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. 

 

THE SERMON

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THE SERMON

 

By Ken Blue

The sermon is never an end in itself, but rather, the means to an end. The question that should be asked concerning every sermon is, “what end do I want to achieve?” I am confident that the only goal of many pastors is to preach another sermon, because that is expected of him. Their only purpose is to promulgate the truth with no other objective in mind.

We must ask the question of ourselves, what do I want people to know, be, or do as a result of this message? The sermon should be developed in such a manner that the above will be achieved. The proposition, ( the point to be discussed or maintained in argument usually stated in sentence form near the outset), should be stated somewhere at the beginning of the sermon. Everything thereafter must support that purpose. Avoid making the sub-points little sermons. Each point must support the title of your sermon. The minor points under these should consist of supportive text and illustrations to illuminate the sermon purpose.

The five major parts of a sermon are:

1. The title of the message.

2. The text supporting the message.

3. The introduction to the message.

4. The body or argument of the message. (The argument will have from two to seven sub-points.)

5. The conclusion of the message.

If one is preaching through a book of the Bible, it will help if he finds a Bible with paragraph markings, and then develop the topic within the paragraph. Don’t assume that the more Scripture one has in a sermon, the more effective it will be. It is best to have one objective to accomplish, and then convince the people to accept it. A running commentary from verse to verse gives more information than one can digest.

Sermons fall into several categories. Most pastors use a computer today. I suggest that they create a sermon folder, and then create folders within it for each book study, topics, series, etc. Save your work for future use. You could also create a template, as below, with the five parts of a sermon, and then use it for each sermon you develop. I hope these thoughts help someone.

 

 Date:

Subject:

Topic:

 Title:

 Text:

Introduction:

OUTLINE:

I.            

A.          

B.           

II.          

A.          

B.           

III.        

A.          

B.

Conclusion:

BRIDER SAYS TRANSLATORS OF THE KING JAMES BIBLE NOT CHRISTIANS

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brider

 

By Ken Blue

According to Baptist briders, not one of the men who translated the King James Bible was a “true Christian.” The following quote is from an article by a brider. “I don’t believe that you can be a Christian without being a Baptist.” If the brider is correct, we are preaching and teaching from a Bible that was translated by non-Christians.

If Baptist are the only Christians, that means that Baptist are singing songs in every service that were written by non-Christians. Most of the books in their office and colleges were written by non-Christians, if the briders definition is correct.

What shall we think of such men as Martin Luther, John Calvin, John and Charles Wesley, Charles Spurgeon, Billy Sunday, Jack Hyles, Tom Malone, Bob Jones Sr., and a host of others? What of the Disciples, and the Church at Corinth? Was Peter a Christian when he denied the Lord three times, and was called Satan? Was Thomas a Christian when he and the Disciples refused to believe in Christ’s resurrection? Were the believers in Corinth Christians? Will our brother admit that there are multitudes in the Baptist bride churches who are not Christians, or do all in the bride obey ALL that Jesus commanded?

[pullquote align=”right” cite=”” link=”” color=”” class=”” size=””]This is an example of church theology gone amuck.[/pullquote]

 So, we must conclude that we have a King James Bible given to us by non-Christians. Our song book is filled with songs written by non-Christians, and some of the greatest believers since Paul were non-Christians. This, I say is nonsense; and they call us hyper-dispensationalist?   This is an example of church theology gone amuck.

 

IS THIS A CONTRADICTION

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By Ken Blue

Pr 26:4  “Answer not a fool according to his folly, lest thou also be like unto him.”

Pr 26:5  “Answer a fool according to his folly, lest he be wise in his own conceit.”

Most believers have been assailed by the fool who thinks his questions have you trapped. One such question used to “set you up” is, “Is anything too hard for God?” The novice is quick to answer that God can do anything, to which he will be challenged with the next question, “can He make a rock so big He can’t lift it?”

The correct answer to the first question would eliminate the second. The answer is, no, God can’t do everything. In fact, there are many things God cannot do. God can’t do anything contrary to His nature. Therefore, He cannot lie. To ask God to be contrary to His nature is like asking, how  the color yellow taste.

Verse 4 tells us to not answer the fool according to his foolishness, or you too will be foolish. Verse 5 instructs us to give a correct and wise answer to his folly, lest he thing himself to be wise. It will help if we give a few examples to illustrate the two verses, and show that there is no contradiction between the two.

A young man came to Charles Spurgeon and said, “God told me that I am supposed to preach in your church…” Had Spurgeon believed God had actually told the young man that, he would found himself at his mercy, and just as foolish. Therefore, Spurgeon did not answer him according to his folly. Instead, Spurgeon wisely responded, “When God tells me to let you, I will.” Thus Spurgeon answered him according his folly, and the young man was silenced.

Jesus was masterful at silencing His critics. The following verses show His application of Proverbs 26:4, 5. Note: Mark 12:15 “Shall we give, or shall we not give? But he, knowing their hypocrisy, said unto them, Why tempt ye me? bring me a penny, that I may see it.” The intent of the Pharisees and the Herodians was to trap Jesus with His own words, no matter how He answered. If He said “yes” He would have taken Caesar’s side against the Jews. If He said, “no” they would have turned Him over to Caesar for rebellion against Rome. His answer silenced them, and showed their hypocrisy. Mark 12:17  “And Jesus answering said unto them, Render to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s, and to God the things that are God’s. And they marvelled at him.”

Another example is seen concerning the Sabbath Day. Luke 6:7 “And the scribes and Pharisees watched him, whether he would heal on the sabbath day; that they might find an accusation against him.” Rather than sinking to their level, He challenged them with things they themselves would do. In another text He asks if they would pull an animal out of a ditch on the Sabbath Day. The obvious answer was that they had, and would. His answer to them was, isn’t a man more valuable than an animal? He displayed at all times how the fool is to be answered.

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.