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LET’S STUDY REVELATION # 17

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Revelation

 

John is attempting to describe the glory of God. What one must do is to think of the most precious and spectacular stones imaginable and then attempt to describe the glory of God accordingly.  Many times the Lord gave a glimpse of His glory to His prophets before He revealed to them the coming judgment (see Isaiah 6 and Ezekiel 1).

A rainbow is one of the most beautiful, and, no doubt, the most mysterious sight in the heavens. It has always mystified man as he viewed its dazzling array of colors.  God used it as a token of His covenant with man. It was to remind him that God is faithful and will fulfill His promise to man in general, and to Israel in particular.  “And God said, This is the token of the covenant which I make between me and you and every living creature that is with you, for perpetual generations:  I do set my bow in the cloud, and it shall be for a token of a covenant between me and the earth.  And it shall come to pass, when I bring a cloud over the earth, that the bow shall be seen in the cloud:  And I will remember my covenant, which is between me and you and every living creature of all flesh; and the waters shall no more become a flood to destroy all flesh.  And the bow shall be in the cloud; and I will look upon it, that I may remember the everlasting covenant between God and every living creature of all flesh that is upon the earth.  And God said unto Noah, This is the token of the covenant, which I have established between me and all flesh that is upon the earth.” (Genesis 9:12-17).

The twenty-four elders are also symbolic and are a heavenly representation of the governors of Israel(v.4). “All down through the history of the Jews we find mention made of the elders as exercising authority among the people. They appear as governors (Deuteronomy 31:28), as local magistrates (Deuteronomy 16:18), administering justice (Deuteronomy 19:12). They were men of extensive influence (1Samuel30:26-31)” (Easton’s Bible Dictionary).

The elders, like the living creatures, may be created representations, or they could be twenty-four elders of Israel to represent the new temple and the new government under the new King. They worship the Lord day and night. They serve Him at His bidding, and they represent believing Israel before the throne (see 1 Chronicles 24:1).

Verse 5 is a display of God’s almighty power and the judgment about to be poured out on the earth. The seven lamps are the seven Spirits of God. These speak of His omniscience.

The “sea of glass, like unto crystal;” (v.6) speaks of the purity required to approach His majestic throne. This area is “holy ground.” We are aware that it is not literal ground.  The laver inSolomon’s temple was called a sea (2 Chron.4:2). Not only was it symbolic, but it was also there for the priest to wash in prior to entering the Holy of Holies. Thus, this sea before the throne is like glass. It is undisturbed, calm, and holy. The rent veil means that the waters need not be disturbed any more.

John sees this scene again in chapter 15:2. “And I saw as it were a sea of glass mingled with fire: and them that had gotten the victory over the beast, and over his image, and over his mark, and over the number of his name, stand on the sea of glass, having the harps of God.” The lightning flashes from the throne would give the appearance of fire mingled with this sea of transparent glass. The fire was also symbolic of God’s impending judgment and the fiery trial these martyrs had come through. They were overcomers. They overcame the beast and were privileged, as priests, to stand on this sea of glass singing and praising their Creator and Redeemer.

The four beasts or living creatures were full of eyes before and behind.  The first was like a lion, the second like a calf, the third like a man, and the fourth like a flying eagle (v. 7). It appears that these living creatures are the same seen by Ezekiel in chapter 1 of his prophesy and that they are connected to creation and God’s holiness. They are also a personal representation of the four-fold ministry of the Lord Jesus Christ. As a lion, He is King of Israel-Matthew’s Gospel. As a calf, He is Jehovah’s Servant-Mark’s Gospel. As man, He is the Son of Man-Luke’s Gospel. As an eagle, He is God-John’s Gospel.

An overview of the word “beast” will help us understand its varied uses throughout Scripture. It is found in the Book of Revelation 44 times. In the Book of Daniel it is used 6 times. The first time the word “beast” is used is in the Book of Genesis. The purpose there is to make a distinction between the animal kingdom and the creation of man, who was made in the image of God.

Noah was commanded to make a distinction among the animals and select a specific number of clean and unclean. “Of every clean beast thou shalt take to thee by sevens, the male and his female: and of beasts that are not clean by two, the male and his female… And Noah builded an altar unto the Lord; and took of every clean beast, and of every clean fowl, and offered burnt offerings on the altar” (Genesis 7:2, 8:20). The animals on the ark were called “beasts.”

The word is used of the domestic and wild animals. Some animals were classified as “clean” and others “unclean” in relation to Israel’s diet. “Whatsoever parteth the hoof, and is clovenfooted, and cheweth the cud, among the beasts, that shall ye eat.  Nevertheless these shall ye not eat of them that chew the cud, or of them that divide the hoof: as the camel, because he cheweth the cud, but divideth not the hoof; he is unclean unto you” (Leviticus 11:3-4). All these are in the category of the “beast” of the field.

The heavenly creatures in Revelation 4:7 are also called “beasts.” That is because they have the faces of three beasts of the field; only one face is that of a man.

Some men and their kingdoms are also called “beasts” because of their vicious treatment and persecution of Israel. Daniel7:3-7 says, “And four great beasts came up from the sea, diverse one from another. The first was like a lion, and had eagle’s wings: I beheld till the wings thereof were plucked, and it was lifted up from the earth, and made stand upon the feet as a man, and a man’s heart was given to it. And behold another beast, a second, like to a bear, and it raised up itself on one side, and it had three ribs in the mouth of it between the teeth of it: and they said thus unto it, Arise, devour much flesh.  After this I beheld, and lo another, like a leopard, which had upon the back of it four wings of a fowl; the beast had also four heads; and dominion was given to it. After this I saw in the night visions, and behold a fourth beast, dreadful and terrible, and strong exceedingly; and it had great iron teeth: it devoured and brake in pieces, and stamped the residue with the feet of it: and it was diverse from all the beasts that were before it; and it had ten horns.”

The false prophet of Revelation 13:11-12 is also called a “beast.” “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.” This “beast” is religious and causes men to worship the political beast, the government.

Therefore, a beast can be:

  1. A beast of the animal kingdom.
  2. It can be of an angelic creature.
  3. It can be a man who is called a beast.
  4. It can also be a kingdom, which is called a beast.
  5. The false prophet and his religious system are also a beast.

These definitions are important and must be remembered as one considers their various uses throughout the Book of Revelation, especially when reading chapter 13 and 17.

            “And the four beasts had each of them six wings about him; and they were full of eyes within: and they rest not day and night, saying, Holy, holy, holy, Lord God Almighty, which was, and is, and is to come’ (v.8).  If six is the number of man, then we must assume that these beasts also represent mankind before the throne in some manner.  The verse needs little explanation. All creation is represented in these creatures, and they worship Him who is worthy (see Ezekiel 1).

 “And when those beasts give glory and honour and thanks to him that sat on the throne, who liveth for ever and ever, The four and twenty elders fall down before him that sat on the throne, and worship him that liveth for ever and ever, and cast their crowns before the throne, saying, Thou art worthy, O Lord, to receive glory and honour and power: for thou hast created all things, and for thy pleasure they are and were created.”  (Revelation 4:9-11). 

In verses 9-10 the twenty-four elders join in the hallelujah chorus giving praise to Him who sat upon the throne. Verse 11 demonstrates the end or final objective of all God is and does. This is the conclusion Job came to after his “tribulation” experience. James calls it, “the end of the Lord.” (James 5:11).        “Thou art worthy, O Lord, to receive glory and honour and power: for thou hast created all things, and for thy pleasure they are and were created.” The “end” of all God takes His children through, is to refine them and bring glory to Him.

 

 

TWO THIRDS OF ISRAEL TO BE DESTROYED!

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By Ken Blue

It is not secret that the nation’s surrounding Israel are committed to their destruction. One would have to willfully blind not to see the coming storm. More and more, Israel’s enemies are outspoken on this objective. They will unite and come into the land like a cloud. What will be the fate of Israel?

Zachariah, the prophet is clear on the event and outcome. “7 Awake, O sword, against my shepherd, and against the man that is my fellow, saith the LORD of hosts: smite the shepherd, and the sheep shall be scattered: and I will turn mine hand upon the little ones. 8 And it shall come to pass, that in all the land, saith the LORD, two parts therein shall be cut off and die; but the third shall be left therein. 9 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 13:7-9.

One should read the above text several times. Also, there are many cross references that speak to this even. Verse seven speaks of the rejection and crucifixion of Christ. There is a gap between verse 7, and verse 8-9 until this war. It has been over two thousand years so far, but the events of verses 8,9 are near at hand.

This war if future and two thirds of Israel will be destroyed. Only one third will survive. Were it not for the intervention of God, no Jews would remain. “But he that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be saved.” Matthew 24:13. “And except those days should be shortened, there should no flesh be saved: but for the elect’s sake those days shall be shortened.Matthew 24:22.

Notice in verse 9 that the third will turn to the Lord and call upon Him, and He will hear them. This is the meaning of Joel. “And it shall come to pass, that whosoever shall call on the name of the LORD shall be delivered: for in mount Zion and in Jerusalem shall be deliverance, as the LORD hath said, and in the remnant whom the LORD shall call.” Joel 2:32. For those who think God is finished with Israel, let them accept these verses as they stand, and Paul’s confirmation of them. “25 For I would not, brethren, that ye should be ignorant of this mystery, lest ye should be wise in your own conceits; that blindness in part is happened to Israel, until the fulness of the Gentiles be come in. 26 And so all Israel shall be saved: as it is written, There shall come out of Sion the Deliverer, and shall turn away ungodliness from Jacob: 27 For this is my covenant unto them, when I shall take away their sins.” Romans 11:25-27. All Israel is a reference to the remnant.

The above prophecies are certain, and you are witnessing the prelude to them. Pray for Israel, that they will understand that Jesus was their Lord. Oh, Israel, get ready, for the day of judgment is coming to your land!

FEET OF IRON AND CLAY

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By Ken Blue Be sure and listen to the great songs to lift your spirit

 

 “41 And whereas thou sawest the feet and toes, part of potters’ clay, and part of iron, the kingdom shall be divided; but there shall be in it of the strength of the iron, forasmuch as thou sawest the iron mixed with miry clay. 42 And as the toes of the feet were part of iron, and part of clay, so the kingdom shall be partly strong, and partly broken. 43 And whereas thou sawest iron mixed with miry clay, they shall mingle themselves with the seed of men: but they shall not cleave one to another, even as iron is not mixed with clay.”Daniel 2:41-43.

 

The ten toes on Daniel’s image represent the final kingdom, just prior to the Antichrist. These are ten individual countries, and leaders surrounding Israel, who form an alliance constituting one Kingdom, the seventh. It is the same kingdom seen by Johnin the vision of ten horns. “And I stood upon the sand of the sea, and saw a beast rise up out of the sea, having seven heads and ten horns, and upon his horns ten crowns, and upon his heads the name of blasphemy.” Revelation 13:1.

 

These ten are said to be comprised of iron and clay. This Kingdom will have in it the strength of iron and the weakness of clay. For centuries, the Muslim countries have been ruled through Kings. Williams Commentary says, “The empires that succeeded the Babylon were increasingly inferior (Vs. 39-43) because of the introduction of the democrat principle in association with kingly despotism. The final stage appears in verses 41-43, the iron representing imperialism, the clay democracy.” P.620.

 

If the world thinks Islam will tolerate a democratic form of government, they are deceived by demons. I call your attention to the heading of a recent article in Middle East Media Research Institute.   “Democracy, a System of Kufr [Infidels], Can Never Produce the Purity of Islam; Shariah is a Unique System Applied via Khilafah…” The full article can be read at http://www.memri.org/content/en/main.htm. Those serious about this subject should take time to read the article, and make memri as one of your favorites.

 

In a very short time you will witness the alliance of these ten kingdoms. You are witnessing the un-thawing of the old, right now, in an attempt to force the new. It won’t work. It will be like putting a square peg in a round hole. Keep your eyes in the Book, your feet on the ground, and you attention on Israel.

 

 

LET’S STUDY REVELATION # 16

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Revelation

By Ken Blue Be sure and listen to the great songs to lift your spirit
The Vision in Heaven

“After this I looked, and, behold, a door was opened in heaven: and the first voice which I heard was as it were of a trumpet talking with me; which said, Come up hither, and I will shew thee things which must be hereafter. And immediately I was in the spirit: and, behold, a throne was set in heaven, and one sat on the throne. And he that sat was to look upon like a jasper and a sardine stone: and there was a rainbow round about the throne, in sight like unto an emerald. And round about the throne were four and twenty seats: and upon the seats I saw four and twenty elders sitting, clothed in white raiment; and they had on their heads crowns of gold. And out of the throne proceeded lightnings and thunderings and voices: and there were seven lamps of fire burning before the throne, which are the seven Spirits of God. And before the throne there was a sea of glass like unto crystal: and in the midst of the throne, and round about the throne, were four beasts full of eyes before and behind. And the first beast was like a lion, and the second beast like a calf, and the third beast had a face as a man, and the fourth beast was like a flying eagle. And the four beasts had each of them six wings about him; and they were full of eyes within: and they rest not day and night, saying, Holy, holy, holy, LORD God Almighty, which was, and is, and is to come.” (Revelation 4:1-8).

After John had seen Christ in His High Priestly ministry in the midst of the Jewish assemblies (chapter 1), and recorded God’s messages to them (chapters 2-3), he now gives the vision of events in heaven just prior to the wrath that is to poured out in the Lord’s Day. This day is the Seventieth Week spoken of in the book of Daniel. It is comprised of a week of years. Thus the tribulation leading up to the Kingdom lasts for seven years.

John is the only person who is caught up to heaven. He records what he saw in heaven. This is not the Rapture of the church or of anyone else except John. With all due respect to Dr. Scofield, Clarence Larkin, John Walvoord, and a host of others, this verse does not teach the Rapture of the church. It has nothing to do with the church of any dispensation.

Dake is trapped in the same tradition. In his Bible notes on p.532, under the heading, “20 Earmarks Of Israel After The Rapture,” Dake gives the “earmarks” in an attempt to prove that the church is raptured at chapter 4. He says, “In Matthew, the Hebrew Gospel, there are 92 references to the O.T.; in Hebrews there are 102; but in Revelation there 285. This proves the Jewish character of the book after Revelation. 4:1.” We wonder how Mr. Dake overlooked the dozens of Old Testament types, symbols, and names found in the first three chapters of Revelation! Of course there are hundreds of references to the Old Testament from chapter 4 on, but they don’t begin there! They begin in Revelation chapter 1! There is no Rapture of any church in chapter 4.

Another argument used to promote the Rapture theory at chapter 4 is that the word “church” never appears throughout the entire tribulation period. Therefore, the conclusion is that the church has disappeared at chapter 4, but that is foolish. These churches are the Jewish remnant that exists throughout the rest of the Revelation. It is to them the book is written, and they are the ones who must endure temptations in the Day of the Lord.

To argue that these assemblies are not present because the word “church” does not appear proves absolutely nothing. The name “God” or “Lord” never appears in the entire Book of Esther. Shall we conclude that God was not present nor at work amid the Jews in those days? Of course not. The seven churches of chapters 2 and 3 are present throughout the entire Day of the Lord. The book is to them, for them, and about them.

There is no Rapture of anyone in chapter 4. The Rapture of the believer in Christ will be a bodily Rapture. John’s body was still on Patmos when he received his vision and was “caught up.” If the church is raptured in chapter 4, to whom is the rest of the Revelation written, and for what purpose? Where do we find the salutation to its recipients, and can you prove who they are?

The body of Christ, the church, will have been raptured to the third heaven long before John was caught away in the Spirit into the Day of the Lord. The time period between the rapture and the actual Day of the Lord could be 40 to 70 years. All chapter 4:1 states is that John was caught away into the Lord’s Day.

Why do most commentators insist on rapture at chapter 4? The first reason is their selection of the wrong key to unlock the book. What is that key? It is chapter 1:19. How do they do it? Perhaps a look at verse 19 will clarify the problem. Revelation 1:19 says, “Write the things which thou hast seen, and the things which are, and the things which shall be hereafter…” Those who see the rapture of the church think the first part of the verse, “the things which thou hast seen…” is a reference to the vision of the High Priestly Christ amid the churches. Then, they conclude “the things which are…” speak of the time John wrote and thus, would be the church of the last 2000 years. Finally, they assume “the things which shall be hereafter…” are the things after the Rapture of the church; thus the Tribulation. However, as we have demonstrated, verse 19 is not the key to the book. Verse 10 is the key that unlocks the Revelation.

Those who advocate the Rapture of the church in chapter 4 must violate their greatest argument. What is that argument? It is the argument that you must take everything literally unless it is impossible to do so. They violate their own rule by making John a type of the church. There is absolutely no justification for making John a type of anything.

In the earlier vision, John saw the glorified Christ in the midst of the seven churches on earth. He was told to write to them with warnings to overcome in the coming judgments. In chapter 4 through chapter 20, John describes these judgments to the churches through the visions given to him. The Book of Revelation is about the wrath, the return of Jesus Christ and His reign with His overcomers.

When John says, “After this…” (v.1) he is stating what he saw after the vision and the written letters of chapters 1-3. He is not attempting to establish any chronological order of church history, the Rapture, or the Day of the Lord.

In the previous three chapters, the Son of Man is seen on earth in the midst of the Jewish remnant. The scene now shifts to heaven where the Lamb of God is in the midst of the throne. Both events are happening simultaneously. While the Son of Man walks among the Jewish assemblies on earth, He is seen representing them in heaven before the throne.

John hears a voice talking to him which sounds like a trumpet. From his vantage point in heaven, he is about to see the completed Day of the Lord. It is important to notice that the visions alternate between earth and heaven throughout the book. The first vision was on earth, (chapters 1-3), now John sees a throne in heaven which he describes in symbols and types.

We are not told who the strong angel was. Angelic activity and assistance is characteristic of God’s dealings with Israel in the Old Testament, in the Gospels, and in the Jewish epistles, which are Hebrews through Revelation. In Revelation, angels are mentioned 26 times. Some are identified as men, others as Christ, Lucifer, Michael, and an innumerable host. Angles are never described as women or as having wings. They are always in the masculine.

It is also important to notice how little is said about angels in Paul’s church epistles. There are only 10 references to angels in all of Paul’s writings, Romans through Philemon. Not one of the references has anything to do with angels ministering to men in this dispensation or assisting the body of Christ. Christians need to be aware of the so-called appearances, help, and visitation of angels in this day of grace. Much of it is demonic activity pawned off as angels of light.

Verse 3 says, “…he that sat was to look upon like a jasper and a sardine stone.” Notice that the One seated on the throne “was to look upon like…” These stones were among the most beautiful known to man and were also used in the breastplate worn by Israel’s high priests. The jasper represented Reuben, Jacob’s firstborn son. The sardine represented Benjamin, Jacob’s last son. Reuben’s name means, “behold a son” and Benjamin’s name means, “son of my right hand.” No doubt the entire nation is represented in these stones.

These stones reflected the beauty and glory of God who promised Israel, “I will never leave thee nor forsake thee” (Hebrews 13:5). Israel is as precious jewels to God. “And they shall be mine, saith the Lord of hosts, in that day when I make up my jewels; and I will spare them, as a man spareth his own son that serveth him” (Malachi 3:17). The time period in both references is the Tribulation.

LET’S STUDY REVELATION # 15

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Revelation


“And unto the angel of the church of the Laodiceans write; These things saith the Amen, the faithful and true witness, the beginning of the creation of God;  I know thy works, that thou art neither cold nor hot: I would thou wert cold or hot.  So then because thou art lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spue thee out of my mouth.  Because thou sayest, I am rich, and increased with goods, and have need of nothing; and knowest not that thou art wretched, and miserable, and poor, and blind, and naked:  I counsel thee to buy of me gold tried in the fire, that thou mayest be rich; and white raiment, that thou mayest be clothed, and that the shame of thy nakedness do not appear; and anoint thine eyes with eyesalve, that thou mayest see.  As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten: be zealous therefore, and repent.  Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me.  To him that overcometh will I grant to sit with me in my throne, even as I also overcame, and am set down with my Father in his throne.  He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches.”  (Revelation 3:14-22).

 

The definition found in Easton’s Bible Dictionary is: “The Laodiceans.  The city by this name lays on the confines of Phrygia and Lydia, about 40 miles east of Ephesus (Revelation 3:14), on the banks of the Lycus. It was originally called Diospolis and then Rhoas, but afterwards Laodicea, from Laodice the wife of Antiochus II, king of Syria, who rebuilt it. It was one of the most important and flourishing cities of Asia Minor. At a very early period it became one of the chief seats of Christianity (Colossians 2:1; Colossians 4:15; Revelation 1:11, etc.). It is now a deserted place, called by the Turks, Eski-hissar, or “old castle.”

To the Laodiceans, Jesus is introduced as, “the Amen,” “the faithful and true witness, the beginning of the creation of God…” The title “Amen” means firm or trustworthy. Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever. He is the “firm” foundation and the “trustworthy” Witness. He is God’s faithful witness. He was before all things and the One who created all in the very beginning (John 1:3; Epesians 3:9; Colossians 1:15-18; Hebrews 1:2; 11:3).  It could not mean that He was the first to be created by God, for He is an un-created and an eternal being (Isaiah 9:6-7; Micah 5:2; John 1:1-2; Hebrews 1:8;  Revelation 1:8).

The charge against this church was that it was lukewarm (v. 15). It was unacceptable to the taste of the Father, and it stood to be spewed out of His mouth (v. 16). This condition resulted from an attitude of self-sufficiency and independence. Nothing leads to deadness like self-sufficiency.

Some within the churches were rich and indulged themselves, in the midst of great poverty,  and persecution toward their fellow Jews. Both Jesus and James speak to this crowd. James says, “But ye have despised the poor. Do not rich men oppress you, and draw you before the judgment seats?” (James 2:6). “Go to now, ye rich men, weep and howl for your miseries that shall come upon you” (James 5:1). We remind our readers that James writes to Jews who will be in the Day of the Lord.  Like Ananias and Sapphira, these people thought it was the time to get possessions and acquire wealth. This attitude toward money and possessions revealed their true attitude about the return of the King and His Kingdom. The Day of the Lord will not be the time to acquire, save, or hoard wealth. The story of Gehazi sadly illustrated this point. Israel was divided in apostasy.  Elisha asks, “Is it a time to receive money, and to receive garments, and oliveyards, and vineyards, and sheep, and oxen, and menservants, and maidservants?” 2 Kings 5:26. The timing was wrong and there were more important matters to deal with. So will it be in the Day of the Lord.

Jesus warns against the neglect of His people in that day. He says He was, “Naked, and ye clothed me: I was sick, and ye visited me: I was in prison, and ye came unto me” (Matthew 25:36). This describes many of God’s people who will be in that coming day. Those who claim to be His followers and have within their means to help the poor and afflicted are held accountable to do so. There were many in the synagogues during Jesus’ earthly ministry who were only interested in gain. He drove the moneychangers from the temple. He rebuked the Pharisees for taking advantage of the poor. This condition will also exist among some of the “churches” in the Day of the Lord. Unless they repent, they will be “spewed out” and their candlestick removed.   The Laodiceans must share their wealth with their needy brethren.

It should be understood that this church is not intended to represent any period of Church history. The conditions found in each of the seven churches can be found throughout Church history. It will also exist among the Jews in the Tribulation period.