God’s Judgements, humankind suffering, salvation and the ultimate destruction of evil. You would read about astronomical and physical cataclysms, great military conflicts, political intrigue, wars and rumors of wars. You can read to experience God supernatural intervention into the affairs of humankind, complete with unintelligible symbolism and imagery.

If, however, it is studied as part of the total narrative of God’s Complete Plan for His creation, from Genesis to the Revelation, you get a more complete understanding of God’s Plan, Purpose, Methods and Reason for the End of Days, God’s Judgements by way of The Great Tribulation, The Great and Terrible Day of the Lord and The Wrath of the Lamb.

All of which includes affects you, the reader, directly – as well as all the earth and its inhabitants, the heavens, and the entire cosmos.

The details and the purpose of the book of the Revelation will become clearer if taken in ‘small bites’ – even with the wild imagery, metaphors and the allegories used by an ancient people to describe futuristic technology and events.

So, at the risk of losing readers and students to these videos, I will start with an overview, (small bites), a 12-minute video on this exciting book. This is a 12-minute video, covering chapters one through eleven. A second video, found later in another episode, is also about 12 minutes long and covers chapters twelve through twenty-two. (After viewing these videos, please continue with the following Episodes).

‘Small Bite’ Video #1, An overview of The Book of The Revelation, chapter 1 through chapter 11.

NEXT:  EPISODE 2 –  THE ABBREVIATED LONG -VIEW OF THE BOOK OF THE REVELATION.

Your Brother and Friend,

Mike Young.

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The Revelation of Jesus Christ – Chapter 1
(And the OVERLOOKED Detail)

EPISODE FOUR

(Now we are going to the text of the Book of The Revelation, complete with chapter, verse, inserted comments and footnotes. These Episodes are not meant just to ask the question, “What”, but also the question, “SO WHAT?”)

Revelation 1:1, This is the revelation, [footnote ‘a’], of Jesus Christ [and His unveiling of the divine mysteries], which God [the Father] gave to Him to show to His bond-servants (believers) the things which must soon take place [in their entirety]; and He sent and communicated it by His angel (divine messenger) to His bond-servant John, verse 2, who testified and gave evidence to the word of God and to the testimony of Jesus Christ, even to everything that he saw [in his visions]. Verse 3, Blessed, [footnote ‘b’], (happy, prosperous, and admired) is he who reads and those who hear the words of the prophecy, and who keep the things which are written in it [by heeding them and taking them to heart]; for the time [of fulfillment] is near.

Message to the Seven Churches.

Verse 4. John, [footnote ‘c’], to the seven churches that are in [the province of] Asia, [footnote ‘d’]: Grace, [footnote ‘e’], [be granted] to you and peace [inner calm and spiritual well-being], from Him Who is [existing forever] and Who was [continually existing in the past] and Who is to come, and from the seven Spirits, [footnote ‘f’], that are before His throne, verse 5, and from Jesus Christ, the faithful, [footnote ‘g’], and trustworthy Witness, the Firstborn, [footnote ‘h’], of the dead, and the Ruler of the kings of the earth. To Him who [always] loves us and who [has once for all], freed us,  [footnote ‘i’], [or washed us] from our sins by His own blood (by His sacrificial death)—verse 6, and formed us into a kingdom [as His subjects], as priests, [footnote ‘‘j], to His God and Father–to Him be the glory and the power and the majesty and the dominion forever and ever. Amen.

Verse 7. BEHOLD, HE IS COMING WITH THE CLOUDS, and every eye will see Him (also see the words of Jesus in Matthew 24:30-31 as He speaks directly to His disciples about this very thing; and remember that this is the time that every eye will see Him and this is the beginning of His second coming), even those who pierced Him; and all the tribes (and nations) of the earth will mourn over Him [realizing their sin and guilt, and anticipating the coming wrath]. So it is to be. Amen. [footnote ‘k’].

Verse 8. “I am the Alpha, [footnote ‘l’], and the Omega [the Beginning and the End],” says the Lord God, “Who is [and Who always has been] and Who was [and has been continually existing in and from the past] and Who is to come [and Who had, by God’s miraculous timing, already come], the Almighty [the Omnipotent, the Ruler of all].” (When Jesus spoke these words in the Book of Matthew, He spoke of these things in the present and future tense. But now He speaks of them in the aorist tense, which has no regard for the past, present or future, as they are, in His timing, occurring simultaneously. For more detail, us this link, “The Signs of Jesus Coming.”)

PATMOS & THE OVERLOOKED DETAIL

Verse 9. I, John, your brother and companion in the tribulation (which has already begun as birth pains and will continue until the consummation of this age, as spoken of in the Book of Daniel) [footnote ‘m’], and kingdom and patient endurance which are in Jesus (and are how anyone can find the strength and resources to endure the stresses of severe trials, and persecutions with a cheerful, steadfast and patient constancy), was on the island called Patmos, [exiled there] because of [my preaching of] the word of God [regarding eternal salvation] and the testimony of Jesus Christ.

Verse 10. I was in the Spirit, [footnote ‘n’] [in special communication with the Holy Spirit and empowered to receive and record the revelation from Jesus Christ] on the Lord’s Day, [footnote ‘o’], and I heard behind me a loud voice like the sound of a trumpet, verse 11, saying, “Write on a scroll what you see [in this revelation], and send it to the seven churches, [footnote ‘p’], to Ephesus and to Smyrna and to Pergamum and to Thyatira and to Sardis and to Philadelphia and to Laodicea.”

Verse 12.  Then I turned to see the voice that was speaking with me. And after turning I saw seven golden lampstands; verse 13, and in the midst of the lampstands I saw someone like the Son of Man, [footnote q], dressed in a robe reaching to His feet, and with a golden sash wrapped around His chest.  Verse 14. His head and His hair were white like white wool, [glistening white] like snow; and His [all-seeing] eyes were [flashing] like a flame of fire [piercing into my being]. Verse 15. His feet were like burnished [white-hot] bronze, refined in a furnace, and His voice was [powerful] like the sound of many waters. Verse 16. In His right hand He held seven stars, and from His mouth came a sharp two-edged sword [of judgment]; and His face [reflecting His majesty and the Shekinah glory], [footnote ‘r’], was like the sun shining in [all] its power [at midday].

Verse 17. When I saw Him, I fell at His feet as though dead. And He placed His right hand on me and said, “Do not be afraid; I am the First and the Last [absolute Deity, the Son of God], verse 18, and the Ever-living One [living in and beyond all time and space]. I died, but see, I am alive forevermore, and I have the keys of [absolute control and victory over] death and of Hades (the realm of the dead). Verse 19. So write the things which, [footnote ‘s’], you have seen [in the vision], and the things, [footnote ‘t’], which are [now happening], and the things which, [footnote ‘u’], will take place after these things. Verse 20. As for the mystery of the seven stars which you saw in My right hand, and the seven golden lampstands: the seven stars are the angels (divine messengers, [footnote ‘v’]), of the seven churches, and the seven lampstands are the seven churches. (End of Chapter One.)

The Key takeaways in this chapter are:

1. John is telling us, his fellow bond-servants and the seven churches, that the tribulation has begun, and that he is in the tribulation at this time.
2. John is writing this letter to his fellow bond-servants in Christ to encourage them and to show them how to find the strength and resources to endure the stresses of severe trials, and persecutions of the tribulation, now and later, with a cheerful, steadfast and patient constancy.
3. Jesus loves us and has, once for all time, freed and washed us from our sins by His own blood, by His sacrificial death.
4. He has formed us into a kingdom of His subjects, as priests, to His God and Father.
5. John is telling us that this is our testimony in the tribulation, and it will be the reason for other to show admiration of Christ Jesus as we endure these trials.
6. John is writing to and putting the seven churches on notice, describing Jesus in images of His majesty and power.

Your Brother and Friend,

Mike Young

NEXT:  The Revelation of Jesus Christ – Letters to The 7 Churches – Chapters 2 &. 3 – Episode 5

PREVIOUS:  THE BOOK OF THE REVELATION – IMPORTANT DETAILS FIRST – Episode 3.

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THE COMPLETED VIEW OF THE BOOK OF THE REVELATION

EPISODE TWO.

This presentation is focused on the Book of Revelation but will begin by drawing content and information the Book of Genesis. It is meant to give the reader a simplified chronology and to abbreviate the highlight the events of the Last Days to provide an easier-to-understand study on what is coming to planet earth.

I will be using the NASB and the Amplified versions of the Bible for descriptive clarity and I will add commentary when useful. I will also be using  italics and bold lettering for emphasis.

Furthermore, I will not go into the detail of symbolism, the historicity or cultural, political, social, economic backgrounds or traditions, however, I am supplying Text Links to serve those purposes. They are important, and I strongly encourage you to use them).

The literary genres of the book of Revelation are apocalyptic and prophetic, and it is an Epistle (a Letter). The Apostle John, who followed Jesus Christ as His disciple (and earned the title of “the disciple whom Jesus loved”), witnessed His crucifixion, authored the Book of the Revelation between A.D. 90 and A.D. 95.

The immediate background for John and his exile to the Greek island of Patmos, is that Roman authorities were beginning to enforce emperor worship, and Christians who held that Christ, not Caesar, was Lord, were facing increasing hostility. John was writing the Revelation while a prisoner on the Island of Patmos, approximately 85-95 A.D., the site of a Roman penal colony) for his activities as a Christian missionary (see Revelation chapter 1 verse 9). Now, John is writing to the believers at Smyrna warning against coming opposition.

Some within the church are advocating a policy of compromise, which has to be corrected before its subtle influence can undermine the determination of believers to stand fast in the perilous days that lie ahead. (see Revelation chapter 2 verses 14, 15 and 20)

John is writing to encourage the Christian faithful to resist the demands of emperor worship. He informs Believers that the final showdown between God and Satan will soon take place. Satan will increase his persecution of believers, and they must stand fast, even to death. John informs them that they are sealed against spiritual harm and will be vindicated when Christ returns.

John’s purpose is to give hope to all Christians and to encourage them to watch for the triumphant return of the Jesus Christ and to warn of the Final Judgments of nonbelievers in the Last Days.

“Blessed is he who reads and those who hear the words of the prophecy, and heed the things which are written in it; for the time is near” (Revelation 1, verse 3).

Then, in Revelation chapter 1 verse 9, John makes a statement that should be shaking the modern church to its foundations, but it has been and is being ignored, overlooked or has been misrepresented by most Bible teachers – for decades. Read as John says,

“I, John, your brother and fellow participant in the tribulation…”

NOTE: Most Bible teachers in our postmodern age who will address this verse and these specific words of John will insist or imply that John is, in a manner of speaking, confused. They will say that because John has witnessed the martyrdom of his fellow Apostles, the severe persecution of fellow Believers, because of his advanced age and his isolation on Patmos, John is disoriented or bewildered, causing him to misinterpret the events and signs he is witnessing and the age in which he is living as being the Last Days and the tribulation.

Please, let me be crystal clear: any such interpretation of John’s remarks as being an error in John’s perception, is more than a mistake by Bible teachers and theologians. It is more than just an error in their judgment. It is an egregious and arrogant judgment on the Holy Scriptures. Furthermore, it is the blight of denominationalism to say that John, the bond-servant chosen by God, is confused, mistaken or insane. That is tantamount to accusing the Bible of error. To which I say, nonsense and shame! Here is what the Bible says: God chose John, His bond-servant, “to show to His bond-servants, the things which must soon take place; and He sent and communicated it by His angel to His bond-servant John, ² who testified to the word of God and to the testimony of Jesus Christ, everything that he saw.” (see Revelation 1 verses 1 and 2),

John’s remarks and testimony are true, accurate and without any error.

John is saying, and if fact is repeating what Jesus and the Apostles Paul, Peter and Timothy have been saying as early as A.D. 30, that these “are the Last Days” and the “birth pains” of the “tribulation” as represented by the breaking (or opening) of the first 5 tribulation Seals which will be followed by the Great Tribulation, also known as the Great and Terrible Day of the Lord and the Wrath of the Lamb, which will commence with the breaking of the 6^th Tribulation Seal..

Please See and read:

Acts 2:14-17, (the Apostle Peter), saying, “let this be known to you, and give ear to my words. For these people are not drunk, as you suppose, since it is only the third hour of the day. But this is what was uttered through the prophet Joel: ‘And in the last days it shall be…’

1 Peter 1:20, (the Apostle Peter), saying,“ He, (Jesus), was foreknown before the foundation of the world but was made manifest in the last times for the sake of you.”

1 Peter 4:7, (the Apostle Peter), saying, “The end of all things is at hand.”

2 Peter 3:3. (the Apostle Peter), saying, “knowing this first of all, that scoffers will come in the last days.”

1 Corinthians 10:11, (the Apostle Paul), saying, “Now these things happened to them as an example and warning [to us]; they were written for our instruction [to admonish and equip us], upon whom the ends of the ages have come.”

Hebrews 1:2, (the Apostle Paul), saying, “but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son.”

Hebrews 9:26, (the Apostle Paul), saying, “But as it is, Jesus has appeared once for all at the end of the ages to put away sin by the sacrifice of himself.”

2 Timothy 3:1, (the Apostle Timothy), saying, “But understand this, that in the last days there will come times of difficulty.”

1 John 2:18. (the Apostle John), saying, “Children, it is the last hour, and as you have heard that antichrist is coming, so now many antichrists have come. Therefore, we know that it is the last hour.”

Revelation 1:9, (The Apostle John), saying, “I, John, your brother and fellow participant in the tribulation.”

Matthew 24:4-31, (Jesus), describing a panorama and the stages of the tribulation and the Last Days.

(NOTE: I realize that some of what is being presented is a departure from the more traditional dispensational view of a ‘pre-tribulation rapture’.

Traditionally, the tribulation, The Great Tribulation, the Great and Terrible Day of the Lord and the Wrath of the Lamb, are all considered as one seven-year event, (which is also known as Daniel’s Seventieth Week). When these matters are studied and prayerfully scrutinized, the Bible serious student will find that the SEAL JUDGMENTS of the tribulation period comes in TWO STAGES.

First is the ‘birth pains’ stage of the tribulation as described by Jesus in Matthew 24, verses 6 through 8.

Then comes ‘the Great Tribulation stage’, which begins with the breaking of the 6th Tribulation Seal and concludes with the pouring out of the final 7 Bowl Judgments.

There are substantial studies on this view which I will offer at the end of our final episode.)

John gives a summary of The Book of The Revelation in chapters one through three, wherein he describes the details of the Revelation of Jesus he received as an apocalyptic vision from an angel.  In this vision John is instructed to write a letter to seven churches: “Therefore write the things which you have seen, and the things which are, and the things which will take place after these things”.  John, in this letter, gives a description of the seven churches, their qualities, strengths and their weaknesses. (This letter to the churches can be seen as a way to evaluate the strengths and weaknesses of any current-day church, and even your own spiritual state).

Then, in Revelation chapters four through twenty, John describes the spiritual realm, wherein Jesus Christ is the referred to as “The Slain Lamb” of God, who is the only One worthy to open the book with the SEVEN seals.

The SEVENTH Seal then introduces SEVEN trumpets, which bring another series of judgments. The SIXTH Trumpet Judgment marks the mid-point of the Great Tribulation, brings the death of one-third of the earth’s population, and marks the point in the Great Tribulation when no more can be saved: “The rest of mankind, who were not killed by these plagues, DID NOT REPENT” (see Revelation 9, verse 20).

Revelation 6, verse 16, Revelation 11, verse 18 and Revelation 14, verse 10, all mention the arrival of the Wrath of the Lamb occurring at or near the blowing of the 6^th Tribulation Trumpet.

Next are the final Seven Vials or Bowls of plagues to be poured onto the Earth. These fierce and final plagues demonstrate the Wrath of The Lamb and God’s holy judgment upon the wicked Earth.

John announces that the antichrist and the false prophet are cast into the Lake of Fire where they remain for one thousand years.

Finally, in Revelation chapters twenty-one through twenty-two, John describes the New Heaven and the New Earth and the holy city of the New Jerusalem where there will no longer be any crying or tears, pain, mourning, or death. (see chapter 21 verse 1).

Those whose names are written in the Lamb’s book of life will enter and will live eternally with Jesus Christ. (see Revelation chapter 22 verse 17).

Here is Small Bite’ Video #2. An overview of The Book of The Revelation, chapter 12 through chapter 22. (created by The Bible Project. After viewing these videos, please continue with the following Episodes).

NEXT:  (coming soon). THE BOOK OF THE REVELATION – FIRST THINGS FIRST – EPISODE 3.

Your Brother and Friend,

Mike Young.

PREVIOUS: The Revelation of Jesus Christ – that even you and I can understand and use immediately – Episode 1

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