As Dr Arnold Fruchtenbaum states in his classic book on the return of Jesus: ‘The Footsteps of the Messiah’: “The famous Olivet Discourse of the Messiah occurred between two significant events. Immediately preceding the Olivet Discourse, the Messiah spoke the final words of His public ministry, found in Matthew 23:1-39, which contains the denunciation of the leadership of Israel, especially for their guilt in leading the nation to reject the Messiahship of Jesus. With these words, the public ministry of the Messiah as a prophet came to an end, and for the remainder of His last few days on earth, He would deal exclusively with His disciples. In verses 37-39, Jesus also laid down the precondition to the Second Coming, in the He will not return until the Jewish leaders ask Him to return. Just as the Jewish leaders once led the nation to reject His Messiahship, a day must come when they will lead the Jewish people to accept His Messiahship”.

In this session, we look at Jesus warnings and comments that:

• False Christs will come and deceive many
• There will be wars and rumors of wars

Both of these we have seen through the last 2000 years, and Jesus said they were to be expected and should not surprise us! But then, quoting from 2 Chronicles 15:1-7, Jesus revealed that a time was coming; like in the days of king Asa of Judah, when the nations around Israel would be constantly warring with each other and threatening Israel’s existence, but that this would be a catalyst to draw Israel back to Himself:  “But when they in their trouble did turn unto the LORD God of Israel, and sought him, he was found of them” 2 Chron 15:4.

Since 1948, when Israel became a nation in the eyes of the world again, there has been constant warring amongst Israel’s neighbors, Iran, Iraq, Egypt, Lybia, and most recently the on-gong conflict in Syria. In each of these conflicts, Israel has had to remain on a heightened state of alert, prepared for iminant attack from its warring neighbors who have one thing in common – their distain for Israel.

Jesus also quoted from the prophet Isaiah (Is 19:1-4) who, some 700 years before Christ spoke of the turmoil in Egypt, seemingly alluding to the Islamic oppression and division in that nation that we have seen in the past decade, and also highlighting the Islamic infighting between Sunni’s and Shi’a on a larger scale with Islamic kingdom against Islamic kingdom.

Jesus highlighted that along with these things will be an increase in earthquakes, famines and disease.

Since the year 2000 there has been a significant increase in earthquakes worldwide, but that is not even the ‘birth pangs’! Jesus was referring to the time of God’s coming Judgment (phase 1) which He labels as ‘The Beginning of Sorrows’ recorded in Revelation chapter 6, depicted by the four horsemen:

–White Horse

• Antichrist conquers through false peace

–Red Horse

• Peace taken from the earth – ¼ of the earth die

–Black Horse

• Famine following time of war

–Pale Horse

• Violence / Famine / Pestilence

“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 6:15-17)

Whilst this is a truly terrifying prospect, Jesus promised a way of escaping these things for those who trust in Him!

If you want to find out more, please join us on a Sunday morning if you live in the Portsmouth / Havant area.

If not, why not try and connect with a Calvary Chapel church near you?  – Go to… http://calvarychapel.uk/churches/

Every blessing,

Pastor Barry.

The post Wars, Famines & Earthquakes – this is just the beginning first appeared on Calvary Chapel Portsmouth.

Now Mark records that when Jesus arrived in Jerusalem he went to the Temple looked around and then went back out to Bethany for the evening. He makes no mention (as do Matthew and Luke) of the tables in the Temple being turned over that day. However the next day (Monday) as Jesus comes back into Jerusalem (passing and cursing the fig tree) Mark records that Jesus “began to cast out them that sold and bought in the temple, and overthrew the tables of the moneychangers, and the seats of them that sold doves; And would not suffer that any man should carry any vessel through the temple. And he taught, saying unto them, Is it not written, My house shall be called of all nations the house of prayer? but ye have made it a den of thieves”. (Mark 11:15-17). It’s hard to imagine the commotion as Jesus sent table and coins flying, doves escaping and the crowd looking on in wonder!

Mark’s reveals that this was the second time in two days that Jesus turned over the tables in the Temple. Matthew and Luke both record that the same thing had happened the day before (on Palm Sunday) when Jesus had first arrived at Jerusalem. On that occasion Jesus cast out ‘them that sold & bought in the temple, overthrew the tables of the money changers, and the seats of them that sold doves’ quoting from Isaiah 56:7 and Jeremiah 7:11. He also healed the blind and lame and answered the chief priests and scribes who saw what was happening and were incensed that the crowd were hailing Him the Messiah.

In contrast, Mark records that the next day the money changers etc. were back again, so Jesus again drives them out, quoting again from Isaiah and Jeremiah, but this time adding Isaiah’s words that the Temple would be called of all nations the house of prayer – a shocking thought for the Jews, that Gentiles would have a claim on their beloved Temple. In addition Mark also records that on this occasion Jesus taught the people – who were ‘astonished at His doctrine’; but this time the scribes and chief priests were not present but heard about these things. This was getting too much for them who, Mark tells us, now started to plot how they might destroy Him. Compare Matthew 21:12-17 (on the Sunday) with Mark 11:15-19 (on the Monday)

We so often have the Sunday School impression of Jesus ‘Gentle Jesus meek & mild…”, – and He is gentle: “a bruised reed shall he not break, and smoking flax shall he not quench” Matt 12:20. But He is also stern and will not hesitate to turn over the tables in our lives is we forget the significance of the ‘Temple’ (our lives are to be a Temple – set apart and holy). If we let tradition and religion crowd out the relationship that God so desires expect things to go flying! If and when He does, remember that He will always following it by teaching us some valuable lesson.

The next day Peter notices the fig tree all withered up. “There were many trees with only leaves, and these were not cursed. There were many trees with neither leaves nor fruit, and these were not cursed. This tree was cursed because it professed to have fruit, but did not”. (David Guzik). As we commented:

• Israel is likened to a fig tree in Scripture (Joel 1:7)
• The first time we see Figs they are associated with protection (Gen 3:7 / 1 Kings 4:25 / Micah 4:4)
• Israel’s primary calling was to be protection (a covering) for the lineage of the Seed of the Woman
  • Ref Revelation 12
• But Israel (like a Fig) were also to provide sweetness to the world (Judges 9:11 / Hosea 9:10)
• Instead, Israel failed to produce the fruit that it should have done (Joel 1:12)

Let us learn and ensure that our lives are producing the fruit they should! – one such fruit is Faith (Gal 5:22). Using the example of the cursed Fig tree Jesus then challenged the disciples as to their faith, but that faith must be in God!

God delights in answering us, but there are some things that can hinder our prayers! (See Psalm 66:18 / 1 Peter 3:7). Refusing to forgive others will prevent God’s blessing in our lives. We either chose to live under Grace (and show grace to others), or demand our rights under the law (and then find that we would be judged under the Law – which none of us could survive!).

May you be blessed and encouraged as you continue to study His word!

Go to our teaching library for all the verse-by-verse studies from the Gospel of Mark

https://www.calvaryportsmouth.co.uk/sermon-book/mark/

The post Righteous Anger, Faith, Prayer & Grace first appeared on Calvary Chapel Portsmouth.

Genesis 5 gives us the genealogy from Adam to Noah, both of whom Jesus spoke of as real historical characters (Matt 10:4 / Luke 17:26). Yet the critics have been quick to tell us that the long lifetimes recorded in this chapter are nothing but fiction. However, in the 19th century, a number of cunieform tablets were discovered that not only seemed to corroborate the long lifetimes recorded before the Flood, but now, thanks to the excellent scholarship of Dr Bill Cooper, have yielded another remarkable discovery.   

The cunieform tablets in questions are collectively known as the Sumerian King List, one of the principle finds being WB 444, also known as the Weld-Blundell Prisim which currently resides at the Ashmolean Museum in Oxford (UK).

The list gives us 8kings who ruled over 5 cities before “the Flood swept thereover”. This on its own is very interesting, as here we have an independent witness that speaks of the world that then was being destroyed by a flood, just as detailed in Genesis 6-9. However, the list also records a dramatic decrease in the life-spans of those listed after the Flood when compared to the kings before the Flood.

Now, all of this was actually known over 2000 years ago, although the critics chose to ignore it! In around 280 B.C. the Babylonian priest, Berosus, was asked by Antiochus I to translate a list of these Sumerian Kings into Greek. Up until the recent discoveries, this list of Berosus was considered spurious and not taken seriously. Probably because it gave too much credence to the Biblical account! Critics (ever struggling to hold their ground) point out that the ages of the kings in the list are impossible as there are even more ‘far fetched’ than the Biblical account. The oldest king in the list is said to have reigned for 43,200 years. However, neither Berosus in his Greek translation nor the other cuneiform documents mention years – something the critics know but choose to ignore! The unit of measurement is actually ‘saros’ (and more specifically ‘sari’. The Sumerians used a ‘sexagesimal’ system of mathematics (based on the number 60). Dr Bill Cooper comments:“Berosus wasn’t giving us a period of time measured in years, but one that is measured in Lunar months, and the 7-day units of those months”….“Well, 60 months equal 5 years, and if we divide 432,000 by 5 we are left with the product of 86,400, which happens also to be the number of weeks in the 1,656 years Genesis gives us”! This is remarkable!! Here we have a secular list dating back over 4000 years that gives exactly the same time period from Creation to the Flood as recorded in detail in the Bible – in Genesis chapter 5.

“So once again, and in distinct contradiction to all that the modernists say, Genesis shows itself to be the older and by far the purer account. Moreover, the longevity of its patriarchs – a point of much scoffing in the modernist camp – is seen to be corroborated to a surprising degree by two independent and very ancient sources”  –   The Authenticity of Genesis, by Dr Bill Cooper, available from:www.genesisexpo.org.uk

If that is impressive, the next thing we will look at here is truly outstanding and gives undeniable proof that the Bible is from outside our time domain and is the work of a God who “knows the end from the beginning” (Isiah 46:9-10).

Our list in Genesis 5 begins with Adam, whose name in Hebrew simply means ‘man’. It is interesting to note that whilst Adam was made in God’s image, his son, Seth, we are told was made in the image and likeness of Adam. Only Adam and Christ (His physical body) were directly created by God. For this reason, Paul, in Romans 5, calls Jesus the 2nd Adam. Both Adam and Jesus were sinless. Adam failed and brought death into the world. Jesus overcame sin & the devil and brought everlasting life to all who will receive Him.

The next in our genealogy is Seth. We are told in Genesis 4:25 that Seth means “Appointed” – “and she bare a son, and called his name Seth: For God, said she, hath appointed me another seed instead of Abel, whom Cain slew”.

At the end of chapter 4 we noted that it was in the days of Seth’s son Enos that “men began to [profane] the name of the Lord”. Why would this be? With Adam still alive and memories of the Garden of Eden still vivid, how could man turn so quickly away from God to the extent that they would blaspheme His holy name? The clue is given throughout this chapter, at the end of every sentence, for there we read “…and he died” (with the exception of Enoch whom we’ll get to in a moment!). For the first time, fledgling humanity is brought face to face with the reality of death. Yes, Abel had died at the hand of his brother, but at some point in these verses, we would have had the first person to die of natural causes. That must have been terrifying. It is curious how death so often has one of two reactions: either it draws us closer to God, or it causes deep resentment, feeling that death is in some way unfair. Seemingly here, a number of people felt bitterness at the loss of loved ones. Now, it is not necessarily a nice name to give your child, but how applicable then that Seth names his son ‘Enos’, meaning “mortal,” “frail,” or  “miserable.” (It is from the root anash, to be incurable; used of a wound, grief, woe, sickness, or wickedness).

It doesn’t get much better with Enos either, as he names his son Kenan, meaning “sorrow,”   “dirge,” or “elegy.”

Thankfully, even in the midst of darkness and despair, the Lord is always there, and Kenan, maybe clinging to the hope of Genesis 3:15 and the promise of a Seed to deliver man from this body of death, names his son Mahalalel, which means “blessed” or “praise”; combined with the ending El, the name for God. His name means: “The Blessed God.”

Next, we have Jared, whose name comes from the verb yaradh, meaning “shall come down.” Dr Chuck Missler, among other scholars, suggest that it was during the days of Jared that the Angels ‘who left their first estate’ (Jude 6), and came to take the women of the earth, producing ungodly offspring, first ‘came down’  (we will discuss this in more detail in the coming weeks).

The one exception to this list of death is Jared’s son Enoch. Enoch’s name means ‘teaching’ and significantly, 1 Corinthians 10 tells us that the things that were written aforetime were written for our learning – especially in these last days. Throughout the Old Testament, we see countless models that pre-figure an event that was to take place at some point in the future. It is no coincidence that Enoch was raptured (taken alive from earth to heaven without dying) at one of the darkest periods in the pre-Flood world. Elijah, another who was raptured, was taken to heaven at arguably the darkest time in Israel’s history during the reign of king Ahab and queen Jezebel. There can be no question we are now living at one of the darkest times spiritually the world has ever known, and the Rapture of the Church is imminent!

It is also fascinating that Enoch’s prophecy [the first one uttered by a prophet in the Bible] is recorded in Jude, and it concerns the return of Jesus at the Second Coming were He is seen coming with His saints to execute judgment on the earth.

Before his rapture, however, Enoch had a son to whom he gave one of the most bizarre names ever! It is a compound name comprising two Hebrew roots. The first is muth, meaning “death”, the second is shalach, which means “to bring,” or   “to send forth.”. Literally, Methuselah means “His death shall bring.” We can only wonder at what Enoch’s close relationship and walk with God had revealed to him? But what we do know (with the benefit of hindsight) is that Methuselah’s name and life were a prophecy that spoke of God’s longsuffering in the days leading up to the Flood (see 1 Peter 3:20), for we discover that the very year Methusaleh died was the exact year the Flood came – quite literally, when he died, it came! Methuselah lived longer than any other human being, a stagering 969 years! One again, critics may scoff at so great an age, but we do know the earth was once very different, with greater oxygen content than we have now (which would have a significant effect on the human body); there would have been hardly any disease or sickness, and the water canopy surrounding the earth would have provided protection from solar radiation.

We are not told if Methusalah knew the significance of his name, but he names his son ‘Lamech’ – from whcih we derive the word ‘Lament’. In Hebrew it simply meant ‘despairing’.

But out of all this sadness comes hope. In Genesis chapter 6 we read:  “And it repented the LORD that he had made man on the earth, and it grieved him at his heart. And the LORD said, I will destroy man whom I have created from the face of the earth; both man, and beast, and the creeping thing, and the fowls of the air; for it repenteth me that I have made them. But Noah found grace in the eyes of the LORD“ (Gen 6:6-8)

Lamech named his son ‘Noah’ meaning ‘comfort or ‘rest’.“saying, This same shall comfort us concerning our work and toil of our hands, because of the ground which the LORD hath cursed”.(Gen 5:29)

Now, that is an incredible list of names, each one so applicable to their own lives, yet the truely asounding thing is seen when we put all the names together, for when we do we see this:

Man [is] Appointed Mortal sorrow, [but] The blessed God Shall come down Teaching [that] His death shall bring [the] Dispairing Comfort!

That is the Christian gospel concelaed in a geneology in Genesis 5! There is no way Jewish scribes consipred to put the Christian gospel into their beloved TORAH, nor could they have manipulated over 1500 years of history that occured before the nation of Israel had even been born to do this!

The only explanation for this is that God has intentionally conceld this in the names recorded in the text as a proof and demonstration of the supernatural origin of His Word. That means we can trust not only this chapter in its entirity, but also the whole councel of God given to us in the pages of the Bible.

I hope this stirs your hearts and minds to undertake the greatest jourtney of all – to read from Genesis to Revelation though God’s word! If you have never done this, you might find our “Though the Bible in a Year” teaching series beneficial. There are 48 studies that go from Genesis 1 to Revelation 22 complete with Powerpoint slides – all avaialbe for free download on this web site. Just click on the ‘Teaching and Audio link at the top of the home page (or click this link:https://www.calvaryportsmouth.co.uk/sermon-series/through-the-bible/)

Next time… ‘The Flood of Noah’

Every blessing,

Pastor Barry.

The post He has not left Himself without a witness! first appeared on Calvary Chapel Portsmouth.

“Has God said?”

Satan’s objective was clear; cause Eve to doubt God’s Word, in so doing, get her to focus on this forbidden fruit. If Eve fell for Satan’s ruse, he would be able to lay claim to this World that he so greatly desired, and Adam & Eve would forfeit all that had been given to them and be subject to God’s wrath.

History is now the lamentable record of Satan’s victory in the Garden of Eden and God’s incredible plan of Redemption to right the wrong. He is, in this current order of things, the ‘god of this world’ (2 Cor 4:4). The kingdoms of this would have been given over to him, for now (Luke 4:5-6).

Satan has successfully employed the same method ever since. The moment he can cause even the slightest doubt in God’s Word, he has a foothold. We have had attempts to undermine, re-define and allegorise Scripture, each time with the same question: ‘has God said’?

We have had the documentary hypothesis, textual criticism, liberalism and forgeries that claim to be older and more reliable manuscripts of the Bible – yet which omit entire verses and call into question scores of others, all of which are nothing more than the regurgitation of these most pernicious three words.

In this study of Genesis chapter 3, we look at the Fall of man and the introduction of God’s plan of redemption. I pray that you will be blessed and encouraged by these comments. If you want to listen to the audio teaching on Genesis chapter 3 (complete with PowerPoint slides), go to the following link: https://www.calvaryportsmouth.co.uk/sermon-series/sunday-morning-studies/

Genesis 3:1

1 Now the serpent was more subtil than any beast of the field which the LORD God had made. And he said unto the woman, Yea, hath God said, Ye shall not eat of every tree of the garden?

The first question to answer is, what is this ‘serpent’, and why was it made more subtle than any living thing?

There is a clue in the word for ‘subtle’ עָרוּם (aruwm) which has a negative connotation and in Hebrew it implies cunning (usually in a bad sense) – which begs then the question, why would God make a creature that was deliberately deceitful in a Creation He declared ‘very good’? In 2 Corinthians 11:3 we are told that the serpent beguiled Eve through his subtlety, i.e. the serpent acted with intent. In Revelation 12 we are given a specific link between the serpent and Satan.

There seems to be an implied comparison in this verse, where on one hand we have ‘every living creature that the LORD God made’ and on the other hand we have this creature. Somehow, Satan used this creature to manifest himself and turned it from whatever God had created it to be, into an instrument of deception.

The next question is why would Eve stop and listen to a talking snake?

The fact that Eve doesn’t immediately run away is a good indication that she was not surprised by this! The fact that she happily engages in conversation with this serpent suggests a familiarity.

This itself should come as no surprise for in the book of Ezekiel (ch 28) we are told that Satan (then known as Lucifer) was in the Garden of Eden. Initially, he was a perfect and beautiful Angelic being, so there is no reason Adam and Eve would not have already known Satan in his un-fallen state. Interestingly, the Hebrew word for serpent is ‘Nachash’ meaning ‘shining one’

So when this beautiful creature engages Eve in conversation it was probably nothing new to her, hence she was willing to listen to this beautiful and captivating being.

“Has God said?”

It’s either God’s Word or man’s. Either we believe that God has said what He means and means what He says, or it’s a free-for-all!

Peter tells us that ‘prophecy is of no private interpretation (2 Peter 2:20), but this applies to all Scripture – to everything that God has said! It is not up to us to decide or vote upon what God meant!

Eve’s simple failing here was to entertain the question! (but let’s not be too harsh on Eve, not only is she our great, great, great…..grandmother, we would have all (and actually have all) done the same!

A.W. Tozer said: “Let a man question the inspiration of the Scriptures and a curious, even monstrous, inversion takes place: thereafter he judges the Word instead of letting the Word judge him; he determines what the Word should teach instead of permitting it to determine what he should believe; he edits, amends, strikes out, adds at his pleasure; but always he sits above the Word and makes it amenable to him instead of kneeling before God and becoming amenable to the Word”.    (A W Tozer, “Man the Dwelling Place of God,” chapter 26,)

Significantly, despite the claims and allegations to the contrary, the Bible has stood the test of time. God’s Word has never failed; He has preserved His Word and it will stand forever (see Psalm 12:7 / Isaiah 40:8).  Yet Satan has continued to say ‘Has God said…’ and many sincere people have given him their ear and doubted God’s Word, questioned what He has said, and ultimately fallen from the simplicity of a child-like faith in Him and been plunged into a life of doubt.

Notice Satan’s question: It is itself a distortion of the truth: “Yea, hath God said, Ye shall not eat of every tree of the garden?”

This shows the ‘wiles of the Devil’, His question immediately provokes a response  – which is exactly what he wanted as this sets the conversation up for him to reap the seed of doubt he had sown!

What it the lesson here? The Devil is an alluring and formidable opponent. He was one jump ahead of Eve and orchestrated this whole event with precision. The moment Eve unwittingly succumbed to this interaction there was only one possible outcome.

“And they that heard it said, Who then can be saved? And he said, The things which are impossible with men are possible with God” (Luke 18:26-27).

Genesis 3:2-3

And the woman said unto the serpent, We may eat of the fruit of the trees of the garden: But of the fruit of the tree which is in the midst of the garden, God hath said, Ye shall not eat of it, neither shall ye touch it, lest ye die.

Eve answers the question, adding her own interpretation of what she thought God had said!

[Remember that Adam was given the instruction about this Tree not Eve; it was his responsibility to instruct his wife! Do the details matter? I think this example should answer that question for every husband, father, wife, mother and child – God says what He means and means what He says! We should pay attention!]

Nowhere is it recorded that God said to Adam and Eve they would die from merely touching this tree. Does that make a difference? Absolutely! For, as we will see in a moment, Eve will stretch out her hand and touch the fruit of this tree, and guess what? She doesn’t die by touching it! Thus Satan will be ‘proved right’ and it will seem that God is the one who has concealed the truth from them both. If touching the tree caused no harm, why not eat and see if it makes you wise?

It cannot be overemphasised how important the lessons we glean from these verses are!

Genesis 3:4

And the serpent said unto the woman, Ye shall not surely die:

John 8:44 tells us that the Devil was a liar from the beginning. Remember his objective: usurp man and claim the title to the earth. Did he care one iota about man? No! Did he care about how man would view him after this? No! Though Satan appears as an angel of light, he will only bring darkness to our souls! He leads men into darkness but makes them think he is leading them into light.

Who on earth could ever be so twisted and cold as to take a young child and tell them to put their hand into a fire and pick up a burning hot coal, knowing it will burn and sear their tender young flesh? That isn’t even half the wickedness of Satan. He did this knowing he would be condemning humanity to hell! What is hell? It is separation from a perfect and loving God. Yes, it is a real place; yes it is a place of suffering, but the greatest pain will not be physical, it will be the unimaginable anguish that will be experienced by every soul condemned to this eternal place of torment on account of  Satan’s lie in Genesis chapter 3 verse 4.

Genesis 3:5

For God doth know that in the day ye eat thereof, then your eyes shall be opened, and ye shall be as gods, knowing good and evil.

The hallmark of a good liar is that they don’t know when to stop! Satan’s arrogance here leads him to make the assumption that all created beings covert being ‘as gods’. Yet that job is already taken! Satan did not take into account the capacity to find total fulfilment in serving and obedience to the One true God. That is our greatest joy!

Nevertheless, Eve is already on the hook, so another tug won’t do any harm! Sadly, so many through history have fallen for this lie also. Kings and despots alike have sought absolute power; but as has been said, absolute power corrupts absolutely! Man was not created to be ‘god’. Nor for that matter was any angelic being!

There is a beautiful innocence in young children before they become ‘worldly wise’. Yet notice how wisdom does not bring happiness but sadness. We can never go back and undo what has been done. We can never reclaim innocence lost.

“I gave my heart to know wisdom, and to know madness and folly: I perceived that this also is vexation of spirit. For in much wisdom is much grief: and he that increaseth knowledge increaseth sorrow” (Eccl 1:17-18).

Genesis 3:6

And when the woman saw that the tree was good for food, and that it was pleasant to the eyes, and a tree to be desired to make one wise, she took of the fruit thereof, and did eat, and gave also unto her husband with her; and he did eat.

Notice the progression; she saw that it would satisfy her hunger, that it looked really good and that it would make her wise!

John tells us that this same progression is found when we love the creation more than the Creator!

“ ¹⁵Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him.¹⁶ For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world. ¹⁷ And the world passeth away, and the lust thereof: but he that doeth the will of God abideth for ever”. (1 John 2:15-17)

When did Eve sin? When she ate of the fruit? When she plucked it from the Tree? When she first touched it? When she merely looked at it?

No. Eve sinned – rebelled against God – when in her heart she decided to take the fruit.

“And he said, That which cometh out of the man, that defileth the man. For from within, out of the heart of men, proceed evil thoughts, adulteries, fornications, murders, Thefts, covetousness, wickedness, deceit, lasciviousness, an evil eye, blasphemy, pride, foolishness: All these evil things come from within, and defile the man” (Mark 7:20-23).

In Paul’s letter to Timothy he makes an important comment:

“Let the woman learn in silence with all subjection. But I suffer not a woman to teach, nor to usurp authority over the man, but to be in silence. For Adam was first formed, then Eve. And Adam was not deceived, but the woman being deceived was in the transgression” (1 Tim 2:11-14).

This is very interesting because Paul also said in the book of Romans that Adam was a “figure of him that was to come” (Romans 5:14).

Adam, realising what had happened to his bride, knowing that she would now die on account of her sin, willingly entered into the same predicament as Eve, knowing that this would be the only way to save her! It would ultimately be through their union and through Eve’s offspring that not only Eve, but all her children could be redeemed.

In just the same way, Jesus, the Second Adam, willingly gave up His position to come and rescue His bride (comprised of all who accept Jesus and are part of His Church).

Genesis 3:7

And the eyes of them both were opened, and they knew that they were naked; and they sewed fig leaves together, and made themselves aprons.

The had been naked in the moments leading up to the Fall, but there was no shame. Suddenly, in a moment, everything had changed. They had crossed a line and there was no going back. Suddenly they were not only physically naked, but they were ‘uncovered’. Seemingly up to this point they had been covered, not by a fabric or physical covering, but by the Shekinah glory of God. Now, on account of their sin that glorious covering had departed. Sin distorts nakedness.

The lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes and the pride of life all swamp our minds and we cannot regain that wonderful innocence Adam and Eve had known.

Here we see religion introduced for the first time. Religion is man’s attempt to cover sin and get right with God by his own efforts. The Latin word for religion means to re-link. That is what Adam and Eve were trying to do through these leaves. They were trying to make themselves acceptable to God again, trying to remove their shame.

It has been said that Religion is man searching for God. Christianity is God revealing Himself to man!

Genesis 3:8

And they heard the voice of the LORD God walking in the garden in the cool of the day: and Adam and his wife hid themselves from the presence of the LORD God amongst the trees of the garden.

How can you hear a voice walking? What is the voice of God? It is the Word of God? This is a ‘Christophany’ – a pre-incarnate appearance of God the Son.

Genesis 3:9

And the LORD God called unto Adam, and said unto him, Where art thou?

God was not asking this question because He needed help finding Adam! God never asks questions because He is looking for information! God asks questions to make us think! He the question to Adam was to make Adam think about his predicament. Where are you? What has become of you? The same question is asked of each of us: “What fruit had ye then in those things whereof ye are now ashamed? for the end of those things is death” (Rom 6:21).
As you read this, where are you? Are you walking with God in the open or are you trying to hide from God? Are there things in your life you would rather God didn’t see? Where are you at right now? What is going on? God is awaiting the response.

As noted previously, God holds Adam responsible, even though Eve is accountable for her own actions. Significantly in this verse, we see that it is God who seeks Adam, and not Adam seeking God.

This is always the way we see it in scripture. Paul says in Romans: “There is none that understandeth, there is none that seeketh after God” (Rom 3:11). God Always Does the Seeking: “For the Son of man is come to seek and to save that which was lost” (Luke 19:10).

God sought Abraham, whilst living among idol worshipping gentiles. God sought Jacob at Bethel as he was fleeing from Esau and God sought Moses whilst a fugitive in Midian. God sought David, a man after His own heart. God sought Isaiah, Jeremiah and the prophets of old. God still seeks today. ‘Behold, I stand at the door and knock’ (Rev 3:20). The Shepherd always seeks the sheep (see Matthew 18:12-14).

Genesis 3:10

And he said, I heard thy voice in the garden, and I was afraid, because I was naked; and I hid myself.

How sin brings guilt and fear! We don’t want people to see us as we really are, especial the One before whose eyes “all things are naked and opened unto the eyes of him with whom we have to do” (Hebrews 4:13).

Psalm 139 reminds us that it is foolish to hide from God, for even in Hades, God’s presence can be felt. Jonah tried to prove this the hard way! Seriously, how can you run away from an omniscient and omnipotent God?!

Genesis 3:11

And he said, Who told thee that thou wast naked? Hast thou eaten of the tree, whereof I commanded thee that thou shouldest not eat?

This is what the knowledge of Good and Evil does! It doesn’t make us wise unto Salvation, it makes us wise unto death!

Genesis 3:12

And the man said, The woman whom thou gavest to be with me, she gave me of the tree, and I did eat.

Always someone else’s fault! Never our own. Blame it on my evil twin! In fact, blame it on everyone and anyone, just not me!

Genesis 3:13

And the LORD God said unto the woman, What is this that thou hast done? And the woman said, The serpent beguiled me, and I did eat.

The man blames the woman, the woman blames the snake. It doesn’t change the last four words of this verse:

‘and I did eat’!

The rest is simply the details; the fact remains that Adam and Eve had transgressed (crossed a line) and they had sinned (missed the mark).

Genesis 3:14

And the LORD God said unto the serpent, Because thou hast done this, thou art cursed above all cattle, and above every beast of the field; upon thy belly shalt thou go, and dust shalt thou eat all the days of thy life:

What was this creature? Somehow it is physically altered so that after the fall it would like much like every snake does today. A documentary some time ago was suggesting that Snakes once had legs. Of course they put this down as ‘proof’ for Evolution. As we know, Evolution is utterly ridiculous, but it does beg the question, did the snake once have the ability to walk? Certainly, this verse would lead us to that conclusion.

Genesis 3:15

And I will put enmity between thee and the woman, and between thy seed and her seed; it shall bruise thy head, and thou shalt bruise his heel.

This is the foundation of the Gospel, and the start of the incredible story of redemption. From this moment God reveals that man is not without hope, for through his offspring God will make, not only a way of salvation but also for the ultimate defeat our adversary.

There is a dramatic ‘role play’ of this in the account of David and Goliath. David, as a type of Christ takes on the embodiment of evil in Goliath. David slays the great giant with a Stone that strikes his head. But more than that, the head of Goliath is then taken by David to Jerusalem. This has to be one of the most bizarre events in Scripture! For at the time David did this Jerusalem was not in Israel’s hands. It belonged to the Jebusites. This means that, in order to bury Goliath’s head, David had to break through into enemy territory (see 1 Samuel 17:54).

But the astounding thing is that place that David buries the head thereafter bore the name of the giant as a memorial of David’s great conquest. Around 1000 years later, Jesus is taken out to this very spot and crucified. John (19:17) specifically tells us it was ‘the place of a skull’ – whose skull? Goliath’s; hence the name ‘Gol[iath of [Gath]a’ – Golgotha!

Of course, now that God had announced that the Seed of the woman would be the one to redeem man and also [fatally wound] Satan’s head, Satan know what he had to do – destroy the seed. The Old Testament is the account of this battle. When Adam & Eve had their first children, they must have been wondering which one would be the seed? It soon became apparent that Abel was a man of faith and obedient to God. Could this be the Seed? Satan took no chances and used Cain to kill Abel.

However, as the population increased, the problem multiplied!

This led to the Angelic invasion that led to God cleansing the world with the Flood (see Genesis 6).

Then came the Tower of Babel – maybe Satan could manipulate the world through a One World Government which he would control?

Once again God confounded Satan’s plans.

However, God then chose to establish a ‘protective clothing’ for the Seed (see Rev 11:1-2). That clothing was the Nation of Israel. God chose Abraham and said that the Seed would come through His family. There were strict rules for the descendants of Abraham such that they should not intermarry with the people around them. They must be kept separate to ensure the safe delivery of the Seed at God’s appointed time. (This is all summarised in Revelation 12!)

The Battle of the Seeds

• The murder of Abel by Cain (Gen 4);
• The fallen angels corrupt mankind (Gen 6).
• The Tower of Babel – One World Government (Gen 10-11)
• Abraham’s famine
• Isaac and Abhimelech
• Jacob & Esau and then later, Laban
• The Famine in Canaan (Gen 50)
• Destruction of male line (Ex 1)
• Pharaoh’s pursuit (Ex 14)
• The battles and populating of Canaan (Gen 12:6)
• Saul’s attempts on David’s life
• Against David’s line (2 Sam 7)

Attacks on David’s Line

• Jehoram kills his brothers (2 Chr 21)
• Arabians slew all (but Ahazariah)
• Athaliah kills all (but Joash) (2 Chr 22)
• Hezekiah assaulted, etc. (Isa 36, 38)
• Haman’s attempts (Est 3)

New Testament attempts:

• The babies of Bethlehem
• The attempts on Jesus through his ministry
• The Cross

Genesis 3:16

Unto the woman he said, I will greatly multiply thy sorrow and thy conception; in sorrow thou shalt bring forth children; and thy desire shall be to thy husband, and he shall rule over thee.

The curse – the Woman

Genesis 3:17

And unto Adam he said, Because thou hast hearkened unto the voice of thy wife, and hast eaten of the tree, of which I commanded thee, saying, Thou shalt not eat of it: cursed is the ground for thy sake; in sorrow shalt thou eat of it all the days of thy life;

The curse – man

Genesis 3:18

Thorns also and thistles shall it bring forth to thee; and thou shalt eat the herb of the field;

This is why we have a day job!!!  – and why we are continually mowing grass and weeding during the spring & summer!

Genesis 3:19

In the sweat of thy face shalt thou eat bread, till thou return unto the ground; for out of it wast thou taken: for dust thou art, and unto dust shalt thou return.

This was the ‘prize’ for disobedience.
“The keyword in the sentence of the man is the “soil.” The curse of the soil is the desire of the fruit trees with which the garden was planted, and of that spontaneous growth which would have rendered the toil of man unnecessary. The rank growth of thorns and thistles was also a part of the curse which it occasioned to man when fallen. His sorrow was to arise from the labor and sweat with which he was to draw from the ground the means of subsistence. Instead of the spontaneous fruits of the garden, the herb of the field, which required diligent cultivation, was henceforth to constitute a principal part of his support. And he had the dreary prospect before him of returning at length to the ground whence he was taken”. (Albert Barnes)

However, Paul tells us in Galatians that Jesus became a curse for us to deliver us from the curse of the Fall.

Bearing the Curse – Jesus became a curse

• Ground cursed – Jesus made a curse for us                  Gal 3:13
• Man: eat sorrow –Jesus became the Man of Sorrows Isa 53:3
• Thorns & Thistles –Jesus wore a crown of thorns           Jn 18:8
• Sweat of brow –Sweat as blood                                   Lk 22:44
• Dust to return –Dust of death                                     Ps 22:15
• Sword barred –Awake O Sword                               Zech 13:7
• Man to die –“Why has thou forsaken me?”        Ps 22:1; Mt 27:26

Genesis 3:20-21

And Adam called his wife’s name Eve; because she was the mother of all living.

Unto Adam also and to his wife did the LORD God make coats of skins, and clothed them.

Here we have the first sacrifice – made by God  – notice plural skins. Were they clothed by the shed blood of a slain lamb?

The basis of blood sacrifice is instituted here. Any attempt to cover ourselves is just empty religion, but God’s remedy is acceptable to a holy God.

Genesis 3:22

And the LORD God said, Behold, the man is become as one of us, to know good and evil: and now, lest he put forth his hand, and take also of the tree of life, and eat, and live for ever:

We have become like God inasmuch as we now know about good and evil.

We will not get to see this tree of life again until the New Jerusalem

Genesis 3:23

Therefore the LORD God sent him forth from the garden of Eden, to till the ground from whence he was taken.

Banished on account of sin.

Now man had to work for a living! From the beauty and perfection of Eden, this is now the way it is. We simply have to look at the world to see that something is wrong. Death should not have been. Sickness was never part of the original plan. But praise God that this is not the end of the story! For there is coming a day of restitution! (Acts 3:21).

Genesis 3:24

So he drove out the man; and he placed at the east of the garden of Eden Cherubims, and a flaming sword which turned every way, to keep the way of the tree of life.

Why does this require a SuperAngel? Ordinary angels would seem to be sufficient. We see here Gods grace yet again, for now God guarded the way to the Tree of Life so that man would not eat from it and then forever remain in his falled condition. God here institutes death as the means for salvation. For if the sentance for our sin is death, and if another could be found to die in our place, God’s perfect justice and mercy could both be satisfied!

Cherubim principle: They were guardians of God’s glory and majesty (Ex 9, 10:1-22; Isa 6; Rev 4:6-8; Ps 18:10; 81:1; 99:1; et al.). Satan was the “anointed Cherub”… Ezek 28:14…

More next week…

Every blessing,

Pastor Barry.

The post Three Words That Changed Everything! first appeared on Calvary Chapel Portsmouth.

Later in Israel’s history, we find that God actually has Israel removed from their land for 70 years because they had failed to keep the Sabbaths for the land (every 7th year)  – see 2 Chron 36:21

There is far more to the Sabbath than most are aware! As we study scripture we find there is a principle laid down here that has enormous implications. The Sabbath is about rest as opposed to work, and herein is the whole Gospel message!

If you want to listen to the audio teaching associated with this post, you can find both the Audio and Powerpoint slides in the Sunday Morning Teaching section or click this link: https://www.calvaryportsmouth.co.uk/sermons/genesis-2/

Chapter 2

Genesis 2:1

Thus the heavens and the earth were finished, and all the host of them.

Finished, complete, nothing new needed to be added. This means there will be no new information. That which has been designed to reproduce will do so, but no more matter or energy will created.

When we finish a project there is a sense of satisfaction, but for God, as wonderful as this new creation was, He knew that His special creation would soon ‘fall’. Satan would soon rebel taking a third of the angelic host with him and the Earth that God has created for man would soon be in Satan’s hands. It would take the sacrificial death of His own Son, the One who is Light, to redeem the Earth and Adam’s offspring – but even then, many of Adam’s descendants would reject the Light in favour of the Darkness. Yet there was hope…

Genesis 2:2

And on the seventh day God ended his work which he had made; and he rested on the seventh day from all his work which he had made.

This is far more than a pattern for our week – which of course it is. In establishing the Sabbath God was prophetically outlining the future-history of man. For the next 6000 years of human history there would be toil and suffering, the six days of work. But then there would be a glorious age – the millennial kingdom – when the Earth would be reclaimed by the Second Adam, the curse would be removed and it would be a day of rest. The Sabbath speaks of Christ’s reign on the Earth He had made. It also speaks of His completed work. The writer to the Hebrews states:

“Let [those who are Christ’s] therefore fear, lest, a promise being left us of entering into his rest, any of you should seem to come short of it. For unto us was the gospel preached, as well as unto [Israel]: but the word preached did not profit [Israel], not being mixed with faith in them that heard it. For we which have believed do enter into rest, [i.e. we have ceased from the days of toil] as he said, As I have sworn in my wrath, if they shall [not] enter into my rest: although the works were finished from the foundation of the world [i.e. God’s plan and the opportunity to enter rest existed from the foundation of the World]. For he spake in a certain place of the seventh day on this wise, And God did rest the seventh day from all his works. [Even from the beginning of the World, before sin had entered, God’s plan of redemption was established and God had foreordained a place of rest (in Christ) and a time of rest (Christ’s everlasting kingdom)]. And in this place again, If they shall enter into my rest.[The key is ‘if’ – the gospel is for the ‘whosever will’].

Seeing therefore it remaineth that some must enter therein, and they to whom it was first preached entered not in because of unbelief: Again, he limiteth a certain day, saying in David, To day, after so long a time; as it is said, To day if ye will hear his voice, harden not your hearts. [Let me paraphrase this: God foreordained that some would enter into the Sabbath rest through Christ, the offer went first of all to Israel, but they would not believe by faith. God therefore chose a time, for this offer of Salvation and rest for our souls, to go out to the world through the Seed of David].

For if [Joshua – who had led them into Canaan] had given [Israel] rest, then would he not afterward have spoken of another day. [If God’s plan had been fulfilled through Israel’s obedience to the Law of Moses, there would be no need for the cross].

[However] There remaineth therefore a rest to the people of God. [The Law could not bring us to a place of rest, it could only condemn us, But Christ has paid for our sin, so anyone who simply believes on Him by faith is assured that there is a place of rest from our striving against sin, and that place is in Christ!]

For he that is entered into his rest, he also hath ceased from his own works, as God did from his. [Those who believe by faith know that it is not because of what we have done, but because of who He is!]. Let us labour therefore to enter into that rest, lest any man fall after the same example of unbelief. [This ends in an oxymoron! In essence what is said is let’s labour to not labour! Simply trust in the completed work of Christ and we can be assured of the Sabbath rest God intended for all who would believe!]  (Hebrews 4:1-11)

Thinking again of the man caught gathering sticks (as mentioned in the intro to this post), it speaks of religion – man’s attempt to get right with God by his own efforts. God had said ‘rest’! He would provide. This man was all about ‘works’, ‘doing things’. In esence, it is either your own works, your own efforts, or it is the completed work of Christ on the cross. This is not an issue about sticks, it is about salvation! Are you going to trust in what you can do (which will only lead to death)? Or trust in Christ’s payment in full (which will lead to life!)?

God was not harsh in the judgment meted out to this man, nor in regard to the 70 years captivity for Israel. Both of these examples draw our focus to the most important decision anyone can make. Are you going to go your own way and gather sticks – your labour, your efforts to provide for your needs? Or are you resting in the Lord knowing He has done it all?!

Genesis 2:3

And God blessed the seventh day, and sanctified it: because that in it he had rested from all his work which God created and made.

Now that we have seen in type what the Sabbath is really all about, we start to understand why God was so protective of the model. The Sabbath is set apart because it represents the hope of mankind and the restoration of God’s walk with man.

Genesis 2:4

These are the generations of the heavens and of the earth when they were created, in the day that the LORD God made the earth and the heavens,

The phrase ‘These are the generations’  we find nine times in Genesis: 5:1; 6:9; 10:1; 11:10,27; 25:12,19; 36:1; 37:2. Each time it marks a division of the book and the commencement of a new section. Some scholars think that, whilst Moses was the compiler of this book, each of these sections were originally recorded by different individuals starting with God Himself recoding 1:1 to 2:3, then Adam, Noah, Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, Joseph and finally Moses himself.

Genesis 2:5-6

And every plant of the field before it was in the earth, and every herb of the field before it grew: for the LORD God had not caused it to rain upon the earth, and there was not a man to till the ground.

But there went up a mist from the earth, and watered the whole face of the ground.

Here we are told that originally there was no rain. This, coupled with the statement in Hebrews 11:7 and with what seems to be implied in chapter 1 verse 7 leads to the conclusion that the earth had a very different hydo-system before the flood.

The statement that ‘there was not a man’ indicated that this, along with the next verse, is a recap of what we have seen in chapter 1.

Genesis 2:7

And the LORD God formed man of the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living soul.

This verse is very instructive! Firstly we are told that man was formed from the dust of the ground. It is very unlikely that Adam/Moses knew when they were recording this that the human body is made up almost entirely of 13 elements, all of which are found in the ground! The next insight we glean here is that we are made up of three component parts; body, soul and spirit.

Body

Our physical body is the container in which we reside, but it is not who we are. God here forms man out of the dust, but man is not alive until God breathes life into him. We (the real ‘us’) reside in our body (the Bible likens it to a ‘tabernacle’ or tent, implying a temporary residence (see 2 Cor 5:1,4 / 2 Peter 1:3). When we die the body goes back to dust (Gen 3:19).

Spirit

Then there is the spirit, given to us by God, and which will return to God when we die (see Ecclesiastes 12:7). The spirit is in effect our conscience; it is the part of us that is conscious of God. At the time of the fall man died spiritually, hence now we find that ‘the natural man does not receive the things of the Spirit of God, nor can his know them, because they are spiritually discerned’ (see 1 Cor 2:14). However, when we are born again we are not merely given a new spirit, we are given God’s Holy Spirit!

Soul

Finally, we have the real ‘you’ – the soul. This is who we are, and as we noted previously, the soul comprises the heart and mind. The soul is not alive until the breath of life comes. The Bible makes it clear, life is not physical but spiritual. Those who live to satisfy the body exist, but are not truly alive.

Genesis 2:8

And the LORD God planted a garden eastward in Eden; and there he put the man whom he had formed.

It may seem like stating the obvious, but Adam is created on day 6, and then God places him in this wonderful garden sometime after day 7; but notice this is before Eve is taken out of Adam.

Genesis 2:9

And out of the ground made the LORD God to grow every tree that is pleasant to the sight, and good for food; the tree of life also in the midst of the garden, and the tree of knowledge of good and evil.

Now, it is surprising how many people seem to struggle with the following verses. Often we here allegations of contradictions between Genesis 1 and Geneses 2. Even well-meaning Christians attempt to point out two different creation accounts, and then deliberate as to which is the correct or best one?

However, as so frequently is the case, if we simply read the verses in context there is no confusion and we see a coherent single account.

What we need to note is the fact that God creates a garden and then puts man in the garden. God has already created all plant life, all marine life, all land animals etc, on day 5 & 6. Now we are told that he causes to grow, out of the ground, another of every plant and tree etc.

Why does God do this? To show Adam that He alone is the Creator! Adam did not see days 1 – 5 as God was creating. History has shown how easily man is led away from trusting in our Creator; very soon the great Tempter would come onto the scene, and how easy it would have been for Satan to convince man that he was the one who had created everything! But now, Adam is an eyewitness of Creation and sees, first-hand, God at work.

Genesis 2:10-14

And a river went out of Eden to water the garden; and from thence it was parted, and became into four heads.

The name of the first is Pison: that is it which compasseth the whole land of Havilah, where there is gold;

And the gold of that land is good: there is bdellium and the onyx stone.

And the name of the second river is Gihon: the same is it that compasseth the whole land of Ethiopia.

And the name of the third river is Hiddekel: that is it which goeth toward the east of Assyria. And the fourth river is Euphrates.

All of Earth’s geography was rearranged at the time of the Flood. Clearly, some of these place names were re-used and given to other places / rivers after the Flood. But why do we have this record in scripture? Why did God choose to give us this information?

The honest answer is ‘I don’t know!’ – but that doesn’t trouble me. When you come to appreciate what the Bible is, when you realise that every name, every number, every letter and every place name are in the Bible by deliberate supernatural design, you begin to recognise what the Rabbi’s called a ‘Remez’ – a hint of something deeper. Just because we have not discovered it yet simply means we carry on looking. We might make and amazing discover that becomes a blessing and encouragment to the body of Christ, or we may not know this side of eternity.

“The secret things belong unto the LORD our God: but those things which are revealed belong unto us and to our children forever, that we may do all the words of this law”. (Deut 29:29)

Genesis 2:15-17

And the LORD God took the man, and put him into the garden of Eden to dress it and to keep it.

And the LORD God commanded the man, saying, Of every tree of the garden thou mayest freely eat:

But of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, thou shalt not eat of it: for in the day that thou eatest thereof thou shalt surely die.

So Adam has the opportunity to eat from the tree of life, but for some inexplicable reason, he doesn’t take it!

Instead, he ends up eating from the only tree that is forbidden!

Notice too that this instruction is given to him before Eve is created.

It was Adam’s responsibility to instruct his wife.

Notice that God holds Adam responsible, yet at the same time Eve is held accountable for her own actions.

Genesis 2:18

And the LORD God said, It is not good that the man should be alone; I will make him an help meet for him.

Man was created for fellowship – ultimately with God, but we are not supposed to be on our own.

Is there one woman for every man?

Does God intend for some people to remain single?

Can more be accomplished as a couple?

What is certain is that we must maintain fellowship with other believers!

Fellowship and friendship costs. It cost Adam a rib! David would not offer to God that which cost him nothing (2 Sam 24:24). Don’t expect a free ride! Adam will appreciate Eve for more after this object lesson that God is about to teach him.

Genesis 2:19

And out of the ground the LORD God formed every beast of the field, and every fowl of the air; and brought them unto Adam to see what he would call them: and whatsoever Adam called every living creature, that was the name thereof.

As already noted, God forms another of each creature out of the ground in the Garden of Eden in front of Adam to show again that He is the Creator.

The other purpose of this is to bring Adam to the place of realising his need!

God does this with us today. He allows circumstances and even disappointment into our lives to help us to understand.

Experience is still one of the best teachers. Some things we need to learn the hard way.

Adam must have had an incredible intellect, but remember, he was created perfect!

Had God not have exposed Adam’s need for companionship, his attitude toward might have been different. What seems clear is that by the time God creates Eve, Adam is overjoyed!

Genesis 2:20

And Adam gave names to all cattle, and to the fowl of the air, and to every beast of the field; but for Adam there was not found an help meet for him.

If more proof were needed, there is a chasm of difference between man and animals.

We are created eternal – they are not.

Genesis 2:21

And the LORD God caused a deep sleep to fall upon Adam and he slept: and he took one of his ribs, and closed up the flesh instead thereof;

God’s intention in making woman was not to give man a helper, nor a servant, but an ‘opposite’, the other part of the equation.

Man was asleep when Eve was created!

Here God literally takes the woman part out of Adam!

Man does not have one less rib!!

Note that woman was taken out of Adam’s side; this is a picture in type of the Church being taken from Christ’s side.

Genesis 2:22-24

And the rib, which the LORD God had taken from man, made he a woman, and brought her unto the man.

And Adam said, This is now bone of my bones, and flesh of my flesh: she shall be called Woman, because she was taken out of Man.

Therefore shall a man leave his father and his mother, and shall cleave unto his wife: and they shall be one flesh.

And they were both naked, the man and his wife, and were not ashamed.

The ‘woman’ part is taken out of man, but through marriage (which by the way, God invented so only He can define it – and He does, as the union between one man and one woman!!) man and woman are joined togehter and become one again – do you see from this why God hates divorce so much? It is like ripping part of your own self away, and you can never be the same after that.

That doesn’t mean God won’t forgive and bring a degree of healing, but God’s standard is clearly given – and for our benefit too!

Although they were naked they had a spiritual covering. They lose this at the time of the Fall (we will look at this in more details next week).

More next week…

Every blessing,

Pastor Barry.

The post The Sanctified Sabbath first appeared on Calvary Chapel Portsmouth.

If you want to listen to the audio teaching associated with these verses, you can find the Audio and Powerpoint slides in the Sunday Morning Teaching section: CLICK HERE

Genesis 1:20

And God said, Let the waters bring forth abundantly the moving creature that hath life, and fowl that may fly above the earth in the open firmament of heaven.

We now find the beginning of self-replicating conscious life. This is the first time the word ‘life’ (Hebrew: ‘khah’-ee) appears in the Bible, and we find God makes a clear distinction between non-conscious plants and vegetation, and that which has a distinct self-awareness (specifically here marine life and birds). This distinction shows itself again in that which God originally gives for food (see Gen 1:29-30), and the fundamental difference is blood. Prior to the flood, only plants and vegetation were to be eaten – these do not have blood. Leviticus 17:11 states that “The life of the flesh is in the blood”, thus life and blood are inextricably linked; that which does not rely on blood for its survival is not truly alive – and here there is a profound deeper truth. By inference, we can deduce that blood was created on day five, and there is a profound significance here also; the number five is consistently used in the Bible to speak of grace – and God’s grace is dependent on the blood of Christ.

It is interesting to note that the first real life we see is from the water – symbolic in the Bible of the Holy Spirit. In fact, both water and that which soars above is symbolic of the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit descended as a dove at Jesus’ baptism. It may be a tenuous link, but Jesus said that “Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God” (John 3:5). It could be argued that the first semblance of life on earth is seen in the water and the air, and real life comes likewise through natural (water) birth and by being born again of the Spirit – made possible by the blood of Jesus.

This is the last mention of the firmament in these verses, and as we noted, the implication from the Hebrew is that the birds fly ‘in the face of’ or ‘in front of’ the heavens.

Genesis 1:21

 And God created great whales, and every living creature that moveth, which the waters brought forth abundantly, after their kind, and every winged fowl after his kind: and God saw that it was good.

Notice that in the previous verse, and again here, God commanded the waters to bring forth abundantly, and only a cursory look at the life in the oceans will confirm that they are teeming with life. From the great whales and sharks to elaborately coloured tropical fish, to the huge variety of shellfish, the Octopus, Jellyfish, turtles and the list could go on. It has been estimated that there are 228,450 known species in the ocean, and one recent article stated that scientists had identified almost 1,500 new creatures in the world’s oceans in 2014, including the Australian humpback dolphin, 139 sponges, a South African “star-gazing shrimp” and a giant, venomous, tentacle-free box jellyfish about 50 cm (20 inches) long. They estimate there are still as many as 2 million more yet to be discovered! The huge variety of life in the oceans is breathtaking; yet what is even more incredible is the design we see with these sea creatures. Evolution cannot explain this diversity, nor can it offer any mechanism to account for the sheer complexity of marine life. Take, for example, the dolphin; it uses a sophisticated sonar system, located in its forehead, to find food. This has to have been there from the start or it would be no use. There is no way this could have evolved, it has to be the hand of a Master Designer!

It is the same when we look at birds; they have hollow bones so as to reduce weight and enable flight; they lay eggs so their young develop outside of the body. Their reproductive organs atrophy outside of breeding season, again to keep their weight down. They have a very fast metabolism and lungs that open at each end – completely different to any other vertebrates. They have an amazing 450 breaths per minute and have a larger heart to cope with higher altitudes.

Feathers, which most of us think of as fairly simple, are actually complex. Coming off the main hollow shaft (rachis), they have side branches (barbs) that have even finer sub-branches. Theses sub-branches are joined together with barbules and their corresponding hooklets (hamuli). The combined effect is a lightweight yet strong feather that provides lift when in flight and a first defence against physical objects, sunlight and rain. Each feather is contoured with a leading edge to go into the wind and a trailing edge designed for the optimum aerodynamic efficiency.

Is anyone going to tell me that this came about by random chance? Is our government’s ‘high-quality science education’ wanting us to believe that mutations over millions of years produced identical yet symmetrical mutations in both the male and female of the species at the same time and in the same place, and that these mutations actually got passed on to the next generation? It is astounding that evolutionists have never been publicly called out on this ‘mutation’ mantra. A mutation is a loss or scrambling of genetic information. It cannot create anything new. What also is never mentioned in the text books, or when David Attenborough is presenting his heavily evolutionary biased nature documentaries, is that for every ‘beneficial’ mutation there would be 10,000 that are, at best neutral, but many of which would be lethal! How do you get successive mutations that all complement each other if each mutation is just a random unguided event?

Dr J.C. Stanford, in his book “Genetic Entropy & The Mystery of the Genome” concludes:

“We have reviewed compelling evidence that, even when ignoring deleterious mutations, mutation/selection cannot create a single gene within the human evolutionary timescale. When deleterious mutations are factored back in, we see that mutations / selection cannot create a single gene, ever. This is overwhelming evidence against the Primary Axiom [theory of evolution]. In my opinion this constitutes what is essentially a formal proof that the Primary Axiom is false.”

The following article by Ray Comfort in his ‘Evidence Bible’ also hits the nail on the head:

• If every creature “evolved” with no Creator, there would be numerous problems. Take for instance the first bird. 
• Was it male or female? Let’s say it was male.  How did it produce offspring without a mate?  If a female also evolved, why did it evolve with differing reproductive organs? 
• Did it evolve by chance, or did it evolve because it knew that it was needed by the male of the species?
• How did it know what needed to be evolved if its brain hadn’t yet evolved? Did the bird breathe?  Did it breathe before it evolved lungs?  How did it do this?  Why did it evolve lungs if it was happily surviving without them? 
• Did the bird have a mouth? How did it eat before it evolved a mouth?  Where did the mouth send the food before the stomach evolved? 
• How did the bird have energy if it didn’t eat (because it didn’t yet have a mouth)? How did the bird see what there was to eat before its eyes evolved? 
• Evolution is intellectual suicide. It is an embarrassment.

Far from the science fiction that masquerades as fact is the reality that a wonderful God created all that we see, including the Woodpecker, which is an evolutionist’s nightmare! It has a super-strong beak to cope with all its hammering on wood, which in turn is seated in special cartilage to prevent it forcing its beak into its brain! Its eyes also shut at precisely the moment the beak strikes the tree to stop its eyes popping out! Its toes are not arranged like most birds with three claws at the front and a single claw at the back; the woodpecker has 2+2 to enable much greater grip when hanging onto a tree hammering away to find food.

Then there is the tongue! It is incredible. It goes down the throat, out the back of the neck, around the back of the skull beneath the skin, over the top of the eyes and terminates just below the eye socket.

We could talk about migration or the flight patterns of migrating birds that enable them to complete an eighty-eight-hour journey, in the case of the Golden Plover, by flying in formation. They could not complete the journey if they flew alone. This knowledge could not have evolved, it just shouts out there is an awesome Designer!

Gtting back to the text, notice also how God wants you to know that things only reproduce ‘after their own kind’! This is repeated 10x in chapter 1. Things NEVER reproduce something other than themselves, despite Charles Darwin’s wishful thinking!

Genesis 1:22-23

22  And God blessed them, saying, Be fruitful, and multiply, and fill the waters in the seas, and let fowl multiply in the earth.

23 And the evening and the morning were the fifth day.

So this brings us to the end of the fifth day. Once again we have ‘erev’ and ‘boker’ as we move from less order to more order as God’s work of creation is almost complete.

Genesis 1:24-25

24 And God said, Let the earth bring forth the living creature after his kind, cattle, and creeping thing, and beast of the earth after his kind: and it was so.

25 And God made the beast of the earth after his kind, and cattle after their kind, and every thing that creepeth upon the earth after his kind: and God saw that it was good.

 We could now list the countless numbers of land animals that exhibit such staggering complexity and design. If we take just one, let’s consider the Giraffe. They can grow up to 21ft tall and have a large & powerful heart to pump the blood up their long neck. The miracle is that when they bend down to drink they don’t pass out with all the blood that would rush to their heads, or worse still their brains explode! Yet God has built in ‘safety’ valves that close when the Giraffe bends down to prevent the otherwise inevitable. The next problem our Giraffe would face, however, is if it now needs to lift its head up and leave in a hurry – due to a nearby predator etc. – it would now faint as there would not be enough blood and therefore oxygen feeding its brain. Once again we see the brilliance of God’s design, for instead of the last valve in its neck it has a sponge in its brain that soaks up blood, this again prevents problems when it bends down, but also provides a sufficient reserve of oxygen if a fast getaway is needed! This all has to work or no more Giraffe!

So, all made after their kind, all made good, and all made originally to be herbivores (there was no meat eaten until after the flood).

Genesis 1:26

 And God said, Let us make man in our image, after our likeness: and let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over the cattle, and over all the earth, and over every creeping thing that creepeth upon the earth.

As we now move to God’s final work of creation, just like at the wedding in Cana, He saves the best until last!

Notice that we have the Trinity in this verse as God says “Let US….” The work of creation is attributed to God the Father, God the Son and God the Holy Spirit throughout scripture.

The important thing in this verse is that Adam was made in God’s image and in His likeness. No other created being can claim this.

Genesis 1:27

 So God created man in his own image, in the image of God created he him; male and female created he them.

We make an interesting discovery if we look at the Hebrew words in this verse. If we were to transliterate it into English it would actually read: “Created out of nothing, God, [the Alpha & Omega] Man in His resemblance. In His resemblance, God created out of nothing him, male – female, created out of nothing him“. In other words, God created Adam as perfect male and female in one. This helps to answer something some have struggled with regarding the creation of Eve. Eve was not created on day six, she was not created until the Garden of Eden, which occurred after the first 7 days. All God does in the Garden of Eden is to take the woman part he had already created out of man!

This is why we will see in chapter 2 that Adam states: “This is now bone of my bones, and flesh of my flesh: she shall be called Woman, because she was taken out of Man“. It also defines marriage (contrary to modern society’s re-writing the rules), because when a man and wife are joined in marriage, they come back to as it was:  Therefore shall a man leave his father and his mother, and shall cleave unto his wife: and they shall be one flesh“(Gen 2:23-24).

Genesis 1:28-29

28 And God blessed them, and God said unto them, Be fruitful, and multiply, and replenish the earth, and subdue it: and have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over every living thing that moveth upon the earth. 

29 And God said, Behold, I have given you every herb bearing seed, which is upon the face of all the earth, and every tree, in the which is the fruit of a tree yielding seed; to you it shall be for meat.

Man is given dominion over all God’s creation, and having already noted the complexity and design, there is clearly implied the mandate to look after the world that God has given us!

Genesis 1:30

And to every beast of the earth, and to every fowl of the air, and to every thing that creepeth upon the earth, wherein there is life, I have given every green herb for meat: and it was so.

As we have noted, the animals and man were all vegetarians prior to the flood. Up until the Fall there was no death, so no killing creatures for food. This again makes a distinction between that which is alive in the Biblical sense and that which is merely living. Plants have life, but they are not truly alive as they don’t have blood. Only that which has blood is alive. Only that which has the blood of Christ is eternally alive! (see John 6:54-55).     

Genesis 1:31

 And God saw every thing that he had made, and, behold, it was very good. And the evening and the morning were the sixth day.

This brings us to the end of the sixth day, and notice that it wasn’t just ok, it was the best it could possibly be! God doesn’t do His best, He does it the best!

This is the last time we see ‘evening and morning’ (in the Hebrew ‘Erev’ and ‘Boker’). God’s work of creation is complete and no new information will be added. God has taken the world from disorder to order.

(Above chart by Dr Chuck Missler – www.khouse.org)

More next week…

Every blessing,

Pastor Barry.

The post The Beginning of Life – Day 5 & 6 first appeared on Calvary Chapel Portsmouth.

Well, actually no. True science and the Bible will never be in disagreement because they both have the same author!

It is, therefore, fascinating when we come to the opening chapters of the Bible to find that many of sciences ‘discoveries’ have been preempted by God’s Word, hundreds and even thousands of years before science has stumbled upon them. In fact, the more we discover about the world around us, the more comfortable we become with the opening chapters of Genesis!

This week, as we continue our study in Genesis chapter 1, we look at ‘the firmament’ and consider why life on Earth seemed once to be so much different than it is today. What accounts for the super-size plants and animals in the fossil record? If the climate around the world is now very different to what it used to be, what caused the change?

I hope the notes below encourage you to undertake your own study of God’s unchanging Word!

The audio teaching accompanying this post can be listened to on this web site by clicking on the following link:

Genesis 1 6-19

Genesis 1:6 – Day 2

6 And God said, Let there be a firmament in the midst of the waters, and let it divide the waters from the waters. 7 And God made the firmament, and divided the waters which were under the firmament from the waters which were above the firmament: and it was so. 8 And God called the firmament Heaven. And the evening and the morning were the second day.

As we move on to the second day of Creation we find God putting something called a ‘firmament’ in between the waters above (whatever they are) and the waters below (which we are told in verse 10 are the seas). The word ‘firmament’ comes from the Latin firmamentum, and implies solidity. In Hebrew the word is  ‘Raqia’, and literally means ‘to stretch, spread out, beat or tread out, or a solid expanse’.

Firmament actually occurs 9 times in this chapter and seems to be used to refer to two distinct ‘expanses’. In verses 14-17 we will find that God places the sun, moon and stars in the ‘firmament of heaven’; thus, in these three instances, the firmament of heaven would seem to refer to ‘outer space’.  So immediately this poses the question, how can space be described as a solid expanse? We’ll come back to that in a moment.

For now, let us consider this firmament that divides the waters above from the waters below. There are a number of suggestions that have been proposed, but the one that fits the Biblical description best is the idea that there was once a water canopy that God placed around the Earth. The ‘solid expanse’ spoken of in this verse was simply what held it in place. Of course, the question must be asked, is that something supported by science? The answer is surprising yes!

What would be the effect of such a canopy? Firstly, it would regulate the temperature on Earth, causing a greenhouse-like environment and uniform temperature around the world. There is strong evidence to support this, from coal seams at the south pole, to Mammoths with undigested tropical food in their stomachs – yet now frozen in places like Siberia.  This, in turn, would also increase the atmospheric pressure (more Oxygen & CO2) which would have a significant impact on anything living. Studies have shown that, at one time, the oxygen content of the atmosphere was once up to 50% greater than it is now. This would cause things to grow bigger and could elongate lifespans. In an article in Time Magazine (9/11/87 p.82) it was stated that “…earth’s atmosphere contained about 50% more oxygen than it does today”. An article on the University of London’s website documents the fact that they have found oxygen trapped in amber (fossilised tree sap) that is double the level currently in our atmosphere.

There is abundant evidence to show that things did once grow to significantly greater size than today. We have:

• Fossilised Moss 3ft deep
• Fossils of Asparagus 40ft high
• 50ft Horsetail Reeds found fossilised
• Ferns over 50ft tall
• Fossil cattails 60ft long found in sedimentary rock
• Dragonflys with 3ft wingspans
• Buffalo horns with 12ft spans
• (See the Powerpoint slides from the study for more!)

Before we move on, it’s interesting that reptiles keep growing until they die. If you take many of the lizards that we have today, give them a perfect environment, and let them live for hundreds of years, what would they end up looking like? Probably what you and I would call a dinosaur! Not all dinosaurs were huge, most were comparatively small.

Another significant effect of a water canopy would be the protection is would give the Earth from Solar radiation – much like the Ozone layer does today (only better!).

All of this combined could account for the long life spans as recorded in the Bible.

Further Biblical support can be found in Genesis chapter 6, where, at the time of the flood, the ‘windows of the heaven were opened’ and this water canopy seemingly came crashing down providing much of the water for the flood.

This is certainly a view that cannot just be dismissed because one doesn’t like it and a number of credentialed Bible-believing scientists have postulated and demonstrated the credibility of this view.

9 And God said, Let the waters under the heaven be gathered together unto one place, and let the dry land appear: and it was so. 10 And God called the dry land Earth, and the gathering together of the waters called he Seas: and God saw that it was good.

Here we see God separate the land from the sea for the first time. The interesting thing to note is the clear implication that there was originally one land mass. There are many theories of ‘Pangea’ or one single super continent in the past, but an interesting study done by Peter Wilders, in a pamphlet produced by Creation Science Movement – Pamphlet 246, proposed that the original land mass may have been shaped as a flower, and significantly with Jerusalem at the centre. (for more information write to PO Box 888, Portsmouth, PO6 2YD, ref: Pamphlet 246 or go to www.CreationScienceMovement.com).

As an aside, Acts 3:21 speaks of the ‘times of restitution of all things’. This implies that one day God will put things back to the way they were in the beginning. This is further supported by the statement in Revelation 16:20 that during the Tribulation (as a result of a catastrophic worldwide earthquake) ‘every island will flee away’. Through simple deduction, if there are no more islands, there would have to be just one land mass. Food for thought!

11 And God said, Let the earth bring forth grass, the herb yielding seed, and the fruit-tree yielding fruit after his kind, whose seed is in itself, upon the earth: and it was so. 12 And the earth brought forth grass, and herb yielding seed after his kind, and the tree yielding fruit, whose seed was in itself, after his kind: and God saw that it was good.

Three times in these verses we are told that things bring forth ‘after their kind’. This is a scientific statement that anyone can very easily verify. Apple trees produce apples, Orange trees produce oranges. A strawberry plant will produce strawberries, always. This is the clearest and simplest rebuttal to the non-science that fills our school text books, university lecture halls and TV screens. I am of course referring to the theory of Evolution as proposed by Charles Darwin. Mr Darwin proposed that things can bring forth things other than themselves, yet this has not only never been observed anywhere in nature, it is scientifically impossible.

The packet seed industry basis its reputation on the scientific accuracy of Genesis chapter 1 verse 11. Whenever you buy a packet of seeds there will be a picture on the front of the packet presumptuously stating what it will become if you plant it and water it! How can they be so sure? If there was an ounce of credibility in Darwin’s fairy story they would not dare be so arrogant as to boldly state what it will become! They have certainly never felt the need to put a warning on the front of the packet saying: Warning! May produce a frog! If you stop and think about it, thousands of experiments are being conducted every day around the world in this manner; whenever someone plants a seed, whenever a creature gives birth, whenever

If you stop and think about it, thousands of experiments are being conducted every day around the world in this manner; whenever someone plants a seed, whenever a creature gives birth, whenever an egg hatches, all of these experiments prove conclusively that evolution simply does not happen!

Clearly, the Bible is right and Darwin (and sadly much of the scientific community who favour man’s ‘wisdom’ over God’s word) is wrong!

By the way, what an incredible piece of design to place the ability to reproduce itself in the seed, that can sometimes lay dormant for hundreds of years, until the right conditions exist for the seed to germinate and reproduce itself!

13 And the evening and the morning were the third day.

You may have noticed that on day two God did not declare it good. However, when we come to the third day, we find that twice God has it recorded that what He saw was good (v10 & v12). It is because of this that the third day became to be known as the ‘day of double blessing’ among the Jews. Therefore, if you were to get married, for example, which day would you choose? The day of double blessing! There is an allusion to this in the beginning of John’s gospel: “And the third day there was a marriage in Cana of Galilee; and the mother of Jesus was there” (John 2:1). Normally you would just read on and not pay too much attention to the mention of the ‘third day’, but hopefully, by now, you are realising that every single detail in the Bible is there by deliberate supernatural design! When John mentions the ‘third day; he doesn’t give any reference point; the third day from what? However when we understand that by ‘the third day’ he is referring to Tuesday – the ‘day of double blessing’, it all starts to make sense.

The ‘third day’ is also yet to be a day of blessing for Israel – see Hosea 6:1-2.

And we should need no reminding that the third day is indeed a day of blessing for us all; for it was on the ‘third day’ that our Saviour rose and conquered death!

14 And God said, Let there be lights in the firmament of the heaven to divide the day from the night; and let them be for signs, and for seasons, and for days, and years: 15 And let them be for lights in the firmament of the heaven to give light upon the earth: and it was so. 16 And God made two great lights; the greater light to rule the day, and the lesser light to rule the night: he made the stars also. 17 And God set them in the firmament of the heaven to give light upon the earth, 18 And to rule over the day and over the night, and to divide the light from the darkness: and God saw that it was good. 19 And the evening and the morning were the fourth day.

The first thing God does on day four is to make ‘light bearers’. Light already existed, the sun and moon are simply vessels that carry the light. This is how each of us should be. Christ is the light of the world, we are to be His light bearers – without this light the world is in darkness (cf Matt 5:14).

As an aside, the word for ‘seasons’  in Hebrew is ‘Ha Moyadim’ meaning ‘appointed times’. In the original Hebrew text it appears just once in the book of Genesis as an equidistant letter sequence, which so happens to occur at an interval of 70. In other words, if you start with the first letter, count forward 70 letters, you have the next letter, and so on until you spell the word. What makes this provocative is that, of all the places this could ‘randomly’ occur in the book of Genesis, it ‘happens’ to be centred on this very verse, where the word actually appears in the surface text. Even more incredible is the fact that we are told that the sun and moon were to be for signs and seasons, and it is from these signs that Israel’s calendar is derived, (each month begins with the new moon etc.). When we add up all of Israel’s  ‘appointed times’, their feast days etc. we discover there are 70! As the Rabbis say: ‘coincidence is not a kosher word!’

God places these light bearers in the ‘firmament’. As we have already noted, this word in these verses refers to ‘outer space’. As mentioned in verse 7, the word ‘firmament’ comes from the Latin firmamentum, and implies solidity. Again, in Hebrew the word is ‘Raqia’, which means ‘to stretch, spread out, beat or tread out; literally or figuratively, an expanse’. God could have chosen any word to describe space, but specifically chooses this one. This is extremely provocative for, contrary to our general assumptions, space is not just an empty void, but rather is indeed a ‘solid expanse’.  Building on the efforts of many before him, James Clerk Maxwell (1839-1879) pioneered work to show how light waves could pass through space. The significance of this is that for a wave to travel, there must be a medium for it to travel through, but that medium must also have elasticity (a spring-like property). Science still does not fully understand what material it is made up of, but the vacuum of space is clearly not an empty nothingness.

To Bible-believing Christians this should not really come as a surprise, for we are repeatedly told through scripture that God stretched out the heavens, and that the heavens will be rolled up as a scroll (Isaiah 34:4). Isaiah 13:13 tells us that God will ‘shake the heavens’; and the writer to the Hebrews tells us that one day God will fold up the heavens like you can fold up a garment (Hebrews 1:10-12). With what we now know, rather than being simply metaphors, these Biblical comments show scientific insight not known until relatively recently. For space to be ‘rolled up’, there must be a dimension in which it is thin. For space to be ‘bent’, there must be a direction it can be bent toward. All of this hints at its solidity and implies additional spatial dimensions (other than width, length, height and time). The reality of additional dimensions was something noted by Biblical sages in the 13^th century, and now confirmed by quantum physicists. It is now believed there are actually ten dimensions, of which only ‘our’ four are directly measurable. This may give us a hint at what the world and universe were like before Adam fell. We are now ‘trapped’ in width, length, height and time, yet the Bible speaks of other (spiritual) dimensions we cannot currently perceive. Was Adam originally able to experience these? Is this how Jesus could pass through solid walls in His resurrected body? (John 20:26).

Ultimately, the sun, moon and stars are un-complex and simple, from a chemical perspective, when compared to even a single cell in a living organism; and this may be why we have such a brief mention of them here. The phrase ‘He made the stars also’ almost implies an afterthought, something of little regard from God’s perspective. Yet these celestial bodies have captivated mankind’s thoughts and imaginations throughout history, and have even become objects of worship (e.g. the days of the week are named after the planets).

Isaiah tells us (Is 42:8) that God will not share His glory with another, and in the book of Deuteronomy, God will say: “If there be found among you, within any of thy gates which the LORD thy God giveth thee, man or woman, that hath wrought wickedness in the sight of the LORD thy God, in transgressing his covenant, And hath gone and served other gods, and worshipped them, either the sun, or moon, or any of the host of heaven, which I have not commanded; And it be told thee, and thou hast heard of it, and inquired diligently, and, behold, it be true, and the thing certain, that such abomination is wrought in Israel: Then shalt thou bring forth that man or that woman, which have committed that wicked thing, unto thy gates, even that man or that woman, and shalt stone them with stones, till they die.” (Deut 17:2-5)

“And lest thou lift up thine eyes unto heaven, and when thou seest the sun, and the moon, and the stars, even all the host of heaven, shouldest be driven to worship them, and serve them, which the LORD thy God hath divided unto all nations under the whole heaven” (Deut 4:19)

So whilst we are clearly warned against worshipping these things, we cannot help be amazed at the scale and beauty of the universe. Job comments on the ‘height of heaven’ and the ‘height of the stars’, being in awe at the scale of these things (Job 22:12). In Psalm 8 we read: “When I consider thy heavens, the work of thy fingers, the moon and the stars, which thou hast ordained; What is man, that thou art mindful of him? and the son of man, that thou visitest him?” (Psalm 8:3-4). Although man is infinitely more complex, the sheer scale of the universe is breathtaking.

The Stars

The universe is estimated to be 30 Billion light years wide; there are enough stars for each person to own 3 Trillion each! The Sagittarius Dwarf Elliptical Galaxy is the closest galaxy outside our own Milky Way; if you could travel at 186,282 miles per second, it would take you ten thousand years (at that speed) to go from one side of it to the other! The Orion Nebula is around 10 quadrillion miles away from earth!

If you tried to count just the stars visible to the naked eye at the rate of 1 per second, you would be counting for thousands of years! – and yet our God “telleth the number of the stars; he calleth them all by their names” (Psalm 147:4).

Interestingly, secular scientists still do not know how stars are formed, as the following quotes show: “According to current theories of star formation, cores of molecular clouds (regions of especially high density) become gravitationally unstable, fragment and begin to collapse (sometimes, shockwaves from supernovae will trigger star formation in nearby gas clouds).

[i.e you need a star (supernovae) to trigger the formation of a star – so where did the supernovae come from???] The youngest and brightest stars we now see in the Orion Nebula are thought to be less than 300,000 years old, and the brightest may be only 10,000 years in age. Source”: Wikipedia

“The earliest modern theory of the formation of our galaxy describes a single (relatively) rapid monolithic collapse…..Another view published in 1978 describes a more gradual process……An even more recent idea is that significant portions of the stellar halo could be stellar debris from destroyed dwarf galaxies and globular clusters……Giant elliptical galaxies are probably formed by……etc.,etc.

While we have learned a great deal about ours and other galaxies, the most fundamental questions about formation and evolution remain only tentatively answered.” Source: Wikipedia

So we have ‘theories’, ‘views’, ‘ideas’, ‘probably’s’, and ‘tentative answers’, but no facts or evidence! Yet secular scientists are quick to point to Creationists as ‘unscientific’ because we believe primarily on the basis of faith. Surely it takes more faith to believe that the whole universe came into being, with all the chemicals and atoms that make up the stars, from nothing, that from nowhere found the energy to explode into everything?! Such a belief defies reason and the 1^st and 2^nd laws of thermodynamics. The real problem here for atheists and evolutionists is, that if you base your belief on purely natural mechanisms, denying the possibility of outside (supernatural) intelligence, you have to abide by the laws of the physical universe; and those laws will tell you it cannot, and will not happen, regardless of how much time you give it!

In contrast, the Bible boldly declares: “Thou, even thou, art LORD alone; thou hast made heaven, the heaven of heavens, with all their host, the earth, and all things that are therein, the seas, and all that is therein, and thou preservest them all; and the host of heaven worshippeth thee” (Neh 9:6)

Psalm 19 states: “The heavens declare the glory of God; and the firmament sheweth his handywork. Day unto day uttereth speech, and night unto night sheweth knowledge. There is no speech nor language, where their voice is not heard.” (Psalm 19:1-3). God’s creation is awesome and testifies to all people in all languages that there is a Creator!

The Sun

Our sun is losing mass at the rate of 4 billion kg a second. This is not something that should worry us as there is plenty of it! But what is does underline is that it will not go on forever. There will come a point – however far away it may be – when our sun will burn out. This confirms one of the greatest discoveries of the 21^st century, namely that our universe is finite: it had a beginning and is destined for an ending. And what does the opening verse of the Bible state? In the beginning… The Bible is not a science textbook… it is far more accurate and never needs to be updated!

Not only does the Bible tell us that the Earth is a sphere (Isaiah 40:22) that hangs in space (Job 26:7), it also tells us that the sun is not stationary but on a circuit around the heavens: “[the sun] is as a bridegroom coming out of his chamber, and rejoiceth as a strong man to run a race. His going forth is from the end of the heaven, and his circuit unto the ends of it: and there is nothing hid from the heat thereof.” (Psalm 19:5-6). Cosmologists now know that the sun is indeed on its own massive orbit within our solar system.

The Moon

Before we move on, we should also briefly mention the moon. All planets have a certain amount of reflectivity, known as the albedo. This is simply the ratio of the intensity of light reflected compared to the light received from the sun. Our moon had an albedo of just 12%; this is enough to provide light at night, but not too much to keep us all awake! If someone intended to design a ‘lesser light’ to rule the night, it is hard to think how it could have been done any better!

Various theories have been put forward to explain the origin of the moon; three principle theories are the sister theory, wife theory and the daughter theory.

Sister theory – this holds that the moon was formed at the same time as the earth, although as we have noted, the nebular hypothesis does not offer a satisfactory explanation to this, so we are still left not knowing how the moon was formed.

Wife theory – the moon was just passing close to the earth and earth’s gravity just ‘grabbed’ it. Numerous problems exist with this option, and it still does not account for the moon’s origin.

Daughter theory – This view suggests that a passing meteor crashed into the earth and broke a bit off. Although the moon is small compared to the earth, it is still huge, and it is hard to believe that such an impact and cataclysmic event would leave no obvious sign. Furthermore, this theory does not account for the chemical composition of the moon differing from rock indigenous to earth.

None of these theories stand under scientific scrutiny. It has been said that it is easier to explain why the moon should not be there, than to try to explain why it is! And yet, it has such a profound effect on life on earth, controlling the tides and being a reference point from which calendars can be set “and let them be for signs, and for seasons, and for days, and years”. Cosmologists cannot explain the origin of the moon – it’s as if was put there on purpose!

Interestingly, the moon is moving away from the earth at the rate of 4cm per year. Whilst this is of no concern to us, it is compelling grounds to reject an age of millions of years for the moon, for if its current rate of movement has been consistent, it would have been so close in the past as to make life on earth impossible.

Needless to say, when God looked at all the billions of stars and galaxies, and at the sun and moon, all fulfilling their specific purpose, it is no wonder “God saw that it was good”. And that brings us to the end of the fourth day. Notice once again we have ‘Erev’ and ‘Boker’; things on earth are becoming more discernable, and a formless universe gives way to incredible design.

We’ll continue our study next week as we move into day 5.

Every blessing,

Pastor Bary.

The post Day Two, Three & Four first appeared on Calvary Chapel Portsmouth.

Using deception and cunning Satan then usurped man and claimed the title deed for the Earth. He is, for now, the ‘God of this world’ (2 Corinthians 4:4) the kingdoms of this world having been delivered over to him (Luke 4:6). However, there is coming a day when “The kingdoms of this world [will] become the kingdoms of our Lord, and of his Christ; and He shall reign for ever and ever” (Revelation 11:15).

But the battle for the Earth has also been waged in a far more subtle way, for once people believed that God had created it. Of course, throughout history, there have been many wacky theories and ideas about the Earth – that it sits on the back of a giant turtle is one of the best! But in the 18th century, there was a radical shift. People went from believing the Biblical account of the Earth’s history to a theory born largely out of seances with men from Jupiter and Saturn! (Yes you did read that right!). In 1755, Immanuel Kant published his book, “Universal Natural History and Theory of the Heavens”, in it he proposed the ‘Nebular Hypothesis’ – the idea that all the planets in our solar system were the result of a large filament of material which shot off from the Sun 4 Billion years ago, cooled and then became the planets, including Earth. However, he wasn’t the first to propose this. Some years earlier Emanuel Swedenborg had claim confirmation for this hypothesis from seances with men on Jupiter, Saturn and places more distant! Pierre Simon Leplace (mathmatician) subsequently gave his endorsment despite there being serious mathmatical flaws in the theory, and although proven false, amazingly, this is still taught today.

This paved the way for geologist James Hutton, followed by Charles Lyell and then Charles Darwin to leave their mark on history, by rejecting the Biblical account in favour of man’s wisdom. This little bit of history sets the scene for our continued verse-by-verse study in Genesis.

Today, the battle for the Earth has been all but won in the minds of the masses by the ‘prince of the power of the air’ (Ephesians 2:2) “the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not” (2 Corinthians 4:4).

(Listen to the audio teaching on this web site: https://www.calvaryportsmouth.co.uk/sermons/genesis-1-2-5/

We pick up our verse by verse study in Genesis chapter 1, verse 2:

Genesis 1:2

And the earth was without form, and void; and darkness was upon the face of the deep. And the Spirit of God moved upon the face of the waters.

In an ideal world we could simply make a few comments and move onto the next verse; however, it is necessary to make mention at this point of what is known as the ‘Gap Theory’. This theory, proposed by Thomas Chalmers in 1814, suggests that there is a gap of time between verse 1 and verse 2; i.e. that God created the heavens and the earth, there was then an undisclosed period of time when, according to proponents of this view, Satan ruled on the earth over a pre-Adamite civilisation. Then, supposedly, due to the wickedness of this original world, God sent a flood – called ‘Lucifer’s flood’ – which destroyed everything from the face of the earth. It is then suggested that what we see in verse two is the result of this judgment as God plans to recreate as per the remainder of the Genesis chapter 1 account.

Those who hold to this view will try to draw attention to specific Hebrew words to make the claim that the verse should be translated as follows: “But the earth became confused and waste…”. However, respected Hebrew scholars Keil & Delitzsch, in their commentary on the Old Testament say the following: “And the earth was (not became) waste and void.” The alliterative nouns tohu vabohu, the etymology of which is lost, signify waste and empty (barren), but not laying waste and desolating. [emphasis added] (from Keil & Delitzsch Commentary on the Old Testament: New Updated Edition, Electronic Database. Copyright (c) 1996 by Hendrickson Publishers, Inc.) Thus, you will be able to find Hebrew scholars on both sides of this debate; some who lend support to the gap theory, and other who reject it out of hand.

Now, before we go on to look at the Biblical position regarding this theory, what should be addressed, is the circumstances that led to this theory in the first place. As we have already mentioned, the gap theory first surfaced in 1814. Only a few years before this, a lawyer & medical doctor turned geologist by the name of James Hutton had captured the imagination of the scientific community by claiming that the earth was not young, as the Bible indicates, but rather the earth was extremely old. He challenged the accepted idea of Catastrophism (that what we see in the world today is the result of major cataclysmic events – such as Noah’s flood), and instead proposed the idea now known as Uniformitarianism that states that things have gradually altered over eons of time.

It is against this background of popular scientific thought, all of which seeks to discredit the biblical account, that along comes Mr Chalmers, who, although no doubt sincere, proposes a theory that attempted to reconcile the Bible to ‘science’.

The mistake that was made then, and is still made today by those who choose to hold to the gap theory, is that they substitute God’s revealed truth for mans wisdom; of which God says: “I will destroy the wisdom of the wise, and will bring to nothing the understanding of the prudent. Where is the wise? where is the scribe? where is the disputer of this world? hath not God made foolish the wisdom of this world?” (1 Cor 1:19), “

As we have already noted, there will never be a conflict with science and scripture, for they both have the same Author, but we will repeatedly find conflicts arise between fallible men who seek to interpret science and history apart from God’s infallible word. Today, men like Hutton and Charles Lyell (who followed in Hutton’s footsteps) are seen as pioneers who advanced scientific thought. In reality, quite the reverse is true. By rejecting God and His word they have become fools who have erected stumbling blocks both in the path of science and faith.

The irony of this particular situation, is that inserting long periods of time in between Gen 1:1 and Gen 1:2 doesn’t actually solve the problem that it was intended to; that of reconciling secular theories with the biblical account. Hutton and Lyell et al proposed that what we see in the world around us is the result of eons of years of gradual change (this paved the way for Darwin who built on their foundation). However, for those who believe the gap theory, there is still the problem of Noah’s flood – which would have cataclysmically changed the face of the earth – and is the rational explanation for what we see in the world today. Any evidence of a ‘pre-Adamic world’ or ‘Lucifer’s flood’ would have been literaly swept away by Noah’s flood. Yes, the gap theory agrees with the millions-of-years-theorists view of ‘lots of time’, but any supposed evidence of that ‘time’ was destroyed by Noah’s flood.

So if there can be no evidence drawn from geology to support the gap theory, is there any biblical basis for it?

The answer is simply ‘none whatsoever’! Firstly, we are clearly told in Exodus 20:11 that God created the heavens, the earth, the sea and all that is in them in 6 literal days. This is the basis for our 7-day week and the reason that the Jews were told to commemorate the Sabbath on the seventh day of the week. It is important to note that God wrote this with His own finger (Ex 31:18), and it impossible for God to lie (Heb 6:18.).

Secondly, a pre-Adamite world that is destroyed for it’s wickedness would place sin and death before Adam; and yet we are clearly told: “Wherefore, as by one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin; and so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned” (Rom 5:12). Sin and death only entered the world as a result of Adam’s transgression.

Finally, after God had finished His work of creation He declared it ‘very good’ (Gen 1:31), not “very good except for Satan running around’ but simply ‘very good’. Satan could not have fallen at this point. Furthermore, Ezekiel tells us that before he fell, Satan was actually in Eden, the garden of God, in an un-fallen state (Ezekiel 28:13). Paul tells us that it was pride that caused Satan to fall (1 Tim 3:6). And Isaiah tells us that Satan wanted to be ‘like God’. Now, bear in mind that no angel was made in the image of God – but Adam was! Clearly, Satan was jealous of Adam’s position, being made in the image and likeness of God, and so Satan also wanted to be ‘like God’, and that was pride, and that led to his fall, and that led to his hatred of humanity, and that led to Genesis chapter 3 – which we will deal with when we get there!

Suffice to say, there is not a single verse in the Bible that so much as hints at the fact that Satan rebelled in the dateless past, before the days of creation. Or that he was ever given dominion over the earth (he did, of course, steal it from Adam, and holds the title to the earth for now cf. Luke 4:6  / 2 Cor 4:4). In fact, we are told in the book of Job (Job 38:7) that when God created the earth, ALL the angels sang for joy. If all means all, then it has to include Satan – who at that time had not yet rebelled.

Thus, the theory that Satan once ruled over a pre-Adamite world is pure fiction and not Biblical. The only reason to invent such a story is to explain what was going on in a pre-Adam world. The only reason to believe there was a pre-Adam world is to allow for the earth being billions of years old. The only reason to want the earth to be billions of years old is to fit in with the secular, God-rejecting ‘scientists’ simply because you are not prepared to take God at His word.

It has taken a number of words to rebut this false theory, a theory that need never have existed in the first place if God’s word had been taken seriously, or even just read! Once again, God says what He means and means what He says! Never fear the wisdom of man if it contradicts the Word of God. God’s Word will endure FOREVER!!

Genesis 1:3

And God said, Let there be light: and there was light.

The stage has been set, and as we come to verse three the lights go on and God’s play begins. The darkness and brooding of verse two now give way to the light; this is something so profound that it requires us to stop and consider what is going on here.

If I were to ask the question: ‘What is darkness?’ how would you answer? Let’s put it another way: ‘How do you measure darkness?’ If you think long and hard you will come to the realisation that darkness does not actually exist in and of itself; darkness is simply the absence of light. We can measure light, but we can only ‘measure’ darkness by the amount (or lack) of light present. In Job 38 God gives Job a science quiz and, among other things, asks him “Where is the way where light dwelleth? and as for darkness, where is the place thereof”  (Job 38:19). Light moves, darkness is fixed.

Now, the common understanding of this verse is that God says: ‘Let there be light’, at which point light appears; and that is certainly what happens. However, if we look at the Hebrew (which reads from right to left), we find that what God actually says is: “Be light, be light” or we could say: “Let light be light”. Another way we could render this would be: “Let the Light illuminate”, and now we begin to see something incredible! Who is The Light? Jesus Christ!

In 1^st John we are told that “God is light, and in him is no darkness at all”( 1 John 1:5). This is also explained in the opening of John’s gospel:  “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. The same was in the beginning with God. All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made. In him was life; and the life was the light of men. And the light shineth in darkness; and the darkness comprehended it not. There was a man sent from God, whose name was John. The same came for a witness, to bear witness of the Light, that all men through him [i.e. the Light] might believe. He was not that Light, but was sent to bear witness of that Light. That was the true Light, which lighteth every man that cometh into the world.” (John 1:1-9)

Thus, from these verses we see that God, in the person of Jesus, is the Light, and the creator of all things. He Himself said: “I am the light of the world: he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life”. (John 8:12). Was this just a metaphor? Apparently not, for in Revelation 21:23 we read: “And the city had no need of the sun, neither of the moon, to shine in it: for the glory of God did lighten it, and the Lamb is the light thereof.” (Rev 21:23).

Another verse that sheds some light on this subject (pun intended!) is 2 Corinthians 4:6: “For God, who commanded the light to shine out of darkness, hath shined in our hearts, to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ”. Here Paul is referring to the verse we are studying (Genesis 1:3), but notice what we are told: God commanded the light to shine. For God to command the light to shine, the light had to be in existence prior to this point; in other words, it was not created but was pre-existent!

This would seem to be confirmed in Isaiah 45:“I form the light, and create darkness”(Isaiah 45:7). The Hebrew word for ‘form’ is Yatsar  meaning to ‘fashion, form, frame, make through the squeezing into shape’. In other words, it is working with something that already exists. However, in contrast to this, create (darkness), is the Hebrew word bara, meaning to ‘create out of nothing’. God does indeed create darkness (out of nothing) simply because He is Light. The fact that He is light makes it possible for darkness to exist. The same idea is carried on in the second part of the verse where we read: “I make peace, and create evil: I the LORD do all these things”. Many people have struggled with this verse because they think it makes God the author of evil; until, of course, you realise that, just as darkness is the absence of light, so evil is the absence of God. Evil exists because of the absence of God in the hearts of those who reject God. God does not ‘form’ (yatser) evil from something that already existed, He ‘causes’ it to exist (bara) out of nothing – i.e. it hasn’t always been there. It only became a possibility with the existence of beings (angels and humans) who have the power of choice – choice that allows them to reject God.

One final though before we move on: If God commanded Jesus, who is Light, to ‘illuminate’ the world (as I believe this verse is saying), and we know from Colossians 1:16-17 that Jesus created all things that exist, then, we could legitimately say that ‘Light created all things’. Why am I making this point? Well, simply because of the following:

Particle physicists know that each particle (the smallest physical object – smaller than an atom) has an anti-particle. If a particle and anti-particle combine they will annihilate each other and emit a photon (the smallest unit of light). What’s provocative is that it’s believed that this reaction could be reversible. This would mean that, from a photon (a single unit of light), it would be possible to ‘create’ a particle and its corresponding anti-particle. In other words, some particle physicists now believe that all you would need to create matter is light! – and what has the Bible said for thousands of years? ‘In the beginning God – the one who is Light – created all things!!

Genesis 1:4

And God saw the light, that it was good: and God divided the light from the darkness.

We are told that the light ‘was good’, immediately I am reminded of Mark 10:17-18 “And when he was gone forth into the way, there came one running, and kneeled to him, and asked him, Good Master, what shall I do that I may inherit eternal life? And Jesus said unto him, Why callest thou me good? there is none good but one, that is, God”.

We will see in the next verse that this division between the light and darkness is what becomes daytime and night-time, but notice that this is before the Sun is made. Thus God is showing something more profound by this action; something that is amplified in the New Testament:

“Ye are all the children of light, and the children of the day: we are not of the night, nor of darkness.” (1 Thess 5:5). In God making this division we see His foreknowledge of what was to come: that the pinnacle of His creation – mankind – would reject Him and choose darkness. “And this is the condemnation, that light is come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil”(John 3:19). Thus, by the separating of light and darkness, we see God setting a daily reminder of the choice each of us has, to be children of the day or children of the night.  It is significant to note that ultimately, in the new heaven and new earth, there will be no night – the choice will already have been made. (cf. Rev 21:25 / 22:5).

Genesis 1:5

And God called the light Day, and the darkness he called Night. And the evening and the morning were the first day.

Building on what we have just said, God allows there to be a period of time when darkness rules. It is interesting to note what Paul said to the Thessalonians: “For they that sleep sleep in the night; and they that be drunken are drunken in the night. But let us, who are of the day, be sober, putting on the breastplate of faith and love; and for an helmet, the hope of salvation.” (1 Thess 5:7-8). Once again, there is a choice to be made.

Have you ever wondered why ‘sin’ comes alive at night time? From unsavoury TV, to night clubs, to drunkenness, to prostitution, to brawling; all these flourish under the cover of darkness, when the light is withdrawn for a time.

This verse closes with a phrase that will repeat on each successive day of creation: ‘And the evening and the morning…’ Traditionally, this is why the Jewish day begins in the evening. However, it may be that ‘evenings’ and ‘mornings’ are not what is in view here at all. One hint of this is the fact that on day-7 there is no evening and morning recorded in the text. Now, we obviously know that there was an evening and morning on day-7, so why is it not mentioned?

A look at the Hebrew here reveals an interesting possibility.

The Hebrew word for ‘evening’ is Erev, but originally it appears to have meant ‘Obscurity, a mixture, disorder etc.’. In contrast, the Hebrew word for ‘morning’ is Boker which originally seemed to indicate ‘becoming discernable, distinguishable, relief of obscurity, etc.’

We know that as the evening approaches, things become less clear, they loose definition. But when the morning comes everything becomes discernable. Hence it is easy to see why these two words have come to be used to refer to evening and morning. If however, we take their original meanings, we find that at the end of the first day we have disorder leading to order. This pattern repeats each successive day as God’s creation ‘takes shape’ and each successive day brings a greater degree of order, right up until the end of the 6^th day, then on the 7th day God rests from His labour and hence, no further increase in order, no erev and boker, all was then complete.

Science talks of ‘entropy’, the 2nd Law of Thermodynamics, the universally acknowledged idea that things are running down, going from order to disorder; Things loose information if left to their own devices, they do not gain information. Things go from tidy to untidy, not the other way around! This flies right in the face of evolution, which has to completely ignore this scientific law to make its preposterous claim that things have added information by chance mutation (mutations themselves being a loss or scrambling of existing information!). Things have not, nor cannot be improved, increase in information or get better simply by natural mechanisms.

In regard to the creation week, it would seem that the ‘evenings’ and ‘mornings’ (erev & boker) are actually decreasing steps of entropy, as the  world goes from being ‘without form and void’ to the perfection of God’s completed work, which He declares to be ‘very good’.

(Credit to Dr Chuck Missler for this insight: www.khouse.org)

Sadly, in Genesis 3 we get to the ‘Fall of man’ when, not only man, but all creation is cursed, and from that moment the universe the world and everything in it starts to wind down.

“Of old hast thou laid the foundation of the earth: and the heavens are the work of thy hands. They shall perish, but thou shalt endure: yea, all of them shall wax old like a garment; as a vesture shalt thou change them, and they shall be changed” (Psalm 102:25-26)

The post The Battle for the Earth! first appeared on Calvary Chapel Portsmouth.

These blogs over the coming weeks accompany the teaching sessions (which can be found in the ‘Teaching & Audio > Sunday Morning Studies’ section of this web-site.

I hope and pray that (if you are a Christian) you are encouraged, edified and strengthened in your faith; and if not, that you would come to see that the Bible really is God’s Word – provably so – and that the greatest privilege of all is to know Him!

In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth (Genesis 1:1)

What an opening! As we have already noted, our universe, our reality, consists of time, space and matter. Our universe also had a beginning – one of the greatest discoveries of the twentieth century. Thus there has to have been a time when no-thing existed. Therefore, for all that we now see to have come into existence, there had to have been a power at work outside of our physical universe; that power could not have been a ‘thing’ – for it would then be subject to the same laws as the rest of nature – It had to be Someone who is outside of time, not bound by physical constraints.

Here, in just 7 Hebrew words, we are told there was a beginning, and that Someone caused time, space (heaven) and matter (earth) to come into existence. That Someone is God – as Isaiah records: ‘One who inhabits eternity’ (Isaiah 57:15).

It is also interesting to see a trinity of trinities here:

Time = past, present & future; Space = length, width & height;  Matter = solid, liquid & gas.

And behind all of this we have THE Triune God, Father, Son & Spirit as alluded to in the Hebrew word Eloheim (translated ‘God’ but literally meaning ‘Gods’). Hebrew words with an ‘im’ ending are plural (i.e. more than one) e.g. Seraphim, Cherubim. Once again, the little details are of the utmost importance.

While we are considering the Hebrew, it is worth pointing out that the word for ‘created’ is the Hebrew word ‘Bara’ meaning ‘to create out of nothing’. There are other Hebrew words (‘Asa’ meaning to make, fasion, fabricate; and ‘Yatsa’ meaning to form or mould), but we are specifically told that here God created out of nothing.

As was just mentioned, this opening verse contains 7 words, but those 7 words comprise 28 letters (4 x 7). Books have been written about these letters and their corresponding numerical values. As we will go through the Bible we will discover that numbers are often used to represent concepts and ideas. The number 7 (and multiples thereof) is always associated with ‘complete’ and is another evidence of deliberate supernatural design throughout the Bible. We find a 7 day week, 7 colours in the rainbow, 7 branches on the Menorah (Jewish lampstand), the 7 years of plenty and the 7 years of famine in Egypt, the 7 priests and 7 trumpets marching around Jericho, Solomon’s building the Temple for 7 years, Naaman’s washing in the river 7 times, the 7 kingdom parables in Matthew 13, the 7 letters to 7 churches in Revelation, 7 seals, 7 trumpets, 7 thunders, 7 bowel judgments and the list could go on and on. However those are just the ones we observe on the surface of the text. Russian born Dr Ivan Panin spent over 50 years of his life painstakingly exploring the numerical structure of the Scriptures, generating over 43,000 detailed, hand-penned pages of analysis. His findings showed that not only the surface text is filled with numerical patterns, but the very words and letters themselves are specifically chosen to fit mathematical models. Jesus was really not joking when He said that not even a jot or tittle will pass from the law until all be fulfilled!

One final incredible feature found in this verse is two un-translated letters in the middle of the Hebrew text.

The letters are the Aleph (first in their alphabet) and Tau (last in their alphabet). The equivalent in Greek would be the Alpha and Omega. Thus we could translate this verse as follows:

In the beginning God, the Alpha & Omega, created the heavens and the earth!

As Jesus said: “Search the scriptures; for in them ye think ye have eternal life: and they are they which testify of me” (John 5:39)

Check back later to see the study notes for verses 2-5! – or if you follow us on Twitter you will automatically be notified when new posts are added.

Every blessing,

Pastor Barry.

The post In the beginning… first appeared on Calvary Chapel Portsmouth.

In verse 6 of the previous chapter (Revelation 21) we saw the One sat upon the throne declare “it is done!” God’s plan from before the foundation of the world is completed. This is summerised in Ephesians 1:9-10, where Paul states:  “Having made known unto us the mystery of his will, according to his good pleasure which he hath purposed in himself: That in the dispensation of the fulness of times he might gather together in one all things in Christ, both which are in heaven, and which are on earth; even in him” (Eph 1:9-10).

My paraphrase of this verse is that the mystery once hidden, has now been revealed, and it is this: that when everything is said and done, God will gather together into one all the believing Jews and believing Gentiles, whether rich, poor, masters & servants, male and female; all gathered together without distinction in Christ. As He hold the universe together by the world of His power, so He will unite all of redeemed humanity, forever to be His people and He to be their God!

In Ephesians 2 Paul reminds us of our past, that we were dead in trespasses and sins, that we had fallen short of God’s perfect standard, that we were destined for God’s righteous judgment and wrath, “But God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us, Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved;) And hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus: That in the ages to come he might shew the exceeding riches of his grace in his kindness toward us through Christ Jesus” (Eph 2:4-7).

It is these ‘ages to come’ that we are given a glimpse of in the closing chapters of Revelation. In the last chapter we began to look at this incredible city, prepared and beautified like a bride on her wedding day.  This city is to be the eternal home of the redeemed. We continue our study in chapter 22…

CHAPTER 22

Rev 22:1

And he shewed me a pure river of water of life, clear as crystal, proceeding out of the throne of God and of the Lamb.

Back in Rev 2:6 John was told “It is done. I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end. I will give unto him that is athirst of the fountain of the water of life freely”. So, what is this ‘water of life?’ Is it natural water (H₂0)? How is it that it brings life?

We can glean some insight by looking at an encounter Jesus had with a Samaritan woman. In John chapter 4:

“There cometh a woman of Samaria to draw water: Jesus saith unto her, Give me to drink.  (For his disciples were gone away unto the city to buy meat.) Then saith the woman of Samaria unto him, How is it that thou, being a Jew, askest drink of me, which am a woman of Samaria? for the Jews have no dealings with the Samaritans. Jesus answered and said unto her, If thou knewest the gift of God, and who it is that saith to thee, Give me to drink; thou wouldest have asked of him, and he would have given thee living water. The woman saith unto him, Sir, thou hast nothing to draw with, and the well is deep: from whence then hast thou that living water? Art thou greater than our father Jacob, which gave us the well, and drank thereof himself, and his children, and his cattle? Jesus answered and said unto her, Whosoever drinketh of this water shall thirst again: But whosoever drinketh of the water that I shall give him shall never thirst; but the water that I shall give him shall be in him a well of water springing up into everlasting life. The woman saith unto him, Sir, give me this water, that I thirst not, neither come hither to draw.” (John 4:7-15)

When the northern kingdom of Israel was taken away from their land by the king of Assyria in 722 B.C. he sent other people (who had also been displaced from their own lands) to live in northern Israel. In 2 Kings 17 we read: “And so it was at the beginning of their dwelling there, that they feared not the LORD: therefore the LORD sent lions among them, which slew some of them. Wherefore they spake to the king of Assyria, saying, The nations which thou hast removed, and placed in the cities of Samaria, know not the manner of the God of the land: therefore he hath sent lions among them, and, behold, they slay them, because they know not the manner of the God of the land”.

In the British Museum there are very detailed reliefs from Assyria that depict the problem of this Lion infestation.

As a result the king of Assyria sent a Hebrew priest back to the land to teach the new inhabitants the customs of the God of Israel.

Thus began a hybrid religion which was a mix of the paganism they had been brought up with and this new monotheistic faith in the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. These new inhabitants became known as Samaritans. The Jews upon returning from their own Babylonian captivity wanted nothing at all to do with these people and their watered-down religion. This helps to put the parable of the Good Samaritan that Jesus told in Luke 10 into perspective, but it also explains why the Samaritan woman at the well in John 4 was so surprised that a Jew would talk to her! In truth, we should all be amazed that Jesus would want to speak to us!

Jesus offers this woman the same living water that we see flowing down the streets of the New Jerusalem. At first the women is sceptical of Jesus offer to give her this living water as He has nothing to draw the water out of the well. But of course Jesus was not talking about H₂O which can only temporarily satisfy a natural thirst, but about something He could give which could satisfy a much deeper and profound thirst, a thirst that is found within each of us.

So many of us spend years thinking that Jesus has nothing to offer us, that we are best to just carry on satisfying our own thirsts.

Eventually the woman asks Jesus if she can have some of this living water so that she would no longer have to go through the daily routine of traipsing out to the well.

Many of us have also come to that place where we have got tired of the daily grind. We may even enjoy our day job’s or routines to a point, but there comes a time when we realise the futility of it all Solomon wrote a whole book lamenting this struggle! – see Ecclesiastes. Solomon said: “Therefore I hated life; because the work that is wrought under the sun is grievous unto me: for all is vanity and vexation of spirit. Yea, I hated all my labour which I had taken under the sun: because I should leave it unto the man that shall be after me.” (Eccl 2:17-18)

It is that thirst which the world can never satisfy that is met by this living water.

There is another account worth mentioning at this point. In John 7 the Jews were celebrating the feast of Tabernacles, to commemorate the time they spent living in tents in the wilderness after their flight from Egypt. For seven days the priests would go down to the pool of Siloam and draw water, then carry it up to the Temple and pour is out on the alter, letting it run down the street into the city. This was to remember the water that had miraculously come from the Rock in Horeb that Moses struck in Exodus 18.  However on the eighth day they would not draw the water to symbolise their thirst had not yet been satisfied because (as far as they believed) the Messiah had not yet come. On this day the High Priest would read from the scroll of Isaiah:

^“Therefore with joy shall ye draw water out of the wells of salvation. And in that day shall ye say, Praise the LORD, call upon his name, declare his doings among the people, make mention that his name is exalted. Sing unto the LORD; for he hath done excellent things: this is known in all the earth. Cry out and shout, thou inhabitant of Zion: for great is the Holy One of Israel in the midst of thee”. (Isaiah 12:3-6).

Typically the multitudes gathered would be silent as the High Priest read. But then, the cutting through the silence… Jesus stood and cried, saying, If any man thirst, let him come unto me, and drink. He that believeth on me, as the scripture hath said, out of his belly shall flow rivers of living water. (But this spake he of the Spirit, which they that believe on him should receive: for the Holy Ghost was not yet given; because that Jesus was not yet glorified.) (John 7:37-39).

You can almost feel the tension as you read the text. All eyes suddenly turned from watching the High Priest to the Holy One of Israel in the midst of them!

Clearly the water flowing down those streets at that time could never satisfy, but Jesus was offering something that will meet every need, appease every longing, heal every hurt and satisfy every thirst.

God made us, He knows us better than we know ourselves, and He wants for us to be satisfied; but that can never happen outside of a relationship with Himself. All the time we try to accomplish this on our own we will be like the woman travelling daily out to the well, or like the High Priest who, year after year, would go back to the pool of Siloam, never being able to break the cycle.

For those who put their trust and hope in Jesus now, they don’t have to wait until the New Jerusalem to experience the water of life the Jesus spoke of and that will flow endlessly through the eternal city.

God can sustain our natural bodies (as He did with Moses and Jesus when they fasted), our real need is not in the physical domain, but in the spiritual, and only Jesus can satisfy.

As this point, if you have not already done so, come now and drink! Come now to Jesus. Come now and drink undeservedly, but also unreservedly! Ask Him to meet you where you are.

The following insightful commentary on these two verses (available on-line from the Blue Letter Bible www.blueletterbible.org) is by Calvary Chapel founding pastor, Chuck Smith:

“IN THE LAST DAY, THAT GREAT DAY OF THE FEAST.”

1. This was the Feast of Tabernacles, Succoth.
2. Made their booths beside their houses.
3. At the celebration in Jerusalem, the priests would pour water from their jugs on the pavement of the Temple Mount.
4. This was a memorial of the water out of the rock in the wilderness.
5. On last day they did not go through this ritual as a reminder that they now possessed the land promised by God.
6. “JESUS STOOD AND CRIED.”
7. The standing was significant.
8. When the Rabbi’s taught they sat.
9. When they were heralding a truth they stood.
10. Why did Jesus get so emotional over this?
11. Paul tells us, “Jesus was that Rock.”
12. That is, men are perishing in the wilderness of sin. Without Christ they will surely die.

III. “IF ANY MAN THIRST.”

1. Jesus was not referring to physical thirst.
2. There are body thirsts or drives necessary for our survival.
3. Meslov has defined them and catalogued them in order of intensity.
4. The strongest being our air drive.
5. Next is the thirst drive.
6. The thirst drive can be overwhelming.
7. He was not referring to our emotional drives.
8. We need love from early infancy.
9. A baby in the first six months denied this love and fondling will suffer permanent mental retardation.
10. We need security; to be needed.
11. Deep inside man the spirit is crying out for God.
12. The psychologist who denies the spiritual nature of man will never truly understand human behavior.
13. The psychologists admit that neurotic behavior often begins with frustration.
14. They trace the neurosis to the guilt, to the escape, to the inferiority, to the frustration.
15. What is frustration but thirst?
16. David said, “My soul thirsts after the living God.”
17. “LET HIM COME UNTO ME AND DRINK.”
18. Here is the gospel in the simplest terms.
19. The answer to man’s thirst for God can be fully satisfied by Jesus Christ.
20. He calls to your poor, thirsty soul, “Come…”
21. He said to woman at the well, “Drink of this water and you will thirst again.”
22. “HE THAT BELIEVES IN ME.”
23. Here He tells us how to drink from Him.
24. My spirit is thirsting for God – where can I satisfy this thirst?
25. Jesus said, “Come unto Me, believe in Me.”
26. Does it work?
27. Listen to the testimony of thousands of witnesses.
28. “Out of his belly will flow rivers of living water.”
29. Out of his belly shall gush torrents.
30. That area of man that so consistently is seeking to be fed will become the source.
31. God is not satisfied to just fill your life, He wants your life to overflow.
32. “THIS SPAKE HE OF THE SPIRIT.”
33. This is John’s added commentary from the perspective of hindsight.
34. What is He saying about the Holy Spirit?
35. It should be as a torrent gushing forth from your life.

 Rev 22:2

In the midst of the street of it, and on either side of the river, was there the tree of life, which bare twelve manner of fruits, and yielded her fruit every month: and the leaves of the tree were for the healing of the nations.

In the previous chapter (v21) we were told that this street of the city was made of pure gold, so pure that it is transparent. The river seemingly runs from the throne and on through the city, so it might be that the street crosses over the river at 90^o. That being the case, the river and the street would form a cross in the midst of the city.

We are now also told that in the middle of the street was the Tree of Life.

The Tree of Life appears elsewhere in scripture:

Prov 3:18 – [Wisdom] is a tree of life to them that lay hold upon her: and happy is every one that retaineth her.

Prov 11:30 – The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life; and he that winneth souls is wise.

Prov 13:12 – Hope deferred maketh the heart sick: but when the desire cometh, it is a tree of life.

Prov 15:4 – A wholesome tongue is a tree of life: but perverseness therein is a breach in the spirit.

Of course, out first encounter with the Tree of Life was back in the Garden of Eden, where this was one of two specific trees that God planted in the Garden. Sadly, as we know all too well, Eve (and subsequently Adam) chose to eat the fruit of the Tree of the Knowledge of Good & Evil. Why they didn’t want to reach out and grab the fruit of the Tree of Life is a mystery. However, once they had fallen, God guarded the way to the Tree of Life lest they would then eat of it and so remain forever in their fallen state. Rather, God, in His mercy, built in an incredible escape plan: Death!

By making death the punishment for Adam’s sin, God made a way for man to be redeemed. If someone could be found who would die in man’s place, one who would be a ‘substitute’, God’s judgment (that sin was to be punished by death) would be satisfied and a way out would be made available for anyone willing to accept the offer. Of course, it would take the death of God’s Son to pay for the sins of the world.

Clearly then, the properties of the fruit from the Tree of Life have some amazing qualities.

The verses above from Proverbs indicate that this fruit makes one wise, is intrinsically linked to righteousness, it does not disappoint but completely satisfies! Furthermore its leaves have therapeutic properties that are able to keep people in perfect health! (that is what is meant by ‘the healing of the nations’. There will not be any sickness, so we won’t require healing in that sense, but the leaves are able to keep us in that state of perfect health).

My mum always encouraged me to eat fruit as a child, as my wife does now! But this might be the perfect time to start eating fruit!! – this stuff sounds really good!

There are a couple of interesting observations we make from this verse: Firstly, there will be some measure of time, for we have twelve fruits being produced, each month, making one year. Some have erroneously deduced from Revelation 10:6 that time itself will stop. However as we noted in our study of chapter 10, that verse is simply saying that time is up! – judgment is now coming in full force and Jesus is poised to reclaim the earth.

Is the fruit for food as well? Although we won’t depend on food in our eternal bodies, Jesus ate food after His resurrection, although He didn’t need it to survive.

Will this tree have roots? If there is no sea, there will be no hydo-systyem as we currently know it, so presumably no rain. The roots of trees now go down into the soil to draw up water. We are told that this tree is the Tree of Life, so will it be sustained in the way a ‘normal’ Tree is today? Given these thoughts, it’s even more remarkable that Adam and Even bypassed this tree in the Garden of Eden and headed for the ‘other’ one! In Psalm 119 David said “Before I was afflicted I went astray: but now have I kept thy word”. (Psalm 119:67). This is in essence the summary of the ‘why’ of God’s plan of redemption. Why did God have to go through with this elaborate plan, sending His Son to die for the sins of the world, raising Him to life, building the church, etc.? Simply because in Eden Adam and Eve obeyed for a short time, not out of love a deep love for God, but out of familiarity, out of never being faced with an alternative. However, the moment the option to choose became a reality, they casually abandoned their First Love and fell into sin.

This is what happens to many young people today, particularly in Christian families. Their parents do their utmost to keep them from spiritual dangers, trying to guard their hearts and minds. But in reality all they are doing is cutting of all the other options, removing the opportunity for anything else. In effect many Christian children are ‘obedient’ and ‘keep the faith’ because they don’t have a choice. However, the moment they leave home to go to university, or step out into the work place, they are presented with multiple choices! Sadly so many, without their own strong roots that go down deep into the soil of God’s Word, end up ‘experimenting’ just as Eve did. Curiosity may kill the cat, but it is just as deadly to mankind!

So many end up as prodigals, that hopefully one day will come home to the Lord, but first they must endure the affliction that comes from a life given over to the flesh.

However, after enduring this self-imposed affliction, as many can testify, after experiencing the pain that comes from ‘the way that seems right to a man’, those who then come to Christ do so, not because they have no other choice, but because they now know that there is no better choice!

In the New Jerusalem there will be no one who is tempted by sin. Sin will have been exposed for the perverted lie it is. Now we will gladly walk right on by the Tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil without giving it a second look, and make a bee-line for the Tree of Life!

All to Jesus I surrender

All to Him I freely give

I will ever love and trust him,

In His presence daily live

All to Jesus I surrender,

Humbly at His feet I bow,

Worldly pleasures all forsaken;

Take me, Jesus, take me now.

I surrender all, I surrender all

All to thee, my blessed Saviour, I surrender all.

John tells us: “He that hath the Son hath life; and he that hath not the Son of God hath not life.” (1 John 5:12)

The tree is life. Jesus is life. Thus here we see the attributes of God being clearly seen in the things He has made, and freely given (unconditionally given). In this is the Father’s glory, that we reflect Him.

Rev 22:3

And there shall be no more curse: but the throne of God and of the Lamb shall be in it; and his servants shall serve him:

No more curse, nothing to hinder or come between us and God! There will be no curse because there will be no sin. As we have just noted, we will all know the truth and the Truth will have set us free!

We truly will be like Him. As we have previously mentioned, David longed for that time when he would awake in the likeness of his Redeemer (Psalm 17:15).

We are told that the very throne of God and of.. (notice the title used) …the Lamb, will be in the city.

Jesus uses this title more than any other in Revelation.

His servants will serve Him. Who are these? The next verse tells us……

Rev 22:4

And they shall see his face; and his name shall be in their foreheads.

This is us! The Redeemed from all the ages.

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. (Rev 3:12)

Rev 22:5

And there shall be no night there; and they need no candle, neither light of the sun; for the Lord God giveth them light: and they shall reign for ever and ever.

As we discovered in the previous chapter, (verse 25) there will be no night there and God’s light will forever illuminate His creation. He is light and in Him no darkness dwells. (1 John 1:5)

In this verse we have yet another confirmation that Jesus is God. Compare with verse 16, for there we are told that the Lamb is the light of the city, and here it will be God (in the person of Jesus) who will give light.

Rev 22:6

And he said unto me, These sayings are faithful and true: and the Lord God of the holy prophets sent his angel to shew unto his servants the things which must shortly be done.

‘These things are dependable and without fiction.’ We can build and base our lives on these promises, the world may think us mad, let them laugh for a while. We will have eternity living in the reality of these promises.

“…shortly be done..”  When they start they will happen quickly. We only have to look at the pace with which things are now moving in the world. Everyone from a climatologist to the news-reader knows that the world is out of control, and it is all gaining momentum.

As Dr Chuck Missler often says, we are living at a time of which the Bible says more than it does about any other period of history, including the time when Jesus walked the shores of Galilee and climbed the mountains of Judea. There has never been a better time to be a student of the Bible!

Rev 22:7

Behold, I come quickly: blessed is he that keepeth the sayings of the prophecy of this book.

This verse actually marks the end of this Revelation. The challenge is for us to keep faithfully the things that we have learned.

Will we treasure, will we guard, will we compare these things to the world’s temptations and realise that what God has is so much better, even if for now we see through a glass darkly?

This is the first of 3 ‘warnings’ that Jesus will come suddenly.

We are now drawn to the importance of this book, which is mentioned seven times from now to the end of the chapter.

Rev 22:8-9

And I John saw these things, and heard them. And when I had heard and seen, I fell down to worship before the feet of the angel which shewed me these things.

John now give us an epilogue, and reminds us that this is not just a fanciful dream but a true account of the last days of this world and the beginning of the next. As we pause to ponder all that we have seen through John’s eyes during our study of this book, from the opening vision of the glorious risen Christ, the sobering and yet deeply encouraging letters to the Churches; the throne room of heaven and the award ceremony for the believers; the Lamb taking the title deed to the earth and loosening the 7 seals; the war, famine, pestilence, death and earthquakes that produces such fear in the people on the earth; the 144,000; the great multitude who come out of the Great Tribulation; the horror of the trumpet judgments; the two witnesses; Satan being cast out of Heaven; Antichrist and the False Prophet deceiving the world; the last of the Tribulation martyrs followed by the full force of God’s wrath in the pouring out of the 7 vials; the destruction of the One World Church, the false religious system that has deceived the nations and shed the blood of the saints throughout history; the ten kings who will reign with Antichrist; the excitement of the marriage supper – everyone loves a party! – the battle of Armageddon and the intervention of Jesus at the Second Coming to save the Jews; the millennial kingdom  of Christ on earth; the last great battle and the destruction of Satan; the Great White Throne and all the dead judged; the earth literally blowing apart to nothing; then a wonderful new heavens and new earth; and finally the New Jerusalem, home of the Lamb and His bride for eternity; after all of this it is no wonder John falls down to worship at the feet of this messenger!

Rev 22:9

Then saith he unto me, See thou do it not: for I am thy fellowservant, and of thy brethren the prophets, and of them which keep the sayings of this book: worship God.

This messenger then immediately stops John from worshipping him because, he explains, he is also one of his brethren and a prophet.

Is this an angel? Maybe. But personally, because he says that he is one of John’s brethren, I believe that this is a redeemed man – and probably Daniel! (See previous notes for more on that theory!) .

Rev 22:10

And he saith unto me, Seal not the sayings of the prophecy of this book: for the time is at hand.

Time is short. Daniel was told to seal up his prophecy until the time of the end, John is told not to seal this. This is what we find in the first chapter where we are told that a blessing will fall upon all who open up this book. 

Rev 22:11

He that is unjust, let him be unjust still: and he which is filthy, let him be filthy still: and he that is righteous, let him be righteous still: and he that is holy, let him be holy still.

With Pharaoh in Egypt, God hardened his heart. That is, He confirmed Pharaoh’s heart, or if you will, granted that Pharaoh’s heart could be fixed upon his own course. That is what this verse is saying. Those who have chosen their own path will be granted that they may walk in it and ‘enjoy’ the fruits of it! To most ungodly people the thought of Heaven doesn’t appeal to them much! They need not worry; God will not force anyone to accept something they don’t want; until that is we reach the day of judgment! For now, each individual has a choice; but time is running out for any who may want to rethink their position before hearts are set forever on the course they have chosen.

As Joshua said to the Children of Israel, “Choose you this day whom ye will serve!” (Joshua 24:15)

Rev 22:12

And, behold, I come quickly; and my reward is with me, to give every man according as his work shall be.

Once again, He is coming quickly (suddenly).

This verse is actually true on three levels:

Firstly, Jesus is bringing His reward. What is Jesus’ reward? His bride whom He purchased with His blood! His Bride alongside Him will then judge the nations according their works (Rev 2:26-27 / Rev 20:4).

For the Church however, Jesus is coming soon, and when He comes at the time of the Rapture He will bring with Him the rewards (crown’s specifically) that He has promised us, and we will be rewarded according to our works of righteousness (see again 1 Corinthians 3:11-17).

Thirdly, Jesus is coming like a thief in the night upon the unrighteous, and He will give to each according to their works.

In short, all will be rewarded and get what they deserve – except of course all those who are saved who won’t get what we deserve because we deserve wrath but are actually given everlasting life!

Rev 22:13

I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end, the first and the last.

In connection with the last verse, this is a statement of trust. Because Jesus was there at the beginning, and will be there at the end. His judgment and rewards will be just, and because His is the beginning and the end, no one will be able to challenge Him say they have been treated unfairly. Jesus knows and has seen all things, even the things done in secret.

The writer to the Hebrews reminds us: “For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart. Neither is there any creature that is not manifest in his sight: but all things are naked and opened unto the eyes of him with whom we have to do.” (Heb 4:12-13).

“For nothing is secret, that shall not be made manifest; neither any thing hid, that shall not be known and come abroad.”  (Luke 8:17)

“God is greater than our heart, and knoweth all things”. (1 John 3:20)

Rev 22:14

Blessed are they that do his commandments, that they may have right to the tree of life, and may enter in through the gates into the city.

Some version say: “Blessed are those who wash their robes”, whereas the King James says:  “Blessed are they that do his commandments” – however, all debate aside, they are synonyms, one and the same. He who washes his robes is the same as he who keeps His commandments.

Rev 22:15

For without are dogs, and sorcerers, and whoremongers, and murderers, and idolaters, and whosoever loveth and maketh a lie.

This is not just those who commit such things, but also those who approve of such things. Chuck Missler points out that Sodom and Gommorah were not destroyed for indulging in homosexual activity, but because they openly condoned it- much like the world we are now living in.

Anyone who is living with these things cannot look up and say ‘Come Lord Jesus’.

As this is the last and most serious exhortation in the Bible, let’s look at each of these categories:

Dogs:               –           Used in scripture to mean the Gentiles because they were considered unclean – both physically and spiritually. Here it implies any form of spiritual unleanliness.

Sorcerers:         –           The Greek word is ‘Pharmacia’  and means the using and /or dependence on drugs because they open the door to demonic activity and altered states of consciousness.

Whoremongers: –        All who are sexually immoral – and those who approve of those who practice sexual immorality. ‘Fornicators’ (pre marital) / ‘Adulterers’ (post marital)

Murderers:       –           According to Matt 5:22 this even includes those with hatred in their hearts, because evil begins in the heart. (Matt 15:19 / Jer 17:9)

Idolaters:         –           Those who have made a god in their own image – this will include all those who say ‘I don’t think that God would send me to hell because He’s a loving God’ or ‘There are many ways to God, Christians are just too narrow minded’ – this is making a god to suit yourself, a god based upon how you think it should be – it is idolatry.

Lying:              –           According to a leading American psychiatrist, the ‘average’ person lies 200 times a day. Of course, assuming the psychiatrist is an average person, we have no reason to believe that what he said is true, it could be just one of his 200 lies??! The first sin recorded in scripture was lying – bearing false witness, ‘did God really say….’ and the last warned against here in this list is lying. Anything that is not the truth is a lie.

Rev 22:16

I Jesus have sent mine angel to testify unto you these things in the churches. I am the root and the offspring of David, and the bright and morning star.

Jesus identifies Himself clearly. There are many ‘Jesus’’ doing the rounds even in the church today as we have already mentioned. The true Jesus identifies Himself as both the root and offspring of David. He is both God and a Jewish descendant of a Jewish king. He will rule on a Jewish throne during the Millennium.

The next time someone tries to tell you that God has finished with Israel, gently encourage them to read Romans 9,10 & 11; or Jeremiah 30 & 31, or Isaiah 11, or 2 Samuel 7, or the Bible! 

Rev 22:17

And the Spirit and the bride say, Come. And let him that heareth say, Come. And let him that is athirst come. And whosoever will, let him take the water of life freely.

Here is evangelism. It is not just the Church who is calling, but the Holy Spirit too.

Let people who hear and thirst know that the offer has been made; all they have to do is to simply come, and they will never thirst again.

Rev 22:18-19

18 For I testify unto every man that heareth the words of the prophecy of this book, If any man shall add unto these things, God shall add unto him the plagues that are written in this book:

19 And if any man shall take away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God shall take away his part out of the book of life, and out of the holy city, and from the things which are written in this book.

Which book? The Bible or just Revelation? (Are you prepared to take a chance?)

The answer would appear to be both!

We have the ‘prophecy of this book’ and the ‘book of this prophecy’. If the ‘prophecy of this book’ refers to Revelation, then the ‘book of this prophecy’ must refer to the Bible, as the prophecy of Revelation is a part of the book we call the Bible!

“Every word of God is pure: he is a shield unto them that put their trust in him. Add thou not unto his words, lest he reprove thee, and thou be found a liar.” (Prov 30:5-6)

“All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works.” (2 Tim 3:16-17)

“Thy word is true from the beginning:” (Psalm 119:160)

Rev 22:20

He which testifieth these things saith, Surely I come quickly. Amen. Even so, come, Lord Jesus.

The first words of man recorded in the Bible are words of fear. “And he said, I heard thy voice in the garden, and I was afraid, because I was naked; and I hid myself.” (Gen 3:10)

In this verse we have the final words of man in the Bible “Even so, come, Lord Jesus.”, however this time the words are in confident assurance in the redemptive work of Jesus.

Rev 22:21

The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all. Amen.

Grace. – God’s Riches At Christ’s Expense

This brings us to the end of our verse by verse study through the book of Revelation. If you have been following along, I hope you have been blessed.

If you would like a two part overview of this incredible book, we summerised Revelation in our Through The Bible in a Year studies available from the Teaching & Audio section of this web site (Go to: https://www.calvaryportsmouth.co.uk/sermons/session-47-revelation-1-11/)

Also, you might want to listen to the topical study on the Lamb’s Book of Life, which showed the incredible detail and design that God has woven into the pages of Scripture. The question is then asked, could the Bible itself be the Lamb’s book of life? Does it contain your name hidden beneath the surface text? (Go to: https://www.calvaryportsmouth.co.uk/sermons/the-lambs-book-of-life/)

May God bless you as you continue to study His word and grow in knowledge and grace!

Every blessing,

Pastor Barry.

The post It is done! first appeared on Calvary Chapel Portsmouth.

In this chapter we will be introduced to our eternal home – our real home; this world is not our home, we are just pilgrims here. The place that will be described in this chapter is what we have been created for. 1 Cor 2:9-10 tells us: “But as it is written, Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him. But God hath revealed them unto us by his Spirit: for the Spirit searcheth all things, yea, the deep things of God.”

Although only a glimpse is given, God reveals just enough to wet our appetites and convince us that this is reality and not a dream, albeit a reality beyond our wildest dreams.

It should also help us to get things into perspective, as we look at this life and the problems that we may be facing, we should remember that all of this – here and now – is only temporary. All the pain and suffering is not the way that God wants it to be; and when we get to our eternal home all of this present age will be forgotten as God wipes every tear away.

It should also make us remember that we should be putting our treasure in heaven and not on the earth.

In John 14:3 Jesus told us that He was going to prepare a place for us – now we get to find out what it is like! And believe me, no expense has been spared!

CHAPTER 21

Rev 21:1

And I saw a new heaven and a new earth: for the first heaven and the first earth were passed away; and there was no more sea.

We dealt with the fact of the new heavens and earth in the last chapter (see notes on 20:11).

One of the observations that we immediately make is there will be no more sea. This means that the whole system will be different because 70% of this earth is covered with water and it is essential for life. The present hydro-system that deposits 1.5 trillion tones of rain daily on the earth and acts as a purifying / filtering system will be gone.

How will this affect the trees that currently draw up water through their roots? We do know that there will still be rivers but will they be able to provide all the water necessary or will it be a completely new system? Will they still be the same colour, or multicoloured? Will they need roots or has God got a brand new design?

We already know that our new bodies will be Spirit-drive and not blood-drive. (After the resurrection Jesus’ body was flesh and bone – not flesh and blood see Luke 24:39 – this new body could come and go as He pleased, through solid walls!).

The horses are also operating on a new system, evidenced by the fact that they fly!

Rev 21:2

And I John saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down from God out of heaven, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband.

What we are about to see is so overwhelming that John feels the need to remind us that it is still him seeing all of this ‘And I John’. We are told that John sees a ‘Holy City’ – we would struggle to imagine a holy street on this earth let alone a whole city that is holy, set apart for God. This city is coming down out of heaven. Does it settle on the new earth or hover above it? Scholars are divided. Either way it has been prepared in heaven by God Himself.

You know what it is like when you have made something for someone – maybe a Christmas present – and you just can’t wait for them to open it so you can see their reaction. Well this is the ultimate present that is so beautiful that John describes it as being like a bride adorned for her husband. There is probably not another day in a woman’s life that she prepares for as much as her wedding day- everything is just right. And so it is here; and notice, this city is as a bride adorned. This isn’t just ready and finished, but ‘beautified’ and well pleasing to the eye. One thing that separates us from the animal kingdom is our ability to appreciate beauty, and God has gone the whole way with this city.

Rev 21:3

And I heard a great voice out of heaven saying, Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and he will dwell with them, and they shall be his people, and God himself shall be with them, and be their God.

This is the last ‘great voice’ in Revelation so we should take note. 1) Behold / take note, the dwelling place of God is WITH men, 2) He shall dwell WITH them. 3) God shall be WITH them and be their God. Just imagine this, God Himself will be with us – mind blowing!

Jesus gave up the majesty of Heaven to become a man and die for us. However when He rose He remained a man, and even today there is a Man sitting at God’s right hand. A Man will judge the world in righteousness; and for eternity Jesus will be a Man, yet God; and He will live with us in this holy city.

1 John 3:2 says: “Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is.” We are going to be made like Him.

Will we be un-ageing?  Phil 3:21 tells us that He will “change our vile body, that it may be fashioned like unto his glorious body, according to the working whereby he is able even to subdue all things unto himself.” Jesus was around 33 ½ when He rose in His resurrected body and about 30 when He started His public ministry. When God originally made Adam he was fully formed – I suspect around 30 years old. Joseph was about 30 when he came to power. The priests and Levites had to be 30 before they were able to serve. David was 30 years old when he took the throne. Are we to be 30 for eternity? God makes the rules and can do what He wants, but it will be wonderful whatever!

Rev 21:4

And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away.

The first thing that God does is to personally wipe the tears from His children’s eyes. You may be suffering now, but God knows and there is an end in sight.

In the book of Romans Paul stated:  “For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us. For the earnest expectation of the creature waiteth for the manifestation of the sons of God. For the creature was made subject to vanity, not willingly, but by reason of him who hath subjected the same in hope, Because the creature itself also shall be delivered from the bondage of corruption into the glorious liberty of the children of God. For we know that the whole creation groaneth and travaileth in pain together until now. And not only they, but ourselves also, which have the firstfruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves groan within ourselves, waiting for the adoption, to wit, the redemption of our body”. (Rom 8:18-23).

 Rev 21:5

And he that sat upon the throne said, Behold, I make all things new. And he said unto me, Write: for these words are true and faithful.

Now God actually speaks to John directly and tells him to write. All of this has been and awesome privilege and responsibility for John, but when God Himself asks you to take down a dictation the pressure is really on!

“true and faithful” The Greek implies that these words are ‘genuine and dependable’. So many things in this world are not dependable, but God wants us to know that we can trust these words. There is a day coming when God will make all things new.

Rev 21:6

And he said unto me, It is done. I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end. I will give unto him that is athirst of the fountain of the water of life freely.

It is done. What is done? God’s plan – to have a people who would love and serve Him for eternity, whom He could dwell with and be their God – is complete (see Eph 1:9-10).

Jesus is the Beginning and the End and promises to satisfy our thirst for eternity, in contrast to those in Hell.

The Greek could be rendered ‘let him come and drink undeservedly’.  None of us will be there by our efforts or because we have done something deserving of this. Only by His grace and for His glory.

The rich man in hell in Luke 16 wanted his thirst satisfied, yet he had no physical body!

Sin promises that which it cannot deliver, it will always leave you unfulfilled, it will always leave you unsatisfied, it can never appease a longing, it will leave you eternally thirsty. However, those who put their trust in Christ will have every thirst satisfied and know inexpressible joy!

Rev 21:7

He that overcometh shall inherit all things; and I will be his God, and he shall be my son.

The way to overcome is by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of our testimony – by faith in what He has done. 1 John 5:4-5 says: “For whatsoever is born of God overcometh the world: and this is the victory that overcometh the world, even our faith. Who is he that overcometh the world, but he that believeth that Jesus is the Son of God?”

Again the promise of adoption is given, where are promised the place of the first-born son, i.e we become heirs of the greatest inheritance.

Rev 21:8

But the fearful, and unbelieving, and the abominable, and murderers, and whoremongers, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone: which is the second death.

This is God’s list and includes everyone that tries to make it on their own terms and refuses to accept God’s way through Jesus.

• Fearful – cowardly
• Unbelieving – ‘I’m a good person, I don’t need Jesus…’
• Abominable – ‘to stink’ anything abhorrent
• Murderers – ‘even hatred in the heart’
• Whoremongers – ‘sexually immoral’
• Sorcerers – ‘pharmakia’ – drugs
• Idolaters – making a god to suite yourself
• Liars – size & colour not specified!

Is Hell an allegory/symbolism? Some teach it is not a real place and that we simply cease to exist when we die (annihilation). Yet Jesus taught more of Hell than any other single doctrine. He taught it was a real, eternal Hell – where the worm never dies and the fire is never quenched! (Mk 9:44)

John Bunyan, wrote:

“In Hell thou shalt have none but a company of damned souls with an innumerable company of devils to keep company with thee. While thou art in this world the very thought of the devils appearing to thee makes thy flesh to tremble and thy hair stand upright on thy head.  But O what wilt thou do when not only the supposition of the devils appearing but the real society of all the devils of Hell will be with thee; howling, roaring and screeching in such a hideous manner that thou will be even at thy wits end and ready to run stark mad again for anguish and torment. If after 10,000 years an end should come, there would be comfort. But here is thy misery; here thou must be forever. When thou seest what an innumerable company of howling devils thou art amongst, thou shalt think this again; this is my portion forever. When thou hast been in Hell so many thousand of years as there are stars in the firmament or drops in the sea or sands on the seashore, yet thou has to lie there forever. Oh this one word ‘ever’ how will it torment thy soul. And many are in the net moving toward that furnace of fire.”

God will not ‘send’ anyone to hell, people have a choice. The question is ‘why would they choose hell? “They shall have their part….”

“Have you no wish for others to be saved? Then you are not saved yourself. Be sure of that.”   –  C H Spurgeon

“He knows not the Grace of God who has no desire that others should know it, also. You will assuredly long for the souls of others if God has saved your soul”   –  C H Spurgeon

The New Jerusalem

As we now see the city, it is so fantastic that some have tried to say that this is just symbolism, pointing to something else. But we know that the Tabernacle in the wilderness was full of symbolism, pointing to Jesus, yet the Tabernacle itself was literal – just ask the priests who carried it! The Temple in Jerusalem was also full of symbolism yet it too was literal and was destroyed by king Nebuchadnezzar. So here, we do have symbolism that will also no doubt point to Jesus, but that doesn’t mean that the city itself is not a reality.

Rev 21:9

And there came unto me one of the seven angels which had the seven vials full of the seven last plagues, and talked with me, saying, Come hither, I will shew thee the bride, the Lamb’s wife.

John is now starting to recognise these angels, and for the last time he is told to ‘come here’ because there is something he needs to see. As with the wine at Cana, Jesus saves the best until last. All that we have known up to this point has been corruptible, but this city will last forever. This is the last thing in God’s word, the Bible closes with this picture that He chose to reveal to us, surely to give us hope and an expectancy, to reveal how wonderful will be the eternity He has ready for His own.

People are drawn to the ‘bright lights of the city’, which are just poor imitations that don’t satisfy. The bright lights of this city are the real thing beyond our comprehension.

Herodotus tells us that the walls of ancient Babylon were 120 furlongs on each of the four sides, and we know from history that a river ran through Babylon. That was the best the world had to offer. However this city is 10 times the size and has a far superior river running through it.

Rev 21:10

And he carried me away in the spirit to a great and high mountain, and shewed me that great city, the holy Jerusalem, descending out of heaven from God,

Just as in Revelation 17 & 18 the woman was identified as the city, so here. The bride is not the city only, but rather the city is the residence of the bride; without the bride the city is not complete for it was made for her.

Rev 21:11

Having the glory of God: and her light was like unto a stone most precious, even like a jasper stone, clear as crystal;

A city with God’s glory in it. When God’s glory fell upon Solomon’s temple the priests had to stop ministering and leave it was so powerful (see 2 Chronicles 7:1-3) yet here it will be perpetual.

The light that comes from this city is like a perfect diamond shining brightly. We will find that this city (indwelt by the glory of God) is the only light bearer in the new heavens and earth. There will be no sum or moon.

In verse 16 we will discover that this city is approximately 1500 miles cube, so what John is seeing, evidently from a distance is a 1500 mile high by 1500 mile wide by 1500 mile deep brilliant diamond like structure.

Rev 21:12

And had a wall great and high, and had twelve gates, and at the gates twelve angels, and names written thereon, which are the names of the twelve tribes of the children of Israel:

As John moves closer (or as the city comes closer) he notices the walls, and then twelve angels standing on twelve gates that have the names of the twelve tribes of Israel on them.

Rev 21:13-14

13 On the east three gates; on the north three gates; on the south three gates; and on the west three gates.

14 And the wall of the city had twelve foundations, and in them the names of the twelve apostles of the Lamb

John is being given a flying tour of the outside of the city, and then he sees what is written in the foundations. No doubt he notices his own name, but rather than a sense of pride, I am sure he is overcome with a deep sense of humility. After all, none of us deserve to be there at all, let alone have our name written in the foundations.

Rev 21:15-17

 15 And he that talked with me had a golden reed to measure the city, and the gates thereof, and the wall thereof.

16 And the city lieth foursquare, and the length is as large as the breadth: and he measured the city with the reed, twelve thousand furlongs. The length and the breadth and the height of it are equal.

17 And he measured the wall thereof, an hundred and forty and four cubits, according to the measure of a man, that is, of the angel.

The dimensions as we have mentioned are approximately 1500 x 1500 x 1500 miles square. (some commentators suggest between 1300 & 1500 but its large all the same!)

There are also some commentators that suggest that this could be a Pyramid which would also fit the dimensions that are given; however both the holy of holies in the Tabernacle and in the Temple were both cubic; and Pyramids have long had occultic overtones.

When we consider that the gates on each of the four sides have three of the tribes of Israel inscribed on them, we start to see that this is the ultimate of which the Tabernacle was the model with the tribes of Israel encamped around the holy of holies, with three on the north, three on the south, three on the east and three on the west. The Levites were to encamp around the holy of holies in the centre. Here the will be no temple because God will be resident in the city with the bride. Just like the Levites in the wilderness, all who have been made kings and priests to our God will encamp around the throne in the city!

To give some idea of the scale: the base will be approximately 2,250,000 square miles. It would cover most of Europe, including the UK!

Dr Henry Morris in his commentary on Revelation put forward a suggestion of what the population could be.

Assuming that the entire population of the earth from Adam to Noah, and then from Noah to the end of the millennium would be no more than 80 billion people; then adding another 20 billion to be generous; Dr Morris estimated that we would have a grand total of 100 billion people who have ever lived.

Knowing that Jesus said that “narrow is the way that leads to life and few there are who find it” (Matt 7:14), Dr Morris made the assumption that only 1/5^th of our 100 billion are saved, meaning that the New Jerusalem would need to house 20 billion people.

On that basis, if everyone inside the city has a mansion, (“In my house are many mansions”  – John 14:2) fitted out just how you would like, with the floor space of 75 acres, ceiling area being 75 acres, each wall area being 75 acres… if we all had that much room there would still be ¾ of the City left for parks, water fountains etc!

This is only a proposition but serves to illustrate just how big this city will be!

From verse 17 It looks like the wall is 200ft thick diamond!

NB: all that we are looking at is the peripherals, the building materials. When you visit someone’s house you are more interested in the internals than the walls and foundations! But God only gives us this much for now.

Rev 21:18

And the building of the wall of it was of jasper: and the city was pure gold, like unto clear glass.

Tutenkhamen’s gold is estimated to be of more value than all of the rest of the world’s gold reserves put together because it is so pure that you can see light through it. That is nothing compared to this!

Rev 21:19

And the foundations of the wall of the city were garnished with all manner of precious stones.

The first foundation was jasper; – pure diamond clear

the second, sapphire; – Blue

the third, a chalcedony; – Sky blue & yellow streaks

the fourth, an emerald; – Green

Rev 21:20

The fifth, sardonyx; – White with red veins

the sixth, sardius;  – Blood red ruby

the seventh, chrysolite;  – Blue green & gold

the eighth, beryl;  – Yellow Green to Turquoise

the ninth, a topaz;  – Golden

the tenth, a chrysoprasus; Blue, Green & Yellow

the eleventh, a jacinth; – Violet & Blue

the twelfth, an amethyst. – Purple

These foundations stones may be in layers, one on top of another; or maybe in twelve sections going around the walls with three colours/stones on each side – if the latter is the case each stone would cover an area approximately 500 miles wide!

Rev 21:21

And the twelve gates were twelve pearls; every several gate was of one pearl [some Oyster!]: and the street of the city was pure gold, as it were transparent glass.

Maybe the gates are made from a pearl to remind us through eternity of Matt 13:45-46 where Jesus tells of the man who sold all that he had to purchase a pearl of great price.

Jesus is the man, the Church is the pearl. Pearls are not kosher to the Jews, they are a Gentile item. Pearls are formed by irritation and are taken from their place in the sea to become an item of adornment. The Church has grown through trial and tribulations; God has used these things to test us and refine us. We too have been taken from the sea (an idiom in scripture for the Gentile world), and have become an item of adornment for the King of Kings who gave up everything He had to purchase us with His precious blood.

Please Note: Peter is not standing on any of the gates contrary to popular myth!

Even the streets in this city are made of such pure gold that it is transparent; and this is just the stuff you walk on!

Rev 21:22-23

22  And I saw no temple therein: for the Lord God Almighty and the Lamb are the temple of it.

23  And the city had no need of the sun, neither of the moon, to shine in it: for the glory of God did lighten it, and the Lamb is the light thereof.

In the wilderness they had the tabernacle that at times was filled with God’s presence. The same was true of the Solomon’s temple. Here however God’s presence will abide for eternity.

J Vernon McGee comments:

God lights the new creation directly by His presence. After the entrance of sin into the old creation, God withdrew His presence, and “darkness covered the face of the deep” (see Gen 1:2). Then God made use of the physical lights in His universe. He put them up like we put up street lights or lights in our homes. However, in the new creation sin is removed, and He again becomes the source of light. Today the Lord Jesus Christ is the Light of the World in a spiritual sense: “Then spake Jesus again unto them, saying, I am the light of the world: he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life” (John 8:12).

In the new creation He is the direct physical as well as the spiritual light. In the tabernacle there was the golden lampstand, which is one of the finest pictures of Christ. In the New Jerusalem He is the golden lampstand. The nations of the world will enter the Holy City as the priests entered the Holy Place in the tabernacle for the purpose of worship. The nations of the earth, as well as Israel, will come to the New Jerusalem as the high priest of old entered the Holy of Holies. Instead of the blood being brought, the Lamb is there in person. What a picture we have here!  –  J Vernon McGee

In Matthew 13:43 we read: “Then shall the righteous shine forth as the sun in the kingdom of their Father. Who hath ears to hear, let him hear.” What will this look like to have 20 billion of us shining inside the city and the light of God and the Lamb; with walls of effectively pure diamond and streets of transparent gold! No wonder we won’t need the light of the sun.

…the Lamb is the light thereof.

It is interesting to muse over the fact that there will be no sun, because Jesus will be the light of this city.

If we were to ask the question: ‘What is darkness?’ how would you answer? Let’s put it another way: ‘How do you measure darkness?’ If you think long and hard you will come to the realisation that darkness does not actually exist in and of itself; darkness is simply the absence of light. We can measure light, but we can only ‘measure’ darkness by the amount (or lack) of light present. In Job 38 God gives Job a science quiz and, among other things, asks him “Where is the way where light dwelleth? and as for darkness, where is the place thereof”  (Job 38:19). Light moves, darkness is fixed.

The first time we encounter light in the Bible is in Genesis chapter 1 verse 3. The common understanding of this verse is that God says: ‘Let there be light’, at which point light appears; and that is certainly what happens. However, if we look at the Hebrew (which reads from right to left), we find that what God actually says is: “Be light, be light” or we could say: “Let light be light”. Another way we could render this would be: “Let the Light illuminate”, and now we begin to see something incredible! Who is The Light? Answer: Jesus Christ!

In 1^st John we are told that “God is light, and in him is no darkness at all”( 1 John 1:5). This is also explained in the opening of John’s gospel:  “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. The same was in the beginning with God. All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made. In him was life; and the life was the light of men. And the light shineth in darkness; and the darkness comprehended it not. There was a man sent from God, whose name was John. The same came for a witness, to bear witness of the Light, that all men through him [i.e. the Light] might believe. He was not that Light, but was sent to bear witness of that Light. That was the true Light, which lighteth every man that cometh into the world.” (John 1:1-9)

Thus, from these verses we see that God, in the person of Jesus, is the Light, and the creator of all things. He Himself said: I am the light of the world: he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life. (John 8:12). Was this just a metaphor? Apparently not.

Another verse that sheds some light on this subject (pun intended!) is 2 Corinthians 4:6: “For God, who commanded the light to shine out of darkness, hath shined in our hearts, to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ”. Here Paul is referring to Genesis 1:3, but notice what we are told: God commanded the light to shine. For God to command the light to shine, the light had to be in existence prior to this point; in other words it was not created but was pre-existent!

This would seem to be confirmed in Isaiah 45:“I form the light, and create darkness” (Isaiah 45:7). The Hebrew word for ‘form’ is Yatsar  and it means to ‘fashion, form, frame, make through the squeezing into shape’. In other words, it is working with something that already exists. However, in contrast to this, ‘create’ (darkness), is the Hebrew word bara, meaning to ‘create out of nothing’. God does indeed create darkness (out of nothing) simply because He is Light. The fact that He is light makes it possible for darkness to exist. The same idea is carried on in the second part of the verse where we read: “I make peace, and create evil: I the LORD do all these things”. Many people have struggled with this verse because they think it makes God the author of evil; until, of course, you realise that, just as darkness is the absence of light, so evil is the absence of God. Evil exists because of the absence of God in the hearts of those who reject God. God does not ‘form’ (yatser) evil from something that already existed, He ‘causes’ it to exist (bara) out of nothing – i.e. it hasn’t always been there. It only became a possibility with the existence of beings (angels and humans) who have the power of choice – choice that allows them to reject God.

One final though before we move on: If God commanded Jesus, who is Light, to ‘illuminate’ the world that now is and to be the Light in the new heavens and earth, and we know from Colossians 1:16-17 that Jesus created all things that exist, then, we could legitimately say that ‘Light created all things’.

Why is that significant? Well, simply because of the following.

Particle physicists know that each particle (the smallest physical object – smaller than an atom) has an anti-particle. If a particle and anti-particle combine they will annihilate each other and emit a photon (the smallest unit of light). What’s provocative is that it’s believed that this reaction could be reversible. This would mean that, from a photon (a single unit of light), it would be possible to ‘create’ a particle and its corresponding anti-particle. In other words, some particle physicists now believe that all you would need to create matter, is light! – and what has the Bible said for thousands of years? ‘In the beginning God – the One who is Light – created all things!!

Rev 21:24

And the nations of them which are saved shall walk in the light of it: and the kings of the earth do bring their glory and honour into it.

Who are the people that comprise these nations?

Well, from our study we know of at least three groups: 1) Israel who will have been restored and will have lived under Jesus rule during the millennium; now they will come up to the New Jerusalem to worship. 2) The tribulation saints – we have already seen that they are not part of the bride, so therefore will not live inside the city. 3) Any that are born during the millennium that don’t follow Satan in his last stand. Ultimately, these nations will comprise of all who were found written in the Lamb’s book of life but were not part of the bride.

Rev 21:25-26

25 And the gates of it shall not be shut at all by day: for there shall be no night there.

26 And they shall bring the glory and honour of the nations into it.

Evidently, although the city will be the home of the bride, there will be an abundance of traffic coming in and out continually; hence the gates will never be shut.

Joe Focht raises an interesting question here: If the gates are never to be shut, why is an angel posted on each of the twelve gates? (See verse 12).

One possible explanation is that they will be information angels! With a city that big you might need help finding your way home! Also you may want to visit Oswald Chambers or Whitfield or Moses or Abraham. These angels may be able to direct you to the ‘blue quadrant’ to the mansion of Charles Spurgeon so you can have some ‘morning & evening’ devotions!

Maybe we will get to visit friends and family or those we have brought to Christ; and together we will be able to praise God for His Faithfulness, Grace and Mercy.

Rev 21:27

 And there shall in no wise enter into it any thing that defileth, neither whatsoever worketh abomination, or maketh a lie: but they which are written in the Lamb’s book of life.

How often we have to be on our guard as Christians. Paul tells us in Romans: “Make not provision for the flesh to fulfil the lusts thereof” (Rom 13:14) Jesus said: “Behold, I send you forth as sheep in the midst of wolves: be ye therefore wise as serpents, and harmless as doves. But beware of men………”. (Matt 10:16-17). Peter said: “Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour” (1 Peter 5:8)

How wonderful it will be to have God’s promise that nothing that defiles, neither anything that causes abominations or deceit will be able to enter into our eternal home.

For those of you who have been camping in tents you’ll know that when it rains really hard, no matter what you do to try and prevent it, water still finds its way into the tent – and usually makes your pillow wet! What a contrast when you are back home and safe within your house and double glazed windows. It can rain as hard as it wants now, but nothing is getting through and you can relax knowing that you’ll have a warm bed and pillow tonight!

It’s a poor example, I know, but what peace, relief and comfort we will experience when we are safe within the walls of the New Jerusalem knowing that no sin, no temptation, no iniquity or deceitful thing can touch us any longer.

To be continued…

Every blessing,

Pastor Barry

The post The New Jerusalem first appeared on Calvary Chapel Portsmouth.

To someone reading the Bible for the first time, it is unlikely they would interpret the six clear references in this chapter to 1000 years as meaning anything other than a literal period of 1000 years. However, since the 3^rd – 4^th century there has been a school of thought that has suggested this should be, and was intended to be, interpreted symbolically. The same scholars will also make the same claim for much of the book of Revelation, arguing that what we have presented is allegorical ‘picture language’, things that are to be understood ‘spiritually’ rather than taken as actual events that are being foretold.

This immediate problem is that this view ignores the opening words of the book, where it is stated: “The Revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave unto him, to shew unto his servants things which must shortly come to pass; and he sent and signified it by his angel unto his servant John” (Rev 1:1)

There is no implication found anywhere in the book that these things are merely given to illustrate spiritual truths, depicting a struggle between good and evil; nor is this position consistent with the rest of the Bible. In Matthew 24 when Jesus was asked about the events preceding His return, He answered plainly and simply, and as we have seen, He then summerised the key events that are later expanded upon in the book of Revelation. It should also be stated that the Old Testament prophecies, which in many respects became the hope of the nation of Israel, can’t just be put to one side because either.

That being the case, one might well ask why the allegorical approach gained any momentum at all, let alone be the principle view taught in most seminaries today. We will explore the roots of this in a while, but at the end of the day we ultimately come back to the same question: Is this chapter (and indeed this book) meant to be understood as unfolding literal events that will take place, or should it be seen as symbolic? [and if so, symbolic of what?].

In essence, either God through His Word has revealed there will be a period of 1000 years when Christ will reign following His Second Coming, or this is just picture language, symbols designed to illustrate some other point. If the latter is true, the question has to be asked, what point is being made?, and who is it that decides how to interpret what we read?, (if what we read does in fact not actually mean what the surface text says?!)

It is worth mentioning that the basic ‘rules’ of Biblical interpretation, agreed on by most scholars state:

When the plain sense of scripture makes common sense, seek no other sense; therefore, take every word at its primary, ordinary, usual, literal meaning, unless the facts of the immediate context, studied in the light of related passages and axiomatic and fundamental truths, indicate clearly otherwise (Arnold Fructenbaum).

It should be added that: Any passage of scripture that on the surface may seem to be difficult to understand will be explained elsewhere in scripture, thus eliminating guesswork and human opinion as to its meaning (Arnold Fructenbaum).

Some years ago I read a book called ‘How to read the Bible for all its worth’. Overall it was a good and instructive book that laid out the above principles for how to read and understand the Bible – right up until the chapter the dealt with Revelation! At that point the joint authors went against almost everything they had said to that point and ignored the plain-text-meaning and attempted to allegorise everything!

Another commentary on Revelation that I still have on my bookshelf (mainly to remind myself how distorted things can get if we ignore the Holy Spirit – more on that in a moment!!) goes as far as saying that in Revelation ‘angels are not angels, nothing should be taken literally!’

What did Jesus say regarding the Holy Spirit?

“I have yet many things to say unto you, but ye cannot bear them now. Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will shew you things to come. He shall glorify me: for he shall receive of mine, and shall shew it unto you. All things that the Father hath are mine: therefore said I, that he shall take of mine, and shall shew it unto you” (John 16:12-15).

Based on this, any attempt to allegorise Scripture is a denial of the work of the Holy Spirit. If you allegorise, who decides? Who confirms and checks? What do you check against? Why is one opinion any better than another? In essence, Jesus says the Holy Spirit is the only One who can and will explain Scripture to us, and in this way we can all independently study and come to a knowledge of the truth, not a knowledge of various truths!

To illustrate this, consider Calvary Chapel; now I don’t mean to say that Calvary Chapel has got everything right, or that Calvary Chapel is better than any other church, but if you were to put a bunch of Calvary Chapel pastors in a room and throw in some doctrinal issues and theological topics, I can guarantee you there would be almost 99% agreement. Any differences would be minor. Why? Is it because we have all studied together and agreed what we should say? Not at all! It is because independently we have read and studied God’s Word and have been willing to take it seriously, allowing the text to speak for itself. The Holy Spirit has been our guide to lead us into all truth – and the same is true for countless numbers of believers around the world.

Now, go and take a selection of Anglican ministers, or Baptist ministers, or Methodist ministers, put them in a room and just see what happens when you ask them about the Rapture? Or ask them about Baptism, Creation, the Flood of Noah, or the Giants of Genesis 6, or even about the Second Coming and millennium!

Now, I am not saying they have all got it wrong, but I can guarantee you there will be a multitude of opinions. Once I was on a committee organising an outreach event in our town. I suggested, as we were representing a number of different denominations, that it might be helpful to have a joint ‘statement of faith’, just to show we were united on the foundational elements of our faith, even though we may differ on other things. Incredibly we couldn’t even agree on what we agreed on! The only way to have real unity and be as Paul urged in 1 Cor 1:10, speaking with the same mind and same judgment, is to base everything on the Bible, taking it seriously, believing that God means what He says and says what He means; allowing the Holy Spirit to guide us into all truth.

Returning to our topic, J Vernon McGee shared the following:

“A friend of mine disagreed with my interpretation of the Book of Revelation.  He said, “It doesn’t mean that.” I said, “Then you tell me what it means.” “It is a symbol.” “All right, now you tell me what it is a symbol of.” “Oh, it’s just a symbol.”

Don’t you know that a symbol has to be a symbol of something? And it has to make sense. You can’t just pull an explanation out of a hat and say, ‘This is what it means.’ How do you know what it means? It is a symbol of something, and by careful study and comparison with parallel passages, you are to determine what it is. No prophecy is of ‘private interpretation’ (2 Peter 1:20); it must be tested by the whole Word of God.”

When we do compare what we read in Revelation 20 with what we find in the rest of scripture, we find that God has promised there will be a time of ‘restitution of all things’ (Acts 3:21) when creation (that is currently also in bondage as a result of the fall) will be set free (Romans 8:21). As a result the “the wolf and the lamb shall feed together, and the lion shall eat straw like the bullock: and dust shall be the serpent’s meat. They shall not hurt nor destroy in all my holy mountain, saith the LORD”. (Isaiah 65:25). We are also told that Jesus will rule from the throne of David (Luke 1:32), which is an earthly throne in Jerusalem. In that day, nations “shall beat their swords into plowshares, and their spears into pruninghooks: nation shall not lift up a sword against nation, neither shall they learn war any more.” (Micah 4:3).

Jesus also promised His disciples they would sit on 12 thrones judging the twelve tribes of Israel (Matt 19:28) – it is extremely unlikely they believed that this was meant symbolically. Just stop and think for a moment, who wants a symbolic reward? Would you be happy with a symbolic birthday present? Try buying your husband or wife a symbolic present, rather than an actual present, and let me know how you get on!

Unless the 12 tribes of Israel are gathered back to their land, and unless there is a kingdom where Christ is ruling and reigning, this promise made by Jesus to His disciples is meaningless!

In Daniel 2 we have the dream of Nebuchadnezzar where he saw a statue. Daniel interpreted this as the succeeding world empires concluding with the 10 kings that would rule under Antichrist. Following this, the God of Heaven would set up His kingdom on this earth.

There really was a literal historical kingdom of Babylon. This was followed by the literal physical Medo-Persian Empire. Alexander the Great was not an allegorical character who led a mystical Greek army to conquer the middle-east in lightning fast time. These were real events prophesied by Daniel that actually took place. Rome was a literal Empire crushing all before it.

So why, given that the historical content of Daniel’s prophecies were fulfilled literally, do some reach the conclusion that the future prophecies must somehow now be understood allegorically? May we ask why the future content of these prophecies should be taken in anything other than the same literal way as that which has already been? [Remember, all of Daniel’s prophecies were future to him at the time he recorded them! He made no distinction between some that were real and others that were supposedly symbolic!!)]

It should also be noted that every time in scripture where we see a prophecy fulfilled it is always literal and not symbolic. The Jew’s Babylonian captivity lasted for 70 literal years as prophesied by Jeremiah in 25:12. The Temple was literally destroyed by the Romans in AD70 as foretold by Jesus in Matthew 25, and so on.

We often hear it said: “There are good scholars on both sides of this debate”, thus creating the impression that no one can be sure about these things, or that we shouldn’t be dogmatic. However a good mechanic would diagnose the fault correctly. You would not recommend a mechanic to your friends if they had incorrectly diagnosed a problem with your car. Therefore to call scholars ‘good’ if they have diagnosed scripture incorrectly may be an example of ‘Christian charity’ but is ultimately unhelpful and only serves to perpetuate these errors.

Before we move on, it might be helpful to have a look at the common interpretations that come from the various allegorical viewpoints.

Amillennialism

The word Amillennial comes from the Greek ‘mille’ meaning ‘thousand’ and ‘annum’ from where we get year’; but when a word is prefixed by ‘a’, it means ‘not’ (as in ‘a-muse’ i.e. not to muse, lit. not to think!). Thus a-millennialists believe that there will not be a literal period of 1000 years where Christ will reign on earth. Some go even further and state that the Second Coming itself will not be a physical event with Christ returning bodily.

Thus, to amillennialists, the millennium as mentioned in Revelation chapter 20, and alluded to in numerous other passages throughout the Bible, is seen as a period when Jesus will come (or indeed has already come) again ‘spiritually’ to ‘reign on the earth’ through the Church. The explanation of Satan being bound throughout this time (see v2 & v7) is therefore explained as his inability to stop the preaching of the gospel. So where did all this begin?

During the first and second century A.D. the Christian Church suffered much persecution, which led some to conclude they were in the ‘Great Tribulation’ as spoken of by Jesus in Matthew 24 and as detailed in the book of Revelation. Giving impetus to this belief was the fact that Roman Emperor Constantine subsequently ended this persecution of Christians around 315 A.D. ushering in a period of peace and prosperity for the church. In an attempt to join the dots together, men such as Origen (who was ‘credited’ with allegorizing much of scripture), put forward the teaching that now the persecution was over, the church had entered the millennium! No longer was Christianity outlawed, it was now the official religion of the Roman Empire.

As pagan religions were side-lined, Christians even started moving from homes and using the ornate pagan buildings as places of worship. These buildings typically had a raised altar area at the front to separate the clergy from the laity as was common practice among other religions. Many pagan practices also became adopted by the church in an attempt to create unity and ‘work together’, such as Christmas (originally a pagan/Babylonian celebration), and Easter (which was a fusion of the pagan feast of Ishtar and Jewish celebration of Passover). The worship of ‘mother & child’, already integral to pagan worship, having been passed down from ancient Babylon, was easily incorporated into ‘Christianity’ by simply changing the names of the mother to Mary, and the child to Jesus. All of this new found freedom led many to jump on the bandwagon and conclude that the church must have entered the ‘millennium’ era of peace. The fact that Jesus had not returned meant that the only way to ‘explain’ the scriptures was to re-interpret then as figurative, illustrating general truths rather than literal events, saying that books such as Revelation were to be taken symbolically, depicting a struggle between good and evil, rather than detailing actual events that are yet to take place in God’s appointed time. This teaching eventually found wide acceptance through Augustine’s book ‘The City of God’.

It should also be noted that the orthodox position held by the early church (namely, that Christ would return and usurp the wicked and corrupt governments of this world), was not obviously a ‘politically correct’ notion. Indeed, it was felt by some that the last thing the church needed was to be seen to be ‘preaching’ against the Roman Empire – an Empire who had already made persecution of Christians a national sport.

This ‘new’ interpretation therefore held that Christ’s kingdom and reign on earth were to be fulfilled symbolically through the Church. As noted above, some even went as far as to suggest that Christ would not actually return bodily, but that the Church would conquer the world and Christ would reign in the hearts of His subjects. This teaching is prevalent even today under such titles as ‘dominion theology’ or ‘kingdom now theology’. The Word-Faith movement that rose to prominence in the 1980’s and beyond is typically a proponent of this thinking, as is the Roman Catholic church. The roots of this help to piece together much of the history of the ‘church’.

As you can imagine, back in the 4^th century, this idea had great appeal to Roman Emperors and subsequent Popes as it elevated them and afforded them great power, as they assumed ‘divine’ responsibility for ushering in Christ’s kingdom on earth.

Furthermore, the promises and prophecies regarding national Israel now also had to find a ‘spiritual’ fulfilment in the church, as there is no room or need in Amillennialism for a national Israel [contrary to God’s unconditional covenant with Abraham and Paul’s clear statements in Romans 9-11].

This of course paved the way for the dominance of the Roman Catholic Church, who saw their mandate as conquering the world in the name of Christ and establishing Christ’s government on earth, often at the expense of the Jews, who were labelled ‘Christ killers’ and held forever accountable for the crucifixion of Jesus. This became the catalyst that led to the infamous crusades to capture Jerusalem.

Because of the Roman Catholic church’s widespread influence, Amillennialism became the prevalent view throughout the established church. Although the reformation did much to lead a return to Biblical Christianity, in particular that salvation is by grace alone in Christ alone, and not a product of our works, many other doctrinal issues were not addressed, resulting in much of the teaching of the Catholic church, including Amillennialism, being adopted by the protestant churches that grew out of the reformation.

Post Millennialism

Another common view is ‘post millennialism’ which teaches that Jesus will return physically, but only after the millennium [and there are various views as to what the millennium will be, how long it will last, when it started, and when it will therefore end].

However, one of the key tenants of Post Millennialism is the belief that the church will ‘Christianise’ the earth and then Jesus will come back after a ‘golden age’ of church rule.

Jonathan Edwards (‘father of America post millennialism’) witnessed an incredible revival when Whitfield preached in America. Jonathan Edwards assumed this to be the start of the millennium and believed that it would spread around the world.

Surprising as it may seem, Adolph Hitler  – a Roman Catholic to the day of his death – apparently believed that he was ushering in a millennium and his destruction of the Jews was part of the cleansing process.

However, this view leaves no room for all of the warnings given by Jesus about the events that would precede His Second Coming. It also once again removes Israel from the plan.

Regarding the above two views, Calvary Chapel pastor David Guzik comments:

The early church until Augustine almost universally believed in an earthly, historical reign of Jesus, initiated by His return. Tyconius (in the late 300’s) was the first to influentially champion a spiritualized interpretation, saying that this Millennium is now (Amillennialism) His view was adopted by Augustine, the Roman Catholic Church and most Reformation theologians. Postmillenialism is an outgrowth of Amillennialism, saying the millennium will happen in this age, before Jesus’ return; however, the church will bring it to pass.

However: The earthly reign of Christ and His people on this earth is plainly taught in the Old and New Testaments. Old Testament: Psalm 72; Isaiah 2:2-4; 11:4-9; Jeremiah 23:5-6 (and much, much more) New Testament: Luke 1:32-33; Matthew 5:18; Luke 19:12-27.

During this period, Israel is renewed in Christ, and assumes a leadership role in the world under Jesus; for the other nations, it is a time of joy, peace and blessing – all in strict obedience to Christ. The created order is also blessed and transformed (as reflected in the passages speaking of wolf lying down with the lamb, and so forth)

Is it a literal 1,000 years? We should take a number literally unless there is clear reason or evidence to do otherwise.

Some of the problems with a symbolic interpretation of the book of Revelation and chapter 20 in particular are as follows:

• Six times in this chapter we are told of a period of 1000 years (v2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7). There is no reason to believe that this is to be taken other than at face value.
• A symbolic interpretation allows no room for the restoration of Israel and the everlasting covenant that God made with Abraham and confirmed with David. Gen 17:7 /  2 Sam 7:12-13, 16, 24, 26, 29  / Psalm 89 / Jer 30:8-11 / Jer 33:14-26 etc.
• If we are in the kingdom age now, only the great white throne awaits us; which is a Judgment based on works (actually it is a sentencing – the judgment having already having been passed) – and that’s bad news for all of us!
• Contrary to what Paul believed, the Church cannot be the Bide of Christ because the marriage of the Lamb occurs before the ‘millennium’ (Rev 19:7). If we are now living in the ‘millennium’, Christ must already have His bride.
• It negates the clear teaching of Jesus regarding the time before He returns, the deceptions that He said would abound, and His coming in power and glory that He said will be like lightning across the sky – not something you could easily miss!
• It negates the countless prophecies in the Old Testament about the Day of the Lord, and the time of trouble for Israel (Jer 30:7 / Isaiah 13:9-11), which must all occur before the millennium begins – and nothing in history compares with the Bible’s description of this time.
• It completely misses the whole purpose for the Second Coming and millennium as revealed in the Bible.

In contrast to the above, the view held by the early church (as indicated below) was clearly to take the Bible seriously without the need to allegorise or explain away things that might on the surface seem hard for us to take in. This Biblically based view is referred to as Pre-Millennialism – i.e. that Jesus will return before the Millennium and establish His kingdom for 1000 years.

Irenaus, who lived around 130 A.D. to c.200 A.D. said: “Christ is the stone cut without hands (Ref Dan 2) who shall destroy the temporal kingdoms and introduce an eternal one when Antichrist shall have devastated all things in this world he shall reign for three years and a half and sit in the temple in Jerusalem…….then the Lord will come form heaven in the clouds and in the glory of His Father, sending this man into the lake of fire  but bringing in for the righteous the times of the kingdom, the rest, the hallowed seventh day, restoring to Abraham the promised inheritance.”

This shows that he believed that Antichrist would reign in Jerusalem for three and a half years followed by a return of Jesus to reign on the earth for 1000 years.

Justin Maryter 100-150AD (from his dialogue with Typho) answered that he believed that Jerusalem would be rebuilt and the millennium would be a literal period of 1000 years of Christ’s reign on this earth. He went as far as saying that those who did not believe this truth, and who were teaching otherwise were teaching heresies. He believed in a resurrection of the just followed by a reign of Church on the earth, as prophesied by the prophets, Isaiah, Ezekiel and John – the apostle.

Tertulian – 150-225AD believed that “A kingdom is promised to us on the earth although before heaven, but after the resurrection for 1000 years.”

Cyprian – also wrote of the reign of Christ on earth.

Calvary Chapel pastor Joe Focht cites a Dr Eliot who states that – “all expositors except Oregon and a few who reject Revelation were pre-millennialists”. Joe Focht also comments that the ancient Rabbis and early church fathers believed in a 7 day / day=1000 years plan where we would have (from Creation) a 6000 years of ‘work’ followed by 1000 years of rest during the millennium.

Joe also makes reference to the non-Canonical book ‘The epistle of Barnabas’. Whist not part of the Bible, it is interesting to note that the writer believed in a rebuilt temple followed by a 1000 year rule of Christ on earth. (www.ccphilly.org).

Prominent Christian writer Norman Geisler states – ‘Pre-millennial belief is so distinctly and prominently mentioned that we do not hesitate in accepting it as the belief of the early church”

Meed, in the 17^th Century stated that pre millennialism was the ‘Orthodox belief of the early church’

Grant Jeffery in his book ‘Triumphant Return’ devotes a whole chapter to the evidence that the early Christians in the first few centuries believed in the literal pre millennial return and subsequent reign of Jesus on earth. (ISBN 0-921714-64-5)

Why have I laboured the point here? Because many of the denominational churches in the UK hold to the unbiblical Amillennial view, so we need to be ready to “earnestly contend for the faith which was once delivered unto the saints”. (Jude 3).

CHAPTER 20

Rev 20:1-2

1 And I saw an angel come down from heaven, having the key of the bottomless pit and a great chain in his hand.

2  And he laid hold on the dragon, that old serpent, which is the Devil, and Satan, and bound him a thousand years,

The scene as we begin this chapter is that Jesus has just returned to earth at His Second Coming and destroyed the armies of Antichrist. Antichrist and the False Prophet have been thrown into the Lake of Fire, but what about the third part and orchestrator of this satanic trinity? What is to happen to Satan?

These opening verses answer our question, but we should note – and it should be something that should give us great comfort when we are going through tough times because it really puts things into perspective – that God doesn’t send the Archangel Michael and 12 legions of angels, nor does he assemble a mighty praying army to bind our great foe, He simply sends ‘an angel’  – nothing special, just a ‘no name guy’, that is all it will take to bind Satan once God has given the command.

Sadly, we all suffer at times from the false notion that Satan is God’s opposite number, that somehow he is as powerful as God, and that God is locked into this cosmic battle and we’re all just hoping that God will come through in the end. No! All it takes to bind him is one single –we are not even told his name – angel. Satan is a created being and cannot compare to the infinite Creator. God has left Satan in charge of the world for now (2 Cor 4:4 / Luke 4:5-6) simply to fulfill God’s purposes – not least being as part of His training programme for the Church. (To discover more about our training programme see: ‘Destined For The Throne’ by Paul E Billheimer – ISBN 0-7642-0035-6).

Satan is bound with a chain – this is unlikely to be a physical chain because Satan is a spirit being, but something doesn’t have to be physical to be literal. We only function in 4 dimensions (length, width, height and time) for now, but quantum physicists have suggested there may be up to 10 dimensions we currently have no real capacity to understand. Interestingly, Jewish Rabbis came to the same conclusion centuries ago simply from studying the Torah!

Verse two gives us our first mention of the one thousand years and given the context, it can only be meant as a literal period of time – again, God gave this Revelation to show unto His servants the things that would shortly come to pass – He wanted us to understand, that’s why He makes it easy and tells us exactly how long this period will last – one thousand years!

Rev 20:3

And cast him into the bottomless pit, and shut him up, and set a seal upon him, that he should deceive the nations no more, till the thousand years should be fulfilled: and after that he must be loosed a little season.

We have already made mention in previous studies, but the only place you could have a bottomless pit would be in the centre of the earth, because every direction from there would be up!  In 2 Peter we find that the angels who sinned before the flood (by ‘co-habiting’ with the women of the earth) were cast into ‘Tartarus’. This was believed by the Greeks to be a place in the centre of the earth beneath Hell. It may well be this place that Satan will be confined to during this time.

This verse also exposes Satan as the deceiver of the nations (in case you were in any doubt).

As a rebuttal to the Post-Millennial view, that suggests that we are in the millennium now, as Pastor Chuck Smith comments, ‘If we are in the Millennium now, then Satan’s chain is too long!’

As to why Satan is released at the end of the thousand years we will discuss later in this chapter.

Rev 20:4

And I saw thrones, and they sat upon them, and judgment was given unto them [the Bride – 1 Cor 6:1-3]: and I saw the souls of them that were beheaded for the witness of Jesus, and for the word of God, and which had not worshipped the beast, neither his image, neither had received his mark upon their foreheads, or in their hands [Tribulation saints]; and they lived and reigned with Christ a thousand years.

Two groups are identified here; firstly the bride of Christ – thus fulfilling 2 Tim 2:12 / Rev 2:26-27 / Rev 5:10 / Matt 19:28 / Matt 25:14-31 /  Luke 12:42-44 / Luke 19:12-27 etc.

The second group identified are the Tribulation saints. Why are they singled out? David Guzik says the following:

“They are specifically mentioned so as to encourage them, while not implying others will be left out. This is special vindication for Tribulation saints; they suffered under Antichrist who had said “I will rule the earth;” now they are in authority and Antichrist is destroyed. So, these martyrs are literal, but also representative of all who give their lives in faithfulness to Jesus”

Once again we are clearly told how long this period will last – God could not have made it clearer!  Furthermore, by looking in the Old Testament we can see that this period of time will be very distinct and different from anything we have known. According to Acts 3:21, which speaks of ‘the times of restitution of all things’, the earth will return to the way it was prior to the Fall in Genesis 3. (See also Romans 8:18).

This should prompt us to ask what the world was like back then?

Firstly we know from the account in Genesis that the world was protected by a water canopy. Three practical effects that such a canopy would have produced in the pre-flood world, are a greenhouse type environment on earth, with a near tropical climate everywhere; secondly, such a protective shield would block harmful UV rays from the sun; and thirdly, this would produce an increase in the air pressure, causing both CO² and Oxygen levels to be significantly higher than we have today.

Once again, science is our ally, for there is abundant evidence that the world was once vastly different than it is today. Coal seams and frozen leaves have been found at the South Pole, yet there are no trees growing there today. Mammoths, contrary to popular belief, were not inhabitants of cold and snowy places; their diet seems to have consisted of tropical vegetation (we know this because Mammoths have been found with undigested food found in their stomachs). Given the locations Mammoths are found in, it suggests a stable global climate. Increased CO² levels would be great for the bio-mass (plant life), and consistent with this we find fossilised moss 3ft deep, fossilised asparagus 40ft tall, 50ft horsetail reeds, 50ft ferns and 60ft fossilised cattails, all of which have all been found in sedimentary rock (i,e rock laid down by water – probably at the time of the Flood).

Experiments today have shown that under increased pressure, plants and vegetation will grow much larger – this, it would seem, is what the pre-flood world was like.

Cherry tomatoes grown under 2 x atmospheric pressure by Dr Mori.

In an article in Time Magazine (9/11/87 p.82) it was stated that “…earth’s atmosphere contained about 50% more oxygen than it does today”. An article on the university of London’s website documents the fact that they have found oxygen trapped in amber (fossilised tree sap) that is double the level currently in our atmosphere. This confirms what has long been suspected, and answers a few problems along the way. For example; the huge Apatosaurus (land dwelling Dinosaur) only had nostrils equivalent in size to a horse’s. If it were to try to breath in today’s world, it would have to breath in so hard just to get the oxygen it needed, the friction would burn its nostrils! – In reality, it would probably suffocate; and maybe this is what happened to many of the dinosaurs after the Flood, as they left the ark to find a completely different climate.

If oxygen was 50% greater in the past, it would have the same effect on animals that increased CO² has on plants. This would explain why we have fossilised Rhino’s 18ft tall, dragon flies with 3ft wingspans, cockroaches over 18 inches long, a fossilised centipede 8.5ft long, fossilised grasshoppers 2ft long, a donkey 9ft tall, Buffalo horns with a 12ft span, fossils of beavers over 8ft long, and the list goes on.

Of course, one .of the most significant effects of the pre-flood world would have been on the lifespan of man. Many people mock the Bible because of the incredible ages that people lived to before the flood; however, if there was a God-made UV filter, hardly any genetic disorders (being so close to the original ‘blueprint’), double the oxygen to breath – which we know has incredible effects on the human body – and add an environment with no pollution, is it any surprise that men were able to live so long?

What is also provocative is that in Revelation 16:20, as a result of the bowl of wrath poured out by the seventh angel, we read: “Then every island fled away, and the mountains were not found”. If there are no more islands, it would again imply that the earth will once again become one ‘super continent’.

Although no specific details are given in Revelation 20, Isaiah gives us great insight into this period of time:

“For, behold, I create new heavens and a new earth: and the former shall not be remembered, nor come into mind. But be ye glad and rejoice for ever in that which I create: for, behold, I create Jerusalem a rejoicing, and her people a joy. And I will rejoice in Jerusalem, and joy in my people: and the voice of weeping shall be no more heard in her, nor the voice of crying. There shall be no more thence an infant of days, nor an old man that hath not filled his days: for the child shall die an hundred years old; but the sinner being an hundred years old shall be accursed. And they shall build houses, and inhabit them; and they shall plant vineyards, and eat the fruit of them. They shall not build, and another inhabit; they shall not plant, and another eat: for as the days of a tree are the days of my people, and mine elect shall long enjoy the work of their hands. They shall not labour in vain, nor bring forth for trouble; for they are the seed of the blessed of the LORD, and their offspring with them. And it shall come to pass, that before they call, I will answer; and while they are yet speaking, I will hear.The wolf and the lamb shall feed together, and the lion shall eat straw like the bullock: and dust shall be the serpent’s meat. They shall not hurt nor destroy in all my holy mountain, saith the LORD”. (Isaiah 65:17-66:1).

The word ‘create’ in the opening verse is the Hebrew word ‘Bara’ which means ‘out of nothing’. God is going to do something as wonderful as when He originally created the earth. Some think these verses are referring to the new heavens and earth that God will create in Revelation 21-22, however, the simple fact that we have people getting old, dying and the mention of sinners clearly indicate that this is speaking of the millennial world. Note too that animals will return to being herbivores.

As seen from the above, the world will be very different for everyone, but particularly for the Jews:     “To appoint unto them that mourn in Zion, to give unto them beauty for ashes, the oil of joy for mourning, the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness; that they might be called trees of righteousness, the planting of the LORD, that he might be glorified. And they shall build the old wastes, they shall raise up the former desolations, and they shall repair the waste cities, the desolations of many generations. And strangers shall stand and feed your flocks, and the sons of the alien shall be your plowmen and your vinedressers. But ye shall be named the Priests of the LORD: men shall call you the Ministers of our God: ye shall eat the riches of the Gentiles, and in their glory shall ye boast yourselves” (Isaiah 61:3-6).

Zechariah tells us:

 “Thus saith the LORD of hosts; It shall yet come to pass, that there shall come people, and the inhabitants of many cities: And the inhabitants of one city shall go to another, saying, Let us go speedily to pray before the LORD, and to seek the LORD of hosts: I will go also. Yea, many people and strong nations shall come to seek the LORD of hosts in Jerusalem, and to pray before the LORD. Thus saith the LORD of hosts; In those days it shall come to pass, that ten men shall take hold out of all languages of the nations, even shall take hold of the skirt of him that is a Jew, saying, We will go with you: for we have heard that God is with you”. (Zech 8:20-23)

“And it shall come to pass, that every one that is left of all the nations which came against Jerusalem shall even go up from year to year to worship the King, the LORD of hosts, and to keep the feast of tabernacles. And it shall be, that whoso will not come up of all the families of the earth unto Jerusalem to worship the King, the LORD of hosts, even upon them shall be no rain”. (Zech 14:16-21)

Rev 20:5

But the rest of the dead lived not again until the thousand years were finished. This is the first resurrection.

By the phrase ‘the rest of the dead’ is meant all those who are in Hell, i.e. non-believers.

In John 5 Jesus describes two resurrections: “Do not marvel at this; for the hour is coming in which all who are in the graves will hear His voice and come forth — those who have done good to the resurrection of life, [i.e the First Resurrection] and those who have done evil, to the resurrection of condemnation. [this will be ‘the rest of the dead’]”  (John 5:28-29)

What we should also make clear is that the First Resurrection is a category, not a single event:

“It must be especially emphasized that our phrase in the Apocalypse covering this resurrection is a retrospect that looks back over all three phases (of resurrection)” (Barnhouse)

“‘The ‘first resurrection’ is not an event but an order of resurrection including all the righteous who are raised from the dead before the millennial kingdom begins.” (Walvoord)

The three phases that Barnhouse refers to are 1) Christ – the Firstfruits 2) Those who are His at the Rapture 3) The Tribulation saints. “But every man in his own order: Christ the firstfruits; afterward they that are Christ’s at his coming.” (1 Cor 15:23)

Rev 20:6

Blessed and holy is he that hath part in the first resurrection: on such the second death hath no power, but they shall be priests of God and of Christ, and shall reign with him a thousand years.

Blessed indeed! – especially when we consider the alternative (see Spurgeon’s comments below). All men will die physically, that is the first death. The second death is a spiritual death where once and for all you will be cut off from God – that is what Jesus died to prevent for all who will accept. Born once, die twice, born twice, die once.

The following from Charles Spurgeon’s ‘Morning & Evening’ is a poignant reminder that if God did not spare His own Son, but poured His full wrath upon Him ‘who knew no sin’, what will it be like for one who has rejected Christ’s death in their own place? If Christ took the full force of God’s wrath, so also will an unrepentant sinner if they ‘neglect so great a salvation’.

If they do these things in a green tree, what shall be done in the dry?’-Luke 23:31

“Among other interpretations of this suggestive question, the following is full of teaching: ‘If the innocent substitute for sinners, suffer thus, what will be done when the sinner himself-the dry tree-shall fall into the hands of an angry God?’ When God saw Jesus in the sinner’s place, He did not spare Him; and when He finds the unregenerate without Christ, He will not spare them. O sinner, Jesus was led away by His enemies: so shall you be dragged away by fiends to the place appointed for you. Jesus was deserted of God; and if He, who was only imputedly a sinner, was deserted, how much more shall you be? ‘Eloi, Eloi, lama sabachthani?’ what an awful shriek! But what shall be your cry when you shall say, ‘O God! O God! why hast Thou forsaken me?’ and the answer shall come back, ‘Because ye have set at nought all My counsel, and would none of My reproof: I also will laugh at your calamity; I will mock when your fear cometh.’ If God spared not His own Son, how much less will He spare you! What whips of burning wire will be yours when conscience shall smite you with all its terrors. Ye richest, ye merriest, ye most self-righteous sinners-who would stand in your place when God shall say, ‘Awake, O sword, against the man that rejected Me; smite him, and let him feel the smart for ever’? Jesus was spit upon: sinner, what shame will be yours! We cannot sum up in one word all the mass of sorrows which met upon the head of Jesus who died for us, therefore it is impossible for us to tell you what streams, what oceans of grief must roll over your spirit if you die as you now are. You may die so, you may die now. By the agonies of Christ, by His wounds and by His blood, do not bring upon yourselves the wrath to come! Trust in the Son of God, and you shall never die.”

The post The Millennium first appeared on Calvary Chapel Portsmouth.

In Charles Spurgeon’s study on the Second Coming, he makes reference to the opening chapter of Revelation where John, trying to expresses the magnitude of what he had seen, sums up much of the book by the statement: Behold, he cometh with clouds; and every eye shall see him, and they also which pierced him: and all kindreds of the earth shall wail because of him. Even so, Amen. (Rev 1:7).

In response to this, Spurgeon states: “I gather from this expression that it will be a literal appearing and an actual sight. If the Second Advent was to be a spiritual manifestation, to be perceived by the minds of men, the phraseology would be, “Every mind shall perceive Him.” But it is not so: we read, “Every eye shall see Him.” Now, the mind can behold the spiritual, but the eye can only see that which is distinctly material and visible”

Throughout Scripture we find references to the physical bodily return of Jesus to this earth.

• Psalm 2;45; 46; 47; 50:1-6; 68;
• Isaiah 11, 24:19-23, 25, 26:20, 21; 63:1-6; 65:5-16;
• Daniel 2:44-45; 7:9-14;
• Joel 3;
• Hab 3;
• Zech 14.

Furthermore, when Jesus was under oath before the Sanhedrin he asserted: Ye shall see the Son of man sitting on the right hand of power, and coming in the clouds of heaven. (Matthew 26:64).

Thus scripture makes it clear, Jesus is coming back and every eye will see Him!

In typical fashion, Spurgeon then goes on to labour over these words, so as not to miss some priceless spiritual gem:

This announcement is thought worthy of a note of admiration. Behold indicated that there is something that we are to hold and behold. We now hear the voice crying, “Come and see.” The Holy Spirit never uses superfluous words or redundant notes of exclamation: when He cries, “Behold!” is it because there is reason for deep and lasting attention. Will you turn away when He bids you pause and ponder, linger and look? You who have been beholding vanity, come and behold the fact that Jesus comes. You who have been beholding this and beholding that and thinking of nothing worthy of your thoughts, forget these passing sights and spectacles and for once behold a scene that has no parallel. It is not a monarch in her festivity but the King of kings in His glory. That same Jesus who went up from Olivet into Heaven is coming again to earth in like manner as His disciples saw Him go up into Heaven. Come and behold this great sight. If ever there was a thing in the world worth looking at, it is this. Behold and see if there was ever glory like unto His glory!

Do not carelessly turn aside, for the Lord God demands your attention: He commands you to “Behold!” Will you be blind when God bids you behold? Will you shut your eyes when your Saviour cries, “Behold”? When the finger of inspiration points the way, will your eye fail to follow where it directs you?

This coming is to be zealously proclaimed, for John does not merely calmly say, “He cometh,” but he vigorously cries, “Behold, He cometh.” Just as the herald of a king prefaces his message by a trumpet blast that calls attention, so John cries, “Behold!” It is no ordinary message that he brings, and he would not have us treat his world as a commonplace saying. He throws his heart into the announcement. He proclaims it loudly, he proclaims it solemnly, and he proclaims it with authority: “Behold He cometh.”

No truth should be more frequently proclaimed next to the first coming of the Lord, than His second coming; and you cannot thoroughly set forth all the implications of the first advent if you forget the second. At the Lord’s supper, there is no discerning the Lord’s body unless you discern His first coming; but there is no drinking into His cup to its fullness unless you hear Him say, “Until I come.”  

(taken from “The Power of Christ’s Second Coming” © 1996 Lance  C. Wubbels)

As we stated in our previous study, there are three distinct reasons given for the second coming:

• To deliver Israel in the midst of her darkest hour
• To judge the ungodly nations of this world that have survived the Great Tribulation
• To re-establish the throne the throne of David

Although we have looked briefly at verses 11-14 in the previous study, to get the flow we will review them again here and add some addition comments:

Rev 19:11

And I saw heaven opened, and behold a white horse; and he that sat upon him was called Faithful and True, and in righteousness he doth judge and make war.

In chapter 6 we saw another white horse, and another rider. These two riders stand as the antithesis of each other. One is faithful (1 Thes 5:24), the other is made famous for breaking his covenant (Daniel 9:27). One is true (John 1:9), the other is full of deceit (Psalm 10:7). One come in righteousness (Psalm 11:7), the other is the enemy of all that is righteous (2 Thes 2:4). One is just in the war He wages, the other wages war out of vengeful Satanic hatred. One is Christ, the other Anti-Christ.

As we read these words they should have a very special meaning for us, for it is because He is faithful, because He has kept His promises that all the things recorded here are happening. God made a promise to David that one of his descendants would sit on the throne of Israel. Here He now fulfills that promise. But there is more that touches each of us in His title ‘Faithful and true’. For in His darkest hour in Gethsemane, when faced with the overwhelming black and sickening burden of our sin, it was then of all times that Christ showed Himself to be faithful. In John 10 Jesus had said that a good shepherd gives his life for the sheep. It is one thing to say it, but quite another, when actually faced with cruelest of opponents to give your own life to rescue, not the lovely and sweet, not the holy and righteous, for we are told that it is while we were yet sinners that Christ died for us! (Rom 5:8). No, it was while we were afar off (Eph 2:17) that our great Shepherd shed drops of blood as sweat and proved Himself faithful even unto the death of the cross (Phil 2:8), enduring the shame for the glory that was set before Him! (see Hebrews: 12:2). Never has a title been so deserved as ‘Faithful and True’ for our Saviour!

But let us just pause for a moment before we continue, for are not we to be conformed to the image of Jesus (Romans 8:29)? Does not scripture say that ‘as He is, so are we in this world’? (1 John 4:17). If He is faithful and true, should we not expect the same qualities to be evident in those whom would call themselves His followers? Should not also the very fact He is coming soon, stir us to be faithful and true? We should first and foremost be faithful to Him, to ‘walk worthy of the Lord’ (Col 1:10). But we should also strive to be faithful in all things. Faithful in our marriages, faithful in our relationships, faithful in our work and faithful in our witness; and in all things we should be true.  The Greek word here is alēthinos, meaning that which has not only the name and resemblance, but the real nature, in every respect real, true genuine; opposite to what is fictitious, counterfeit, imaginary, simulated or pretended. As He is, so should we be!

We are also told that in this verse, that when Jesus comes He is coming to make war on His enemies. In Luke 4:10-21 we read of the account when Jesus was at the synagogue in Nazareth on the Sabbath. As was the custom, the men of the Synagogue would take turns to read from the T’nach (the Hebrew Old Testament). On this particular Sabbath Jesus stood to read, and He was passed the scroll of Isaiah.

“And he came to Nazareth, where he had been brought up: and, as his custom was, he went into the synagogue on the sabbath day, and stood up for to read. And there was delivered unto him the book of the prophet Esaias. And when he had opened the book, he found the place where it was written, The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he hath anointed me to preach the gospel to the poor; he hath sent me to heal the brokenhearted, to preach deliverance to the captives, and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty them that are bruised, To preach the acceptable year of the Lord. And he closed the book, and he gave it again to the minister, and sat down. And the eyes of all them that were in the synagogue were fastened on him” (Luke 4:16-20).

Jesus then declared: “This day is this scripture fulfilled in your ears”. But why were all eyes on Him? Quite simply because Jesus ‘shut the scroll’ half way through the sentence, He did not complete the reading! The passage in Isaiah comes from Isaiah 61:1-2, and where Jesus put a full stop, Isaiah has a comer, followed by the words ‘and the day of vengeance of our God’!

Jesus had come to heal the brokenhearted, preach deliverance to the captives, the recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty them that were bruised, and to preach the acceptable year of the Lord, but at that time He had not come to proclaim the day of vengeance of God. That comer has lasted almost 2000 years, but we are now ready for the sentence to be completed, and for the day of vengeance of God to come!

Rev 19:12-15

12 His eyes were as a flame of fire, and on his head were many crowns; and he had a name written, that no man knew, but he himself.

13 And he was clothed with a vesture dipped in blood: and his name is called The Word of God.

14 And the armies which were in heaven followed him upon white horses, clothed in fine linen, white and clean.

15 And out of his mouth goeth a sharp sword, that with it he should smite the nations: and he shall rule them with a rod of iron: and he treadeth the winepress of the fierceness and wrath of Almighty God.

There are many scriptures that we could turn to for greater insight (Cf  2 Thes 2:8  /  Matt 24:30  /  Dan 2:34-35, 44 et al), but one that is particularly instructive is found in Zechariah 14:1-9:

“Behold, the day of the LORD cometh, and thy spoil shall be divided in the midst of thee. For I will gather all nations against Jerusalem to battle; and the city shall be taken, and the houses rifled, and the women ravished; and half of the city shall go forth into captivity, and the residue of the people shall not be cut off from the city. Then shall the LORD go forth, and fight against those nations, as when he fought in the day of battle. And his feet shall stand in that day upon the mount of Olives, which is before Jerusalem on the east, and the mount of Olives shall cleave in the midst thereof toward the east and toward the west, and there shall be a very great valley; and half of the mountain shall remove toward the north, and half of it toward the south. And ye shall flee to the valley of the mountains; for the valley of the mountains shall reach unto Azal: yea, ye shall flee, like as ye fled from before the earthquake in the days of Uzziah king of Judah: and the LORD my God shall come, and all the saints with thee. And it shall come to pass in that day, that the light shall not be clear, nor dark: But it shall be one day which shall be known to the LORD, not day, nor night: but it shall come to pass, that at evening time it shall be light. And it shall be in that day, that living waters shall go out from Jerusalem; half of them toward the former sea, and half of them toward the hinder sea: in summer and in winter shall it be. And the LORD shall be king over all the earth: in that day shall there be one LORD, and his name one.”

Adding this to what we already know, we see that the nations of the earth will be gathered together under the leadership of Antichrist in the Jezreal valley in Northern Israel, also known as the valley of Megiddo – from whence comes the name ‘Armageddon’.

From here Satan will launch an assault on Jerusalem, capturing the city and then setting about perusing the Jews in hiding in Edom – modern day Jordan

We have already seen how Isaiah in chapter 63 (vs 1-4) speaks of Jesus’ coming in wrath as if someone were treading out grapes, with the blood splattering upon His garments. We noted the same idiom used back in chapter 16 where we were also given a strange piece of information:

“And another angel came out from the altar, which had power over fire; and cried with a loud cry to him that had the sharp sickle, saying, Thrust in thy sharp sickle, and gather the clusters of the vine of the earth; for her grapes are fully ripe. And the angel thrust in his sickle into the earth, and gathered the vine of the earth, and cast it into the great winepress of the wrath of God. And the winepress was trodden without the city, and blood came out of the winepress, even unto the horse bridles, by the space of a thousand and six hundred furlongs”. (Rev 14:18-20)

Clearly the Lord is coming in His wrath, but note the distance that is recorded over which His enemies are slain: ‘1600 Furlongs”.

A Furlong is approximately 600ft. It may be nothing, just a coincidence(?), but it just so happens to be 1600 furlongs from Megiddo to Petra!

It will be right in the heat of battle that Jesus will return to destroy Antichrist and his armies and deliver Israel. Jesus will then travel back victoriously to liberate Jerusalem, this time coming to the Mount of Olives which will then be split in two by a powerful earthquake.

At this time, and probably as a result of the earthquake, we read of an incredible geographical event: A river appears in Jerusalem, and flows out of the city, and on down to the Dead Sea. Ezekiel records:

“Afterward he brought me again unto the door of the house; and, behold, waters issued out from under the threshold of the house eastward: for the forefront of the house stood toward the east, and the waters came down from under from the right side of the house, at the south side of the altar.

Then brought he me out of the way of the gate northward, and led me about the way without unto the utter gate by the way that looketh eastward; and, behold, there ran out waters on the right side. And when the man that had the line in his hand went forth eastward, he measured a thousand cubits, and he brought me through the waters; the waters were to the ancles. Again he measured a thousand, and brought me through the waters; the waters were to the knees. Again he measured a thousand, and brought me through; the waters were to the loins.

Afterward he measured a thousand; and it was a river that I could not pass over: for the waters were risen, waters to swim in, a river that could not be passed over. And he said unto me, Son of man, hast thou seen this? Then he brought me, and caused me to return to the brink of the river. Now when I had returned, behold, at the bank of the river were very many trees on the one side and on the other. Then said he unto me, These waters issue out toward the east country, and go down into the desert, and go into the sea: which being brought forth into the sea, the waters shall be healed. And it shall come to pass, that every thing that liveth, which moveth, whithersoever the rivers shall come, shall live: and there shall be a very great multitude of fish, because these waters shall come thither: for they shall be healed; and every thing shall live whither the river cometh”. (Ezek 47:1-9)

Thus it would seem that Jerusalem, one of the few major cities without a river, will have a river as a permanent reminder (particularly to Israel) of God’s provision of water from the Rock at Horeb (Exodus 17), which in itself is a model (as Paul tells us in 1 Cor 10) of Christ the Rock who provides the water of life (see John 7:37-39).

Just as the water from the Rock in Horeb brought life, as symbolised by the water flowing from the altar in John 7, so this water that will flow out of Jerusalem will flow on down into the Dead Sea – which because of the very high mineral content currently allows no life – and the Dead Sea will be healed and become teeming with life!

As an aside, it is no secret the Jerusalem is on a faulty line, part of the Great Rift Valley, that runs down from Lebanon, through Israel and then off into Africa, finally ending in Mozambique.

Rev 19:16

And he hath on his vesture and on his thigh a name written, KING OF KINGS, AND LORD OF LORDS.

Of the 95 Greek manuscripts that Revelation was translated from into the English, all had KING OF KINGS AND LORD OF LORDS in capitals, just to underline the point!

What is significant about the name being written on Jesus’ thigh? Well, as Jamieson, Fausset, and Brown’s commentary highlights, “The thigh was touched in taking an oath, as the seat of strength: it symbolizes Christ’s humanity, as, sprung from the loins of David, according to His covenant, and now the glorified “Son of man.” See Genesis 24:2-9; 47:29 / Ezekiel 21:12).

Note also that Antichrist has assumed a role of being the king over 10 kings, now Jesus will wrest even this title from Antichrist, for there can only be one true King of kings!

Note also that this is not a title that Jesus has to earn through conflict, He does not attain to this position, it has always been His! Paul said to Timothy: “I give thee charge in the sight of God, who quickeneth all things, and before Christ Jesus, who before Pontius Pilate witnessed a good confession; That thou keep this commandment without spot, unrebukeable, until the appearing of our Lord Jesus Christ: Which in his times he shall shew, who is the blessed and only Potentate, the King of kings, and Lord of lords” (1 Tim 6:13-15).

In Romans we read: “Let every soul be subject unto the higher powers. For there is no power but of God: the powers that be are ordained of God”. (Rom 13:1).

“For the LORD is a great God, and a great King above all gods”. (Psalm 95:3)

Rev 19:17

And I saw an angel standing in the sun; and he cried with a loud voice, saying to all the fowls that fly in the midst of heaven, Come and gather yourselves together unto the supper of the great God;

This shows how bright this angels shines with the glory of God. The angel can be seen, even though it stands before the sun. “The angel is standing in the light of the sun with the angel himself possibly shining with even greater brilliance.” (Walvoord).

In Revelation 19 there are two suppers. One joyful beyond compare, the other utterly terrifying. The first is the marriage supper of the Lamb, and the Groom’s Father has spared no expense! The other supper is recorded in a number of passages, and is highlighted here. It will be when the slain armies of Antichrist become food for the fowls of the air as they lay defeated and dead on the ground.

In Matthew 24 Jesus said: “For as the lightning cometh out of the east, and shineth even unto the west; so shall also the coming of the Son of man be. For wheresoever the carcase is, there will the eagles be gathered together.” (Matt 24:27-28)

Some have taken this verse to be referring to the Rapture, suggesting that Jesus is the carcass and the Church are the eagles (loosely basing the idea on Isaiah 40:31 where God promises that those who wait on Him will rise up on wings like eagles). However the verse in Isaiah is not talking about the Rapture or any specific event, but about living lives before God each day). Rather, this verse in Matthew is a summary of the events that will occur immediately following Christ’s destruction of His enemies.

In Matthew 24 Jesus was actually quoting from Job 39:27-30  which says: “Doth the eagle mount up at thy command, and make her nest on high? She dwelleth and abideth on the rock, upon the crag of the rock, and the strong place. From thence she seeketh the prey, and her eyes behold afar off. Her young ones also suck up blood: and where the slain are, there is she.”

Ezekiel also records this event:

“And, thou son of man, thus saith the Lord GOD; Speak unto every feathered fowl, and to every beast of the field, Assemble yourselves, and come; gather yourselves on every side to my sacrifice that I do sacrifice for you, even a great sacrifice upon the mountains of Israel, that ye may eat flesh, and drink blood. Ye shall eat the flesh of the mighty, and drink the blood of the princes of the earth, of rams, of lambs, and of goats, of bullocks, all of them fatlings of Bashan. And ye shall eat fat till ye be full, and drink blood till ye be drunken, of my sacrifice which I have sacrificed for you. Thus ye shall be filled at my table with horses and chariots, with mighty men, and with all men of war, saith the Lord GOD. (Ezek 39:17-20)

Rev 19:18

That ye may eat the flesh of kings, and the flesh of captains, and the flesh of mighty men, and the flesh of horses, and of them that sit on them, and the flesh of all men, both free and bond, both small and great.

None of Antichrist’s party will escape. Everyone who dares to march against Jesus will be destroyed. There is no distinction made for rank. At the end of this life your position, qualifications, bank balance, social standing, number of friends you have amassed on Facebook(!) – none of that will matter. The only thing that will matter is your relationship with Jesus Christ. Are you for Him or against Him?

Rev 19:19

And I saw the beast, and the kings of the earth, and their armies, gathered together to make war against him that sat on the horse, and against his army.

John says nothing about a battle. This is an entirely one-sided affair, more of a simple act of judgment than an actual war. “The battle of Armageddon is the laughter of God against the climax of man’s arrogance.” (Barnhouse)

How stupid and arrogant can man be, that he would dare to march defiantly against his Creator? – the One who holds all things together, the One who sustains all things, was before all things. (Col 1:16-17).

Psalm 2 speaks prophetically of this time:

“Why do the heathen rage, and the people imagine a vain thing? The kings of the earth set themselves, and the rulers take counsel together, against the LORD, and against his anointed, saying, Let us break their bands asunder, and cast away their cords from us. He that sitteth in the heavens shall laugh: the Lord shall have them in derision. Then shall he speak unto them in his wrath, and vex them in his sore displeasure.” (Psalm 2:1-5)

Rev 19:20-21

And the beast was taken, and with him the false prophet that wrought miracles before him, with which he deceived them that had received the mark of the beast, and them that worshipped his image. These both were cast alive into a lake of fire burning with brimstone.

Finally their pride and arrogance will be brought to an end and they will be cast alive into what we typically refer to as Hell. This is no imaginary place; the lake of fire is real and will be the eternal home of all who reject Christ. It will not be a place of eternal partying but of eternal spiritual anguish and pain. The real horror of Hell is separation from God’s presence, forever. We cannot begin to imagine what that is like. There is not one single human soul who has yet experienced the pain Jesus did on the cross. Even those who have died without accepting Christ have not yet been totally separated from God; for even in Hades  (the temporary ‘waiting room’ where the unsaved will await the final judgment) the presence of God can be felt (see Psalm 139:78). Yet Jesus was totally cut off from God on account of our sin, that is why He cried out “My God, My God, why have you forsaken Me?”  (Matthew 27:46).

God is “not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance” (2 Peter 3:9); and we know that “God so loved the world that He gave His only Son that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have eternal life” (John 3:16). God is fair and He is just. He has done everything possible to stop people from going to Hell for eternity, the cost was Jesus’ death on the cross, a price far higher than we have any capacity to imagine. The choice is now up to each individual.

Rev 19:21

And the remnant were slain with the sword of him that sat upon the horse, which sword proceeded out of his mouth: and all the fowls were filled with their flesh.

This unpleasant death for Antichrist’s followers will soon be forgotten as the real horror of an eternity separated from God’s presence hits home. Physical death is simply the gateway to eternity. The big question is where you will spend that eternity; but the decision is made during this life only. Once you die the window of opportunity to accept Jesus’ death and separation from God in your place closes.

To be continued…

Every blessing,

Pastor Barry.

The post The Second Coming (Pt2) first appeared on Calvary Chapel Portsmouth.

May the study notes below encourage you to undertake your own study of this book, and this event that is arguably the most anticipated in all history!

For every prophecy in the Bible concerning Jesus’ first coming, there are eight that speak of His second coming! In fact, the very first prophecy in the Bible uttered by a prophet is a prophecy about Jesus’ second coming. It was by Enoch, and is recorded in the book of Jude: “And Enoch also, the seventh from Adam, prophesied of these, saying, Behold, the Lord cometh with ten thousands of his saints, to execute judgment upon all, and to convince all that are ungodly among them of all their ungodly deeds which they have ungodly committed, and of all their hard speeches which ungodly sinners have spoken against him” (Jude 14-15). This gives a good summary of one of the key aspects of the Second Coming, namely the judgment on this unbelieving world.

Throughout scripture there are actually three distinct reasons given for the second coming:

• To deliver Israel in the midst of her darkest hour
• To judge the ungodly nations of this world that have survived the Great Tribulation
• To re-establish the throne the throne of David

Let us look briefly at what the Bible says of these three things:

Jeremiah refers to the time of the Tribulation and says: “Alas! for that day is great, so that none is like it: it is even the time of Jacob’s trouble; but he shall be saved out of it. For it shall come to pass in that day, saith the LORD of hosts, that I will break his yoke from off thy neck, and will burst thy bonds, and strangers shall no more serve themselves of him.  31-33

We have already seen in Revelation chapter 12 that Israel will be forced to flee into the wilderness of Edom (modern day Jordan) because of the combined armies of Antichrist that will be amassed against them (something we will explore further in this chapter). At the height of this anti-Semitic persecution the situation prophesied in Hosea will come to pass, where God states: “I will go and return to my place, till they acknowledge their offence, and seek my face: in their affliction they will seek me early”. (Hosea 5:15). Because of their rejection of the Messiah, Jesus blinded Israel’s eyes (as recorded in Luke 19:37-44), and then ‘returned to His place’ at the right hand of the Father in Heaven. Jesus has remained at His Father’s side for the past 1900+ years, but when in the midst of their affliction Israel cry out, Jesus will mount His white horse and ride out of Heaven with all the majesty of a conquering king and come to Israel’s aid to defeat her enemies. We read:  “Who is this that cometh from Edom, with dyed garments from Bozrah? this that is glorious in his apparel, travelling in the greatness of his strength? I that speak in righteousness, mighty to save [this description can only refer to Jesus!]. Wherefore art thou red in thine apparel, and thy garments like him that treadeth in the winefat? [in other words, why has Jesus got blood splattered on his garments, just like the splashes and stains that you would get if you were treading on grapes in a winepress? – the answer is then given…] I have trodden the winepress alone; and of the people there was none with me: for I will tread them in mine anger, and trample them in my fury; and their blood shall be sprinkled upon my garments, and I will stain all my raiment. For the day of vengeance is in mine heart, and the year of my redeemed is come”. (Isaiah 63:1-4). Those trampled here are Antichrist’s forces and those joined with them. The redeemed is a reference to Israel who will be delivered.

Satan of course knows that Israel crying out to God for deliverance is a pre-requisite for the second coming; so if he could destroy Israel first, would that prevent the second coming?? It would seem that Satan thinks so, for throughout history he has continually tried to wipe out Israel, destroy her completely. Yet still to this day, despite his great attempts through the Holocaust and the Islamic nation’s hatred of Israel, Israel still exists as an identifiable ethnic group living in their own land.

The second reason for the second coming is for Jesus to judge the living nations that have survived the Great Tribulation. In Matthew 25 we read: “When the Son of man shall come in his glory, and all the holy angels with him, then shall he sit upon the throne of his glory: And before him shall be gathered all nations: and he shall separate them one from another, as a shepherd divideth his sheep from the goats: And he shall set the sheep on his right hand, but the goats on the left. Then shall the King say unto them on his right hand, Come, ye blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world: For I was an hungred, and ye gave me meat: I was thirsty, and ye gave me drink: I was a stranger, and ye took me in: Naked, and ye clothed me: I was sick, and ye visited me: I was in prison, and ye came unto me. Then shall the righteous answer him, saying, Lord, when saw we thee an hungred, and fed thee? or thirsty, and gave thee drink? When saw we thee a stranger, and took thee in? or naked, and clothed thee? Or when saw we thee sick, or in prison, and came unto thee? And the King shall answer and say unto them, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me. Then shall he say also unto them on the left hand, Depart from me, ye cursed, into everlasting fire, prepared for the devil and his angels: For I was an hungred, and ye gave me no meat: I was thirsty, and ye gave me no drink: I was a stranger, and ye took me not in: naked, and ye clothed me not: sick, and in prison, and ye visited me not. Then shall they also answer him, saying, Lord, when saw we thee an hungred, or athirst, or a stranger, or naked, or sick, or in prison, and did not minister unto thee? Then shall he answer them, saying, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye did it not to one of the least of these, ye did it not to me. And these shall go away into everlasting punishment: but the righteous into life eternal.  (Matt 25:31-46).

In this passage we are told that all the nations of the world will be gathered before Jesus and He will separate them as a shepherd separates sheep and goats. These nations will be judged depending on how they have treated His brethren – Israel. Those nations who have supported and defended Israel throughout the centuries will be spared and blessed.

The nations who have oppressed or persecuted Israel will be thrown into Hell, there to wait until the Great White Throne Judgment (in Rev 20).

The third reason for the second coming of Jesus is to re-establish the Throne of David, as originally promised in 2 Samuel 7 and as confirmed to Mary by the angel Gabriel in Luke 1.

It should be remembered that Jesus was actually heir to the throne of Israel, being of the royal line of David through Joseph. But as God foretold through Hosea (3:4) Israel have not had a king since the time of the Babylonian captivity in 587 B.C.

In 2 Samuel 7, God promised David “when thy days be fulfilled, and thou shalt sleep with thy fathers, I will set up thy seed after thee, which shall proceed out of thy bowels [i.e. Solomon], and I will establish his kingdom. He shall build an house for my name, and I will stablish the throne of his kingdom for ever. I will be his father, and he shall be my son. If he commit iniquity, I will chasten him with the rod of men, and with the stripes of the children of men: But my mercy shall not depart away from him, as I took it from Saul, whom I put away before thee. And thine house and thy kingdom shall be established for ever before thee: thy throne shall be established for ever”. (2 Sam 7:12-16)

This promise of an everlasting Davidic dynasty is to be fulfilled through the Messiah, the Son of David.

When the angel Gabriel spoke to Mary he declared to her: “And, behold, thou shalt conceive in thy womb, and bring forth a son, and shalt call his name JESUS. He shall be great, and shall be called the Son of the Highest: and the Lord God shall give unto him the throne of his father David: And he shall reign over the house of Jacob forever; and of his kingdom there shall be no end.” Luke 1:31-33

Jesus did not sit on the Throne of David and rule over Israel during His first coming, and in actual fact, it was precisely because the Jewish leaders thought Jesus was about to lead an insurrection against Rome and set himself up as king that they had Him crucified (see John 11:47-50).  The disciples also thought Jesus was going to deliver the nation from the bondage of Rome and become king over Israel, hence Peter’s attempt to wage warfare when he chopped off the ear of the high priest (Matthew 26:51 / John 18:10). Even after the resurrection the disciples asked Jesus: “Lord, wilt thou at this time restore again the kingdom to Israel?”

The issue therefore was never a question of whether or not Jesus was destined to sit on the throne of Israel. He was and always has been. The only issue to be settled was when?

After the resurrection Jesus left this earth to go and prepare a place for His bride (see John 14:1-3 / Eph 5:25-27), and also to wait Israel cry for help as already mentioned.

The Throne of David has now been vacant for over 2500 years, but we are now poised on the brink of the return of the rightful Heir. He will not only reign over the whole house of Israel (see Ezekiel 37:21-22), but over the whole earth from Jerusalem (see Daniel 2:44 & Daniel 7:13-14)

CHAPTER 19

The first 5 verses of this chapter now record Heaven’s response to the destruction of Babylon that we have seen in chapter 18.

Rev 19:1

And after these things I heard a great voice of much people in heaven, saying, Alleluia; Salvation, and glory, and honour, and power, unto the Lord our God:

Once again we have the Greek phrase ‘Meta tauta’ – ‘after these things’, that is, after the events of chapter 17 & 18. John hears a ‘great multitude’ in heaven praising God for His judgment on the false religious systems of this world (that have all come under the umbrella of ‘Babylon’) that have deceived so many and led multitudes to hell.

As we noted, the events of chapter 17 & 18 actually take place during the first three and a half years. Obviously it would make no sense to record Heaven’s response to Babylon’s destruction until after we have seen the event. Thus if we were to try to be strict with the chronology, this response (verse 1-5) would most likely occur at or around the three and a half year point.

Heaven’s declaration is ‘Alleluia’. It is a world that is only found four times in the New Testament – all in this chapter. The word is the un-translated Greek form of the Hebrew ‘Hallelujah’ and literally means ‘Praise Yahweh’.

Rev 19:2

For true and righteous are his judgments: for he hath judged the great whore, which did corrupt the earth with her fornication, and hath avenged the blood of his servants at her hand.

Again we have a declaration that God has been just in bringing the judgments that we have witnessed in chapter 17 & 18 of the false religious system that brought ‘great spiritual confusion’. She is identified as having killed the servants of the Lord. Much of the worldwide church has been suffering persecution for centuries. But it has been said that if persecution is to come upon the Church in the west, it is as likely to come from the ‘established church’ as from the governments. The more the ‘visible church’ compromises and embraces the world (and moves toward a one-world-church), the more those who take the Bible seriously will be ostracised and labeled as fundamentalists etc.

Paul said: “For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears; And they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables”. (2 Tim 4:3-4)

Regarding those who would water down, allegorise or distort the truth of scripture Paul said: “If any man teach otherwise, and consent not to wholesome words, even the words of our Lord Jesus Christ, and to the doctrine which is according to godliness; He is proud, knowing nothing, but doting about questions and strifes of words, whereof cometh envy, strife, railings, evil surmisings, Perverse disputings of men of corrupt minds, and destitute of the truth, supposing that gain is godliness: from such withdraw thyself.” (1 Tim 6:3-5)

Rev 19:3

And again they said, Alleluia. And her smoke rose up for ever and ever.

It really will be cause for praising God when we finally see the destruction of false religion, and note; the effects of this punishment will last forever as a testimony.

Rev 19:4

And the four and twenty elders and the four beasts fell down and worshipped God that sat on the throne, saying, Amen; Alleluia.

This is the last mention of the twenty-four elders, at least by this title, for from now on they will be seen as the bride of Christ. Most of us would fall down in awe before the four beasts! How awesome will it be to see these incredible creatures fall before a holy God?

Rev 19:5

And a voice came out of the throne, saying, Praise our God, all ye his servants, and ye that fear him, both small and great.

This is applicable at all times and should be a constant response of those that know Him and therefore fear Him and have become beneficiaries of His grace, mercy and love.

Following Heaven’s response to the destruction of Babylon, verses 6-9 now focus on one of the most anticipated events in history… the moment the Heavenly Bridegroom receives His bride! Right from the Garden of Eden, marriage was intended to depict this Heavenly union – as Paul emphasises in Ephesians 5: 22-33.

In John 14 1-3 Jesus told His disciples that, just as a typical Jewish bridegroom would do, He was returning to His Father’s house to prepare a place for His bride, and, again as a Jewish bridegroom would do, He will come again with the blowing of the shofar (ram’s horn) and then take His bride back to His Father house.

Rev 19:6

And I heard as it were the voice of a great multitude, and as the voice of many waters, and as the voice of mighty thunderings, saying, Alleluia: for the Lord God omnipotent reigneth.

Notice that this voice is as a ‘great multitude’. This would seem to link this company with the Tribulation martyrs seen in Rev 7:9. It is fitting that they cry out that God is all-powerful because we are about to witness the Lamb being united with His bride.  Since Eden, God has been working behind the scenes in the affairs of man to bring all things to this conclusion. In Ephesians 3:10-11 Paul explains that God’s wisdom is demonstrated by the existence of the Church – Christ’s bride. We read: “And to make all men see what is the fellowship of the mystery, which from the beginning of the world hath been hid in God, who created all things by Jesus Christ: To the intent that now unto the principalities and powers in heavenly places might be known by the church the manifold wisdom of God, According to the eternal purpose which he purposed in Christ Jesus our Lord”

God is omnipotent and that which He purposes He will perform.

Rev 19:7

Let us be glad and rejoice, and give honour to him: for the marriage of the Lamb is come, and his wife hath made herself ready.

Notice that it is the great multitude that makes this declaration; this shows that the great multitude are not the bride, but rather they are those who announce that She has made herself ready and that the marriage has come. “Wives, submit yourselves unto your own husbands, as unto the Lord. For the husband is the head of the wife, even as Christ is the head of the church: and he is the saviour of the body. Therefore as the church is subject unto Christ, so let the wives be to their own husbands in every thing. Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it; That he might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word, That he might present it to himself a glorious church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing; but that it should be holy and without blemish. So ought men to love their wives as their own bodies. He that loveth his wife loveth himself. For no man ever yet hated his own flesh; but nourisheth and cherisheth it, even as the Lord the church: For we are members of his body, of his flesh, and of his bones. For this cause shall a man leave his father and mother, and shall be joined unto his wife, and they two shall be one flesh. This is a great mystery: but I speak concerning Christ and the church.” (Ephesians 5:22-32)

We could spend hours unraveling all that is in this incredible passage; however it is clear that Christ views the Church as His bride; He gave Himself for her and He has made provision for her to be ready for her wedding day by providing His word wherein she may wash. Jesus is coming back to receive unto Himself a bride without spot or blemish.  (There is an incredible parallel between this wedding and a traditional Jewish wedding,  (see Appendix A)).

If you are a Christian you are part of the bride of Christ. How are your wedding preparations going? Any bride would prepare for her wedding day, paying attention to even the smallest details so that she can be pleasing to her husband-to-be. If an earthly bride would do this for an earthly husband, how much more should Christ’s bride be getting ready for the big day?!

Of the crowns that are promised to believers it is no coincidence that the crown of righteousness is promised to those who are looking for, and love the fact that He is coming back for them. (see 2 Tim 4:8)

Again, just stop for a moment and let it sink in; that Jesus, the Creator, who holds all things together by the word of His power, wants to be united with you for eternity.  It is for this reason that Paul emphasises that we should live lives worthy of our calling. (Eph 4:1 / Col 1:10 / 1 Thes 2:12 / Rom 6:2 / 1 Peter 1:13-16). Even here and now we are told that He has “raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places” (Eph 2:6).

Children are told fairy stories of frogs that are kissed and are exulted far beyond their position, but the magnitude and scale of what we have been given far eclipses even the most imaginative story. Considering this brings into focus statements such as the following:

“How shall we who died to sin live any longer in it?” (Rom 6:2) “No man that warreth entangleth himself with the affairs of this life; that he may please him who hath chosen him to be a soldier. (2 Tim 2:4)“Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us” (Heb 12:1)

Some Bible commentators have suggested that this event – the marriage supper – will not take place until we are back on earth, and that the invited guests will be the repentant Jews and the gentiles that survive the Tribulation. The text however would seem to clearly place the supper (vs9) immediately after the marriage (vs7) and before the Second Coming (vs11).

In reference to the wedding guests, see the comments on verse 9 in a moment; but one other indicator that would place this event as occurring in heaven is found in Mark 14:25:

“Verily I say unto you, I will drink no more of the fruit of the vine, until that day that I drink it new in the kingdom of God.”

Jews have four cups they drink at Passover – 1) the cup of bringing out, 2) the cup of delivery, 3) the cup of blessing (or redeeming) and 4) the cup of taking out. It was the 3^rd cup that Jesus drank from when He said the above, thus leaving one cup still to drink – which will not be drunk from until we are taken out of this world and united with Christ in His Father’s kingdom!!

…..and give honour to him

At any wedding the groom is honoured, how much more so when not only the bride, but all the guests are there only because He has come an unfathomable distance to rescue them and thereby making their attendance at this great occasion possible.

Notice also the timing of this event: it is after the destruction of Babylon the great and thus, as we have deduced, is toward the end of the seven-year Tribulation period. A Jewish wedding ceremony traditionally lasts for seven days; as almost every other part of Christ’s marriage to His Bride has been modeled on a traditional Jewish wedding, could it be that this one will also last for seven days, just prior to the Second Coming? (again, see Appendix A).

Another point worth mentioning is that this event is happening in Heaven. You’ll agree that weddings go much better if the bride is in attendance! So yet again we know that the Church – the bride of Christ – cannot be on earth during the Tribulation. Amazingly there are still those who wonder if the Church will have to endure the Tribulation, and therefore these people often place the Rapture at the same time as the Second Coming. In doing this they cause the bride to miss her wedding day!

The question is really quite simple: Was Jesus death on the cross sufficient to pay the price for our sin or not? If, as we know, it was, then we will not have to endure God’s wrath during the Tribulation, and furthermore it would make God unjust if He left the Church on earth during this time – see Gen 18:25.

Rev 19:8

And to her was granted that she should be arrayed in fine linen, clean and white: for the fine linen is the righteousness of saints.

“The fine linen is the righteous acts of the saints.” The wedding gown of the church is the righteous acts of the saints. This is a difficult concept to accept, because it is impossible for us to stand before Christ in our own righteousness. Paul wrote of this: “And be found in him, not having mine own righteousness, which is of the law, but that which is through the faith of Christ, the righteousness which is of God by faith” (Phil. 3:9). You see, by faith we can trust Christ—not only for the forgiveness of sins but for the impartation to us of His own righteousness. Then why does John say that the wedding garment is the righteous acts of the saints? Well, the wedding gown will be used only once, but we will be clothed in the righteousness of Christ throughout eternity. We as believers will appear before the judgment seat of Christ, not to be judged for our sins in reference to salvation, but for rewards. Through the ages believers have been performing righteous acts which have been accumulating to adorn the wedding gown. By the way, what are you doing to adorn that wedding gown? What are you doing for the Lord today? (J Vernon McGee)

Rev 19:9

And he saith unto me, Write, Blessed are they which are called unto the marriage supper of the Lamb. And he saith unto me, These are the true sayings of God.

John is specifically told to make mention of the fact that those who are invited to the marriage supper are blessed. Who are these wedding guests? There is still a great debate among scholars on this issue, however if we break it down into what we do know we are really only left with one question instead of many.

We know that the Church is the bride of Christ, so that only leaves two groups, the Old Testament saints and the Tribulation saints. It seems clear that the Tribulation saints – referred to as ‘a great multitude’ in Rev 7:9 – are the ones who are now seen announcing the marriage supper (in verse 6-7) so they are obviously there (See also Appendix B), so the only question is whether the Old Testament saints are part of the bride or among the wedding guests.

There are good scholars on both sides of this question. One often quoted verse in support of the Old Testament saints being ‘friends of the Bridegroom’ rather than the bride is John 3:29 where John the Baptist said: “He that hath the bride is the bridegroom: but the friend of the bridegroom, which standeth and heareth him, rejoiceth greatly because of the bridegroom’s voice: this my joy therefore is fulfilled.” However as David Guzik, former director of Calvary Chapel Bible College, Germany, points out: What this verse is saying is that “John is the “best man” – who, in Jewish weddings, arranged many of the details of the wedding, and brought the bride to the groom”. This is in effect what John the Baptist came to do, i.e he pointed the way to the Messiah, leading the bride to the Groom.

This verse would not then appear to be teaching that the Old Testament believers are to be excluded from the Church. Indeed Paul tells us that one of the functions of the Church was to unite both Jews and Gentiles together in Christ (Gal 3:28). We also know that the thief on the cross – who believed in Jesus for his salvation – went to paradise. Almost all scholars believe this to be the same place as also referred to as Abraham’s bosom (Luke 16:22) where all the Old Testament saints who had died had gone. Thus, if the thief on the cross and Abraham, David, Daniel, Ezekiel etc were all in the same place, it seems reasonable that there is no distinction between them, i.e. they are all to be considered part of the Church and therefore part of the bride of Christ. Also, around the New Jerusalem we find 12 gates with the 12 Tribes of Israel named on them and 12 foundation stones named after the Apostles; thus both Old and New Testament believers united in eternity.

A final confirmation of this is given in  Matthew 8:11: “And I say unto you, That many shall come from the east and west, and shall sit down with Abraham, and Isaac, and Jacob, in the kingdom of heaven.”

Rev 19:10

And I fell at his feet to worship him. And he said unto me, See thou do it not: I am thy fellowservant, and of thy brethren that have the testimony of Jesus: worship God: for the testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy.

In verse 9 we read “and he said to me” but we are not told who the ‘he’ is. Here however we find out that it is not an angel but a brother who has the testimony of Jesus. This is again strong support for the view expressed in the comments on verse 9. It is reasonable to assume that this was not someone that John had known from the early church (bearing in mind that John received this Revelation in about 96AD), John would have surely recognised any of the early Church leaders (and it would be reasonable to assume that whoever this person is they are of importance given that they are in an extremely important role); therefore we must conclude that this person is one of the Old Testament believers. The fact that they have the testimony of Jesus surely means that they are part of the Church.

It is just a conjecture, but I personally believe that this character may be Daniel for reasons stated in our previous studies.

The Greek could be translated: “The evidence of Jesus is the breath of prophecy”. In other words, prophecy breathes the fact that Jesus is the I AM, the Messiah, the First and the Last.

Rev 19:11

And I saw heaven opened, and behold a white horse; and he that sat upon him was called Faithful and True, and in righteousness he doth judge and make war.

A liberal minister once said to me in a disparaging tone “I suppose you think that Jesus is coming back on a white horse?” Now I’m only a simple man but my answer was based on the fact that this verse states that Jesus will come back on a white horse, so I said “Yes, I do believe Jesus is coming back on a white horse”.

To me it’s simple: you either trust what the Bible says and let it interpret itself, or you interpret it yourself – at which point you are trusting in your own ability (not generally considered a good idea according to scripture!).

Rev 19:12

His eyes were as a flame of fire, and on his head were many crowns; and he had a name written, that no man knew, but he himself.

I am so glad that when Jesus looks at me it is with love and not with eyes as a flame of fire. The crowns on His head are diadem’s – a royal crown and not a stephanos crown as worn by Antichrist in Rev 6:2, which is the crown given to someone who is victorious in contest.

Rev 19:13

And he was clothed with a vesture dipped in blood: and his name is called The Word of God.

The only blood in Heaven will be Jesus’. The blood on His garment will be His own. The significance of this is seen in Genesis 37 in the account of Joseph and his brothers:

“And they took Joseph’s coat, and killed a kid of the goats, and dipped the coat in the blood; And they sent the coat of many colours, and they brought it to their father; and said, This have we found: know now whether it be thy son’s coat or no. And he knew it, and said, It is my son’s coat; an evil beast hath devoured him; Joseph is without doubt rent in pieces”. (Gen 37:31-33)

Here we see a scapegoat whose blood is shed before Joseph’s garment dipped in its blood and the garment is then presented to their father so that he can identify it as his sons. That is the type; the reality is that Jesus was the scapegoat whose blood was shed instead of ours. The bloodied garment that Jesus is seen wearing in this verse had been presented to the Father as evidence that His son had been slain. Now however, because the Father raised up His Son from the dead, Jesus again puts on this garment

Jesus is the Word of God. God’s Word personified. “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God” (John 1:1)

Rev 19:14

And the armies which were in heaven followed him upon white horses, clothed in fine linen, white and clean.

The armies in heaven that will return with Jesus will include the angels (as confirmed in Matthew 25:31) and the saints (the Bride of Christ)) as stated in Jude 14.

Note however that we will not be involved in the fighting. Jesus himself will ‘trample His enemies’ (see again Isaiah 63:1-4)..

Our fight in now, as we wrestle daily against sin. In some senses we would prefer to fight alongside Jesus at His return, much like Simon Peter, bolstered by Jesus’ presence was prepared to take on the army that had come to arrest Jesus in John 18:10. It is far less glamorous to resist temptation when no one else is watching, and no one will applaud the victory. Bu this is precisely where the battle is to be fought.

This is or moment to stand with all the resource of Heaven, Jesus at our side and take on the enemy on his own ground. If we resist him he will flee. Jesus will not allow us to be tempted beyond what we are able to bear. And although others might not see, your Saviour sees, and these righteous acts as you war against the world, the flesh and the Devil will one day adorn your wedding garment.

As Paul admonished Timothy, be strong therefore in the grace that is in Jesus Christ. Fight the good fight. Don’t get entangled with the sin that so easily ensnares, but keep your eyes on Jesus.

Appendix A –  A Jewish Wedding

Marriage to the Jews is extremely serious, it is a ‘holy institution’ ordained by God. Its very name in Hebrew, ‘Kiddushin’, means “sanctification”. In 1 Thes 4:3 we read: “For this is the will of God, your sanctification, that you should abstain from sexual immorality”. If God’s will for the Church is that we be married to His Son, how appropriate that our being ‘set apart’ (sanctified), and our remaining pure should be joined together in this verse.

A typical Jewish wedding is separated into two parts, 1) the ‘Ketubah’ (Betrothal), and 2) the ‘Huppah’ (wedding ceremony), which is followed by the conclusion/wedding feast, ‘Nisuin’. This is very much like our engagement, which would be followed by the wedding day/Reception. The Ketubah to a Jew however, is a far more serious commitment than we tend to view an engagement. The Ketubah is in fact a marriage contract between the groom and his bride. After the groom has purchased his bride, he draws up a contract in which he undertakes to give all that he has in order to provide for every need of his bride, not only while he is alive, but also in the event of his death. This is exactly what Jesus has done for us. He has purchased us, and has written a new covenant in His blood to ensure His bride – the Church – has been given ‘exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think’ (Ephesians 3:20).

To mark this contract, the Jewish groom and bride drink from a cup of wine. Our agreement was sealed in an upper room (Matt 26:28) where the Groom shared a cup of wine and said “I will not drink of this fruit of the vine from now on until that day when I drink it new with you in My Father’s kingdom.” (Matt 26:29) After this, it is customary for the Chatan (groom) and Kallah (bride) to remain apart for the time leading up to the wedding day. During this time the groom will return to his father’s house to prepare a room for his bride. Our Groom said: “I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself; that where I am, there you may be also.” (John 14:3)

The bride, meanwhile, will visit the ritual bath known as the Mikveh. The purpose of this is so that she can cleanse herself spiritually and enter marriage in a state of complete purity – without spot or blemish.

One part of the ritual includes removing all manmade things (such as jewelry and nail polish etc) and then being fully immersed in water while reciting a special prayer. She is supervised and assisted during the ritual to ensure it is done correctly. This is incredible! The Holy Spirit has been given for the Church to prepare us to meet our Bridegroom.

We too should be fully immersed in the water of God’s word, so that we should be without spot or blemish (Eph 5:25- 32). We should purge ourselves of all that is in this world, “For all that is in the world – the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life – is not of the Father but is of the world. And the world is passing away, and the lust of it; but he who does the will of God abides forever.” (1 John 2:15-17)

At the appointed time, the Jewish groom will then return with a shout and a blast of a ram’s horn to claim his bride and take her back to the ‘Huppah’, which is traditionally held at his father’s house. By entering the house, the woman is declaring her official independence from her family and accepting the protection of her husband.

What a parallel this is to the Rapture when there will be a blast of a trumpet and a shout, and then we will rise to meet Jesus in the air.

As with a Jewish wedding we will also go back to the Father’s house, thus forever severing our ties with this world. For a Jew, the wedding ceremony now begins and the couple say their ‘vows’ reciting ‘the seven blessings’ whilst holding a second cup of wine. These blessings begin with 1) praising God for His creation in general, then 2) praising Him for making man in His image, 3) then praising Him for making a “two part creature”, man and woman, 4) then acknowledging that only together can they be complete. 5) In the fifth blessing they pray for the restoration of Jerusalem and the rebuilding of the Holy Temple. 6) The sixth blessing expresses the hope that the bride and groom will grow in love for each other, focusing their love as exclusively as Adam and Eve, when there was no one else in the world. 7) Then finally, the seventh blessing is a prayer for the Messiah to come and redeem the Jews from exile, so that peace and tranquility will reign over the world.

Once the seven blessings have been said, a Jewish couple will drink from the second cup of wine and the marriage is sealed. Again, Jesus said: “I will not drink of this fruit of the vine from now on until that day when I drink it new with you in My Father’s kingdom.” (Matt 26:29) After this comes the wedding feast and celebration, usually accompanied by much singing and dancing! At the end of this, the Sheva Brachot, the wedding blessing, is pronounced. The same is true for the Church, for in Rev 19:6-9 our own ‘Sheva Brachot’ will be pronounced.

In Matthew 22:2-3 we read “The kingdom of heaven is like a certain king who arranged a marriage for his son…” If God has indeed arranged a marriage for His Son, is it surprising that it has been arranged to model a Jewish wedding, when His Son was in fact born as a Jew?

Appendix B  – The Wedding Guests

The view that the wedding guests will be the Tribulation saints would seem to be consistent with the parable that Jesus told in Luke 14:16-24. In that parable Jesus responds to someone who has just declared: “Blessed is he who shall eat bread in the kingdom of God”

Jesus then says the following: “A certain man made a great supper, and bade many: And sent his servant at supper time to say to them that were bidden, Come; for all things are now ready. And they all with one [consent] began to make excuse. The first said unto him, I have bought a piece of ground, and I must needs go and see it: I pray thee have me excused. And another said, I have bought five yoke of oxen, and I go to prove them: I pray thee have me excused. And another said, I have married a wife, and therefore I cannot come. So that servant came, and showed his lord these things. Then the master of the house being angry said to his servant, Go out quickly into the streets and lanes of the city, and bring in hither the poor, and the maimed, and the halt, and the blind. And the servant said, Lord, it is done as thou hast commanded, and yet there is room. And the lord said unto the servant, Go out into the highways and hedges, and compel [them] to come in, that my house may be filled. For I say unto you, that none of those men which were bidden shall taste of my supper.” (Luke 14:16-24)

What was Jesus getting at? What was He trying to tell us?

Well, according to Matthew in Matt 13:35 “Jesus spoke unto the multitude in parables; and without a parable spake he not unto them: That it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the prophet, saying, I will open my mouth in parables; I will utter things which have been kept secret from the foundation of the world.”

So one of the purposes of Jesus’ parables was to reveal things not previously known. We also find that ‘a certain man’ etc. always alludes to the Son of Man – Jesus (cf. Matt 13:24/13:37).  So, here Jesus is saying that there is going to be a great supper (in the kingdom of heaven) to which He will invite many. Of those who have ‘official invitations’ none will come but rather they will make feeble excuses (demonstrating a love for earthly things). Jesus will then send His servant to call those not considered important by the establishment, who are found in the streets and lanes of the city. These are they who recognise their own weakness and insufficiency. However there is still room, so the servant is sent out again to compel any who have ‘ears to hear’ to come in before it’s too late and the door is finally shut. Jesus closes by giving a chilling statement saying that none of those who were called will taste of His supper.

My interpretation of this is that the ‘established church’ that will enter the tribulation are the ones with the official invitations – as one commentator put it: ‘they are converted to Christianity but not converted to Christ’ – hence they have missed the Rapture but should now be the first to realise what is going on. However their love for the pleasures of this world is their real motivation and they refuse to accept the offer. Jesus will then send out His ‘servant’ (144,000 Jews? / Two witnesses?) to invite all who recognise their helplessness and need for a Saviour. There is still room so an eagle preaching the everlasting gospel (Rev 14:6) is sent out to preach to them that dwell on the earth to ensure that all who will are gathered in – then the door will be shut, the 7 vials will be poured out on the earth and it’s inhabitants. In heaven however a great multitude will rejoice at being given this last amazing opportunity to come to the marriage supper  – and as John is told to write: Blessed [indeed] are they which are called unto the marriage supper of the Lamb.

TO BE CONTINUED…

Every blessing,

Pastor Barry.

The post The Second Coming (Pt1) first appeared on Calvary Chapel Portsmouth.

Remember that Satan had wanted (and thought he was going to be given) this wonderful world that God had created (ref Esther 6:6 / 1 Tim 3:6), But just as Satan thought he was about to be handed the keys to planet Earth, God created Man – in His image – and gave man, not Satan, dominion over the world He had made! Satan’s pride and jealousy led to his fall, and to underline the magnitude of this, one third of the angels also rebelled and followed after heaven’s worship-leader and ‘light bearer’. This was no trivial thing!

So, following the flood, Satan’s new revised plan consisted of three parts:

• A one-world government,
• a one world religion,
• a targeted attack on Israel (through whom the Seed was to come).

Firstly, He would set about the creation of a One World Government, This would give him great control over mankind.

Rather than man being responsible for his own family and needs before God, being largely self-reliant and able to fend for himself, man would become dependent on others in a larger society and as a result become  so consumed with the acquisition of wealth and power that it would leave very little time for the things of God. As History has shown, this plan worked very well indeed (!), and added to this was the corruption that comes with power that has plagued almost every government that has existed.

Step one of this plan was the Tower of Babel; a deliberate attempt to unite mankind under a one world government. From what we know historically, it was Noah’s grandson Cush who was led this rebellion against God. This however, was abruptly halted when God intervened (see Genesis 11:1-9) and put a stop to this centralization of power and control.

However, far from giving up on this part of his plan, Satan has been working behind the scenes for the last 4,500 years since Babel to bring about a One World Government. Every empire from Nebuchadnezzar to Napoléon has aspired to rule the world and have power over man. In the books of Daniel and Revelation it is made clear that this will finally come to pass, albeit for a short time.

The phrase Novus ordo seclorum (Latin for “New order of the ages”) appears on the ‘Great Seal’ of the United States, printed on the back of the United States one-dollar bill since 1935. What does this mean? – and why did Present Bush (Snr) announce that his foreign policy would help build a New World Order?

There can be no denying that behind the scenes there are powerful people working to unite the world, monetarily, economically and politically. The European Union has boldly declared they are attempting to reverse the effects of the Tower of Babel and unite people of all languages. In an advertising campaign back in the 1970’s, they even published a picture of Pieter Bruegel’s famous painting of Babel, with the caption ‘Europe. Many Tongues, One Voice’.  The European Parliament building in Strasbourg is clearly modeled on Bruegel’s painting, and unashamedly called the ‘Tower Building’!

In whichever way these pieces of the jigsaw eventually fit together, all of this is being manipulated by Satan to bring about a one world government headed by 10 kings (see again Revelation 13 & 17).

Whilst all of this is provocative and even fascinating, particularly to Bible students in the days we are living, there is another attempt to unite the world from a different perspective, not the coming of a One World Government, but the coming of, and eventual destruction of, a One World Church. That is the subject of Revelation chapters 17 & 18.

As we noted in our previous session, this is the second phase of Satan’s ‘master plan’ that he began in ancient Babylon, at the time of, and following on from the Tower of Babel.

Many people ask why there are so many religions in the world today? Particularly if God is in control, why would He allow them? The answer is found by looking at the false religion that was established in Babylon. Almost all religions in the world today can be traced back to that source. There may be different god’s, but they are all just branches of the same corrupt tree. It was a tree deliberately sown to be a counterfeit and keep people from the truth. Ingeniously Satan didn’t create a brand new ‘religion’, he simply took what God had already reveled and twisted it just enough to send people off on tangents. That is why there are so many similarities across the world’s religions. To study this further, it is strongly recommend that you get a copy of ‘The Two Babylon’s’, originally published in 1858 by the late Alexander Hislop. It is astounding to actually see the roots of this tree and make the connections.

In chapter 17 we saw how Satan has used and manipulated the Roman Catholic Church as a catalyst to start to draw all ‘faith’s’ together. In recent times ISIS have also prompted many to seek ‘religious tolerance’ (in essence that means a watering down of the fundamentals you hold to). The pressure for all religious groups to conform will only intensify, and any who stand firm on the fundamentals of their faith will be ostracised and labeled as extremists or radicals.

Out of all of this will grow a One World united faith that will no doubt fuse together elements from all religions. Since 2009 we have had open talk of ‘Chrislam’, which is the working together of Christianity and Islam, promoted by so called leading evangelicals like Rick Warren and Robert Schuller (who died in 2015).

One article stated: The Chrislam movement has gained impetus by statements from President George W. Bush and that Christians, Jews, and Muslims all worship the same God and by Rick Warren’s reference to Isa (the Muslim name for Jesus) in his prayer at the inauguration of President Barack Obama. (http://www.nowtheendbegins.com/chrislam-starts-to-spread-in-america/)

Satan is not so concerned about the labels, but is determined to lay a smoke screen of deception that will keep people from the Truth of the Bible and the knowledge that salvation is in the Name of Jesus alone. This study therefore addresses the pouring out of God’s judgment on this coming false religious system that has actually existed since the time of Babylon and has manifested itself in various forms throughout history.

We pick up from our previous study by looking at where this One World Church will be finally based at the time of her destruction.

The City

Having already shown that the great harlot of Revelation 17 is not directly the Roman Catholic Church, but rather is the Queen of Heaven that was birthed in ancient Babylon, but that the Roman Catholic Church is merely the clothing that this woman has disguised herself in so that she may bring about a one world religion; the question as to what city now has to be settled.

Given all that we have seen, it follows that the city is literal Babylon of the banks of the Euphrates and not Rome. Rome may be home to the Roman Catholic Church but it was not the home of the Queen of Heaven, for that was Babylon. This great spiritual deception may have resided at Rome for a time, as it did at Pergamos (Rev 2:13), but it started in Babylon and will also be destroyed there. This obviously means that this great harlot will have to move from Rome back to Babylon before the judgment recorded in Revelation 18 can take place.

There is a very interesting prophecy in the Old Testament that Zechariah saw in a vision and is recorded in Zechariah 5:5-11:

“Then the angel that talked with me went forth, and said unto me, Lift up now thine eyes, and see what is this that goeth forth. And I said, What is it? And he said, This is an ephah that goeth forth. He said moreover, This is their resemblance through all the earth. And, behold, there was lifted up a talent of lead: and this is a woman that sitteth in the midst of the ephah.

And he said, This is wickedness. And he cast it into the midst of the ephah; and he cast the weight of lead upon the mouth thereof. Then lifted I up mine eyes, and looked, and, behold, there came out two women, and the wind was in their wings; for they had wings like the wings of a stork: and they lifted up the ephah between the earth and the heaven. Then said I to the angel that talked with me, Whither do these bear the ephah? And he said unto me, To build it an house in the land of Shinar: and it shall be established, and set there upon her own base.”

The same passage in the Living Bible adds some clarity:

“Then the angel left me for awhile, but he returned and said, “Look up! Something is traveling through the sky!”  “What is it?” I asked. He replied, “It is a 35-litre basket filled with the sin prevailing everywhere throughout the land.” Suddenly the heavy lead cover on the basket was lifted off, and I could see a woman sitting inside the basket! He said, “She represents wickedness,” and he pushed her back into the basket and clamped down the heavy lid again. Then I saw two women flying toward us, with wings like those of a stork. And they took the 35-litre basket and flew off with it, high in the sky. “Where are they taking her?” I asked the angel. He replied, “To Babylon where she belongs and where she will stay” (The Living Bible)

So in this passage Zechariah sees a vision that he doesn’t understand and the angel explains that he is seeing a pot containing an ephah which was a commercial measure – representing corrupt world trade – that permeates the world. The talent of lead was also a commercial measure of weight – and is seen here as a lid that covers the ephah. When the lead is lifted up Zechariah sees a woman sitting [comfortably] in the midst of ‘world commerce’. She is identified as wickedness (moral corruption) in the midst of the ephah. Zechariah then sees this wicked woman lifted up and taken to Shinar [Babylon] where she is to build a house on her own base.

The only woman in the Bible that are identified with Babylon are this one and the whore of Revelation 17 & 18. If these are indeed one and the same, as it would appear, then at a time yet future this false religious system will relocate to the city of Babylon on the ancient plain of Shinar in modern day Iraq.

It is no secret that Saddam Hussein had already started rebuilding Babylon, seeing himself as a modern day Nebuchadnezzar.

Left to right: Babylon today – on the banks of the Euphrates in Iraq / Inside the rebuilt palace / More of the city that Saddam Hussein was in the process of rebuilding

Many passages in the Old Testament and chapter 17 & 18 of Revelation prophesy the complete and total destruction of Babylon – something that to date has not happened.

Some Bible commentaries try to explain these prophecies away as having been fulfilled when Cyrus conquered Babylon (on the night of the famous feast of Belshazzer where the handwriting appeared on the wall, as recorded in Daniel chapter 5). This event is known as the ‘fall of Babylon’, and indeed politically it did fall into the hands of the Persians; but the city was not destroyed. Even Cyrus himself bragged how he had taken the city without a fight – this is recorded on the ‘Cylinder of Cyrus’ that is now in the British Museum.

Babylon continued to be a powerful city and was later to be the place where Alexander the Great took up residence and later died. Throughout history the city of Babylon faded from the political scene but was never destroyed.  In contrast, the following prophecies make it absolutely clear that when Babylon is destroyed it will be complete and final.

And Babylon, the glory of kingdoms, the beauty of the Chaldees’ excellency, shall be as when God overthrew Sodom and Gomorrah. It shall never be inhabited, neither shall it be dwelt in from generation to generation: neither shall the Arabian pitch tent there; neither shall the shepherds make their fold there. But wild beasts of the desert shall lie there; and their houses shall be full of doleful creatures; and owls shall dwell there, and satyrs shall dance there. And the wild beasts of the islands shall cry in their desolate houses, and dragons in their pleasant palaces: and her time is near to come, and her days shall not be prolonged.    Isaiah 13:19-22

Remove out of the midst of Babylon, and go forth out of the land of the Chaldeans, and be as the he goats before the flocks. For, lo, I will raise and cause to come up against Babylon an assembly of great nations from the north country [the 10 kings of Rev 17?]: and they shall set themselves in array against her; from thence she shall be taken: their arrows shall be as of a mighty expert man; none shall return in vain [‘Arrows’ that don’t miss – laser guided missiles?] . And Chaldea shall be a spoil: all that spoil her shall be satisfied, saith the LORD. Because ye were glad, because ye rejoiced, O ye destroyers of mine heritage, because ye are grown fat as the heifer at grass, and bellow as bulls; Your mother shall be sore confounded; she that bare you shall be ashamed: behold, the hindermost of the nations shall be a wilderness, a dry land, and a desert. Because of the wrath of the LORD it shall not be inhabited, but it shall be wholly desolate: every one that goeth by Babylon shall be astonished, and hiss at all her plagues.  Jeremiah 50:8-13

And I will render unto Babylon and to all the inhabitants of Chaldea all their evil that they have done in Zion in your sight, saith the LORD. Behold, I am against thee, O destroying mountain, saith the LORD, which destroyest all the earth: and I will stretch out mine hand upon thee, and roll thee down from the rocks, and will make thee a burnt mountain. And they shall not take of thee a stone for a corner, nor a stone for foundations; but thou shalt be desolate for ever, saith the LORD. Set ye up a standard in the land, blow the trumpet among the nations, prepare the nations against her, call together against her the kingdoms of Ararat, Minni, and Ashchenaz; appoint a captain against her; cause the horses to come up as the rough caterpillers. Prepare against her the nations with the kings of the Medes, the captains thereof, and all the rulers thereof, and all the land of his dominion. And the land shall tremble and sorrow: for every purpose of the LORD shall be performed against Babylon, to make the land of Babylon a desolation without an inhabitant.  Jeremiah 51:24-29

For these prophecies to be fulfilled, Babylon has to once again become a centre of false worship, corrupt trade and idolatry in preparation for its final judgment.

CHAPTER 18

Rev 18:1

And after these things…

This chapter opens with the Greek phrase ‘meta tauta’ – after these things; so the natural question is: After what things?

Some have suggested that this phrase means that we are now done with ‘Mystery Babylon’ and our subject changes to view ‘Political Babylon’ – whatever that may be. However as we have already noted, there is no such thing as ‘Mystery Babylon’; it is ‘Mystery, Babylon the great’. The same title is used to clearly identify literal Babylon in 18:2. The ‘mystery’ part of the name simply identifies the spiritual influence of the city of Babylon that has existed throughout the ages since the time of the Tower of Babel. The spiritual influence of Babylon has shifted from place to place but will ultimately end up back on its base on the banks of the Euphrates river as we have seen.

Another problem with the idea that there are two Babylons in view (one spiritual and one political) is that at the start of chapter 17 the angel specifically says to John that he is to come and see the judgment of the great whore. As we arrive at chapter 18 we still have not seen the judgment of the great whore; all that has happened is that John has seen the great whore, the angel has explained who she is, and that she will be (future tense) destroyed by the 10 kings when they come to power. (It is worth keeping in mind that there were no chapter breaks in the original, they were not added until Archbishop of Canterbury Stephen Langton (c. 1150 – 1228AD) added them for convenience).

We have already seen in chapter 17 that ‘Babylon’ is both a woman (representing a spiritual system) and a city. The same idea is carried on in this chapter with the personal pronoun ‘her’ being used 29 times, and the fact that we are also viewing a literal city being alluded to at least 19 times.

As to the phrase ‘after these things’, it is after the vision of the woman riding the beast and the explanation of her identity…..

…I saw another angel come down from heaven, having great power; and the earth was lightened with his glory. With this we will go on to witness the final and complete destruction of Babylon. With the earth being lit up, some see the possibility that this is a nuclear strike by the ten kings whom God will use to destroy Babylon. Certainly the smoke of her burning will be seen far off as we will see.

Rev 18:2

And he cried mightily with a strong voice, saying, Babylon the great is fallen, is fallen, and is become the habitation of devils, and the hold of every foul spirit, and a cage of every unclean and hateful bird.

Now we witness the destruction of Babylon. The double reference ‘fallen is fallen’ implies suddenness. Babylon’s new inhabitants are not the kind of neighbours that you would like to find have moved in next door! There is something dark and demonic about this place.

This kind of destruction fits perfectly with what we read in Isaiah 13/14 & Jeremiah 50/51, and clearly has not yet occurred in world history (see also cf: Isaiah 21:9)

Rev 18:3

For all nations have drunk of the wine of the wrath of her fornication, and the kings of the earth have committed fornication with her, and the merchants of the earth are waxed rich through the abundance of her delicacies.

Commerce between the woman and the merchants of the earth are substantial. They used her and will miss her for she has made them rich.

Rev 18:4

And I heard another voice from heaven, saying, Come out of her, my people, that ye be not partakers of her sins, and that ye receive not of her plagues.

The message is clear – have nothing to do with this woman, this false religious system. But who is the message to?

‘My people’ – all who would class themselves as God’s people should therefore take note.

The danger is to assume that this warning is not for us.

Seven times in scripture God’s people are warned to flee from her: Is 48:20 /  Is 52:11  /  Jer 50 8-9 / Jer 51:6-8 / Zech 2:6-7 / 2 Cor 6:17-18 /  Rev 18:4

Seven times in Matthew 24 Jesus warned of great spiritual deception in the last days that would lead many astray: Matt 24:4 / Matt 24:5 / Matt 24:11 / Matt 24:23 / Matt 24:24 / Matt 24:25 / Matt 24:26.

Paul writes: “Now the Spirit speaketh expressly, that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils; Speaking lies in hypocrisy; having their conscience seared with a hot iron;” (1 Tim 4:1)

And again: “For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine, but according to their own desires, because they have itching ears, they will heap up for themselves teachers;  and they will turn their ears away from the truth, and be turned aside to fables”. (2 Tim 4:3-4)

And again:“But know this, that in the last days perilous times will come: For men will be lovers of themselves……….lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God,  having a form of godliness but denying its power. And from such people turn away!”  (2 Tim 3:1-6)

Jesus warned: “Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ravenous wolves”. (Matt 7:15-16)

And in Matthew 24 we read:

“Take heed that no man deceive you. For many shall come in my name, saying, I am Christ; and shall deceive many.” (Matt 24:5)

“And many false prophets shall rise, and shall deceive many” (Matt 24:11)

“Then if any man shall say unto you, Lo, here is Christ, or there; believe it not. For there shall arise false Christs, and false prophets, and shall show great signs and wonders; insomuch that, if it were possible, they shall deceive the very elect. Behold, I have told you before. (Matt 24:23-26)

Scripture is absolutely clear, the last times are to be characterised by great spiritual deception; ministers and preaches who will have a form of godliness, who will seem genuine and who will even perform signs and wonders in the name of Jesus. In Matthew 7:15-23 Jesus said that there would be people who would prophesy in His name, cast out devils in His name and in His name do many wonderful works; yet He will turn to them and say: “I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity” (Matt 7:23).

There seems to be an incredible arrogance in today’s church that believes that it is somehow above deception, and therefore we need not worry about these things.

We had the ‘Toronto Blessing’ and Christians just jumped on board, allowing experience rather than scripture to be their guide. What happened to all ‘Toronto’s’ prophecies of revival sweeping the world? Multitudes being brought into the kingdom? Where is the fruit now, by which Jesus said we would know them? Scripture teaches that if a man prophecies in God’s name and it does not come to pass, then that person is a false prophet and has not been sent from God.

Exactly how do you think this end time deception, that Jesus promised, will come? So called ‘Christian TV’ is littered with false prophets who promise things far outside of what the Bible teaches; and yet countless Christians just accept it if it’s got a ‘Christian’ tag on it. Once again Jesus said: “Take heed that no man deceive you” – this is a personal admonition to all of us!

We then had Alpha Course, heavily influenced by the Toronto experience, with its emphasis on ‘feeling right’ rather than the stability of the Word of God; and again everyone signed up – surely it can’t be wrong when so many are doing it?

We now have the ‘Purpose Driven’ movement that is sweeping the church with a self-help gospel that removes the need for repentance and subtly introduces New Age doctrines – see Warren Smith’s excellent book ‘Deceived On Purpose’ (ISBN 0-9763492-0-5).

We have the Message Bible that replaces established Christian doctrine with New Age ideas and phrases such as ‘Master Jesus’ – a New Age term for the coming ‘enlightened one’; and: ‘As above, so below’ – the title of a prominent New Age book. We could list many more examples.

Now at this point some may object and say ‘But I’ve found the Message Bible useful’ or ‘I’ve been on an Alpha Course’ or ‘But our church has gone through the ‘Purpose Driven Life’ and it was really good’  – Surely these things can’t be all bad?

Well, the very fact that these things, and many others like them, are not all bad exposes the fact that it is a mixture. Some of these things are good. However, as we have mentioned, Jacob Prasch (among many others) warns of the dangers of mixing truth and deception. He uses the clear analogy of making an omelette. He says that he has two good eggs and one rotten egg. Does the fact that his omelette contains more good eggs than rotten ones make you want to eat it? Of course not! So why do so many Christians tolerate false teaching and error in their churches? Your church may not be being led astray at the moment, but what is your standard and how do you know that it will stay that way? Deception is subtle, that’s how it works. You don’t get forged £9 notes – because you would immediately recognise it as a fraud.

We have prominent Christian leaders signing joint declarations with Roman Catholics under the banner of ‘evangelism’, overturning all that was accomplished by the lives and deaths of millions during the Reformation.

Gradually the edges are being blurred and we are moving closer and closer to a One World Church. Many, many churches are treading dangerously close to the line in an attempt to become ‘seeker friendly’. Sincerely keen to see the church grow, pastors and congregations are willing to try whatever new thing might work. It is however a very fine line and just as Jesus promised, deception is coming.

A serious question is: Does your church worship the right Jesus?

The Jesus of the Bible said that many would come in His name and deceive many.

However, some churches have a Jesus that is OK with homosexual ministers. That is not the Jesus of the Bible. Some churches have a Jesus that is fine with evolution as the explanation of our origins. That is not the Jesus of the Bible. Some churches have a Jesus that doesn’t believe in a literal Hell. That is not the Jesus of the Bible. Some churches have a Jesus that places church tradition above the Word of God. That is not the Jesus of the Bible. Some churches have a Jesus who is not going to physically return to earth at a ‘2^nd Coming’, but teach that Jesus has come again ‘through the church’ and is waiting for the church to win the world for him. That is not the Jesus of the Bible.  The list goes on and on, but the point is clear. So how do we safeguard against deception?

Our Safeguard Against Deception – THE WORD OF GOD!

The Word is a lamp to our feet and a light to our path (Psalm 119:105). It is sharper than any two edged sword and it will bring division between the truth and the deception (Heb 4:12). Jesus declared “Thy word is truth” (John 17:17). The only way to be sure that we will not be deceived is to know Jesus and His Word and meditate in it day and night. We must be like the Bereans in Acts 17:11 who ‘searched the scriptures daily to see whether these things were so’. We must not be ‘carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive’ (Eph 4:14). We must not be driven by our experiences; we must not even be fooled by signs and wonders or miracles.

2 Thess 2:8-11, referring to Antichrist says: “And then shall that Wicked be revealed, whom the Lord shall consume with the spirit of his mouth, and shall destroy with the brightness of his coming: Even him, whose coming is after the working of Satan with all power and signs and lying wonders, And with all deceivableness of unrighteousness in them that perish; because they received not the love of the truth, that they might be saved. And for this cause God shall send them strong delusion, that they should believe a lie”

In Deut 13:1-3 we read: “If there arise among you a prophet, or a dreamer of dreams, and giveth thee a sign or a wonder, And the sign or the wonder come to pass, whereof he spake unto thee, saying, Let us go after other gods, which thou hast not known, and let us serve them; Thou shalt not hearken unto the words of that prophet, or that dreamer of dreams: for the LORD your God proveth you, to know whether ye love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul.”

To conclude: Jesus said that deception would abound in the last days prior to His return. He also said that many would be taken in by this deception, not evil people, but genuine and sincere people who simply did not receive the love of the truth; people who preached, prophesied and did good works in His name. It doesn’t matter how many good eggs you may find, if there is even just one rotten egg, don’t eat their omelette! – find a church that only serves the meat of the Word of God. This is not a suggestion but a command: “Come out of her, my people, that ye be not partakers of her sins, and that ye receive not of her plagues”.

Rev 18:5

For her sins have reached unto heaven, and God hath remembered her iniquities.

At the Tower of Babel people wanted to ‘build a city and a tower, whose top may reach unto heaven’ (Gen 11:4). How ironic that here they have reached heaven, not with bricks and mortar, but with their sin. “God requires an account of what is past.” (Eccl 3:15).

“But I say unto you, That every idle word that men shall speak, they shall give account thereof in the day of judgment.” (Matt 12:36)

Rev 18:6

Reward her even as she rewarded you, and double unto her double according to her works: in the cup which she hath filled fill to her double.

God will see to it that this false religious system that has (and will) deceive multitudes will receive a just punishment.

When you look into a mirror you see an exact likeness, if you will, a double. That is what is implied here. She will receive an ‘exact likeness’ for all that she has done to others.

Rev 18:7

How much she hath glorified herself, and lived deliciously, so much torment and sorrow give her: for she saith in her heart, I sit a queen, and am no widow, and shall see no sorrow.

Here we are again reminded of how she has glorified herself, and at great spiritual cost to others she has lived deliciously. Because of this it is now her turn to receive torment and sorrow.

What she has said in her heart: “I sit a queen, and am no widow, and shall see no sorrow.” is an arrogant boast against Jerusalem. Remember, we are dealing with a spiritual entity that calls herself ‘The Queen of Heaven’ and is known as ‘Babylon the great’, the great adversary of true religion and worship of God. Jerusalem on the other hand was described by Jeremiah as having become like a widow because she forsook the worship of the one true God.

“How doth the city [Jerusalem] sit solitary, that was full of people how is she become as a widow she that was was great among the nations, and princess among the provinces, how is she become tributary” (Lam 1:1)

Rev 18:8

Therefore shall her plagues come in one day, death, and mourning, and famine; and she shall be utterly burned with fire: for strong is the Lord God who judgeth her.

This is another verse that hints at the possibility that the 10 kings who God will use to destroy her will launch a nuclear attack that would indeed accomplish all of these things in just one day.

Rev 18:9

And the kings of the earth, who have committed fornication and lived deliciously with her, shall bewail her, and lament for her, when they shall see the smoke of her burning,

It is hard for us to understand how important ‘organised religion’ is to the governments of the world. The problems that are created by religious tensions provide enormous opportunity for the governments to exert control on the people. Consider the struggles in Northern Ireland – religion has been blamed, but political control has been the victor. And how else would people willingly consent to things such as the introduction of personal ID cards if it were not for the threat of religiously inspired terrorism and events such as 9:11, or the July 7^th Tube bombings in London, or the recent terror attacks in France? All of this gives the government far more power and control than they could have achieved without her.

The Iraq war had far more to do with the West’s need for Middle-Eastern oil than it did the threat of terrorism; but again religion and the threat of religiously inspired terrorism were the tickets that were waived.

(For more on this see “The Twilight’s Last Gleaming – Why Did America Really Invade Iraq?” – www.khouse.org.

However by the time we get to Revelation 17 & 18 the Ten Kings have got complete control and no longer need this newly united religious power, who will be able to exert far too much influence for their liking. It is therefore the other kings of the earth who will bewail her as she is destroyed and they see the smoke of her burning. Once again, for people around the world to see the smoke of her burning it has to be something major, – a nuclear strike with pictures beamed to TV sets around the globe?

Rev 18:10

Standing afar off for the fear of her torment, saying, Alas, alas, that great city Babylon, that mighty city! for in one hour is thy judgment come.

In verse 8 we are told that this judgment will come in one day, now we find that it will happen in one hour! And why is it that the kings of the earth that are bewailing her destruction are standing afar off? Nuclear fallout/radiation?

Rev 18:11-14

11 And the merchants of the earth shall weep and mourn over her; for no man buyeth their merchandise any more:

12 The merchandise of gold, and silver, and precious stones, and of pearls, and fine linen, and purple, and silk, and scarlet, and all thyine wood, and all manner vessels of ivory, and all manner vessels of most precious wood, and of brass, and iron, and marble,

13  And cinnamon, and odours, and ointments, and frankincense, and wine, and oil, and fine flour, and wheat, and beasts, and sheep, and horses, and chariots, and slaves, and souls of men.

14 And the fruits that thy soul lusted after are departed from thee, and all things which were dainty and goodly are departed from thee, and thou shalt find them no more at all.

The Catholic Church alone boasts over a billion members. This One World Church will be huge and will by now be controlling so much of the world’s economy that the Ten Kings have to get rid of her.

The trade on earth is going to change dramatically from now on as we move from separate democracies to a dictatorship.

Rev 18:15-18

15 The merchants of these things, which were made rich by her, shall stand afar off for the fear of her torment, weeping and wailing,

16  And saying, Alas, alas, that great city, that was clothed in fine linen, and purple, and scarlet, and decked with gold, and precious stones, and pearls!

17 For in one hour so great riches is come to nought. And every shipmaster, and all the company in ships, and sailors, and as many as trade by sea, stood afar off,

18  And cried when they saw the smoke of her burning, saying, What city is like unto this great city!

The merchants of the earth are distraught. How sad it is that people put their trust in things that cannot ultimately satisfy. Many of these merchants were probably not too ‘into’ the religion of this One World Church, but were happy with the relationship because it made them comfortable. In much that same way many, many people go to church because it makes them feel comfortable. The message from these pulpits never challenges them or speaks of sin to make them uncomfortable. Many churches are indeed ‘seeker friendly’ and people like to be made to feel good about themselves. The modern church is telling people that they have a ‘self-esteem problem’ – don’t fall for it! People have a sin problem and unless they repent and put their trust in the One and only Saviour of sins, Jesus Christ, they will join with these merchants in tears as their security and comfort goes up in smoke.

Rev 18:19

And they cast dust on their heads, and cried, weeping and wailing, saying, Alas, alas, that great city, wherein were made rich all that had ships in the sea by reason of her costliness! for in one hour is she made desolate.

Underlining the previous comments, these people were only in it for what they could get out of it. Again this false comfort will be destroyed in one hour.

Rev 18:20

Rejoice over her, thou heaven, and ye holy apostles and prophets; for God hath avenged you on her.

What a contrast as we turn our eyes toward heaven! Here there is rejoicing and celebration because those in Heaven have built on the Rock and not the sand. They recognised their own abject poverty before a holy God; and that God said to them:

“Blessed are the poor in spirit: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

Blessed are they that mourn: for they shall be comforted.

Blessed are the meek: for they shall inherit the earth.

Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled.

Blessed are the merciful: for they shall obtain mercy.

Blessed are the pure in heart: for they shall see God.” (Matt 5:3-8)

Rev 18:21-23

21 And a mighty angel took up a stone like a great millstone, and cast it into the sea, saying, Thus with violence shall that great city Babylon be thrown down, and shall be found no more at all.

22 And the voice of harpers, and musicians, and of pipers, and trumpeters, shall be heard no more at all in thee; and no craftsman, of whatsoever craft he be, shall be found any more in thee; and the sound of a millstone shall be heard no more at all in thee;

23  And the light of a candle shall shine no more at all in thee; and the voice of the bridegroom and of the bride shall be heard no more at all in thee: for thy merchants were the great men of the earth; for by thy sorceries were all nations deceived.

Thus the prophecies of Isaiah and Jeremiah will be fulfilled and what started on the plain of Shinar in Iraq almost 4500 years ago as a satanic attempt to deceive mankind will be ended.

In many respects this plan of Satan’s succeeded. Countless numbers were led astray and just as Satan attempted at Babel, his man is now poised to take centre stage as the last three and a half years are about to begin.

As we have already noted, the One World Church will ‘reign’ from the time of the Rapture until the mid-way point of the Tribulation, at which point the 10 Kings under Antichrist’s authority will destroy it once and for all, thus making way for the worship of Antichrist as we saw in our study of chapter 13.

Rev 18:24

And in her was found the blood of prophets, and of saints, and of all that were slain upon the earth.

As if to just remind us again, God is completely justified in His destruction of this One World Church because she has shed the blood of His beloved children throughout the ages.

To be continued…

Every blessing,

Pastor Barry.

The post The Destruction of Deception first appeared on Calvary Chapel Portsmouth.

Introduction

Revelation chapter 17 is possibly one of the most important chapters in the Bible in regard to our understanding of history; and also explains why there are so many false religions in the world. Sadly this does not get taught and is replaced by misinformation, deliberate deceit and outright lies. However, anyone interested in the truth does not have to dig far to uncover some startling information that will change the way we look at the world.

On one level, this chapter is not as difficult as it may first appear. As with many portions of scripture, particularly prophecy, the answers and explanations for the symbols and imagery used are clearly explained in the verses that follow. Remember that this was all new to John as well, but the purpose of allowing John to see these things was not to confuse him but to show him “things which must shortly come to pass” (Rev 1:1). God is not the author of confusion (1 Cor 14:33). It is advisable to read the whole chapter before looking at each verse on its own.

In this chapter we will find some key characters, some of whom we have already met, which will make the task of identifying them much easier.

• Great Whore  / Scarlet Beast / Seven heads / Seven mountains / Ten horns / Ten kings

Identifying what the Great Whore is, is not too difficult if we simply stick to what the scripture reveals and allow that to guide us. The question that is still open to much debate, even amongst some of the best Bible scholars is, who she is; i.e. can we put a name to the face? I believe, because of the information we are given in chapters 17 & 18, that we can identify her. Not only that, but once we do, it sheds light on the times we are living in and helps us to understand why seven times in Matthew 24 Jesus warned of great deception in the last days.

CHAPTER 17

Rev 17:1

And there came one of the seven angels which had the seven vials, and talked with me, saying unto me, Come hither; I will shew unto thee the judgment of the great whore that sitteth upon many waters:

Following the pouring out of God’s wrath through the seven vials, this angel now takes John back to show him something of great significance, that answers one of the greatest questions of the ages, namely, “Why are there so many religions, and don’t all roads lead to God anyway!”

As we noted back in our study of Chapter 2, whilst on the surface, this seems like the ultimate in acceptance and tolerance – all people of all faiths, religions and creeds working together for a common cause, we should just stop and think about this for a moment: What kind of God would allow people to approach Him in any way they choose? What God would allow people to call Him by any name that suited them? What kind of God would establish a multitude of religions with contradictory beliefs and practices, see countless numbers of believers give their lives to maintain their religious freedoms and right to be different, and then reveal that actually they are all leading to the same place anyway!(?) Surely this would reveal a ruthless tyrant of a god on a par with the Roman Emperors who watched subjects in their empire fight to the death in the Coliseum?

Although those that promote the ‘all roads lead to God’ philosophy hail themselves as tolerant and accepting, they are in actual fact nothing of the sort. Consider what they are saying: ‘Regardless of what you believe, regardless of your heritage, we all have to go to the same place’; they are telling us that there is only one destination for all (whether you want to go or not!). That is more narrow-minded and dogmatic than anything Jesus ever said. Jesus said there are two destinations and we each get to choose: ‘smoking’ or ‘non-smoking’!

So now this great angel will show John God’s response to this question.

This verse is one of three occasions in the book of Revelation that John is told to ‘come here’ (Rev 4:1 / Rev 21:9), thus highlighting the following vision as something of great importance. What John is shown is the judgment of someone or something described as ‘the great whore’. Throughout scripture whoredom/adultery speaks of unfaithfulness to God, worshipping or serving someone or something instead of Him. This was the crime of Israel in the Old Testament and is graphically portrayed in books like Ezekiel and Hosea (cf: Hosea 1:2 / Ezekiel 23 etc).

The first commandment in Exodus 20:11 states that ‘You shall have no other God’s before me’. God does not want to be number one on a list of ten; God wants to be number one on a list of one. God is a jealous God and wants to be worshipped alone.

Isaiah 40:12-31 is a passage where God Himself argues His case against the skeptics and critics and explains why He should be worshipped exclusively. (See also Job 38-41).

The fact that this whore is said to ‘sit on many waters’ is indicative of her worldwide influence (as is confirmed in verse 15) in drawing people away from the worship of the One true God into spiritual adultery. This is possibly the greatest crime and so deserves the strictest of judgments, as John will now see.

Rev 17:2

With whom the kings of the earth have committed fornication, and the inhabitants of the earth have been made drunk with the wine of her fornication.

Here we are told that it is not just the people of the world that have been led astray by her, but the kings and rulers of the earth have been intoxicated by her; she has become irresistible to them and thus she has been able to exert her power over them in much the same way that a harlot can over a foolish young man. “whoso commits adultery with a woman lacks understanding: he that does so destroys his own soul”. (Proverbs 6:32) – see also Proverbs chapter 5 & chapter 7.

“Fornication” comes from the Greek root word ‘porneia’ (from where we get the word ‘pornography’) it means “unlawful intimate indulgence”. In the Bible, worshipping false concepts of God are often referred to as: “fornication” for the unbeliever and “adultery” for unfaithful believers.

In this passage we are obviously dealing with unbelievers, hence it’s spiritual fornication that is in view. The fact that the kings ‘committed…’ shows that this was a willful choice on their part.

The reference to their being drunk with the wine of her fornication is drawn from Jeremiah:

“Flee out of the midst of Babylon, and deliver every man his soul: be not cut off in her iniquity; for this [is] the time of the LORD’S vengeance; he will render unto her a recompence. Babylon hath been a golden cup in the LORD’S hand, that made all the earth drunken: the nations have drunken of her wine; therefore the nations are mad.” (Jer 51:7).

Rev 17:3

So he carried me away in the spirit into the wilderness: and I saw a woman sit upon a scarlet coloured beast, full of names of blasphemy, having seven heads and ten horns.

To help him understand, John is now carried away into the wilderness of both time and place. We will discover that this woman began her career in deep recesses of time and in a wilderness area. We are also told that whoever this woman is, she is seen riding a scarlet beast.

At this point we can draw from things we have already learnt, for we have already met this beast in chapter 12 and 13, and there we were able to identify this scarlet beast as 1) The Devil himself 2) Antichrist & 3) The Empire of Antichrist.

• The Scarlet Beast is the Devil:

“And there appeared another wonder in heaven; and behold a great red dragon [scarlet beast], having seven heads and ten horns, and seven crowns upon his heads”…….“And the great dragon was cast out, that old serpent, called the Devil, and Satan, which deceiveth the whole world: he was cast out into the earth, and his angels were cast out with him.”  (Rev 12:3 – Rev 12:9)

These verses from Revelation 12 tell us that the great red dragon that John saw is the Devil. John sees the Devil as having seven heads and ten horns. The seven heads as we have already noted are seven world empires that Satan has coerced and manipulated to bring about a second one-world government (the first attempt being at the tower of Babel with Cush and his son Nimrod – the first world dictator). The ten horns are, as we have seen (and as is confirmed in verses 12-13), the ten ‘kings’ that shall arise that will rule the whole world under the control of Satan.

• The Scarlet Beast is Antichrist

“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. And the beast which I saw was like unto a leopard, and his feet were as the feet of a bear, and his mouth as the mouth of a lion: and the dragon gave him his power, and his seat, and great authority.”  (Rev 13:1-2)

Here we are told that the dragon (Satan) will give his authority and power to the beast, who is identified as ‘him’ being a person, namely Antichrist. Again the seven heads and ten horns are seen.                                       

• The Scarlet Beast is the Kingdom of Antichrist

[The vision] 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. 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.

[The interpretation] Thus he said, The fourth beast shall be the fourth kingdom upon earth, which shall be diverse from all kingdoms, and shall devour the whole earth, and shall tread it down, and break it in pieces. And the ten horns out of this kingdom are ten kings that shall arise: and another shall rise after them; and he shall be diverse from the first, and he shall subdue three kings. (Dan 7:7-8 & Dan 7:23-24)

Here the beast is described as a kingdom.

Thus the Beast is symbolic of 1) the Devil, 2) Antichrist and 3) his kingdom that is yet to arise. This is not as hard to understand as it first seems, for how could these three be separated since their mission and purpose are one? Antichrist is empowered by the Devil and is the ruler of his kingdom, thus we have one image of the scarlet beast depicting the whole.

We should note from the context that it is the beast who is ‘full of names of blasphemy’ (as we noted in chapter 13) and who has ‘seven heads and ten horns’ and not the woman. This may seem like an obvious point to mention, but may who have tried to understand this chapter have confused this an see the seven heads as being connected to the woman, which has led to a number of erroneous interpretations being put forward.

What should grab our attention however is that this woman is riding the beast! So just who is she that she can ‘ride’ upon Satan’s kingdom?

Rev 17:4

 And the woman was arrayed in purple and scarlet colour, and decked with gold and precious stones and pearls, having a golden cup in her hand full of abominations and filthiness of her fornication:

Very much like a photo-fit that the police put together to identify a criminal based on the information about height, skin colour, hair colour, eye colour, age etc, etc. we can build a picture from the information given that help us to identify this woman.

• She is a woman (I know that’s obvious but mustn’t be overlooked)

There is a definite contrast drawn here between this woman and the woman in chapter 12. As we discovered, the woman in chapter 12 was the mystical Eve whose Seed would ultimately bruise the seed of the Serpent. This righteous woman was then clothed with the nation of Israel for protection; eventually, through the nation of Israel, the Seed of the woman (implying a virgin birth because normally the seed comes from the man), the Messiah was born of Mary.

The woman in Revelation 17 represents everything that in not righteous, and everything that is anti-Christ. In contrast to the woman in Revelation 12, whose purpose was to prepare the way for the true Messiah, the woman in Revelation 17 & 18 has existed to prepare the way for the false messiah, the seed of the Serpent, viz. Antichrist, who will cause all men to worship Satan.

• She is clothed in purple and scarlet

In the Jewish Tabernacle there were 3 primary colours: “Moreover you shall make the tabernacle with ten curtains of fine woven linen and blue, purple, and scarlet thread; with artistic designs of cherubim you shall weave them.” (Exodus 26:1)

As numbers have significance in scripture, so do colours:

Blue = Heavenly Realm                       Purple = Royal Realm                 Scarlet = Earthly Realm

Notice that in this woman’s clothing blue is omitted suggesting a self-appointed exalted status on the earth. Notice also that she is clothed with purple & scarlet. The woman in chapter 12 was clothed with Israel ‘to get the job done’. This harlot has a covering for the same reason.

• She is rich – being decked with gold, precious stones and pearls

• She has a cup in her hand full of things that are an offence to God

Rev 17:5

And upon her forehead was a name written, MYSTERY, BABYLON THE GREAT, THE MOTHER OF HARLOTS AND ABOMINATIONS OF THE EARTH.

The key point that John notes are these:

• There is something mysterious about her, something hidden / spiritual
• She is identified with Babylon
• She is a mother (which means she has children)
• Abominations started with her (Mother of harlots AND abominations)
• Her influence is worldwide

Rev 17:6

And I saw the woman drunken with the blood of the saints, and with the blood of the martyrs of Jesus: and when I saw her, I wondered with great admiration.

• She is responsible for shedding the blood of saints
• She is also responsible for shedding the blood of the martyrs of Jesus

Who are the saints if they are not the martyrs of Jesus? Why repeat the same thing twice unless one applies to one group and one to another? ‘Martyrs of Jesus Christ’ is clear enough, and as we will show in a moment, countless numbers of martyrs have been killed at the hand of this woman; But who are the saints? The only other group to be called ‘saints; in the Bible are the Jews.

See: Deut 33:2-3 / 1 Sam 2:9 / 2 Chron 6:41 / Psalm 16:3 / Psalm 30:4 / Daniel 7:21-22,25 / Hosea 11:12

We will also see in a moment how this woman is responsible for shedding the blood of the Jews and almost single-handedly elevating ‘Anti-Semitism’ to the lamentable height it reached during the Holocaust – something that is destined to be repeated, and even exceeded (See Zechariah 13:9).

When John saw her, the Greek implies that he ‘perceived’ and was amazed. It’s as if the penny drops, all of a sudden the lights go on. As we go on with our study we will probably find that the same happens to us!

Rev 17:7

And the angel said unto me, Wherefore didst thou marvel? I will tell thee the mystery of the woman, and of the beast that carrieth her, which hath the seven heads and ten horns.

The angel says ‘why was this such a surprise?’ This strongly suggests that by now John had understood to a point, but that it should not have been such a surprise if he had done his homework properly. This is the way it is for many Christians; if only they would do their homework they would realise that all the pieces of the jigsaw are laid out in scripture and it is just a matter of putting it all together. “It It is the glory of God to conceal a thing: but the honour of kings is to search out a matter.” (Proverbs 25:2)    The angel then proceeds to take John through the vision, explaining these two mysteries, firstly the mystery of the beast that has seven heads and ten horns, and then the mystery of this immoral woman.

Rev 17:8

The beast that thou sawest was, and is not; and shall ascend out of the bottomless pit, and go into perdition: and they that dwell on the earth shall wonder, whose names were not written in the book of life from the foundation of the world, when they behold the beast that was, and is not, and yet is.

We have already identified the beast as the Devil / Antichrist / his kingdom. In Rev 11:7 we read (regarding the ministry of the Two Witnesses): “And when they shall have finished their testimony, the beast that ascendeth out of the bottomless pit shall make war against them, and shall overcome them, and kill them”.  Thus we know that this is referring to Antichrist himself. The fact that he ‘was, and is not; and shall…..’ shows that the spirit of Antichrist existed in the past, then for a while was put out of the way, and now finally he returns only to be ‘consumed by the brightness of Jesus’ coming’ (2 Thessalonians 2:8) and to go into perdition (Rev 19:20). So the question we then need to ask is: when did the spirit of antichrist manifest itself in the past?

The answer is, in the person of Judas Iscariot. In Luke 22:2-4 we read: “And the chief priests and scribes sought how they might kill him; for they feared the people. Then entered Satan into Judas surnamed Iscariot, being of the number of the twelve. And he went his way, and communed with the chief priests and captains, how he might betray him unto them.”

We are also told in John 17:12 by Jesus: “While I was with them in the world, I kept them in thy name: those that thou gavest me I have kept, and none of them is lost, but the son of perdition; that the scripture might be fulfilled.” (Ps 41:9 / Ps 109:8 cf. Acts 1:20).

Thus the same spirit that will indwell Antichrist, i.e. Satan, indwelt Judas Iscariot, whom we are told went to perdition, where also Antichrist will go.

…. whose names were not written in the book of life from the foundation of the world

Whist this is not good news for those for whom it concerns, it is a remarkable fact that those whose names are written in the Lamb’s book of life, have had their names written in it before God had even created the world! What a great comfort that God not only called you (if you are a believer) by name (John 15:16), but also because ‘salvation is of the Lord’ (Jonah 2:9) and is not about your own ability or worthiness but His, God knew for certain that you would be His for eternity, and to prove it He has recorded your name in the Lamb’s book of life! In a nutshell – you are safe in God’s hands and He will never let you go! (see also John 10:27-29).

Someone might object that this means God has already chosen those who are to be saved. True, but then simply put your trust in Jesus Christ as the only and only payment for your sins and you will suddenly find that you name was in the Lamb’s book of life all along! It is often put this way: At Heaven’s gate there is a sign which reads “Whosoever will may enter”, yet when from the inside you look back you will see another sign that declares “Chosen in Him from before the foundation of the World!” You see, God does not violate our free choice, but because He is outside of time He knows the end from the beginning

Rev 17:9

And here is the mind which hath wisdom. The seven heads are seven mountains, on which the woman sitteth.

If we use our minds, we can deduce from what we have already seen that the seven heads are symbolic of the kingdoms of this world. Mountains in scripture are symbolic of kingdoms (see Dan 2:37), which leads us into the next verse which tells us:

Rev 17:10

And there are seven kings: five are fallen, and one is, and the other is not yet come; and when he cometh, he must continue a short space.

This is a straight forward logical deduction. Seven kingdoms would suggest seven kings. We are then told that five are no longer, one is in power at that time, and the seventh is yet to come. Consistent with what we know from world history, there were five kingdoms up to the time of John – 1) Egypt, 2) Assyria, 3) Babylon, 4) Medo-Persia, & 5) Greece. When John wrote Revelation, Rome, being the sixth was in power. Then, confirming the prophecies of Daniel 2 and 7, a final world kingdom will arise but will only be in power for a short time.

We continue…….

Rev 17:11

And the beast that was, and is not, even he is the eighth, and is of the seven, and goeth into perdition.

According to Daniel 7:24 the seventh world kingdom will comprise of 10 kings, (three of whom will fall before Antichrist). So Antichrist will be of the seven (world kingdoms) but will supersede them becoming the eighth; and as we have noted already, he will go into perdition.

Rev 17:12

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.

Continuing the explanation, the angel tells John quite clearly that the 10 horns are the 10 kings that will reign for a short time with Antichrist.

Rev 17:13

These have one mind, and shall give their power and strength unto the beast.

These ‘kings’ – which may well represent the 10 regions that certain groups have already divided the world into for economic and political purposes – will be deceived by the miracles, signs and wonders that the False Prophet (see Rev 13) will do to convince them that they should follow Antichrist. (See also Rev 16:14)

Rev 17:14

These shall make war with the Lamb, and the Lamb shall overcome them: for he is Lord of lords, and King of kings: and they that are with him are called, and chosen, and faithful.

This shows that they are not – or will not – be ignorant of prophecy (albeit the distorted version that Antichrist will feed them) for they are expecting Jesus to return and as we saw in the previous chapter, they will march to Armageddon in order to fight.

…they that are with Him… that will be us! We have been called by Him, chosen by Him and are faithful. Our faithfulness is a gift from God also and is in contrast to those who so foolishly and arrogantly make war with the Lamb, their Creator.

This completes the angel’s explanation of the ‘mystery of the beast’ (see again v. 7). Now our attention turns to the woman, as the angel explains…

Rev 17:15

And he saith unto me, The waters which thou sawest, where the whore sitteth, are peoples, and multitudes, and nations, and tongues.

For his explanation of the mystery of this woman, the angel begins by highlighting that her influence is global, and that the waters represent the people of the world.

Rev 17:16

And the ten horns which thou sawest upon the beast, these shall hate the whore, and shall make her desolate and naked, and shall eat her flesh, and burn her with fire.

The next piece of information John is given reveals what at first may seem a surprising twist! We saw in verse 3 that the woman was sat upon the beast/kings, exerting her influence over them, yet now we find they turn on her!

[Amidst all the other details we are given, it is actually the destruction and judgment of this woman (at the hand of these kings) that is the focus of chapter 17 and 18].

The 10 kings ruling the earth will get tired of the woman’s influence and her sitting on their backs, and will cast her off and destroy her.

[Note that these kings shall hate her etc. We are told that his will happen (i.e. is about to happen) but it is not happening yet. The reason for making this point will become clear as we move into the next chapter].

Now the diligent may spot a potential problem here; surely this woman, who has taken the worship that was due to God alone, is of the Devil. But surely also the 10 kings are being manipulated by the Devil? That being the case didn’t Jesus say that a kingdom divided against itself will fall? (Matt 12:25-26). The truth is that the Devil is not bothered about having human allies; he just wants to bring about the destruction of man (1 Peter 5:8) and is quite happy to play one side against the other in order to fulfill his goal.

[Those familiar with the Star Wars saga, this is just like Senator Palpatine who played one side against the other, creating a ‘false’ war that led to the Senate voting for the creation of a clone army (that was under Palpatine’s control all along) and also engineering the situation to ensure he was given emergency powers, putting him in sole charge of the Republic. This interesting similarity is the patience of Palpatine and the behind-the-scenes planning that went on for years. In just the same way Satan is patiently manipulating both the world’s political systems and the religious systems to do his bidding].

The false religious system that has led people away from the worship of the true God, and symbolised as this woman, has been skillfully established by Satan since the time of the Tower of Babel with one purpose: to unite all mankind, thus reversing the effects of the Tower of Babel where God confused the languages of the people (Gen 11:7). Once mankind has been reunited again (through this false religious system) Satan will have no further use for it so will destroy it using the 10 kings. He will then cause all mankind to worship him in the person of Antichrist. (See again Rev 13:3-4 / also Isaiah 14:14).

Rev 17:17

For God hath put in their hearts to fulfil his will, and to agree, and give their kingdom unto the beast, until the words of God shall be fulfilled.

Although it has been Satan manipulating things behind the scenes, God will put into the hearts of the 10 kings to destroy Babylon – the great whore and fountain of all false religion on earth – in order that He might bring His wrath and judgment against her. Satan, as we have mentioned will not oppose this because the false religious system has fulfilled its purpose.

There are many in the world who will say that all roads lead to God, that all religions are just worshipping God in their own way. This is actually much closer to the truth than many people realise… it’s just that they have the wrong god!

In actual fact, all roads (except the narrow one that Jesus said leads to life -Matt 7:13), will ultimately lead to the same place – worshipping Satan as god. Ecumenical movements and attempts to remove doctrinal barriers through things like the Alpha Course, or other such things, may seem good on the surface, but by watering down the gospel, by blurring the edges, they are playing right into the hands of Satan who is establishing a one-world-church of all ‘faiths’.

Rev 17:18

And the woman which thou sawest is that great city, which reigneth over the kings of the earth.

In verse 7 the angel told John he would show him the mystery of both the Beast and the Woman. Thus far he has helped John identify the beast as Satan & his 10 kings, and has given clues as to the identity of the women, to summarise:

• She has world-wide influence, and has had throughout history.
• She wields her influence over kings (governments) and subjects alike.
• She is specifically associated with an historical city.
• She is clothed in purple & scarlet, gold, precious stones and pearls.
  • Thus she is immeasurably wealthy
• She is a mother, so must have offspring.
• She is full of abominations
• She is given to fornication
• She is responsible for shedding the blood of Jews and Christians
• She will manipulate the 10 kings for a short time until they destroy her

OK, now for the punch line: What city and who is the woman?

The Identity of the Harlot

The answer favoured by many commentators is that the city is Rome and the great whore is the Roman Catholic Church who will bring together all false religions in the last days.

In support of this view is the fact that the city that reigned over the kings of the earth in John’s day was indeed the city of Rome, (although this was politically and not spiritually) and it could be argued that John would have understood the city in question to be Rome. However it was not until about 500 – 600A.D. that the Roman Catholic church became dominant; but from that time on, she fits our ‘photo fit’ so well that you would have no hesitation in picking out the Roman Catholic church as this woman in an identity parade.

In addition to this, one of Pope Benedict XVI stated aims when he became Pope in 2005 was to bring about a greater understanding and unity among all religions, Pope Francis is continuing that work. In January 2016 Pope Francis put a video on the official Vatican web site stating ‘Christians and Muslims are brothers and that people of all faiths worship the same God’. In response to this a Wheaton College professor, Larycia Hawkins announced on her Facebook page Dec. 11 2016 “I stand in religious solidarity with Muslims because they, like me, a Christian, are people of the book. And as Pope Francis stated last week, we worship the same God,”

Leading Christian author Dave Hunt in his now classic book on this subject ‘A Woman Rides the Beast’ makes the case with compelling information drawn from the history of the Roman Catholic church that she is indeed a great whore and mother of harlots. There is even a painting in the Vatican of a woman riding a beast that has seven heads and ten horns, with the caption underneath ‘The Mother Church’. Thus it would seem that even the Catholic church herself identifies herself with the harlot!

When we look at our list of attributes – our photo fit from earlier, the evidence would appear to be overwhelming.

She is a woman

As was mentioned a moment a moment ago, the Catholic church proudly sees herself as a woman and has a desire to gather all her children back under her wing. Also, Catholics openly worship ‘The Lady of All Nations’, whom they mistakenly believe to be Mary.

She is clothed in purple and scarlet

The two colours most commonly associated with the Roman Catholic church and her priesthood are without doubt purple and scarlet.

She is rich – being decked with gold, precious stones and pearls

Dave Hunt writes: “Rome’s wealth has been acquired through the sale of salvation. Untold billions have been paid to her by those who thought they were purchasing heaven on the instalment plan for themselves or loved ones. The practice continues to this day.”

(‘A Woman Rides the Beast’ Page 75)

Dave continues: “The Roman Catholic Church is by far the wealthiest institution on earth…….The value of innumerable sculptures by such masters as Michelangelo, paintings by the world’s greatest artists, and countless other art treasurers which Rome possesses (not only at the Vatican but in cathedrals around the world) is beyond calculation” (‘A Woman Rides the Beast’ Page 76)

At Lourdes in France it was recently reported that, in that one location alone, 59 solid gold chalices, rings, crucifixes, statues, heavy gold brooches – many incrusted with precious stones, the crown of Notre Dame de Lourdes that was made by a Paris goldsmith in 1876 and is studded with diamonds, were found. These items are of inestimable value.

All of this is in stark contrast to Jesus who told His disciples “The foxes have holes, and the birds of the air [have] nests; but the Son of man hath not where to lay [his] head.” (Matt 8:20). Just before this, Jesus had taught His disciples that they were not to lay up treasures and riches on earth, but rather to lay up treasure in heaven where it will have eternal value (see Matt 6:19-20).

The Roman Catholic church truly is “decked with gold and precious stones and pearls.”

She has a cup in her hand full of things that are an offence to God

Having just noted The Roman Catholic church’s wealth, it may well be asked, how did an organisation that claims to be the church of Jesus Christ (in fact they claim to be the only true church, outside of which there is no salvation) end up with such a foothold in this world and so much riches? There are many answers to that question, each as incredible as the next. But one of the despicable ways that she obtained her great wealth was through the inquisition of the middle ages. During this time people were falsely accused, tortured and eventually killed, their property and positions being confiscated by the Roman Catholic church – and all in the name of Christ.

According to one historian: “The punishment of the Inquisition did not cease when the victim was burned to ashes, or immured for life in the Inquisition dungeons. His relatives were reduced to beggary by the law that all his possessions were forfeited.” (‘A Woman Rides the Beast’  P75)

Thus, as we noted in our study of the church of Thyatira in Revelation 2:18-29, in just the same way that Queen Jezebel had an innocent man murdered in order to take his property (as recorded in 1 Kings 21:1-16), so the Roman Catholic church took the property and possessions of those she put to death, thus making her rich.

Another way that the Roman Catholic church has become rich beyond measure is through the sale of indulgences. It is taught by ‘the church’ that unless you are a Catholic you cannot be saved; but even if you are a Catholic your salvation is not secure because you still need to be purified by your works. One way of achieving this is said to be through purchasing an indulgence from the church that, once you have purchased enough, will open the gate of heaven.

Indulgences can not only be purchased for oneself, but also for a dead relative or friend now supposed to be suffering in Purgatory. This is believed to be a place of suffering / purging that according to ‘the church’ exists between heaven and hell and is where you go when you die. Thus by purchasing indulgences you are told that you can effect an entry into heaven for the souls of loved ones by paying to cover their sins and thereby ending their suffering in Purgatory, allowing them to enter heaven.

In ‘A Woman Rides the Beast’, Dave Hunt says the following:

“The very concept of indulgences comes from paganism: the idea that the infliction of pain, the recitation of formulas, or the pilgrimages to shrines and sacrifices to the gods are meritorious and influence the god’s in one’s favour, The idea that saying so many Hail Marys or kissing a crucifix and repeating a formula could reduce purgatorial suffering which Christ’s sacrifice on the cross could not reduce, is bad enough, but the teaching that an indulgence may be applied to the dead carries the blasphemous absurdity a quantum leap further. The idea that ‘time off for good behaviour” could be credited to someone in purgatory who has not done the necessary “work prescribed” betrays again the fraud of Romanism. Anything is possible for a financial offering.”

Dave continues: “Theoretically it should take only one Mass to release every soul from purgatory; Mary’ whose power is infinite [according to Roman Catholics], could do it in a moment; and the popes; whose power is also unlimited, could empty purgatory with the stroke of a pen by simply devising an indulgence to do so. Why not, then? Do they have no love for souls? The answer is obvious…To empty purgatory would stop the flow of offerings for more Masses and endless graces and favours.” (‘A Woman Rides the Beast’)

Thus indulgences, the mythical place called purgatory and Masses said for the dead are just another way to extract money from the Biblically unaware and exert control over such people in the process.

It was the sale of indulgences more than anything else that roused Martin Luther to the extent that he nailed his 95 theses to the door of the Wittenberg castle chapel in Germany, which then became the spark that started the Reformation. How very sad that on October 31 1999, in Augsburg, Germany, representatives of the Lutheran World Federation and Roman Catholic Church signed a Joint Declaration of Justification reuniting the two churches and overturning the reformation. The basis of the new declaration was that Luther and the Catholic Church had apparently been in agreement all along about the issue of justification, it had all been a misunderstanding over words!

I wonder how the thousands who died during the Reformation (for standing on the clear teaching of the Bible that salvation is through Christ and by His grace alone) would have felt to know that the reason they were being burned alive and tortured to death was all the result of a simple misunderstanding?

The Lutherans are not however the only ones to be rewriting history for the sake of ‘unity’ as Dave Hunt documents in his book.

Another abomination is in the title ‘Vicar of Christ’ which is given to the Pope. The title literally means ‘one who stands in the place of Christ’ – and yet scripture teaches that there is only one mediator between God and man, and that is Jesus.

The doctrine of ‘papal infallibility’ which teaches that the Pope is without error when pronouncing on matters of faith, is another belief held by the Catholic church that is flatly contradicted by the Bible. The Bible alone is the authority and there is no man who is infallible except Christ himself. The obvious flaw in this belief can be seen by the fact that throughout the history of the Roman Catholic Church various Popes have made decrees that have then been overturned by subsequent Popes – so which one was infallible?!

And then there is the doctrine of Transubstantiation, which teaches that a wafer used in communion becomes the actual body of Christ; confession to a Priest; forbidding the priesthood to marry etc. etc. All of these things contradict the plain teaching of scripture and are an obvious abomination to God.

There is something mysterious about her, something hidden

The Bible says that this woman is known as ‘Mystery…..’ Again, the Roman Catholic has been shrouded in mysterious inner groups for the specially initiated. The understanding and interpreting of the Bible is also something that is solely in the domain of the trained clergy and even the reading of the Bible is discouraged for the lay person. The term ‘Mystery’ may also refer to this woman being ‘spiritual’. In this regard, numerous visions, manifestations and apparitions have long been part of the Roman Catholic church. Visions and apparitions of ‘Mary’ keep popping up all over the world, declaring that ‘she’ will bring peace to the world. The apostle Paul told the Galatian Christians that even if an angel from heaven were to come and preach another gospel “let him be accursed” (Gal 1:8). Another disturbing thing that is that Pope Benedict xvi has openly said he was in contact with Pope John Paul II (who died on the 8^th April 2005). In an interview, Pope Benedict said that he regularly heard from his predecessor which was a great comfort to him! (http://www.oecumene.radiovaticana.org/en1/benedict_XVI_itv2.asp).

Certainly, the Roman Catholic Church has a deeply [dark] spiritual side.

She is identified with Babylon

From the time of the first century Rome was identified with Babylon and even the Catholic Church uses the verse in 1 Peter 5:13 ‘The church that is at Babylon…” to justify their belief that Peter went to Rome, and called it Babylon!

Countless Christians throughout the ages have believed that the Catholic Church was the harlot of Revelation 17 and even that the Pope was the antichrist (which he will not be).

She is a mother – of harlots and of abominations

The Catholic church has been the mother of all number of denominations that have come out of her, and yet retained many of her distinctives that have led many away from the truth of the gospel. We are told that the woman in Revelation 17 is the mother of harlots, for this I would strongly encourage you to get a copy of Dave Hunt’s book and see the abundant immorality within the Catholic church that has produced whores and illegitimate children without number. This is still happening today and is not just confined to history.

Her influence is worldwide – over all peoples & kings

We are told that the great whore will have worldwide influence – a fact certainly true of the Catholic church as was clearly seen at the funeral of Pope John Paul. The funeral was held at St. Peter’s Square in front of a sea of 300,000 mourners. About two million people came to Rome to see Pope John Paul II during the week before the funeral.

President George W. Bush was the first US President to attend a funeral for a Pope. Two former Presidents also went – President Clinton and President Bush (Snr). The Archbishop of Canterbury was present at the papal funeral for the first time since the Church of England broke with the papacy in the 16th century.

The mass at St. Peter’s Basilica was the first Mass of Requiem for a pope to be televised live in almost every nation in the world to an estimated viewership of over two billion people; the Roman Catholic church claims only 1.1 billion among its members. The funeral of John Paul II was by far the largest funeral in the history of the world and was perhaps the most-watched live event in the history of television.

Even before the College of Cardinals could offer official customary invitations to the various heads of state and government, over 200 foreign officials had expressed their desire to attend the Mass of Requiem. Among the most familiar faces worldwide were the current and former Presidents of the United States, the Prime Minister of the United Kingdom, the Chancellor of Germany, the Prince of Wales and United Nations Secretary-General. Also attending was Mohammad Khatami of Iran, not normally tolerant of Christianity in his own country. Khatami sat only two seats away from a traditional enemy of Iran, Israeli President Moshe Katsav. Zimbabwean President Robert Mugabe defied a European Union travel ban to attend the funeral!  Republic of China President Chen Shui-bian made an unprecedented appearance over strong objections from the People’s Republic of China, which had in the past prevented ROC presidents from attending international gatherings. Altogether, the Mass of Requiem was deemed to be the largest gathering of statesmen in world history.

All of this goes to show the unique Influence the Roman Catholic church has over the peoples and nations of the world.

She is responsible for shedding the blood of saints (Jews)

Hitler was a Roman Catholic and not once was he discouraged from his attempt to exterminate the Jews; in fact he even pointed out the fact that he was merely continuing what the Roman Catholic church had started. Roman Catholics have been taught that they replaced the Jews as God’s chosen people and that the Jews were responsible for the death of Jesus. More than 100 anti-Semitic documents were published by the Roman Catholic church between the sixth and twentieth centuries and anti-Semitism became official church doctrine.

Dave Hunt writes: “The rationale was that “Christ crucifiers” had no rights in God’s holy kingdom, the land of Israel no longer belonged to the Jews but to Christians, and the church had to wrest the land from the possession of both Arabs and Jews. To raise an army for the First Crusade, Pope Urban II promised instant entrance into heaven without purgatory for all who fell in that great cause. The knights and knaves who responded with enthusiasm to that deceitful promise left a trail of mayhem, plunder, and murder on their way to Jerusalem, where they massacred all Arabs and Jews. One of the first acts after their triumphal entry into Jerusalem was to herd the Jews into the synagogue and set it ablaze. On their way to the Holy Land, the Crusaders gave the Jews the choice of baptism or death.”  (‘A Woman Rides the Beast’– p269)

She is also responsible for shedding the blood of the martyrs of Jesus

It is impossible to number those believers in Jesus Christ and His word that have been put to death at the hand of the Roman Catholic Church. Historian Will Durant writes: “Compared with the persecution of heresy in Europe from 1227 to 1492, the persecution of Christians by Romans in the first three centuries after Christ was a mild and humane procedure.”

Dave Hunt writes: “Every citizen in the empire was required to be a Roman Catholic. Failure to give wholehearted allegiance to the pope was considered treason against the state punishable by death. Here was the basis for slaughtering millions… Thus Roman Catholicism became the most persecuting faith the world has ever seen………commanding the throne to impose the Christian [Catholic] religion on all its subjects. Innocent III murdered far more Christians in one afternoon…. than any Roman emperor did in his entire reign”

“Pope Urban II (1088-99), inspirer of the first Crusade, decreed that all heretics [non-Catholics] were to be tortured and killed” (‘A Woman Rides the Beast’ p243-246)

Catholic historian De Rosa points out that Pope John Paul II “knew the church was responsible for persecuting Jews, for the Inquisition, for slaughtering heretics by the thousand, for reintroducing torture into Europe as part of the judicial process. But he had to be careful. The doctrines responsible for those terrible things still underpinned his position.” (‘A Woman Rides the Beast’ p248)

The following may turn your stomach, but communicates the reality behind the Roman Catholic churches Inquisition:

“Try to imagine being suddenly arrested in the middle of the night and taken to and unknown location kept secret from family and friends. You are not told the charges against you or the identity of your accusers, who remain unknown and thus immune from any examination to discover whether they are telling the truth. Whatever the accusation, it is accepted as fact and you are guilty without trial. The only “trial” will be by the most ingeniously painful torture that continues until you confess to that unnamed crime or heresy of which you have been accused. Imagine the torment of dislocated joints, torn and seared flesh, internal injuries, broken bones on the rack and other devices, mended by doctors so they could be torn asunder again by fresh torture. Eventually you would confess to anything to end the torment, but no matter what you confess it never fits the secret accusation, so the torture continues until at last you expire from the unbearable trauma.

Such was the fate of millions. These were real people: mothers, fathers, brothers, sisters, sons, and daughters – all with hopes and dreams, with passions and feelings, and many with a faith that could not be broken by torture or fire. Remember that this terror, this evil of such proportions that it is unimaginable today, was carried on for centuries in the name of Christ by the command of those who claimed to be the vicars of Christ. They are still honoured with that title by this Church, which has never admitted that the Inquisitions were wrong. She has not repented or apologized, and she dares to pose even today as the supreme teacher and example of morals and truth. Remember also that the doctrines which supported the Inquisitions remain in force within the Roman Catholic Church even at the present time.”  (‘A Woman Rides the Beast’ – p250)

Dave Hunt, writing in 1994 pointed out the following:

“The Office of the Inquisition still occupies the Palace of the Inquisition adjacent to the Vatican, though under its new name, the Congregation for the Doctrine of Faith. Its current Grand Inquisitor, who reports directly to the pope, is the former Archbishop of Munich, Joseph Cardinal Razinger”

If that name seems familiar to you, it should. Joseph Cardinal Razinger became Pope Benedict XVI in April 2005.

“And I saw the woman drunken with the blood of the saints, and with the blood of the martyrs of Jesus” (Rev 17:6)

The ‘prosecution’ rests its case!

Thus the case has been put that the Roman Catholic Church is the harlot of Revelation 17 and the city where she resides is Rome. There is so much to support this view and yet it also leaves some loose ends and questions unanswered. Two principle objections are as follows:

We are clearly told in Rev 17:9-10 that this woman sits on the seven mountains, which are identified as seven kings. Some have tried to link these mountains to the seven hills on which Rome was built. This cannot be the case for we are told that five have fallen, one is and the seventh is yet to come and when he does he will continue a short time. Verse 11 then explains that Antichrist is the eighth and of the seven. Unless we are to believe that five of Rome’s hills had fallen, only one was standing in John’s day, and another is yet to arise, followed by an eighth hill that is actually part of the original seven hills, this is NOT and cannot be referring to the seven hills of Rome. As we have already seen, the seven mountains (not hills) are world empires going all the way back to Egypt. The fact that this harlot is sitting on all of them shows that she has existed from very early in man’s history and has had influence in succeeding world empires. This cannot therefore be the Roman Catholic church.

A second objection is that nowhere in Bible prophecy is the destruction of the city of Rome foretold, nor is Rome mentioned even once in chapters 17 & 18. The only reasons to believe that the city is Rome is to support the idea that the woman is the Roman Catholic church, and of course that Rome was in power in John’s day. However as we have already noted, Rome was in political control but did not reign spiritually over the kings of the earth at that time. It could indeed be argued that she (the Roman Catholic church) has done so since about 600AD, but the city that birthed the religion and practices adopted by the Roman Catholic church was not Rome, but Babylon.

In one of the all-time classic books that should find a place in any Christian’s library, ‘The Two Babylons’ by Rev Alexander Hislop, written over a century ago, Rev Hislop shows how almost all of the practices that are found in Roman Catholicism were not original to her, but rather had their foundation in the religion of ancient Babylon. Not only this, but also that all religions, beliefs and practices on earth can be likewise traced back to Babylon as their source.

In Rev 17:5 we read that this woman has a title on her head which reads: ‘MYSTERY BABYLON THE GREAT…’ This woman is so often referred to as: ‘Mystery-Babylon’ linking the Babylon part to the Mystery part. It is from this erroneous link that we have the suggestion that it is not referring to literal Babylon on the banks of the Euphrates, but rather to a ‘spiritual Babylon’ that may exist somewhere else.

However what we should read is: MYSTERY – this is our introduction and underlines that we are dealing with a secret, something that was once hidden or concealed, but that can now be revealed as the angel is so doing. It implies that there is more than meets the eye, more than just a casual observance would reveal. Then we read:  BABYLON THE GREAT – This is the same title as given to the city in Rev 18:2.

Babylon is mentioned 286 times in scripture (+ a few times where it is recorded under a pseudonym or encoded). But the important thing to note is that in every reference to Babylon, that which is in view is always literal Babylon located on the banks of the Euphrates river in modern day Iraq.

Our former pastor, Ron Matsen, drew out another provocative insight from the roots of the Greek words:

“Mystery”      -To be interpreted mystically or spiritually

“Babylon”     – From the Hebrew root word Babel (Confusion)

“The Great”   – Greek “megas” meaning “huge” One might say her title is: “Huge spiritual confusion”

As we now discover the real identity of this woman, the connection with literal Babylon and the title ‘Huge Spiritual Confusion’ will become clear, as will the reason for the almost perfect fit of the Roman Catholic Church to the passage in Revelation 17. However in order to do this, we need a quick history lesson to give us the background………….

“In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth…..” that much we know; but what is often overlooked is that God finished his work of Creation and saw that it was ‘very good’ (Gen 1:31). We also know from the book of Job that when God laid the foundations of the earth all the sons of God shouted for joy. Now, if all means all (as we could reasonably assume), then it must mean that all the angels (who are the sons of God in this context) shouted for joy. It must also follow that Satan, who is an angel, had not rebelled at this point in time, for if he had, then God’s finished work could not be declared to be ‘very good’ if indeed the embodiment of evil was roaming loose in the earth, nor could it be said that all the sons of God shouted for joy if in fact Satan and his third did not. The fact that Satan did not fall until sometime after the seven days of creation is put beyond all doubt by Ezekiel 28:13-15 which clearly states that “You were in Eden, the garden of God; every precious stone was your covering……..You were  perfect in your ways from the day you were created, till iniquity was found in you.”

So if Satan was created perfect and was in Eden, and he sung with the other angels when the foundations of the earth was laid, what made him rebel? Why the change of heart?  Pride. (1 Tim 3:6)

On day six God created man ‘in His own image’, and gave him authority over all creation. This did not go down too well with Satan (Lucifer at that time) who was the ‘anointed cherub’ – the ‘top dog’. Isaiah records that Satan said in his heart “I will ascend into heaven, I will exalt my throne above the stars of God……I will be like the Most High” (Isaiah 14:13-14)

How could Satan become ‘like’ the Most High? Only man had been made ‘like’ (in the image) of the Most High and given dominion over all creation (Gen 1:28). No amount of wishful thinking on Satan’s part would change the situation. However, if Satan could cause man to forfeit his position, he could steal man’s office and he would thus be able to exalt his throne above the stars (angels) of God, and in so doing, gain the title of the earth.

So we find in Genesis 3 that Satan, who had been in the Garden with Adam & Eve (and was almost certainly know to them), takes Eve aside – and why else would she listen to him or trust him unless he was ‘perfect in beauty’, the ‘anointed cherub’? – after all it is stretching the imagination just a little too far to believe that Eve would have listened to a strange snake and thought ‘oh that sound’s like a good idea’! – and we are clearly told in 1 Tim 2:14 that Eve was deceived and in Genesis 3:1 that ‘the Serpent (Hebrew: ‘Nachash’ – ‘The Shining One’) was more cunning…’. Deception works by gaining your confidence and then twisting the truth. Thus the end result was that mankind fell and Satan usurped mankind’s position gaining the title to the earth. Thus mankind was made ‘for a little while lower than the angels’ (Psalm 8:5 / Heb 2:7-9), loosing his estate and standing before God – a condition that would have persisted but for the blood of the Lamb that redeemed fallen humanity.

NB: The book of Revelation sees the reversal of this situation as in chapter 5, a Man – Jesus Christ, takes the ‘title deed’ (7-sealed scroll) of the earth. Because He was both a kinsman of Adam and an ‘Avenger of blood’, He is found worthy to take the scroll and open the seals. From chapter 5 onwards we see Jesus building up to the ultimate showdown when He will dispossess Satan of the title to the earth, and will return to rule, as the Second Adam, reclaiming what the first Adam lost, and having dominion over all creation!

Satan’s desire has been to be worshipped as God, having control of this earth. However, after Satan was successful in cheating man out of his inheritance, God intervened in Genesis 3:15 and promised that a Seed of the woman would come who would bruise the Serpent’s head.

As you can imagine, Satan was not too pleased about this prospect and set about trying to destroy the Seed of the woman before it became a threat to him. As we know from the Bible, Satan’s first attempt was in having Abel killed at the hand of Cain. However, along came Seth and the world’s population began to grow.

By now it was starting to become hard to keep track of mankind who was multiplying on the earth; which one was to be the promised Seed? Satan had to do something; and do something he did.

Genesis 6:1-2 records that “it came to pass, when men began to multiply on the face of the earth, and daughters were born unto them, That the sons of God [angels] saw the daughters of men that they were fair; and they took them wives of all which they chose.”

Genesis 6:4 continues:

“There were giants in the earth in those days; and also after that, when the sons of God came in unto the daughters of men, and they bare [children] to them, the same became mighty men which were of old, men of renown.”

Thus Satan sent angels to ‘co-habit’ with the woman of the earth producing a race of giants. By ‘contaminating’ the seed, the possibility of a genetically pure descendant of Adam being born would be eliminated.

Satan almost succeeded, had it not been for a man named Noah who we are told was “a just man and perfect in his generations, and Noah walked with God.” (Gen 6:9) Some modern version of the Bible completely mess this verse up! This verse simply means that Noah and his family were ‘uncontaminated’ by the fallen angels, they were genetically pure all the way back to Adam and Eve.

Thus God saved Noah and his family and destroyed the rest of the earth by the worldwide flood because “God looked upon the earth, and, behold, it was corrupt; for all flesh had corrupted his way upon the earth.” (Gen 6:12)

(Some have wondered why a loving God would destroy the whole world with a flood; these biblically unaware people have not understood that if God had not done so, there would have been no possibility of a Saviour coming and it would have been the end of the human race. It was in his infinite love, mercy and wisdom that God sent the flood, to make a way for people like you and me to be saved from an eternity separated from Him).

[The question is not: Why did God do it like that? But: Why did God bother to do it at all? He could have just given up on mankind – all praise and worship and glory to Him that He didn’t and that He has given all of us a second chance!]

Anyway….Satan’s attempt to stop the Seed of the woman had failed again.

After the flood, for whatever reasons*, Satan’s tactics changed and rather than attempting complete annihilation of the human race, he launched a two-pronged attack on mankind: one on the seed of Shem (one of Noah’s sons) through whom the promised Saviour would come, and the other by establishing a one world government and false religious system which he could manipulate and control.

*Purely as a conjecture, it may have been that, having realised he may fail in his attempt to stop the promised Seed, Satan decided to seduce a large proportion of mankind in order to become the object of their worship and then if the promised Seed did come, he would have an army ready to fight against the Seed of the woman. As it happens, this is exactly what will happen through the work of the harlot (one world church system) that will be the stepping stone into Satan worship and then ultimately onto Armageddon when the nations of this world will ‘give their power and strength unto the beast’ (Rev 17:13) and march together against the Seed of the woman – Jesus Christ. 

The attempts to destroy Shem’s descendants was with the obvious intent of stopping the Seed of the woman being born. We have seen this through anti-Semitism (Shem-itism), and all through the Old Testament with Pharaoh in Egypt killing the baby boys, the giant tribes in the land of Canaan trying to destroy Israel (Goliath is just one of many!), the murder of the babies in Bethlehem by Herod and the list goes on. In fact much of the Old Testament is taken up with the miraculous way that God protected Israel so that the Seed, our Saviour, could be born.

Satan’s other plan was to set up a one world government and false religious system that would worship him.

It is fairly obvious that if Satan had just gone up to Noah or his sons, who would remember all too well the horror of the pre-flood world, and said ‘worship me, I’m god’ he wouldn’t have got very far. So he waited a generation and then began his ‘master plan’ with Cush, (Noah’s grandson).

It is interesting that we are told in the book of Judges that the Children of Israel “served the LORD all the days of Joshua, and all the days of the elders that outlived Joshua, who had seen all the great works of the LORD, that he did for Israel. And Joshua the son of Nun, the servant of the LORD, died, [being] an hundred and ten years old……….. And also all that generation were gathered unto their fathers: and there arose another generation after them, which knew not the LORD, nor yet the works which he had done for Israel. And the children of Israel did evil in the sight of the LORD, and served Baalim: And they forsook the LORD God of their fathers, which brought them out of the land of Egypt, and followed other gods, of the gods of the people that [were] round about them, and bowed themselves unto them, and provoked the LORD to anger. And they forsook the LORD, and served Baal and Ashtaroth.”  (Judges 2:7-13)

In just one generation people went from serving God to idols, and we find the same thing happening with Cush. Cush was born after the Flood and although not specifically stated in the Bible, historical records show him to be the one responsible for starting the rebellion against God that led to the Tower of Babel. In ancient Egypt Cush was known as Hermes (which literally means ‘Son of Ham’). Hermes was also known as the ‘confounder’ or ‘divider’ of the people, which itself is born out in the Bible when God came down and destroyed the Tower and confused the languages; thus ending before it had even started Satan’s attempt to take control of the earth and receive the worship of mankind.

Nimrod (Cush’s son), following in his father’s footsteps started building cities “And the beginning of his kingdom was Babel, and Erech, and Accad, and Calneh, in the land of Shinar.” (Gen 10:10-12) History tells us that Nimrod took people’s land by force and thus became the first world dictator.

In many respects Nimrod, who we are told in Genesis 10:9 ‘was a mighty hunter [in defiance of] the Lord’ was in may respects a prototype of Antichrist, and had he succeeded, would have no doubt completed what his father had started. However, as is well documented in Rev Alexander Hislop’s book ‘The Two Babylons’, Nimrod was killed – legend has it by Shem who wanted to put an end to this wickedness.

Nimrod had, prior to his death, established sun worship as the ‘religion’ of his ‘empire’. During the winter months when the days are shortened a celebration was held on the 23 of December (the shortest day of the year) when it was said that the sun died. That evening a log was put on the fire and left to burn out. In the morning, as the sun ‘came back to life’ the log was replaced with a trimmed tree as a sign of new life. This festival, known as Saturnalia, has been worshiped by pagans for thousands of years, eventually being added to the ‘Christian’ calendar and renamed ‘Christmas’.

Once Nimrod had died it left a real problem for his then pregnant wife Semiramis. Alexander Hislop explains: “If there was one who was more deeply concerned in the tragic death of Nimrod than another, it was his wife Semiramis, who from an originally humble position, had been raised to share with him the throne of Babylon. What, in this emergency shall she do? Shall she quietly forego the pomp and pride to which she has been raised? No. Through the death of her husband has given a rude shock to her power, yet her resolution and unbounded ambition were in flight. In life her husband had been honoured as a hero; in death she will have him worshipped as a god, yea as the woman’s promised seed ‘Zoro-ashta’.” (p58)

Rather than give up her throne, Semiramis told the story that her husband Nimrod, though dead, had been brought back to life as her baby son! And so began the worship of Mother and Child. Both Nimrod (supposedly now reincarnated as his own son) and Semiramis were worshipped as gods; she being known as the ‘Queen of Heaven’ with the extremely clever twist of claiming that her son (who she named Tammuz) was the promised Seed of Gen 3. Practically all false religion and mythology has come from this origin.

Thousands of years before the birth of the real Seed – Jesus Christ – false religions worshipping the Mother and Child were spreading out all around the world. In Egypt the Mother and Child were worshipped under the names of Isis and Osiris. In India, even to this day as Isi and Iswara; in Asia as Cybele and Deoius; in pagan Rome as Fortuna and Jupiter; in Greece as Irene and Plutus; and so it goes on. Alexander Hislop comments:

“Even in Thibet, in China and Japan, the Jesuit missionaries were astonished to find the counterpart of [the Roman Catholic] Madonna and her child as devoutly worshipped as in Papel Rome itself; Shing Moo, the Holy Mother in China, being represented with a child in her arms, and a glory around her, exactly as if a Roman Catholic artist had been employed to set her up”.

Also, at this time in ancient Babylon, the Hebrew Mazzaroth, that told God’s plan of redemption in the stars, became corrupted into the Zodiac that is the same in all the cultures around the world thus demonstrating its single point of origin.

We could write pages of how Christmas, Easter, Lent, Lady Day, the Rosary, the sign of the cross  (from the ‘T’ in Tammuz), worship of relics, the doctrine of purgatory, an elite priesthood, the sacrifice of the mass and so many other things all had their origin in Babylon.

Sadly, even the Jews, God’s chosen people, got caught up in this Babylonian worship.

In Ezekiel 8:14-15 we read of the Jewish women weeping for Tammuz (i.e. Nimrod) who had been killed: “Then he brought me to the door of the gate of the LORD’s house which was toward the north; and, behold, there sat women weeping for Tammuz. Then said he unto me, Hast thou seen this, O son of man? turn thee yet again, and thou shalt see greater abominations than these.”

Eventually Babylon as a city became less important but the religion of Babylon continued to ‘reign over the kings of the earth’ with the spiritual centre shifting to Pergamos (Rev 2:13) and eventually to Rome. In the fourth century after Christ, the Roman Emperor Constantine embraced Christianity in an attempt to unite his empire. In so doing, many of the ancient Babylonian practices (then being practiced by the pagan Romans) were introduced into the church and gradually Christian celebrations were put on pagan feast days; this way everyone could be happy!? And so eventually the Roman Catholic Church was born which was, and is to this day, a subtle mix of Christianity and Babylonian Paganism.

The very fact the there is ‘some truth’ in it exposes the fact that it is a mixture. As Jacob Prasch says, if I had two good eggs and one rotten egg and I made an omelette, would you eat it? So it is when you mix truth and error.

For almost 1500 years devout Catholics have worship Mary, believing that they are worshiping the mother of Jesus (whom they call the Mother of God – another Babylonian concept). However in recent times numerous apparitions have been seen around the world and this woman is now claiming (and the Roman Catholic Church is fully supporting) the titles ‘The Lady of All Nations’ and ‘Queen of Heaven’ teaching that peace on earth can only come when all people unite under her. The Roman Catholic Church is already working with Buddhists, Muslims, Hindus and almost every other religion in the world to bring about a ‘greater understanding and unity’ between faiths.

Pope John Paul told leading Hindu Sri-Chinmoy: “The Hindu life and the Christian life shall go together. Your message and my message are the same” (A Woman Rides the Beast p417)

During his 1990 tour of Africa the pope “sought common ground with believers in voodoo” (A Woman Rides the Beast p417)

In 1985 speaking to Muslims in Brussels, Belgium, the pope said: “Christians and Moslems, we meet one another in faith in the one God…..[and] strive to put into practice….the teaching of our respective holy books.” (A Woman Rides the Beast p418)

Speaking to Shintoists and Buddhists in Tokyo in 1981, John Paul II commended the wisdom of their ancient religions which inspired them “to see a divine presence in each human being….[As Christ’s Vicar] I express my joy that God has distributed these [religious] gifts among you” – an unthinkable statement in view of the errors of Shintoism and Buddhism. (A Woman Rides the Beast p418)

As has already been mentioned, Pope Francis is continuing with the Roman church’s ecumenical agenda, and is gaining widespread support from prominent evangelical leaders like Rick Warren (Purpose Driven author) and Nicky Gumball (Alpha Course pioneer).

The Identity of the Harlot – Exposed!

Is the Roman Catholic Church the great whore of Revelation 17? I believe the answer is no.

The great whore of Revelation 17 is a spiritual entity that had its origin in ancient Babylon as part of a deliberate satanic deception. Beginning with Semiramis, the wife of Nimrod, she has permeated almost all cultures going under various names and titles, most notably ‘the Queen of Heaven’ (See Jeremiah 44:15-27). Her mission from the beginning was to sow ‘huge spiritual confusion’ and lead people away from the One true God of Noah, Shem and Abraham.

However, just as the woman in Revelation 12 was clothed with Israel in order to complete her task (that being the birth of the promised Seed), so this Queen of Heaven is clothed with purple and scarlet and decked with gold, precious stones and pearls – the colours of the Vatican, the colours of the Roman Catholic Church. For almost 1500 years this satanic spiritual entity has used Roman Catholicism to her own ends, and will continue to do so until all religions come under her banner. When she has done this, the job started by Semiramis in Babylon almost 4500 years ago will be complete

This part of Satan’s ‘master plan’ will then be accomplished and all that will remain is the removal of this false religious system and the unveiling of Antichrist who will then cause all men to worship the dragon – Satan. (Rev 13:4).

To be continued…

The post The Woman & The Beast first appeared on Calvary Chapel Portsmouth.

The ‘great day of His wrath’ will be unlike anything the world has ever known. The time for mercy and long-suffering has come to an end. No one will anymore have to ask “why doesn’t God do something”, for now God will act, in his righteous judgment, and we will see seven bowls of wrath poured upon this Christ-rejecting world that has shed the blood of countless numbers of God’s own.

The following verse-by-verse commentary is drawn from our Sunday morning studies where we have been studying verse by verse through the book of Revelation.

May these notes encourage you and help to deepen your love for the World of God.

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The Great Tribulation

Introduction

Following on from the parenthetical chapters (11-14) we now rejoin the time-line where we left off, at the mid-point of the Tribulation. Antichrist’s world Government is now established, Israel has fled to the wilderness of Edom (modern day Jordan) to escape the world-wide persecution – and seemingly the world government will have no jurisdiction there. The remaining believers (those who have converted since chapter 6) have come under extreme persecution, and the false religious system that has dominated and manipulated the world for so long has been destroyed by Antichrist’s 10 ‘kings’.

This is Satan’s moment of glory, when the world has all but eradicated the God of the Bible. But the situation is very reminiscent of Adonijah’s claiming the title to the throne of Israel in 1 Kings. Although Solomon had been promised by his father (David) to become the king, we read “Then Adonijah the son of Haggith exalted himself, saying, I will be king: and he prepared him chariots and horsemen, and fifty men to run before him” (1 Kings 1:5). Adonijah’s ego trip was brought to a sudden end and Solomon was crowned king. With that in mind, remember where we left off in chapter 10? A mighty angel, with one foot on the land and one in the sea, declared that time was up! (Rev 10:6), and in chapter 11 we had the great declaration that “The kingdoms of this world are become the kingdoms of our Lord, and of his Christ; and he shall reign for ever and ever” (Rev 11:!5). As with Adonijah, Satan will have his tenure rudely interrupted when the Rightful King returns to establish the Throne of David.

In preparation for that, the earth will now be purged and made ready for the Coming King!

CHAPTER 15

This is now one of the most anticipated moments in scripture. This is the beginning of the Day of the LORD. This is the Great Tribulation. This is the moment when God’s wrath will be poured out on this world without restraint, and the wickedness of man will be punished in God’s righteous anger. The blood of the millions of His children who have been killed throughout the ages will be avenged.

Rev 15:1

And I saw another sign in heaven, great and marvellous, seven angels having the seven last plagues; for in them is filled up the wrath of God.

John has seen a number of signs to this point, so to state that this one is ‘great and marvelous’ should grab our attention! The Greek words here are megas thaumastos, which literally translated could be rendered ‘exceedingly great and to be wondered at’. Even though we are all too well acquainted with the wickedness of man, the ferocity of the judgments that are about to be poured out will cause us to stop to catch our breath. Just as God’s mercy is unfathomable to us, so is His wrath. You may well start to think that this is too extreme, but remember that God is good (Psalm 119:68). The judgment meted out is in direct proportion to the crime. Remember that we also have the tendency to play down sin, i.e. make it out to be not so bad. But God is Holy. Read the book of Leviticus and see how much blood is shed, then you might start to see just how abhorrent sin is to a Holy God. Remember too, that God has gone to extraordinary lengths so that no one would have to endure what is about to follow.

We have had four groups of 7. The seven seals (Rev 6-8), the seven trumpets (Rev 8-10), the seven thunders (which John was not allowed to record – Rev 10:4), and now the seven bowels of wrath as they are often known, in the King James called the vials. When these are poured out it will be done. This is the purging of earth prophesied by Isaiah:

“Behold, the day of the LORD cometh, cruel both with wrath and fierce anger, to lay the land desolate: and he shall destroy the sinners thereof out of it”. (Isa 13:9)

Rev 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 Church was Raptured before the Tribulation began, prior to the start of the seven years. A great multitude was then saved and taken out of the Tribulation (as recorded in ch 7:13-14). The two witnesses were then removed when their work was complete, and in the last chapter we saw the removal of the 144,000. All this has been in preparation for the coming hour of wrath. All that remained was for these tribulation martyrs to be killed by the edict of Antichrist for refusing to receive the mark of the beast or his name. Thus, just as with Lot and the destruction of Sodom & Gomorrah, all the righteous are now removed and time for the pouring out of these vials has come.

In Romans 11:25 Paul declared: “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”.  Many have speculated at when that moment would be. When exactly would all the Gentiles be gathered in? I believe it is here. It will also be at this time that Israel, now in hiding, will cry out for their Deliver (Hosea 5:15), and so their blindness will be removed.

Rev 15:3-4

3 And they sing the song of Moses the servant of God, and the song of the Lamb, saying, Great and marvellous are thy works, Lord God Almighty; just and true are thy ways, thou King of saints.

4 Who shall not fear thee, O Lord, and glorify thy name? for thou only art holy: for all nations shall come and worship before thee; for thy judgments are made manifest.

How wonderful for these believers who did not know Jesus during the Church age, possibly never went to a worship service at a Bible believing church, and have probably had little to no fellowship to speak of, now to be before the throne in Heaven, all their suffering and troubles behind them forever. No wonder they sing! But just stop for a moment: doesn’t this make you overwhelming glad to be part of the Church right now and not have to endure what they will have to? Shouldn’t this be enough of a wake-up call to never moan again about all the things we have to ‘do’ for the church now? How much do you think these martyrs would have loved to have attended a mid-week Bible study, or go to a mid-weak prayer meeting? They will probably never get to worship in freedom on a Sunday morning, or stay and fellowship after the meeting. There will be a price on their head for defying Antichrist; yet like their LORD, for the joy set before them, they will ‘endure their cross, despising the shame’ (ref Hebrews 12:2). We should stop and ask ourselves how real our faith really is? Do we despise the world, counting the things we once thought were gain as loss for excellency of knowing Christ? (see Philippians 3:8). Or do we still love the things of this world a little more than we should?

After returning from Patmos, John wrote to us and said:  “Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world. And the world passeth away, and the lust thereof: but he that doeth the will of God abideth for ever” (1 John 2:15-17).

If reading these things in Revelation stir us at all (and if they don’t please check your pulse!), we should be wanting to “fellowship more as we see the day approaching”! (Hebrews 10:25), edifying each other in love (Ephesians 4:16) as we rejoice in our like precious faith (2 Peter 1:1). To be honest, I just don’t get Christians who don’t want to spend as much time as possible with other Christians, “for where two or three are gathered…” (Matthew 18:20).

Look at the beauty and wonder of their song of love to their Saviour! They sing Moses song, and the song of the Lamb, using the very best expressions of worship they can utter. They praise Him for His works, for His justice, for His truthfulness, for His might and power, for His holiness, and because now is the time for His judgments to be made manifest!

Rev 15:5-8

5 And after that I looked, and, behold, the temple of the tabernacle of the testimony in heaven was opened:

6 And the seven angels came out of the temple, having the seven plagues, clothed in pure and white linen, and having their breasts girded with golden girdles.

7 And one of the four beasts gave unto the seven angels seven golden vials full of the wrath of God, who liveth for ever and ever.

8 And the temple was filled with smoke from the glory of God, and from his power; and no man was able to enter into the temple, till the seven plagues of the seven angels were fulfilled.

John says that after the incredible things he just witnessed, he looked… the Greek word is ‘eido’ which carries the implication of understanding. It is as if John now sees the Tabernacle in heaven open and what he now observes and records for us suddenly makes sense. If he had not understood before, he does now. After all the tribulation martyrs have gone through, all they have suffered, and even casting our minds back to chapter 6 where we heard the cry of the martyrs under the alter (who are the saints who have been killed for their faith through the ages)… “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” (Rev 6:10-11). Now that time has come; now it is the time to avenge their blood on those ‘who have made this world their home’, and rejected everything holy and pure.

As the heavenly tabernacle opens John sees these final seven angels to whom are given seven vials (containers / bowls) in which are seven final plagues that God will pour on the world.

It is as if the vials contain things so toxic that all heaven holds its breath as these angels commence their great task!

But two things to note; firstly we are told that the heavenly Temple is the ‘Tabernacle of the Testimony’ or we might say the ‘Tabernacle of Witness’. To fully understand this heavenly Tabernacle we would need to do a detailed study of Exodus 25-31, where the instructions for the earthly model of this heavenly Temple were given to Moses. However, for now, let me just ask the question, what was the heavenly Temple a witness to? The obvious answer is that it is a witness and testimony to the completed work of Christ. Everything in the earthly Tabernacle pointed to Christ in some way. But we are told a number of times in scripture that God keeps records. We know we have the Lamb’s book of life (which we will deal with more fully in chapter 20), but we read in Psalm 56:8 “Thou tellest my wanderings: put thou my tears into thy bottle: are they not in thy book?” In Psalm Ps 139:16 we are told that ”Thine eyes did see my substance, yet being unperfect; and in thy book all my members were written, which in continuance were fashioned, when as yet there was none of them” .

In other words God keeps records of every tear you shed; He knows exactly how He formed you in the womb, and keeps an inventory.

So my question is, what were these seven angels doing in the Tabernacle of Witness? Could it be that they had gone to consult God’s records, the testimonies that had been recorded regarding every cruel, vicious, merciless, barbaric and ungodly act committed against His saints?

The 2^nd point to mention here is the fact that this is the only time we see angels clothed in white linen. Other than this reference, white linen is only seen being worn by the saints / in connection with man. In Revelation 19:8 we are told that fine linen represents the righteousness of the saints. Could it therefore be that these angels are so clothed because they are here acting as representative of the saints throughout the ages?

CHAPTER 16

Rev 16:1

And I heard a great voice out of the temple saying to the seven angels, Go your ways, and pour out the vials of the wrath of God upon the earth.

The word translated vials is translated bowls in some of the modern translations and comes from the Greek word ‘fee-al’-ay’ and means a broad shallow cup. The picture here is clear: these vials contain some nasty things – you can imagine the seven angels treading carefully so as not to trip and spill any of this stuff in the wrong place! The vials contain the  ‘wrath of God’; it has been stored up for the ‘day of wrath’ (Rom 2:5). Much of what we have seen up to this point has been a warning – coupled with the preaching of the gospel of the kingdom by the Two Witnesses and the 144,000 Jews. God has done everything possible to allow people to repent; remember, God takes no pleasure in the death of the wicked (Ezekiel 33:11) and has truly been ‘longsuffering toward [mankind] not willing that any should perish (2 Peter 3:9). Again, as we move into this chapter we need to remember that God is just and righteous.

Rev 16:2

And the first went, and poured out his vial upon the earth; and there fell a noisome and grievous sore upon the men which had the mark of the beast, and upon them which worshipped his image.

There have been those who have speculated whether this will be as the result of a chip (microprocessor) implant ‘bursting’ under the skin. Certainly the ‘Mark’ will enable people to buy and sell, so this may well be the case, but it is worth remembering, as we have seen in our study of chapter 13, the Mark of the Beast will be the number of Antichrist’s name and not an individual’s personal and/or security details as is often assumed.

Either way, all those who have received the Mark will break out in extremely painful sores. Medically boils and sores are usually a sign of an inward corruption, a problem under the surface. The same is true in a spiritual sense for all those who have rejected Christ and chosen Antichrist.

Rev 16:3

And the second angel poured out his vial upon the sea; and it became as the blood of a dead man: and every living soul died in the sea.

These judgments are not just random, so we should ask ourselves why the sea? Well, ever since the earliest times the sea has been essential for trade and the moving of goods and produce around the world. In the early years after the flood each family had a simple lifestyle with their own property and livestock being sufficient for their needs, materialism was not an issue and God was central in people’s lives. However along came Nimrod (great grandson of Noah) and he became a ‘mighty one in defiance of the Lord’ (Gen 10:8-11).

According to Justin in his writing ‘Trogus Pompeius’, Nimrod ‘was the first who carried on war against his neighbours, and he conquered all nations from Assyria to Libya, as they were yet unacquainted with the arts of war” Thus everything became more centralised and Nimrod set up cities, becoming the first ruler of men. With this centralisation came the demands that a large populace necessitates and the beginning of industry and trade. Whist industry and trade may of themselves not be wrong, the obvious result was the beginning of materialism and a shift in focus from the Lord God who would provide all their needs, to a desire for the acquisition of wealth and substance. We will deal in much greater depth with this subject in the next two chapters but materialism has become one of the greatest obstacles to men seeking after God. It has often been commented on that people presented with the gospel in third world countries seem to respond readily and often incredible miracles have been reported among isolated tribes and cultures. Why? Because there are far less distractions; they have less to ‘give up’ in order to follow Christ. The western world has every form of amusement imaginable to occupy it’s time so there is no time left to ‘take up our cross’.

The word ‘muse’ means to think. Prefixing a word with ‘a’ implies a negative; hence a-muse literally means ‘not to think’; this is exactly what Satan desires. Before the flood Satan tried to destroy the human race from the outside, that didn’t work so he laid the foundations with Nimrod and Babylon to destroy it from the inside

Tying all of this together, the sea has become essential to world economy carrying the bulk of international trade. 80% of the world’s import-export trade in terms of tonnage is carried by sea. When we get to Revelation chapters 17 & 18 we read of the destruction of ‘Babylon’ which just about encompasses everything that keeps man from God, specifically false religion and materialism. In Rev 18:19 we read: “And they cast dust on their heads, and cried, weeping and wailing, saying, Alas, alas, that great city, wherein were made rich all that had ships in the sea by reason of her costliness! for in one hour is she made desolate”.

Jesus, by His own example rejected a materialistic lifestyle, trusting in God alone for all He needed. It is a sad fact that even for many Christians, material things still prove to be a barrier that stops us truly letting go and letting God. We don’t want to risk losing what we’ve got so we try to water down God’s call upon our lives: “Surely God doesn’t want me to give up…”. This is no different to the first lie ever told: “Did God really say……” (Gen 3:1)

This is why the sea gets it!

NB: From the Greek this verse could read “And the second angel poured out his vial upon the sea and  it became blood, as of a dead man: and every living soul died in the sea” i.e the sea doesn’t become like blood, it actually gets supernaturally turned to blood as in the first plague of Egypt in Exodus chapter 7. This will have an enormous effect on the oxygen supply on earth as most of our oxygen is produced by plankton, which will die as a result. The reference to ‘every living soul’ could be misleading because, as we know, animals do not have eternal souls (Cf Job chapter 1 vs Job 42  /  Ecclesiastes 3:21). However, according to Strong’s concordance the Greek word used is:  “psuche” (psoo-khay’) which means ‘breath’ i.e. (by implication) spirit, abstractly or concretely (the animal sentient principle only; thus distinguished on the one hand from “pneuma” (pnyoo’-mah); which is the rational and immortal soul; and on the other from “zoe” (dzo-ay’) meaning life in general.

Rev 16:4

And the third angel poured out his vial upon the rivers and fountains of waters; and they became blood.

Next it’s the rivers. If the sea is the heart of commerce, then the rivers are the arteries. Just one example of the importance of rivers to the global economy was highlighted by the devastating effects of Hurricane Katrina on the ports of New Orleans and South Louisiana in America. These ports are where the Mississippi, America’s second longest river meats the ocean, and are therefore a major artery that feed much of mainland America. Dr Chuck Missler, in Personal Update (the news Journal for Koinonia House www.khouse.org) October 2005 wrote:

“On its own merit, [the Port Of South Louisiana] is the largest port in the United States by tonnage and the fifth-largest in the world. It exports more than 52 million tons a year, of which more than half are agricultural products: corn, soybeans and so on. A large proportion of U.S. agriculture flows out of the port.”

“Furthermore, almost as much cargo, 17 million tons, comes in through the port – including not only crude oil, but chemicals and fertilizers, coal, concrete, etc. The commodity chain of the global food industry starts here, as does that of American industry. If these facilities are gone, more than simply the price of goods shifts: The very physical structure of the global economy will have to be reshaped”

Think too of how the River Thames feeds London and has been central to the economy of London (and therefore the UK in general) since the founding of the city in the 1st century. In the 18th and 19th centuries London was the busiest port in the world, with wharves extending continuously along the Thames for 11 miles (18 km), and over 1,500 cranes handling 60,000 ships per year. Today the Thames handles over 40 million tonnes in the form of timber, paper, vehicles, aggregates, crude oil, petroleum products, liquefied petroleum gas, coal, metals, grain and other dry and liquid bulk materials.

We soon realise that many of the world’s major cities are on the banks of rivers. Consider the Seine that feeds Paris, or the Tiber that feeds Rome.

Another well-known river is the Rhine, one of the longest and most important rivers in Europe, it flows through six countries -Switzerland, Principality of Liechtenstein, Austria, Germany, France and the Netherlands before flowing into the North Sea at Rotterdam. However, the Volga has the distinction of being the longest river in Europe and also one of Russia’s most important rivers. Out of the 20 largest cities of Russia, 11, including its capital Moscow are fed from the Volga.

The Danube is another of Europe’s key rivers and the continent’s second longest river after the Volga. The river was one of the long standing frontiers of the Roman Empire and today forms a part of the borders of 10 European countries. It originates in the Black Forest in Germany and flows eastwards for a distance of some 2850 km (1771 miles), passing through 4 capitals, before emptying into the Black Sea. Since the completion of the German Rhine–Main–Danube Canal in 1992, the river has been part of a trans-European waterway from the black sea all the way to Rotterdam on the North Sea.

When the sea and rivers are turned to blood, the systems of this world will suffer a fatal arrest.

Just as an aside, both the above pictures and headlines were real recent unexplained occurrences where rivers turned blood red. I am not suggesting that these rivers turned to blood on these occasions, but it does serve to remind us that we should cautious before boldly asserting that this could never happen! God has a very good track record at confounding the critics and doing things that our finite minds say are impossible!

Rev 16:5

And I heard the angel of the waters say, Thou art righteous, O Lord, which art, and wast, [and shalt be], because thou hast judged thus.

Rather than go straight into the next vial, in verses 5-7 we have two voices that speak out to declare the justness and righteousness of God in bringing these judgments.

The first voice we are told is the angel of the waters. Thus it would appear that certain angels are given assignments to look over or monitor things on earth. It is therefore fitting that this angel who has just witnessed the seas and rivers being turned to blood, and has firsthand experience of the traffic and trade that takes place on the waters, should declare that God is right and just to bring about these judgments.

It would be easy for an uniformed person to look at these judgments and think that they are a bit harsh; after all, this is an unprecedented event that will have horrific consequences not only for all those at sea but also considering the catastrophic effect this will have on the whole world. But we must remind ourselves that God has made available a way of escape, and those who are left at this point have willfully rejected Christ. That, and the fact that this angel, who is ‘in the know’ declares God’s righteousness is enough to silence any who would dare to accuse God of being unmerciful.

In the Greek the phrase ‘and shall be’ is not there [although implied], it has been added by the translators. [An alternative] rendering of the verse would be “And I heard the angel of the waters saying, Righteous art thou, who art and who wast, The Holy One, because thou didst judge these things.”  (J Vernon McGee)

OR: “The existing One, the One who was, the Holy One.” (Dr Chuck Missler) 

Rev 16:6

For they have shed the blood of saints and prophets, and thou hast given them blood to drink; for they are worthy.

The angel explains why God is just in His judgments, and that is because those who are now being made to drink blood are those who are responsible for shedding the blood of the martyrs of Jesus Christ.

“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.”  Rev 6:9-11

 “He that leadeth into captivity shall go into captivity: he that killeth with the sword must be killed with the sword. Here is the patience and the faith of the saints.”  Rev 13:10

Rev 16:7

And I heard another out of the altar say, Even so, Lord God Almighty, true and righteous are thy judgments.

Another = Greek ‘Alos’ ‘another of the same kind’, suggesting that this second voice is also that of an angel. ‘Out of the alter’ links this angel to the multitude slain for the word of God who are waiting under the alter for these judgments to avenge their blood. (See Rev 6:9-11 above)

Rev 16:8

And the fourth angel poured out his vial upon the sun; and power was given unto him to scorch men with fire.

We now return to the vials and as the 4^th angel steps forward things really start to heat up – literally. We have all heard so much about global warming, and there is still a lot of political maneuverings masking the reality, but there is no question that this is the real thing! There may be various natural causes that result in this sudden increase in the Sun’s heat, but the significant thing is the timing, that it occurs at this particular moment show it to be the supernatural work of God.

Malachi 4:1 foretells this moment: “For, behold, the day cometh, that shall burn as an oven; and all the proud, yea, and all that do wickedly, shall be stubble: and the day that cometh shall burn them up, saith the LORD of hosts, that it shall leave them neither root nor branch”.

It is worth noting at this point that Sun worship was the earliest form of paganism – starting with Nimrod on the plain of Shinar in modern day Iraq. Whatever you worship, if it is not the One true God, will end up destroying you, for we have been made for God, and He is a jealous God. “I am the LORD: that is my name: and my glory will I not give to another” (Isaiah 42:8).

Something else that should be mentioned at this point is what scientists call the ‘anthropic principle’; This principle observes that there are literally hundreds of factors that make life on earth possible; just a small change in any of these factors would render life on earth impossible; thus they conclude that it is as if it has been designed specifically for man! The earth is exactly the right distance from the sun not to be too hot or too cold; the size of the moon is directly proportional to the distance of the sun from earth so that tides, seasons and day and night all fit neatly together in an incredibly balanced framework; so much so that some of the parameters cannot be adjusted by more than 1 part in 10,000 without it breaking down. As is evidenced here, just a small change will have dramatic effects!

Yet with all of this, the world of academia in our top universities & education systems desperately hold onto the foolish notion that it is all just ‘happenstance’, just a lucky coincidence! They would have us believe that it all occurred by chance, a result of nothing exploding! The Apostle Paul insightfully stated: “Professing to be wise they became fools” (Romans 1:22).

Rev 16:9

And men were scorched with great heat, and blasphemed the name of God, which hath power over these plagues: and they repented not to give him glory.

Once again this is just incredible; men are in immense pain and what do they do? Get down on their knees and repent? No. They blaspheme their Creator who is acknowledged as having power over these plagues. This is just like the stubbornness of Pharaoh in Egypt. 

Rev 16:10

And the fifth angel poured out his vial upon the seat of the beast; and his kingdom was full of darkness; and they gnawed their tongues for pain,

We have all been in a house when a power cut occurs, but this is far worse. This darkness is so thick that it is actually painful. Although it is stating the obvious, darkness is the absence of light – in this case God’s light; this is almost impossible to comprehend. This darkness is centred on the ‘throne’ of Antichrist and as with the first vial, it only affects his kingdom, implying that Israel in hiding in Edom will not be affected – just as it was with the plagues in Egypt.  (See also Isaiah 60:2 / Joel 2:1-2/31)

Rev 16:11

And blasphemed the God of heaven because of their pains and their sores, and repented not of their deeds.

Once again they blaspheme God and refuse to repent. 

Rev 16:12

And the sixth angel poured out his vial upon the great river Euphrates; and the water thereof was dried up, that the way of the kings of the east might be prepared.

The river Euphrates is fed from the water that runs off Mt Ararat. Dr Henry Morris (among others) have put forward the scenario that with the heat from the forth vial, the snow caps on Ararat would melt causing initial flooding but then once the source of water has gone the river would dry up. This is indeed plausible but what makes this provocative is that if the snow caps on Mt Ararat melt, it could leave exposed, for the first time in over 4000 years, a symbol of God’s divine judgment the last time He destroyed the wickedness of man from the face of the earth – Noah’s Ark! However, even if true, it is still not enough to cause men to repent.

Who are the kings of the east? Almost all scholars seem to agree that they will be the communist nations (China, North Korea, etc) and probably India etc. What interest will they have in crossing the Euphrates?  Middle-Eastern oil may well be a factor, but the next verses explain that they will be coming at the request of Antichrist to fight against what they perceive to be their common enemy.

Introduction to Revelation 16:13-16

As with all the previous groups of 7 judgments (7 seals / 7 trumpets), there is now a break before the seventh and last vial is poured out. Verses 13-16 introduce us to infamous battle of Armageddon that will be fought in the valley of Megiddo, also know as the Esdraelon Valley.

It is at this battle, as the enemies of God and Israel march against Israel to destroy her, that Jesus will mount His white horse and ride out of heaven to the aid of His countrymen and to establish His throne in Jerusalem. It is interesting to realise that as a boy, Jesus living in Nazareth would have grown up being able to look across to the vast plain of Megiddo where one day He would defeat the enemies of God.

Rev 16:13

And I saw three unclean spirits like frogs come out of the mouth of the dragon, and out of the mouth of the beast, and out of the mouth of the false prophet.

Here John is given a glimpse into the spiritual world and sees these spirits that are ‘like frogs’. There is an account in the Old Testament in 1 Kings 22 where Jehoshaphat king of Judah had gone up to assist Ahab king of Israel against the Syrians. As was often the case, he sought the advice of a prophet before the battle to see whether they would be successful. Ahab called his own prophets who told him what he wanted to hear. Jehoshaphat however was not content and wanted to hear from a prophet of the LORD. Micaiah was called who eventually declared:  “I saw all Israel scattered upon the hills, as sheep that have not a shepherd: and the LORD said, These have no master: let them return every man to his house in peace”

This just angered Ahab and his false prophets, but unperturbed Micaiah continued: “Hear thou therefore the word of the LORD: I saw the LORD sitting on his throne, and all the host of heaven standing by him on his right hand and on his left. And the LORD said, Who shall persuade Ahab, that he may go up and fall at Ramoth-gilead? And one said on this manner, and another said on that manner. And there came forth a spirit, and stood before the LORD, and said, I will persuade him. And the LORD said unto him, Wherewith? And he said, I will go forth, and I will be a lying spirit in the mouth of all his prophets. And he said, Thou shalt persuade him, and prevail also: go forth, and do so. Now therefore, behold, the LORD hath put a lying spirit in the mouth of all these thy prophets, and the LORD hath spoken evil concerning thee.” (1 Kings 22:17-23)

It will be the same spiritual deception that will deceive the kings of the earth as we see confirmed in the next verse….

Rev 16:14

For they are the spirits of devils, working miracles, which go forth unto the kings of the earth and of the whole world, to gather them to the battle of that great day of God Almighty.

The purpose of these lying spirits is to gather all the nations to side with Antichrist, at which point he will then commence his final assault on Israel in an attempt to destroy them. In the midst of this Jesus will return and Antichrist and his armies will turn to fight against Jesus! It is hard to imagine anything more preposterous than this!  (see Rev 19:19). However, just as with Ahab back in 1 Kings 22, God is setting the whole scene in order to bring His judgment.    

Rev 16:15

Behold, I come as a thief. Blessed is he that watcheth, and keepeth his garments, lest he walk naked, and they see his shame.

This verse is almost ignored by most commentators; the question that it begs is: who is it referring to? The statement ‘Behold, I come as a thief’ is consistent with what other passages teach regarding the way that Christ will come upon this unbelieving world. (Luke 12:39 / 1 Thes 5:2 / Rev 3:3). That being the case, the contrast is drawn between those who are not watching (i.e. the world) and those who are. The ones who are watching are clearly identified in scripture as none other than the Church (the true Church). (Luke 12:40 / 1 Thes 5:4 / Luke 21:34-36).

What then is a passage addressing the Church doing here? It is here for you now! These things are almost upon us, the Rapture could be at any moment, it is imperative that you watch, and that you live lives ‘worthy of your calling’. (See Eph 4:1 / Col 1:10 / 1 Thes 2:12 / 2 Thes 1:11)

Rev 16:16

And he gathered them together into a place called in the Hebrew tongue Armageddon.

As we have noted, the purpose of the lying spirits is to ensure that all are gathered to Armageddon.

As an aside, two verses relevant to this scene, but that have caused some confusion in the past are Matthew 24:28 “For wheresoever the carcase is, there will the eagles be gathered together.” And Luke 17:37 “And they answered and said unto him, Where, Lord? And he said unto them, Wheresoever the body is, thither will the eagles [be gathered together].” In the context that these verses occur the question in hand is the events leading up to Christ’s return at the Second Coming (not the Rapture). This is confirmed by the fact that Jesus is quoting from Job 39:27-30: “Doth the eagle mount up at thy command, and make her nest on high? She dwelleth and abideth on the rock, upon the crag of the rock, and the strong place. From thence she seeketh the prey, and her eyes behold afar off. Her young ones also suck up blood: and where the slain are, there is she.”

This is again confirmed in Rev 19:17-19 “And I saw an angel standing in the sun; and he cried with a loud voice, saying to all the fowls that fly in the midst of heaven, Come and gather yourselves together unto the supper of the great God; That ye may eat the flesh of kings, and the flesh of captains, and the flesh of mighty men, and the flesh of horses, and of them that sit on them, and the flesh of all men, both free and bond, both small and great. And I saw the beast, and the kings of the earth, and their armies, gathered together to make war against him that sat on the horse, and against his army.”

We will explore this more in Revelation chapter 19.

Rev 16:17

And the seventh angel poured out his vial into the air; and there came a great voice out of the temple of heaven, from the throne, saying, It is done.

So after our parenthesis we now return to the unfolding vision and the seventh angel now steps forward with his vial. This time the angel pours the vial into the air. Why the air? One answer may be that it is because the air is Satan’s domain for now?  (cf: Eph 2:2).

‘It is done’ refers to these judgments and literally means ‘it is concluded’ (Gr. Ghin’omahee’)

This is the last time the temple in heaven is seen. It has been mentioned 6 times during the 7 vials.

Rev 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.

This needs no explanation – it’s going to be unlike anything known.

As an aside, that fact that is the largest earthquake ‘since men were upon the earth’ this would suggest that the reference in Genesis 10:25 to the earth being divided in the days of Peleg is to do with the languages being divided at the time of the Tower of Babel – which would have been during Peleg’s lifetime – and not the division of the continents as suggested by some as the result of a meteor collision etc. as this would have equalled or been greater than the event that John is recording here.

Rev 16:19

And the great city was divided into three parts, and the cities of the nations fell: and great Babylon came in remembrance before God, to give unto her the cup of the wine of the fierceness of his wrath.

The great city is Jerusalem. The fact that the cities of the nations fall supports the comments for verse 3 – 7 above (the 2^nd and 3^rd Vials). Babylon – that we will look at in depth in the next two chapters  – is brought into remembrance before God. The Bible in many ways is the ‘tale of two cities’, Jerusalem and Babylon, God’s city and mans city, God’s rule vs man’s rule.

The concept of God’s wrath is bad enough; but when coupled with ‘the fierceness of His wrath’ it sends shivers down your spine. How wicked is mankind that God’s wrath is kindled to this extent? How much more should we fear and stand in awe of Him ‘who has the power to cast body and soul into hell’ (Luke 12:5). See also Proverbs  1:7.

Rev 16:20

And every island fled away, and the mountains were not found.

This is going to be an enormous upheaval and is part of the ‘restitution of all things’ (Acts 3:21). Originally the earth was one landmass (see Gen 1:10), and this verse indicates that God will remove the islands by a reversal of what occurred in the Flood where the mountains rose and the valleys sank to the levels He decreed (Psalm 104:5-9) thus causing the continents as we now have them.

Romans 8:20-22 explains that all of creation has been in bondage to decay since the fall and ‘groans earnestly’ to be delivered when the true and rightful Heir to planet earth takes the throne.

Rev 16:21

And there fell upon men a great hail out of heaven, every stone about the weight of a talent: and men blasphemed God because of the plague of the hail; for the plague thereof was exceeding great.

These are no ordinary hailstones. A talent could weigh anything from 50 – 140 lbs depending on which ancient culture we are referring to. For John it would most likely be in the region of 100 – 110lbs   –  not that you would bothered about the details if one were to hit you!

The Old Testament penalty for blasphemy was stoning; the people on earth at this time have done nothing other than blaspheme the God of Heaven; now He applies the appropriate punishment for their blasphemy as they are stoned with these hailstones.

To be continued…

Every blessing,

Pastor Barry.

The post The Great Tribulation first appeared on Calvary Chapel Portsmouth.

This book should not be brushed aside, especially in the days we are living in. We need to know the things this book reveals for two fundamental reasons:

1) So we can know what is going to happen – and the reason that is important is that it WILL affect the way we live out lives when we come face to face with the reality of these things. I would argue that it is almost impossible to read and understand these things and remain unaffected. The change that God desires to bring about in your life through reading this book is a greater desire for holiness. Not a commonly used word today I know, but when we see the how fragile and temporary the things of this world really are, we should reach to all that is of God, and turn away from any notion of compromise in our Christian lives.

2) The second reason to read this book is so that you will be equipped to reach out and try to drag others out of the impending doom by telling them about Jesus Christ, His great love for them and the way of escaping God’s wrath that He has already paid for on their behalf! That might sound overly dramatic, believe me it’s not. Nothing the world has seen so far could prepare if for the time ahead of it. If you have friends, or even acquaintances, if you care even slightly for them, you must tell them before it is too late, because very soon the Last Train will be leaving (1 Thessalonians 4:16-18).

The following are my study notes on chapter 14. My you be blessed, challenged and encouraged as you continue to study God’s Word!

Introduction

Chapters 11-14 are parenthetical chapters, that is, they are inserted into the unfolding revelation to give added information. Chapter 14 is a sort of snap-shot view that leads into the last 3¹/₂ years with various events being mentioned that will be explained more fully in the subsequent chapters.

Chronologically, this chapter sits at the mid-point of the seven year time of Tribulation, with some of the events that are mentioned taking place at the mid-point itself, and the others starting at the mid-point and carrying on through the last 3¹/₂ years, concluding with the infamous battle of Armageddon when Jesus will return to crush His enemies and establish His kingdom.

It is worth keeping in mind that what we have seen take place on the earth to this point has been the ‘beginning of sorrows’ as defined by Jesus in Matthew 24.  These are just the birth pains if you will. We are now about to move into the Day of the Lord – the Great Tribulation.

Although we have reviewed this already, it would be beneficial to refresh our memories regarding what the rest of scripture says about this time:

Jesus said:

“For then shall be great tribulation, such as was not since the beginning of the world to this time, no, nor ever shall be. 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 24:21-22)

Isaiah prophesied:

“Howl ye; for the day of the LORD is at hand; it shall come as a destruction from the Almighty. Therefore shall all hands be faint, and every man’s heart shall melt: And they shall be afraid: pangs and sorrows shall take hold of them; they shall be in pain as a woman that travaileth: they shall be amazed one at another; their faces shall be as flames. Behold, the day of the LORD cometh, cruel both with wrath and fierce anger, to lay the land desolate: and he shall destroy the sinners thereof out of it.” (Isaiah 13:6-9)

Jeremiah prophesied:

“Ask ye now, and see whether a man doth travail with child? wherefore do I see every man with his hands on his loins, as a woman in travail, and all faces are turned into paleness? Alas! for that day is great, so that none is like it: it is even the time of Jacob’s trouble; but he shall be saved out of it”. (Jeremiah 30:6-7)

Amos prophesied:

“Therefore the LORD, the God of hosts, the Lord, saith thus; Wailing shall be in all streets; and they shall say in all the highways, Alas! alas! and they shall call the husbandman to mourning, and such as are skilful of lamentation to wailing. And in all vineyards shall be wailing: for I will pass through thee, saith the LORD. Woe unto you that desire the day of the LORD! to what end is it for you? the day of the LORD is darkness, and not light. As if a man did flee from a lion, and a bear met him; or went into the house, and leaned his hand on the wall, and a serpent bit him. Shall not the day of the LORD be darkness, and not light? even very dark, and no brightness in it?” (Amos 5:16-20)

Zephaniah prophesied:

“The great day of the LORD is near, it is near, and hasteth greatly, even the voice of the day of the LORD: the mighty man shall cry there bitterly. That day is a day of wrath, a day of trouble and distress, a day of wasteness and desolation, a day of darkness and gloominess, a day of clouds and thick darkness, A day of the trumpet and alarm against the fenced cities, and against the high towers.And I will bring distress upon men, that they shall walk like blind men, because they have sinned against the LORD: and their blood shall be poured out as dust, and their flesh as the dung.” (Zeph 1:14-17)

Zechariah prophesied

“Behold, the day of the LORD cometh, and thy spoil shall be divided in the midst of thee. For I will gather all nations against Jerusalem to battle; and the city shall be taken, and the houses rifled, and the women ravished; and half of the city shall go forth into captivity, and the residue of the people shall not be cut off from the city. Then shall the LORD go forth, and fight against those nations, as when he fought in the day of battle”. (Zechariah 14:1-3)

Paul said:

“For yourselves know perfectly that the day of the Lord so cometh as a thief in the night. For when they shall say, Peace and safety; then sudden destruction cometh upon them, as travail upon a woman with child; and they shall not escape.” (1 Thess 5:2-3)

Chapter 14 is divided into 6 sections:

–The redemption of the 144,000    v1-5

–The everlasting Gospel proclaimed   v6-7

–The fall of Babylon   v8

–Judgment on those who take the mark   v9-11

–Tribulation martyrs   v12-13

–Prelude to wrath   v14-20

Introduction to verses 1-5

The first section of this chapter is from verse 1 to 5 and deals with the 144,000 who we were first introduced to back in chapter 7. In essence the passage is simple in that we see the 144,000 with God’s name on their foreheads at the end of their ministry standing with Jesus whom they will follow and serve. They sing a song that only they can learn and we are told that they are virgins, which may well mean physically but certainly spiritually in that they have not become defiled with the idolatry rampant on the earth.

Among scholars there is a question concerning where this scene is taking place and when? We are told in v.1 that they are standing with the Lamb – obviously Jesus – on mount Zion, but from scripture mount Zion could be either the earthly mount Zion which is the City of David i.e Jerusalem (see 2 Samuel 5:7), or the heavenly mount Zion (see Hebrews 12:22).

If this mount Zion is earthly Jerusalem, then this is a vision looking forward to the time of the Second Coming when Jesus will return and establish His kingdom on earth; this would also mean that the 144,000 would have remained on earth throughout the Great Tribulation, which in itself does not pose a problem because they have been supernaturally sealed so could easily endure this time.

However, I believe from the details given that these events will be taking place in heaven (along with other events recorded elsewhere in scripture) just prior to the commencement of the Great Tribulation on earth. As we now look at these verses we will observe the details given which should help us reach our conclusion.

Rev 14:1

And I looked, and, lo, a Lamb stood on the mount Sion, and with him an hundred forty and four thousand, having his Father’s name written in their foreheads.

As we begin the chapter John sees – and he wants you to take not of this – a Lamb. This is obviously the same Lamb (Jesus Christ) as he had seen in chapter 5, but there John had been particularly drawn to the fact that this Lamb had the ‘marks of slaughter’ (‘as had been slain’). However, associated with this Lamb are not only the marks that tell of His great sacrifice, but also wrath. Back in chapter 6:16 the wrath of the Lamb is spoken of. This is, of course, a strange metaphor, as we don’t tend to think of lamb’s as capable of displays of power and wrath! J Vernon McGee comments:

“From the days of Abel to those of John the Baptist, the Lord Jesus is depicted as a lamb. The apostle John calls Him “the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world” (Rev. 13.8). In other words, God did not choose the lamb because it possessed characteristics of Christ, neither did He choose it for the sacrificial aspect. God created such an animal to represent Christ. Christ is the Lamb slain before the foundation of the world, before any lamb was ever created”.

“The Lord Jesus Christ has the qualities of a lamb. He was meek (Matt. 11:28–29). He was gentle (Mark 10:14). He was harmless —You never see a sign saying, “Beware of the lamb.” You see “Beware of the dog,” but not of the lamb. He was humble… His coming was a doxology. His stay was a blessing. His departure was a benediction. Even the unbelieving world has been fascinated by His life. The lamb sets forth His sacrifice. Abraham said, “… God will provide himself a lamb …” (Gen. 22:8), and God did provide Himself a Lamb.

But what about “the wrath”? Wrath is strange and foreign even to the person of God, is it not? God loves the good. God hates the evil. He does not hate as you and I hate. He is not vindictive. God is righteous, God is holy, and He hates that which is contrary to Himself. He says that Jehovah is a man of war. He is strong and mighty. He is mighty in battle. The gospel reveals the wrath of God. Paul said, “For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who hold the truth in unrighteousness” (Rom. 1:18). Look at this world we are in, my friend. It already reveals the wrath of God, the judgment of God.

It is like mixing fire and water to bring wrath and the Lamb together, but all the fury of the wrath of God is revealed in the Lamb…

There is a day coming when the wrath of the Lamb will be revealed. Somebody says, “I thought He was gentle and would not punish sin.” My friend, God said, “Be wise now therefore, O ye kings: be instructed, ye judges of the earth. Serve the Lord with fear, and rejoice with trembling. Kiss the Son, lest he be angry, and ye perish from the way, when his wrath is kindled but a little. Blessed are all they that put their trust in him” (Ps. 2:10–12).

…a Lamb stood on the mount Sion, and with him an hundred forty and four thousand,

Notice where the Lamb is. He is standing, not as we saw him in chapter 5 in the midst of the throne to be worshiped and adored, but now is risen from His throne and is ready to make war.

As this scene seems to occur before the Second Coming, Jesus must still be in heaven, so the implication here is that the 144,000 have been caught up to His throne once their work on earth is completed. This, in part, answers the question we raised in the introduction.

…having his Father’s name written in their foreheads”.

In the last chapter we saw the False Prophet cause all people to take an identifying mark to show their allegiance to Antichrist. Here we see that God has set apart His own, and it is the Father’s name they receive on their foreheads. We are not to be ‘branded’ by this world, but rather we are God’s property, having been purchased at the highest price! (1 Cor 7:23). In Revelation 3:12 we noted Jesus’ promise to the overcomers: “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.”

Our lives are (or should be) reserved for just one Name; and it is the Name above all Names!

Rev 14:2

And I heard a voice from heaven, as the voice of many waters, and as the voice of a great thunder: and I heard the voice of harpers harping with their harps:

The voice of many waters simply illustrates the power and force of this act of worship. In heaven no one will be complaining about the songs or singing half-heartedly! As John listens he hears the wonderful music of these heavenly harpers doing what they do best… Harping!

Rev 14:3

And they sung as it were a new song before the throne, and before the four beasts, and the elders: and no man could learn that song but the hundred and forty and four thousand, which were redeemed from the earth.

Note that we are told that they are redeemed from the earth. In Greek the phrase is ‘agorazō apo ho ghay’ which literally means that they were ‘purchased off/away from the earth’. This would certainly seem to suggest that the mount Zion they are standing on is the heavenly one, and therefore they have been raptured/caught up to heaven at the end of their ministry.

Also we should note the song and who is singing it. “And they sung as it were a new song before the throne” This could, at first glance, be presumed to be the harpers, but remember, we have been specifically told that the ‘harpers are harping with their harps’. ‘Harpers playing’ would suffice, but the Holy Spirit sees fit to underline the fact that the harpers are harping with their harps – which is what harpers would do isn’t it? Without wishing to harp on about it (pun intended!) the point I am trying to make is that they are harping and not singing, just harping.

This means the ‘they’ is referring to the 144,000, who we have already seen are the subject of these verses and who are singing the song before the throne, which again places them in Heaven. From a grammatical perspective, we have the 144,000 introduced in verse1, we are then told that that a voice is heard like many waters and as the voice of thunder – surely this is what 144,000 people singing could sound like – along with this we have our harpers harping on their harps, and then we are told that they sung a new song – who is the ‘they’? Who is it that has reason to sing? Who is the subject of this passage? The 144,000 themselves.

In addition to this we told in verse 3 that only the 144,000 could learn the song. Without splitting hairs, if only the 144,000 could learn the song, then that excludes the harpers, whose job is to harp on their harps anyway!!

If we place this event on earth at the beginning of the Millennial reign of Christ, we have another problem, and that is that the elders in this passage are still in heaven! Having already established that the elders are the Church (see notes on chapters 4 & 5), we know that the Church will come back with Jesus at the Second Coming. This would seem to rule out the possibility that this event could take place on earth at the beginning of the Millennium as some scholars have suggested.

Another point worth mentioning that would place this event in Heaven at the mid-point of the tribulation is the context in which it is found. All of the other events in this chapter take place at the mid-point of the tribulation, or start at the mid-point and conclude at the end of the Great Tribulation.

Finally, as we will see in a moment, an angel is sent to preach the ‘everlasting gospel’ to those who dwell on the earth. The question that comes to mind is: why send an angel to preach the gospel if the 144,000 are to stay on earth during the last 3¹/₂ years to do just that?

Is this not doubling up on resources?  Now this is admittedly a shallow argument because obviously God can do what He likes and His resources are limitless; we don’t have to understand why God does what He does for Him to be able to do it! However it would seem to make a lot of sense for the angel to be sent if what we are seeing in these verses is the rapture of the 144,000, knowing that the two witnesses have also just finished their ministry and have been caught up also. If this is the case, the sending of the angel to preach the everlasting gospel (whom we will be introduced to in v6) is yet another act of mercy on God’s part, without which there would be no testimony during this time.

Therefore we conclude that, given these observations, and indeed the fact that everything else in the book fits together so neatly and in sequence, the mount Zion referred to is the Heavenly mount Zion and that this event takes place at the mid-point of the 7 year Tribulation as the Great Tribulation is about to start.

Rev 14:4-5

4 These are they which were not defiled with women; for they are virgins. These are they which follow the Lamb whithersoever he goeth. These were redeemed from among men, being the firstfruits unto God and to the Lamb.

5 And in their mouth was found no guile: for they are without fault before the throne of God.

The world has this notion that when you become a Christian you have to give up lots of things you would otherwise enjoy. It is not about giving up things you enjoy, but rather becoming so overwhelmed by the blessings that are in Christ that you have no time or desire for the ‘things of the old life’ – particularly when you come to realise that most of those things are actually a cleverly disguised deception by Satan intended to bring pain and misery. [Remember from our study in chapter 12 that Satan is our opponent! – He want’s nothing more than to trip you up, and destroy your life].

Marriage between one man and one woman is one of God’s most wonderful gifts, yet it has been mercilessly attacked by Satan. Along with this (and Evolution has to bear a large part of the blame for this) is the decline in morality. People have been told for the last 150 years that they are just evolved animals, with animal instincts, so it is no wonder so many now behave like it. Yet marriage speaks of more than just the union between a man and a woman, Paul tells us that marriage itself was given to speak of Christ and the Church. He as the Bridegroom and the Church as his chaste virgin bride (2 Cor 11:2).

Throughout history many have chosen to live single lives, not out of a sense of duty, or to earn favour with God, but because of love. Love for Jesus!

These 144,000 simply give their lives over to Jesus, choosing to live for Him. Their reward will be great! It is just an interesting point to note that all of these individuals will be men, and are counted as the firstfruits of the nation of Israel (the remainder of the nation will, shortly after this repent and turn to Jesus, calling out to Him to deliver them from the approaching armies of Antichrist).

How incredible that God’s word records them as without fault! – the same is true for all who put their trust in Jesus.

“Now unto him that is able to keep you from falling, and to present you faultless before the presence of his glory with exceeding joy, To the only wise God our Saviour, be glory and majesty, dominion and power, both now and ever. Amen”. (Jude 24-25).

One final observations should be made on these verses before we move on: in chapter seven 144,000 were sealed for their ministry. Here in chapter 14 we have 144,000 that are standing before the Lamb. In other words Jesus didn’t lose a single one! This is a great comfort to us because whom Jesus seals He will also protect and bring safely into His presence

2nd Section.

Rev 14:6

And I saw another angel fly in the midst of heaven, having the everlasting gospel to preach unto them that dwell on the earth, and to every nation, and kindred, and tongue, and people

Some have tried to work out what this means; quite frankly I think it means that there is going to be an angel who flies in the heavens who preaches the everlasting gospel to all those who dwell on the earth. Why make it more complicated than this?  I accept that this is not a normal situation, but these are not normal times. Why an angel? Because all God’s people have been removed in readiness for the outpouring of His wrath during the Day of the Lord.

Rev 14:7

Saying with a loud voice, Fear God, and give glory to him; for the hour of his judgment is come: and worship him that made heaven, and earth, and the sea, and the fountains of waters.

It is extremely interesting to note what the angel says; firstly we have a declaration that the hour of His judgment has now come. Secondly the angel is presenting a ‘Creation message’, that God is the Creator of all things; things did not come into existence on their own. Evolution is science fiction and a fraud (See Appendix  A).

Verses 6 & 7 are the second section out of five in this chapter (the first dealt with the 144,000). The angel that John sees here is going to be the first of six angels that are introduced in this chapter.

3^rd Section

Rev 14:8

And there followed another angel, saying, Babylon is fallen, is fallen, that great city, because she made all nations drink of the wine of the wrath of her fornication.

The third subject that we are given a brief glimpse into in this chapter is the destruction of Babylon. This will be dealt with in detail when we get to chapters 17 & 18 where we will be introduced to this mystery that has been concealed through the ages. Since the Garden of Eden Satan has been at work to manipulate and control as much of this world as He can. After the flood he launched a three pronged attack: 1) a very literal attack on the Seed of the Woman (we looked at this in our review of chapter 12). 2) The second attack came though his manipulation of the world governments as we briefly saw in our study of chapter 13. 3)

The final attack (and the subject of this verse) came in the form of false religion, effectively laying down a smoke screen to keep people from the one true God. This began in ancient Babylon, then known as Babel.

There is good evidence to suggest that the tower of Babel was the work primarily of Noah’s grandson, Cush. That attempt to unite the world against God failed, so Satan was more subtle next time, and used Cush’s son, Nimrod, to try to create a world empire, with Nimrod as the first world dictator (very much a forerunner to Antichrist). Nimrod built his empire in the area known as Shinar (modern day Iraq), which is the pain where Babylon is located.

Genesis 10:10 records: “And Cush begat Nimrod: he began to be a mighty one in the earth. He was a mighty hunter before the LORD: wherefore it is said, Even as Nimrod the mighty hunter before the LORD. And the beginning of his kingdom was Babel, and Erech, and Accad, and Calneh, in the land of Shinar.” (before the Lord literally means ‘in defiance of the Lord’).

Throughout God’s word He has foretold the ultimate destruction of this seat of idolatry.

In Isaiah 13:19 we read:

“Babylon, the glory of kingdoms, the beauty of the Chaldees’ excellency, shall be as when God overthrew Sodom and Gomorrah. It shall never be inhabited, neither shall it be dwelt in from generation to generation: neither shall the Arabian pitch tent there; neither shall the shepherds make their fold there. But wild beasts of the desert shall lie there; and their houses shall be full of doleful creatures; and owls shall dwell there, and satyrs shall dance there. And the wild beasts of the islands shall cry in their desolate houses, and dragons in their pleasant palaces: and her time is near to come, and her days shall not be prolonged.” This has not happened to date, but the time is coming.

Babylon was the source of almost all false religion and idolatry. We could spend hours documenting the spread of the idolatry that began with Nimrod, but thankfully we don’t have to because various scholars have already done it for us! Most notably Rev Alexander Hislop in his classic book ‘The Two Babylons’. So much of our culture has been influenced by ancient Babylonian religion; such as Christmas (the festival originally called ‘Saturnalia’); Easter, which comes from the name of the goddess ‘Ishtar’; the worship of the mother and child – embraced by the Roman Catholic Church with the characters names changed to ‘fit’ the Christian story; and many, many more. Satan has carefully manipulated the religions of the world to be a both a substitute and a counterfeit for the one true Way – salvation through faith in Jesus Christ.

In our review of chapter 17 & 18 we will see just how intoxication the Babylonian religion has been and how she made all nations drink of the wine of the wrath of her fornication.

4^th Section

Rev 14:9-11

9 And the third angel followed them, saying with a loud voice, If any man worship the beast and his image, and receive his mark in his forehead, or in his hand,

10 The same shall drink of the wine of the wrath of God, which is poured out without mixture into the cup of his indignation; and he shall be tormented with fire and brimstone in the presence of the holy angels, and in the presence of the Lamb:

11 And the smoke of their torment ascendeth up for ever and ever: and they have no rest day nor night, who worship the beast and his image, and whosoever receiveth the mark of his name.

These verses are really self-explanatory but again serve to underline the horrific consequences of those whom God had created taking the name of His enemy on their foreheads etc.

Also note: day and night forever and ever.

There is no annihilation, just eternal damnation. This alone should surely be sufficient to make all mankind cry out for a Saviour? Sadly, many will not and so end up being deceived and taking this mark, sealing their own eternal destiny.  

5^th Section

Rev 14:12-13

12 Here is the patience of the saints: here are they that keep the commandments of God, and the faith of Jesus.

13 And I heard a voice from heaven saying unto me, Write, Blessed are the dead which die in the Lord from henceforth: Yea, saith the Spirit, that they may rest from their labours; and their works do follow them.

One of the few comforts that those who become believers during this time will have is the knowledge that God will judge righteously and see that justice is done. He is faithful.

As we enter the Great Tribulation we enter the time of the mark of the beast, persecution of the saints and martyrdom in the extreme. This will be the hardest time to be a believer ever, hence the blessing for the few who ‘love not their lives to death’.

6^th Section

Rev 14:14

And I looked, and behold a white cloud, and upon the cloud one sat like unto the Son of man, having on his head a golden crown, and in his hand a sharp sickle.

We are now given a glimpse ‘backstage’ as Jesus prepares to return to earth for the infamous battle of Armageddon. This will occur at the end of the Great Tribulation. The crown is a ‘stefanos’ in the Greek, which is the crown worn by a victor. The reason for the sickle is made clear in the next verse.

Rev 14:15-16

15 And another angel came out of the temple, crying with a loud voice to him that sat on the cloud, Thrust in thy sickle, and reap: for the time is come for thee to reap; for the harvest of the earth is ripe.

16 And he that sat on the cloud thrust in his sickle on the earth; and the earth was reaped.

This is gruesome, but we must not forget that these are the people who have chosen to go their own way, aborting innocent babies by the millions, indulging in unnatural sexual relationships, using and abusing drugs and alcohol, oppressing the poor and needy, persecuting and killing believers, blaspheming and cursing God, and hating anything that is pure or true.

Rev 14:17-19

17 And another angel came out of the temple which is in heaven, he also having a sharp sickle.

18 And another angel came out from the altar, which had power over fire; and cried with a loud cry to him that had the sharp sickle, saying, Thrust in thy sharp sickle, and gather the clusters of the vine of the earth; for her grapes are fully ripe.

19 And the angel thrust in his sickle into the earth, and gathered the vine of the earth, and cast it into the great winepress of the wrath of God.

A vine produces that which is to be presented to a king!

In John 15:1 Jesus declared that He was the true vine. As most people read this they see the obvious horticultural analogy, but few stop and ask what Jesus meant by calling Himself the true vine? The obvious conclusion is that if He is the true vine, there is another vine that is not true. Jesus’ mandate was to lead men to God, ultimately through His death. As we read scripture we find that there are two other vines mentioned in scripture that profess to lead men to the father, but in reality only lead to bondage.

In Psalm 80:8-15 we find that God had appointed Israel as a vine that should have been a witness to the nations, testifying to the God of Abraham, Isaac & Jacob. However, instead of this, Israel (through disobedience) became a degenerate plant (Jer 2:21), a byword & proverb (Deut 28:37). Rather than being a witness they brought God’s name into disrepute.  Yet the Jewish religious leaders still thought they were the only way to God. To this day, Judaism still purports to be the only true faith, and unless you convert to Judaism you are merely a Gentile & fuel for the fires of hell. Israel have become a false vine that cannot lead anyone to God.

The other false vine mentioned in scripture is the one in this verse, entitled ‘the vine of the earth’. Once again this false vine purports to be able to lead men to ‘God’ – whatever that ‘god’ may be. Whether pleasure, fulfillment, ritual, religious experience, or whatever else. This vine is that which began in Babylon – the final destruction of which is recorded in Revelation 18, and alluded to in verse 8 of this chapter. This ‘Babylonian vine’ is the epitome of false religion, it promises a way to spiritual security, but leads to destruction. Almost all world religions, past and present, have their root in Babylon.

This verse is when time is called on this deception and God’s wrath is poured out as pay-back for all the atrocities committed in the name of religion. Jesus is the only True Vine. He is the only Way, the Truth and the Life, and no man can come to the Father except through Him!

Rev 14:20

And the winepress was trodden without the city, and blood came out of the winepress, even unto the horse bridles, by the space of a thousand and six hundred furlongs.

The city is Jerusalem and this is the battle of Armageddon when the armies of Antichrist will march to destroy Israel once and for all, only to be met by a Jew riding a white horse – followed by the armies of heaven.

This is only a glimpse of these things, which will explore more fully in the coming chapters.

To be continued…

Appendix A

The Lie of Evolution

It is one thing for atheistic humanists to want to believe that there is no Creator and no purpose and thus have a need for the theory of Evolution to explain the universe and all therein; but it is amazing that still so many who would call themselves Christians happily accept this false religion and even believe that it is compatible with the Bible.

It is no secret that much of the leadership of the established church (who are merely the product of their liberal theological collages), embrace the theory of Evolution and see it as a perfectly acceptable explanation for our origins, choosing to believe that the Genesis account is simply ‘Hebrew poetry penned in Babylon – a combination of myth and legend’.

Of these people the apostle Paul wrote to Timothy: “If any man teach otherwise, and consent not to wholesome words, even the words of our Lord Jesus Christ, and to the doctrine which is according to godliness; He is proud, knowing nothing, but doting about questions and strifes of words, whereof cometh envy, strife, railings, evil surmisings, Perverse disputings of men of corrupt minds, and destitute of the truth, supposing that gain is godliness: from such withdraw thyself.” (1 Tim 6:3-5)

What are the words of Jesus?

“Have ye not read, that he which made them at the beginning made them male and female” (Matt 19:4)

“For had ye believed Moses, ye would have believed me: for he wrote of me. But if ye believe not his writings, how shall ye believe my words?” (John 5:46-47)

 “And beginning at Moses and all the prophets, he expounded unto them in all the scriptures the things concerning himself.” (Luke 24:27)

Jesus clearly believed the account in Genesis to be true and declared that Moses was the author of the Torah, the first five books of the Bible, quoting from each of them and attributing it to Moses. Jesus also stated that not “one jot or one tittle shall in no wise pass from the law, till all be fulfilled” (Matt 5:18). The heart of the Law is the Ten Commandments as recorded in Exodus 20; in verse 11 we read: “For in six days the LORD made heaven and earth, the sea, and all that in them is, and rested the seventh day: wherefore the LORD blessed the sabbath day, and hallowed it.”

In Exodus 31:18 we are told that this was written by the finger of God, and in Hebrews 6:18 we are told that it impossible for God to lie. So did God really create everything in six literal days about 6000 years ago? If we are to believe that, what about all the scientists that have ‘proven’ Evolution? And at the end of the day, shouldn’t we just concentrate on the Gospel message rather than getting side-tracked by issues like these?

Let’s answer one question at a time: What is the Gospel message?

According to the apostle Paul the gospel is that “Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures; And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures” (1 Cor 15:3-4). Now, why did Christ die? Clearly we are told it was for our sins. In Romans 5:12 Paul tells us that by one man [Adam] sin entered the world and death came because of sin. Paul is obviously referring to the Fall as recorded in Genesis chapter 3. Therefore, according to the Bible there was no death before Adam sinned, and the reason that Jesus came to die for us was because of sin that entered into the human race through Adam and so spread to all mankind.

You see, without a literal Garden of Eden and literal Adam there could be no literal Fall. If there was no literal Fall there is no need for a literal Saviour, and Jesus wasted His time. Don’t listen to anyone that tells you that this is just a side issue!

The religion of Evolution teaches that ‘nothing’ exploded and became everything. If that is believed it is on the basis of faith and faith alone. Even the ‘great’ Richard Dawkins, champion of Evolution, said that ‘religion’ is belief in the supernatural. ‘Nothing’ exploding is not natural – I think you’ll agree! So, by definition it is super-natural. Richard Dawkins also said that religion requires belief in things that cannot be verified by science. ‘Nothing’ exploding, life from non-life, information formed by random chance, species changing from one form to another…etc., none of these can be verified by science (which demands observation using one or more of our five senses – sight, hearing, touch, taste & smell).

Evolution teaches that we are continually improving; the Bible teaches that we have fallen and are in need of a Saviour. Evolution teaches that things are getting better; the Bible teaches that things are getting worse – and will continue to do so until Jesus returns. Evolution teaches that the white man is more evolved than the black man (Hitler used this to justify the extermination of the Jews, believing them to be less evolved); the Bible teaches that God has made of one blood all nations of men (Acts 17:26). Evolution teaches that there is no God; the Bible says only a fool would say in his heart that there is no God!

So what about the scientists?

Universe is made up of two words: Uni – meaning ‘single’, and verse – meaning a spoken sentence. Thus Uni-Verse = a single spoken sentence: ‘In the beginning God created the heavens and the Earth’.

• Modern science has finally realised that the universe is finite; that is, it had a beginning. The Bible stated this on page one.
• Scientists now know that our reality consists of time, space and matter. Again, the opening words of the Bible declare that: ‘In the beginning’ = Time, ‘God created the heavens’ = Space, ‘and the earth’ = Matter.
• The Bible said that the earth was a sphere – scientists eventually verified this.
• The Bible said that there were ‘paths in the sea’ – this insight led to the science of Oceanography thanks to Bible believing Matthew Maury.
• The Bible explained the water cycle – thousands of years later, scientist ‘discovered’ this.
• The Bible described air currents thousands of years ago. We now have Meteorology.
• The Bible declared that air has a mass – not until the sixteenth century did science catch up.

We could carry on with page after page including medical insights in the Bible completely unknown until modern times.

Many of the greatest scientists in history believed the Bible, and many still do. Dr A. E. Wilder-Smith had three earned doctorates and many feel that the only reason he was not awarded a Nobel prize was because of his unrelenting stand that the Bible was true. Answers in Genesis, a ministry that promotes the Bible as God’s word and demonstrates that true science and the Bible are completely compatible, list pages of qualified scientists who believe, for scientific reasons, that God created the heavens and the earth in six literal days about 6000 years ago.

There is no problem with reconciling science and the Bible; the problem is with the unscientific theory of Evolution, for which, some of Evolutions leading proponents have conceded, there is no evidence, just belief. Sadly, it is this theory that has led so many to abandon faith in the Bible and therefore in God.

• Sir Arthur Keith who wrote the forward to the 100th Edition of Origin of the Species said: “Evolution is unproved and unprovable.”
• Professor Louis Bounoure, Director of Research, American National Centre of Scientific Research said: “Evolution is a fairy tale for grown-ups. This theory has helped nothing in the progress of science. It is useless.”
• Malcolm Muggeridge, British journalist and philosopher said: “I myself am convinced that the theory of evolution, especially the extent to which it has been applied, will be one of the great jokes in the history books of the future. Posterity will marvel that so flimsy and dubious an hypothesis could be accepted with the incredible credulity that it has”
• Dr. T.N. Tahmisian of the Atomic Energy Commission (USA) said: “Scientists who go about teaching that evolution is a fact of life are great con-men, and the story they are telling may be the greatest hoax ever.”

Evolution is a scientific impossibility. It is a religion fathered by the father of lies. Sadly, many brilliant minds have fallen hook, line and sinker for this grown-up fairy tale, or they perpetuate their intellectual dishonesty in order to secure grants and avoid upsetting the status quo.

But one thing is sure, there will be no evolutionists in either heaven or hell!

Every blessing,

Pastor Barry.

The post Prelude to Wrath first appeared on Calvary Chapel Portsmouth.

In chapter twelve we were introduced to 1) the Woman, who we saw was ‘mystical Eve’ carrying the line down through the ages from Eve in the garden of Eden, to Mary. We also saw 2) the Manchild – Jesus Christ who will rule all nations with a rod of iron. Fighting on behalf of Israel we saw 3) the archangel Michael, and in defiance to all that is true and holy we saw 4) the dragon, identified as Satan. The 5th ‘person’ we were introduced to was the ‘saints’ who Satan will turn to attach once Israel is fled for safety and protection in the wilderness of Edom.

So that brings us to this chapter, and we are firstly introduced to 6) a beast that John sees coming out of the sea. This beast is to be the final world government of this age, before Jesus returns and ‘puts down all authority and power (1 Cor 15:24). The final character is then revealed as a beast from the earth, who will be the embodiment of false religion, who is later identified as the False Prophet.

Introduction

From the beginning Satan has been a deceiver and master counterfeiter. Now, at the mid-point of the Tribulation, Satan (man’s great opponent) will attempt to deceive mankind through an unholy trinity, with Satan (as he has always wanted) being ‘like God’; Antichrist (as the name means) ‘in the place of Christ’, and the False Prophet assuming a Holy Spirit-like role, pointing people to the false Christ.

As we noted in the introduction to chapter 12, Satan thought all of creation was to be his. But then God created man in His own image and gave Adam dominion over all the earth (Gen 1:26). Infuriated, Satan’s pride caused him to fall (1 Tim 3:6), and he then immediately set about deceiving man in order to wrest the dominion of earth from him. Satan is, for now, ‘the god of this world’ (2 Cor 4:4).

Since then, Satan has been ‘hell-bent’ on the destruction of man with just one agenda; viz. to be worshiped, whether knowingly or unwittingly. He is equally happy with those who foolishly play with the occult, Ouija boards, tarot cards, horoscopes, yoga, eastern mysticism and other false religions, or with those who just worship materialism, thinking they are free from religion following their own (Satan-inspired) human natures, with a ‘if it feels good do it’ mentality, blissfully unaware of the consequences of their hedonism.

Satan’s desire to be worshipped is seen in the most audacious act eternity has ever witnessed! We read in Luke’s Gospel: “And the devil, taking [Jesus] up into an high mountain, shewed unto him all the kingdoms of the world in a moment of time. And the devil said unto him, All this power will I give thee, and the glory of them: for that is delivered unto me; and to whomsoever I will I give it. If thou therefore wilt worship me, all shall be thine”. (Luke 4:5-7)

Here we have a created angel asking the Creator to worship him! Talk about delusions of grandeur!

An important point to note in the above verses is that Jesus doesn’t challenge Satan’s claim to be able to give Him the kingdoms of the world, for as already mentioned, for now they do belong to Satan. However, as we have been seeing in our study, in Revelation chapter 5 Jesus was found worthy to reclaim that which Adam lost. From chapter 6 we then see all creation getting ready for a change of ownership! This concludes in chapter 10 when the mighty angel declares that ‘time is up’ (10:6), which is then followed by the triumphant declaration that: “The kingdoms of this world are become the kingdoms of our Lord, and of his Christ; and he shall reign for ever and ever” (Rev 11:15).

Whilst God has of course always been in ultimate control, He has allowed Satan, who for now possesses the title deed to the earth, to manipulate the kings and kingdoms of this world (Luke 4:6).  Each world empire throughout history has had its own unique traits; Babylon (which spawned almost all false religion) had its idolatry and pride; Medo-Persia had brutish strength; Greece conquered the world with lightning speed, and Rome crushed all in its way. However, as we will see in this chapter, the Bible teaches that there is another world empire on the horizon that will encompass and eclipse all of the previous empires put together.

At this point it is worth taking a look at some of the remarkable and instructive prophecies in the book of Daniel. In Daniel chapter 2 we have recorded the dream of Nebuchadnezzar. Neither the king nor his ‘wise men’ were able to interpret the dream until Daniel came and said: “…there is a God in heaven that revealeth secrets, and maketh known to the king Nebuchadnezzar what shall be in the latter days. Thy dream, and the visions of thy head upon thy bed, are these….” (Daniel 2:28)

Nebuchadnezzar’s dream of a large statue made from different materials laid out the entire history of the world kingdoms, from the time of Daniel (Babylon as the head of gold) until the time of the final Satanic world kingdom (the iron mixed with clay). It is that final kingdom that we will see introduced in Revelation chapter 13. However, that will not be the end, for Daniel also records that following this attempt by Satan to eradicate Christians, destroy Israel, rule the world and to be worshipped by all mankind, Jesus will return! “And in the days of these kings shall the God of heaven set up a kingdom, which shall never be destroyed: and the kingdom shall not be left to other people, but it shall break in pieces and consume all these kingdoms, and it shall stand for ever.” (Dan 2:44)  – that is why we are told to pray ‘Thy kingdom come…on Earth!’ (Matthew 6:10).

In Daniel’s interpretation of king Nebuchadnezzar’s dream he told the king: “You, O king…Thou art this head of gold. And after thee shall arise another kingdom inferior to thee. Exactly as Daniel had said, after the Babylonian kingdom (of which Nebuchadnezzar was the head), came the Medo-Persian Empire, which was powerful and subdued the Babylonians, Egyptians and the Libyans (North Africans); however, it did not become as powerful as Babylon in its prime …and another third kingdom of brass, which shall bear rule over all the earth. After the Medo-Persian Empire came the Greeks led by Alexander the Great, which swept across the world and conquered all before them …And the fourth kingdom shall be strong as iron: forasmuch as iron breaketh in pieces and subdueth all things: and as iron that breaketh all these, shall it break in pieces and bruise. Finally, the mighty Roman Empire came which did ‘crush in pieces and subdue all things’, as Daniel had prophesied. However, whereas all the other kingdoms were subdued by the succeeding one, the Roman Empire was never conquered, but rather broke apart with all the major parts taking their turn in ruling for a time  …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. 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 (Dan 2:37-43). It is this divided kingdom, often spoken of by prophecy students as a ‘revived Roman empire’, that will be seen and explained further in Revelation chapter 13.

However, before we get into our study of Revelation chapter 13, more insight is gleaned from Daniel chapter 7 where there is another vision of these world empires, but this time Daniel sees them as beasts. Regarding the forth kingdom, when Daniel receives the interpretation he is told: “The fourth beast shall be the fourth kingdom upon earth, which shall be diverse from all kingdoms, and shall devour the whole earth, and shall tread it down, and break it in pieces. This is historically true of the Roman Empire, but then we are told …And the ten horns out of this kingdom are ten kings that shall arise: and another shall rise after them; and he shall be diverse from the first, and he shall subdue three kings”. (Dan 7:23-24).

Horns typically symbolize strength, so it is no surprise they are idiomatically used to depict kingdoms. As seen from the above verse, somehow, out of the old Roman empire will come a ten-kingdom world empire, but of which three ‘kings’ will fall before Antichrist (the ‘another’).

The identity of the ten horns is again confirmed in Rev 17:12-13: “the ten horns…. are ten kings, which have received no kingdom as yet; but receive power as kings one hour with the beast. These have one mind, and shall give their power and strength unto the beast.”

Thus from these verses we can see that there is a phase of the Roman Empire that has yet to be fulfilled, where the Empire will once again come to power. Out of this revived Roman Empire will then come 10 kings represented here by the ten toes (Daniel 2) and ten horns (Daniel 7/Rev 13). We are told that these 10 kingdoms will cover the whole world; or it might be that the world will be divided into 10 regions. It is interesting to note that the Club of Rome has already suggested that the world be sectioned into 10 ‘administrative districts’ with the intention of avoiding the potential of a world economic collapse. Antichrist (the little horn) will then arise and subdue three of these 10 kings taking total control of the nations of the earth, and thus we will be back to where it all started at the Tower of Babel with Cush and his son Nimrod – a one world government with Satan at the helm. This has been Satan’s plan since that time.

With some background covered, we are ready to move into Revelation 13!

Rev 13:1

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.

In the Greek, the opening words of this verse are ‘kai histemi’ which literally translated would be ‘And stood’. In other words, the ‘I’ has been inserted by the translators. However, there is a strong suggestion among some Bible commentators that this is better translated “And he stood on the sand of the sea…” implying that it is Satan himself standing on the shore and calling this beast out. This would make sense following on from chapter 12, where after being cast down to the earth, we read: “And the dragon [Satan] was wroth with the woman, and went to make war with the remnant of her seed, which keep the commandments of God, and have the testimony of Jesus Christ.”

(We should remember that the chapters and verses were not added until the 12^th Century by Archbishop Stephen Langton). So let’s read on: “And [He] stood upon the sand of the sea, and [I John] saw a beast rise up out of the sea…”

This view is consistent with scripture and doesn’t imply anything that we don’t already know, i.e. that after being cast out of Heaven, Satan will ‘go after’ Israel (the Woman), and it will be through the person of Antichrist that he will seek to fulfill his plans. J Vernon McGee comments: “The dragon (Satan) stands on the sands of the sea, and it is he who brings the wild Beast out of the sea and dominates him. This is Satan’s masterpiece.”

Although not a recommend translation in itself, the RSV (Revised Standard Version) actually adds the opening of v13 on the end of ch12 v17 as follows:

17 Then the dragon was angry with the woman, and went off to make war on the rest of her offspring, on those who keep the commandments of God and bear testimony to Jesus. And he stood on the sand of the sea.

13:1 And I saw a beast rising out of the sea, with ten horns and seven heads, 

The ASV (American Standard Version) & the NASB (New American Standard

“And the dragon stood on the sand of the seashore” (NASB).

“and he stood upon the sand of the sea” (ASV)

We now are faced with an array of ‘signs’, just as we were in the opening of the last chapter. As we have already mentioned, signs point to something literal; our task is to find their meaning and of course, scripture itself will be our guide.

The first sign is a beast that rises out of the sea. The sea that John is referring to is probably the Mediterranean, but is symbolic of the Gentile nations of the world as we have already seen from Daniel 7. The beast who will arise out of the nations of the world (and more specifically out of the 10 kingdoms of the revised Roman Empire) is none other than Antichrist; there are various confirmations of this as the chapter unfolds. The next four things that John notices all point to the identity of the beast , and the first thing that should grab our attention is the similarities between this Beast and Satan himself as described in the previous chapter:

“And there appeared another wonder in heaven; and behold a great red dragon, having seven heads and ten horns, and seven crowns upon his heads.” (Rev 12:3)

The beast is synonymous with Satan and yet at the same time distinct from him as is clear from verse 2 & 4 (below) where we read that Satan gives his power to the beast. Clearly however, the beast has the attributes of Satan and we will discover that this is the beginning of Satan trying to establish a satanic trinity; we will explore this in more detail in verse 11-12.

…a beast rise up out of the sea

Returning to Daniel 7 verse one we read:  “In the first year of Belshazzar king of Babylon Daniel had a dream and visions of his head upon his bed: then he wrote the dream, and told the sum of the matters. Daniel spake and said, I saw in my vision by night, and, behold, the four winds of the heaven strove upon the great sea, and four great beasts came up from the sea, diverse one from another. (Dan 7:1-3)

Again, as we have seen, these beasts represent kingdoms that arise from the earth: “These great beasts, which are four, are four kings, which shall arise out of the earth”. (Dan 7: 17)

Thus the beast that John is seeing and recording in Revelation 13 is the same that Daniel saw 2500 years earlier. The beast is symbolic of both Antichrist and his kingdom, and in both John and Daniel’s visions we see him coming to power and establishing his throne on earth for 3¹/₂ years (time, times & the dividing of time).

…having seven heads

In Rev 17:9-11 we read: And here is the mind which hath wisdom. The seven heads are seven mountains, on which the woman sitteth [we will deal with the ‘woman’ when we get to chapter 17] …And [they] are seven kings: five are fallen, and one is, and the other is not yet come; and when he cometh, he must continue a short space. And the beast that was, and is not, even he is the eighth, and is of the seven, and goeth into perdition.

The mention of seven mountains has led some scholars to conclude that this passage is referring to the city of Rome because it is built on seven hills. However, whilst Rome is indeed alluded to (both politically and religiously) the scope of this prophecy is wider than just Rome.

When mountains, are used symbolically in Scripture, they are always a symbol of a king or kingdom or throne; and we are clearly told in the text that the seven heads are seven mountains, which are in turn seven kingdoms. We are also told that at the time John is receiving this prophecy, five of the seven kings (kingdoms) have fallen, one is existing, and one is yet future. It is a matter of history that the Roman Empire was in power in John’s day and prior to that there had been five ‘world’ empires, starting with 1)Egypt, and going on to 2)Assyria, 3) Babylon, 4)Medo Persia and 5)Greece. Rome then became the sixth and we are now awaiting the emergence of the final world Empire which will start as a World Government, that will devour the whole earth; then it will be divided into 10 ‘kingdoms’ from which Antichrist will arise.

…and ten horns, and upon his horns ten crowns

As we will discover in the next verse, this beast is really the culmination of all the beasts (world empires) that preceded it; this is also the case with the 10 horns. The horns as explained in Daniel 7 and also Revelation 17:12-13 “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. These have one mind, and shall give their power and strength unto the beast.”

Rev 13:2

And the beast which I saw was like unto a leopard, and his feet were as the feet of a bear, and his mouth as the mouth of a lion: and the dragon gave him his power, and his seat, and great authority.

Now we see that this beast has the attributes of the preceding world empires and is given Satan’s power and authority.

In Daniel’s vision we read: “The first [beast] was like a lion [Babylon] 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 [Medo-Persia], 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 [Greece], which had upon the back of it four wings of a fowl; the beast had also four heads; and dominion was given to it. (Daniel 7:4-10).

Rev 13:3

And I saw one of his heads as it were wounded to death; and his deadly wound was healed: and all the world wondered after the beast.

The heads represent the world empires, the ruler of the last will be Antichrist, and it is this ‘head’ that is ‘wounded to death’. How this will happen is unclear but somehow Antichrist will be wounded and appear to die. Some scholars think that he will actually die and raised to life again by the power of Satan; either way the effect will be the same because the world will believe that Antichrist has died and will then see him ‘miraculously brought back to life’.

This will be one of the satanic signs that are performed to deceive the world and cause them to follow Antichrist.

It is such an important issue and therefore must be stressed again in the strongest terms: Our faith should not be in our experiences regardless of how genuine they seem, but in the Word of God which is unchangeable. Sadly many Christian leaders are leading their congregations to chase ‘every wind of doctrine’, searching for the latest ‘move of the Spirit’. One of the greatest deceptions of the last days will be an abundance of  ‘signs and wonders’. As John urged in 1 John 4:1-3 “Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world. Hereby know ye the Spirit of God: Every spirit that confesseth that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is of God: And every spirit that confesseth not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is not of God: and this is that spirit of antichrist, whereof ye have heard that it should come; and even now already is it in the world.”

Your only safeguard against deception is the Word of God.

Regarding the ‘fatal’ wound that Antichrist receives, there is an interesting passage in Zech 11:16-17 that some believe to be referring to Antichrist at this time:

For, lo, I will raise up a shepherd in the land, which shall not visit those that be cut off, neither shall seek the young one, nor heal that that is broken, nor feed that that standeth still: but he shall eat the flesh of the fat, and tear their claws in pieces. Woe to the idol shepherd that leaveth the flock! the sword shall be upon his arm, and upon his right eye: his arm shall be clean dried up, and his right eye shall be utterly darkened.

Does this imply that his head wound will affect the use of his arm and the sight of his right eye?

Rev 13:4

And they worshipped the dragon which gave power unto the beast: and they worshipped the beast, saying, Who is like unto the beast? who is able to make war with him?

As a result of this deception, people will fall hook, line and sinker for the lie and will start to worship Satan who has given power to Antichrist; this will require all other religions to ‘fade away’. It is no coincidence that there is a massive world wide effort to unite all religions with the lie that we can all find our own path to ‘god’. One of the stated aims of the new Pope was to bring about a greater understanding between all religions. As a result of the atrocities committed by fundamentalist Muslims, mainstream Islam is now distancing itself from the fundamentalists and becoming more tolerant and open to other faiths in an attempt to stem the tide of anti-Islamic feeling. All of this will continue until there is one world religion (that will be headed up by the Roman Catholic church), we will deal with this in Revelation chapter 17.

Eventually Antichrist will put an end to this false religious system and cause all to worship him, convincing them that he is their ‘Christ’ or ‘Mohammed’ or ‘Buddha’  etc.

Rev 13:5

And there was given unto him a mouth speaking great things and blasphemies; and power was given unto him to continue forty and two months.

Satan’s sin was pride (1 Tim 3:6), which is seen here manifesting itself as arrogance as he (through Antichrist) keeps opening his mouth and speaking against the God of Heaven.

Again we have confirmed that his ‘moment of glory’ will only last for 42 months (3¹/₂ years).

Rev 13:6

And he opened his mouth in blasphemy against God, to blaspheme his name, and his tabernacle, and them that dwell in heaven.

It is really hard to imagine the twisted arrogance that would cause a created being to speak against its Creator. Those who dwell in Heaven (no doubt including the Church) are also the subject of the malicious lies and insults.

Rev 13:7

And it was given unto him to make war with the saints, and to overcome them: and power was given him over all kindreds, and tongues, and nations.

Satan’s hatred of anything good will ‘vent’ itself on the saints on the earth during this time. Daniel also comments on this:

“And he shall speak great words against the most High, and shall wear out the saints of the most High, and think to change times and laws: and they shall be given into his hand until a time and times and the dividing of time. (Daniel 7:23-25)

As we have already mentioned these saints cannot be the Church because we are told in Matthew 16:18 that: “I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it” These saints will be those who come to faith during the tribulation (probably through the preaching of the two witnesses and the 144,000 Jewish evangelists). Although they are called saints they are not part of the Church – which will be complete at the time of the Rapture. ‘Saints’ is simply a term that refers to God’s people whether they be Jews, Christians or Tribulation Saints.

Rev 13:8

And all that dwell upon the earth shall worship him, whose names are not written in the book of life of the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world.

There are just two groups of people as described by Paul in the book of Romans; those who are saved and those who are perishing. That is what we see here; either your name is in the book of life and you are saved or it is not and you will end up worshipping Antichrist. The fact that it is predestined (decided) before the foundation of the world does not relieve us of our responsibility or make God unjust by deciding people’s fate for them; it simply shows that because God is outside of time, He knew the choice and decision that you are going to make in regard to your relationship with Him. Either you will  accept or reject the way out that He has made through the death of His Son in your place. We all have free choice and our eternity will depend on what we do with that freedom to choose.

Rev 13:9

If any man have an ear, let him hear.

This is the same phrase that we encountered in Rev 2 & 3, however the Church is no longer on earth so the line ‘what the Spirit says to the Churches’ is now omitted. Once again we see the mercy of God in that the call is still going out. One of the most incredible things about the Tribulation is the number of opportunities that God gives people to repent – again He has “no pleasure in the death of the wicked, but that the he should turn from his way and live.” (Ezekiel 33:11)

Rev 13:10

He that leadeth into captivity shall go into captivity: he that killeth with the sword must be killed with the sword. Here is the patience and the faith of the saints.

One consolation for the believers during this time is that whoever harms them will be harmed in the same way. Nevertheless it is still going to be a really tough time for believers and it may well be that the only way out of this time will to be martyred (killed) for their faith. How much easier and rewarding it is to believe now and become a part of the Church! If you are reading this and you are not part of Jesus Christ’s Church, don’t leave it a moment longer. Repent (of your sin – that means turn away from it, literally going in the other direction), believe (that Jesus is Lord and that God raised Him from the dead) and receive the free gift of the Holy Spirit as a guarantee that you are now safe in His hands.

If you would rather ‘sit it out’ and decide later, then what we are reading about in this verse is what you have in store – provided that you are not deceived first.

Rev 13:11

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.

Now we are introduced to a second beast. Two is the number of witness or testimony and being like a lamb he is trying to deceive by appearing to be like the true Lamb of God. However when he opens his mouth we are no longer in any doubt where he is coming from.

Rev 13:12

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.

So here we have the completion of the Satanic trinity. Satan as (an extremely poor copy of) God the Father, Antichrist as the name literally means, ‘in stead of Christ’, and now the False Prophet (as he is called in Rev 19:20) as a type of the Holy Spirit; and as the Holy Spirit doesn’t take the praise but always points to Jesus, so the false prophet will seek to exalt and glorify Antichrist, causing all to worship him.

Rev 13:13

And he doeth great wonders, so that he maketh fire come down from heaven on the earth in the sight of men,

The people of the earth had seen God’s two witnesses call down fire from Heaven on any that tried to harm them; Satan now gives this power to the false prophet as if to counter what God has done. This reminds us of Pharaohs magicians in Egypt who tied to counter the signs that Moses and Aaron did in an attempt to harden the people’s hearts.

Rev 13:14

And deceiveth them that dwell on the earth by the means of those miracles which he had power to do in the sight of the beast; saying to them that dwell on the earth, that they should make an image to the beast, which had the wound by a sword, and did live.

We now see the ‘real thing’ for which king Nebuchadnezzar’s statue was a dress rehearsal. The false prophet will deceive the people (who have made this world their home) by the ‘signs and wonders’ and then he’ll suggest that they make an image of Antichrist.

Rev 13:15

And he had power to give life unto the image of the beast, that the image of the beast should both speak, and cause that as many as would not worship the image of the beast should be killed.

Somehow the false prophet will make the image of Antichrist (which will be placed in the Holy of Holies in the temple in Jerusalem) to seem as if it’s alive and even cause it to talk. Just like it was with king Neb’ back in Daniel 3, any that don’t worship the image will be killed.

Rev 13:16

And he causeth all, both small and great, rich and poor, free and bond, to receive a mark in their right hand, or in their foreheads

All really does mean all: the ordinary folks & the famous celebrities, rich & poor, employers & employees; all will be made to receive a mark in either their right hand or forehead.

Rev 13:17

And that no man might buy or sell, save he that had the mark, or the name of the beast, or the number of his name.

Everyone will have to receive the mark and buying or selling will be made impossible unless you have either the mark, or Antichrist’s name, or the number of his name. In this way everyone will be forced to pledge allegiance to Antichrist. Whilst some sort of electronic microchip may well be used during this time, the mark is unlikely to be your own personal ID number (such as you currently have with your Credit Card number), because the whole point of this is that you are given Antichrist’s number. Whatever the mark will be it will also probably be visible; again, it is an outward sign that a person has pledged their allegiance to Antichrist. This is also another one of Satan’s poor copies, because back in chapter 7 the servants of God were marked in their foreheads with the name of God (this is confirmed in the next chapter also).

Rev 13:18

Here is wisdom. Let him that hath understanding count the number of the beast: for it is the number of a man; and his number is Six hundred threescore and six.

This is written for those on earth during this time who will be able to identify Antichrist by adding up the letters in his name which in the Hebrew or Greek will add up to 666. Many fruitless hours have been wasted by people who have tried to figure this out before the time. In 2 Thessalonians we are told that Antichrist is being held back until the Church has gone.

To be continued…

Every blessing,

Pastor Barry.

The post The Un-Holy Trinity first appeared on Calvary Chapel Portsmouth.

Satan, often simply called ‘the Devil’ used to be known as Lucifer, which means ‘light bearer’ (Isaiah 14:12). According to Ezekiel 28, he was once a stunningly beautiful super-angel, possibly even the highest ranking angel of all. He had the privilege of being in charge of the worship in Heaven, and literally had musical instruments built into his body (Ezek 28:13). He had unrestricted access before the throne of God. So how (you might be thinking) could this ‘anointed cherubim’ end up becoming the embodiment of evil and the most deadly enemy man has ever faced?

The answer is simple. Pride (1 Tim 3:6).

We read in the book of Job that when God made the heavens and the earth all the angels sang for joy (Job 38:7). If all means all, Lucifer must have been among them, and in all probability was actually the one leading the praise to God! As the angels looked on, the Earth and Universe God was creating must has seemed truly breathtaking! As God caused the Light to shine on Day 1, separated the land and the sea on Day 2, and then caused trees, plants, vegetation and fruit to appear all over the earth on Day 3, the excitement must have been building among the angels, wondering what God was going to do next, and what was it all for? As God flung galaxies out into space on Day 4, and then caused living creatures to appear in the oceans and birds to fly in the sky on Day 5.

Then on Day 6 God created lions, elephants, dinosaurs, squirrels, sloths, bears, penguins and so much more! God’s new creation was indeed very good! You can almost hear the angels whispering among themselves, “This is amazing! I wonder who it is for? Who will be given the job of ruling over all of this wonderful creation?” No doubt some eyes had started to look toward Lucifer; after all, he was already God’s right-hand-angel! Lucifer himself had also started to wonder! “To whom would the king delight to do honour more than to myself?” (Esther 6:6).

But then, with what was probably the biggest metaphorical bombshell in all eternity, God creates Man! But the real wonder was not man was fearfully and wonderfully made, but that God created him in His own image! There was not a creature in the heavens or the earth that could compare! But (if you are following…) this led to one inescapable conclusion… Lucifer was no longer the pinnacle of God’s creation, and it quickly became clear that this stunning new world that God had just spent the last 5 days creating, was to be given to Man!!

At that moment, something happened that seemed utterly impossible; it was something so catastrophic that it would later require an unimaginable price to be paid to remedy the situation, and even then would leave a tragic scar on the whole of eternity. Lucifer – the light bearer – rebelled against God!

Isaiah 14:12-15 records that Lucifer, already overflowing with envy and hatred for the Man who had been created in God’s image, said in his heart “I will ascend into heaven, I will exalt my throne above the [angels] of God: I will sit also upon the mount of the congregation, in the sides of the north: I will ascend above the heights of the clouds; I will be like the most High” (Isaiah 14:13-14).

Lucifer had not been created ‘like the Most High’, but Adam had. So if he had not been given it, he would take it by force! He would take the wonderful earth he thought he rightfully deserved, destroying this Man in the process! Then he would be exulted and the other angels would worship him! Lucifer’s nature now changed in an instant, his name effectively changing to Satan, which means ‘opponent’, for now he had become – not God’s opponent – but Man’s.

However, just as with the account of Mordecai and Haman in the book of Esther (which is a dramatic re telling of this very situation), the very blow that Satan would strike against man would ultimately prove to be his own undoing.

“And Haman told Zeresh his wife and all his friends every thing that had befallen him. Then said his wise men and Zeresh his wife unto him, If Mordecai be of the seed of the Jews, before whom thou hast begun to fall, thou shalt not prevail against him, but shalt surely fall before him” (Esther 6:13).

As we will see in our study of Revelation ch 12, Satan took one third of the angels with him when he rebelled against God, and for the last 6000 years of human history he has been hell-bent on one thing: the destruction of man by whatever means possible. But the man he was most intent on destroying was not the first Adam, but the Second Adam – Jesus Christ. For from Genesis 3:15, where God pronounces his judgment falling the Fall, Satan knew he had begun to fall, and that he shalt not prevail against him, but shalt surely fall before him. In essence, the whole account of the Old Testament is the story of how God engineered and ensured the safe arrival of the Second Adam – the Seed of the Woman, and how Satan – the Dragon – desperately tried to prevent it!

Rev 12:1

And there appeared a great wonder in heaven; a woman clothed with the sun, and the moon under her feet, and upon her head a crown of twelve stars:

The word ‘wonder’ is the Greek word ‘semeion’ meaning ‘sign’ – it occurs 7 times in Revelation although in the English it is translated as three times as ‘wonder’ (12:1 / 12:3 / 13:13), three as ‘miracle’ (13:14 / 16:14 / 19:20), and once as ‘sign’ (15:1).

In the opening of the book we read that Jesus ‘sent and signified’ this Revelation, i.e. rendered it into signs (Rev 1:1). Our challenge is to now see what this sign is pointing to – because that’s what signs do!

The first thing to observe is that we have a woman and that she is clothed. The clothing is not the woman, but she is under the covering of the clothing.

The first mention of clothing is found in Genesis 3:21, where God clothed Adam and Eve with the skins of animals. These animals became the first ‘innocent blood sacrifice’ in the Bible. But from Genesis 4 onward we see that God was establishing a sacrificial system long before the Law of Moses, where by the slaying of an innocent animal, the blood would atone for sin as a temporary measure until the Seed of the woman would finally come, and in so doing pay once and for all for sin.

Adam, it would appear knew this, and there are strong suggestions that the original Mazzaroth (what we know today as the Zodiac) was named by Adam as a way of telling the Gospel story that could then be passed down through the generations – Starting with Virgo (the virgin) with child, and ending up with the Lion (Leo) conquering all. Unfortunately the Mazzaroth was corrupted by the Babylonians and has since become something that is used to draw people away from God rather than lead them to Him.

Anyway, clothing (animal skins) as well as giving physical protection, were to be this symbolic reminder of the temporary protection/covering (from the consequences of sin) until the Seed of the woman, the Messiah, came.

In Genesis 3:20 Eve is describes as the mother of all living – this was prophetic because it was not until chapter 4 that she conceived and gave birth. But more than just the natural, there is the hint of the supernatural, for through Eve came the Messiah who said:

“I am that bread of life. Your fathers did eat manna in the wilderness, and are dead. This is the bread which cometh down from heaven, that a man may eat thereof, and not die. I am the living bread which came down from heaven: if any man eat of this bread, he shall live for ever:”  (John 6:48-51).

In this sense, Eve has indeed become the mother of all those who would live as a result of her Seed. But even this expression, the Seed of the Woman, is provocative, because biologically the seed comes from the man. So in this there is the hint of the virgin birth

Who is this woman? From all that follows it is clear that the woman is, if you will, the ‘mystical’ Eve, (the line that started with Eve and came down through the generations) from which the Messiah came.

…a woman clothed with the sun, and the moon under her feet, and upon her head a crown of twelve stars:

In Genesis 37:9-11 we read: “And he [Joseph] dreamed yet another dream, and told it his brethren, and said, Behold, I have dreamed a dream more; and, behold, the sun and the moon and the eleven stars made obeisance to me. And he told it to his father, and to his brethren: and his father rebuked him, and said unto him, What is this dream that thou hast dreamed? Shall I and thy mother and thy brethren indeed come to bow down ourselves to thee to the earth? And his brethren envied him; but his father observed the saying”.

As we have already noted, in the 404 verses in Revelation, there are over 800 allusions to the Old Testament. If John didn’t immediately make the connection, we certainly should, for the imagery used in Revelation 12:1 is straight from the above verse from Genesis 37. From this we can deduce that the sun is Jacob, the moon is Leah (as Rachel was dead by this time), and the stars were the brothers of Joseph. Thus the sun, moon and stars are representative of the nation of Israel. God ‘clothed’ the seed of the woman with the nation of Israel to protect it until the time appointed for the Messiah to be born.

Rev 12:2

And she being with child cried, travailing in birth, and pained to be delivered.

The Old Testament is the story of this Woman ‘travailing in birth’ waiting for the Child to come.      Right from the start, Satan was ‘hell bent’ on stopping this Child coming and tried everything possible to prevent it. Understanding this simple fact sheds light on so much of what might otherwise be confusing. We need to understand all the battles and struggles in the Old Testament in this context.

God promised Abraham that the Seed would be one of his descendants, and through him, all the world would be blessed. To make this possible God promised to Abraham the land of Canaan – that we now know as Israel – but the promise was for Israel to have from the Mediterranean to the Euphrates, from the border of Egypt to Syria. This was to be a permanent possession. The promise was unconditional and therefore cannot be forfeited.

Satan now not only had a people group to target, but a land also. This is the beginning of Anti Semitism – the hatred of the Jews. It is Satanic in origin and has just one purpose; to attempt to thwart God’s plan.

• Cain killing Able: This was Satan’s 1^st attempt after the fall to destroy the Seed of the Woman. In all probability, Satan at that time may well have thought Abel was the Seed.
• The Nephelim and Giants of Gen 6: This was a Satanic plan to corrupt the human race, so that there would be no pure Adamic stock remaining. It was to cleanse the earth from this ‘infection’ that God sent the flood, but saved Noah and his family, who were the only ones left ‘perfect in their generations’ (i.e. genetically pure). When we know this truth, we see the Flood as an act of mercy, not the knee-jerk reaction of a tyrannical God.
• The 2^nd wave of Nephelim: Notice how this ‘invasion’ only centered around Israel? This was because of the promise to Shem (and the later covenant with Abraham). Satan now knew the Seed would be one of Shem’s descendants, so focused his attention on that geographical region.
• Nimrod trying to establish a One World Government at Babel (Babylon): Not only would this would give Satan control of the world systems & therefore individuals, his real intention was to get mankind to unite against the Seed (ironically their only Saviour!). Satan failed with this first attempt, but will succeed the second time around – only to then be defeated by Jesus.

• False Religion: Babel failed as a world Government so Satan set about corrupting the truth about the promised Seed and introduced false religions – many of which have retained the worship of mother and child (simply a distortion of Eve and her Seed). These soon began to engulf the world. But now God called Abraham out of this idolatry; and through his family there would be a protective environment, kept separate from the world, from which the Seed could one day come.

• Ishmael’s contempt for Isaac: Their descendants have carried on a family feud until this day
• Attempts on Jacob’s Life:  Jacob feared for his life with Esau,  then later Laban.
• Slavery in Egypt: Satan used the Egyptians to crush Israel
• The killing of the male babies in Egypt: This was another deliberate attempt to stop the Seed of the Woman coming.

• The Wars of Israel: Critics love to attack Israel for their conquest of Canaan, yet the inhabitants were the remnants of the Nephelim. Had Israel had been destroyed, the Saviour could not have come!
• Many more attacks: Satan did not give up, and still hasn’t. The numerous attempts to wipe out the Royal line (1 Samuel 19:10 / 2 Kings 11:2), the blood curse on Jeconiah (Jer 22:30), the Babylonian conquest, the hostility towards Nehemiah’s attempts to rebuild Jerusalem following the Exile, and many more.

All of this was the labour pains the ‘Woman’ (and because the Woman was clothed with Israel, Israel too) had to go through in order to bring the Child to birth.

But Satan’s attempts did not stop after Jesus was born, for we see this carried on in the New Testament with the killing of the babies at Bethlehem, the plot of the Jews to kill Jesus and eventually the betrayal by Judas and the crucifixion. This time Satan thought he had finally won.

What a difference three days can make!

Rev 12:3

And there appeared another wonder in heaven; and behold a great red dragon, having seven heads and ten horns, and seven crowns upon his heads.

This ‘great red dragon’ is identified in verse 9 as none other than Satan. Seven symbolises  ‘complete’. Ten appears in reference to man’s government in the Bible and horns are a symbol of power. Thus Satan has, for now, complete control of the governments of this world (this has been the case since the fall when he deceived Adam & Even and ‘stole’ their position as ruler of this world).

“In whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not,” (2 Cor 4:4).

Rev 12:4

And his tail drew the third part of the stars of heaven, and did cast them to the earth: and the dragon stood before the woman which was ready to be delivered, for to devour her child as soon as it was born.

The stars in this verse are a reference to angels. Whether through Satan’s coercion or simply their own pride, we find that a third of the angels rebelled with Satan. Satan has one third, but he is outnumbered two to one! Satan had waited (and no doubt feared) throughout the Old Testament period for the moment the Child was to be born. If he could not prevent the birth of the Seed, he wanted to ‘devour’ Him as soon as He was born, and this is seen dramatically in the attempt (as mentioned above) to kill of the babies of Bethlehem.

Rev 12:5

And she brought forth a man child, who was to rule all nations with a rod of iron: and her child was caught up unto God, and to his throne.

The Woman, now in the protection of the nation of Israel, gave birth to the Messiah and despite Satan’s best efforts at Calvary, three days later his worst nightmare came true; and in fact by orchestrating Jesus’ death Satan became a murderer, and under God’s law stated back in Genesis 9:6, he had now forfeited his own life. Jesus was untouchable and returned to Heaven. Jesus will rule all nations with a rod of iron. (See Psalm 2:8-9)

Rev 12:6

And the woman fled into the wilderness, where she hath a place prepared of God, that they should feed her there a thousand two hundred and threescore days.

We now jump forward in time as becomes clear by the reference to the 1260 days.

Note: This is not unusual in scripture as the Church Age is often omitted from prophecies. For example in Daniel 9:24-27 we have the prophecy of the 70 weeks for which the clock stops on Palm Sunday and does not restart until the ‘confirming of the covenant’ at the beginning of the Tribulation. Jesus also gives us an example of this in Luke 4:18-20 where He took the scroll of Isaiah and read “The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he hath anointed me to preach the gospel to the poor; he hath sent me to heal the brokenhearted, to preach deliverance to the captives, and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty them that are bruised, To preach the acceptable year of the Lord……….. The passage that Jesus was reading was Isaiah 61:2; however in Isaiah, where Jesus stopped there is a comer, in other words Jesus didn’t finish the sentence, that is why we read: “And he closed the book, and he gave it again to the minister, and sat down. And the eyes of all them that were in the synagogue were fastened on him”. The verse in Isaiah actually goes on to say  “……and the day of vengeance of our God; to comfort all that mourn”. Jesus didn’t complete the verse because that portion of the prophecy will not be fulfilled until the Church has been raptured. The prophecy did not take into account the Church Age because the Church was ‘hidden’ in the Old Testament. (See Matt 13:35). There are actually 24 of these ‘gaps’ in the Bible as listed by Dr Chuck Missler in his book Cosmic Codes (Interestingly, in Revelation ch 4-5 we have the number 24 used to identify the Elders who are representative of the Church).

With the Church Age omitted from the record for the sake of this prophecy, the Child is caught up to God’s throne and the Tribulation begins. At the 3¹/₂  year point (which is where we have reached in chapter 10), we now see the following events unfold and Israel, following Jesus’ advice (recorded in Matt 24), flees into the wilderness – probably to Petra / Bozrah, in Jordan (Old Testament Edom) which we are told will not come under the control of Antichrist (Dan 11:41).

This will fulfill Jacob’s prophetic utterance to Esau in Genesis 33:14. On that occasion Jacob (returning to Israel from his time with uncle Laban) promised Esau that he would join him in Edom. To this day that promise had not been fulfilled, but it will be at this time when Israel flee from Antichrist and go to one of the only places in the world that Antichrist will have no jurisdiction (see Daniel 11:41)

Jesus gave this warning to Israel, which will come to fruition at this time: “When ye therefore shall see the abomination of desolation, spoken of by Daniel the prophet, stand in the holy place, (whoso readeth, let him understand:) Then let them which be in Judaea flee into the mountains: Let him which is on the housetop not come down to take any thing out of his house: Neither let him which is in the field return back to take his clothes. And woe unto them that are with child, and to them that give suck in those days! But pray ye that your flight be not in the winter, neither on the sabbath day: For then shall be great tribulation, such as was not since the beginning of the world to this time, no, nor ever shall be. And except those days should be shortened, there should no flesh be saved: but for the elect’s sake those days shall be shortened.” (Matt 24:15-22)

As we have seen in the preceding chapters, we have been building up to the crescendo that marks the end of the beginning of sorrows, and now will be ushered in the Great Tribulation. Israel will now also be moved out of the way as God brings unimaginable judgment on this world.

Rev 12:7

And there was war in heaven: Michael and his angels fought against the dragon; and the dragon fought and his angels,

Michael is an Archangel and possibly the only one. He is always seen as the protector of Israel. (cf. Daniel 12:1). Satan may well have been of this rank prior to his fall. It is hard to imagine what the battle between these two super-angels will be like, but we should remember that the Devil’s angels are outnumbered two to one.

Rev 12:8

And prevailed not; neither was their place found any more in heaven.

In Job we see that Satan has access to the throne of God, but now his access to God is revoked; not least because he has now lost his claim to the earth and therefore has no reason to ‘report’ to God anymore.

Rev 12:9

And the great dragon was cast out, that old serpent, called the Devil, and Satan, which deceiveth the whole world: he was cast out into the earth, and his angels were cast out with him.

Jesus spoke prophetically Luke 10:18 “And he said unto them, I beheld Satan as lightning fall from heaven.” This is good news in Heaven, but as we see in a moment, bad news for the earth.

It is worth noting that Satan’s method has always been to deceive. The next time that you are tempted, remember that Satan is trying to deceive you; what he is offering you maybe ‘good’, but unless it is in God’s way and God’s timing it will only cause you heartache and sorrow. God really wants the best for you; Satan only wants to destroy you – you are his enemy. Remember that his name (Satan) means ‘opponent’, and as we have already mentioned, he is not God’s opponent but yours!

Rev 12:10

And I heard a loud voice saying in heaven, Now is come salvation, and strength, and the kingdom of our God, and the power of his Christ: for the accuser of our brethren is cast down, which accused them before our God day and night.

The kingdom has come. Jesus has become the rightful and lawful ruler of planet earth!

Even now Satan accuses us before the throne; it appears to be his favourite weapon against us. We stumble and fall when we start to believe the accusations. However we have been purchased by the blood of the Lamb, the old has gone the new has come, sin no longer has any power over us – He that is in us is greater than he that is in the world! God has removed our sin as far as the east is from the west! (1 Pet 5:8 / 1 Cor 6:20 / 2 Cor 5:17 / Rom 6:14 / 1 John 4:4 / Psalm 103:12)

Rev 12:11

And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb, and by the word of their testimony; and they loved not their lives unto the death.

The blood of our Passover Lamb is the only thing that has saved us – nothing we can do can add to it, it is complete. (Heb 9:28 / Eph 2:8)

All Christians have the same testimony; we were on our way to hell, Jesus saved us, now we are going to heaven – the rest is just details.

It has been said that it is harder to live for Christ than to die for Him. If we are called to die for Him, we find the resolve to stand for what we know is true. But to live for Him, day after day when no one seems to be watching, and no one seems to care; to remain loyal when we don’t have to – that’s the real challenge.

We need to learn this secret of the burning heart. Suddenly Jesus appears to us, the fires are kindled, we have wonderful visions; then we have to learn to keep the secret of the burning heart that will go through anything. It is the dull, bald, dreary, commonplace day, with commonplace duties and people that kills the burning heart unless we have learned the secret of abiding in Jesus. – Oswald Chambers (My Utmost For His Highest)

Paul spoke concerning the things of this life, even the good things, not necessarily sinful things, but all that came between him and his Saviour regardless of how small, he had chosen to put aside.

“All things are lawful for me, but not all things are helpful; all things are lawful for me, but not all things edify.” (1 Cor 10:23)

“But what things were gain to me, those I counted loss for Christ.Yea doubtless, and I count all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord: for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and do count them but dung, that I may win Christ,” (Phil 3:7-8)

Is our testimony right now one of abandoning all to Jesus, living each (ordinary) moment for Him alone; not loving our own lives but dying to self so we can live for Him? As we read this is there anything in our lives that has come between us and our Saviour? If so, stop reading this, get on your knees, repent and ask His forgiveness. If we hold onto sin He cannot hear us (Psalm 66:18), but if we confess our sin He is faithful and just to forgive us our sin and cleanse us from all unrighteousness (1 John 1:9). There is no-thing in Heaven or Earth that is more important than being rightly related to Jesus.

“It is a faithful saying: For if we be dead with him, we shall also live with him: If we suffer, we shall also reign with him: if we deny him, he also will deny us:” (2 Tim 2:11-12)

Rev 12:12

Therefore rejoice, ye heavens, and ye that dwell in them. Woe to the inhabiters of the earth and of the sea! for the devil is come down unto you, having great wrath, because he knoweth that he hath but a short time.

This is, as we have said the 3¹/₂ year point. Satan is now really ‘sore displeased’ having being cast down to earth, and so now indwells Antichrist who at this point really ‘turns nasty’ and establishes himself as the sole ruler of the nations (10 ‘kingdoms’), putting all people in subjection to him. He also begins to abolish all world religion except worship of himself, and blasphemes the God of Heaven and those who dwell there – all of which we will see in chapter 13.

Rev 12:13

And when the dragon saw that he was cast unto the earth, he persecuted the woman which brought forth the man child.

As the old adage goes: ‘you are what you wear’. In this context, the woman who was clothed with Israel is now seen as synonymous with Israel as Satan, through Antichrist, seeks to destroy Israel because they still have a part to play in God’s plan. One prerequisite of the Second Coming is that Israel repent and realise that Jesus is their Messiah, petitioning Him to return and help then in the ‘time of Jacob’s trouble’ (Jeremiah 30:7).

“I will go and return to my place, till they acknowledge their offence, and seek my face: in their affliction they will seek me early. Come, and let us return unto the LORD: for he hath torn, and he will heal us; he hath smitten, and he will bind us up. After two days will he revive us: in the third day he will raise us up, and we shall live in his sight.” (Hosea 5:15-6:2)

Rev 12:14

 And to the woman were given two wings of a great eagle, that she might fly into the wilderness, into her place, where she is nourished for a time, and times, and half a time, from the face of the serpent.

Some have conjectured that this reference to a ‘great eagle’ could be the USA who air lift Israel to safety – possibly. But it is more likely a reference to the speed of  her departure and God’s assistance. However she gets there, God sustains her for three and a half years.

Rev 12:15-16

15 And the serpent cast out of his mouth water as a flood after the woman, that he might cause her to be carried away of the flood.

16 And the earth helped the woman, and the earth opened her mouth, and swallowed up the flood which the dragon cast out of his mouth.

Is this a literal flood or some sort of military pursuit, also sometimes referred to as a flood?

Either way the earth opens up – possibly due to the fault line that runs through the Jordan valley – and the ‘flood’ is swallowed up by the earth.

Rev 12:17

And the dragon was wroth with the woman, and went to make war with the remnant of her seed, which keep the commandments of God, and have the testimony of Jesus Christ.

Who are these? They cannot be Israel, for she is now being protected by God in the wilderness. Neither can this be the Church; because she is in Heaven; and besides, Jesus said that the gates of hell would not prevail against the Church (Matt 17:18). These must therefore be those who have been converted during the tribulation as a result of the preaching of the two witnesses (Rev 11:3-12), and/or the 144,000 Jewish evangelists (Rev 7:3-8). These will therefore be the ones who come out of Great Tribulation (Rev 7:9-17) and will join those who have already been slain for their witness and testimony (Rev 6:9-11 – the 5^th Seal). They will be given white robes to wear and will be the ones who are ‘called to the marriage supper of the Lamb’ (Rev 19:6-9)

To be continued…

Every blessing,

Pastor Barry

The post Man’s Greatest Opponent first appeared on Calvary Chapel Portsmouth.

In the study notes below, we will go verse by verse through the chapter and ask the question, ‘who are these individuals?’.

However, there is an even more pertinent question we should ask, and that is why are there two witnesses?

The simply answer is that, according to the law of Moses, two witnesses were required to establish something. Jesus Himself alludes to this in John 8:17.

In Luke 16:29, we discover that the two witnesses God has given, for all of time and eternity are the Law and the Prophets. The Law is given to convert the soul (Psalm 19:7), to convict our hearts. The Prophets are given to convince the intellect (see 2 Peter 1:19).

So I hope you are blessed by this study of chapter 11, but remember, the same witnesses that God will use in the days ahead of us are available to you today! You can use God’s Law to convince a sinner of their sin, and you can use the prophetic scriptures to convince even the hardest of skeptics that the Bible really is the Word of a God who is outside our space-time.

Introduction to Revelation chapter 11

Various Bible commentators see this chapter as possibly the most difficult in the book of Revelation. Certainly the first two verses by themselves raise many questions. The good news is that we have 66 books, by 40 or so authors, written over approximately 1600 years that are in essence, a single message from a Sovereign God to His creation; so these opening verses are not by themselves, the rest of scripture stands by to answer the questions that are raised.

If we view this chapter as a single unit without the light of the rest of scripture, it is not just hard, but almost impossible to understand what is going on in these verses.

As is so often the case when it comes to understanding the book of Revelation, scholars are divided as to whether the events recorded are actual literal events, or if they are just pictures pointing to a deeper truth. We have the liberal theologians on one side telling us this is just picture language, a mystery wrapped up in an allegory, and on the other side we have those who take the Bible seriously – by that I mean those who take it at face value and believe what it says, wherever possible taking the text in its usual literal sense.

As we have already noted in our study, God gave this Revelation to John that we might know what is coming to pass (Rev 1:1). In that very fact there is a mandate to accept the things recorded as literal future events, for it would make no sense to tell John to record the things that are going to come to pass and them merely impart spiritual truths through a series of dramatic visions, particularly when any supposed ‘deeper truths’ are so ambiguous as to be of no help at all!

John may not have understood where all this was leading, but he knew what he was seeing!

None of this was intended to be confusing. God is not the author of confusion (1 Cor 14:33).

As we have dealt with in the past, when it comes to interpreting scripture, the golden rule is: When the plain sense of scripture makes common sense, seek no other sense; take every word at its primary, ordinary, usual, literal meaning, unless the facts of the immediate context, studied in the light of related passages indicate clearly otherwise.

Important Background for Chapter 11

When the disciples asked Jesus “when shall these things be? and what shall be the sign of thy coming, at the end of the world’ (Matt 24:3), Jesus pointed them to the book of Daniel and in particular, chapter 9 vs 24-27.  The same passage is the key to our understanding the ‘end times’ in general and in particular, the opening verses of this chapter.

Daniel was just a teenager when he was taken away captive from his home in Israel to Babylon; however, by the time we get to chapter 9 of his book, almost 70 years had passed. Daniel remembered that God had promised through the prophet Jeremiah that Israel’s captivity would last for 70 years. Therefore, understanding that the promise was to be taken literally, (God had said 70 years so Daniel figured that that was what He meant!) Daniel started to pray and ask God about the future of his people and the city of Jerusalem.

God sent the angel Gabriel to give Daniel the answer: “Seventy weeks are determined upon thy people and upon thy holy city”  This tells us ‘how long’ and to ‘whom’ this prophecy refers.

Note: Although ‘seventy weeks’ is a strange term to us, it was not to the Jews. There are several Hebrew words that are all translated as ‘week’ in the English. There is a week of days (i.e. 7 days),  a week of weeks (i.e. 7 weeks) and a week of years (i.e. 7 years).  The word here is  ‘shawbooah’ and in this context means a week of years. The same word is used in Genesis 29:27 when  Jacob worked for 7 years to marry Rachel, only to find that he had married Leah by ‘mistake’! Jacob protested because he had already served 7 years for Rachel, so Laban told Jacob to fulfil Leah’s ‘week’, i.e. work for another 7 years to pay for Leah, and he could have Rachel too.

So in effect Daniel was told that seventy 7-year periods (= 490 years) were determined on his people, the Jews, and on his holy city, which was of course Jerusalem. Gabriel then told Daniel what would be accomplished during this time: “Seventy weeks are determined upon thy people and upon thy holy city…… to finish the transgression, and to make an end of sins, and to make reconciliation for iniquity, and to bring in everlasting righteousness, and to seal up the vision and prophecy, and to anoint the most Holy”. By the end of the seventy 7-year periods, all of these things would be done. It is obvious to even the casual observer that this list has not been fulfilled to date; the next three verses explain why this is so.

“Know therefore and understand, that from the going forth of the commandment to restore and to build Jerusalem unto the Messiah the Prince shall be seven weeks, and threescore and two weeks: the street shall be built again, and the wall, even in troublous times”. Here Daniel is given the starting point for the 490 years, which from history we know was 1^st Nisan 445BC when king Artaxerses Longimanus signed a decree allowing the rebuilding of Jerusalem. Just as Gabriel prophesied, the streets and walls were built again in ‘troublous times’ as recorded in the book of Nehemiah.

We are also told that ‘unto the Messiah’ there shall be 7 weeks + 62 weeks = 69 weeks = 483 years. This is one of the most amazing prophecies in the entire Bible, because after an interval of 483 years – to the very day, Jesus rode into Jerusalem on a donkey fulfilling the prophecy from Zechariah 9:9. This prophecy in Daniel 9 was written down over 500 years before the event and serves as undeniable proof that Jesus is the Messiah and that the Bible is the Word of God.

This accounts for 483 years of the 490, so we are left with just one ‘week’ still remaining. However, before that last week could begin, certain things must happen. We are told:  “after threescore and two weeks, [but before the last week] Messiah shall be cut off, but not for himself: Less than a week after the triumphal entry into Jerusalem in AD32 Jesus was crucified – but not for Himself. He died to pay for the sins of the whole world (1 John 2:2).

…and the people of the prince that shall come shall destroy the city and the sanctuary; and the end thereof shall be with a flood, and unto the end of the war desolations are determined. The people who destroyed the city of Jerusalem were the Romans in AD70 – an event prophesied by Jesus in Luke 19 / Matt 24 etc. – but this verse introduces us to the ‘prince that shall come’, and tells us that it is going to be a bumpy ride for the Jews up until the end.

Clearly then, there is an interval between the 69^th and 70^th week during which Messiah was to be ‘cut off’ (AD32), Jerusalem was to be destroyed by the Romans (AD70), and the Jews would suffer persecution. Throughout this time, which has now lasted almost two thousand years, it is as if God’s clock for Israel has been put on hold while the Gentiles are ‘gathered in’. However the final verse of this prophecy draws our attention to the event that will trigger this last ‘Week’ (7-year period) and restart the clock thus completing the 490 years of the Gabriel’s prophecy.

And he [the prince that shall come, from verse 26] 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.” Dan 9:24-27

So the ‘trigger’ that restarts the prophetic clock is when this ‘prince’ will confirm a covenant intended to last for 7 years – the final 7 years of the prophecy.

However there are certain requirements that must be met before this ‘week’ can begin:

• For a covenant to be confirmed with Israel, they must be back in their own land. This prophecy could not have been fulfilled before May 14^th 1948 when the Jews were once again given the land of Israel as a homeland. For almost two centuries up to this point the ‘wandering Jew’ was spread all around the world in fulfilment of Deuteronomy 28:25, 65-66. Now talks of peace agreements in the Middle East are daily news.

• For this ‘prince’ to cause sacrifice and offering to cease, it must have been happening prior to this point – otherwise he can’t stop it! However, for the Jews to be making their sacrifices there needs to be an alter, and just as importantly a Jewish temple in Jerusalem in which to do it. It is no secret that the Jews are even now preparing to rebuild their temple. Today in Jerusalem, in the Temple Institute, you can see the priestly robes and utensils, the Incense Alter, the Table of Showbread, + more that they have already prepared. Special die has been manufactured, and animals are already being bred in anticipation of this time.

One potential hindrance to this is the Muslim Dome of the Rock, which is on the temple mount. However there are those who believe that the Jewish temple could be rebuilt on the original site of Solomon’s temple without interfering with the Muslim shrine.

We will discover later in our study of Revelation (chapter 13), that in the middle of the week (half way through the 7 years) this ‘prince’ (who will be Antichrist) will not only stop the Jews from sacrificing, but he will put a statue of himself in the holy of holies inside the temple – this is the abomination of desolation that Jesus spoke about.

To conclude (the introduction!):

From this brief overview (and you are strongly encouraged to do a serious study of Daniel ch 9 on your own), we can clearly see that there is a final 7-year period marked out for the Jews, completing the 490 years as prophesied by the angel Gabriel.

Before* the start of this ‘week’ (7-year period), the Jews will rebuild their temple and begin sacrificing according to the Law of Moses. For this to happen the Dome of the Rock will either have to be destroyed in war, through an earthquake, or by other means; or it will be discovered that the Jews will be able, by their continued archaeological research, to prove where Solomon’s temple once stood, thus enabling both Jews and Muslims to have ‘temple’s’ on the temple mount.

This could happen at any time, but the Jewish temple must be standing before the mid-point of the Tribulation in order for Antichrist to stop the sacrifices and put his image inside.

*Some scholars wonder whether the temple will be built before the seven years begin or built during the first 3 ¹/₂ years. If the temple is not built before the start of the Week, then the covenant that Antichrist confirms will no doubt be the go ahead to build it. However from Rev 11:1-2 it would seem that the temple is standing at the start of the week for John to be able to measure it. This is the view held here.

Timing

The final piece of the jigsaw to put in place before we begin our verse-by-verse study of chapter 11 is the chronology (or timing) of the events we are about to study. This will make it much easier to understand how it all fits together.

It is important to remember that in the original Greek there were no chapter or verse divisions, these were added later for convenience. Therefore, at the risk of stating the obvious, chapter 11 is just a continuation of chapter 10, where John had just reached a crescendo with a mighty angel declaring that ‘time has run out’ for the people of the earth. In other words, the warning period that we call the ‘Beginning of Sorrows’ is now over, the Great Tribulation is about to begin.

However, before John is shown what will happen on earth during this time, he is given additional information in chapters 11 through to 14 that describe events and situations that occur both during the Beginning of Sorrows and in the middle of the ‘week’.

Chapter 10 ends with the mighty angel telling John that he must now ‘prophesy again’. This is as if the angel has pressed the reset button and John now ‘rewinds’ to the beginning of the ‘Week’ / Tribulation. As chapter 11 unfolds we are taken through the first three and a half years from a different camera angle, so to speak. By the end of this chapter, John will have brought us back to the point he left off at the end of chapter 10 and introduce the seventh and final trumpet judgment.

Having now done our homework, this chapter becomes much easier to understand.

CHAPTER 11

Rev 11:1-2

1 And there was given me a reed like unto a rod: and the angel stood, saying, Rise, and measure the temple of God, and the altar, and them that worship therein.

2 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.

As we now come to the first verses of this chapter, we are immediately faced with a temple, an alter and those who worship therein. Some scholars have tried to make this fit the church, but the language and context just don’t allow for that. Others see this as the heavenly temple, but again this view does not fit the context. This is a temple in Jerusalem – the holy city – and therefore must be the rebuilt temple on the temple mount. The alter and the fact that there is worship in this place, show that there are sacrifices taking place. Therefore this must be during the first 3 1/2 years of the Week, because in the middle of the Week, the sacrifices and offerings (worship) are stopped by Antichrist.

Regarding verse one, J Vernon McGee comments: “Every time you see the beginning of measurements, in either the Old or New Testament, it indicates that God is beginning to deal with the nation Israel (see Jer. 31:38–39; Zech. 2)” With the commencement of the 70^th week of Daniel, God’s clock for Israel starts ticking again. It is as if God has two stopwatches, one for the Jews and one for the Gentiles, but only one of them is used at a time. This is another reason the church has to be removed prior to the 70^th week starting. Consistent with this, and building on the concept of the 490 years that we mentioned a moment ago, it is remarkable to observe that the entire history of Israel is divided into four 490 year periods if we deduct the time they were under Gentile ‘rule’.

In the Bible, on various occasions a rod is seen as indicating Judgment (Lev 27:32 / 2 Sam 7:14 / Job 9:34 / Ps 89:32 / Prov 22:15 / Ezek 20:37); some scholars feel that John is being told to measure ‘with a reed like unto a rod’ as a type of being weighed in a balance, seeing how the Jews are ‘measuring up’ as Daniel’s 70^th Week starts.

The reference to leaving the outer court ‘for it is given to the Gentiles’ is provocative, as one of the possible locations for the temple to be rebuilt would make it possible for the main structure to be built alongside the Dome of the Rock, but this would require that the outer court would be omitted falling as it would in Arab (Gentile) control.

In Luke 21:24 Jesus spoke of Jerusalem being trodden underfoot until the times of Gentiles were fulfilled. Some have thought that this period ended in 1967 when Israel recaptured Jerusalem and the Temple mount; however verse 2 clearly shows that even during the Tribulation time, the Gentiles will tread Jerusalem underfoot. The times of the Gentiles will not be complete until Jesus returns at the Second Coming and puts an end to Gentile rule.

(See Dan 2:44 / Dan 7:12-14 )

Forty-two months* (see note on following page) is three and a half years taking 360 days per year. Again this must be the first half of the ‘week’ / Tribulation because as we will see in chapter 12, in the second half of the ‘week’, the Jews flee into the wilderness to a place prepared for them by God. This is to escape Antichrist who will try and destroy them during this time for the simple reason that a prerequisite condition of Christ returning, is that the Jews petition Him to come (Hosea 5:15). As Satan tied to kill the babies at Bethlehem, and before that, sent the Giant tribes to destroy Israel, so he will stop at nothing in his attempt to destroy the Jews in a vain attempt to thwart God’s plan.

As an aside, 2 Thessalonians 2 is another example in scripture that clearly shows the Jewish temple must be rebuilt in the last days, for Paul, speaking of Antichrist says: “……for that day shall not come, except there come a falling away first, and that man of sin be revealed, the son of perdition; Who opposeth and exalteth himself above all that is called God, or that is worshipped; so that he as God sitteth in the temple of God, shewing himself that he is God.” (2 Thess 2:3-4)

Note: *Three and a half years are referred to in three different ways: 42 months, 1260 days and time, times and the dividing of time (with ‘time’ singular = 1 year, ‘times’  plural = 2 years and the dividing of time = half a year).

Twice we have 42 months:

The first time it is in reference to the ‘Beginning of Sorrows’ (Rev 11:2).

The second time it is in reference to the ‘Great Tribulation’ (Rev 13:5).

Twice we have 1260 days:

The first time is in reference to the ‘Beginning of Sorrows’ (Rev 11:3).

The second time it is in reference to the ‘Great Tribulation’ (Rev 12:6).

Twice we have time, times and half a time:

In both cases these are in reference to the ‘Great Tribulation’. (Dan 7:25 & Rev 12:14)

In this way we are left in no doubt how long Daniel’s 70^th week will last because we are given it in days and months for both halves. Therefore the entire period will last exactly 84 months, or 2520 days, which is seven 360-day years – to the day.

This also underlines the fact that this is not allegorical; this is a real period of time and therefore the events that we are told occur during this time are also real; and therefore cannot be merely a spiritual story designed to illustrate a ‘deeper truth’

Rev 11:3

And I will give power unto my two witnesses, and they shall prophesy a thousand two  hundred and threescore days, clothed in sackcloth.

During this period (the first half of the Tribulation), God will send two witnesses to preach to whosoever has ears to hear. The fact that God sends them to witness is in itself another indication that this is the first 3¹/₂ years; because God’s character throughout the Bible has been to warn before he brings His judgment. As Peter says: “The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.” (2 Peter 3:9)

Whilst the judgments of the first half of the Tribulation are like nothing ever seen before in earth, Jesus Himself said of the last half: “For then shall be great tribulation, such as was not since the beginning of the world to this time, no, nor ever shall be. And except those days should be shortened, there should no flesh be saved: but for the elect’s sake those days shall be shortened.” (Matt 24:21-22)

These two witnesses being sent are another example of God’s love and compassion for His creation; it is a final warning before the coming of the ‘Day of the LORD’

“Behold, the day of the LORD cometh, cruel both with wrath and fierce anger, to lay the land desolate: and he shall destroy the sinners thereof out of it. For the stars of heaven and the constellations thereof shall not give their light: the sun shall be darkened in his going forth, and the moon shall not cause her light to shine. And I will punish the world for their evil, and the wicked for their iniquity; and I will cause the arrogancy of the proud to cease, and will lay low the haughtiness of the terrible.” (Isa 13:9-11)

Rev 11:4

These are the two olive trees, and the two candlesticks standing before the God of the earth.

Olive trees are mentioned 7 times in scripture and there seems to be the idea of fruitfulness associated with them. It may well be as a result of the preaching of these two witnesses that the 144,000 Jewish evangelists that we encountered back in chapter 7 are saved. They too will be preaching during this time.

Candlesticks were seen in chapter 1 as representative of the Church being a witness. But now the Church has gone, these two witnesses pick up the baton.

There is a curious passage in Zech 4:11-14 where it appears we see a model (or prophetic vision) of these two witnesses: “Then answered I, and said unto him, What are these two olive trees upon the right side of the candlestick and upon the left side thereof? And I answered again, and said unto him, What be these two olive branches which through the two golden pipes empty the golden oil out of themselves? And he answered me and said, Knowest thou not what these be? And I said, No, my lord. Then said he, These are the two anointed ones, that stand by the LORD of the whole earth.

Rev 11:5

And if any man will hurt them, fire proceedeth out of their mouth, and devoureth their enemies: and if any man will hurt them, he must in this manner be killed.

How many people will try to destroy these two witnesses before they realise that they are indestructible?! This verse implies that some will try. This is obviously going to draw a great deal of attention; if a whale swims up the Thames on a ‘quiet news day’ it will be on TV sets around the world, how much more so for two supernaturally protected men of God who can shoot fire out of their mouths!

Rev 11:6

These have power to shut heaven, that it rain not in the days of their prophecy: and have power over waters to turn them to blood, and to smite the earth with all plagues, as often as they will.

The days of their prophecy will be 1260 or three and a half years as we saw in verse 3. They  will have a worldwide impact; and the fact that will ‘smite the earth with plagues’ shows that the effects are not just confined to Israel.

Now we turn to the big question: Who are they?

The truthful answer is that we cannot be 100% sure, however as we know from Proverbs 25:2 “It is the glory of God to conceal a thing: but the honour of kings is to search out a matter.”      Certainly we are given some very provocative pointers that suggest their identity as we will explore.

Two theories that are worth mentioning, but are short of any real substance are 1) They are Joshua & Zerubbabel, because of the verse we read earlier from Zechariah 4 – although this seems to be the only support for this view. Or 2) they are Elijah & Enoch. We will deal with Elijah in a moment, but the reason that Enoch has been suggested is that he was raptured and therefore did not taste death. In Hebrews 9:27 we read “And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment:” Because of this, and the fact that both Enoch and Elijah have not yet died, it is suggested that these could be our guys. However the passage in Hebrews is laying down a general principle and not a hard and fast rule. Whilst Enoch and Elijah are indeed the only two people recorded in scripture that have not died once, we have many examples of people who have died twice. Lazarus / Jairus daughter / Those who rose at the time of the Resurrection (Matt 27:53) and various examples in the Old Testament. Thus using Hebrews 9:27 to support this case is not what it may first appear to be, and there is really no other reason for Enoch to be put forward as one of our witnesses.

Elijah on the other hand is a very good candidate for the position. Elijah was known for calling down fire from heaven on his enemies (2 Kings 1:10 / Luke 9:54) and for stopping the rain for 3¹/₂ years in the days of Ahab king of Israel. This is confirmed in James 5:17 “Elijah was a man subject to like passions as we are, and he prayed earnestly that it might not rain: and it rained not on the earth by the space of three years and six months.” The fact that we have the same miracles and the same time period is not conclusive but certainly points to Elijah as a possibility. However the case for Elijah is made stronger still in Malachi 4:5-6 where we are told:  Behold, I will send you Elijah the prophet before the coming of the great and dreadful day of the LORD: And he shall turn the heart of the fathers to the children, and the heart of the children to their fathers, lest I come and smite the earth with a curse.

The day of the Lord, as we have seen, specifically refers to the Great Tribulation, the last 3¹/₂ years; so the fact that it is prophesied that Elijah will return before this again supports the view that these events are taking place during the first 3¹/₂  years.

Because of this prophecy in Malachi, the Jews even to this day leave a spare chair out at their Passover meal in case Elijah turns up.

What is also interesting is that Elijah is not the only prophet that the Jews are expecting to return. In John 1:25 the people asked John the Baptist “Why baptizest thou then, if thou be not that Christ, nor Elias, neither that prophet?” The prophet that they were referring to was none other than Moses. From a prophecy in Deuteronomy 18:18 the Jews believe that Moses himself will return. The pieces of our jigsaw now start to fall neatly into place; for in the list of miracles that the two witnesses will do, half of them have been done in the past by Elijah as we have just seen, but the other half were performed at the hand of Moses.

In Exodus 7:17 Moses turned the water to blood, and from Exodus 7 through to 11 Moses unleashed a total of 10 plagues on the land of Egypt.

One further observation would seem to pair these two together as our supernatural preachers for the Tribulation.

In Matthew 17:1-13 we read of a strange encounter: “And after six days Jesus took Peter, James, and John his brother, and brought them up into an high mountain apart, And was transfigured before them: and his face did shine as the sun, and his raiment was white as the light. And, behold, there appeared unto them Moses and Elijah talking with him. Then answered Peter, and said unto Jesus, Lord, it is good for us to be here: if thou wilt, let us make here three tabernacles; one for thee, and one for Moses, and one for Elijah.

In Luke’s account he says:  “And, behold, there talked with him two men, which were Moses and Elijah: Who appeared in glory, and spoke of his decease which he should accomplish at Jerusalem. (Luke 9:30-31)

Clearly Moses and Elijah appear together in this scene (both apparently looking the same despite the fact that Elijah had been raptured), but another insight is drawn from their topic of conversation – Jesus’ death! Why would Jesus call for Moses and Elijah, (or why would God send Moses and Elijah) to discuss with Jesus something about His death?

Under the Mosaic Law two witnesses were required to establish the truth about any given situation. Jesus Himself confirmed this in John 8:17 “It is also written in your law, that the testimony of two men is true.”  On the morning of the resurrection Luke records: “And it came to pass, as they were much perplexed thereabout, behold, two men stood by them in shining garments: And as they were afraid, and bowed down their faces to the earth, they said unto them, Why seek ye the living among the dead?”  (Luke 24:4-5)

Luke specifically uses the word ‘aner’ which means ‘man’ (and not angel). Although Luke wasn’t there at the tomb himself, he labours the point that he thoroughly checked out all the details he recorded in his Gospel (see Luke 1:1-4), and as a physician, he knew the difference between a man and an angel!

As an aside, there were at least three angels in addition to these two men at the tomb that resurrection morning; one mighty angel rolled the stone away (Matt 28:2) and two ‘Cheribuim’ were seen by Mary Magdalene sitting at either end of the ‘box shaped’ cut out where Jesus’ body had been laid, seemingly acting out the scene from Leviticus 16 where the blood of the innocent sacrifice was sprinkled on the mercy seat atop the ark that had the golden Cherubim at either end.

Could it be that these two men, clothed in shining garments, were the same two men that had spoken to Jesus only a short while before about His death? Could it be that the purpose for that conversation was to ensure that there were two witnesses present to witness the resurrection?

We also see, what would seem to be these two men witnessing the ascension of Jesus in Acts 1:10: “And while they looked steadfastly toward heaven as he went up, behold, two men stood by them in white apparel”; On this occasion they spoke to the disciples about Jesus’ return.

If Moses and Elijah are indeed the two witnesses of Revelation 11, it would make sense because they represent the Law and Prophets = God’s written Word, which is the greatest witness of all. In the story of the rich man and Lazarus in Luke 16, the rich man dies and goes to hell, whereas Lazarus dies and is comforted in ‘Abraham’s bosom’. The rich man calls out to Abraham to send Lazarus back to warn his brothers of their fate but Abraham replies: “They have Moses and the prophets; let them hear them” but the rich man said: “Nay, father Abraham: but if one went unto them from the dead, they will repent” Abraham, speaking prophetically, closes by saying:  “If they hear not Moses and the prophets, neither will they be persuaded, though one rose from the dead.” (Luke 16:29-31)

Jesus did rise from the dead, but as Abraham foretold people still will not believe. In this last great act of mercy before the Day of the LORD, God will send His two witnesses to testify of the truth. The Law and the prophets as recorded in the pages of the Bible are sufficient to convict and convince all men if they will but listen. Who better therefore than Moses and Elijah themselves to bring this final warning before the Great Tribulation? Moses as the great proponent of the Law, and Elijah as representative of God’s prophets. He who has an ear, now is a really good time to hear!!

Rev 11:7

And when they shall have finished their testimony, the beast that ascendeth out of the bottomless pit shall make war against them, and shall overcome them, and kill them.

They couldn’t be touched until God’s appointed time. This should be a great comfort to us because until we have finished our course and accomplished that which God has called us to do, there is nothing that man or the devil can do to us to thwart God’s plans. “The LORD is on my side; I will not fear: what can man do unto me?” (Ps 118:6)

Paul Said: “For I am now ready to be offered, and the time of my departure is at hand. I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith” (2 Tim 4:6-7)

Earlier in his ministry Paul told the Corinthains: “Of the Jews five times received I forty stripes save one. Thrice was I beaten with rods, once was I stoned, thrice I suffered shipwreck, a night and a day I have been in the deep; In journeyings often, in perils of waters, in perils of robbers, in perils by mine own countrymen, in perils by the heathen, in perils in the city, in perils in the wilderness, in perils in the sea, in perils among false brethren; In weariness and painfulness, in watchings often, in hunger and thirst, in fastings often, in cold and nakedness.” (2 Cor 11:24-27)

On the occasion that Paul was stoned people thought that he was dead! (Acts 14:9) And yet God still had work for him to do. Likewise God will not allow anything to touch you that is not in His will for your life. “And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.” (Rom 8:28)

This is the first mention of the beast – Antichrist. From this point he is referred to as the beast 36 times (which is 6 x 6!). Although Antichrist will be a man, he is obviously possessed by a supernatural power, which we are here told comes out of the bottomless pit. This power will not ‘indwell’ Antichrist until the half way point of the Tribulation, at which time Satan is cast out of Heaven (as we will see in chapter 12), and Satan then ‘calls him up’ out of the nations of the world and gives him his power (as we will se in chapter 13). One of Antichrist’s first acts with this supernatural demonic power will be to silence the voice of the two witnesses. This shows that the end of their ministry will be at the mid point of the tribulation when Antichrist is empowered. Thus it confirms that their ministry will be for the first 1260 days of the Tribulation (the Beginning of Sorrows), and this also underlines the fact that they are sent as two lampstands to bear God’s light before the darkness of the Great Tribulation – The Day of the Lord  – comes. In the midst of judgment, God still reaches out His hand in mercy.

Rev 11:8

And their dead bodies shall lie in the street of the great city, which spiritually is called Sodom and Egypt, where also our Lord was crucified.

Jerusalem – in case you’re not sure!

Rev 11:9

And they of the people and kindreds and tongues and nations shall see their dead bodies three days and an half, and shall not suffer their dead bodies to be put in graves.

Quite why no-one wants to bury them is not clear; maybe people are still fearful that fire will come down from Heaven if anyone touches them. The fact that we are told the whole world is going to see this seemed an exaggeration even 50 years ago. However, we are now in the digital age when events taking place on the other side of the world are beamed into our living rooms in seconds. No doubt CNN / Sky News / BBC News 24 etc will all be there covering the dramatic events as they unfold.

Once again it appears that the news media of the world have missed out on the exclusive! It appears that Asaph, the psalmist of Israel, beat them to it by about 3000 years: “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.” (Psalm 79:1-3)

Rev 11:10

And they that dwell upon the earth shall rejoice over them, and make merry, and shall send gifts one to another; because these two prophets tormented them that dwelt on the earth.

The phrase ‘they that dwell/dwelt on the earth’ occurs nine (the number judgment) times in Revelation, and the meaning is really ‘those who have made this world their home’. This is in contrast to those who have given up this world for something far better – Jesus Christ.

“Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world. And the world passeth away, and the lust thereof: but he that doeth the will of God abideth for ever.” (1 John 2:15-17)

The world loves any excuse for a party, but how sick the world has become that people actually celebrate the taking of life. The Word of God as preached by these two witnesses is sharp and living and will cut to the heart the people who refuse to repent. Being faced by the truth and righteousness of the Word will be torment indeed for these unbelievers.

Rev 11:11

And after three days and an half the Spirit of life from God entered into them, and they stood upon their feet; and great fear fell upon them which saw them.

Can you imagine the look on people’s faces as they watch the TV and see these two witnesses get up and dust themselves off? They were really not expecting this – and just think of all that money they have just wasted on presents! No wonder great fear falls upon them.

Rev 11:12

And they heard a great voice from heaven saying unto them, Come up hither. And they ascended up to heaven in a cloud; and their enemies beheld them.

‘Come up here’ is a rapture call – the same Greek as used in Rev 4:1

This must be terrifying for all those on the earth; you can almost feel the anxiety – “what’s going to happen now?”

Rev 11:13

And the same hour was there a great earthquake, and the tenth part of the city fell, and in the earthquake were slain of men seven thousand: and the remnant were affrighted, and gave glory to the God of heaven.

The great fear of the people (v11) was not without a reason. Now we see God responding via an earthquake that destroys 10% of Jerusalem, killing seven thousand people. It is worth noting that the largest geological fault line is known as the Great Rift Valley and runs all the way down from Syria, through the Jordan valley and the Dead Sea, down to Africa.

It is hardly surprising that the remnant were scared; but what is remarkable is that whilst they give glory to the God of Heaven, it appears that no one repents. How can it be that people give glory to God for His greatness but choose not to repent? This would be more of a puzzle if it were not for the fact that we see the same thing each Sunday. Christians in churches all around the world meet to give glory to God, recognising Him as the Lord of all,; and yet so many Christians have things in their lives – things left over from the ‘old life’ – that they are not prepared to lay at the cross and ask forgiveness for. God wants us to walk with Him in victory over the world, the flesh and the Devil; but unless we choose to yield all to Him, put to death the “old man, which is corrupt according to the deceitful lusts” (Eph 4:22), then we will not be able to walk with Him in victory. The heart of the problem is the problem of the heart! It is where we have placed our treasure that counts, and these people will acknowledge God with their lips, but their heart will be far from Him.

Amos 3:3 asks: “Can two walk together, except they be agreed?” How can we truly walk with God unless we are going in the same direction as He is? Unless we have the same attitude to sin that He has. Just because people give glory to God does not mean that their hearts are right with Him. “He answered and said unto them, Well hath Esaias prophesied of you hypocrites, as it is written, This people honoureth me with their lips, but their heart is far from me”.  Mark 7:6

Rev 11:14

The second woe is past; and, behold, the third woe cometh quickly.

We are now back to where we were at the end of chapter 10 and rejoin the time line

Rev 11:15

And the seventh angel sounded; and there were great voices in heaven, saying, The kingdoms of this world are become the kingdoms of our Lord, and of his Christ; and he shall reign for ever and ever.

The mighty angel in chapter 10 claims the earth and sea for Jesus, carrying the title deed with all the seals now opened; here heaven celebrates that Jesus has the legal title to the throne of planet Earth. What is to follow as we enter the Great Tribulation / The Day of the Lord is that Jesus will begin to purge the earth in preparation for His coming in power to take position of what is now rightfully His.

The Seventh Trumpet lasts throughout the Great Tribulation cf. Rev 10:7

Rev 11:16

And the four and twenty elders, which sat before God on their seats, fell upon their faces, and worshipped God,

Unlike those on the earth, those in Heaven not only give glory, but worship as well. This worship is the kind the Father desires, in Spirit and in truth (John 4:24)

Rev 11:17

Saying, We give thee thanks, O Lord God Almighty, which art, and wast, and art to come; because thou hast taken to thee thy great power, and hast reigned.

The meaning behind the phrase ‘and hast reigned’ is not clear to understand from the way it has been translated – in the Greek the tense of the word is the ingressive first aorist active indicative (according to Dr Chuck Missler!). It should read “Thou hast begun to reign”. This is consistent with all that we have understood about this time and commentated on thus far. 

Rev 11:18

And the nations were angry, and thy wrath is come, and the time of the dead, that they should be judged, and that thou shouldest give reward unto thy servants the prophets, and to the saints, and them that fear thy name, small and great; and shouldest destroy them which destroy the earth.

Thy wrath is come – the Great Tribulation is here. As a result, all the other things will now follow; including the judgment of the dead, the rewards to the prophets, saints and those who fear His name, and God will destroy those who destroy the earth. The good news for supporters of Greenpeace et al is that God cares about the earth and will restore it; the bad news is that unless they repent and put their trust in Him they won’t get to stay around and enjoy it.

Rev 11:19

And the temple of God was opened in heaven, and there was seen in his temple the ark of his testament: and there were lightnings, and voices, and thunderings, and an earthquake, and great hail.

John is now taken from the scene on earth in verse 18 back to Heaven and our attention is drawn to the Temple in Heaven being opened. Inside we see the original ark of which Moses made a copy at God’s instructions. The effects that are witnessed, lightnings, thunderings, eathquake & great hail, are seen happening on earth as a consequence of what is happening in heaven.

To be continued…

Every blessing,

Pastor Barry

The post God’s Two Witnesses first appeared on Calvary Chapel Portsmouth.

All that we have seen in these chapters is the fulfillment of that which Jesus referred to in Mathew 24:8 as the ‘beginning of sorrows’

“For many shall come in my name, saying, I am Christ ; and shall deceive many [Rev 6:2]. And ye shall hear of wars and rumours of wars [Rev 6:4]: see that ye be not troubled: for all these things must come to pass, but the end is not yet. For nation shall rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom : and there shall be famines [Rev 6:5-6], and pestilences [Rev 6:7-8], and earthquakes, in divers places [Rev 6:12]. All these are the beginning of sorrows… And this gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in all the world for a witness unto all nations [Rev 7]; and then shall the end come“ Matt 24:5-8.

May you be blessed as you study God’s Word!

Rev 10:1

And I saw another mighty angel come down from heaven, clothed with a cloud: and a rainbow was upon his head, and his face was as it were the sun, and his feet as pillars of fire:

The first thing we are introduced to in the chapter is this mighty angel. This ‘angel’ has caused much debate among Bible scholars. Some say that it must be Jesus, for very good reasons; others say that this is just another mighty angel, again for very good reasons. Whist we will put forward some of the best arguments for and against, we shouldn’t let ourselves become sidetracked and miss the importance of what this ‘angel’ does and says.

In support of the view that this angel is Christ, we note that he is clothed in a cloud, has a rainbow on his head, a face like the sun, feet as pillars of fire; he roars like a lion (verse 2). All of these are characteristic of Jesus as He appears in the scriptures. In Exodus 34:5 / Numbers 11:25 /  2 Chronicles 5:14 / Isaiah 19:1 / Luke 21:27 and Acts 1:19 The Lord is seen clothed in a cloud. In Rev 4:3 we see a rainbow around the Throne. In Rev 1:16 John said that Jesus’ face was like the sun in its strength; and in Rev 1:15 John tells us that Jesus’ feet were ‘like unto brass, as if they burned in a furnace’.

Adding further weight to this view is the fact that in verse 11 this ‘angel’ gives John an instruction very similar to the instruction that Jesus gave John in chapter one verse 11 to  ‘prophecy again’, recording what he is seeing.

The thing that almost clinches this view is the fact that in the next chapter this angel calls the two witnesses ‘my two witness’. Would an angel say this? Whose witnesses are they? Surly they are the Lord’s witnesses; so is this not proof that this angel is Jesus?

As it says in proverbs: “The first one to plead his cause seems right, until his neighbor comes and examines him” Proverbs 18:17

The key word here is ‘another’, which in the Greek it’s the word ‘Allos’, meaning another of the same kind. Jesus uses this word when He said that He would send ‘another comforter’ in John 14:16. On that occasion Jesus was speaking of the Holy Spirit, who is of the same type and substance as Jesus; Jesus was literally going to send us someone just like Himself to comfort us when He returned to the Father. It is indeed a great comfort that the Holy Spirit has been given to us forever!

J Vernon McGee comments: “And I saw another strong angel.” Another means that it is another of the same kind. The other strong angel to whom we were introduced was back in Revelation 5:2. There was no argument there; it was not Christ. It is the livery of this angel (that is, the way in which he is garbed) which has led some to identify him as Christ. Though all angels are the servants of Christ, in this final book of the Bible, this is evidently the special envoy of Christ, bearing all the credentials of his exalted position. He comes down out of heaven from the presence of Christ, the One who is in the midst of the throne.”

Here, J Vernon McGee brings our attention to the mighty angel in Rev 5:2 who said: “Who is worthy to open the book, and to loose the seals thereof?”  Obviously the angel in 5:2 is not Jesus, so it follows that our subject here cannot be Jesus either. It is worth pointing out that the context could also imply that the ‘another’ is not specifically in reference to the ‘mighty angel’, but to the ‘coming down from heaven’, and therefore could refer to the angel that ‘came down from heaven’ with the key of the bottomless pit in the previous chapter. Was John therefore saying that ‘I saw another mighty angel’, which, as McGee says would link this one with the mighty angel in Rev 5:2; or was he saying that ‘I saw another mighty angel come down from heaven’? Thus linking it to the angel that came down from heaven in the previous chapter. Either way we have to conclude that this angel cannot be Jesus.

McGee continues: “And his face was as the sun.” This is his badge of identification. This is the signature of the glorified Christ (see Rev. 1:16). It does not follow that this one must therefore be the Son of God. Moses’ face shone after he had been in the presence of God (see Exod. 34:29). This angel’s face is shining because he has come out from the presence of Christ. You will recall that the raiment of the angels at the resurrection of Christ also shone (see Luke 24:4). The angel of Revelation 18:1 is a light giver, as the sun and moon, yet no one asserts that he is Christ. Also, I take it that this angel in chapter 10 is not Christ, but he is what it says: an angel, another great, mighty angel.

So, as noted, the thought that this angel is Christ comes from the description of the clothing and appearance.  However, in the book of Esther when the king wants to honour Mordecai, he seeks the advice of Haman, who thinking that the king wants to honour him, suggests that the king orders that the man in whom the king delights should be dressed in the kings clothes, sat upon the kings horse and with the kings royal crown upon his head be paraded through the streets. This suggestion back-fires on Haman and the king tells him to do all of this to Mordecai the Jew who Haman despised. To all intents and purposes as Mordecai was paraded around the city, he looked like the king – but he was just an ambassador.

Joseph was also clothed in Pharaoh’s apparel to act on his behalf, as an outward symbol that authority had been given to him, and that his voice was now as Pharaohs’ (Gen 41:40-44). There is no reason, given the importance of this angel’s mission in this chapter, that he would not be so clothed in the apparel and authority of the King.

Other details that would seem to show that this is an angel and not Christ are firstly, that in verse 6 this angel swears by Him who lives for ever and ever – which is a title that Jesus gives himself in Rev 1:18. The angel continues: ‘who created all things’ – which according to Rev 4:11 & Col 1:16 is also Jesus. So the fact that it appears that this angel swears by Jesus would strongly suggest that he is not Jesus. Secondly, John does not identify this angel as Jesus as he had previously done in his vision in chapter one. It would be reasonable to assume that as the Lamb of God has been the focus of much of the book, indeed the book is the Revelation of Jesus, that John would delight in recording that He leaves His throne and descends to earth to claim His inheritance if this were so.

The fact that John mentions no such thing is admittedly an argument from silence, but nonetheless significant. On this same theme, John records in chapter one (verse 7) that when Jesus returns in the clouds, every eye shall see Him, which does not appear to be the case here.

Finally in answer to the phrase in chapter 11 verse 3 when this angel calls the two witnesses ‘my two witnesses’, it would appear that he is speaking as a royal emissary on behalf of the King because a few verses later in verse 8 he talks to John of Jerusalem as being ‘where also our Lord was crucified’, thus again it appears from this language that it is not Jesus speaking.

Once again, we must not the identity question take our minds of the message this angel brings!

Rev 10:2

And he had in his hand a little book open: and he set his right foot upon the sea, and his left foot on the earth,

Whilst again it is not free from controversy, it would seem that the little book this angel has in his hand, is none other than the seven-sealed scroll with all of the seals now removed. As we commented back in chapter 5, the scroll appears to be the title deed to the earth. That being the case, it follows that by putting one foot on the sea and one on the land, this angel is claiming the earth and sea for the rightful heir – Jesus Christ.

“This little book, if it is the same as the seven-sealed book, was originally in the hands of the Father in heaven (see Rev. 5:1). It should be noted how it is first transferred to the nail-pierced hands of God the Son. It was given to the Lord Jesus who was the only One who could open it. The breaking of the seven seals opened the book; and the seven trumpets, six of which have already been blown, are still part of what is in the book. After He removes the seals, the Lord Jesus Christ in turn transfers the book to the angel, who gives it finally to John to eat. This is the book of the title deed of the earth, and it contains the judgments of the Great Tribulation by which the Lord Jesus is coming to power. The book is now open, and the judgments are on display. This book is the angel’s authority for claiming both the sea and the earth for Christ.” (J Vernon McGee)

Rev 10:3

And cried with a loud voice, as when a lion roareth: and when he had cried, seven thunders uttered their voices.

Lions roar to strike fear into their prey. It is fitting that the inhabitants of the earth, after still choosing to reject God’s offer of salvation in Jesus, are once again made to tremble with the sound of this roar and the noise of the seven thunders that followed it.

Rev 10:4

And when the seven thunders had uttered their voices, I was about to write: and I heard a voice from heaven saying unto me, Seal up those things which the seven thunders uttered, and write them not.

Many have tried to put forward theories as to what the seven thunders said; it is a futile exercise because if God had wanted us to know He would have allowed John to write it down. One interesting point that arises from this is the nearness of these events. At the end of the book of Daniel, he is told the words of the book are ‘closed up and sealed up until the time of the end’ (Dan 12:9). In contrast to this, John is only told to seal up the things that the seven thunders uttered. Everything else is for our understanding and could start to occur very soon.

Rev 10:5-6

5 And the angel which I saw stand upon the sea and upon the earth lifted up his hand to heaven,

6 And sware by him that liveth for ever and ever, who created heaven, and the things that therein are, and the earth, and the things that therein are, and the sea, and the things which are therein, that there should be time no longer:

Verse six has been misunderstood and therefore misinterpreted by some who have suggested that it is teaching that from this point, all time will come to an end, that there will be no more ‘time’. From the wording of the King James it can be understood why some have interpreted it this way. It is easy to reach such conclusions when a single verse is taken without considering what else the Bible teaches on a given subject. Such is the case here.

The fact that the Millennium (period of 1000 years – and a year being a measure of ‘time’) will follow the events of the Tribulation shows that ‘time’ has to continue to at least the end of this heavens and earth. But even in the New Jerusalem we will find that each tree gives its fruit in its season, which once again implies some form or measurement of time.

So what does this verse mean? Well, we have been building up to a crescendo in the previous chapters as we move toward the mid-way point of the Tribulation, the end of the first 3 ½ years. The judgments have been getting more intense as God gives people every opportunity to repent; but now ‘time has run out’. That is what this angel is saying. The earth and the sea have now been reclaimed for the rightful Heir, and He will set about removing sinners from His earth. In the dramatic stage-play of which the book of Joshua was the shooting script, Jesus will not dispossess the usurpers from the earth as Joshua did the inhabitants of Canaan from the Promised Land. As we will see in the following chapters, Satan will be cast out of Heaven; Antichrist will break his covenant with the Jews and they will in turn flee into the wilderness; Antichrist will also establish himself as the ruler of the world and force all people to worship him and to receive a mark for buying and selling. Because of this, God’s long anticipated judgment will begin. The Great Tribulation, the Day of the Lord, the Time of Jacob’s Trouble – this is it, the final showdown, the wrath of God, 1260 days of hell on earth.

“And except those days should be shortened, there should no flesh be saved: but for the elect’s sake those days shall be shortened.” (Matt 24:22)

“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?” (Joel 2:11)

Rev 10:7

But in the days of the voice of the seventh angel, when he shall begin to sound, the mystery of God should be finished, as he hath declared to his servants the prophets.

We are almost there – but what a long way around it’s been. Just as Israel could have entered the promised land in a matter of months, instead, because of their disobedience and unfaithfulness it took them 38 years. So Adam and Eve could have overcome the Serpent by their obedience to God and they and their offspring would then have walked in perfect harmony with Him. Instead it fell to the Second Adam to make a way back to God by shedding His blood in our place. (See Ephesians 1:9-10).

Amos 3:7 says: “Surely the Lord GOD will do nothing, but he reveals his secret unto his servants the prophets.” God’s plan has all been laid out in advance in the Word of God for any who care to look.

Rev 10:8-10

8   And the voice which I heard from heaven spake unto me again, and said, Go and take the little book which is open in the hand of the angel which standeth upon the sea and upon the earth.

9  And I went unto the angel, and said unto him, Give me the little book. And he said unto me, Take it, and eat it up; and it shall make thy belly bitter, but it shall be in thy mouth sweet as honey.

10  And I took the little book out of the angel’s hand, and ate it up; and it was in my mouth sweet as honey: and as soon as I had eaten it, my belly was bitter.

This is the same as happened to Ezekiel (2:3 – 3:14). Prophecy tastes sweet; it excites us and captures our imagination. But when we digest it we begin to realise the horrific consequences for those who do not turn to the Lord and repent. The prophecies that we have studied, and those that will follow as we enter the Great Tribulation, should turn our stomachs as we stop and consider all those who we know personally that don’t know the Lord, who are on a collision course with the wrath of God. Maybe even stop right now and pray for those who you know by name.

Time is running out, we need to be abandoned to God, not living lives of compromise, counting all that we once held dear as loss, being cleansed vessels that He can use every moment of every day. The harvest is great but sadly the real labourers are few.

“The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance. But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night; in the which the heavens shall pass away with a great noise, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat, the earth also and the works that are therein shall be burned up. Seeing then that all these things shall be dissolved, what manner of persons ought ye to be in all holy conversation and godliness, Looking for and hasting unto the coming of the day of God”   (2 Peter 3:9-12)

Rev 10:11

And he said unto me, Thou must prophesy again before many peoples, and nations, and tongues, and kings.

To be continued…

The post Time is Up! first appeared on Calvary Chapel Portsmouth.

In chapter 8 we have another earthquake followed by  one third of the trees, grass, marine life, ships in the ocean, all destroyed. In chapter 9 we see demonic locusts released from the bottomless pit to cause terror on the earth.

As terrifying as is, we should remember that this is still the ‘beginning of sorrows’, the Great Tribulation is still to come. This highlights God’s great mercy, because all of the judgments in these chapters are in measure, they are restrained. God is not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance (2 Peter 3:9),  God does not delight in the death of the wicked, but wants them to turn to Him (Ezekiel 33:11).

So, if you are a Christian, these chapters should stir you to be the light and salt you have been called to be; to preach the Word, in season and out of season, because the people standing next you in the queue at the supermarket, or at your work place, may well be the people who end up experiencing the first hand effects of these judgments.

If you are not a Christian, as the Bible says, today is the day of salvation. Don’t leave it a moment longer.

May these verse-by-verse study notes encourage and challenge you.

Every blessing,

Pastor Barry.

CHAPTER 8

Revelation 8 begins with the deafening sound of silence! That of course is an oxymoron (a self-contradictory expression), but I remember hearing some years ago that the producers of a film wanted to emphasise a big explosion to give it the most dramatic effect. They experimented with various sounds to find the one that had the maximum impact, but nothing was quite working. Eventually they decided to precede the explosion with a second or two of absolute silence; no music or ambient noise, just silence. The decision worked and the end result was dramatic. We are so used to noise, that the sudden absence of noise is extremely powerful. In the UK, some years ago, we witnessed an eclipse during the middle of the day. As it went dark while the Sun passed behind the moon, suddenly all the birds stopped singing. The usual mid-day noise was stopped. It was quite eerie, and you just got this sense that nature itself was saying that something wasn’t right!

Rev 8:1

And when he had opened the seventh seal, there was silence in heaven about the space of half an hour.

After all the intensity and tremendous worship we have seen from chapters 4-7, with the great chorus of praise from the great multitude, the elders, the angels and the four living creatures, everything now comes to a screeching halt.  The suspense and anticipation of this moment is tangible. It’s as if everyone suddenly remembers what is going on… the Lamb is opening the seals, and there is one seal still to loosen. All eyes turn back toward the throne…

Rev 8:2

And I saw the seven angels which stood before God; and to them were given seven trumpets.

The only other occasion in scripture where we find seven trumpets together is in the Book of Joshua.   In chapter 6 God told Joshua to prepare seven priests to blow seven trumpets in preparation for the conquest and laying claim to the Land of Canaan. When the time came for them to blow the trumpets, the walls of the city of Jericho would fall down.

It is exciting to discover that the book of Joshua is a Holy Spirit inspired model of the Book of Revelation. Almost as if to expose those who would try to deny or allegorise these dramatic events in Revelation, we see that the ground has already been prepared, and a literal forerunner to these events has already taken place.

The first thing to note is the titles of the books; ‘Joshua’ is Hebrew for ‘Jesus’, and the book of Revelation is the revelation of ‘Jesus’, so the in effect have the same title. In both we have the account of God’s champion setting about the task of dispossessing the usurpers from the Land; in Joshua it is the Land of Canaan in view; in Revelation the Earth is the ‘real estate’ being claimed! Also, in both places, before the blowing of the trumpets, three is silence! (cf: Josh 6:10 / Rev 8:1).

In Joshua, when the trumpets had sounded the walls came down and Joshua went in a destroyed the enemy. So in Revelation, when the 7^th trumpet has sounded the judgment will be complete and Jesus will return to destroy the enemy and establish His throne (see Rev 10:7).

In the Apocrypha ( which is not inspired Scripture) we are given the names of seven archangels: Uriel, Raphael, Raguel, Michael, Sarakiel, Gabriel and Phanuel. Are these the seven we are seeing here? We don’t know, and it doesn’t really matter. If God had wanted us to know He would have told us. What we do know is that this is not a symbol, allegory, or picture of something else. These are real angels with real trumpets, and the results will be real also.

The table below highlights the key parallels:

Rev 8:3

And another angel came and stood at the altar, having a golden censer; and there was given unto him much incense, that he should offer it with the prayers of all saints upon the golden altar which was before the throne.

Back in chapter 5v8 we were told that the golden ‘bowls’ were full of odors, which represent the prayers of the saints. Throughout scripture incense is used as a type of worship and prayer – that which is a sweet savor and willingly offered up to God. Our deepest, most intimate communication with God is when we pray in the Spirit: “….Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit” (Ephesians 6:11).

In the Old Testament, in the Tabernacle, and then later the Temple, the Brazen alter was where the sacrifices were offered. Once the sacrifice had been consumed, the burning coals were then taken to the Incense alter (also known as the Golden Alter) where they would heat the incense thus producing a sweet smell as the incense burned. When we have been consumed on God’s alter, as Oswald Chambers puts it, ‘given up the right to ourselves’, and yielded complete control to God, crucifying our flesh life and trusting completely in Him, our lives truly become a sacrifice and a ‘sweet smelling aroma’.

It is when we are in this place that we can pray in the Sprit, and not in the flesh. – What is the difference? When we pray in the flesh it is usually about what we want. When we pray in the spirit it will always be about what God wants. When Jesus taught His disciples to pray He told them to start by praying ‘Our Father, hallowed be Your Name”. In other words, when we pray we should have our focus on Him, not ourselves. It is not until half way through the prayer we get to pray ‘give us this day…’ If we start by getting the focus off ourselves and onto God, we start to see things from His perspective, so that by the time we get to ‘me’ bit, we are already thinking differently.

Chuck Missler says: “Prayer is not about getting man’s will done in Heaven but about getting God’s will done on earth.”

So what are these prayers that are being offered on the golden alter? In short, these are all the prayers from Adam to Abraham, Abraham to you, where it has been prayed “Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven.” (Matt 6:9-10). Of course the Old Testament saints may not have used these words, but throughout Psalms David continually prayed for God’s Kingdom to be unveiled on Earth (see Psalm 1:5 / Psalm 2 / Psalm 7:6 / Psalm 10:12-18 / Psalm 29 / Psalm 34:16 / Psalm 37:10-20 etc.).

When you pray, ‘Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done’ what is it you think you’ve been praying? What is the kingdom you’ve been praying for?

In his Gospel, Matthew uses a term that none of the other Gospel writer’s use. Matthew repeatedly refers to ‘the Kingdom of Heaven’, or to be more precise, ‘the Kingdom from Heaven’. It is the Millennial Kingdom of Christ, when Jesus will return at the end of the Tribulation to ‘put down all rule and all authority and power’ (1 Cor 15:24) and reign on the Throne of David (Luke 1:32) as King of kings and Lord of lords.

What John is seeing in Heaven in this verse is a petition signed by the church (and the other saints) for God to restore the kingdom to the One found worthy to open the seven seals – The Lamb of God.

Is your name going to be on the petition? Are you praying for the kingdom to come?

As an aside, the ‘Lord’s Prayer’ is ‘Pre-millennial’, that is, it requires Jesus to return and establish His own kingdom before the Millennium (as detailed in Rev 19-20 and Daniel 3 & 7). Yet week in and week out this prayer is prayed in churches all over this country that actually teach (if and when they do actually teach anything concerning these things!) that the Church will win the world for Christ, and then, and only then will Christ return. This belief is generally known as Amillennialism (denying that there will be a millennial thousand year reign of Christ). See appendix A – What is the danger of “Amillennialism”?

Rev 8:4-5

4  And the smoke of the incense, which came with the prayers of the saints, ascended up before God out of the angel’s hand.

5  And the angel took the censer, and filled it with fire of the altar, and cast it into the earth: and there were voices, and thunderings, and lightnings, and an earthquake.

This earthquake (the second in Revelation) is in response to the events in heaven – “For the earnest expectation of the creation eagerly waits for the revealing of the sons of God. For the creation was subjected to futility, not willingly, but because of Him who subjected it in hope; because the creation itself also will be delivered from the bondage of corruption into the glorious liberty of the children of God. For we know that the whole creation groans and labors with birth pangs together until now.”  (Rom 8:19-23). Creation itself is getting ready to ‘give birth’ to a new era when the Creator Himself will rule.

In Acts 3:20-21 we read: “And he shall send Jesus Christ, which before was preached unto you: Whom the heaven must receive until the times of restitution of all things, which God hath spoken by the mouth of all his holy prophets since the world began.” What will things be restored to? The way it was in the beginning when God declared that ‘it was good’. (This is yet another verse that makes it impossible for a Christian to believe in evolution).

This is the end of the seventh seal.  

Rev 8:6-7

6  And the seven angels which had the seven trumpets prepared themselves to sound.

7 The first angel sounded, and there followed hail and fire mingled with blood, and they were cast upon the earth: and the third part of trees was burnt up, and all green grass was burnt up.

We will notice the similarity with the plagues in Egypt as we go through the following judgments, and rightly so! For the events recorded in Exodus are another shadow, a model in advance, of the Tribulation. The Egyptian Pharaoh at the time of the Exodus was actually Assyrian (see Isaiah 52:4), so it is no surprise to find that one of the titles of Antichrist is ‘the Assyrian’ (See Isaiah 10:24 / 14:25).

Hail is seen in scripture as a judgment from God (see Exodus 9:22-26 – the seventh plague of Egypt) and so it is here. There is speculation as to the cause of these events, but two possible causes are as follows.

Firstly, the volcanic eruptions resulting from a worldwide earthquake such as has just occurred in Rev 8:5 would throw debris up into the atmosphere. The only place for all of this to go is back down to earth. This could account for all the things mentioned, i.e. hail and fire mingled with blood, (blood being in the earth (albeit dried blood) from creatures that have died and whose blood has been shed upon the ground.

There is strong evidence to suggest that Sodom and Gomorrah were destroyed in this way, by a massive build-up of oil, bitumen and other compounds, mixed with sulpher that had been trapped under ground. As the pressure continued to increase, there was eventually only one for the pressure to go – up! The resulting upward force would have propelled this lethal mixture up into the atmosphere, from where it would have very literally rained down fire and brimstone on these two cities that were in rebellion to God. This doesn’t ‘explain away’ the miracle, God still had to orchestrate the event, but it is a possibility.

Jesus Himself said :“And as it was in the days of Noah, so shall it be also in the days of the Son of man. They did eat, they drank, they married wives, they were given in marriage, until the day that Noah entered into the ark, and the flood came, and destroyed them all. Likewise also as it was in the days of Lot; they did eat, they drank, they bought, they sold, they planted, they built; But the same day that Lot went out of Sodom it rained fire and brimstone from heaven, and destroyed them all. Even thus shall it be in the day when the Son of man is revealed” (Luke 17:26-30).

A second possible scenario is a nuclear exchange. As Pastor Jon Courson points out: “Keep in mind history verifies that weapon systems have never been developed which have not been used. Therefore, it would be an aberration of history if all of the countries which presently have nuclear weapons including Russia, France, England, Israel, India, China, the US, and a host of others failed to use them. I am not saying this passage can only refer to a nuclear holocaust. However, the fact remains that upon the detonation of a nuclear warhead, 250-mph winds of fire follow. In addition, above-ground nuclear tests on the island of Bikini caused the surrounding water to shoot thousands of feet into the air, where it froze and returned as hailstones big enough to destroy the equipment intended to monitor it.”

Either way, one third of the earth’s trees being destroyed would play havoc with the climate and one third of all green grass would severely affect agriculture and produce. The effects of these things combined (the events and the aftermath) are unimaginable.

Rev 8:8-9

8  And the second angel sounded, and as it were a great mountain burning with fire was cast into the sea: and the third part of the sea became blood;

9 And the third part of the creatures which were in the sea, and had life, died; and the third part of the ships were destroyed.

(cf. Exodus 7:17 – the first plague of Egypt)

This was not ‘a great mountain’ but John doing his best to describe this tells us it was ‘as it were a great mountain’. This is most likely to be a burning meteor that crashes into the sea.  If this is the case, the ships would probably be destroyed by the ensuing tidal waves that such a massive meteor hitting the oceans would produce. Planes would almost certainly be grounded, and with major problems for the world’s shipping companies, trade on planet earth is going to get very hard – you can almost hear the people crying out to have a leader who would govern the distribution of food – in fact, a system could be introduced to ensure that each person gets their ration, a mark maybe?!

Possibly as many as 8000 ships are going to be destroyed (based on current figures of the number of ships on the sea). Provocative, if nothing else, is the fact that 1/3 of all ships can be found at any one time in the Atlantic Ocean, which just happens to be about one third of the world’s oceans!

However, possibly even more frightening is that approximately 70% of all our oxygen comes from the oceans. If one third of the sea becomes blood and as a result one third of all marine life dies, it would have life changing effects! It has been estimated that losing 1/3^rd of the Earth’s oceans would have the same effect to the oxygen levels on Earth as losing ALL the rain forests and plant life! It’s it going to make taking a deep breath, something that we take so much for granted, seem like a luxury!

Rev 8:10-11

10 And the third angel sounded, and there fell a great star from heaven, burning as it were a lamp, and it fell upon the third part of the rivers, and upon the fountains of waters;

11 And the name of the star is called Wormwood: and the third part of the waters became wormwood; and many men died of the waters, because they were made bitter.

What is meant by ‘a great star’ is unknown. Again, two possible scenarios present themselves. Firstly, another burning meteorite hitting a third of the world’s rivers, the resulting gasses of which could poison them causing many to die. Or alternatively, a nuclear missile, which if John was seeing in his vision he may well describe as ‘burning as a lamp’. This could easily pollute the waters with radioactive material and make them lethal. Maybe it’s a coincidence, but the Russian word for ‘Wormwood’ is translated ‘Chernobyl’. When the Chernobyl reactor problem occurred in 1986 many died and the surround water supplies were contaminated.

Rev 8:12

And the fourth angel sounded, and the third part of the sun was smitten, and the third part of the moon, and the third part of the stars; so as the third part of them was darkened, and the day shone not for a third part of it, and the night likewise.

As this forth angel sounds, something happens that reduces the amount of light from the Sun, Moon & stars by one third. The most probable explanation is that either a nuclear fallout or volcanic debris in the sky fill the atmosphere with ash or dust. Remember that as John is seeing these things it would indeed look as if the celestial orbs themselves were being darkened – which we should not completely rule out, as God may do something beyond our comprehension! This will however affect the temperature on earth, as with a 1/3^rd less light the Earth will cool down – so you won’t have to worry about ‘global warming’ just yet!

Rev 8:13

And I beheld, and heard an [Eagle] flying through the midst of heaven, saying with a loud voice, Woe, woe, woe, to the inhabiters of the earth by reason of the other voices of the trumpet of the three angels, which are yet to sound!

The word translated ‘Angel’ in this verse is actually from the Greek word for ‘Eagle’ according to the Septuagint. Why an eagle flying through heaven? – I don’t know, and I’m fairly sure that John was a little taken back. What does matter is what is said. ‘Woe, woe, woe, to the inhabiters of the earth’. This literally means ‘those who have chosen to inhabit the earth’. This idea occurs 12 x in Revelation and the obvious contrast is with those who ‘do not love the world or the things in the world….For all that is in the world….. is passing away, and the lust of it; but he who does the will of God abides forever.”  (See John 2:15-17).

Jesus told us that we are not of this world, but are pilgrims passing through. So don’t hold on too tightly, because believe me, you really don’t want to stay here! How do I know? Because the eagle the eagle pronounces three woes for the three trumpets that have yet to sound. In other words, if you thought the first four trumpets were bad – you ain’t seen nothing yet!

A word of warning:

“Whoso mocketh the poor reproacheth his Maker: and he that is glad at calamities shall not be unpunished.” (Prov 17:5)

It is easy for us (Christians) to get complacent; after all we’ve been promised that Jesus will deliver us from the wrath to come (1 Thess 1:10) so we know that we won’t have to suffer these things. But we read in Ezekiel 18:23 “Have I any pleasure at all that the wicked should die? saith the Lord GOD: and not that he should return from his ways, and live?”

A few verses later we are given the answer (in case we’re not sure). “For I have no pleasure in the death of him that dieth, saith the Lord GOD: wherefore turn yourselves, and live ye.” (Ezekiel 18:32)

It breaks God’s heart to see men and women He created turn their back on Him. He doesn’t want to judge them; that’s why He did everything He could – sending His only Son to die for them – so they might live.

The things that we have studied in this chapter could produce two reactions: a sense of morbid curiosity and excitement, or a fear and a desire to forget about it and try to pretend that it’s not real. However, God has revealed these things to us in His word, and therefore they are here for our learning, that we might be ‘thoroughly equipped for all good works’ (2 Tim 3:16).

We need to act on these things and make it our resolve never to miss an opportunity to talk to someone about the wrath to come and the Saviour who so desperately wants to rescue anyone who has ears to hear.

Invasion!

CHAPTER 9

Rev 9:1

And the fifth angel sounded, and I saw a star fall from heaven unto the earth: and to him was given the key of the bottomless pit.

We are dealing in this verse with an angel and not a literal star or meteor such as we have seen in previous chapters; for we are told that he was given the key to bottomless pit.

An asteroid or meteor would not have a lot of use for a key!

Some scholars think that because this angel ‘falls from heaven’ it must be Satan. Jesus said: “I beheld Satan as lightning fall from heaven”. However, in this verse from Luke 10:18, it would appear that Jesus is speaking prophetically of an event that will occur in Rev 12:7-9 in the middle of the Week (i.e. at the mid-point of the Tribulation.) When Satan falls to earth in Rev 12, he ‘knows he has a short time’ and immediately goes after Israel who then flee into the wilderness. In contrast to this, as we will see from the book of Joel, when these events in chapter Rev 9 take place, Israel are still in their land. This is consistent with the view that all of the events in chapters 6-9 take place in the first half of the Tribulation.

If therefore this angel is not Satan, the question arises as to whether this angel is a fallen angel or one of God’s good angels. In support of the idea that this angel is a good angel, Bible scholar Dake comments: “There is no indication that this is a fallen angel. He will descend from heaven to open the abyss, liberating the creatures who will fulfil this vision…….He must be a holy and trusted angel to have the key to the pit. If a fallen one he could liberate all the fallen creatures that are now there. He is not the angel of the bottomless pit, for no king of demons could be trusted with such a key”

In support of this view is the opening verse of Chapter 10, which states “And I saw another mighty angel come down from heaven”. There is no question that the angel in chapter 10 is a good angel and the Greek word for ‘another’ used here means ‘another of the same kind’, which would strongly suggest that the previous angel that came down from heaven was also a good angel.

The only real objection to this is that we are told that this angel ‘fell’ from heaven, which in the English implies an involuntary action. However, the word in Greek is ‘pipto’ which means to ‘alight’ (as you would choose to alight from a horse for example). If we compare this to Rev 12:9 where Satan is cast out of Heaven, the word is ‘ballo’ which means to ‘throw’ or ‘thrust’ and implies a violent or intense action involuntarily forced on the subject – in this case Satan.

From these observations, it would seem fairly conclusive that this angel is an obedient servant of God acting as instructed.

The phrase ‘bottomless pit’ is literally translated as the ‘long shaft of the abyss’. The abyss was understood by the Jewish Rabbis and Greek philosophers to be a hollow place in the centre of the earth that was the abode of the dead. This view has much biblical support from verses such as Num 16:33 ‘…went down alive into the pit’, Ezek 26:20 ‘When I shall bring thee down with them that descend into the pit, with the people of old time, and shall set thee in the low parts of the earth’  Ezek 31:16 ‘I made the nations to shake at the sound of his fall, when I cast him down to hell with them that descend into the pit’  (See also: Romans 10:7 / Isaiah 5:14 / Isaiah 38:17-18 / Psalm 28:1 / Psalm 30:3)

It is also consistent with the idea that the abyss was bottomless; for the only place that you could have a bottomless pit would be at the centre of the earth for the simple reason that every direction from there would be up.

It is also interesting to recall the words of Peter regarding the angels who sinned prior to the flood by taking the daughters of men: “….God spared not the angels that sinned, but cast them down to hell, and delivered them into chains of darkness, to be reserved unto judgment;” (2 Peter 2:4). The Greek word translated ‘Hell’ is ‘Tartaros’ which was believed to be the deepest part of Hades. Some scholars believe that God has held these angels in chains until this point. Literally: they have been ‘reserved for a time of judgment’ when they will be loosed to fulfill God’s purposes prior to their own destruction.

One final thought on this verse is that there is the implication that somewhere on planet earth, there is a long shaft that leads directly to the abyss. But don’t worry, God has got the key – until He gives it to this angel, and then…

Rev 9:2

And he opened the bottomless pit; and there arose a smoke out of the pit, as the smoke of a great furnace; and the sun and the air were darkened by reason of the smoke of the pit.

It is clear from this verse that tension is implied. The smoke comes out, everything starts getting dark, and you get the feeling that something nasty is about to happen…

Rev 9:3

And there came out of the smoke locusts upon the earth: and unto them was given power, as the scorpions of the earth have power.

…there we go, we were right, this is something very nasty!

Apparently the sting of a scorpion is one of the most painful things that you can experience. These are no ordinary locusts because ‘power is given to them’. 

In Egypt there were real locusts that devastated the land (Exodus 10:12-15), but we are told there would never be locusts like those again, and indeed so, for here they are supernatural and far more frightening. People who have witnessed swarms of locusts have said that the most terrifying thing is the sound of them eating their way through whatever is in their path.

Rev 9:4

 And it was commanded them that they should not hurt the grass of the earth, neither any green thing, neither any tree; but only those men which have not the seal of God in their foreheads.

Those who have the seal of God are the 144,000 Jews that we encountered in chapter 7.

Just to hammer it home once again, there is no mention of the Church being sealed – so either Christ, who now judging the world, is allowing these supernatural creatures to torture and hurt His Bride, or the Church is not on earth! Ephesians 5:25 says that husbands should love their wives as Christ loved the Church. If the Church is on earth during this time, and Christ is allowing creatures to trample over her, are we to believe that this is the way husbands should treat their wives? I think not!

These creatures have one mission only: to hurt mankind.

Rev 9:5

And to them it was given that they should not kill them, but that they should be tormented five months: and their torment was as the torment of a scorpion, when he striketh a man.

We can only speculate as to why only five months are allotted to them. One of the most plausible explanations is that the number 5 often seems to be used to indicate grace and completeness. It is certainly by the grace of God that these creatures are not left any longer, and it may also be that 5 months is all that is required for God to make His point. We see this with the plagues in Egypt. God left the plague only as long as it took for the message to hit home with Pharaoh. Even in judgment God is merciful.

Rev 9:6

And in those days shall men seek death, and shall not find it; and shall desire to die, and death shall flee from them.

In Ecclesiastes 8:15 we read that God gives life, and this verse shows that only God has the power take it away at the end of our days. Whilst it is appointed to all men once to die (Heb 9:27), it is God who decides when our life on this earth is to come to an end. An example of this is seen in the death of Lazarus that we read about in John 11, which occurred at just the right moment. It was approaching the end of Jesus’ ministry and God had arranged all the details so that Lazarus would die at the appointed time so that four days later when Jesus arrived, Lazarus would be raised as a witness to the nation. Only God had the power to take life from Lazarus, and only God in the flesh – Jesus had the power to restore it.

Here we have men that are so scared that suicide seems the best option – until they realise that they can’t die. Imagine trying to end your life but every attempt makes it worse. You try and jump in front of a truck, but instead of dying, you just get hurt really badly and your pain gets worse. As you get to your feet you look up and there’s another ‘Demonic Locust’ bearing down on you getting ready to strike.

This is not an attempt to dramatise the situation, but rather an attempt to bring home the reality of it. Surely there is no one that we know whom we would want to have to endure this time? Why is this information revealed for us in the Bible? It is there so that we might wake up to the awful reality that awaits those who choose to live their lives without God.

Attention Church!  We have a mission to warn people before it’s too late.

Rev 9:7-9

7 And the shapes of the locusts were like unto horses prepared unto battle; and on their heads were as it were crowns like gold, and their faces were as the faces of men.

8 And they had hair as the hair of women, and their teeth were as the teeth of lions.

9 And they had breastplates, as it were breastplates of iron; and the sound of their wings was as the sound of chariots of many horses running to battle.

Notice that John says they were like horses, on their head as it were crowns of gold etc.

John is just trying to describe what he is seeing – and it is obviously not normal. But neither is it allegorical (just a picture to illustrate something else). Make no mistake, the reason we are given so much detail is so that we don’t make the assumption that this can’t be real!

Dr. Vincent makes this observation in his comments on these verses “The likeness of a locust to a horse, especially to a horse equipped with armor, is so striking that the insect is named in German ‘Heupferd’ hay-horse, and in Italian ‘cavaletta’ little horse”.

Rev 9:10

 And they had tails like unto scorpions, and there were stings in their tails: and their power was to hurt men five months.

This verse adds to what we are told in verse 5 as if to underline the pain that they cause and the duration for which they will torment men. This locust invasion is not confined just to one area; they may well cover the whole Earth. You certainly get them impression there is nowhere to hide from these terrifying creatures.

This picture is Christian artist Rodney Matthews’ rendering of what these creatures might look like. We are not told what size they are, but from Joel 2 and Rev 9:7 it would seem that they will resemble horses in size as well as other features.

Rev 9:11

And they had a king over them, which is the angel of the bottomless pit, whose name in the Hebrew tongue is Abaddon, but in the Greek tongue hath his name Apollyon.

“These locusts are further differentiated from ordinary locusts in that they have a king over them. Proverbs 30:27 says of natural locusts that they have no king. The king or leader of these locusts is probably one of the fallen angels, the chief henchman of Satan, and he is permitted to lead an invasion of earth for the first time. This is something that is going to be rather frightening. His name in Hebrew means “destruction,” and in Greek it means “the destroyer.” This confirms what Daniel told us, that the demon world of the fallen angels is divided into gradations. I think there are generals, majors, lieutenants, sergeants, and buck privates. In Ephesians we find that the angels of God are divided in the same way.”  (J.Vernon McGee)

Rev 9:12

One woe is past; and, behold, there come two woes more hereafter.

Trumpet judgment 5 has now past, but we need to watch out because Trumpets 6 and 7 are about to sound.

All of this – the 7 seals, the 7 trumpets – seem to be leading to a crescendo which we will reach in chapter 10:6. Remember also that seemingly all of this is really the prelude to the Great Tribulation and therefore God’s wake up call to the people on the earth to repent before things really start to get nasty. Notice that everything is in measure at this time; one third of the sea, one third of the rives turned to blood, one third of the grass & trees burned up, only 5 months of torment etc. When we get to the ‘Great Tribulation’ – the last 3 ½ years, there will be no more mercy. God’s wrath will be unrestrained. Once again, God is longsuffering, not willing that any should perish, and every opportunity is given for men to repent. No one can blame God for not knowing as these events are going to impact the whole world.

Rev 9:13-14

13  And the sixth angel sounded, and I heard a voice from the four horns of the golden altar which is before God,

14 Saying to the sixth angel which had the trumpet, Loose the four angels which are bound in the great river Euphrates.

The golden alter is in Heaven, also known as the Alter of Incense, where the prayers of the saints were offered in Rev 8:3. Now a voice comes from alter with a strange and chilling request. The four angels that are loosed must be fallen angels as is clear from the fact that they are bound (there would be no need to bind a good angel). The Euphrates appears to be a dividing line on God’s map of the world. It is the eastern boundary of the land that God promised to Abraham in Gen 15:18: “In the same day the LORD made a covenant with Abram, saying, Unto thy seed have I given this land, from the river of Egypt unto the great river, the river Euphrates”

Rome was able to conquer up to the Euphrates but no further. At the time of Rome the land east of the Euphrates was the territory of the Parthian Empire (home of the Magi) whom even the Romans feared.  It was from the area of the Euphrates that God raised up the Assyrians and Babylonians as an instrument to judge Israel to turn the nation back to Him. One of the main purposes of the Tribulation is to do exactly that, and this time it will succeed. Israel will cry out to the Messiah to save her from her enemies as recorded in Hosea 5:15-6:1 “I will go and return to my place, till they acknowledge their offence, and seek my face: in their affliction they will seek me early”.

In light of what we are about to read it is also interesting that the religions east of the Euphrates have literally millions of god’s which are nothing more that demonic deceptions. Psalm 96:5 in the Septuagint is translated: “For all the gods of the nations are demons”; and Babylon, the birthplace of false religion and idolatry is situated on the Euphrates itself, the river dividing the city.

Rev 9:15

And the four angels were loosed, which were prepared for an hour, and a day, and a month, and a year, for to slay the third part of men.

This is an important verse as it makes it absolutely clear that God’s clock is on schedule. The erroneous idea that the Church is responsible for ushering in the kingdom age is nonsense. God is working all things to His timetable – to the very hour.

In the forth seal (Rev 6:8) we saw a third of mankind die, the third trumpet (Rev 8:10) judgment causes ‘many men’ to die, and now a third of those who are left. This is way over half the world’s population – or every second person you know – and we haven’t even got to the 7 Bowels of Wrath or Armageddon yet! Again, we are not being told this to satisfy our curiosity. God wants us to know this so we will act.

Rev 9:16

And the number of the army of the horsemen were two hundred thousand thousand: and I heard the number of them.

This verse has led to much speculation about the 200 Million army being an army from communist China or Asia. Whilst these nations may well play a major role in the events on earth during this time it is clear from the context and information following, this army is a demon army.

Rev 9:17

And thus I saw the horses in the vision, and them that sat on them, having breastplates of fire, and of jacinth, and brimstone: and the heads of the horses were as the heads of lions; and out of their mouths issued fire and smoke and brimstone.

This is a scary image, worse than any fictional horror story.

This is not ‘picture language’, John is describing what he is seeing. However John was not the first; the prophet Joel saw the same events and adds further insight……………

“For a nation is come up upon my land, strong, and without number, whose teeth are the teeth of a lion, and he hath the cheek teeth of a great lion”. (Joel 1:6)

“Alas for the day! for the day of the LORD is at hand, and as a destruction from the Almighty shall it come. Is not the meat cut off before our eyes, (food will be in short supply and famines will about as we have already seen) yea, joy and gladness from the house of our God? The seed is rotten under their clods, the garners are laid desolate, the barns are broken down; for the corn is withered. How do the beasts groan! the herds of cattle are perplexed, because they have no pasture; yea, the flocks of sheep are made desolate. O LORD, to thee will I cry: for the fire hath devoured the pastures of the wilderness, and the flame hath burned all the trees of the field. (We have already seen a third of the trees and green grass burnt up in Rev 8:7 with the first Trumpet) The beasts of the field cry also unto thee: for the rivers of waters are dried up, and the fire hath devoured the pastures of the wilderness.” (Joel 1:15-20).

“Blow ye the trumpet in Zion, (notice we have here a trumpet being blown) 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; A day of darkness and of gloominess, a day of clouds and of thick darkness, as the morning spread upon the mountains: (The  sun and moon will be darkened again we have seen in Rev 8:12, the forth Trumpet, and also when the ‘locusts’ are released in Rev 9:2, the fith Trumpet)  a great people and a strong; there hath not been ever the like, neither shall be any more after it, even to the years of many generations. A fire devoureth before them; and behind them a flame burneth: the land is as the garden of Eden before them, and behind them a desolate wilderness; yea, and nothing shall escape them. The appearance of them is as the appearance of horses; and as horsemen, so shall they run. Like the noise of chariots on the tops of mountains shall they leap, like the noise of a flame of fire that devoureth the stubble, as a strong people set in battle array. Before their face the people shall be much pained: all faces shall gather blackness. (This description is almost identical to John’s in Revelation) They shall run like mighty men; they shall climb the wall like men of war; and they shall march every one on his ways, and they shall not break their ranks: Neither shall one thrust another; they shall walk every one in his path: and when they fall upon the sword, they shall not be wounded.

They shall run to and fro in the city; they shall run upon the wall, they shall climb up upon the houses; they shall enter in at the windows like a thief. The earth shall quake before them; the heavens shall tremble: the sun and the moon shall be dark, and the stars shall withdraw their shining: 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? Therefore also now, saith the LORD, turn ye even to me with all your heart, and with fasting, and with weeping, and with mourning: And rend your heart, and not your garments, and turn unto the LORD your God: for he is gracious and merciful, slow to anger, and of great kindness, and repenteth him of the evil.” (Joel 2:1-13)

Notice: once again God’s call for people on earth to repent.

In Leviticus 23 we have detailed the 7 feasts of Israel that were to occur during the year. From various passages in the Bible we know that these feasts also have a prophetic application.  The first three had their prophetic fulfilment during ‘Passion Week’ (i.e. Passover, Feast of Unleavened Bread & Feast of Firstfruits – all of which were fulfilled in Jesus’ death burial and resurrection). Pentecost, or the Feast of Harvest as it is also known, had a partial prophetic fulfilment when the Church was born on ‘Pentecost’ and will be completed at the Rapture (also apparently destined to occur on Pentecost). Thus the first four feasts are all but complete from a prophetic perspective, leaving just the last three feasts.

There would appear to be a prophetic link between the book of Joel and the last three of these feasts, namely:

• The Feast of Trumpets cf. the trumpet judgments (Joel 1:1-2:11)

• The Feast of Atonement cf. Israel’s spiritual restoration (Joel 2:12-32),
• The Feast of Ingathering (or Tabernacles) cf. Israel’s re-gathering to the land  and the Lord’s   returning to dwell (‘tabernacle’) amongst them (Joel 3:1-21).

Rev 9:18

By these three was the third part of men killed, by the fire, and by the smoke, and by the brimstone, which issued out of their mouths.

As if to underline the fact, we are again told that a third of men will die. Forget Sci-Fi monsters, these are the real thing – and there will be no stopping them until God says enough. Clearly Jesus was not exaggerating in Matt 24:21-22 when He said: “For then shall be great tribulation, such as was not since the beginning of the world to this time, no, nor ever shall be. And except those days should be shortened, there should no flesh be saved: but for the elect’s sake those days shall be shortened.”

And bear in mind the ‘Great Tribulation’ hasn’t yet begun! (that’s the last 3 ½ years).

Rev 9:19

For their power is in their mouth, and in their tails: for their tails were like unto serpents, and had heads, and with them they do hurt.

Again, the description pushes our imagination to the limit. Thy can attack from the front with the mouths; but they also have tails and the tails have heads that can hurt – so you can’t creep up from behind either, not that you would want to. The best advice would be to RUN! Actually that’s not quite true. The BEST advice is to repent and put your trust in Jesus Christ now and “be accounted worthy to escape all these things that shall come to pass, and to stand before the Son of man.”  (Luke 21:36)

Rev 9:20

And the rest of the men which were not killed by these plagues yet repented not of the works of their hands, that they should not worship devils, and idols of gold, and silver, and brass, and stone, and of wood: which neither can see, nor hear, nor walk:

Why? How stubborn and rebellions can mankind be? This must break God’s heart; He takes no pleasure in the death of the wicked (Ezekiel 18:23) but desires that they would repent (Acts 17:30). God could unleash ‘all Hell’ at once and destroy mankind; but with each succeeding judgment we see His mercy and longsuffering.

In Isaiah 44 God mocks those who worship idols, for God alone can save.

Rev 9:21

Neither repented they of their murders, nor of their sorceries, nor of their fornication, nor of their thefts.

Even today, murders are a fact of daily life. 52 million children are aborted each year. Recently, three schoolgirls in a Muslim country were beheaded – they were Christians.

Sexual immorality is presented as the norm, and any who oppose are labeled ‘old fashioned’ or ‘intolerant’.  Crime, particularly as a result of drug abuse is escalating around the world.

If this is what it’s like now; what will it be like when the restraining influence of the Holy Spirit indwelt Church is taken out of the way at the time of the Rapture? (See 2 Thes 2:6-8)

But even given that there will be no restraint during this time, it is still hard to believe that people will still choose not to repent when such terrifying judgments are coming on the earth.

The word translated ‘sorceries’ is the Greek word ‘pharmakeia’ which is the using and selling of drugs. Drugs bring about an altered state of consciousness and opens people up to forces that God does not want us exposed to. With the internet and world communication as it now is, we are back at Genesis 11:6 when with one ‘language’ nothing will be beyond the wicked imagination of man.

To be continued…

The post The Sound of Silence first appeared on Calvary Chapel Portsmouth.

Welcome to Revelation chapter 7! The battle is almost over, the church have been air-lifted to safety in the greatest evacuation in the history of the world. Yet there were inevitably those who chose to ignore the warning signs, who did not respond to the Gospel when they had chance, but now that the Tribulation has begun, find themselves trapped behind enemy lines. There are many others too who would respond to the Gospel now,  if only there were a preacher. Enter the 144,000 Jewish evangelists whose role seems to be to reach out to whosoever has ears to hear in Earth’s darkest and final hour.

This study should do two things; firstly, remind you of God’s great mercy, not willing that any should perish. Secondly, this should highlight the privilege of  receiving Jesus Christ as Lord and Saviour this side of the Rapture. Those who come to Christ after, those who make up the great multitude seen in this chapter, will be saved by the blood of the Lamb, but will not have the position and blessings afforded to the Church, the Bride of Christ.

May the following verse by verse study of Revelation chapter 7 encourage you deepen your love for God and His Word!

CHAPTER 7

In Revelation 7 we have a respite in the text from the judgment that is being poured out. It is a much needed break for the reader after the horror of the first six seals.  

Rev 7:1

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.

These angels are holding back God’s judgment, which is seen as coming by the four winds. In Daniel chapter 7 we also read of four winds, which on that occasion brought about a change in the government of the world – the same job is being done here.

The four ‘corners’ does not imply that the earth is flat! Isaiah referred to the ‘circle’ of the earth, which literally translated would be ‘globe’. In this verse we simply have a figure of speech. We have the four points of the compass and the world can, and often is, divided into four quarters. Military strategists have divided the world into four quadrants, and from some satellite images the world appears to be divided by four mountain ranges into four sections.

Rev 7:2

And I saw another angel ascending from the east……..

Adding further weight to the above point, the fact that this angel is ascending from the east shows the earth cannot be flat (or square) as the critics suggest the Bible teaches. If the John was looking at a flat earth, this angel could not be ascending from the east but merely coming from the east. For John to see the angel ascend, which means to rise, from the east shows that the earth must be spherical, as the angel would appear to arise from the distant horizon in much the same way as the sun rises and could also be said to ascend from the east.

Anyway, this angel………. [has] 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,

As in verse one, the command is to hold back from hurting the earth and sea. In chapter 8 we meet the Trumpet judgments, the first four of which see these angels with the four winds then released and as we will see, they do indeed harm the earth, sea and the trees.

Rev 7:3

The angel that arises from the east then says to the other four angels:

Saying, Hurt not the earth, neither the sea, nor the trees, till we have sealed the servants of our God in their foreheads.

So the reason that the four angels are to hold back is to allow time for God’s servants to be sealed so that they will be immunised (supernaturally protected) from the coming judgments. We have heard much about the ‘mark of the beast’, which we will encounter in chapter 13, but Satan does nothing new, he simply distorts what God has already done. In Ezekiel 9 we read of an angel going through Jerusalem marking the foreheads of those who still worshipped the true and living God and were not given over to idolatry, so that they would be spared when the judgment came. Here we see the servants of God being marked on their foreheads, with some sort of mark that identified them as God’s.

Rev 7:4

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.

The JW’s and the Worldwide Church of God (Armstrongism) both claim that they are (or some of them are) the 144,000 – despite the fact that we have just read that the 144,000 are from all the tribes of Israel. The JW’s actually had a convention for the ‘144,000 elect’ some years ago and 250,000 people turned up! So don’t become a JW because their Heaven is already over subscribed!

Rev 7:5-8

5 Of the tribe of Judah were sealed twelve thousand. Of the tribe of Reuben were sealed twelve thousand. Of the tribe of Gad were sealed twelve thousand.

6 Of the tribe of Asher were sealed twelve thousand. Of the tribe of Nathalie were sealed twelve thousand. Of the tribe of Manasseh were sealed twelve thousand.

7 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.

8 Of the tribe of Zebulon were sealed twelve thousand. Of the tribe of Joseph were sealed

twelve thousand. Of the tribe of Benjamin were sealed twelve thousand. 

God could not have made this clearer or easier to understand; 144,000 Jews from the 12 tribes of Israel – sealed by God for a particular work that they will accomplish for Him during the first half of the Tribulation.

See Appendix A  – The Purpose of the Sealing of the 144,000  

Rev 7:9

After this I beheld, and, lo, a great multitude, which no man could number, of all nations, and kindreds, and people, and tongues, stood before the throne, and before the Lamb, clothed with white robes, and palms in their hands;

We are now introduced to another group, which appears to startle John by its size and sudden appearance in Heaven. This great multitude are given white robes to wear – the reason for this we will look at in a moment – and have palms in their hands, possibly as a sign of victory and celebration, or more likely drawing from the feast of Tabernacles where palm branches were used, this feast also being known as the feast of ‘ingathering’ or harvest, and this great multitude are indeed a great harvest that has been gathered in.

Rev 7:10

And cried with a loud voice, saying, Salvation to our God which sitteth upon the throne, and unto the Lamb.

This verse shows once again that Salvation is the work of the triune God, Father, Son and Holy Spirit. Although the Holy Spirit is not mentioned in their praise, His work in the salvation of souls is not negated, for Jesus said clearly in John 16:13-14 that the Holy Spirit would not speak of Himself, but would glorify Jesus.

“Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come……… he shall not speak of himself ……….He shall glorify me: for he shall receive of mine, and shall shew it unto you.” (John 16:13-14)

Rev 7:11 – 12

11 And all the angels stood round about the throne, and about the elders and the four beasts, and fell before the throne on their faces, and worshipped God,

12 Saying, Amen: Blessing, and glory, and wisdom, and thanksgiving, and honour, and power, and might, be unto our God for ever and ever. Amen.

It is fitting that these souls who have entered Heaven begin their time there as they will continue  –  in praise to God whom they (like us) owe everything, for His great mercy.

Rev 7:13

13 And one of the elders answered, saying unto me, What are these which are arrayed in white robes? and whence came they?

The question and John’s answer indicate that the multitude were new arrivals in heaven that John hadn’t previously seen. Again mention is made of the white robes that they had been given.

It should be obvious but it’s worth pointing out, that the elders are not the multitude and vice versa for the 24 elders (representing the Church) are around the throne but the ‘great multitude’ are before the throne (verse 9), and it is one of the elders who puts the question to John as to the identity of the great multitude, showing that they are distinct from the elders.

See: Appendix B – The 12 Tribes of Revelation 7

Rev 7:14

And I said unto him, Sir, thou knowest. And he said to me, These are they which came out of great tribulation, and have washed their robes, and made them white in the blood of the Lamb.

This shows that they were saved in the same way as all other men – by the blood of the Lamb, and links them to the previous group that John had seen under the alter when the fifth seal who also came out of the Tribulation (see again Rev 6:9-10) – who also were given white robes to wear.

Rev 7:15 a

Therefore are they before the throne of God….,

Some scholars have suggested that this is a glimpse forward into the millennium, and that these events will take place on earth. However, the fact that the 24 elders, four living creatures, angels, etc. are all in view shows that John is seeing this event taking place in heaven during the Tribulation, and not on earth during the Millennium.

What settles the question is that they are before the throne of God, not the throne of David that Jesus will reign upon during the Millennium. Added to this is the simple fact that John has already given a good description of the throne room of heaven, and that he doesn’t elaborate any further would indicate that he expected his readers to know what throne he was talking about.

If this is so, it is interesting that from this verse there appears to be day and night in heaven, and again we have mention of the heavenly Temple (tabernacle) on which the earthly copies were modeled.

Rev 7:15 b

….and serve him day and night in his temple: and he that sitteth on the throne shall dwell among them.

From this we can be sure that the ‘great multitude’ are not, nor will be part of the church (as represented by the elders) because when the Church gets to heaven they are not there as servants, but are invited to sit on thrones (Rev 3:21 / Rev 4:4), whereas this ‘great multitude’ serve day and night in His temple.

This is also confirmed in Rev 19:6-9 where we read: “And I heard as it were the voice of a great multitude, and as the voice of many waters, and as the voice of mighty thunderings, saying, Alleluia: for the Lord God omnipotent reigneth. Let us be glad and rejoice, and give honour to him: for the marriage of the Lamb is come, and his wife hath made herself ready. And to her was granted that she should be arrayed in fine linen, clean and white: for the fine linen is the righteousness of saints. And he saith unto me, Write, Blessed are they which are called unto the marriage supper of the Lamb. And he saith unto me, These are the true sayings of God.”

Here the ‘great multitude’ announce the marriage of the Lamb, and declare that His wife has made herself ready. The Bride of Christ is the Church as Paul explains in Ephesians 5:25-32, so the fact that the ‘great multitude’ are declaring that she is ready show that they are not themselves part of the Bride. Furthermore we then read that the one speaking to John told him to write: Blessed are they which are called unto the marriage supper of the Lamb. From this it seems safe to assume that the ‘great multitude’, after announcing the wedding, would indeed be invited, and therefore are the ones who are called to the marriage supper. And surely it is no coincidence that, as with a Jewish wedding where the guests are given a wedding robe to wear, the ‘great multitude’ are given white robes to wear.

Added to this, as the Millennium is about to begin in chapter 20 of Revelation we read: “And I saw thrones, and they sat upon them, and judgment was given unto them: and I saw the souls of them that were beheaded for the witness of Jesus, and for the word of God, and which had not worshipped the beast, neither his image, neither had received his mark upon their foreheads, or in their hands; and they lived and reigned with Christ a thousand years. But the rest of the dead lived not again until the thousand years were finished. This is the first resurrection.” (Rev 20:4-5)

Here John sees a group who are sitting on thrones who are given the authority to pass judgment. This can only be the Church, the Bride of Christ (see also 1 Cor 6:3). However in addition to this John sees a second group who appear to not have received their resurrected bodies yet – they are seen as ‘souls’ only, who are about to receive new bodies in verse 5 –  these are clearly identified as those who came out of the Tribulation. So again these must be the ‘great multitude’ who were invited to the Marriage Supper of the Lamb.

The fact that they have not received their resurrected bodies at this point shows they were not raptured, but rather martyred for their witness, as is confirmed by Rev 6:9 / Rev 7:14-17 / Rev 20:4.

Rev 7:16

They shall hunger no more, neither thirst any more; neither shall the sun light on them, nor any heat.

Unlike the 144,000 the ‘great multitude’ are not sealed, so they will experience the effects of the Tribulation. They will also hunger and thirst because they won’t be able to earn money to buy food unless they receive the mark of the beast, which they will not do.

Rev 7:17

For the Lamb which is in the midst of the throne shall feed them, and shall lead them unto living fountains of waters: and God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes.

The tears are because they had suffered great persecution – this is borne out by Rev 13:7-10.

I believe that the only way ‘out’ of the Tribulation is to be martyred for Jesus. Those who do take a stand for Christ will be martyred, enter Heaven where they will receive a white wedding robe, and then be invited guests at the Marriage Supper of the Lamb.

This is indeed a great privilege, but how much greater a privilege to ‘escape the wrath to come’ and actually be part of the Bride!

There have been those who have said they will wait to see if the Rapture takes place before putting their trust in Christ. Not only is that foolish given what the Tribulation saints will have to endure, but as Pastor Chuck Smith says, “If you don’t have enough guts to live for Him now, how in the world are you going to have enough strength to die for Him then?”

To be continued…

Every blessings,

Pastor Barry.

Appendix A – The Purpose of the Sealing of the 144,000

One thing that is not told in the text is why are the 144,000 sealed anyway? What is their function?

It is clear from the text that the 144,000 Jews are sealed after the sixth seal, which ends the ‘natural’ / man-made judgments, and comes before the opening of the seventh seal. But why?

Although it is not specifically stated, most scholars agree that the purpose of the 144,000 is to preach the ‘Gospel of the Kingdom’. In Matthew 24: 14-15 Jesus said : “ And this gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in all the world for a witness unto all nations; and then shall the end come.  When ye therefore shall see the abomination of desolation, spoken of by Daniel the prophet, stand in the holy place……… (Matt 24:14-15)

A popular view in the church today is to take verses like this to mean that the Church is responsible for preaching the gospel in the whole world, and until we do, Jesus can’t come back.

This has led to various errors suggesting that the Church will win the world for Christ, and then He’ll come back. If this were true, it puts a great onus on the Church to reach the whole world, a task made all the harder by the fact that we are told in 1 Timothy 4:1 of a great ‘departing from the faith’ in the last days! Jesus also makes it clear that the end will come – starting with the abomination of desolation – after the gospel has been preached for a witness to all nations. A witness of what? Surely a witness of the coming Kingdom and the need to repent now!

In Matthew 24, the Church would have already departed by the time that Jesus gets to this verse, so someone other than the Church must be doing the preaching! Jesus has just warned of the beginning of sorrows (which echo the first six seals of Revelation 6), and then tells the disciples that the ‘gospel will be preached….’ – and then the end will come. The end that Jesus is referring to is the Great Tribulation (the last 31/2 years) as is confirmed by the fact that Jesus then points to the ‘abomination of desolation’ as we have just mentioned. This abomination will be when the image of Antichrist will be erected in the Temple in Jerusalem. From Dan 9:27 we know that this will mark the ‘middle of the week’ (or mid-way point through the 7 years).

As we have said before, we must always be alert to the fact that the Holy Spirit is very clear and specific in the words He uses. The ‘preachers’ in Matt 24:14 are preaching the ‘gospel of the kingdom’. This is the same ‘gospel’ that was preached by John the Baptist (Matt 3:1-2) who was expecting the Messiah to establish His throne there and then, as had been prophesied (2 Sam 7:12 & 29 / Luke 1:33).

John the Baptist was surprised / confused that Jesus had not established his throne so sent some of his own disciples to ask Jesus if He really was the One they had been waiting for (Luke 7:20). John the Baptist, like the Jews, didn’t understand that Messiah had to come twice, once as a suffering servant (Isaiah 53), and then again as King of kings when He would then assume the throne of David and rule the earth from Jerusalem.

As the late Barry Smith pointed out, the gospel that is now preached by the Church is not the ‘gospel of the kingdom’, but the ‘Gospel of the Grace of God’. The Church’s main message is not warning that the kingdom is about come, but telling people about God’s offer of salvation through Jesus Christ which is available to all men everywhere, and that ‘whosoever’ will can become a part of His Church.

The time will come when this offer will expire, and when it does (at the time of the Rapture) the preaching will revert to announcing the coming kingdom when the Messiah will come to rule on David’s throne in Jerusalem. Given this, who better to preach this message than 144,000 Jewish evangelists, or as one commentator put, 144,000 Jewish Billy Grahams!

With 144,000 Jewish evangelists, which no doubt will speak many languages (as is the case with many Jews today), it makes preaching the gospel of the Kingdom to all nations a fairly simple task – especially when we consider that they will be supernaturally bullet proof(!), and also that their preaching is for a witness – so no one will be able to plead ignorance.

It is very likely that the ‘great multitude’ in Rev 7:9-17, and their predecessors in Rev 6:9-12, will be converted by the preaching of these Jews. This makes sense of why in Revelation chapter 7 we read first about the 144,000, followed by the great multitude – the fruit of their ministry.

Appendix B – The 12 Tribes of Revelation 7

You may have noticed that Dan is missing from this list; some have suggested this is because Antichrist will come from the tribe of Dan – possibly, but not really supported by scripture. In fact Antichrist is called the ‘Assyrian’ in Micah 5:5-6, so this would suggest that he is a gentile, a view also supported by Daniel 9:26. One possible reason that Dan is omitted is found in Deut 29 where a curse is pronounced upon any tribe that goes after false gods. Whilst this was true of all tribes, Dan and Ephraim (who is also conspicuous by his absence) were the first, and as a result the other tribes followed.

When king Solomon died and the kingdom was divided into the north (Israel) and south (Judah), Jeroboam led the people into idol worship as recorded in 1 Kings 12:26-30: “And Jeroboam said in his heart, Now shall the kingdom return to the house of David (he was worried that people would abandon him and pledge allegiance to king Rehoboam again if they went up to Jerusalem to offer sacrifices to God as was their custom): If this people go up to do sacrifice in the house of the LORD at Jerusalem, then shall the heart of this people turn again unto their lord, even unto Rehoboam king of Judah, and they shall kill me, and go again to Rehoboam king of Judah. Whereupon the king took counsel, and made two calves of gold, and said unto them, It is too much for you to go up to Jerusalem: behold thy gods, O Israel, which brought thee up out of the land of Egypt. And he set the one in Bethel, and the other put he in Dan. And this thing became a sin: for the people went to worship before the one, even unto Dan.”

As just mentioned, we note that Joseph is listed in the 144,000, but the half-tribe of Ephraim is not; so it comes as no surprise to discover that the principle town in the region of Ephraim was Bethel – the other location that Jeroboam put a golden calf.

This is all just speculation, but as they say, it’s a theory that fits the facts, and it does account for why both Dan and Ephraim are absent.

What we do know is that there are actually 29 places where the 12 tribes are listed in the Bible, and they are often listed differently. The reason for this is that there are actually 12 tribes + the two half tribes of Ephraim and Manasseh (being the sons of Joseph). When the land was divided up among the 12 tribes the Levites didn’t receive a piece of land because they were to be the priests. Joseph’s portion was then split between his two sons to get us back to the 12.  Because of this, it means that each time a list is given there are a potential of 14 names to choose from,

• Ruben
• Simeon
• Levi
• Judah
• Issachar
• Zebulun
• Joseph
• Benjamin
• Dan
• Naphtali
• Gad
• Asher
• Ephraim
• Manasseh

Despite the fact that Dan is omitted from the 144,000, he is ‘reinstated’ when the tribes are back in the land during the Millennium as listed in Ezekiel 48. This demonstrates the faithfulness of God, because we find that the same 12 tribes that God made the covenant with as listed originally in Genesis 35, are given their promised possession in the Millennium, with the half tribes of Manasseh and Ephraim coming back under the one banner as the tribe of Joseph.

The post Operation Rescue first appeared on Calvary Chapel Portsmouth.

Seems to me like pastor Rick and those who subscribe to views like this should spend less time on motivations pep talks and get back to what the Bible actually says!

The Bible actually says:

“Take heed that no man deceive you. For many shall come in my name, saying, I am Christ; and shall deceive many.” (Matt 24:5)

“For there shall arise false Christs, and false prophets, and shall show great signs and wonders; insomuch that, if it were possible, they shall deceive the very elect. Behold, I have told you before. (Matt 24:25-26)

Now learn a parable of the fig tree…… (Matt 24:32)

So likewise ye, when ye shall see all these things, know that it is near (Matt 24:33)

Therefore be ye also ready……… (Matt 24:44)

Watch therefore…….. (Matt 25:13)

Take heed  lest any man deceive you: (Mark 13:5)

But when ye shall see the abomination of desolation, spoken of by Daniel the prophet, standing where it ought not, (let him that reads understand,) (Mark 13:14)

For false Christs and false prophets shall rise, and shall show signs and wonders, to seduce, if it were possible, even the elect. But take ye heed: behold, I have foretold you all things. (Mark 13:22-23)

Take ye heed, watch and pray: for ye know not when the time is. (Mark 13:33)

Watch ye therefore (Mark 13:35)

And what I say unto you I say unto all, Watch  (Mark 13:37)

Take heed that ye be not deceived (Luke 21:8)

And when these things begin to come to pass, then look up, and lift up your heads; for your redemption draweth nigh. (Luke 21:28)

Doesn’t look like this is ‘none of our concern’!

In fact, almost one third of the Bible is made up of prophecy; and God says that prophecy is unique to Him, and is evidence that His Word is supernatural and from outside this time domain.

In Isaiah 46:9-10 God says: “Remember the former things of old: for I am God, and there is none else; I am God, and there is none like me, Declaring the end from the beginning, and from ancient times the things that are not yet done, saying, My counsel shall stand, and I will do all my pleasure”.

Prophecy is not a prediction about the future. We make predictions, which are really educated guesses, about things like the weather, or a sporting contest. We have a little bit of information, and coupled with experience we give it our best guess. But prophecy is history recorded in advance by a God who is outside of Time!

Without doubt, one of the most detailed areas of prophecy in the Bible has to do with the ‘Day of the LORD’, or as we are often more familiar, ‘the Tribulation’. This coming seven-year period begins in chapter 6 of Revelation, and concludes in chapter 19. This period of time is spoken of by a number of names in both the Old and New Testaments:

The Tribulation in the Old Testament

The Time of Jacob’ Trouble                          – Jeremiah 30:7

The Seventieth Week of Daniel                     – Daniel 9:27

God’s Strange Work                                     – Isaiah 28:21

The Day of Calamity                                     – Deuteronomy 32:35-43

The Day of the Lord                                      – Obadiah 15-17  / Isaiah 2:12 / 13:6-9 / Joel Ch 1-2

The Tribulation                                             – Deuteronomy 4:26-31

God’s Indignation                                         – Isaiah 26:20-21 / Daniel 11:36-37 / Isaiah 34:2

The Overflowing Scourge                             – Isaiah 28:15, 18

The Day of Vengeance                                  – Isaiah 34:1-8 / Isaiah 61:2

The Time of Trouble                                     – Daniel 12:1

The Great Day of The Lord                            – Zephaniah 1:14-18

The Tribulation in the New Testament

The Day of the Lord                                      – 1 Thessalonians 5:2

The Wrath of God                                         – Rev 15:1 / 14:10

The Hour of Trial                                           – Rev 3:10

The Wrath to Come                                      – 1 Thessalonians 1:10

The Great Tribulation                                    – Matthew 24:21 / Revelation 2:22

The Hour of Judgment                                  – Revelation 14:7

In Chapter 6 of Revelation we see the beginning of the wrath of God being poured out on this unbelieving and Christ-rejecting world.  The Lamb – bearing the marks of slaughter – now begins to break the seals on the scroll, and with each succeeding seal that is broken there is an accompanying event that unfolds, as if part of a chain reaction. This will usher in the most terrifying and cataclysmic period of history since the Flood of Noah. We will see world-wide conflict, poverty and starvation on an unimaginable scale, disease and pestilence that will confound the World Health Organisation and will be so great that a quarter of the Earth’s population will be wiped out in a matter of months. Then we will see the largest earthquake ever recorded, where every island – including the British Isles – will be rocked and shaken. But remember, this is just the ‘birth pangs’!

The following verse-by-verse study notes of Revelation chapter 6 accompany the audio teaching given on the 6th March 2016, available for download from our ‘Sunday morning studies’ section.

Before moving into Revelation chapter 6, it is helpful to look at how God foretold this period of time, and to realise that the Tribulation is not merely an intense period of persecution, it is the outpouring of God’s wrath on this world:

Isaiah 2:10-21 “Enter into the rock, and hide thee in the dust, for fear of the LORD, and for the glory of his majesty. The lofty looks of man shall be humbled, and the haughtiness of men shall be bowed down, and the LORD alone shall be exalted in that day. For the day of the LORD of hosts shall be upon every one that is proud and lofty, and upon every one that is lifted up; and he shall be brought low: And upon all the cedars of Lebanon, that are high and lifted up, and upon all the oaks of Bashan, And upon all the high mountains, and upon all the hills that are lifted up, And upon every high tower, and upon every fenced wall, And upon all the ships of Tarshish, and upon all pleasant pictures. And the loftiness of man shall be bowed down, and the haughtiness of men shall be made low: and the LORD alone shall be exalted in that day. And the idols he shall utterly abolish. And they shall go into the holes of the rocks, and into the caves of the earth, for fear of the LORD, and for the glory of his majesty, when he ariseth to shake terribly the earth. In that day a man shall cast his idols of silver, and his idols of gold, which they made each one for himself to worship, to the moles and to the bats; To go into the clefts of the rocks, and into the tops of the ragged rocks, for fear of the LORD, and for the glory of his majesty, when he ariseth to shake terribly the earth.”

Isaiah 13:6-13 “Howl ye; for the day of the LORD is at hand; it shall come as a destruction from the Almighty. Therefore shall all hands be faint, and every man’s heart shall melt: And they shall be afraid: pangs and sorrows shall take hold of them; they shall be in pain as a woman that travaileth: they shall be amazed one at another; their faces shall be as flames… Behold, the day of the LORD cometh, cruel both with wrath and fierce anger, to lay the land desolate: and he shall destroy the sinners thereof out of it.  For the stars of heaven and the constellations thereof shall not give their light: the sun shall be darkened in his going forth, and the moon shall not cause her light to shine. And I will punish the world for their evil, and the wicked for their iniquity; and I will cause the arrogancy of the proud to cease, and will lay low the haughtiness of the terrible. I will make a man more precious than fine gold; even a man than the golden wedge of Ophir. Therefore I will shake the heavens, and the earth shall remove out of her place, in the wrath of the LORD of hosts, and in the day of his fierce anger.”

Zephaniah 1:14-18  “The great day of the LORD is near, it is near, and hasteth greatly, even the voice of the day of the LORD: the mighty man shall cry there bitterly. That day is a day of wrath, a day of trouble and distress, a day of wasteness and desolation, a day of darkness and gloominess, a day of clouds and thick darkness, A day of the trumpet and alarm against the fenced cities, and against the high towers. And I will bring distress upon men, that they shall walk like blind men, because they have sinned against the LORD: and their blood shall be poured out as dust, and their flesh as the dung. Neither their silver nor their gold shall be able to deliver them in the day of the LORD’s wrath; but the whole land shall be devoured by the fire of his jealousy: for he shall make even a speedy riddance of all them that dwell in the land.”

Isaiah 26:20-21 “Come, my people, enter thou into thy chambers, and shut thy doors about thee: hide thyself as it were for a little moment, until the indignation be overpast. For, behold, the LORD cometh out of his place to punish the inhabitants of the earth for their iniquity: the earth also shall disclose her blood, and shall no more cover her slain.”

 The New Testament is also gives many details, so that we should not be ignorant of these things!

1 Thessalonians 5:1-9 “But of the times and the seasons, brethren, ye have no need that I write unto you. For yourselves know perfectly that the day of the Lord so cometh as a thief in the night. For when they shall say, Peace and safety; then sudden destruction cometh upon them, as travail upon a woman with child; and they shall not escape.  But ye, brethren, are not in darkness, that that day should overtake you as a thief. Ye are all the children of light, and the children of the day: we are not of the night, nor of darkness. Therefore let us not sleep, as do others; but let us watch and be sober. For they that sleep sleep in the night; and they that be drunken are drunken in the night. But let us, who are of the day, be sober, putting on the breastplate of faith and love; and for an helmet, the hope of salvation. For God hath not appointed us to wrath, but to obtain salvation by our Lord Jesus Christ”

Matthew 24:4-22 “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. And ye shall hear of wars and rumours of wars: see that ye be not troubled: for all these things must come to pass, but the end is not yet. For nation shall rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom: and there shall be famines, and pestilences, and earthquakes, in divers places. All these are the beginning of sorrows. 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. And then shall many be offended, and shall betray one another, and shall hate one another. And many false prophets shall rise, and shall deceive many. And because iniquity shall abound, the love of many shall wax cold. But he that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be saved. And this gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in all the world for a witness unto all nations; and then shall the end come. When ye therefore shall see the abomination of desolation, spoken of by Daniel the prophet, stand in the holy place, (whoso readeth, let him understand:) Then let them which be in Judaea flee into the mountains: Let him which is on the housetop not come down to take any thing out of his house: Neither let him which is in the field return back to take his clothes. And woe unto them that are with child, and to them that give suck in those days! But pray ye that your flight be not in the winter, neither on the sabbath day: For then shall be great tribulation, such as was not since the beginning of the world to this time, no, nor ever shall be. And except those days should be shortened, there should no flesh be saved: but for the elect’s sake those days shall be shortened”.

2 Thessalonians 2:3-8  “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; Who opposeth and exalteth himself above all that is called God, or that is worshipped; so that he as God sitteth in the temple of God, shewing himself that he is God. Remember ye not, that, when I was yet with you, I told you these things? And now ye know what withholdeth that he might be revealed in his time. For the mystery of iniquity doth already work: only he who now letteth will let, until he be taken out of the way. And then shall that Wicked [one] be revealed, whom the Lord shall consume with the spirit of his mouth, and shall destroy with the brightness of his coming”

Other background reading: Mark 13 / Luke 21 / 2 Thessalonians 2

One thing already alluded to in our studies is that this period of time will last for seven years, itself divided into two periods of three and a half years. Three times in Revelation itself this is highlighted. In Revelation 11:3 the first three and a half years are referred to as ‘a thousand two hundred and threescore days’ – being the time that God will raise up two witnesses to witness from Jerusalem (more of them when we study chapter 11!). The second reference is in chapter 12v6, and records the time God will protect Israel from Antichrist, during the last three and a half years of the Tribulation. The final reference in 12v14 also concerns this time of Israel’s protection and is stated as being “a time, and times, and half a time”. This might initially sound strange to us, but back in Daniel we find a the same expression used in chapter 4 where it is clear that ‘seven times’ means seven years; and in Daniel 7:25 and 12:7 we have “a time and times and the dividing of time”, where ‘time’ (singular) = 1 year, ‘times’ (plural) = 2 years and ‘half a time’ / ‘the dividing of time’ = half a year.

But why seven years?

The Seventieth Week of Daniel

To answer that we need to again go back to the book of Daniel. In chapter 9 we have what is arguably the single most incredible prophecy in the Bible! That is quite a claim, but this prophecy foretold the very day Jesus would enter into Jerusalem, presenting Himself as King, on what we now know as Palm Sunday – over 500 years before the event! However the real scope of this prophecy is the future for the nation of Israel, and the city of Jerusalem.

I have annotated the text below to aid understanding – however this is worthy of a detailed study in its own right, and you are encouraged to be Bereans (Acts 17:11) and search the scriptures to see if these things are so!

“24 Seventy weeks [490 years] are determined upon thy people [Daniel’s people, Israel] and upon thy holy city [Daniel’s city, Jerusalem], to finish the transgression, and to make an end of sins, and to make reconciliation for iniquity, and to bring in everlasting righteousness, and to seal up the vision and prophecy, and to anoint the most Holy. [These things have not been completed, so we know the prophecy has not yet been concluded].

25 Know therefore and understand, that from the going forth of the commandment to restore and to build Jerusalem [given by Artaxerxes Longimanus in 445 B.C.] unto the Messiah the Prince [literally, ‘Jesus the King’] shall be seven weeks [49 years], and threescore and two weeks [434 years] – [totaling 483 years]: the street [of Jerusalem] shall be built again, and the wall [surrounding Jerusalem shall be rebuilt…], even in troublous times. [The troubles Israel had in rebuilding the city are detailed in the book of Nehemiah].

26 And after threescore and two weeks [so after the 483 years – but before the final 7 years…] shall Messiah be cut off, but not for himself [Jesus was crucified and ‘cut off’ (Psalm 37:22) from the land of the living (Isaiah 53:8), but not for His sin, but ours]: and the people of the prince that shall come shall destroy the city and the sanctuary… [the people who destroyed the city of Jerusalem were the Romans, so the prince mentioned here is Antichrist who is yet to come, who will also be ‘of the Romans’ i.e. will come out of the remains of the Roman Empire] and the end thereof shall be with a flood, and unto the end of the war desolations are determined [viz. Israel are in for a very bumpy ride!]

[At the point the 483 years stopped, there were still 7 more years of the prophecy to run. This interval has now lasted for over 1900 years, but we are now poised for this prophetic clock to start ticking once again!]

27 And he [the price who shall come – namely Antichrist] shall confirm [ratify] the covenant [a peace treaty]with many [implying Israel and others] for one week  [and here we have our final 7 years of this prophecy which become the 7 years of the Tribulation]: and in the midst of the week [after 3 ½ years] he shall cause the sacrifice and the oblation to cease [meaning that Antichrist will stop Israel from offering sacrifices in their newly to-be-rebuilt temple – thus breaking his covenant with them], and for the overspreading of abominations he shall make it desolate, [in a re-run of the historical events of 167 B.C. where Antiochus Epiphanies desecrated the then Jewish Temple by erecting an image of himself and sacrificing a pig on the alter, Antichrist will do the same] even until the consummation [until everything God has decreed has been completed], and that determined shall be poured upon the desolate [and God’s judgment has been poured upon those who will be made desolate]” (Daniel 9:24-27).

REVELATION CHAPTER 6

Rev 6:1-2

1 And I saw when the Lamb opened one of the seals, and I heard, as it were the noise of thunder, one of the four beasts saying, Come and see.

2 And I saw, and behold a white horse: and he that sat on him had a bow; and a crown was given unto him: and he went forth conquering, and to conquer.

The Lamb – bearing the marks of slaughter – now begins to break the seals on the scroll, and with each succeeding seal that is broken there is an accompanying event that unfolds, as if part of a chain reaction.

The first thing John records is the noise like thunder, and it’s as if this ‘thunder’ reverberates back through time and into eternity. For now the Lamb, who had been found worthy open the seals, who had been found a rightful kinsman of Adam and able to claim back the title to Adam’s forfeited inheritance, begins to lay claim to what He has purchased!

All that follows in chapter 6-19 is the outworking of the Lamb wresting from the hand of Satan all that Satan can no longer legally keep. This world and all therein is now the Second Adam’s. Yet Satan does not give up his prize without a fight.

The Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse

There is much written, both in fact and fiction about these horsemen; but as to whether they will in some way ride on literal horses, time will tell. There is however no reason to believe that this is now purely allegorical. What is sure is that the colours of the horses themselves are significant, and none more so than with this first rider on the white horse.

At the end of the Tribulation Jesus will ride out of Heaven on a white horse, so some think this could also be Jesus here. However a little closer study and we see that this is one imitating Jesus, coming as it were in the place of Christ!

The rider in Revelation 19 is clearly identified as ‘the Word of God’ wearing a ‘diadem’ crown, such as worn by a King; it is unmistakably Jesus. However, the crown worn by the rider here in chapter 6 is a ‘stephanos’ crown, the type of crown given to an overcomer or victor. The fact that this rider is wearing such a crown shows they are coming to conquer, and by being on a white horse underlines that is part of a deliberate attempt to deceive. Jesus spoke of many coming in His name to deceive (Matthew 24:5), but also spoke of one specific individual who would not come in the Father’s name, but in his own name (John 5:43).

We also note that this individual has a bow. Some commentators have drawn a parallel with Nimrod, whom we read about in Genesis 10, who was a ‘mighty hunter’ and the first world dictator, setting up the first ‘one world government’ at Babel. This suggestion is certainly provocative, as Nimrod is without doubt a type or shadow of Antichrist. What is also significant is the fact that he has a bow, but no arrows! Our thinking naturally assume the bow is a weapon, however when we look at the word ‘bow’ we find that in Greek the word is ‘toxon’. The only other place this word is used is in the Greek Septuagint translation of the Old Testament where it occurs in Genesis 9:13, and it is the symbol of a covenant!

So what we have here is a rider posing as Christ, bringing a covenant, and going forth to conquer. This can be none other than Antichrist.

This is confirmed by Daniel 8:23-25 where we are told that this man will magnify himself in his own heart, be anti-Christ, and conquer by bringing false peace.

“And in the latter time of their kingdom, when the transgressors are come to the full, a king of fierce countenance, and understanding dark sentences, shall stand up.

And his power shall be mighty, but not by his own power: and he shall destroy wonderfully, and shall prosper, and practise, and shall destroy the mighty and the holy people.

And through his policy also he shall cause craft to prosper in his hand; and he shall magnify himself in his heart, and by peace shall destroy many: he shall also stand up against the Prince of princes; but he shall be broken without hand.”   (Daniel 8:23-25)

Rev 6:3-4

3 And when he had opened the second seal, I heard the second beast say, Come and see.

4 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.

We now will see three other horses, and although the identity of the riders may not be known, the judgments they are bringing were foretold by Jesus in Matthew 24. “For many shall come in my name, saying, I am Christ; and shall deceive many. And ye shall hear of wars and rumours of wars: see that ye be not troubled: for all these things must come to pass, but the end is not yet. For nation shall rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom: and there shall be famines, and pestilences, and earthquakes, in divers places. All these are the beginning of sorrows.”

Breaking this down:

“……For many shall come in my name, saying, I am Christ; and shall deceive many.”  The white horse is Antichrist will be the culmination of all the false Christ’s that have preceded him and will establish a one world religion, worshipping him.

“……And ye shall hear of wars and rumours of wars……..For nation shall rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom”

These quotes come from the Old Testament, ‘nation against nation’ comes from 2 Chronicles 15:1-7, and ‘kingdom against kingdom’ from Isaiah 19:1-4. In their original contexts they point to a total conflict of the area in view. When Jesus uses these expressions the area in view is the whole world. The first time this prophecy was fulfilled was with the First World War, and then with the 2nd World War – which in many respects was a continuation of the 1st.

The second rider, on the red horse, takes peace from the earth suggesting another world war.

40% of a global spending is on weapons. $3 Trillion per year spent on weapons, which equates to $8.5 Billion per day. $344 Million per hour $100,000 per second. There are 27 countries with long range ballistic missiles, and at least 10 with nuclear weapons. 50% of all scientific research is given over to weapons and weapons systems – yet every 8 seconds a child dies of hunger!

From the prophecies in Daniel we know that when Antichrist rises to power he will at first be the head of a 10 ‘nation’ confederacy. However he will subdue three of the ‘kings’ taking total power. It is easy to see how a world war would leave people wanting a leader, already known for bringing peace, to assume complete control and sort things out.

Rev 6:5-6

5 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.

6 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.

“……..and there shall be famines, and pestilences, and earthquakes, in divers places. All these are the beginning of sorrows.”  (Matthew 24: 7)

History has recorded how wars have led to famines and plagues. More people died from disease and starvation after the 1st World War than died in the war itself.

As the third rider comes on a black horse we hear the cry “Three measures of meal for a ‘denarion’”. In our language, that is a day’s wage for a loaf of bread. That’s somewhere in the region of £50 for a loaf!

But notice, as is always the case, the oil and wine are not affected. In other words, the rich get richer while the rest of the world plummets toward poverty.

As evangelist Barry Smith used to say, by controlling energy they control nations, and by controlling food they control individuals. All of this puts global power in the hands of Antichrist.

Rev 6:7-8

7 And when he had opened the fourth seal, I heard the voice of the fourth beast say, Come and see.

8 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.

This is a combination of all the first three riders, war, famine, pestilence and ‘the beasts of the earth’ – probably due to the shortage of food. Chemical/nuclear warfare may also play a part.

‘One fourth of the earth’ is over 1.3 Billion people.  It is the equivalent of all of Europe, all of North America, all of Canada, all of Central America and Mexico, all of South America – all dead.

It is hard to even begin to imagine the carnage that will occur for those left on the Earth during this time – but it is also clear to see why Paul refers to the Rapture of the church as a blessed hope!

Rev 6:9-10

9  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:

10 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?

Who are these martyrs? They seem to be distinct from the Elders; so whilst, throughout the history of the church, there have been countless numbers who have been martyred for naming the name of Christ, the context here implies that these martyrs have been recently slain, and they are asking God to avenge their blood on those who are on the earth at that time. They must therefore be people who were martyred during the start of the Tribulation. This will be confirmed in Rev 7:9-14.

It is worth noting that they are ‘souls’ and they are conscious, ie no ‘soul sleep’, which is the unbiblical idea that when we die we enter a state of unconsciousness until we are resurrected with new bodies. When we die we are immediately in the presence of the Lord (cf. Phil 1:23) (or in Hades, depending on which destination we have chosen to go to!). This is also confirmation that ‘we’ – the real us – are our souls. Our bodies are the temporary house that our souls live in, and our spirit – or if you will, our ‘conscience’ – is given by God for the duration that we are in our bodies to act as our God-consciousness. When we die our spirit ‘goes back to God who gave it’ (Ecclesiastes 12:7), but our soul will enter Eternity.

How did these people get saved? 1) By the testimony that we have left, 2) By the preaching of the gospel by the 144,000 Jewish evangelists that we will meet in chapter 7.

We should leave notes for our unsaved friends and family!

We should also note that there will be unparalleled persecution to the death during this time – it’s much better to get saved now, because, as we see in the next verse, it appears that to be saved during the Tribulation time results in being martyred for your faith.

Rev 6:11

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.

Again, these is a set number that only God knows who will go to Heaven. It’s not that there are limited places in Heaven, but rather that the places in Heaven are limited to only those who repent and accept Christ.

Two questions for further study: Will these martyred saints be part of the Church? (the Bride of Christ). And: Where is the Holy Spirit during the Tribulation?

Rev 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;

There are five earthquakes recorded during the Tribulation time: Rev:6:12 / Rev 8:5 / Rev 11:13 / Rev 11:19 / Rev 16:18. All of them are serious and cause great fear. However the last one is the one recorded in Isaiah 24:19-20 and is the ‘daddy’ of them all.

There are also five times that the Sun is turned to blackness, the first being before the Tribulation begins as recorded in Joel 2:31/ Acts 2:20, the last is immediately after the Tribulation as foretold by Jesus in Matt 24:29 / Mark 13:24, the others are here in Rev 6:12 and also Rev 8:12 and Rev 9:2.

Two other occasions in scripture are Exodus 10:21-23 (Moses & Pharaoh) and Matthew 27:45 (the crucifixion).

These could be ‘natural’ (Cf. Mt St Helens) or supernatural – either way I don’t want to be here!

Rev 6:13

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.

“Stars of the heaven” – in the Greek is ‘aster’ from where we get the word Asteroid.

Of asteroids we are told: ‘Their diameters range from 930 kilometres to less than one kilometre’ In Arizona in America there is a meteor crater that is a mile wide and 600ft deep; there is one in Siberia that is even bigger! NASA and other agencies have acknowledged the real threat posed from Asteroids and they have come up with a plan to shoot these huge space rocks into lots of little pieces by sending nuclear missiles into space to blow them up before they get to earth – just like we see on the films! – The only problem is back in 1989 they discovered an asteroid that was 50,000 miles, equating to 10 hours away from the earth, but they didn’t notice it ‘till it had passed by!

Seemingly, these asteroids don’t miss!

Rev 6:14

And the heaven departed as a scroll when it is rolled together; and every mountain and island were moved out of their places.

It is hard to imagine every mountain and island being moved. However in August 1883 the volcanic island of  Krakatoa in Indonesia erupted, it was heard 3000 miles away, it changed the tides  up to 7000 miles away; that’s over half way around the world in each direction. Tidal waves for 1500 miles were recorded, and it took the weather two years to recover. And that was just one volcanic mountain!

Rev 6:15

“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”

This covers everyone! No one will escape from this. Jonah tried to hide from God – it doesn’t work! One commentator said that holes in the ground will become the most expensive real estate in the world during this time – so for those who don’t want to accept Jesus now, go by a hole while it is still cheep!

Rev 6:16

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 years this verse has amazed me. How can people be so arrogant as to acknowledge that these disasters are from God’s hand, and yet still not submit to Him, and bow the knee in reverent fear?

I now am certain that part of the answer lies in the fact that people are gradually being conditioned and prepared for this time by the Devil. The last 50 years on this earth have seen some amazing technological advances, some of which I believe God will use during the Tribulation as we will see. But Satan also has, and will continue to use these things to his advantage wherever possible. One of the most powerful ‘tools’ that the Devil uses is the media in general, and in particular movies. Now I’m not saying that all movies are a work of Satan, but over the last 50 years we have seen a growing number of disaster movies with recent films such as Independence Day (alien invasion), The Core (major planetary problems), Armageddon (meteor on collision course with earth), Volcano (major volcanic eruption), Earthquake 10.0 (half of America’s coast line falls into sea), Meteor (another big space rock on a collision course), The Day After Tomorrow (major climate change), Waterworld (ice caps melt & continents disappear) etc. etc. The one thing all of these have in common is that mankind wins in the end. This is now so ingrained that people won’t turn to God because the mentality will be ‘we must be able to fix this somehow!’

Rev 6:17

 For the great day of his wrath is come; and who shall be able to stand?

The truth is that no one will be able to stand against the wrath of God, absolutely no one.

To be continued…

Every blessing

Pastor Barry.

The post This is just the beginning! first appeared on Calvary Chapel Portsmouth.

In the previous session we saw a glimpse of Heaven as John is ‘caught up‘ and told “Come up here and see the things which must be ‘after these things’” – literally, things that are to occur after the church age. John is then ‘immediately’ – in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye – before the throne in Heaven and sees the One sat upon the throne. Chapter 4 describes the brilliance of this scene as being like pure Jasper, yet at the same time blood red – suggestive of the impending wrath to be poured out upon this unbelieving and Christ rejecting world.

John was not the first to see this incredible scene, for we learn from 2 Corinthians 12:4 that Paul was also caught up to Heaven. However Paul simply says that what he saw ‘it wouldn’t be right to utter’ – in other words, it was so wonderful that any attempt to put it into words would not do it justice! So we have to be grateful that this ‘Revelation’ was given to John and not Paul, for at least John tries to convey what he got to see!   Paul does at least say that God dwells in such a magnificent clothing of light that ‘no man can approach’! (see 1 Timothy 6:16).

John adds that around the throne was what appeared to be an majestic emerald-green rainbow, seemingly to be an eternal reminder that Jehovah-Nissi is a covenant keeping God.

One thing to note before we move into chapter 5 is that, to this point, John has been looking at the Triune God on the throne. That is, the Father, Son & Spirit in One; hence the Holy, Holy, Holy chorus sung by the four angelic ‘living creatures’. As John’s eyes seem to be adjusting from the sheer brilliance of all he is looking at, he becomes aware of the most awesome sight in time and eternity!

Rev 5:1

And I saw in the right hand of him that sat on the throne a book written within and on the backside, sealed with seven seals.

Ancient ‘books’ used to be made from papyrus which was a reed type plant that grew along river banks (particularly the Nile in Egypt). The long strips were laid out vertically and horizontally and glued together, beaten and then smoothed with stones to make a soft material that you could write on. Usually only the smoothest side would be used for writing, but for certain documents both sides would be used.

Typically a title deed to a piece of land, a will or other legal document would be like this. Interestingly enough, the Romans sealed their wills with seven seals.

What it appears we have here is the title deed to the earth, which was forfeited by Adam, and currently resides with Satan:

The Title Deed To The Earth

• In Genesis 1:26-30 God passes the Title of the newly created Earth over to Adam
• Through his pride and jealousy, Satan sets about usurping man, causing Adam to forfeit his inheritance
• Satan’s ‘ownership’ is confirmed in 2 Cor 4:4 & Luke 4:6-8
• According to the rules of inheritance:
• “If thy brother be waxen poor, and hath sold away some of his possession, and if any of his kin come to redeem it, then shall he redeem that which his brother sold” – Lev 25:25
• The book of Ruth is an incredible model of God’s plan of redemption!

• Naomi has forfeited her land…
• In steps Boaz, who is a wealthy kinsman
• He redeems the land…not for the land’s sake…but to purchase his bride!
• Adam had ‘become poor’ and been forced to give up his possession
• Only a kinsman was entitled to claim back the land…
• But he would have to able to redeem it
• That would mean paying the price for which it had been sold
• That price was sin
• So only a sinless kinsman of Adam could redeem the land!

Rev 5:2

And I saw a strong angel proclaiming with a loud voice, Who is worthy to open the book, and to loose the seals thereof?

The fact that a strong angel is underlines the importance of the task. This call goes out to all humanity, for the response has internal consequences.

The question is an important one. Only one who is legally entitled, that is worthy and able, can open a title deed.

Rev 5:3

And no man in heaven, nor in earth, neither under the earth, was able to open the book, neither to look thereon.

It is interesting where they looked:

• In heaven – this proves that men are in Heaven, and further supports the Rapture occurring in Rev 4:1.
• In earth – this is to be expected as it is the usual abode of mankind.
• Under the earth – this is another one of those scriptures that strongly suggest that Hades / Sheol is a real physical place that is ‘geocentric’ i.e. in the centre of the earth. Other examples of this are: Numbers 16:30-33 (Korah) / Psalm 28:1 / Psalm 30 / Prov 1:12 / Ezek 31:16-17 / Eph 4:9 etc. – no one was found worthy in any of these places – no surprise really!

This is also a rebuttal to the many so-called Christian evangelists (Copeland / Hagan / Hinn / etc) who teach that we are little God’s, or even that we are equal with God. That is just another regurgitation of the lie in the Garden of Eden. No man is found worthy.

Rev 5:4

And I wept much, because no man was found worthy to open and to read the book, neither to look thereon.

John ‘sobbed convulsively’. We might not get it, but John did. If no one could be found who was a kinsman of Adam, who had the right to redeem the land (earth), it would stay in the hands of it’s current owner – Satan. Now we can see why he was so upset.

Tears in heaven? See also 1 Cor 3:15  – See Rev 21:1-4.

Rev 5:5

And one of the elders saith unto me, Weep not: behold, the Lion of the tribe of Juda, the Root of David, hath prevailed to open the book, and to loose the seven seals thereof.

It is worth noting that it is one of the elders who steps forward to explain the situation to John

“Henceforth I call you not servants; for the servant knoweth not what his lord doeth: but I have called you friends; for all things that I have heard of my Father I have made known unto you.” John 15:15. The LORD reveals his secrets to his friends.

‘Weep not Look! There is a kinsman of Adam, the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the Root of David who has overcome and has the authority and legal position to open the book and break the seals.’

Two titles are given to Jesus here:

One to answer to the ‘Worthy’ requirement – drawn from Genesis 49:9-12

One to answer the ‘Kinsman’ requirement drawn from Isaiah 11:1-5

At this point you can almost hear all of Heaven breath a sigh of relief!

Jesus as Kinsman

“For what the law could not do, in that it was weak through the flesh, God sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, and for sin, condemned sin in the flesh”: (Rom 8:3)

“For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus” (1 Tim 2:5)

“And so it is written, The first man Adam was made a living soul; the last Adam was made a quickening spirit”. (1 Cor 15:45)

Redeemer of the Land

God owned the Land (earth). God gave it to Adam. Satan usurped Adam and gained the title of the earth as is seen in Luke 4:5-6 “And the devil, taking him up into an high mountain, shewed unto him all the kingdoms of the world in a moment of time.  And the devil said unto him, All this power will I give thee, and the glory of them: for that is delivered unto me; and to whomsoever I will I give it.”

However when Jesus came as a kinsman of Adam, He had the right to purchase the earth back – which He did on the cross with His own blood – this made Satan a murderer of a righteous man and therefore he forfeited the earth.

In Rev 5 the ‘title deed’ is opened by the only one with the credentials to do so, and in the 19th chapter we see Jesus laying claim to what is now His – ie the earth.

Jesus as Avenger

Ye are of your father the devil, and the lusts of your father ye will do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and abode not in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaketh a lie, he speaketh of his own: for he is a liar, and the father of it. (John 8:44)

But if any man hate his neighbour, and lie in wait for him, and rise up against him, and smite him mortally that he die, and fleeth into one of these cities:

Then the elders of his city shall send and fetch him thence, and deliver him into the hand of the avenger of blood, that he may die. (Deut 19:11-12)

That no man go beyond and defraud his brother in any matter: because that the Lord is the avenger of all such, as we also have forewarned you and testified. (1 Thess 4:6)

And after these things I heard a great voice of much people in heaven, saying, Alleluia; Salvation, and glory, and honour, and power, unto the Lord our God: For true and righteous are his judgments: for he hath judged the great whore, which did corrupt the earth with her fornication, and hath avenged the blood of his servants at her hand. (Rev 19:1-2)

Rev 5:6

And I beheld, and, lo, in the midst of the throne and of the four beasts, and in the midst of the elders, stood a Lamb as it had been slain, having seven horns and seven eyes, which are the seven Spirits of God sent forth into all the earth.

Now for the most awesome sight in time and eternity – one glimpse that answers every question, calms every fear & comforts every broken heart.

John starts by saying ‘behold’ – that is, look, pay attention! Then he says ‘lo’ – this is something too awesome to behold, something that, despite everything John has already seen, almost takes his breath away.

There are two Greek words used for Lamb in the New Testament, the word used throughout Revelation speaks of a tender lamb, yet one who would lead. This is indeed a fitting description of Jesus; the eclectic mix of the gentleness of Jesus combined with His power and strength.

Notice: ‘in the midst of the throne’. He had been there all the time, surrounded by the four creatures and the elders. In the words of the great hymn Immortal Invisable: “tis only the splendor of light hideth Thee”.

And here in Heaven John sees the fulcrum of eternity: a Lamb, the Lamb; the lamb that John the Baptist declared to be the one who takes the sins of the world

Lit: a lamb as it had been slaughtered – Isaiah 53:7

John 1:29 “The next day John seeth Jesus coming unto him, and saith, Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world.”

There are 24 titles given to Jesus up to this point – In the rest of the book Jesus uses this title of Himself more than any other (27x).

Severn horns – complete power

Severn eyes – all seeing / all knowing / all wisdom

‘The only man-made thing in Heaven will be scars’

Rev 5:7-8

And he came and took the book out of the right hand of him that sat upon the throne.

And when he had taken the book, the four beasts and four and twenty elders fell down before the Lamb, having every one of them harps, and golden vials full of odours, which are the prayers of saints.

These must be prayers that have been prayed before this time, by us! How many of us really pray ‘Thy Kingdom come, thy will be done, on earth as it is in Heaven”? Do we not prefer to pray “Give me this day……”? It this because we haven’t comprehended the reality of these things yet? What does it mean to pray for God’s kingdom to come on earth? And why did Jesus say that we were to pray for this?

Rev 5:9

And they sung a new song, saying, ………

Notice we will be singing in Heaven – we’re even given the words ahead of time so there will be no excuse!

………Thou art worthy to take the book, and to open the seals thereof: for thou wast slain, and hast redeemed us to God by thy blood out of every kindred, and tongue, and people, and nation;

Rev 5:10

And hast made us unto our God kings and priests: and we shall reign on the earth.

Verses 9 & 10 have caused some controversy in the past. The NIV, RSV and others Most modern ‘Bible versions’  have a note in the margin saying that the ‘best manuscripts’ or ‘the most ancient manuscripts’ or ‘the most authoritative manuscripts’ say: ‘them’.

This is important because if it’s ‘us’ then the Church is in Heaven before the Tribulation starts. If it’s ‘them’ then it doesn’t necessarily mean the Church is in Heaven at this time.

(NB: to reach this conclusion you would still have to ignore all the other clear teaching on the subject which clearly show that the Church will be in Heaven – but still people choose to debate this point, so we need to have the answers).

Modern versions talking about ‘best manuscripts’ etc. have been at best very clumsy, and at worst intentionally dishonest to say the ‘best manuscripts’ or ‘the most ancient manuscripts’ or ‘the most authoritative manuscripts’. This has more to do with wielding academic muscle and appearing ‘scholarly’ than a desire for the truth, but it has proved very effective in selling new Bibles.

For example, in the Latin Vulgate version, which was translated by Jerome in 385AD, we read: “And they sung a new canticle, saying: thou art worthy O Lord to take the book to open the seals thereof because thou was slain and hast redeemed us to God by thy blood out of every tribe tongue people and nation and has made us to our God a kingdom of priests and we shall reign on the earth”

Tyndale, in his translation wrote in 1537: “And they sang a new song saying thou art worthy to take the book to open the seals thereof, for thou was killed and hast redeemed us by thy blood out of every kindred, tongue, people and nation and made us unto our God kings and priests and we shall reign with Him upon the earth”

In fact, all of the old translations are unanimous about the word ‘us’.

The English translation we have for the book of Revelation was actually done from 95 Greek manuscripts – not all of them were complete.

Now scholars will be quick to tell you that only 23 of the 95 manuscripts say ‘us’ in verses 9-10 of chapter 5. On the surface this appears to be a problem, but as they say: ‘a little bit of knowledge is a dangerous thing’; because we find out that out of the 95 Greek manuscripts used, only 24 manuscripts have chapter 5 verses 9-10 in them, and out of those 24, 23 of them say ‘Us’ – the only Greek manuscript that says ‘them’ is the Alexandrinus, from Alexandra in Egypt – the home of the Gnostics! Even the Siniaticus says ‘Us’!

This means that over 95% of the earliest manuscripts say ‘us’ – placing the Church firmly in Heaven before the Tribulation. There is just one manuscript, from a place that was renowned for false doctrine, says ‘them’.

You make your own choice, but I would much rather be in Heaven before the Tribulation starts. Some have said that this is just ‘escapism’. If the other alternative is ‘stayism’, then I know what I’d prefer! As Jesus said: “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)

Rev 5:11

And I beheld, and I heard the voice of many angels round about the throne and the beasts and the elders: and the number of them was ten thousand times ten thousand, and thousands of thousands;

In other places this word (Greek: ‘Mooreeas’) is translated ‘innumerable’.  The idea that John is try to convey is that there were an innumerable company of angles as far as the eye could see surrounding the throne.

Rev 5:12

Saying with a loud voice, Worthy is the Lamb that was slain to receive power, and riches, and wisdom, and strength, and honour, and glory, and blessing.

Jesus is worthy to receive riches. Human rulers become puffed up and sin when riches are increased (Deut 17:15-20). How above our ways the Son of Man is; He is holy, without blemish, the spotless Lamb of God!

Rev 5:13

And every creature which is in heaven, and on the earth, and under the earth, and such as are in the sea, and all that are in them, heard I saying, Blessing, and honour, and glory, and power, be unto him that sitteth upon the throne, and unto the Lamb for ever and ever.

Every creature in heaven, we can understand that. Every creature on the earth, again we’re happy with that. But creatures under the earth, what are they?

What about giants/demons that have been cast into the ‘abussos’ – the bottomless pit in the centre of the earth?

2 Peter 2:4 says: “For if God spared not the angels that sinned, but cast them down to hell, and delivered them into chains of darkness, to be reserved unto judgment;”

In Luke 8:30-31 we read: “…….And Jesus asked him, saying, What is thy name? And he said, Legion: because many devils were entered into him. And they besought him that he would not command them to go out into the deep (abussos – the bottomless pit).

We will consider this further in Chapter 9.

Rev 5:14

And the four beasts said, Amen. And the four and twenty elders fell down and worshipped him that liveth for ever and ever.

Not surprised! What else could we do in the presence of such a wonderful and awesome God and Saviour?!

Bring it on! I can’t wait!

More next week…

May you be blessed and encouraged as you continue to study God’s Word.

Every blessing,

Pastor Barry.

The post The Title Deed of Earth first appeared on Calvary Chapel Portsmouth.

We talk about Heaven all the time, using phrases like:

• For Heaven’s sake!
• Heaven help us!
• Heaven knows!
• It was Heavenly…
• Heaven sent
• Match made in Heaven
• Heaven forbid!
• Heaven’s above!
• Move Heaven and Earth
• Heaven on Earth
• Stink to high Heaven

All of these suggest that Heaven is a good place, a place where the problems of this life fade away.

Rather perplexingly, despite our fascination with this place, seldom do we go to the ‘official tour guide’ to find out what Heaven is really like!!

In chapter 4 of Revelation we are given an incredible glimpse of this place, that for many is far more than an abstract hope, it is a promised certainty.

The verse-by-verse study notes below are from our journey through the Book of Revelation.

Bible Study Notes from Calvary Chapel Portsmouth’s verse-by-verse study of the book of Revelation – February 2016

    Session 7 – The Throne Room of the Universe

As we have previously noted, the book of Revelation is divided up into 3 sections as explained by Jesus Himself in Chapter 1 verse 19: The things that John had seen – i.e. the vision of Jesus in chapter one; the things that are – the things that existed at that time, namely the seven churches that have been the focus of Chapters 2 & 3, which also depict the seven eras of the church throughout history, and finally… The things that shall be ‘after these things’ – the things that will occur after the churches; literally, after the church age, once the Church has been taken out of this world.

Jesus made a promise to His disciples in John 14:1-3 that He was going to prepare a place for them in His Father’s house – Heaven – and He would one day come again and take us from earth to that place. From numerous scriptures, it seems this will occur before the time of Tribulation, in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, in an event often referred to as the Rapture. (1 Corinthians 15:52 / 1 Thessalonians 4:16-17)

The division of the book of Revelation, as noted above, supports this notion of a ‘pre-tribulation’ Rapture, where the Church will be taken to Heaven before the commencement of the Tribulation (also known as the ‘Day of the LORD’). Isaiah (Isaiah 13:9-11), Jeremiah (Jeremiah 46:10) and Daniel (Daniel 7:13-14) all underscore that the Tribulation will be a time of God’s judgment, when He pours out His wrath on this unbelieving and Christ-rejecting world.

It therefore follows that believers will not be here for this time of God’s wrath because we have already been declared ‘not guilty’ because of Christ’s completed work on the cross, where His blood was shed as payment in full for our sin. God’s wrath fell on His Son at Calvary (Isaiah 53:10), it will not fall again on the Church He has purchased. So, just as with Lot, who was removed from Sodom before the judgment fell (see Genesis 18:25), in like manor the Church will be removed – Raptured – prior to the Tribulation, just as Paul said: “For God hath not appointed us to wrath, but to obtain salvation by our Lord Jesus Christ” (1 Thessalonians 5:9).

The Structure of Revelation 4-22

The events we will read about in chapters 4 – 22 are all a prophetic glimpse at future events, as seen and recorded by John, starting in chapters 4 & 5 with a vision of the Throne room of the Universe! We find that thrones are mentioned 51x in the New Testament, with 39 of these occurring in Revelation, and 17 being found in chapters 4 & 5. The very first thing John notices – amidst all the wonderful sights in Heaven – is the throne, and more importantly, the One sat on the throne!

After talking to the disciples about the events of the Tribulation, Jesus said: “pray that you be accounted worthy to escape all these things that shall come to pass, and to stand before the Son of man.” (Luke 21:36). It is the fulfillment of this that we will see in chapters 4 & 5 when the Church will indeed stand before the Son of Man. The events that follow, in chapters 6-19, are the ‘things that shall come to pass’, from which Jesus promises His own a way of escaping from.

The Tribulation will conclude with the Second Coming of Jesus and will then lead into a literal millennial (1000 year) reign of Jesus Christ on this earth.  Is this important? Absolutely! Our whole view of scripture, both Old Testament and New Testament, will be affected by our understanding of these things, and the way we understand the many prophecies about this period of time.

Chapters 20-22 then take us into the Millennial kingdom where Christ will reign on earth, and then …“And I heard a great voice out of heaven saying, Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and he will dwell with them, and they shall be his people, and God himself shall be with them, and be their God. And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away.” (Rev 21:3-4)

It is worth remembering that in the very first verse of the book of Revelation, we read that it is “The Revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave unto him, to show unto his servants things which must shortly come to pass”

God wants to show us these things, He wants us to understand and have hope as the world around us appears to be coming apart at the seams. Once again, this book promises a blessing, He wants to bless us as we read, hear and retain the things written in this prophecy.

All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: That the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works.  (2 Tim 3:16-17)

Rev 4:1

After this……….

‘Meta-tauta’  – this is the same word that john uses in Rev 1:19  – “Write the things which thou hast seen, and the things which are, and the things which shall be hereafter:”

These things will begin to take place after the church age has come to a close.

…………. I looked, and, behold, a door was opened in heaven:

Twice in this book we find that Heaven opens. Here there is a ‘catching up’, and in chapter 19 we have a coming down. Here it is John who is called up into Heaven, and in chapter 19:11-14, Jesus and the saints return to earth for the 2nd Coming.

…………and the first voice which I heard was as it were of a trumpet talking with me;

The first voice that John refers to is the voice of Jesus as we saw in chapter 1:10-11 “I was in the Spirit on the Lord’s day, and heard behind me a great voice, as of a trumpet, Saying, I am Alpha and Omega, the first and the last:”

………which said, Come up hither, and I will show thee things which must be hereafter.

As if to underline the point, we are again told that the events John is about to see will happen ‘hereafter’-‘Meta-tauta’.

A picture of the Rapture? In this verse we have John, who could be seen as a representative of the Church, hearing the voice of Jesus as a trumpet, being caught up into Heaven. One cannot help to see the similarities between Johns’ experience here are the situation that Paul describes at the time of the Rapture in 1 Thessalonians 4: “For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first: hen we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord.”

(1 Thess 4:16-17) Now, this could all be just a coincidence, but as the Rabbis say: ‘coincidence is not a kosher word’!

It is however interesting to note that the church is mentioned 19 times up to the end of chapter 3 – it is not mentioned again in the rest of the book. The Church is seen in heaven – as the Bride of Christ, but it is not apparently on earth during the Tribulation as we will discover.

Rev 4:2

And immediately I was in the spirit: and, behold, a throne was set in heaven, and one sat on the throne.

How quick is ‘immediately’? If this event is a preview of the Rapture, Paul says that we will be changed ‘in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye’. (1 Corinthians 15:52). Now that is immediately, wouldn’t you agree?

As an aside, the Greek word for ‘moment’ in 1 Corinthians 15:52 is ‘Atomos’ which means an indivisible unit of time. It is where we get our word Atom from. It is interesting that physicists have now discovered that time itself is a physical property, and as such there is a point at which it cannot be divided any more – it becomes ‘indivisible’.

One moment John is on earth, the next he is in Heaven. The first thing he notices is a throne, and one who sat on the throne. We are going to find that there are a lot of creatures, angelic beings and ‘things’ that are in Heaven, but John’s attention is immediately drawn to the throne and He who sat on it – the triune God. The other things, as we will see are enough to blow your mind, but these are secondary compared to the sight of the One on the throne.

We all have many distractions on earth that keep us from looking at Jesus first, but when we get to Heaven all of these distraction will be gone forever.

Dake says: “The first thing John saw in Heaven was the throne of God…….It is literal as much as the door is literal [in verse one]. The same things that prove that one is literal will prove that the other is literal. Some cannot conceive of God sitting on a real throne, but there is no such thing as a spiritual throne. We have no ground at all for making these scenes symbolical or unreal, and not as they were actually seen by John. Our misconception of things cannot disprove their existence…….If God could create literal thrones, heavens, planets, etc., it seems He should be able to sit on or in any of them He desires.”

Rev 4:3

And he that sat was to look upon like a jasper and a sardine stone:

Matthew Henry comments:

“This jasper is a transparent stone, which yet offers to the eye a variety of the most vivid colours, signifying the glorious perfections of God; the sardine-stone is red, signifying the justice of God”

However, searching the internet for ‘Jasper stones’ adds confusion to the issue because they range from red to green to brown to blue to white etc – in fact almost any colour you can think of! Many of the original names for Gemstones have been altered by different cultures throughout history, so it is hard to be absolutely certain of the exact colours. But in Revelation 21:11 in regard to the New Jerusalem Jasper is described as being clear. Most commentators seem to agree that Sardine stones, which were apparently first discovered in Sardis – hence the name, are bright red in colour – judgment? / blood?

What we do know is that the Jasper stone was the last stone in the high priests breastplate and represented the tribe of Benjamin – whose name means ‘ the son of my right hand’.

The Sardine stone was the first stone in the breastplate and represented Ruben – the firstborn.

So, we have the first and the last! We can be sure that all these details represent some aspect of Jesus, who sat down at the right hand of the Father, and was the firstborn from the dead (Col 1:18) and the firstborn over creation (Col 1:15) – not in the sense of being born first, but as having the rank of the firstborn, i.e  no.#1

One suggestion is that these stones represent brightness and an array of colours almost beyond description.  1 Tim 6:16 says that Jesus is dwelling in unapproachable light. And we know from 2 Thessalonians 2:8 that Antichrist will be consumed by the brightness of Jesus’ coming. It seems that John could barely distinguish who was on the throne because of the brilliance and brightness of His person.

It is going to be an awesome sight – and one that we will defiantly need our new bodies for! Our existing bodies couldn’t cope, we would probably go blind – which may have been what happened to Paul. (Cf. his throne in the flesh: 2 Cor 12:7 / Gal 4:15 / Gal 6:11)

………..and there was a rainbow round about the throne, in sight like unto an emerald.

The rainbow was given as a sign of the covenant between God and mankind after the flood. God keeps His promises and this rainbow – this time it appears to be just bright green – is an eternal reminder of God’s amazing plan to redeem a special people despite the wickedness of man. The unveiling of this mystery – the Church – declares the ‘manifold wisdom’ of God to the principalities and powers in the heavenly places.

Rev 4:4

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.

OK, this is the big question. When we understand who the 24 elders are, so many other issues and questions get solved and many other passages of scripture make sense.

The options are Angels, Israel, The Church, some other angelic being, or we don’t know!

One hint is found in 1 Chronicles 24 & 25 where king David established 24 courses of priests and 24 courses of musicians representative of the entire nation. So it is reasonable to assume that these 24 elders are representative of a group.

They cannot be angels because Rev 7:11 says: “And all the angels stood round about the throne, and about the elders and the four beasts, and fell before the throne on their faces, and worshipped God” They cannot represent Israel because throughout scripture we find that Israel are on earth during the Tribulation. Jer 30:7 / Ezek 22: 18-22 /  Dan 9:27 / Rev 12:1-6 /  Matt 24:22 This leaves the Church as the only really viable alternative, and when we look at what we know about the 24 elders, the question is answered beyond any reasonable doubt.

Firstly, we know that the elders are clothed in white raiment – which is specifically given to the Church (Rev 3:4-5 / Rev 3:18 / Rev 19:8 / Rev 19:14)

Secondly, they have crown of gold on their heads – which again are only promised to the Church in scripture (1 Cor 9:24-25 / 1 Thess 2:19 / 2 Tim 4:7-8 / James 1:12 / 1 Peter 5:1-4).

(See Appendix A)

Thirdly, they are redeemed to God by the blood of the Lamb (Rev 5:9). This can only be the Church, as Christ’s blood was not shed for any angel or any created being except man, and then the fact that they are redeemed shows that these ‘men’ were the once who received and accepted the offer of salvation through the blood, hence became redeemed – i.e. the Church.

Fourthly, they are from every kindred, tongue, people and nation (Rev 5:9), which again proves them to be the Church – and clearly shows that the ‘24’ is used as in the OT, to be representative of the whole.

Fifthly, they are kings and priests to God and shall reign on the earth  – as again is only promised to the Church (1 Peter 2:9 / 2 Tim 2:12 / Rev 20:6 / Rev 22:5).

Sixthly, in the other recorded visions of Heaven found in the Old Testament, Isaiah 6 / Ezekiel 1 etc, we observe that the other heavenly creatures are found – the Cherubim and Seraphim and Angels, but the 24 elders are not mentioned. Given the fact that both Isaiah and Ezekiel give us so much detail about what they saw, we must conclude that the 24 elders were not in heaven at that time. This confirms what Jesus said in Matthew 13, and what Paul said in Ephesians 3, that the Church was a ‘mystery’ hidden in ages past, but now is revealed to show the unparalleled wisdom of God throughout history.

Seventhly, the 24 elders are sitting on thrones. The word translated ‘seats’ in the King James is the Greek word ‘thronos’, which is better translated as ‘throne’ (as it is at the beginning of verse 4). Rev 3:21 “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.” This promise is not given to any angel.

Finally, the term ‘elder’ (Greek – Presbuteros) is used sixty-six times in the new testament, twelve times in this book, and it is always used to describe older, senior, or elder in connection with seniority / maturity in the church. The term is never applied to any other being except man.

The scriptural basis for believing that the 24 Elders are representative of the Church is very clear. If the 24 Elders are not the Church then they must be a group not known or mentioned anywhere else in scripture, and it would leave the insurmountable problem of the whereabouts of the Church during the Tribulation.

Conclusion: When such clear information is given regarding their identity, it is difficult to see how anyone can deny that the 24 Elders are indeed representative of the Church.

So why then do some reject this view? Because it leads to the inescapable conclusion that the Church are in Heaven before the Tribulation begins. It also demonstrates that scripture should be taken as it is written – not allegorised.

The fact that it is a pre-requisite that the Church be Raptured before the Tribulation as is made clear by 2 Thessalonians 2:7  / Genesis 18:23-25 / Isaiah 26:20-21 / Zephaniah 2:3 / John 14:3 / I Thessalonians 4:16-17 / Luke 21:36 / 1 Thessalonians 1:10 /       1 Thessalonians 5:9 / Rev 3:10.

As we now, through John’s eyes, get a glimpse of Heaven’s throne room, we will discover that we are looking on the ‘original’ that Moses was given instructions to make a duplicate of in the wilderness – i.e. the tabernacle.

Ex 25:8-9 – And let them make me a sanctuary; that I may dwell among them. According to all that I shew thee, after the pattern of the tabernacle, and the pattern of all the instruments thereof, even so shall ye make it.

Ex 25:31 – And thou shalt make a candlestick of pure gold: of beaten work shall the candlestick be made: his shaft, and his branches, his bowls, his knops, and his flowers, shall be of the same.

Heb 8:1-5 – Now of the things which we have spoken this is the sum: We have such an high priest, who is set on the right hand of the throne of the Majesty in the heavens; A minister of the sanctuary, and of the true tabernacle, which the Lord pitched, and not man. For every high priest is ordained to offer gifts and sacrifices: wherefore it is of necessity that this man have somewhat also to offer. For if he were on earth, he should not be a priest, seeing that there are priests that offer gifts according to the law: Who serve unto the example and shadow of heavenly things, as Moses was admonished of God when he was about to make the tabernacle: for, See, saith he, that thou make all things according to the pattern shewed to thee in the mount.

Rev 15:5 – And after that I looked, and, behold, the temple of the tabernacle of the testimony in heaven was opened:

Rev 4:5

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.

Lightning and thunder usually precede a storm – and what a storm we find brewing here.

The seven lamps we have already met in chapter 1:4 and 3:1 are identified as being the seven (complete) Spirits of God. In the tabernacle of Moses we find the seven branched lamp stand (the Menorah) symbolic of the real thing that John is seeing here.

Rev 4:6

And before the throne there was a sea of glass like unto crystal:

This is the real laver that Moses was instructed to make a copy of. It is interesting that despite all the other detailed instructions given to Moses, no dimensions were given for the laver. The priests were to wash bodily in the laver before entering the holy place. In the New Testament the laver has given way to the Word of God, which we are to immerse in bodily – washed by the water of the Word (Eph 5:26) – There was no limit given for the laver, there is no limit to the cleansing power of the Word of God, and we know that this sea is vast from Rev 15:2

 ……….and in the midst of the throne, and round about the throne, were four beasts full of eyes before and behind.

Rev 4:7

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.

These are undoubtedly the same living creatures as seen by Isaiah (6) and Ezekiel (1 & 10).

Isaiah calls them Seraphims, Ezekiel Cherubim. The best rendering is ‘living ones’.

The attributes of these creatures all point to Jesus, depicting His kingly nature, as the Lion of the Tribe of Judah, the ‘suffering servant’ as seen in the nature of an Ox – typically a beast of burden. The face of a man speaks of His humanity – the Word become flesh, and the Spiritual nature, like an eagle that soars above all.

We see this deliberate design intertwined throughout scripture in the arrangement of the Tribes of Israel as they camped around the Tabernacle, and also in the fourfold presentation of Jesus given to us in the gospels.

Rev 4:8

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.

3 x Holy because they are worshiping Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.

Rev 4:9-11

9 And when those beasts give glory and honour and thanks to him that sat on the throne, who liveth for ever and ever,

10 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,

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.

It seems an almost involuntary reaction, as soon as the 24 Elders hear the praise of the ‘four creatures’ they fall down and worship.

Now this is the moment we have all been waiting for! We cast our crowns before Him.

It is amazing how many churches sing ‘Crown Him with many crowns’ without having a clue! If fact it is even worse than that, because many churches would deny that the 24 Elders represent the Church, and yet they still sing the hymn.

How interesting that we praise Him for all He has created, to praise Him for all He allowed to evolve through chance mutations over millions of years doesn’t quite have the same ring, does it?!

God is Creator and regardless what the world thinks and teaches, all those going to Heaven better get this issue sorted out!

The act of creation is attributed to Father, Son and Holy Spirit, confirming that the ‘one’ on the throne is the triune God.

Appendix A – The Five Crowns

In the New Testament there are 5 distinct crowns that are promised to believers as a reward for their labour. “And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not.” (Gal 6:9)

1 Corinthians 3 tells us that when we arrive in Heaven at the time of the Rapture we will be judged according to our works. “Every man’s work shall be made manifest: for the day shall declare it, because it shall be revealed by fire; and the fire shall try every man’s work of what sort it is.If any man’s work abide which he hath built thereupon, he shall receive a reward. If any man’s work shall be burned, he shall suffer loss: but he himself shall be saved; yet so as by fire.” (1 Cor 3:13-15)

In 2 John 8 we read “Look to yourselves, that we lose not those things which we have wrought, but that we receive a full reward.”

As we have seen in our study in Revelation 4, the crowns that we are given will be cast before Jesus feet as an act of worship. In Rev 19:12, at the Second Coming, Jesus is seen wearing ‘many crowns’ – could these be the ones that His Church have given Him? If so, this could be the only thing that we are able to give to Him that is not His already. The more crowns we ‘earn’ in this life, the more we will be able to give Him as an acknowledgement of deep love and gratitude to Him for all that He has done for us.

The number 5 represents completeness; these 5 crowns represent a life completely yielded to our Lord and Saviour in every area.

The Crown of Incorruption – 1 Cor 9:24-25 – Run the Christian race to win

Know ye not that they which run in a race run all, but one receiveth the prize? So run, that ye may obtain. And every man that striveth for the mastery is temperate in all things. Now they do it to obtain a corruptible crown; but we an incorruptible.

The Crown of Rejoicing – 1 Thess 2:19 – The prize for Soul winning

For what is our hope, or joy, or crown of rejoicing? Are not even ye in the presence of our Lord Jesus Christ at his coming?

The Crown of  Righteousness – 2 Tim 4:7-8 – The prize for those looking for Him

I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith: Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but unto all them also that love his appearing.

The Crown of Endurance – James 1:12 – The prize for overcoming temptation

Blessed is the man that endureth temptation: for when he is tried, he shall receive the crown of life, which the Lord hath promised to them that love him.

The Crown of Glory – 1 Peter 5:1-4 – The prize for faithful ministry

The elders which are among you I exhort, who am also an elder, and a witness of the sufferings of Christ, and also a partaker of the glory that shall be revealed: Feed the flock of God which is among you, taking the oversight thereof, not by constraint, but willingly; not for filthy lucre, but of a ready mind; Neither as being lords over God’s heritage, but being ensamples to the flock. And when the chief Shepherd shall appear, ye shall receive a crown of glory that fadeth not away.

More next week…

May you be blessed and encouraged as you continue to study God’s Word.

Every blessing,

Pastor Barry.

The post The Throne room of Heaven first appeared on Calvary Chapel Portsmouth.

This week we conclude our study of these letters looking at Sardis, Philadelphia & Laodicea  – I hope this encourages you to go deeper into God’s Word!

Chapter 3: 1-6 The Letter to Sardis ‘the Remnant’ 1517 A.D – Tribulation

Sardis was the capital of the ancient kingdom of Lydia and one of the oldest and most important cities of Asia Minor. It was located inland and built on a small, elevated plateau which rises sharply above the Hermus Valley. On all sides but one the rock walls are smooth, nearly perpendicular.

Because of this the people at Sardis became complacent and in 549 BC the Median soldiers of Cyrus scaled the parapet, and then again in 214 BC Antiochus the Great captured Sardis because a Cretan slipped over the walls while the sentries were careless. This earned the label that Sardis could be taken by a thief in the night. According to historians, there was an arrogance and superiority about the city. Archaeologists think that the first coins used for currency were made in Sardis.

Rev 3:1

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;

Jesus reminds that church at Sardis that He is the one that has the 7 Spirits (an idea from Isaiah 11) (which go throughout the world), and He has the 7 stars, which are the 7 angels. There is an implication in this that they have forgotten who is in charge. This church was know for their works, but they were works from a plan or system that analysed before doing. A big removal from the faith of the early church who were led by the Spirit.

…I know thy works, that thou hast a name that thou livest, and art dead.

“Protestantism today, as a whole, has a name that it lives, but it is dead. Many Protestant churches today are just going through the form. They are building all the time, and people are coming, especially on Sunday mornings. But there are not many at the midweek service, when they really ought to come to hear the Word of God. “Thou hast a name that thou livest, and art dead.” This is a frightful condemnation and is a picture of Protestantism today”. (J Vernon McGee)

This church has a name, reputation that it’s doing fine  – but in Jesus’ eyes it is dead.

In the same way, the church of the reformation was characterised by the different ‘names’ (denominations) that resulted from it.

…Be watchful… If there is one thing the Protestant church isn’t it’s watchful.

“Protestantism, as hole, has turned away from looking for the coming of Jesus Christ, and they have built up these systems that certain things must be fulfilled before He can come. My friend, it is tissue-thin from where we are right now to the coming of Christ for His church. He could come the next moment or tomorrow. Don’t say that I said He is coming tomorrow because I don’t know. It may be a hundred years, but, my friend, His imminent return is what we are to look for. Sardis didn’t know when the enemy was coming, and we don’t know when Christ is coming—we have no way of knowing at all. In view of the fact that the Rapture could take place at any moment, the church is to be alert. The date is not set, nor even the period in which He will come, and the reason for that is that the church is to be constantly on the alert for His coming.

“Looking for that blessed hope …” (Titus 2:13). You see, anyone can make ready for a fixed hour, but you must always be ready for an unexpected hour. (J Vernon McGee)

I remember hearing a sermon in a Protestant church saying that Jesus won’t be coming back any time soon. Much of today’s church is being brainwashed by things like ‘The Purpose Driven life’ (Rick Warren), which teaches that Prophecy is none of the churches business!

…and strengthen the things which remain, that are ready to die:

They had started out on the right path, but they had not continued to the end. Consequently, the things that had been started would die if they did not pursue them.

When something is planted it starts to grow, but unless it is cared for and maintained, it will die.

… for I have not found thy works perfect before God. Perfect = Complete

This is most defiantly true of the reformation church (Protestantism), they reclaimed many doctrines that had been corrupted by the Roman Catholic Church, but left just as many undone. And those that were done are now being undone.

Eg.     Salvation by faith alone – giving way for a works based system

         Repentance required   – giving way to ‘we are all good deep down’

The Word is the foundation – giving way to we must find our own spirituality.

This church has appearance without reality, promise without performance.

Rev 3:3

Remember therefore how thou hast received and heard,

How did the reformation church hear and receive? By returning to the Word.

…and hold fast, a phrase often used in connection with holding onto sound doctrine…

…and repent. a doctrine misunderstood and often ignored today.

…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.

As we have noted, this admonition was most apt for the church at Sardis, given the city’s history of unexpected invasions. There is a real danger in complacency in the natural, but in the spiritual it can be fatal. This verse would indicate that many in this church system are not saved, because Jesus will not come ‘like a thief’ to true Christians whom Paul states ‘are not in darkness that that day should overtake you as a thief’. However, to the unsaved, the coming time of Tribulation will come like a thief in the night, or as Jesus and the Old Testament prophets often describe it, like labour pains on a woman. (see 1 Thes 5:1-2).

It also shows that this church system is in existence at the time of the Rapture.

Rev 3:4

Thou hast a few  (Lit: a remnant) names even in Sardis which have not defiled their garments; and they shall walk with me in white: for they are worthy.

There are those (as with the church at Thyatira – the Roman Catholic Church) in the church at Sardis – The Protestant Church, who have not ‘defiled their garments’  – and as we will see in Rev 4 and 19, all saints will be given a white robe to wear  – as would be done at a Jewish wedding feast.

Protestantism has certainly produced some great men of God. Romanism did the same thing, even during the Dark Ages, but that does not mean to commend the system. The system of Romanism and the system of Protestantism, as they are revealed in the great denominations which have departed from the faith, to me are the organizations which will eventually bring in the apostate church because they have departed from the great tenets and doctrines of the Christian faith.

(J Vernon McGee) 

Rev 3:5

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  *x7,

(The Greek would read: “no I will never blot His name out…..”)

It is no coincidence that the Protestant church begun in the Word of God, and yet has now whittled it away to suit themselves. Though the Protestant Church had in many ways blotted Jesus name out of the Bible – the Book of Life, He will not do so to those who are His.

but I will confess his name before my Father, and before his angels.

Awesome verse! Jesus will announce us before God! It would be embarrassing if it were not for the new clothing and new name. We should never be ashamed of confessing his name.

(Matt 10 / Luke 12)

Rev 3:6

He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches.

This is what the Holy Spirit is saying to the Churches – right now!

Chapter 3: 7-13 The Letter to Philadelphia ‘the church of brotherly love’ 1517 A.D–Rapture

The name means ‘brotherly love’.  Clovis G. Chappell said, “Were it my privilege to go back across the years and attend a service at one of these seven churches, I think I should choose the church at Philadelphia.”

This was the church of ‘brotherly love’; they had so allowed the Lord to permeate their lives that they had taken on His characteristics of love and were not just ‘hearers of the word’ as James speaks of, but they were ‘doers of the word’.

Possibly the one characteristic that is missing from many churches today is brotherly love. We find ourselves focussed upon our own ministries and forget to ‘bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfil the law of Christ’ (Gal 6:2). We put expectations on others and grumble and complain when they don’t come up to our standards (as if we could ever come up to Christ’s standards!) We should have a deep-rooted love and compassion for our fellow Christians; after all we are going to spend eternity with them!

When I was younger I knew that if I were nasty to my brother or sister, Dad and Mum would find out about it when they got home. Jesus is coming back soon, so let’s make sure there are only good reports of what we’ve done to His other children. If we don’t love, John says that it show that we don’t know God (see 1 John 4:7-8).

The area around Philadelphia was rich farm land known for its rich harvest of grapes, mainly due to the volcanic ash in the soil. There were also frequent earthquakes, which meant that the people often had to pack up and leave. Consequently the people never got too attached to their surroundings or possessions. Philadelphia was the youngest of the seven cities, and was originally founded as an outpost for Hellenism – the spread of the Greek language and culture to the surrounding nations. (Derived from ‘ Héllen’, the Greeks‘ word for themselves)

Just like the soil were they lived, the church at Philadelphia was also ‘fruitful’, and as all Christians should be, they were more concerned about heavenly things than the worldly things, which are only temporal. We are not of this world, nor should we love the world or the things in the world; all that is in this world is passing away. (1 John 2:15). 

Rev 3:7

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;

Unlike the other letters, where the description of Jesus is drawn from chapter 1 of Revelation, this description of Jesus comes from Isaiah 22.

“And I will clothe him with thy robe, and strengthen him with thy girdle, and I will commit thy government into his hand: and he shall be a father to the inhabitants of Jerusalem, and to the house of Judah. And the key of the house of David will I lay upon his shoulder; so he shall open, and none shall shut; and he shall shut, and none shall open.”  (Isaiah 22:21-22)

The wording is particularly appropriate because as we will see, Jesus gives this Church an open door to preach the gospel – however not necessarily without persecution, but no one can stop it.  From a prophetic perspective has indeed been true of this church age. 

Rev 3:8

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.

Again, Jesus knows this church’s works, and is obviously pleased because he gives them an open door. Whilst we know that we are saved by Grace alone – there is nothing we can add, James reminds us that faith without works is dead.

The ‘open door’ is evident in so many ways.

• Evangelism: Almost all people we meet know that there is something wrong with the world – this is a great opportunity to witness, a wide open door.
• Our own walk with the Lord: Never has been easier to read and study God’s Word. This is another door that is now wide open – I even read recently of a Christian in a Muslim country where he cannot have a Bible or attend a church, but he secretly listens to J Vernon McGee’s ‘Thru the Bible’ radio broadcasts, a verse by verse commentary that goes from Genesis to Revelation (thruthebible.org)

They have ‘kept His word’ – how refreshing in these days when so many seek after experiences and programs that they can sign up to, rather than the Bible.

‘And not denied His name’ – how could they it they are keeping His Word?!

Rev 3:9

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.

This church age covers the post-reformation ages from 1750 right up unto the Rapture. This age has seen some of the greatest missions, missionaries, and preachers in history. Charles Spurgeon, Dwight L Moody, Oswald Chambers, Hudson Taylor, Billy Graham etc. etc.

But again, as we’ve looked at before, this idea that there are those who claim to be Jews, and are not, and lie – in a church age that last up to the Rapture, this can only be those who promote replacement theology, as we have already looked at in Rev 2:9. Even the great Martin Luther was anti-Semitic and thought that the church was the new Israel. 

Rev 3:10

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.

‘Hour’ is literally: ‘Time of trial’. This is promised to those who keep His word.

The Flood as a type of the Tribulation: Noah (a type of the 144,000?) preserved through the flood. Enoch (born on Pentecost according to Jewish tradition – a type of the Church?) Raptured before the flood.

This ‘hour of temptation’ can only be the Great Tribulation, for no other trial in the bible will encompass the whole earth. The phrase ‘them that dwell on the earth’ could be translated ‘earth dwellers’ or ‘those who choose the earth as their home’ and appears elsewhere in the book. It is used in contrast to the Church whose home is in heaven (see John 15:19). 

Rev 3:11

Behold, I come quickly: hold that fast which thou hast, that no man take thy crown.

Again, crowns are promised to those who hold fast. Do you realise that this verse implies that someone could take your crown? How secure is it?

You obviously won’t give it away. So the only way of losing it is if you are deceived. Again, deception is coming in these last days – be watchful and don’t be deceived!

(For more on this see www.deceptioninthechurch.com also www.myfortress.org)   

Rev 3:12

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.

In the temple in Philadelphia they would erect a pillar in honour of a pagan deity or emperor that they wanted to exalt. Jesus will exalt us in due time and honour us in God’s house – we don’t deserve this – it’ is the very least that we can do to live 24/7 for Him now.

Rev 3:13

He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches.

Again, we all have ears.

Chapter 3: 14-22 The Letter to Laodicea ‘the rule of the people’ 1900 A.D–Tribulation

Laodicea was an important and wealthy city; that had a large Jewish population; like other cities in the region, it had become a centre for Caesar worship and the worship of Asklepios (having a famous medical school there in connection with his temple).

History records that an earthquake devastated the region in 60 AD, Laodicea refused help from Rome in rebuilding the city, choosing to rely on their own resources.

The historian Mounce said: “It is frequently noted that Laodicea prided itself on three things: financial wealth, an extensive textile industry, and a popular eye-salve which was exported around the world.”

However, a poor water supply made Laodicea vulnerable to attack through siege; they were therefore quite accommodating to any potential foe, choosing rather to negotiate and compromise instead of fight.

The Romans had constructed a six-mile aqueduct from the hot-springs of the nearby mountain town of Hierapolis, down to Laodicea. However by the time that the water had got down to Laodicea it was lukewarm.

These historical details are very interesting because Jesus draws from these ideas  – that they were rich and in need of nothing, the notion of them being ‘lukewarm’ and given to compromise, the fact that they were comfortable and clothed (when in fact they were spiritually poor and naked), and that He could provide them with His eye salve that would help them to see spiritually. Jesus often uses real things to illustrate a deeper spiritual meaning. God will often use our circumstances to get through to us – a sad reflection that all too often we are not listening.

The church of Laodicea also represents the final church age, and again we find that situation at Laodicea fits our own time like a glove.

We are living at a time when ‘the church’ has become self sufficient, and is ‘in need of nothing’; it has also repeatedly given in to compromise and become ‘lukewarm’  – politically correct, not wanting to rock the boat; and now more than ever does the church need His eye salve that she might see things from Jesus’ perspective.

It is generally agreed that this last church age began at the turn of the last century and will continue until the Second Coming, going through the Tribulation. This means that this church will not be raptured; in other words this church represents the apostate church, not real true believers. The call still goes out to any individual ‘who has ears to hear’, but the church at large is so far from God’s word and so corrupt that it is not part of the body of Christ – the true Church. This point is made clear in verse 16 as we will see.

Rev 3:14

 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;

Jesus introduces Himself as the ‘Amen’ – the ‘let it be so’, the ‘faithful and true witness’, and finally ‘the beginning of the creation of God’. All of these truths are being attacked in today’s modern church. The lie of the Serpent in the Garden was ‘Did God really say that?’, and today we find pulpits full with those who try to teach that ‘the Bible doesn’t really say that’. Jesus is the Amen, the ‘let it be so’.

Jesus is the faithful and true witness and yet today we even have groups of men (such as the ‘Jesus Seminar’ in the USA) who meet to decide what Jesus actually said, and what He meant by it; they then cast votes to decide what is true and what isn’t!  This is madness! You can’t vote on truth, Jesus said: “I am the way, the truth and the life….”

We could talk for hours about the last title Jesus gives Himself here – ‘the beginning of the creation of God’. The term means ‘the originator’, the one who caused it to happen. We know from Colossians that Jesus is the creator of all things: “For by him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether [they be] thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by him, and for him:”       (Col 1:16)

It is hardly surprising to find fallen, sinful men trying to come up with theories about our origins that deny God’s existence or involvement, but it is almost beyond comprehension to find (so called) ministers of the Gospel openly embracing the anti-God religion of evolution!

Recently in America, one State forced the schools to put a disclaimer on the textbooks saying that evolution was not a proven fact and just one theory about our origins. This caused such a stir and ended up in a court case where the State was told to remove the stickers! But most amazingly of all was that 200 ministers from various denominations all got together and wrote to the State pledging their support to the ‘proven scientific theory of evolution’ and saying that those who were against it were standing in the way of scientific progress!

Evolution is the single biggest hindrance to science that the world has known! – the mind boggles!

The really sad thing is that these were ministers who regularly teach their congregations; presumably that Jesus is our Saviour – but Saviour from what?  If evolution were true we do not need a Saviour, because we are continually improving. However the Bible teaches that we are a fallen race and desperately in need of a Saviour. How sad that thousands of Christians choose to go to churches were the word of God is ‘trampled under foot’ by these Biblically illiterate men (and women).

It is therefore no accident that Jesus gives Himself this title to this church – to this church age. 

Rev 3:15

I know thy works, that thou art neither cold nor hot: I would thou wert cold or hot.

It is so sad that so many ‘Christians’ fall into the category of being lukewarm. However it is the environment around something (or someone) that affects their temperature; so following on from the comments above, why do so many Christians stay at bad, ‘lukewarm’ churches? Because they are comfortable, because there is no real challenge, because they can have ‘the best of both worlds’ – so they think. The best of both worlds is a lie that Satan uses to keep us right where he wants us, because in so doing we become ineffective. If Satan can’t have you, he might as well neutralise your potential threat to him by making you comfortable. If you’re comfortable right now, stop for a moment and think why that is.

Rev 3:16

So then because thou art lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spue thee out of my mouth.

This is some of the most graphic language in the Bible. The true Church is Jesus’ body. When a body detects poison in it, it expels it – violently if necessary for the sake of the body.

Jesus will spew this compromising church out of His body prior to the Rapture when those who have been washed by the water of the word, and continued in the doctrine they have received, and are without spot and blemish, will be gathered together to meet the Lord in the air.

Commenting on Rev 3:16, Calvary Chapel Pastor David Guzik says:

“Has there been a greater curse upon the earth than empty religion? Is there any soul harder to reach than the one who has just enough of Jesus to think they have enough? Laodicea exemplifies empty religion; and tax collectors and harlots were more open to Jesus than scribes and Pharisees”.

In John 8, Jesus said to the Pharisees: I said therefore unto you, that ye shall die in your sins: for if ye believe not that I am [he], ye shall die in your sins (John 8:24)

The professional religious leaders of the day had rejected Jesus – the Word of God made flesh. Countless sincere but misguided Jews followed them. In fact Jesus Himself said: Every plant, which my heavenly Father hath not planted, shall be rooted up. Let them alone: they be blind leaders of the blind. And if the blind lead the blind, both shall fall into the ditch. (Matt 15:13-14).

It is no different today. Pulpits are full of evil men and impostors just as the Bible said it would be (2 Tim 3:13), who go about deceiving, and being deceived, who have a form of godliness, but deny its power (2 Tim 3:5), supposing that godliness is a means for gain (1 Tim 6:3-5). Paul tells us that we are to turn away from such people.

Jesus said to His disciples in Luke 21:8 that they should pay attention because the last days would be characterised by people coming ‘in His name’ and claiming that they are ‘Christ’.

The New Age is already talking about ‘Master Jesus’ who is coming, and sadly Eugene H Peterson in ‘The Message’ ‘Bible’ uses various New Age terms, as does Rick Warren in his ‘Purpose Driven Life’. It appears as if people are getting softened up ready for a major wave of deception to hit the church.

This is not about sincerity. Most people in churches are sincere, but you can be sincerely wrong as well sincerely right. Jesus even refers to those who have preached and prophesied in His name and done miracles, but they were preaching ‘another gospel’ (Gal 1:8), like the Pharisees they too will ‘miss out’. (See Matt 7:13-23).

Anyway, getting back to the verse, Jesus will spue these people out of His mouth – get rid of them from His body. When? I believe it will happen before the Rapture, which will then leave the true Church to be Raptured, and the apostate church to go into the Tribulation, eventually forming a one-world religion (with the Catholics (see the church of Thyatira above) and Muslims and New Agers etc.)

Signs of the times

One result of the rise of ‘Islamic State’ or ISIS, has been a softening of Islam and a distancing of ‘general’ Islam from ‘fundamental’ Islam. Fundamental Islam is now being ‘hunted’ while moves are now afoot to bring a greater understanding and unity between Muslims, ‘Christians’ and Catholics – all in preparation for a one-world church/religion, which will culminate in the worship of Antichrist.

Rev 3:17

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: Could we better describe the church in today’s world? The Church has become a business in many cases, and is focused on profitability and success, as seen by the world’s standards.

“The only certain barrier to truth is the assumption that we already have it” The church today, in many cases, thinks it has all truth, even that it makes truth, and therefore is not interested in learning from the Word of God.

“What a mistake we make if we think that the church has the authority to decide what is right and what is wrong. – Chuck Missler

The inscription on the cathedral in Lübeck, Germany, is still true:

Thus speaketh Christ our Lord to us:

Ye call Me Master and obey Me not.

Ye call Me Light and see Me not.

Ye call Me Way and walk Me not.

Ye call Me Life and choose Me not.

Ye call Me Wise and follow Me not.

Ye call Me Fair and love Me not.

Ye call Me Rich and ask Me not.

Ye call Me Eternal and seek Me not.

Ye call Me Noble and serve Me not.

Ye call Me Gracious and trust Me not.

Ye call Me Might and honor Me not.

Ye call Me Just and fear Me not.

If I condemn you, blame Me not.

Rev 3:18

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.

This is the church in the world in its final pitiful state. This church is made up of all the bad elements of Thyatira and Sardis + a big dose of complacency.

Jesus pleads with them, but they appear not to be listening – how sad this must be for Him.

It is worth mentioning again that Jesus does not want anyone to perish, but a false religion is as bad as no religion. There is only one way for people to be saved, by repenting from sin and trusting completely (and only) in the Lord Jesus Christ.

Rev 3:19

As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten: be zealous therefore, and repent.

This shows the Father-heart of God. A child once asked his dad, “Is God always watching me?” The dad replied, “Son, He loves you so much He can’t take His eyes off of you!”

What an incredible love that God has for us that He won’t leave us where we are, but continually moves us on in Him.

“My son, do no despise the chastening of the Lord, nor faint when you art rebuked of him: For whom the Lord loves he chastens, and scourges every son whom he receives.”            (Heb 12:5-6)

Rev 3:20

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.

Jesus is on the outside of the door of this church knocking. As He is with all men everywhere who are called to repent – the handle is on the inside only. It’s up to us to open the door, if we want to. How could we say no to this Man?

Rev 3:21

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.

This is a dreadful church age, indeed the call is to overcome.

Note: Jesus has sat down on His throne. There He will stay until He comes to take us home. So therefore any person that claims to have seen Jesus, or been visited by Jesus before that time (there are plenty of candidates on the GOD Channel etc), must have seen a different Jesus – i.e. been deceived. Particularly sad when Jesus said that this is what we should watch for so that we are not deceived!

Rev 3:22

He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches.

All ears, all churches.

To be continued…

Every blessing,

Pastor Barry

The post Sardis, Philadelphia & Laodicea – Lessons for today first appeared on Calvary Chapel Portsmouth.

1. Local application – these were 7 real churches in Asia Minor (modern day Turkey)
2. We are told they are for any that have ‘ears to hear’
3. These 7 letters were all intended to be passed around, to mutually encourage, edify and strengthen the churches at that time – and so are applicable to all churches through the last 2000 years
4. However, as we noted last week, these letters are prophetic, and tell – in advance – the history of the church.

Chapter 2: 12-17 The Letter to Pergamos ‘the church in the World’ 313 A.D–590 A.D.

Pergamos was situated about 50 miles north of Smyrna and about 15 miles inland off the Aegean Sea. The city was given over to idolatry and worshipped many pagan gods. There was an Acropolis on top of the hill along with an amphitheatre that could seat 10,000 people.

Pergamos was famous for the alter of Zeus – the Greek and Roman deity. The alter was huge, measuring 100ft on each side; and it had become a place of Cesar worship.

Asclepius (pronounced: sc-lay-pe-us) the serpent god was also worshipped and it was believed that he had power to heal. This idea was a distortion of the account recorded in Numbers 21 when God sent fiery serpents among the Children of Israel. When the people cried out to God, He commanded Moses to put a brass serpent on a pole. Whoever had been bitten then only needed to look at the pole and they would be healed. In John 3:14-15 Jesus explains that this was an anticipatory type of Himself dying on the cross and being judged for our sin (the pole represents the cross / the brass speaks of judgment / the serpent represents sin). On the cross, Jesus became sin for us and was judged in our place. Just as with the serpent on the pole in the wilderness, anyone who looks at Jesus will be saved. The worship of Asclepius was a distortion of this story that had been handed down through the generations.

NB: The medical profession still have the emblem of snakes on their belts / uniforms even today!

During this period of history, the Roman Empire was divided into two sections. Constantine, in a bid for total control entered into a war with Maximus. Just before a battle at Milvian Bridge, legend has it that Constantine looked up and saw a flaming cross in the sky and heard a voice saying ‘in this sign conquer’. He then went out and won the battle and was so impressed that he ‘converted’ to Christianity. This brought about a dramatic change that has affected the world ever since. One day the Christians are being fed to the lions, the next day Christians are given equal rights and even given their land and property back.

According to historians, Constantine then invited Christian Bishops form all over the area to come to Rome to talk about this new ‘faith’. One of these Bishops was a monk called Damasis. In an effort to please all the religious people of the day, Damasis had mixed some of the Babylon religious practices with Christianity. Constantine was impressed with Damasis’ ability to please ‘everybody’ (after all, what Emperor wouldn’t want all his subjects to get along?), and as a result he gave Damasis the position of ‘Bishop of Rome’ and the title of ‘Supreme Pontiff’ (which up until that point had only been used by Emperors). This title is still used today by the head of the Roman Catholic Church.

Constantine also set up a basilica (sacred Roman building) and had 13 sarcophaguses (tombs) placed within it. His intention was to bring the bodies of the 12 Apostles to Rome, and lay them to rest in this basilica. The 13^th place was intended to be for himself when he died.

The Catholic Church, as it became known (catholic simply means ‘universal’) had 5 major centres. Antioch / Byzantium (later to be renamed Constantinople – and now known as Istanbul) / Jerusalem – These three were in the east of the empire. The other two were Alexandria, in Egypt, and Rome – both in the west of the empire.

Constantine, named the church in Rome the ‘Roman Catholic Church’.

However, being concerned that the church at Rome was going off on a tangent (supported very much by those within the church in Alexandria, Egypt), the churches in the east named their churches ‘Orthodox’ meaning the original, or authentic. This is where we get the Greek Orthodox, Eastern Orthodox and Russian Orthodox churches.

The rivalry grew and before long the Roman Catholic Church started to collect ‘relics’ in an attempt to prove that they were the most authentic. (Relics are artefacts, or things that belonged to, were worn, or had some connection with Jesus or the 12 Apostles or other key early church figures).

The Roman Catholic Church then started telling people that they had the ‘best’ relics, so they must be the true church. To counter this the Greek and Eastern Orthodox churches started doing the same, thus it became a treasure hunt to find the best relics.

To underline the madness of this, until recently the Roman Catholic Church had the body of James but the Eastern Orthodox had his head! In a ‘gesture of good will’ the Eastern Orthodox church gave the head to the Roman Catholic Church – James can now be put back together again!

The Roman Catholic Church then started saying that people had been healed from touching the bones and relics, so the Orthodox did the same.

Now, on the positive side it was probably good for new Christians to see the tombs of the Apostles and the things that one belonged to them. This would help them to realise that they had an historic faith – that it was real, and unlike the pagan religions that were based in mythology and superstition; but the problem was that this soon turned to idolatry as people started to worship these relics.

One of the other major problems at this time was that the whole theology of the church shifted. For years the church had been persecuted and in fear of death, eagerly looking for the return of the Lord, holding to the blessed hope. Now, overnight, the persecution had stopped and some Christians started thinking that maybe all the persecution had been the tribulation. If that was so, then this must now be the Millennium. This idea went hand in hand with another idea that began to surface saying that you don’t have to take the Bible seriously, that it doesn’t mean what it says, but rather it’s just stories to illustrate good and bad. This idea was largely promoted by a man call Origen, and later by one of his pupils called Augustine of Hippo. Augustine became so influential in the church that even people like John Calvin during the reformation over 1000 years later leaned heavily on his teaching.

This is now a matter of history and can be easily verified (www.hallofchurchhistory.com is a good place to start)

Irenaeus, a pupil of Polycarp (who in turn was a disciple of John the Apostle), became the Bishop of Lyons in France. Irenaeus, like Justin Martyr (an early Christian historian), believed that Christ will reign on earth for a thousand years, and he vehemently protested against attempts to allegorize away the millenarian proof texts.  Irenaeus also argued against the Gnostic doctrine of a secret teaching by appealing to apostolic succession — if there had been such a teaching, the apostles would have passed it on to their successors.  The apostles, he claimed, taught the Rule of Faith (very similar to our Apostles’ Creed).

Irenaeus wrote, “The tradition of the Apostles is manifest throughout the whole world; and we are in a position to reckon up those who were, by the Apostles, ordained bishops in the churches, and the succession of those men to our own time.  If the Apostles had known hidden mysteries, they would have delivered them, especially to those to whom they were committing the churches themselves.  For they were desirous those men should be very perfect and blameless in all things, whom also they were leaving behind as their successors, delivering up their own place of government to these men.”

However, people like Augustine, realising that it was unpopular to teach that Jesus was coming back to usurp the rulers of this world, (the same rulers that had just ‘legalised’ Christianity) popularised the Gnostic teachings from the 2^nd century that scripture, and particularly the Book of Revelation, were to be taken symbolically, not literally.

Hence the church shifted form looking for the imminent return of the Lord to deliver them, to believing that the kingdom had now come and was being manifested on earth through the church. This is still the view taught in most Roman Catholic and Anglican churches today.

The name ‘Pergamos’ means mixed or elevated marriage.

Pergos – berg (German)  = castle or something that is lifted up.

Gammos – marriage  (as in polygamy, monogamy etc.)

The church had become elevated through its marriage to Rome, and now the influences of the pagan religions had come under its roof.

One day, the pagan priests were worshipping their idols in their temples, the next, they are told that they must convert to Christianity or die. The church, which for so long had been oppressed, suddenly became the oppressor with its newly found poitical power.

The Christians then started to use the lavish pagan temples and turn them into ‘churches’. As more churches began to be built, they were modelled on the existing pagan temples, but also began to become even more elaborate. This was a good move for architecture but bad for true Christianity. Now the buildings themselves became the focus; a practice that persists even to this day. It is because of this that so many people associate ‘church’ with a building and not with the people who have left all to follow Jesus Christ.

All in all, this was one of the worst times in the history of the Church, far from setting their minds on heavenly things, the Church had embraced the world and allowed countless compromises, including the watering down of the Word of God.

Rev 2:12

And to the angel of the church in Pergamos write; These things saith he which hath the sharp sword with two edges;

As we have already noted, the letter is addressed to the pastor of the church – Jesus holds him accountable for the sheep entrusted to his care. The pastor’s role is to feed the sheep and bring them to spiritual maturity. Sadly, in Pergamos, as with so many churches today, the pastor had let the influence of the world permeate the church. It is therefore no surprise that the characteristic of Jesus drawn from chapter one that Jesus uses in the introduction to this letter is the image of Himself with the two-edged.  The two-edged sword is symbol of the word of God (Heb 4:12). This was the very thing this church were moving away from.

Rev 2:13

I know thy works, and where thou dwellest……………………,

“Where thou dwellest.” The Lord commends this church for three very definite things. First, He takes note of their circumstances. He knew that these believers were living in a very difficult place. And, my friend, the Lord takes note of our circumstances. Sometimes we are inclined to condemn someone who is caught in a certain set of circumstances, but if we were in the same position, we might act in an even worse way than he is acting. (J V McGee) 

…………………………..…….even where Satan’s seat is:

Satan had persecuted the Church from the outside, but this had only made the Church stronger. So now he switches tactics and introduces the world into the church. Pergamos was overflowing with idolatry and pagan religious practices. So this place became the center of Satan’s operations.

……………..and thou holdest fast my name, and hast not denied my faith,

In the midst of all of this compromise, the Church at Pergamos are commended for holding fast Jesus’ name and not denying the faith. Although much of the so-called church was shifting away from the truth, the true church was still standing.

However, it was during this time that Arius, a theologian, built on the teaching of the Gnostics and taught that Jesus was not God, he was the son of God, but not God. Alexander of Alexandria led the move to depose Arius and those who had joined him.

This led to the council of Nicaea (Nicaea is a town in northern Turkey) where Christian leaders from all over the Roman empire were called together to establish a creed, that would constitute a basis of Christian faith. The creed that they produced is still used in many churches today as a statement of faith:

“We believe in One God, the Father Almighty, Maker of all things visible and invisible:”- “And in One Lord Jesus Christ, the Son of God, begotten of the Father, Only-begotten, that is, from the essence of the Father; God from God, Light from Light, Very God from Very God, begotten not made, One in essence with the Father, by Whom all things were made, both things in heaven and things in earth; Who for us men and for our salvation came down and was made flesh, was made man, suffered, and rose again the third day, ascended into heaven, and cometh to judge quick and dead.” “And in the Holy Ghost.”

“And those who say, `Once He was not,’ and `Before His generation He was not,’ and `He came to be from nothing,’ or those who pretend that the Son of God is `Of other subsistence or essence ,’ or `created’ or `alterable,’ or `mutable,’ the Catholic Church anathematizes.”

Even though Arius had taught that Jesus was not God, the council ‘held fast Jesus’ name’ and did not deny the faith.

……………….even in those days wherein Antipas was my faithful martyr, who was slain among you, where Satan dwelleth.

Very little is known about Antipas except that apparently he was slowly roasted alive inside a hollow bronze calf.

Antipas means ‘against-all’  – he stood against all heresy.

Rev 2:14

But I have a few things against thee, because thou hast there them that hold the “doctrine”……..

A boy was in Sunday school and was having a quiz. The teacher asked, “What is false doctrine?” The boy’s hand shot up. “Yes” said the teacher. ‘I know’ said the boy. ‘It’s when a Doctor gives the wrong thing to someone who is sick’

This is exactly what false doctrine is! As with the physical body where the wrong medicine prescribed to a patient could kill them, or at least have harmful effects; so can false doctrine to the spirit. Jesus mentions doctrine twice in this letter.

Doctrine is mentioned 45 times in the New Testament. Anything mentioned that many times is worthy of our attention. Some people say that we should not insist on doctrine because it causes division. But this is exactly why we must ‘hold fast’ to the apostles doctrine (1 Tim 4:16 /  2 John 1:9). In fact we are even told to divide over doctrine. (See: Romans 16:17 / 1 Tim 6  /  2 John 1:10)

– It is a healthy body that purges itself of poison – Joe Focht

Well-meaning individuals within the church have suggested that we should lay aside our doctrine for the sake of love. After all is not love the most important thing –

“A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another.” (John 13:34)

And it’s true that doctrine without love is hard and legalistic. Doctrine needs love to soften it, but love needs truth.– speak the truth in love

“That we [henceforth] be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, [and] cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive; But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, [even] Christ (Eph 4:14

Without love doctrine becomes hard, but without doctrine love has no strength

……………..of Balaam, who taught Balac to cast a stumbling block before the children of Israel, to eat things sacrificed unto idols, and to commit fornication.  (See Numbers 22.)

“The doctrine of Balaam” is different from the error of Balaam (see Jude 11), which revealed that Balaam thought that God would curse Israel because they were sinners. It is also different from the way of Balaam (see 2 Pet. 2:15), which was covetousness. But here in the verse before us, it is the doctrine or teaching of Balaam. He taught Balac the way to corrupt Israel by intermarriage with the Moabite women. This introduced into the nation of Israel both idolatry and fornication. And during the historical period that the church at Pergamum represents, the unconverted world came into the church.  (J Vernon McGee)

The Devil could not bring Israel down from the outside, so he did from the inside. He could not bring the church down through persecution, so he did it from within by infiltrating the church with pagan and Gnostic teaching.

Rev 2:15

So hast thou also them that hold the doctrine of the Nicolaitans, which thing I hate.

See notes on Rev 2:6 – This has now become a doctrine. Notice that Jesus hates this because it puts people (Priests / Religious leaders) between Himself and his children. We all have direct access to God through Jesus Christ.

“There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither bond nor free, there is neither male nor female: for ye are all one in Christ Jesus.” (Gal 3:28)

“But ye [are] a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light:” (1 Peter 2:9)

“But he that is greatest among you shall be your servant.

And whosoever shall exalt himself shall be abased; and he that shall humble himself shall be exalted.” (Matt 23:11)

Rev 2:16

Repent; or else I will come unto thee quickly, and will fight against them with the sword of my mouth.

Fight against ‘them’. Who were the ‘them’? The ones teaching heresy. Jesus will fight against them with the Word of God.

What a mistake we make if we think that the church has the authority to decide what is right and what is wrong. – Chuck Missler

Rev 2:17

He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches;

to him that overcometh will I give to eat of the hidden manna………

“Our fathers did eat manna in the desert; as it is written, He gave them bread from heaven to eat. Then Jesus said unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Moses gave you not that bread from heaven; but my Father giveth you the true bread from heaven.  For the bread of God is he which cometh down from heaven, and giveth life unto the world. Then said they unto him, Lord, evermore give us this bread. And Jesus said unto them, I am the bread of life: he that cometh to me shall never hunger; and he that believeth on me shall never thirst. (John 6:32-35)

…………..and will give him a white stone, and in the stone a new name written, which no man knoweth saving he that receiveth it.

A white stone was a mark of acceptance in the Jewish council.

Those who overcome will receive a personal acceptance from Jesus.

We will be given a new name – the ‘old’ will finally have passed away! All of the regrets of the past will be gone – they are identified to our present name.

Chapter 2: 12-17 The Letter to Thyarira ‘the church of the dark ages’ 600 A.D–Tribulation

The historical application has been lost in the sands of time, although many commentators believe that there was a woman – probably labelled ‘Jezebel’ – who had set herself up in the church at Thyatira as a prophetess, and probably bring many Babylonian ideas and teachings into the church. However, that is all just speculation. What we do know is that when looked at in the light of prophecy, this church fits like a glove the medieval church from about 600 to 1520 (which was when the reformation began – which we will look at in the next chapter).

The name Thyatira means ‘continual sacrifice’ – and is again very apt.

All we know about Thyatira from the scripture is recorded in Acts 16 (and Rev of course!)

And a certain woman named Lydia, a seller of purple, of the city of Thyatira, which worshipped God, heard us: whose heart the Lord opened, that she attended unto the things which were spoken of Paul. And when she was baptized, and her household, she besought us, saying, If ye have judged me to be faithful to the Lord, come into my house, and abide there. And she constrained us. And it came to pass, as we went to prayer, a certain damsel possessed with a spirit of divination met us, which brought her masters much gain by soothsaying: The same followed Paul and us, and cried, saying, These men are the servants of the most high God, which shew unto us the way of salvation. And this did she many days. But Paul, being grieved, turned and said to the spirit, I command thee in the name of Jesus Christ to come out of her. And he came out the same hour. Acts 16:14-18

The ‘purple’ mentioned is rather significant. It was a dye that was extracted from a plant and/or a salt-water snail, used for dying material. It is therefore interesting to note that it is the colour worn by the woman in Rev 17:4 – and is the colour worn by the priests of the Roman Catholic Church.

Rev 2:18

And unto the angel of the church in Thyatira write; These things saith the Son of God, who hath his eyes like unto a flame of fire, and his feet are like fine brass;

‘the Son of God’ is a title always used in reference to His authority. It is used here to remind the Church who is in charge. This is then backed by the idiom of ‘eyes like unto a flame of fire, and feet like fine brass – always speaking of judgment.

Jesus presents Himself as the Judge to this church.

People get scared about some silly things sometimes – this however is the time to be afraid when the Creator presents Himself to you in this way.

Rev 2:19

I know thy works, and charity, and service, and faith, and thy patience, and thy works; and the last to be more than the first.

From a prophetic standpoint, all of the churches so far have had their own period of history. However the last four churches all appear to last up until the Tribulation (or Rapture in the case of Philadelphia).

Viewed in this light, it is a matter of fact that Christians within the Roman Catholic church have done marvellous works of charity. As we look around the world we see hospitals and care homes started by the church – Buddhists do not start hospitals, Muslims do not establish care homes.  People like Mother Theresa etc. have worked tirelessly to tackle social and political injustices.

In recent years, these works have been considerable – Jesus says He knows this.

Rev 2:20

Notwithstanding I have a few things against thee, because thou sufferest that woman Jezebel, which calleth herself a prophetess, to teach and to seduce my servants to commit fornication, and to eat things sacrificed unto idols.

But Jesus is absolutely clear; He is against these Christians’ acceptance and toleration of the false religious system taught by this woman.

As we have noted, not only were these letters to be sent to real churches in the first century, with the clear intention that there would also be an application to all churches and all individuals, but we also find that in the order they are given, they lay out – in advance – the history of the church! That being so, we find that the church of Thyatira depicts the era that saw the birth and subsequent future of the Roman Catholic Church. It is no surprise therefore to see some incredible parallels between the character and nature of this woman Jezebel and the Roman Catholic Church.

• Firstly, this woman is called ‘Jezebel’.

From the Old Testament we know that Jezebel was the daughter of Ethbaal, king of the Zidonians, and was given to King Ahab of Israel, in marriage. Ethbaal was the high priest of Ashtaroth  “goddess of sensuality and fertility” and Jezebel brought with her the pagan rituals and idolatry that ending up corrupting God’s people. She was also responsible for an inquisition (see 1 Kings 21), when she had a righteous man falsely accused in order to gain property for the ‘state’.

The Roman Catholic Church also merged pagan rituals and idolatry with true Christianity, which ended up corrupting the ‘church’. The Roman Catholic Church was also responsible for the famous ‘Inquisition’, where people were burned alive, tortured and their lands given to the ‘church’. There are historical records of people being tortured to death for owning their own copy of the scriptures – something that the Roman Catholic Church could not allow for fear of people finding out the truth for themselves. Even today Catholics are not encouraged to read the Bible; apparently only the specially trained theologians of the Roman Catholic Church are able to interpret it correctly!

(For more on this see Dave Hunt’s book – “A Woman Rides the Beast”  ISBN-13: 978-1565071995 )

• Secondly, this woman Jezebel is self-appointed, “she calleth herself a prophetess”

This is also the case with the Roman Catholic Church. They profess to be in the office of St Peter – the first Pope – so they say! (This is easily disproved).

It is dubious weather Peter ever went to Rome, and even if he did, he did not establish a ‘throne’ to be inherited by his offspring, ruling over the Christian world.

And yet assuming this authority, subsequent Popes declared themselves the ‘Vicar of Christ’,   ‘Pontifas Maximus’ – the title once held by Caesar.

• Thirdly, she teaches and leads God’s servants into fornication – The history of RC church is unbelievably shocking – again, see Dave Hunt’s book if you really want to know!

• Finally, she teaches and leads God’s servants into eating things sacrificed to idols. This is exactly what is done through the Roman Catholic doctrine of ‘Transubstantiation’.

Rev 2:21

 And I gave her space to repent of her fornication; and she repented not.

God’s longsuffering – even in view of all that this ‘woman’ has done, God sill offered a way back – but she rejected it for worldly gain. Therefore…….

Rev 2:22

Behold, I will cast her into a bed, and them that commit adultery with her into great tribulation, except they repent of their deeds.

It is no accident that the great tribulation is referred to here. This wicked woman, prophetically depicting the Roman Catholic Church, will be subject to God’s wrath – a theme we will explore in more detail in Chapter 17 & 18.

However, what is significant here is that it is not just this woman who will go into the great tribulation, but those who ‘commit adultery’ with. That is, those who, rather than seek after God alone, are seduced by this woman and come under her power and authority.

The Reformation in Europe saw many give their lives to come out of the spiritual corruption in the Roman Catholic Church, yet today those fundamental differences are being eroded. Anglicans, Baptists, Methodists, Lutherans and many other Protestant group are gradually coming back under the sway of the Church of Rome, all for the sake of ‘unity’. But possibly even more significant is the fact that in January 2016 the Pope put online a prayer request, effectively calling for all religions to come together under one umbrella. The Pope made the outrageous claim that Muslims, Hindus, Jews, Christians, etc. are all worshiping the same God! This is not true, and the Bible repeatedly affirms that the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob is unique and that there is none like Him.

On the surface, this seems like the ultimate in acceptance and tolerance – all people of all faiths, religions and creeds working together for a common cause. This is seen as a good thing. But just stop and think about this for a moment: What kind of God would allow people to approach Him in any way they choose? What God would allow people to call Him by any name that suited them? What kind of God would establish a multitude of religions with contradictory beliefs and practices, see countless numbers of believers give their lives to maintain their religious freedoms and right to be different, and then reveal that actually they are all leading to the same place anyway!(?) Surely this would reveal a ruthless tyrant of a god on a par with the Roman Emperors who watched subjects in their empire fight to the death in the Coliseum? Although those that promote the ‘all roads lead to God’ philosophy hail themselves as tolerant and accepting, they are in actual fact nothing of the sort. Consider what they are saying: ‘Regardless of what you believe, regardless of your heritage, we all have to go to the same place’; they are telling us that there is only one destination for all (whether you want to go or not!). That is more narrow-minded and dogmatic than anything Jesus ever said. Jesus said there are two destinations and we each get to choose: ‘smoking’ or ‘non-smoking’! Nevertheless, the Roman Catholic Church is doing just this.

This verse also tells us that she (Jezebel/The Roman Catholic Church) and ‘they’ are not truly born again believers, for no born-again believer will go into the Tribulation. Matthew 13 tells that there are wheat and tares, each looking almost identical, yet at the time of the harvest there will be a separation, when the wheat will be gather into Christ’s barn (a beautiful picture of the Rapture) whereas the tares will be gathered into bundles – just as we are seeing – and then their destiny is to be burned – Again, the subject of Revelation 17 & 18.

Yet even in the mist of this great spiritual adultery we see God’s great Grace as He offers a way out…. ‘except they repent of what they have done’. God is not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance (2 Peter 3:9).

Another thing we can deduce from this verse is that this woman and her teaching will carry on up until (and into) the Great Tribulation. Hence we know that the scope is not intended to be just the 1^st century church at Thyatira, but a prophetic fulfilment is also in view.

Rev 2:23

 And I will kill her children with death; and all the churches shall know that I am he which searcheth the reins and hearts: and I will give unto every one of you according to your works.

Notice that it is her children (not God’s) that will be killed.

Revelation 17:5 refers to the woman as ‘Mother of Harlots’. Who are her children? The churches that came out of the Roman Catholic Church – that is all of the reformation churches and any others that she adopts – which may will include Muslims whom the Pope has declared are all saved!

God searches the ‘reins’ – the controlling influence. Are your works out of a sense of duty to your controlling influence, or are they out of a deep, personal, love for God?

It is not the works that count, but the attitude of heart behind the works.

Rev 2:24

But unto you I say, and unto the rest in Thyatira, as many as have not this doctrine, and which have not known the depths of Satan, as they speak; I will put upon you none other burden.

Not all Christians were caught up in this satanic deceit. Not all in the Roman Catholic Church or the denominational churches will be swept away with this Satanic deception. God has His own and knows each one by name, and not one shall perish who is saved by the blood of the Lamb!

Jesus doesn’t ask for anything else – no other burden – than to………

Rev 2:25

But that which ye have already hold fast till I come.

This is a staggering situation. They are not told to preach more, or evangelise, or do works of charity, but simply to hold on to what (and who) they had until Jesus comes – (the Rapture).

Rev 2:26-27

And he that overcometh, and keepeth my works unto the end, to him will I give power over the nations: And he shall rule them with a rod of iron; as the vessels of a potter shall they be broken to shivers: even as I received of my Father.

This is one of many rewards for all true Christians.

“Know ye not that we shall judge angels? how much more things that pertain to this life?” 1 Cor 6:3

“He said therefore, A certain nobleman went into a far country to receive for himself a kingdom, and to return. And he called his ten servants, and delivered them ten pounds, and said unto them, Occupy till I come. But his citizens hated him, and sent a message after him, saying, We will not have this man to reign over us. And it came to pass, that when he was returned, having received the kingdom, then he commanded these servants to be called unto him, to whom he had given the money, that he might know how much every man had gained by trading. Then came the first, saying, Lord, thy pound hath gained ten pounds. And he said unto him, Well, thou good servant: because thou hast been faithful in a very little, have thou authority over ten cities. And the second came, saying, Lord, thy pound hath gained five pounds. And he said likewise to him, Be thou also over five cities.”  Luke 19:12-19

Rev 2:28

And I will give him the morning star.

Rev 22:16 says: “I Jesus have sent mine angel to testify unto you these things in the churches. I am the root and the offspring of David, and the bright and morning star.”

The morning star is Jesus. Here we are told that Jesus will give us Himself (in marriage) to those who overcome, occupy, hold fast until He comes.

Rev 2:29

He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches.

We need to hear what each of these letters are saying, but as we go on through the letters they get more intense and therefore the call to hear becomes stronger.

“Ye are all the children of light, and the children of the day: we are not of the night, nor of darkness. Therefore let us not sleep, as do others; but let us watch and be sober.”

1 Thess 5:5-6

Next week will move into Revelation chapter 3 and look at the final three churches, Sardis, Philadelphia and Laodicea.

Every blessing,

Pastor Barry

The post Pergamos & Thyatira – Lessons for Today first appeared on Calvary Chapel Portsmouth.

• They were letters to seven churches that existed at that time, and Jesus was addressing specific concerns in those churches.
• They are also letters for each and every church, for the issues addressed in each church are experienced by all churches, and the instruction Jesus gives all do well to take heed of.
• Thirdly, the letters are written to you personally! If you have ears that is! This is worth thinking about for a moment… it means that here are seven letters written by Jesus to you – and to all believers. This means there is a very personal application to the instructions Jesus gives here.
• Finally, each successive letter lays out the prophetic history of the Church from the first century to the time of the Rapture, and culminating in the final church age that will give way to a one world church – the subject of Revelation 17 & 18.

As an aside, the Church is mentioned at least 19 times in chapters 1-5, but then conspicuously not mentioned at all from chapter 6 to 20 – the chapters that detail the events of the Tribulation. This begs the question, where is the church during the time of Tribulation?  It is certainly not in the world, for in chapter 7 we find 144,000 Jews are sealed to protect them from the coming judgments – but the Church is not mentioned. The only explanation for this is that the church is no longer on earth. We will explore this more in our study of chapter 4 & 5.

Suffice to say, we should therefore pay close attention to chapters 2 & 3, as these should be of particular interest, being the most relevant, practical and applicable chapters in Revelation to the Church on earth in these days.

As we begin to look at the 7 letters, we note that each adopts the same basic structure and outline.

1. There is some feature of the glorified Christ (whom John saw in chapter 1) that is emphasized in addressing each church. A particular characteristic is emphasized that is fitting to the particular church.
2. After the introduction Jesus begins each letter by stating: “I know thy works…..,”   He first gives a word of commendation/encouragement, and then He gives a word of condemnation/rebuke. There are, however some exceptions that should be noted. There is no word of rebuke to Smyrna or Philadelphia. Smyrna was the martyr church that was faithful unto death, and Philadelphia was the faithful ‘missionary’ church, characterized by brotherly love. Also there is nothing good said about the church at Sardis (the dead church) or Laodicea (the apostate church).

• Each letter ends with a call to understand and a promise to the overcomers. “He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith.” (NB: This phrase is only used in scripture in connection with the kingdom of God – the Church. This is because it is only the Holy Spirit filled believer that is able to understand the things of God    – (see 1 Cor 2:9-16).

There were many other churches in the Roman Empire, certainly some of them were more well know. The church at Jerusalem, the church at Antioch etc. but these seven were chosen for specific reasons as we have mentioned.

In addition, another reason may be due to the fact that they were located in the most important area of the Roman Empire during the first, second, and even third centuries. The area was important because it was where East and West met.

As far back as 2000 B.C. there was a civilization along the coast of Asia Minor (the modern west coast of Turkey). It was a beautiful area and some of the richest land was there; it also used to be the heart of the great Hittite nation (mentioned in the Old Testament). In fact, Ephesus was founded about 2000 B.C. by the Hittites, as was Smyrna (modern Izmir). Pergamum was founded later, and then Thyatira and Sardis even later still. During the time of Alexander the Great these cities rose to prominence.

Chapter 2: 1-7 The Letter to Ephesus ‘the loveless church’ 32A.D – 100 A.D.

Ephesus was the capital of Asia Minor and had a population of about two hundred thousand people. It was both the religious and commercial center of that entire area which influenced both East and West—Asia and Europe.

It was the gateway from Rome to Asia (Turkey) and the east. It was a major seaport and trade route. The road to the harbor was wide and lined with impressive marble columns with shops and trading stalls. It was a place of resorts, and the Roman emperors apparently came there for a break. It was a city constructed almost entirely of white marble, a beautiful place.

As you moved up from the harbor you passed a huge outdoor theater that could seat about twenty thousand people.

It was at Ephesus that the great temple of Diana was found – this was one of the 7 wonders of the ancient world. It was the largest Greek temple ever constructed. In it were over one hundred external columns about fifty-six feet in height, of which thirty-six were hand carved. The doors were of cypress wood; columns and walls were of Parian marble; the staircase was apparently carved out of one vine from Cyprus. Her temple was four times larger than the Parthenon at Athens, but was finally destroyed by the Goths in A.D. 256. The temple served as the bank of Asia and was the depository of vast sums of money. Ephesus was also well known for art with galleries displaying the masterpieces of ancient artists such as Praxiteles, Phidias, Scopas, and Polycletus. ‘Apelles’, a famous painting of Alexander the Great was also there. Diana was supposed to be the daughter of Zeus and sister of Apollo according to Greek mythology. But she is the same goddess worshipped by other cultures by different names, ‘Ashtoreth’ being one.

After the ministry of Paul and John, there was a tremendous Christian population in that area. It seems that Paul had his greatest ministry in the city of Ephesus, and Luke writes, “… all they which dwelt in Asia heard the word of the Lord Jesus, both Jews and Greeks” (Acts 19:10).

The impact of the gospel was great in that area, four great pillars or towers were placed at the entrance to the harbor, and upon them was the emblem of the cross. One monument was dedicated to Matthew, one to Mark, one to Luke, and one to John. Only one pillar stands there today, but it still bears the symbol of the cross. And there are other evidences of the tremendous impact of the gospel where pagan temples were later turned into churches.

Paul came to Ephesus on his third missionary journey to begin a ministry. For two years the Word of God went out from the school of Tyrannus. Of this experience Paul wrote, “For a great door and effectual is opened unto me, and there are many adversaries” (1 Cor. 16:9).

Later John, the “apostle of love” and the “son of thunder,” came to Ephesus as a pastor. He was exiled to Patmos, then after about ten years of being exiled and imprisoned, he returned to Ephesus. The Basilica of Saint John, which is located on the highest point there, is built over the traditional burial spot of the apostle John.

Rev 2:1

Unto the angel of the church of Ephesus write; These things says he that holds the seven stars in his right hand, who walks in the midst of the seven golden candlesticks lampstands;

“Unto the Pastor of the Church…”

• Jesus has given pastors to serve the church Eph 4:11
• They are not to be ‘Lords’ katakurieuo’  lit. i.e. not to ‘exercise dominion’ – 1 Peter 5:3
• But they are to be ‘poimen’ lit. shepherds that tend & feed His sheep – John 21:15-17

“Christ holds the seven messengers of these churches in His right hand, a place of sovereign protection as well as divine authority over them” – John Walvoord

We should also note that Jesus is in the midst of the church. How different would we be, and how differently would we ‘do church’ if we really realised that He is walking in the midst of the church today? It’s His church not ours, He paid for it and has entrusted it to us. Are we being faithful with what He’s given us? Are we doing all things without murmurings and disputing? (Phil 2:14) Are we bearing one another’s burdens? (Gal 6:2) – When was the last time you did this? Are we loving each other? (1 John 4:20)

He has forgiven us and told us to forgive each other (no matter what has been done). He has loved us and told us to love each other in the same way.

Next time you say something unkind about another Christian, just consider that Jesus could be

walking by just at that moment. …who walketh in the midst of the seven golden lampstands

Rev 2:2

I know thy works… This is both good and bad. Jesus sees what we’ve been doing in secret and will reward us openly (Matt 6:3-4). But Jesus also sees the things that we have been doing in secret – you know the things that you thought no-one else knew about, the things muttered under your breath, the thoughts of envy, or anger, or lust – He knows.

To the Ephesian Christians Jesus says that  He has been watching and knows what they have been doing for Him …and thy labour, – the Greek meaning of this word means ‘labour to the point of exhaustion’. Jesus also notes their patience …and thy patience, – this literally means ‘endurance’, a heart to persevere. Without pressure we endure just great! But when something goes wrong, how do we acquit ourselves!

These were great Christians who endured under great persecution. Jesus commended them for this and adds …and how you cannot bear them which are evil:

How much evil are we prepared to bear? How often do we tolerate evil for the sake of ‘peace’ in our county, community or family? When was the last time we stood up for the truth?

Calvary Pastor Gail Erwin, talking about church discipline said that we should restore the sinner, remove the person that causes divisions and reconcile with the person we have personal problems with. But he then added that sadly many churches have it backward. We restore the person that causes division, we remove the sinner, and we never reconcile with the person we have problems with!

Pastor Joe Focht said: ‘A healthy body heals itself – it has an immune system. The church at Ephesus was healthy enough to put out those who would infect. When a person is infecting other people it’s time to put them out.’

…….and thou hast tried them which say they are apostles, and are not, and hast found them liars:

This was a real feather in their cap. Paul would have been delighted. In Acts 20:28-31 in his final talk with the Elders of the Ephesian church, he said the following:

“Take heed therefore unto yourselves, and to all the flock, over the which the Holy Ghost hath made you overseers, to feed the church of God, which he hath purchased with his own blood. For I know this, that after my departing shall grievous wolves enter in among you, not sparing the flock. Also of your own selves shall men arise, speaking perverse things, to draw away disciples after them. Therefore watch, and remember, that by the space of three years I ceased not to warn every one night and day with tears.”

Paul’s warnings had paid off. They had been vigilant and held fast to the Word that had been taught.

Sometimes we can be criticized for warning about false teachers and the dodgy doctrine that flows from many pulpits, because apparently ‘it’s not positive’ or ‘encouraging’. Let me ask, if a Doctor knows that something you are taking could kill you, what kind of a Doctor would he be if he didn’t tell you because he might upset you?

Paul was with the Ephesian Christians for three years and warned them all, night and day, with tears. Do you think you are above being deceived? Deception is subtle – that’s why it works!

99.95% of rat poison is nutritious, that why rat’s like it. But the 0.05% IS ENOUGH TO KILL THEM!

Jesus said don’t be deceived – particularly in these last days when scripture tells us that there will be a great falling away! “Now the Spirit speaketh expressly, that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils; Speaking lies in hypocrisy; having their conscience seared with a hot iron;” (1 Tim 4:1-2)

The only way safeguard against deception is to know the Word of God, being so familiar with it that when counterfeits come along, you can spot them a mile off. “Take heed unto thyself, and unto the doctrine; continue in them: for in doing this you shall both save yourself, and those that hear you.”  (1 Tim 4:16)

Rev 2:3

And have borne, and have patience, and for my name’s sake have laboured, and have not fainted.

Summery of the Ephesian’s good points that we can learn from:

Jesus likes:

• Workers – those who are active as Christians
• Labourers – those who carry on to the point of exhaustion
• Those who endure under pressure, of whatever kind
• Those who can’t bear with evil/infectious sinners who are destructive in the body of Christ
• Those who have enough discernment to test false teachers
• Those who have borne and not fainted
• Those who do all of this for His name sake

Rev 2:4

Nevertheless I have somewhat against thee, because thou hast left thy first love.

When Jesus says ‘nevertheless’ you can almost feel an awkward silence where you could hear a pin drop.

This church had been so busy in the service of the King that they had forgotten about the King; and it is Jesus Himself that has to bring it to their attention.

It is a sad fact that almost 2000 years after the Ephesian Christians heard this report of themselves, Christians today are still busy ‘doing things’ for God when all God really wants is their love.

Oswald Chambers said: ‘We have to get rid of this notion—“Am I of any use?” and make up our minds that we are not, and we may be near the truth. It is never a question of being of use, but of being of value to God Himself. When we are abandoned to God, He works through us all the time.’ (My Utmost For His Highest)

In Luke 10:38-42 we read: “Now it came to pass, as they went, that he entered into a certain village: and a certain woman named Martha received him into her house. And she had a sister called Mary, which also sat at Jesus’ feet, and heard his word. But Martha was cumbered about much serving, and came to him, and said, Lord, dost thou not care that my sister hath left me to serve alone? bid her therefore that she help me. And Jesus answered and said unto her, Martha, Martha, thou art careful and troubled about many things: But one thing is needful: and Mary hath chosen that good part, which shall not be taken away from her.”

Jesus just wants us to sit at His feet and hear His word. Too many of us are like Martha, so into our serving that we haven’t got time for our Saviour. We need to realize that God doesn’t need us to accomplish His plans. If God does use us, praise Him for the opportunity, and give willingly, but we must never let it detract us from our no. #1 priority – our relationship with Him.

The story is told in New England, America, about two girls who worked in a cotton mill. They were friends, but when one of them quit working there, they lost touch with each other. Finally, they met one day on the street. The working girl asked her friend,  “Are you still working?” “No,” she said, “I got married!” When that girl worked in the mill, she watched the clock, and every evening when five o’clock came, she had her coat on and was on her way out. It was hard work, and she didn’t like it. Now she is married and she says that she has quit working.

Well, if you could look at her life, you wouldn’t think she had quit working. She gets up earlier than ever before to prepare breakfast for her husband and to pack his lunch. Then she throws her arms around him as she tells him good-bye. All day long she is busy cleaning house and washing clothes and caring for two little brats who are two little angels to her because they are hers. Then when five o’clock comes, she doesn’t put on her coat and leave; she starts cooking dinner. About six o’clock here comes her husband. She is right there at the door to throw her arms around him and tell him how much she has missed him that day. When a man comes home in the evening, opens the door, and hears a voice from upstairs or from the rear of the house calling, “Is that you?”, he knows the honeymoon is over. But this girl is in love. Her husband’s workday is over, but hers has only just gotten started. She serves dinner to her husband and feeds the children. Then she washes the dishes, puts the children to bed—and that’s not easy—and works around getting things ready for her husband for the next day. I tell you, she is weary when she finally gets into bed—but she’s not working anymore, she says! Why? Because she is in love. That’s the difference.

My friend, when your home life and your church, life become a burden, there is something wrong with your relationship with Christ. When you get that straightened out, other things will straighten out also. This is the reason the Lord Jesus said to the Ephesian believers, “You are getting away from your first love, your best love.”    (J Vernon McGee)

The love that Jesus says that the Ephesian Christians had left was the ‘love of espousal’.

This is the love that a newly married husband and wife would share.

When two people fall in love the effects are amazing! Everything else in the world is unimportant; it’s almost as if no one else exists. When you’re apart you count the hours ‘till you’re together again. She wears the clothes he likes; he stars washing and using deodorant. Love will cause you to wait until the person is all the way in the car before you close the door! Love will cause you to eat in a place with a menu that you don’t have to drive by! This kind of love seeks to excel and knows no limits. This is what the love of espousal is like.

Have you seen couples who are in love? They are often all giggly together, wear matching jumpers, swap key rings or whatever, all they talk about is each other.

But there was a time in our Christian experience when we used to be like. There was an excitement and passion in our relationship with Jesus – and other people couldn’t help noticing. But now we’ve matured, we’ve become ‘sensitive’ to others. We don’t want to offend anyone or jam it down people’s throats. I suppose that we think we might be able to boar people into the kingdom instead! But that is not how it should be; something’s missing – Our first love.

How different would this coming week be of you removed Jesus from your life? How much more time would you have if you didn’t pray this week? Or read the Bible?

If the answer is that your week would hardly be any different, then it’s time to stop and remember how it used to be.

Notice what Jesus says: they have not lost it, they’ve left it – it is a willful act. Other things have got in the way. Jesus is no longer no#1.

Don’t let the situation continue. Why not stop even now, and let the Holy Spirit rekindle the fire in our heart. He is only ever a prayer away, and He has never stopped loving you!

Rev 2:5

Remember (keep remembering) therefore from whence thou art fallen, and repent, and do the first works; or else I will come unto thee quickly, and will remove thy candlestick out of his place, except thou repent.

“Or else I will come unto thee quickly, and will remove the candlestick out of his place, except thou repent.” Christ says that He will remove your lampstand. Oh, how many churches in our day have been practically closed. Once the crowds came, but they don’t come anymore because the Word of God is no longer being taught. My friend, Christ is still watching the lamps, and He doesn’t mind trimming the wicks or even using the snuffer when they refuse to give light.  (J.V. McGee)

Rev 2:6

But this thou hast, that thou hate the deeds of the Nicolaitans, which I also hate.

Nicolaitans is a compound word. Nikao means “to conquer” and laos means “the people.”

Nike – as in the trainers – to be victorious We get our word ‘laity’ from the same root – laos.

These were a group of people with roots in pagan religions that were trying to create a division between the ‘clergy’ and the ‘laity’. They act as the people’s representatives before God, thus people could afford to be a little less concerned about their ‘religion’, because they didn’t have to answer directly to God anymore.

Jesus hates this! Imagine what it would be like if you found that somebody was trying to come between you and your husband/wife. Or if you discovered that another person was coming between you and your children. How would this make you feel?

The Ephesians hated it and so did Jesus.

NB: In this letter we see the deeds of the Nicolaitans, by the time we reach Pergamos it has become the doctrine of the Nicolaitas.

Rev 2:7

He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches; To him that overcometh will I give to eat of the tree of life, which is in the midst of the paradise of God.

God wants to give His best to those who love Him.

We will enjoy face-to-face fellowship with God as Adam & Eve did.

Chapter 2: 8-11 The Letter to Smyrna ‘the persecuted church’ 100 A.D. – 313 A.D.

‘Smyrna’ means ‘bitterness’ and implies suffering – it comes from the same root as myrrh.

Smyrna is about 35 miles north of Ephesus, on the coast of the Aegean Sea. Today, with a population of over 200,000, it is now known as Ismir. The city goes back to about 2000 BC when a Hittite city was built around the slope of Mount Pagos. Later Alexander rebuilt it into the beautiful city that it became. About 200 BC the people became allied to the Roman cause and it was where the Roman republic began to form.

Romans called the city “The Beauty of Asia” and it was where a statue to the Roman goddess was located and eventually became a place of Emperor/Cesar worship. This was to be the trigger that started the persecution of the church. In 26AD they were awarded the honour (ahead of other cities) to have the temple of Emperor Tiberius built there. (This was a bit like countries today bid to hold the Olympic games).

As we have mentioned, Smyrna was on the slopes of Mount Pagos, on top of which was an acropolis. Smyrna was called the crown city (see verse 10) because the acropolis was encircled with flowers, a hedge, and myrtle trees which from a distance looked like a crown. The city had buildings and many beautiful temples such as the temple of Zeus, the temple of Cybele (Diana), the temple of Aphrodite, the temple of Apollo, and the temple of Asclepius. Smyrna also had a theater and an ‘odeum’ which is a music center—it was regarded as the home of music. In addition to this, there was a famous stadium, and it was at that stadium that Polycarp, bishop of Smyrna and student of the apostle John, was martyred by being burnt alive in a.d. 155.

The people of Smyrna had for some time worshipped dead emperors, and it wasn’t long before they stated to worship the living emperors as well. Emperor worship became enforced with each citizen being required to obtain a certificate as proof that they had burned incense on the alter to Cesar. Needless to say, the Christians refused.

The Jews (who according to Roman rule were exempt from emperor worship), seeing this as a way of getting rid of their ‘enemies’ had stirred up the people against the Christians, and so it was that they went searching for Polycarp.

Polycarp, disciple of John, had been the pastor of the church for many years. His friends had moved him to a farm, but it became known, so they moved him to another farm, but two boys were captured who knew where they had taken him and were forced to tell the Roman soldiers the location. When the Roman soldiers arrived at the farm where Polycarp was, they found him asleep. However God had revealed to him in a vision that they were coming and he had already prepared them a meal. He requested that while they ate, he could pray for an hour. They were so overwhelmed that they agreed to his terms. He prayed for two hours for everyone he had know in his life, no doubt praying also for the soldiers who would have heard everything. Eventually they took him to the Roman Proconsul, who offered Polycarp the chance to recant and worship Cesar, but he said: “These 86 years I have followed Jesus and he has done me no wrong, I cannot deny Him now” They told him that if he didn’t worship Cesar he would be thrown to the beasts. However, by then it was too late because the ‘games’ had finished for the day; so instead they made a bonfire with Polycarp in the middle. When they lit it the flames, they just seemed to go up avoiding him, so in desperation a Roman soldier ran in and stabbed him with a sword. The blood came out and apparently put out the fire! – but Polycarp died.

Rather than crushing Christianity, the news of Polycarp’s death motivated the Christians and gave them renewed determination and courage. In order to try and stop the spread of this ‘new religion’ something had to be done. History records that shortly after the death of Polycarp, 15,000 believers were slaughtered in one day; and a few months later another 800 were killed.

Tetulien (an early church leader who was a lawyer converted from paganism) famously said that: “The blood of the martyrs is the seed of the church.”

And Tertulien records that the church became the scapegoat if anything went wrong.

“If the Tiber river overflows it’s banks, or if the Nile has remained in it’s bed, if the sky has become still, or if the earth in commotion, if death has made it’s devastations, or famine it’s afflictions, the cry of Rome is always: this is the fault of the Christians!”

The same cry is being heard in the world today. It’s the Christians fault! We are nowadays often being presented as intolerant and a fundamentalist minority. One confirmation of this a few years ago was at the American Convention for World Peace, where it was stated that: “The greatest roadblock to world peace is the fundamental Christians” –  So as Pastor Joe Focht said: “I wish we’d all just disappear and they can have it!” That day is not too far away!

As mentioned, the name Smyrna comes from the same root as Myrrh – which gives off a sweet smell when it is crushed, and it is used for embalming. What a sweet smell it must have been for the Lord as His servants chose Him even at the cost of their lives. I’ve heard it said that when you crush a lemon you get lemon juice; an apple, apple juice – so when you crush a Christian you should get Christ.

Rev 2:8

And unto the angel of the church in Smyrna write; These things saith the first and the last, which was dead, and is alive;

“Who became dead, and lived” has a real message for martyrs. Christ’s experience with death identified Him with the millions who were martyred during this period. (According to Fox’s Book of Martyrs, five million believers died for Christ during this period.) Christ was triumphant over death and can save to the uttermost those who are enduring persecution and martyrdom.

NB: There have been more Christians martyred in the last one hundred years than in the whole history of the church to that point. Those of us who are not being persecuted really should ‘make hay while the sun shines’, it may not last – and we should also pray for our brothers and sisters who are suffering around the world.

Rev 2:9

I know thy works…  – labouring to the point of exhaustion …and tribulation,.

I know……….. “When answers aren’t enough, there is Jesus, He is more than just an answer to your prayers” (Scott Wesley Brown – Christian Recording Artist)

Pastor Joe Focht recalls a situation at his church (Calvary Chapel Philadelphia) of a Christian lady whose husband who died of cancer. Before he died her husband, although initially wanting nothing to do with the church, became a Christian; not through anyone preaching but simply by seeing the way the church rallied round and helped him an his wife – just Christian love in action. 1-year later another lady in the church lost her husband in the same way, Joe was there to try and console, but was lost for words – in walked the lady who had lost her husband the year before and simply put her arms around the other lady and said “I know”.

Jesus doesn’t promise to deliver us from trials and temptations, but in the midst of them He says ‘I know’. He knows the pain we experience. See John 11:35 “Jesus wept”

He understands the pain of loss. John 17:33 – “In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world”

 …and poverty, (but thou art rich)

Their treasure was in heaven, where it will not decay but awaits them.

There are two words for poverty in the Greek. The one that is used here denotes abject poverty, they had lost everything on account of their faith in Jesus. They had been forced from their jobs, their homes repossessed – all because they would not bow the knee to Cesar.

Maybe they didn’t have enough faith(?)! So many of today’s TV evangelists would claim. In credibly TV evangelist Linda Roberts boldly stated:

“we can all be wealthy and prosperous! Jesus took all our poverty and sickness and buried them in hell – that’s why He had to go to hell for 3 days before rising – to dump all the rubbish! If we are sick or not prospering financially, it is because we have sinned and dragged back up from hell what Jesus intended us to get rid of!’

This is an abominable heresy, and yet, sadly many Christians watch this stuff and are deceived into thinking it’s true.

“If anyone teaches otherwise and does not consent to wholesome words, even the words of our Lord Jesus Christ, and to the doctrine which accords with godliness, he is proud, knowing nothing, but is obsessed with disputes and arguments over words, from which come envy, strife, reviling, evil suspicions, useless wranglings of men of corrupt minds and destitute of the truth, who suppose that godliness is a means of gain. From such withdraw yourself.”  (1 Tim 6:3-5)

The Christians in Smyrna had lost everything because of their love for Jesus. We should never forget the people who have died for the faith; they are our brothers and sisters.

The question has to be asked again: Do we really love Him? Is He first in our lives? Above everything we have and own? Above our own plans and dreams? Are we prepared to give up absolutely everything for Him? It might not be too long before you really have to face that question.

Again, He says: “I know your works…” To the Church at Smyrna it was a great comfort, but do those words make us feel uncomfortable? Should we be doing more? Are we rich or poor – and in whose eyes?

There must have been great love in this church, they could have given in, but they stuck together.

…and I know the blasphemy of them which say they are Jews, and are not,

There would seem to be two options as to what this verse means:

1)  ‘Not everyone is a Jew who is a descendent of Abraham’

Therefore bear fruits worthy of repentance, and do not begin to say to yourselves, ‘We have Abraham as our father.’ For I say to you that God is able to raise up children to Abraham from these stones. (Luke 3:8)

But it is not that the word of God has taken no effect. For they are not all Israel who are of Israel, nor are they all children because they are the seed of Abraham; but, “In Isaac your seed shall be called.”  That is, those who are the children of the flesh, these are not the children of God; but the children of the promise are counted as the seed. (Rom 9:6-9)

The idea here is that in God’s eyes, your family history didn’t make you a Jew – one of God’s chosen. It was for those who believe the promise, by faith, in the One who would come.

At this time there were some Jews boasting that they were ‘safe’ because they were related to Abraham.

This is a fairly common view, and it may be correct, but I strongly favour the 2^nd idea.

2)  The second option is what is known as ‘Replacement theology’ – yet it also applies to Islam.

The suggestion here is (and we know from the book of Acts) there were those going around saying God had abandoned Israel and that now all of the promises given to Israel would fall on the church (and again, Islam believe the same – that they have now inherited the promises God had originally given to Israel). In the book of Romans Paul meets this head on:

I say then, has God cast away His people? Certainly not! For I also am an Israelite, of the seed of Abraham, of the tribe of Benjamin.  God has not cast away His people whom He foreknew.” (Rom 11:1-2)

I say then, have they stumbled that they should fall? Certainly not! But through their fall, to provoke them to jealousy, salvation has come to the Gentiles. Now if their fall is riches for the world, and their failure riches for the Gentiles, how much more their fullness!  Rom 11:11-12

And if some of the branches were broken off, and you, being a wild olive tree, were grafted in among them, and with them became a partaker of the root and fatness of the olive tree, do not boast against the branches. But if you do boast, remember that you do not support the root, but the root supports you.  You will say then, “Branches were broken off that I might be grafted in.” Well said. Because of unbelief they were broken off, and you stand by faith. Do not be haughty, but fear. For if God did not spare the natural branches, He may not spare you either. Rom 11:17-22

For I do not desire, brethren, that you should be ignorant of this mystery, lest you should be wise in your own opinion, that blindness in part has happened to Israel until the fullness of the Gentiles has come in. Rom 11:25

See also Acts 15:12-17 where James talks about the future of Israel once all the Church has been gathered in. This was obviously in answer to the question: ‘What happens to Israel’?

What is blasphemy? Well, it can be defined as “the act of cursing, slandering, reviling or showing contempt or lack of reverence for God”.

The reason that ‘replacement theology’ in all its guises is blasphemy is because it is a slander against the nature of God because it makes Him to be a liar, suggesting that He has broken the unconditional promises given to Israel. See Deut 30:1-6, 2 Samuel & Jeremiah 31:35-37 to start with! See also Genesis 15 (God’s covenant with Abraham)

…but are the synagogue of Satan 

Satan controls the hearts and minds of all those who do not believe.

But avoid foolish and ignorant disputes, knowing that they generate strife. And a servant of the Lord must not quarrel but be gentle to all, able to teach, patient, in humility correcting those who are in opposition, if God perhaps will grant them repentance, so that they may know the truth, and that they may come to their senses and escape the snare of the devil, having been taken captive by him to do his will. (2 Tim 2:23-26)

Rev 2:10

Fear none of those things which thou shalt suffer: behold, the devil shall cast some of you into prison, that ye may be tried;  – These warnings were to be future – prophetic – this was not necessarily going to happen immediately. Also, if the warning was just for the 1^st century church, why was only this church warned? Ephesus was just ‘down the road’ and yet no warning was given to it or the other ‘local’ churches. This again confirms that the churches are also to be viewed prophetically as ages of the church.

Notice that it is the devil who will cause for them to be cast into prison. This is in accord with Ephesians 6: “we wrestle not against flesh and blood….” Men may be the tools that the devil will use to perform his schemes, but the power behind them comes from the father of lies.

The procedure under Roman government was to put you in prison until the case came before the government officials, who would than decide your fate: usually either banishment (to somewhere like Patmos) or a date with the lions!

…and ye shall have tribulation ten days:

This time period may refer to ten literal days; but there is no historical record that this was the case. It is more likely to refer to ten distinct persecutions under the Roman emperors who preceded Constantine, this we do know from history;

Nero—64–68 (Paul was beheaded under his reign)

Domitian—95–96 (John was exiled during that period)

Trajan—104–117 (Ignatius was burned at the stake)

Marcus Aurelius—161–180 (Polycarp was martyred)

Severus—200–211

Maximinius—235–237

Decius—250–253

Valerian—257–260

Aurelian—270–275

Diocletian—303–313 (the worst emperor of all).

….be thou faithful unto death, and I will give thee a crown of life.

James 1:12 – Blessed is the man that endureth temptation (adversity): for when he is tried, he shall receive the crown of life, which the Lord hath promised to them that love him.

Crowns

Crown of Life James 1:12 / Crown of Incorruption / Perseverance 1 Cor 9:25   / Crown of Rejoicing 1 Thes 2:19 / Crown of Glory 1 Peter 5:4 /  Crown of Righteousness 2 Tim 4:8 /

Rev 2:10

He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches; He that overcometh shall not be hurt of the second death.

If you are born once you’ll die twice. If you are born twice, you’ll die once.

Next week we will continue our study in Revelation 2 & 3.

Every blessing,

Pastor Barry.

The post Ephesus & Smyrna – Lessons for today first appeared on Calvary Chapel Portsmouth.