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LET’S STUDY REVELATION #26

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Revelation

The Sealing of the 144,000 –

This Vision is on Earth

 

 

 

Purchas my commentary on Revelation (232pages) https://www.opendoorbaptist.com/Bookstore/default.aspx
 

 

 

“And after these things I saw four angels standing on the four corners of the earth, holding the four winds of the earth, that the wind should not blow on the earth, nor on the sea, nor on any tree. And I saw another angel ascending from the east, having the seal of the living God: and he cried with a loud voice to the four angels, to whom it was given to hurt the earth and the sea, Saying, Hurt not the earth, neither the sea, nor the trees, till we have sealed the servants of our God in their foreheads.  And I heard the number of them which were sealed: and there were sealed an hundred and forty and four thousand of all the tribes of the children of Israel.  Of the tribe of Juda were sealed twelve thousand. Of the tribe of Reuben were sealed twelve thousand. Of the tribe of Gad were sealed twelve thousand.  Of the tribe of Aser were sealed twelve thousand. Of the tribe of Nephthalim were sealed twelve thousand. Of the tribe of Manasses were sealed twelve thousand.  Of the tribe of Simeon were sealed twelve thousand. Of the tribe of Levi were sealed twelve thousand. Of the tribe of Issachar were sealed twelve thousand.  Of the tribe of Zabulon were sealed twelve thousand. Of the tribe of Joseph were sealed twelve thousand. Of the tribe of Benjamin were sealed twelve thousand.”  (Revelation 7:1-8).

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his chapter is parenthetical and answers the question asked in chapter 6:17. The sealed ones are able to stand! John’s attention is now brought back to the earth where this scene takes place, prior to the Day of the Lord or before the opening of the first seal. The information here is part of the first looping parallelism; it takes us back to the beginning. The Tribulation is not underway prior to the sealing of the 144,000.

      The four angels standing at the four corners of the earth hold back the four winds so they cannot blow. These winds are symbolic of the judgment about to be unleashed under the seals, the trumpets, and the vials. (See Jeremiah 49:36; Daniel 7:2; 8:8.)  Not a leaf is disturbed while God’s servants are sealed for protection against the Beast and his armies.

      While the winds are restrained, another angel is summoned from the east with the seal of the Living God, with which he seals 144,000 of the twelve tribes of Israel. “East” speaks of those countries east of Jerusalem and is associated with the rising sun. The angel is sent by God from heaven to seal the 144,000. What the significance of it coming from the East is, we are not told. Perhaps it is the direction from which the Messiah will come.

      Chapter 14:1 tells us what the seal is. It is a seal of protection and ownership. It may be visible to man, although it need not be. The “locusts” of chapter 9:4 are able to identify those who have it.

      The sealed remnant cannot be killed. They will overcome all of Satan’s attacks and will be God’s mighty men during the Day of the Lord. If Luke 10:19 is to be taken literally, then it must apply to the 144,000. “Behold, I give unto you power to tread on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy: and nothing shall by any means hurt you.”   

      There are those who believe this remnant will preach the Gospel of the Kingdom throughout the earth and will perform miracles in Jesus’ name during that time. Like John the Baptist, they will be Christ’s forerunners who warn men of the wrath to come and to prepare for the King and His Kingdom.  If these survive the Day of the Lord and enter the Kingdom in natural bodies, we must assume that some women also are associated with them, or some other group. The Scriptures are unclear on this matter.

       Two of the original tribes are noticeably absent; they are Dan and Ephraim.Levi and Joseph take their place here. Most commentators believe these two tribes introduced idolatry into Israel and that is why they are not sealed (Deuteronomy 29:18-21). However, both tribes do enter the Tribulation and survive to have a possession in the Kingdom. (See Ezekiel 40:31, 46; 48:1-2, 32.) It is obvious that some, who are not sealed, will also survive the Tribulation and enter the Kingdom in their natural bodies. Women also must survive in order for the continued propagation of these twelve tribes.   

 

LET’S STUDY REVELATION # 25

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Revelation

  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

By Ken Blue

Purchas my commentary on Revelation (232pages) https://www.opendoorbaptist.com/Bookstore/default.aspx

 Events under the sixth seal parallel exactly with our Lord’s message in Matthew 24:27-30. Note especially Matthew 24:29. “Immediately after the tribulation of those days shall the sun be darkened, and the moon shall not give her light, and the stars shall fall from heaven, and the powers of the heavens shall be shaken.” This matches Revelation 6:12, “And I beheld when he had opened the sixth seal, and, lo, there was a great earthquake; and the sun became black as sackcloth of hair, and the moon became as blood;” The great earthquake is the one spoken of throughout Bible prophecy. 

       Notice also, the parallel between Matthew 24 and the six seals:

 
                                                          

Matt. 24

The Seals

  

Rev 6
4-5 1st The falseChrist 1- 2
6-7 2nd Wars 3-4
7 3rd Famines 5-6
7 4th Pestilences 7-8
8-28 5th Martyrdoms 9-11
29-30 6th Signs in Heaven of Advent 12-17

  Haggai speaks of these events in chapter 2:6-7, “For thus saith the Lord of hosts; Yet once, it is a little while, and I will shake the heavens, and the earth, and the sea, and the dry land;  And I will shake all nations, and the desire of all nations shall come: and I will fill this house with glory, saith the Lord of hosts.” See also Revelation 16:18. “And there were voices, and thunders, and lightnings; and there was a great earthquake, such as was not since men were upon the earth, so mighty an earthquake, and so great.” See Zechariah 14:1-5. This is the earthquake that will change the landscape of Israel. It may restore the Dead Sea area to the former glory of the Garden of Eden. As we have said, this event is just prior to the Second Advent of Christ.Vance Havner said, “The most expensive piece of real-estate will be a hole in the ground.”

  Up to this seal, the plagues and persecution has been man made, but at this point, the wrath of God is displayed. This is the Great Tribulation. At the Second Advent, all men will be reduced to the same level. Man will discover that his wealth, possessions, power, prestige, titles, and rank will be of no avail against the wrath of God.

 In the first four seals, the Antichrist pursues the righteous Jews to remove them from the earth. The souls of those whom he martyred because of their faith are under the fifth seal. However, everything changes under the sixth seal, and the Son of Man returns in power and great glory to execute judgment on Satan and his followers.

  The chapter ends with this question, “For the great day of his wrath is come; and who shall be able to stand?” (v. 17).  The answer is given in the next chapter. 

 

LET’S STUDY REVELATION #24

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Revelation

 

“And when he had opened the fourth seal, I heard the voice of the fourth beast say, Come and see. And I looked, and behold a pale horse: and his name that sat on him was Death, and Hell followed with him. And power was given unto them over the fourth part of the earth, to kill with sword, and with hunger, and with death, and with the beasts of the earth.”  (Revelation 6:7-8).

 

 

 

 

 

  Verse 8 makes it clear that these riders and horses are personifications. Each personifies events and conditions that will take place in the seven year period of the Tribulation. The white horse representation will take place during the first three and one-half years. The other three personifications transpire during the last three and one-half years of the Tribulation.

 In Matthew 24:7, Jesus says pestilences will be associated with the last three riders. Pestilences are described as a usually fatal, epidemic disease, especially bubonic plague. 

            As people are airlifted from one ravaged region of the earth to another, these plagues are only hours away from any nation. Disease and plagues have never been destroyed. AIDS is worldwide. Mad cow disease is taking its toll on the North American economy. The beasts of the earth are major carriers of plagues and disease. Fleas and mosquitoes are known carriers of many plagues. Rats are notorious for the diseases and the filth they carry. This may explain why the Philistines made images of mice as an offering for their trespass, which led to their plague. We are now hearing of the deadly Bird Flu epidemic, which may threaten the world. Each day’s news report informs us of a new and horrific disease.

            The fourth part of the earth is destroyed as this final rider comes through. If these plagues are worldwide, millions will die in every nation.

“And when he had opened the fifth seal, I saw under the altar the souls of them that were slain for the word of God, and for the testimony which they held:  And they cried with a loud voice, saying, How long, O Lord, holy and true, dost thou not judge and avenge our blood on them that dwell on the earth?  And white robes were given unto every one of them; and it was said unto them, that they should rest yet for a little season, until their fellowservants also and their brethren, that should be killed as they were, should be fulfilled.”  (Revelation 6:9-11).

            The fifth seal is set apart from the others. In it, John is shown those who were martyred for their testimony and witness. This is in keeping with the order given by the Lord in Matthew 24:9, “Then shall they deliver you up to be afflicted, and shall kill you: and ye shall be hated of all nations for my name’s sake.”

            This prophecy has nothing to do with the church of this dispensation. These that are martyred are Jews who will be killed because of their faith and hope. They will be martyred in that period which takes place under the seals.

            The prayer for judgment on one’s enemies is not appropriate in this dispensation. “Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves, but rather give place unto wrath: for it is written, Vengeance is mine; I will repay, saith the Lord.” (Romans 12:19).

            However, under the Law and in that which is to follow, calls for judgment on Israel’s enemies are right and acceptable. (See Psalms 74:9-10; 79:5-6; 89:46; 94:3-4.) “O Lord, how long shall I cry, and thou wilt not hear! even cry out unto thee of violence, and thou wilt not save! Why dost thou shew me iniquity, and cause me to behold grievance? for spoiling and violence are before me: and there are that raise up strife and contention” (Habakkuk 1:2-3).

            These events will transpire following the Rapture of the church. Many Jews will repent and accept Jesus as their resurrected Messiah. There will be a reorientation to the truth and they will realize that Jesus was their Messiah.  Isaiah 53 will become a reality to the remnant.

            They will realize their own blindness and rejection of Christ at His first advent. “…we hid as it were our faces from him; he was despised… we esteemed him not…he hath borne our griefs, and carried our sorrows… he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him… the Lord hath laid on him the iniquity of us all. …for the transgression of my people was he stricken” (Isaiah 53:3-8).

            Isaiah wrote this prophecy some seven hundred years before Christ was ever born. It speaks of Israel’s rejection of their Messiah at His first coming and their realization and repentance. “And I will pour upon the house of David, and upon the inhabitants of Jerusalem, the spirit of grace and of supplications: and they shall look upon me whom they have pierced, and they shall mourn for him, as one mourneth for his only son, and shall be in bitterness for him, as one that is in bitterness for his firstborn.” (Zechariah 12:10).  It is not speaking of individual Jews who are saved during this church dispensation. 

            The martyred are seen in the imagery of being under the altar. They have given themselves a living sacrifice for the Lord Jesus Christ. These are given white robes and told to wait a while longer until others give their lives as they have. The purpose of this vision was not for the dead, but for the living. This is a promise of their resurrection.

            This view of the altar, with souls under it, should not be taken literally. We need not think of beheaded souls piling up under an altar in heaven or on earth. Souls are not beheaded. “Souls” are used for “bodies” here. It is bodies that will be martyred for Christ. Thus “bodies” are used for “souls.” The altar typifies the sacrifice which these made. 

            This imagery is called a metonymy and is a figure of speech consisting of the use of the name of one thing for that of another, of which it is an attribute or with which it is associated. Hebrews 13:10 is one example of this, “We have an altar, whereof they have no right to eat which serve the tabernacle.”

            The altar of which these believers were privileged to eat was not the literal altar, but was the Lord Jesus Christ Himself. The altar is used for the sacrifice. Likewise, in Revelation 6:9, the sacrifice of the martyrs is used for the altar. The vision was not for the sake of the dead, but to comfort the living. The imagery is clear. The resurrection of all the Tribulation martyrs will transpire at the same time.

            The parable in Luke 18:1-8 should be read in connection with this seal. “And he spake a parable unto them to this end, that men ought always to pray, and not to faint; Saying, There was in a city a judge, which feared not God, neither regarded man:  And there was a widow in that city; and she came unto him, saying, Avenge me of mine adversary.  And he would not for a while: but afterward he said within himself, Though I fear not God, nor regard man; Yet because this widow troubleth me, I will avenge her, lest by her continual coming she weary me. And the Lord said, Hear what the unjust judge saith.  And shall not God avenge his own elect, which cry day and night unto him, though he bear long with them? I tell you that he will avenge them speedily. Nevertheless when the Son of man cometh, shall he find faith on the earth?” (Luke 18:1-8). Israel is the widow, and the adversary is the Antichrist who persecutes the (woman) remnant. God is about to avenge her of her adversary.

            Psalms 79:1-5 fits the scene on earth during the days of these martyrs, “O God, the heathen are come into thine inheritance; thy holy temple have they defiled; they have laid Jerusalem on heaps.  The dead bodies of thy servants have they given to be meat unto the fowls of the heaven, the flesh of thy saints unto the beasts of the earth.  Their blood have they shed like water round about Jerusalem; and there was none to bury them. We are become a reproach to our neighbours, a scorn and derision to them that are round about us. How long, Lord? wilt thou be angry for ever? shall thy jealousy burn like fire?”

 “And I beheld when he had opened the sixth seal, and, lo, there was a great earthquake; and the sun became black as sackcloth of hair, and the moon became as blood; And the stars of heaven fell unto the earth, even as a fig tree casteth her untimely figs, when she is shaken of a mighty wind.  And the heaven departed as a scroll when it is rolled together; and every mountain and island were moved out of their places.  And the kings of the earth, and the great men, and the rich men, and the chief captains, and the mighty men, and every bondman, and every free man, hid themselves in the dens and in the rocks of the mountains;  And said to the mountains and rocks, Fall on us, and hide us from the face of him that sitteth on the throne, and from the wrath of the Lamb:  For the great day of his wrath is come; and who shall be able to stand?”  (Revelation 6:12-17).

            This sixth seal takes us to the end of the Tribulation and the events which accompany the Second Advent of Christ. Therefore, in these six seals you have been given a general overview of the entire seven years. The description of the actual details of the return of Christ is reserved until chapter 19.

LET’S STUDY REVELATION # 23

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Revelation

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

By Ken Blue

“And when he had opened the second seal, I heard the second beast say, Come and see. And there went out another horse that was red: and power was given to him that sat thereon to take peace from the earth, and that they should kill one another: and there was given unto him a great sword.”  (Revelation 6:3-4).

 The activity of the white horse centers in theMiddle East and is a forerunner to that which follows. The unseen army of the red horse takes peace from the earth. (This probably refers to Israel and the surrounding nations.)  The nations fall apart morally and politically. Leaders are not able to contain the anarchy and the rebellion.

     These events will parallel the days of Noah prior to the flood, “The earth also was corrupt before God, and the earth was filled with violence. And God looked upon the earth, and, behold, it was corrupt; for all flesh had corrupted his way upon the earth. And God said unto Noah… the earth is filled with violence through them” (Genesis 6:11-13). Jesus spoke of this in Matthew 24:37, “But as the days of Noe were, so shall also the coming of the Son of man be.”

             The breakup of the nations will force them to join in alliance with the Antichrist. This will add to his power base, and call for the murder of all who oppose him. This is the “red horse” aspect of the vision.  “And they that understand among the people (Jews) shall instruct many: yet they shall fall by the sword, and by flame, by captivity, and by spoil, many days” (Daniel 11:33).

 “And when he had opened the third seal, I heard the third beast say, Come and see. And I beheld, and lo a black horse; and he that sat on him had a pair of balances in his hand. And I heard a voice in the midst of the four beasts say, A measure of wheat for a penny, and three measures of barley for a penny; and see thou hurt not the oil and the wine.” (Revelation 6:5-6).

             We must keep in mind that the intended purpose under the illustration of the white horse is progressing and continues under the imagery of the other three horses. Although they are presented chronologically, they are, to some extent, contemporary.

             The figure of black and a pair of balances speak of famine, “Our skin was black like an oven because of the terrible famine” (Lamentations. 5:10). This is exactly what Jesus said would occur in Israel’s last days. “For nation shall rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom: and there shall be famines, and pestilences, and earthquakes, in divers places” (Matthew 24:7).

             Famine always follows and accompanies war; factories are destroyed; fields are burned. Jobs are lost, and people have no means to buy what is available. Embargoes, sanctions, and prohibiting the movement of merchant ships in and out of ports lead to the starvation of many. The lack of rain, extreme heat, and cold produces famine. Millions are starving today in Africa. The price of petroleum and food are out of control, and no one knows where it will stop. This escalation will result in a price increase of life’s necessities. Although food will be available, most will not be able to afford the basics. Many nations will crumble from within and famine will follow. Should the surrounding nations place an embargo on Israel, starvation would result.

             The statement, “…and see thou hurt not the oil and the wine,” may be a point of sarcasm and irony. We need not assume that every nation and person on the earth will be penniless. While millions will be affected by events of those days, many will be rich and living in luxury. The book of James is a Tribulation book, and fits here. James 5:1-3. “Go to now, ye rich men, weep and howl for your miseries that shall come upon you.  Your riches are corrupted, and your garments are motheaten.  Your gold and silver is cankered; and the rust of them shall be a witness against you, and shall eat your flesh as it were fire. Ye have heaped treasure together for the last days.” (See also Matthew 25:” (See also Matthew 25:1-44.) The idea of not hurting the oil or wine mean: don’t upset the life style of the rich by calling their attention to the famines of their people.

 

LET’S STUDY REVELATION # 22

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Revelation

The events covered in the book of Revelation are spoken of throughout Scripture. They are described in Joel 1:15 “Alas for the day! for the day of the LORD is at hand, and as a destruction from the Almighty shall it come.” See also, “Blow ye the trumpet in Zion, and sound an alarm in my holy mountain: let all the inhabitants of the land tremble: for the day of the LORD cometh, for it is nigh at hand;… And the LORD shall utter his voice before his army: for his camp is very great: for he is strong that executeth his word: for the day of the LORD is great and very terrible; and who can abide it? The sun shall be turned into darkness, and the moon into blood, before the great and the terrible day of the LORD come.” (Joel 2:1, 11, 31).  “Multitudes, multitudes in the valley of decision: for the day of the LORD is near in the valley of decision.” (Joel 3:14).

             That time is called, “Jacob’s Trouble” (see Jer. 30:7). And in the Book of Daniel it is called the “seventieth week” (see Daniel 9:27). During that final “week,” the fourth beast in Daniel’s vision; the ten kings come to power. The Lord Jesus said it would be a time of trouble like the world has never seen (see Matt. 24:21). Therefore, these four horses represent the progression of sorrows that leads to the full-blown wrath of Satan upon the earth, which is primarily in the land of Israel, and directed toward the Jews.

In Matthew 24, Jesus’ disciples ask Him about the future signs of His return and the end of that age. His first warning was the need for vigilance against deception, “And Jesus answered and said unto them, Take heed that no man deceive you.  For many shall come in my name, saying, I am Christ; and shall deceive many” (Matthew 24:4-5).

The condition in Israel today is ripe for false messiahs’. The Orthodox Jews find themselves abandoned by their own secular nation as more and more of their promised land is given away to their enemies. They are being imprisoned daily by their own government for refusal to accept these conditions. They pray and speak passionately of the coming of the Messiah. Not since A. D.70 have circumstances been so perfect for false messiahs’ to present themselves in Israel. These false Christs’ will make war on the true saints of God. No doubt, Matthew24:5 describes the opening of the first seal.

Events leading up to the Day of the Lord were impossible for the past 2000 years. Israel must be in the land prior to the fulfillment of Matthew 24. Verses 6-7 describe devastation brought on by war and by “natural” causes. Israel has experienced continuous war since becoming a nation over fifty years ago. War will continue until Christ returns. Only a blind man could fail to see the increased destruction around the world caused by earthquakes and violent weather. One must not confuse today’s events with what Jesus prophesied. These are only a precursor and illustrate with what ease these riders will accomplish their purpose.    Jesus says, “All these are the beginning of sorrows” (Matthew 24:8).

The increased pressure on Israel compels them to give away land for peace, and will force them to accept protection from a coalition of nations within the area of the old Roman Empire. The union of ten kings, spoken of in prophecy, will probably consist of a union of Moslem, Jewish and Roman Catholic nations. These ten are symbolized in Daniel by the ten toes (Daniel2:40-45), and ten horns (Daniel 7:7-8, 19-24), and the ten horns in Revelation 12:3; Revelation 13:1; Revelation 17:9-17. “And the ten horns which thou sawest are ten kings, which have received no kingdom as yet; but receive power as kings one hour with the beast” (Revelation 17:12).

In the beginning, these ten kings form a loose alliance. Their government will be a forced democracy (this is probably the outcome of white horse and his rider). The ten horns or kings constitute the seventh head on the beast. There will be infighting within and between radical religious groups within their kingdom. This will force a tighter cohesion between them. It is from within this alliance that a man, called “the little horn,” will arise to take control of that kingdom. Since the union of those ten nations does not exist today, that man cannot rise to power.

These ten kings, with the “little horn” ruling over them, (constitutes the eighth kingdom “And the beast that was, and is not, even he is the eighth, and is of the seven, and goeth into perdition.” Revelation 17:11) will be unable to provide protection for Israel from the radical element within their kingdom. Daniel 7:8 says, “I considered the horns, and, behold, there came up among them another little horn, before whom there were three of the first horns plucked up by the roots: and, behold, in this horn were eyes like the eyes of man, and a mouth speaking great things.” He will go forth, conquering in the name of peace. Out of one of these nations comes, “…a little horn, which waxed exceeding great, toward the south, (Egypt)… toward the east,(Jordan)  and toward the pleasant land (Israel)” (Daniel 8:9). This “little horn” rises to power, and it appears that Israel makes a covenant with the Antichrist and the remaining seven nations within his kingdom. “And he shall confirm the covenant with many for one week: and in the midst of the week he shall cause the sacrifice and the oblation to cease, and for the overspreading of abominations he shall make it desolate, even until the consummation, and that determined shall be poured upon the desolate” (Daniel 9:27).

Rather than being Israel’s messiah, he becomes “that man of sin” and would destroy all Jews if Jesus Christ delayed His coming.  “Let no man deceive you by any means: for that day shall not come, except there come a falling away first, and that man of sin be revealed, the son of perdition;” (2 Thessalonians 2:3). The first seal introduces steps which lead to his rise to power.