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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.

LET’S STUDY REVELATION # 14

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Revelation

“And to the angel of the church in Philadelphia write; These things saith he that is holy, he that is true, he that hath the key of David, he that openeth, and no man shutteth; and shutteth, and no man openeth;  I know thy works: behold, I have set before thee an open door, and no man can shut it: for thou hast a little strength, and hast kept my word, and hast not denied my name. Behold, I will make them of the synagogue of Satan, which say they are Jews, and are not, but do lie; behold, I will make them to come and worship before thy feet, and to know that I have loved thee.  Because thou hast kept the word of my patience, I also will keep thee from the hour of temptation, which shall come upon all the world, to try them that dwell upon the earth.  Behold, I come quickly: hold that fast which thou hast, that no man take thy crown.  Him that overcometh will I make a pillar in the temple of my God, and he shall go no more out: and I will write upon him the name of my God, and the name of the city of my God, which is new Jerusalem, which cometh down out of heaven from my God: and I will write upon him my new name.  He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches.”  (Revelation 3:7-13).

Philadelphia means “brotherly love” and was a city of Lydia in Asia Minor, about 25 miles southeast of Sardis. It was the seat of one of the “seven churches” (See Revelation 3:7-12). It came into the Turks possession in A.D. 1392. It has, several times, been nearly destroyed by earthquakes. It is still a town of considerable size, called Allahshehr, “the city of God” (Easton’s Bible Dictionary).

Jesus presents Himself as the One who is “holy” and “true” and has “the key of David, he that openeth, and no man shutteth; and shutteth, and no man openeth…” (v.7). We have already witnessed the immorality and false doctrine that will plague the faithful remnant in the Day of the Lord. Jesus is the Holy One and the only true One. He is also the offspring of King David. The “key” is a symbol of regal power. This verse speaks of His absolute right to the throne of David.

The messages to the churches must not be isolated or interpreted independently of each other.  Each one must be understood in the context of all the others. All of them were experiencing, to some degree, the same persecution, the same immorality, and the same false doctrines.

At the zenith of King David’s reign, he conquered and ruled wherever he desired. “And David reigned over all Israel; and David executed judgment and justice unto all his people” (2 Samuel 8:15). The nation was not divided or scattered under David’s rule. When Jesus returns, He will rule all Israel with a rod of iron (see Psalm 2). Before the thousand years is over, He will rule the whole earth. Those who are worthy, by availing themselves of God’s grace and Christ’s example, will rule and reign with Him for a thousand years.

This, no doubt, is what Jesus had in mind in His parable of the good shepherd when he said, “I am the door: by me if any man enter in, he shall be saved, and shall go in and out, and find pasture” (John 10:9).Jesus is the “door” or entrance into the kingdom. When Israel repents, at the Second Advent, Satan will be bound a thousand years. Jesus Christ and His remnant will rule with a rod of iron. War will cease and the false prophets and teachers will be exposed and removed from the land. That “open door” was a door of hope. Like King David’s subjects, they will participate in the expansion of Christ’s Kingdom and sit at His table.

All the churches were facing the same opposition and the same Devil (v.9). The reader should compare chapter 2:9 with this verse. Those false Jews, who were following Satan and doing his bidding will be exposed and be forced to come and bow before those who are worthy and made kings and priests. The false leaders will see that they have been the persecutors and murderers of Christ’s true followers.

Stephen said it best of the Jewish leaders, “Which of the prophets have not your fathers persecuted? and they have slain them which shewed before of the coming of the Just One; of whom ye have been now the betrayers and murderers:” (Acts 7:52). Their response to him was to bash out his brains. In the Day of the Lord, they will not have that opportunity at Christ’s return. Rather, they will be forced to acknowledge they were fighting against their own Messiah!

In verse 10 the Lord is not promising the remnant they will not go through the Day of the Lord. He is assuring them of His presence and protecting power in the midst of that hour. We have alluded to the parable of the vine. The churches are also assured that they are in His hand, and if they will abide in Him, they will be secure and will overcome.

There would be no need to admonish them to “hold fast” and “overcome” if they could not fall and be removed. They, like the rest, must “hold that fast” and watch that “no man take thy crown” (v.11).

The crown speaks of a dominion that will be granted to the overcomers; they will be a pillar in God’s temple (v. 12). A “pillar” was a word used of Jews who were teachers of the law and persons of great importance and achievement. “And Moses wrote all the words of the Lord, and rose up early in the morning, and builded an altar under the hill, and twelve pillars, according to the twelve tribes of Israel” (Exodus 24:4). “And when James, Cephas, and John, who seemed to be pillars, perceived the grace that was given unto me, they gave to me and Barnabas the right hands of fellowship; that we should go unto the heathen, and they unto the circumcision”(Galatians 2:9).

The seven churches are located in Asia because the believing Jews were driven from Jerusalem, from their synagogues, and from their temple. Even in the Day of the Lord, Jerusalem and the temple will be given to the Gentiles. “But the court which is without the temple leave out, and measure it not; for it is given unto the Gentiles: and the holy city shall they tread under foot forty and two months” (Revelation 11:2). This does not mean that there will be no Jews in Israel or Jerusalem. However, many who confess Jesus as Messiah will be persecuted and forced to flee the country.

The writer of Hebrews said, “Let us go forth therefore unto him without the camp, bearing his reproach. For here have we no continuing city, but we seek one to come” (Hebrews 13:13-14). The reader should note that Revelation is written to the Hebrews. When the kingdom is established, Christ will build a new temple. These faithful priests will have full access to it and will never be driven from it again.

Those who overcome and remain faithful during the Day of the Lord will not only have access to the Millennial temple, but will also have access to the New Jerusalem which comes down from heaven. This is the city looked for by the Old Testament faithful. “For he (Abraham) looked for a city which hath foundations, whose builder and maker is God” (Hebrews 11:10). “And the wall of the city had twelve foundations, and in them the names of the twelve apostles of the Lamb” (Revelation 21:14).

We are not told what the new name will be. Although the name and mark of the beast seems to be literal, God’s new name need not be literally written on their bodies. This statement may be simply a statement of God’s approval on them.

The Lord’s new name may be similar to that which was written on the miter, which the priest wore. “And thou shalt make a plate of pure gold, and grave upon it, like the engravings of a signet, HOLINESS TO THE LORD” (Exodus 28:36). The full meaning will be evident to those to whom it was written.

 

LET’S STUDY REVELATION # 13

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Revelation

“And unto the angel of the church in Sardis write; These things saith he that hath the seven Spirits of God, and the seven stars; I know thy works, that thou hast a name that thou livest, and art dead. Be watchful, and strengthen the things which remain, that are ready to die: for I have not found thy works perfect before God.  Remember therefore how thou hast received and heard, and hold fast, and repent. If therefore thou shalt not watch, I will come on thee as a thief, and thou shalt not know what hour I will come upon thee.  Thou hast a few names even in Sardis which have not defiled their garments; and they shall walk with me in white: for they are worthy.  He that overcometh, the same shall be clothed in white raiment; and I will not blot out his name out of the book of life, but I will confess his name before my Father, and before his angels. He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches.”  (Revelation 3:1-6). Sardis was a city about 40 miles east of Smyrna; the ancient capitol of Lydia.

Jesus is presented to the church in Sardisas the omnipotent and omniscient One. He has “the seven Spirits of God, and the seven stars” (v.1). He knows all about them and that their inward man does not match their profession, “…thou hast a name that thou livest, and art dead” (v. 1).  Only the omniscient God could know this.

In verse 2 those who walked in the truth were warned, “Be watchful, and strengthen the things which remain, that are ready to die.”  They, too, were in danger of the gross immorality within the churches. These had not defiled themselves (see verse 4).

The following admonition is seen throughout the Gospels and the Jewish epistles, Hebrews through Revelation. They were called upon to, “Remember therefore how thou hast received and heard, and hold fast, and repent.” (v.3).  If they did not, He would come as a thief and they would be robbed of all they possessed.

Even a casual reading of Matthew 24 shows that it is about the coming King to Israel.  Jesus warns Israel to watch and be ready for His sudden return. “But know this, that if the goodman of the house had known in what watch the thief would come, he would have watched, and would not have suffered his house to be broken up” (Matthew 24:43). The parable of the ten virgins contains the same warning, “Watch therefore, for ye know neither the day nor the hour wherein the Son of man cometh” (Matthew 25:13).

“…for they are worthy” (v. 4). One must be “worthy” to enter the Kingdom and reign with Christ. This is the essence of the Gospel of the Kingdom. One must be “worthy” to enter it, “But they which shall be accounted worthy to obtain that world, and the resurrection from the dead…” (Luke 20:35). “Watch ye therefore, and pray always, that ye may be accounted worthy to escape all these things that shall come to pass, and to stand before the Son of man” (Luke 21:36). “And Jesus said unto him, No man, having put his hand to the plough, and looking back, is fit for the kingdom of God.”( Luke 9:62).

The above verses speak of the coming wrath and kingdom. “That world” and resurrection in Luke 20:35 is the subject dealt with in Revelation.Israel is warned that they must seek to be “worthy” to escape the temptations of false doctrine, immorality, and the mark of the Beast in order to stand before the Son of Man.

It must be noted here that believers in Christ today are worthy because they have been made worthy in Him. There is not one thing we must do to be worthy. But, in Revelation, it is the overcomers who are worthy or fit to enter into eternal life.

The constant theme throughout Revelation is the requirement to overcome (v.5). Overcomers will be clothed in white raiment. They will not have their names blotted out of the Book of Life, and will have their name confessed before the Father and before his angels. The white raiment is symbolic of a priestly garment. These overcomers obviously become a kingdom of priests.

In the Old Testament these books and ledgers were quite literal. One’s genealogy had to be verified and guarded if he was to serve in the Levitical priesthood or be part of the nation of Israel. These atSardis, have received the promise of becoming kings and priests, if they endure to the end and are faithful. Although a literal record may not be required, the omniscient One will have perfect knowledge of those who are worthy to rule and reign in that kingdom.

What is written to one is written to all the churches, “He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches” (v.6).