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THE SONG OF MOSES AND THE LAMB #53

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THE SONG OF MOSES AND THE LAMB #53

REVELON BOOK“And I saw another sign in heaven, great and marvellous, seven angels having the seven last plagues; for in them is filled up the wrath of God.”  (Revelation 15:1).

 John sees “another sign” in heaven. This is the third “sign” or “wonder” according to John. In chapter 12, the sun-clad woman was a great wonder symbolizing Israel. In the same chapter, a great red dragon was a sign of Satan. Here in chapter 15 the vision of the seven angels with the seven last plagues is described as a “great sign.”  These vials contain the last of the wrath of God for that time.

 “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.  And they sing the song of Moses the servant of God, and the song of the Lamb, saying, Great and marvellous are thy works, Lord God Almighty; just and true are thy ways, thou King of saints.  Who shall not fear thee, O Lord, and glorify thy name? for thou only art holy: for all nations shall come and worship before thee; for thy judgments are made manifest.”  (Revelation 15:2-4).

John sees the heavenly courtyard surrounding the throne of God, and it gives the appearance of a glass pavement with flashes of light within it. The fire seen may be a reflection of the lightning which proceeds from the throne. (See Revelation 4:5-6.)  Standing on the pavement of crystal, are those who overcame the Beast by refusing his mark and his name and number. These are the martyred that had the testimony and the faith of Jesus Christ. They have harps which they play, and a song which they sing. The content of their song is in the text. Each stanza should be considered.

They sing the song of Moses and of the Lamb. Some think this song is the one they sang at the Red Sea. It is recorded in Exodus 15:1-9. Although there are many good arguments for that point, it seems more likely that the song in Deuteronomy 32 is the one sung by this redeemed remnant. No doubt the song of Moses and the song of the Lamb are the same. Moses predicted victory in Deuteronomy 32:36-43, and Jesus accomplished it.

At the Second Advent, Jesus will be King of saints and King of nations. He is not ruling as a king today. He was rejected by His nation, and the kingdom is now in abeyance. Jesus is never called the king of the church. The church is His body, and He is its head. All the nations which survive Armageddon will come up to Jerusalem from year to year to worship the King and to receive the Law at His hand. “And it shall come to pass, that every one that is left of all the nations which came against Jerusalem shall even go up from year to year to worship the King, the LORD of hosts, and to keep the feast of tabernacles” (Zechariah 14:16). (Note: this is proof that not everyone will be killed in the Tribulation. Even those who remain of the armies who came up against Israel will go into the Kingdom.)

The Fall of Babylon #52

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REVELON BOOKThe Fall of Babylon

  “And there followed another angel, saying, Babylon is fallen, is fallen, that great city, because she made all nations drink of the wine of the wrath of her fornication.”  (Revelation 14:8).

This is a preview of chapter 17 and 18 and will be dealt with when we come to those chapters.

The Third Angel’s Warning Of God’s Wrath And Of Hell

 “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,  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: And the smoke of their torment ascendeth up for ever and ever: and they have no rest day nor night, who worship the beast and his image, and whosoever receiveth the mark of his name.”  (Revelation 14:9-11).

This third angel, like the one with the everlasting Gospel, no doubt flies through the heavens with a message of warning. All who accept the Antichrist and his religion will suffer God’s wrath in hell. The Bible has far more to say about hell than it does about heaven. Hell is a real place with real fire and suffering, which lasts forever. It took the death of God’s only beloved Son to keep you out.

 The Blessed Who Die in the Lord

 “Here is the patience of the saints: here are they that keep the commandments of God, and the faith of Jesus.   And I heard a voice from heaven saying unto me, Write, Blessed are the dead which die in the Lord from henceforth: Yea, saith the Spirit, that they may rest from their labours; and their works do follow them.”  (Revelation 14:12-13).

You have heard of the patience of Job. Like Job, these will find themselves in the midst of Great Tribulation and suffering. God will be silent, and from all outward appearances, indifferent to the suffering of His people. However, those who know Him and His Word know that is not the case. God is a longsuffering God. He is not willing that any should perish. He will wait as long as His patience allows.

His saints are called upon to trust Him even unto death. God will keep His Word and show Himself faithful! These show their faith by keeping His commandments and having faith in Jesus, their Messiah.

Death by execution will possibly be a daily event within the kingdom of the Beast. God encourages His saints by assuring them that death would end their suffering and that their works will be rewarded accordingly. Notice that those who worship the beast die and spend eternity in the sufferings of hell, while those who worship God and die under the Beast, spend an eternity of blessings with a loving God.

The Second Advent and the Gentiles Nations at Armageddon

 “And I looked, and behold a white cloud, and upon the cloud one sat like unto the Son of man, having on his head a golden crown, and in his hand a sharp sickle. 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. And he that sat on the cloud thrust in his sickle on the earth; and the earth was reaped.”  (Revelation 14:14-16).\

This section ends with the Second Advent of Christ and the battle of Armageddon. In verses 14-16 the Lord Jesus reaps the “harvest of the earth.”

The Gentile nations are going to be “drawn” together to the battle at Armageddon where they will be destroyed as they fight against Israel. In Zechariah 14 God said He would accomplish this. (See Ezekiel 38, 39; Joel 3; Revelation 16:13-16; 19:11-21.)

We believe the harvest and the vintage are in the same battle. “I will also gather all nations, and will bring them down into the valley of Jehoshaphat, and will plead with them there for my people and for my heritage Israel, whom they have scattered among the nations, and parted my land” (Joel 3:2).

 This is the judgment of the nations in Matt. 25:31-46. God said in Joel 3:2 that He would plead with the Gentile nations concerning Israel. No doubt, some nations will listen to God and defend Israel. He will also plead with Israel, and a remnant of the righteous will repent and fight the wicked. “In that day shall the LORD defend the inhabitants of Jerusalem; and he that is feeble among them at that day shall be as David; and the house of David shall be as God, as the angel of the LORD before them” (Zechariah 12:8). The weakest among the nation will become as King David and fight for the cause of Christ. This, we believe is the battle spoken of in the above text.  

 The Second Advent and Israel at Armageddon

“And another angel came out of the temple which is in heaven, he also having a sharp sickle.  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. 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.  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.”  (Revelation 14:17-20).

We believe the harvest here is of the wicked within the nation of Israel because of the reference to the vine of the earth. Israel is repeatedly called a vine. See Isa. 5:1-5; Jer. 2:21; Psa. 80:9; Hosea 10:1; Deut. 32:32. God gathers the nation of Israel to the battle for its destruction. Only one-third will remain when this battle is over. “And I will bring the third part through the fire, and will refine them as silver is refined, and will try them as gold is tried: they shall call on my name, and I will hear them: I will say, It is my people: and they shall say, The LORD is my God” (Zechariah 13:8,9). (See Zechariah 14:14; Romans 11:25-29.)

The Lord Jesus will be involved in this battle. This assures us that these events are at the Second Advent. “Who is this that cometh from Edom, with dyed garments from Bozrah? this that is glorious in his apparel, travelling in the greatness of his strength? I that speak in righteousness, mighty to save. Wherefore art thou red in thine apparel, and thy garments like him that treadeth in the winefat? I have trodden the winepress alone; and of the people there was none with me: for I will tread them in mine anger, and trample them in my fury; and their blood shall be sprinkled upon my garments, and I will stain all my raiment. For the day of vengeance is in mine heart, and the year of my redeemed is come. And I looked, and there was none to help; and I wondered that there was none to uphold: therefore mine own arm brought salvation unto me; and my fury, it upheld me. And I will tread down the people in mine anger, and make them drunk in my fury, and I will bring down their strength to the earth” (Isaiah 63:1-6).  (See Revelation 19:11-21.)

It is obvious that chapters 15 and 16 culminate the wrath of God just prior to the Second Advent of Jesus Christ. There were three other accounts of His second coming within the book:

Chapter 6:12-17  Chapter 11:13-16  Chapter 14:18, 20

These plagues began under the seals and the trumpets. However, under the form of vials, they are greatly intensified. These events may take place just months or days before the Second Advent.

THE EVERLASTING GOSPEL PREACHED BY AN ANGEL # 51

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CHAPTER SEVENTEEN

 

THE EVERLASTING GOSPEL PREACHED BY AN ANGEL  #51

 “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,  Saying with a loud voice, Fear God, and give glory to him; for the hour of his judgment is come: and worship him that made heaven, and earth, and the sea, and the fountains of waters.”  (Revelation 14:6-7).

God is not limited as to how He gets His message of salvation to man. We limit Him when we assume that it must be done our way. God can and will use any means necessary to save man. We should take a lesson from Him.

               The wisdom of God is written in the creation. His wisdom and power are clearly visible to all willing to see. God has also given every man the ability to set standards of morality. This is demonstrated when we excuse ourselves, or accuse others. (See Romans 2:12-16.)

               God has always wanted man to be saved. Jonah was to be a witness. Israel was to be a witness to the nations. He gave the 144,000 to be witnesses. He told His disciples that they were His witnesses. The churches of the Revelation were to endure and be faithful witnesses unto death. They are to continue that which was started in the book of Acts.

               When it seemed impossible for men to witness and get the Good News out to others, God brought in his reserve preacher whose pulpit was the sky. God will use this special angel to proclaim a salvation message to the lost.

               This Gospel is called “the everlasting gospel” not because of its results, but because of the content of its message. The message is, “fear God…give Him glory…worship Him Who made heaven…earth…the sea…and fountains of water.” Nothing is said about believing on the death, burial, and resurrection of the Lord Jesus Christ. That Gospel is totally absent here.

               From Genesis to Acts, men were not required to believe on the death, burial, and resurrection of Christ. Not even Jesus’ disciples knew that message when they preached the kingdom Gospel! However, the Gospel preached by this angel was the same Gospel Gentiles were required to believe prior to converting to Judaism or Christianity. This is exactly what Peter said to Cornelius. “Then Peter opened his mouth, and said, Of a truth I perceive that God is no respecter of persons:  But in every nation he that feareth him, and worketh righteousness, is accepted with him” (Acts 10:34-35). In every dispensation, God has His message and His massagers.

THE RAPTURE OF THE 144,000 #50

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THE RAPTURE OF THE 144,000

Chapter 14 takes the reader through the entire Tribulation one more time. We have stated repeatedly that Revelation was not written in chronological order. There are seven independent events listed in this chapter.

               We leave the horrible events of chapter 13, which issue from the first and the second beast, the Antichrist and the False Prophet. That scene took place on earth. The opening events in chapter 14 take place in heaven. Jesus is seen standing in the heavenly Jerusalem on Mount Zion with His redeemed 144,000.

               Tim LaHaye thinks this scene is on earth, and he takes several pages to prove that the 144,000 here are different than the ones sealed in chapter 7. He says that, of the millions who have followed Jesus in this dispensation, some were never married and would qualify as the 144,000. He says that these are certain “elite” believers of the church age who have earned this special status. In addition, he believes they follow Jesus during the Millennium. He argues that they are probably different because of the differences recorded about the two groups.

               We disagree with Brother LaHaye and will give our reasons following the text.

 “And I looked, and, lo, a Lamb stood on the mount Sion, and with him an hundred forty and four thousand, having his Father’s name written in their foreheads. 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: 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. 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. And in their mouth was found no guile: for they are without fault before the throne of God.”  (Revelation 14:1-5).

               In chapter 7, a parenthetical chapter, the 144,000 are sealed prior to the opening of the first seal in chapter 6:1. It is obvious that they were sealed for ownership and protection. In 9:4 the demons are commanded to not harm the 144,000 who were sealed.

               There is no reason to assume that God sealed them for protection and then allowed them to be martyred later in the Tribulation. It is also illogical that God would mention two sets of 144,000 that were sealed. The Book of Revelation is not about believers of the church dispensation; therefore, these in chapter 14 are not from the church, the body of Christ, but are the same ones sealed at the beginning of the Tribulation.

               We are not told what the seal is. In chapter 14 it is the name of the Father. Whatever it means it implies their commitment to Him and His ownership of them.

               They are called the “first fruits” unto God. That is, they were the first of the Jewish nation during the seven-year Tribulation to be redeemed by God and set aside for a particular ministry. We believe they will be witnesses to the rest of the nation.

               John hears singing and harps playing in heaven, which sounded like the thundering of many waters. No doubt this was a beautiful and awe-inspiring sound. The 144,000 had the four beasts and twenty-four elders for their audience. The song is called “new” because it was never sung before, nor could anyone else sing it. Bible songs were an expression of some experience that had occurred in the life of the singers. Examples of this are seen in the song of Moses at the Red Sea in Exodus 15 and Deborah’s song in Judges 5.

“Then sang Moses and the children of Israel this song unto the LORD, and spake, saying, I will sing unto the LORD, for he hath triumphed gloriously: the horse and his rider hath he thrown into the sea.  The LORD is my strength and song, and he is become my salvation: he is my God, and I will prepare him an habitation; my father’s God, and I will exalt him. The LORD is a man of war: the LORD is his name.  Pharaoh’s chariots and his host hath he cast into the sea: his chosen captains also are drowned in the Red sea.  The depths have covered them: they sank into the bottom as a stone.  Thy right hand, O LORD, is become glorious in power: thy right hand, O LORD, hath dashed in pieces the enemy.  And in the greatness of thine excellency thou hast overthrown them that rose up against thee: thou sentest forth thy wrath, which consumed them as stubble.  And with the blast of thy nostrils the waters were gathered together, the floods stood upright as an heap, and the depths were congealed in the heart of the sea.  The enemy said, I will pursue, I will overtake, I will divide the spoil; my lust shall be satisfied upon them; I will draw my sword, my hand shall destroy them.  Thou didst blow with thy wind, the sea covered them: they sank as lead in the mighty waters.  Who is like unto thee, O LORD, among the gods? who is like thee, glorious in holiness, fearful in praises, doing wonders?  Thou stretchedst out thy right hand, the earth swallowed them. Thou in thy mercy hast led forth the people which thou hast redeemed: thou hast guided them in thy strength unto thy holy habitation.  The people shall hear, and be afraid: sorrow shall take hold on the inhabitants of Palestina.  Then the dukes of Edom shall be amazed; the mighty men of Moab, trembling shall take hold upon them; all the inhabitants of Canaan shall melt away.  Fear and dread shall fall upon them; by the greatness of thine arm they shall be as still as a stone; till thy people pass over, O LORD, till the people pass over, which thou hast purchased.  Thou shalt bring them in, and plant them in the mountain of thine inheritance, in the place, O LORD, which thou hast made for thee to dwell in, in the Sanctuary, O Lord, which thy hands have established.  The LORD shall reign for ever and ever.  For the horse of Pharaoh went in with his chariots and with his horsemen into the sea, and the LORD brought again the waters of the sea upon them; but the children of Israel went on dry land in the midst of the sea. And Miriam the prophetess, the sister of Aaron, took a timbrel in her hand; and all the women went out after her with timbrels and with dances.  And Miriam answered them, Sing ye to the LORD, for he hath triumphed gloriously; the horse and his rider hath he thrown into the sea.”  (Exodus 15:1-21).

               The redemption of these 144,000 is from among those on the earth and suggests a rapture. Throughout the Tribulation they have been on the earth. No doubt their purpose was to witness for God and Christ. They are now seen in the heavenly Jerusalem on Mount Zion. “But ye are come unto mount Sion, and unto the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, and to an innumerable company of angels,” (Hebrews 12:22). We believe they were caught up to that location.

               They are called virgins. This may be a figure of speech illustrating their purity, by rejecting the religion of the false prophet and keeping themselves from the immorality of that religion. Homosexuality will be prevalent in the religion of the Beast and the False Prophet.

               We believe, however, these are actual virgins. Jesus gave the parable of the ten virgins who waited on the Bride Groom. This special group was faithful in His absence and watched for His return. Because they were ready, they were called to “go out and meet” Him. This, no doubt, is the meaning concerning the 144,000. They are the fulfillment of the parable. (See Matthew 25:1-13.)

THE SECOND BEAST-THE FALSE PROPHET #49

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REVELON BOOKThe Second Beast-The False Prophet (13:11-18)

 “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. 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. And he doeth great wonders, so that he maketh fire come down from heaven on the earth in the sight of men, 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. 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. 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:  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. 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.”  (Revelation 13:11-18).

               Just as the identity of the Antichrist is unknown today, so it is impossible to identify the False Prophet. We are informed only of his character and his deeds.

               The beast (Antichrist), we are told, comes from a sea of people. As we have said, we believe the Antichrist comes for Syria, and Babylon. It seems evident that the “sea” consists of the kingdoms within the Old Roman Empire. However, the False Prophet is said to come “…up out of the earth.” Most agree that this is the land of Palestine. 

               Dr. Walvoord says the earth means he comes “out of the world, not simply out of Palestine.” Tim LaHaye says, “He will not be of mixed nationality; that he comes out of the earth (around Palestine) may indicate that he will be a Jew.”  Cohen and Kirban say, “This would seem to mean that he raises out of the ‘land,’ that is, the land of Palestine.” 

               It is possible that the False Prophet comes from the land of Palestine, but it is not imperative. Some argue that the False Prophet and the Antichrist must be a Jew or at least a half-breed. Again, we see no proof why that must be so, and we have read most of the arguments. 

               This beast (false prophet) has two horns like a lamb. He appears, to the masses, as a sheep; however, he speaks the words of the dragon. When he opens his mouth, he speaks a lie.

               Since religion is the opiate of the people, the False Prophet capitalizes on this to weld the people to the Antichrist and his kingdom.  He accomplishes this through miracles, images and executions.

               It is not uncommon for false prophets to have miracle working power. This is seen in both testaments. Two examples are in Egypt, and in the book of Job. Paul warned of this man and his deception. (See 2 Thessalonians 2:3-11.) Jesus warned of this person when He said, “Then if any man shall say unto you, Lo, here is Christ, or there; believe it not.  For there shall arise false Christs, and false prophets, and shall shew great signs and wonders; insomuch that, if it were possible, they shall deceive the very elect.  Behold, I have told you before.  Wherefore if they shall say unto you, Behold, he is in the desert; go not forth: behold, he is in the secret chambers; believe it not” (Matthew 24:23-26).

               We cannot be sure what this live image is. This may be a huge television screen like that on Times Square in New York. This live image could be a means through which the Antichrist communicates with those within his kingdom. He would also be able to see them through modern technology that exists today. We are not saying that this will be the case, but it is possible, and most likely. The internet with its web cams and virtual reality make this easy for us to understand the possibility.

               Those who do not comply will be killed or brought under subjection through hunger and privation. None can buy or sell without proper identification provided by the Beast kingdom. Each person must have a number, a name, or a mark. The constant threat of terrorist attacks will force the nations to institute a tracking system which cannot be foiled.  No one today knows exactly what that system or mark is, but it will be clear in that day. We hear much today about the ability to control nations through embargoes, and “freezing” bank accounts.  The Christian can see that everything is quickly falling in place for all these events to transpire.

Regardless, the false prophet is controlled by Satan, and will assist is the deception of the masses. We should note the he is also called a beast.