#564
In all our petitions, failures, confessions, and need as
individuals we go to GOD as our FATHER... but in everything
relating to church conduct, we go to Him Who is the Head of the
church.
REVELATION 1, Verses 1-11
Yesterday we finished reading of God's people living under
kings and God's law, today we start reading a Book of how God
evaluates His people; how they lived under His grace up to the end
of His testing time. Failure under God's favour. Such is the heart
of man. The lake of fire for the unsaved...glory with Christ
forever, for the redeemed. God revealed this and gave it to
Jesus to show to His servants. The book shows us what Jesus has
been doing since He went to heaven, and what He is going to do
very soon.
The book was written by the Apostle John who had been banished
by the Roman Emperor, to a little Island in the Mediterranean.
There are sections to the book. The first is in the first three
chapters and is about our present time. It was written 2,000 years
ago, before anything in the present "Day of grace" took place.
Rev 1:3 and chapter 22:6-7. These promises are for you and me.
We will enjoy them if we are willing to obey. In this Book God
shows us His "blueprint" of the future. Yet people say that they
wish they knew what is going to happen in the world! As you read
this Book, keep your eye on Christ. (Look at the first five words!)
If our eye is on Him, our mind shall understand, and our heart
shall be warmed.
Rev 1:5 The Lord Jesus Christ is all-powerful and yet all love.
A beautiful verse. Memorize it.
Rev 1:7 This is His coming in glory (with us, not for us).
Rev 1:8-11 The apostle John was made a prisoner because he
preached about Jesus. He wrote seven letters to seven assemblies
of believers in these seven cities. Although Satan may have
thought he was getting rid of the apostle John, God meets him on
that island called Patmos. It's still there. Through him, God
gives us the guide book through the rest of time into eternity!
#565
Prayers on earth are incense in heaven. Rev. 5:8.
REVELATION 1 Verses 12-20
Rev 1:12-16 These verses describe the Lord Jesus as He watches
those who profess to be Christians. "Christendom", as it is called,
is made up of all the people who call themselves Christians. The
Lord gives us details of how powerful and all-seeing He is. We do
not see the Lord Jesus here in the way we generally know Him, that
is, as Head of the body (Col. 1:18) or as the One Who is praying
always for us (Heb. 7:25). But we see Him here as a Judge Who sees
into every detail of the life of every true believer in Him. This
should bring encouragement and confidence to each of us believers,
for then we realize that, as we pass through difficulties because
we are faithful to Him, He sees us and provides us with the
necessary strength to keep on for Him - 2 Cor. 12:9.
Rev 1:20 The seven golden candlesticks represent the seven
assemblies in these seven cities to which he is now going to
write, one by one.
#566
The power of our prayers depends upon our spiritual condition.
REVELATION 2, Verses 1-7
These two chapters (2 & 3) are very helpful to us if we read
them carefully. They are made up of seven letters written to seven
different cities where believers lived. In each a different
spiritual condition exists. Just as in the case of individuals.
The Spirit of God has shown us that all these seven letters are
telling the then future from the day of Pentecost, when the Holy
Spirit came down to earth, right until the day the Lord Jesus
comes for the believers. All written before it took place!
Now a word about "the church". First read the following
Scriptures, 1 Cor. 12:12-13, also 10:16-17. Connect these with
Eph. 1:22 and 23. Also 4:15 & 16 and 5:23. If you are a believer
in the Lord Jesus Christ, you are in the one and only church which
scripture allows. You are also in the one body too, for the church
and the body are the same thing. Eph. 1:22,23 says it plainly.
Think about that carefully.
Rev 2:7, 11, 17, 29 and chapter 3:6. 13 & 22 have the same
words. Only true believers in the Lord Jesus Christ have spiritual
ears to understand the message of Scripture. But are we using
them?
Rev 2:1-7 Ephesus is our first letter. This assembly or church
is mentioned in Acts 20:17-38, I Cor. 15:32, I Tim. 1:3, II Tim.
1:18 and of course the whole book of Ephesians. The Lord tells us
that He could see something very seriously wrong - they had left
their first love. When we first accept Christ as Saviour, there is
great love in our heart toward Him. But, unless we are careful,
this love grows cold. When this happens, discernment, joy and
power go out of our life.
Rev 2:1-3 A blessing is promised to each one of us who reads
and hears this book. In history, the period covered by this
letter, took place in the first centuries after Pentecost.
#567
By asking in the Name of Christ, is more than having a title
through His Name; it is, indeed, to appear before God with all the
value and authority of that Name.
REVELATION 2, Verses 8-29
Rev 2:8-11 Smyrna; the word means "myrrh" (the sorrows of
persecution). This covers the time when the believers went through
a dreadful time of persecution in the third century. No fault is
found with the believers during this time. Persecution drove them
close to Christ. "Ten days" may represent ten dreadful persecution
periods under ten Roman dictators.
Rev 2:12-17 Pergamos means "much married". Satan now changes
his methods. Instead of persecuting the believers, he led
unbelievers to become nominal Christians. In the time of
Constantine (about AD 288 to 337) thousands of this Roman
Emperor's subjects became Christians (some in name only). The
believers allowed these people among them. We read of the
result... May we take this warning to ourselves. The political
world and the religious world were married.
Rev 2:18-29 Thyatira. This period was when the Roman Catholic
church dominated. Corruption is here, and the Lord speaks very
severely.
Rev 2:20 "Jezebel"- this was the name of the wicked woman who
was married to one of the kings of Judah. 1 Kings 16:30,31 and
21:25. She is a type of what was happening spiritually here.
#568
Prayers and praise go in pairs. They have praises who have
prayers.
REVELATION 3
Rev 3:1-6 Sardis can be a picture of Protestantism. She escaped
from Rome, but soon sank into worldliness and politics.
Rev 3:1 "Thou hast a name that thou livest, and art dead". It
was a name that should have had life, but here we see spiritual
death. We need to think this over carefully. Are we just shrugging
our shoulders, and going on carelessly? There is not one good word
said of this group.
Rev 3:7-13 Philadelphia. This is a beautiful description of a
happy condition. Christ Himself is in the midst. Notice the
encouraging things said to those who lived for the Lord. This
letter does not describe any particular time, but rather presents
to us those who stand for the truth of God. It is faithfulness to
the Lord Himself which can exist in any period of this "day of
grace".
Rev 3:14-22 Laodicea. Not definite evil in doctrine that is
condemned here, but of being taken up with money and things.
Profit and pleasure are the two great attractions Satan sets
before people. They did not know that they really were wretched,
poor, blind and naked. These are not true believers, but
professors only mixed in among true believers.
Rev 3:19-22 The true believers. But even with them, Christ is
outside, and has to be knocking on the heart's door to be invited
in! He does not do this to an unbeliever. The unbeliever first
needs a new heart. Laodicea is a description of our western world
just before the Lord comes for us.
#569
There needs to be more fear that we will not hear the Lord,
than He will not hear us.
REVELATION 4
The second section of the book commences. The third chapter
ends prophetically with the coming of the Lord Jesus for the
believers, so now this chapter takes us over into the events which
will take place after "the church" (the true believers) is taken
to heaven. So between chapters 3 and 4 the "rapture" of the
believers to heaven has evidently taken place, for now the
believers are seen in heaven. A throne is seen, and God on that
throne, but described to us in a form which could be seen.
Rev 4:4 The 24 elders can be a picture of all the redeemed
people; 12 representing the Old Testament days, and 12 "the
church" of the New Testament. The seats are thrones, these elders
are sitting as kingly priests with crowns on their heads. If you
are a believer in the Lord Jesus Christ, then this scene in heaven
is describing your position there!
Rev 4:6-9 The "four beasts", or living ones, are a picture of
power, firmness, intelligence and speed, in carrying out God's
orders. Or, they can be understood better as Majesty (the lion),
Endurance, (the ox), Intelligence (the man), and Rapidity (the
eagle). These show us the great government of God.
Rev 4:10-11 God is worshipped by all as Creator. (Different in
tomorrow's chapter).
#570
I pray in regards to my needs... I worship in the sense of what
I have in God.
REVELATION 5, Verses 1-7
The glory of the Slain Lamb, the Lord Jesus Christ, as the
Redeemer, opens up before us. He has won the rights to the earthly
inheritance. This wonderful chapter contains four different
visions (1) "I saw" v. 1; (2) "I saw" v. 2; (3) "I beheld" v. 6;
(4) "I beheld" v. 11. The One Who sits upon the throne has a
"book" in His right hand. This book contains details of the future
events to take place on the earth.
Rev 5:2-5 Who could be worthy to open such a book? No man was
found.
Rev 5:5-7 The Lion of the tribe of Judah (Jesus) was the only
One found worthy to do this! Prophesied about far back in Genesis
49:9-10. It is wonderful to see how Revelation (the last Book) has
some of its beginnings seen in Genesis (the first Book). See also
Hebrews 7:14. But when John looked, he saw a Lamb as it had been
slain (Jesus, of course). What a sight this must have been to the
Apostle John, sitting on a tiny island in the Mediterranean Sea.
#571
When I go to God to worship, it is as occupied with the One Who
is perfectly acceptable to God.
REVELATION 5, Verses 8-14
Rev 5:8-14 All in heaven once more burst out in praise and
adoration to God. But now seen as the Redeemer (verse 9). "Lord"
by right of creation in chapter 4; "Lord" by right of redemption
in this chapter.
Rev 5:9-10 The inside group is made up only of redeemed people.
They sing saying "Thou art worthy". They speak directly to Him.
Rev 5:11-12 The next circle is the angels, hundreds of millions
of them. They speak of the Lord and say "He". Because they never
sinned they don't know Him as Saviour.
Rev 5:13 The outside circle... the whole creation; the
"Hallelujah" chorus rolls through the universe.
#572
Peter's fall began by want of dependence and neglecting prayer.
REVELATION 6
This chapter gives the answer to the question often asked today
"Why does God allow all the evil to go on and on in this world?"
This "book" referred to in 5:2-5 had seven seals, which are to
be broken open, one by one. It is the book of God's judgment
(punishments). But the details are in symbols. The horses may
represent: (1) v. 2 A white horse and rider: a victorious
conqueror. (2) v. 4 Red horse; wars and civil upheavals. (3) v.5
Black horse; mourning and famine, (4) v. 8 Pale horse; pestilence
(it is referred to in Ezekiel 14:21). The riders representing
those who control these things. God, for thousands of years has
been silent, watching, listening to every word said, allowing
Satan to be the god of this world - 2 Cor. 4:4, enduring the
insults (and yet never losing control). And now He intervenes!
People plan for a better world! But evil shall get worse and
worse, and shall go on till Satan is worshipped.
These are the events to take place on earth after the believers
are taken to heaven. The world will go on just as it goes on the
day before the Lord Jesus comes. Business will continue, many
churches will be the same. Everything will go on as before, for a
little while. Then the trouble will start.
Rev 6:9-11 Those Jews who are killed for preaching the gospel
of the kingdom (that the King - the Lord Jesus is coming back to
set up His kingdom).
Rev 6:12-17 Dreadful! The governments - federal down to civil
(town) will collapse. There is terror and utter despair
everywhere. People are crying out to die, but worse is to come.
#573
Our prayer should be... "May those who are too weak to pray be
able to lean on the Lord."
REVELATION 7
Rev 7:1-8 This chapter interrupts the description of the sixth
chapter... it ended with the sixth seal. Many in Israel are going
to believe the Lord, and turn to Him. They are going to be
preserved through these dreadful days.
Rev 7:9-17 These are Gentiles, not Jews. Those who have
believed the preaching of the gospel of the kingdom. (See Matthew
24:14 and verses 36-41. Notice that in verse 40 and 41 it is the
reverse of the "rapture" for those were the unbelievers who
disappear).
#574
Israel crossed the Red Sea under the protection of the cloud...
and crossed the Jordan under the shelter of the Ark.
REVELATION 8
The seventh seal introduces the seven trumpets. They are like a
final call. And they sound over all the western nations of the
world. All these nations at this time have turned away from God.
Rev 8:6-13 You can realize that this is the awful future of the
proud nations which today go under the name of being Christian.
Rev 8:13 Here is the announcement of the climax of awful
punishment to come on the earth. But particularly the western
world.
#575
Today Israel has neither the true God , nor false god, nor
king, nor priest, nor sacrifice. But after the rapture, a remnant
among the Jews (Judah & Benjamin) shall have their eyes opened and
see Jehovah their God, and David their King ! All unbelievers of
all 12 tribes shall be destroyed.
REVELATION 9
Rev 9:1 A star - (someone in great political power), falls from
the heavens.
Rev 9:1-3 Dreadful calamities come on the earth as a result of
his coming. The bottomless pit is opened. What a terrible day that
will be for this poor world of the unsaved. And just to realize
too that all this will take place shortly after the Lord Jesus has
taken the believers to heaven. We believers will not pass through
the tribulation - 3:10. Satan's power is seen increasing in these
3 verses. (The Holy Spirit which is on earth today, holds back
Satan's power. But at that time, the Holy Spirit has gone back to
heaven, and Satan will have great power).
Rev 9:4-6 Many Jews will not believe the gospel of the coming
kingdom, and these verses describe those unbelieving Jews.
Rev 9:7-21 Forms of wickedness which before this have been held
back, will now break out. These verses seem to be referring to the
East (Euphrates river - verse 14).
#576
The believing remnant shall become the true nation of God and
the fulfillment of Romans 11:26, "Then all Israel shall be saved".
They shall bow their heart before Jehovah. The basis of their
blessing shall no longer be the keeping of the law, but the New
Covenant which has, as its foundation, the precious blood of their
once-rejected Messiah.
REVELATION 10
Once more there is an interruption (to end of 11:13) in the
telling of the events which are to take place on the earth.
Rev 10:1-3 A mighty angel appears, probably the Lord Himself.
It is wonderful to realize that the Lord Jesus is in control of
all. Even though we are reading of such staggering catastrophes,
nothing gets out of His hands. We are safe in that Hand - John
10:28.
Rev 10:8-11 This is exactly the meaning of John eating the
book. It was sweet to know that God was telling him about these
coming events, but dreadful to realize what it must be for those
upon whom God's punishment fell.
#577
When Israel's priesthood had failed (in Eli)... God raised up
the prophet Samuel; when all had failed under the kings (even
David's house)... God raised up Isaiah; when king Ahaz had
introduced idolatry (even into God's house)... God announced the
coming of the Messiah!
REVELATION 11
Rev 11:1-2 A little preparation for the future for those
believing Jews who will continue on into the millenium. (These
chapters so far, are all about the first half of the 7 years).
Rev 11:2 Forty-two months is 3 1/2 years. This refers to the
last half of those 7 years. And this, properly speaking, is the
tribulation period (not the whole 7 years). For in the first half,
the antichrist is pretending he is the Messiah.
Rev 11:3-13 God has power on earth. So these two witnesses, who
prophesy in Jerusalem, show us this. 1,260 days refers to the 3
1/2 years. But they are killed. It looks as if God's power is
gone; this world doesn't change. The Roman power leaves their dead
bodies on the streets to show its victory - verse 8. When suddenly
these bodies come back to life and are taken up to heaven! Then
follow more catastrophes. (This ends the parenthesis from 10:1).
The first signs of the millennium start to appear.
Rev 11:14-18 At long last the Lord Jesus begins to take His
power over the earth.
Rev 11:15-17 "in heaven" - who would these people be? Us; those
who have put our trust in the Lord Jesus Christ. We will give
thanks to the Lord God Almighty! What a day is coming!
Rev 11:18 This verse ends the general history or story of the
book. From here on, certain details are taken up, one by one. The
time when the dead will be judged is announced. It does not mean
that they are judged at this time.
#578
The Children of Israel knew God's works, but Moses had learned
something greater, GOD'S ways.
REVELATION 12
Rev 12:1-6 Christ's coming to earth was the beginning of God's
great work. So now we read of a woman (Israel) and the child
(Christ) born to her. The dragon (Satan) waits for the birth to
devour (eat) the child. But the child escapes.
Rev 12:6 Refers to present day, when Israel is scattered.
Rev 12:7-13 These explain why she (Israel) had to fly. They
refer particularly to the last half of the seven years (1,260 days
in verse 6) when Satan has been cast down onto the earth.
Rev 12:14 "a time" equals 1 year, "times" equal 2 years. "half
a time" equal one half a year. This again makes 3 1/2 years.
During this time of tribulation, the Lord is protecting the Jewish
believers.
Rev 12:15-17 "as a flood after the woman" refers to the Gentile
nations whom Satan uses to try to destroy Israel during this
tribulation period. Satan hates the believers in Israel and turns
his fury against them.
#579
The word Babylon means, not only "confusion", but Babylon
itself had been the place where idolatry had its origin under
Satan's influence. From there it penetrated all parts of the
ancient world.
REVELATION 13
Rev 13:1-10 This is the Roman Empire coming back into
existence... a "beast" rising out of the sea. (The sea is a
picture of the restless mass of the Gentile nations in western
Europe.)
Rev 13:4 Through this power, the people will turn to the
worship of Satan.
Rev 13:11 "Another beast" represents an entirely different
person from "a beast" in verse 1. This is the "man of sin", the
"Antichrist" (2 Thess 2:3-10) and the "false prophet" (19:20),
these 3 names describe the same man. These two powers - the head
of the Roman Empire "a beast" (of verse 1) and the Antichrist
"another beast", together with Satan form the trinity of evil.
They will control the western world during that awful time until
the Lord Jesus comes out of heaven in fury and rage (19:11-13 and
2 Thess. 2:8), and casts these 2 men, alive, into hell (19:20).
Rev 13:12-18 These men will have great power.
Rev 13:16-17 Everyone will have to have a mark in their
forehead. If not, they will not be allowed to buy or sell!
Rev 13:18 A lot of people try to tell the meaning of these
numbers "666". But our advice is not to waste time trying to
figure out what is not plain. We believe that the true meaning of
this number won't be known until the "beast" appears.
#580
God chose Israel to be His people. They, however, once more,
away from this privilege of being a witness to the world of God's
lovingkindness, instead, (hard to believe it) became Satan's
instrument to put to death the blessed Son of God! And not only
so, but to persecute those who believe in Him.
REVELATION 14, Verses 1-12
Rev 14:1-5 Five verses describing an amazing contrast. We have
read of the dreadful fate of those who followed the false lamb;
now we see the rejoicing followers of the true Lamb. It is like a
view of what we in heaven shall look down on, on earth during the
thousand year reign of Christ. Heaven AND earth shall rejoice and
sing. Does that thrill you to know that you will be looking down
on this? And we can read about it now! We have seen that the
followers of the false Christ had received a mark in their
forehead, so these followers of the true Christ have His name and
His Father's written in their forehead!
Rev 14:6-7 The preaching of the everlasting gospel is God's
good news from heaven for this poor world. This is God's final
call and goes out to every corner of the globe.
Rev 14:8 The corrupt and wicked organization of this world is
called "Babylon". God is going to smash it to pieces.
Rev 14:9-11 The awful doom of those who have worshipped the
devil and his men. We are here dealing with people and things that
are eternal! (1) the eternal existence of God - 10:6. (2) The
eternal glory of the Lamb, 5:13. (3) The eternal reign of the
believer - 22:5. (4) The eternal doom of the devil - 20:10. (5)
The eternal torment of the lost. "No rest" - our verse 11 and
20:10.
Rev 14:12 What a contrast here. The patience of the saints. We
are reading of believers who are facing immediate death. But it
would be better to be killed by the "beast" than to be tormented
with "the beast".
#581
ISRAEL - Egypt to Canaan... the blood, and the song and the
Pillar are different tokens of the same Jesus Who meets ALL our
needs.
REVELATION 14, Verses 13-20
Rev 14:13 What a sweet promise for those who die "in the Lord"
during that fearful time.
Rev 14:14 The Lord Jesus, the Son of Man, here is going to
start to sweep guilty unbelievers off the earth. Notice what He
has on His Head and in His Hand! A sword is used for carrying out
judgment, but a sickle is for reaping a harvest. The believers and
unbelievers are separated in this harvest. The wheat (the
believers) will be gathered into His barn and the tares
(unbelievers) will be gathered into bundles for burning (see Matt.
13:30, 39 to 43.)
Rev 14:15-20 These actions of the angels may look as if
everything is going to happen instantly, but these events are
going to take place over the 3 1/2 years of the great tribulation.
What a dreadful day for this world. And it is very close too!
Nothing in the history of this poor sad world could ever match
this for awfulness. The blood will run to the horses' bridles! And
people today laugh and do not listen to the gospel, the good news
of salvation through the Lord Jesus Christ.
Rev 14:20 A thousand and six hundred furlongs is about the
length of the land of Israel (about 200 miles or 320 km.)
#582
Faith is a divine plant that only grows out of the soil of a
broken will.
REVELATION 15
Rev 15:2-4 The many Jewish martyrs who die for their
faithfulness to the Lord are seen here in heaven. You can read in
20:5 as to how they are in heaven, even though they might have
been living on the earth at the Rapture. (They had never heard the
Gospel of the grace of God, so are not taken then. But now they
have a special resurrection and form part of the first
resurrection - the rapture).
Rev 15:5-8 When we think of the temple in the Old Testament
Scriptures, we think of quiet order and priests going about doing
the service. And we also think of the kindness and grace of God
making a way for His people to meet Him. But look at the contrast
here. Seven angels (not priests) have seven plagues. God's
terrible anger is going to be poured out on this earth. But let us
never forget the truth of this. That now it is grace and love.
Later it will be anger and punishment.
#583
Pride stands in the way of true discernment.
REVELATION 16
Here we come to the climax of the punishments which fall on the
earth out of heaven. There are seven different vials (or bowls)
which are poured out over the earth.
Rev 16:1-2 Dreadful miseries fall.
Rev 16:3 Not physical death, or literal blood, but symbolical.
All pretense of faith given up. A complete turning away (apostasy)
from God.
Rev 16:4-7 A river in Scripture is usually a picture of health
and refreshing life, but here it is the direct opposite.
Rev 16:5 An angel often is in charge of something for God, to
carry out His orders. Here the angel justified God, because God is
righteous.
Rev 16:6 Water is usually a type of life, here it is of death.
Rev 16:7 The altar is a symbol of God's presence. A voice
agrees with all these severe punishments from God.
Rev 16:8-9 Extreme oppression scorches mankind. But the people
don't repent, they blaspheme God!
Rev 16:10-11 Western Europe will feel the fury and rage of
Almighty God.
Rev 16:12-14 The Eastern nations where Moslems, (Islam) and
other religions are, shall next get their reward for their
slighting and hating God. Out of these countries will pour
dreadful cults and wickedness - we see it happening today.
Rev 16:15 "I come as a thief", is a warning in preparation of
the seventh and last vial.
Rev 16:17-21 Now comes the end of Gentile world domination, the
end of man's day.
Rev 16:19 "Great Babylon" - the full blown development of all
mere human religion, all that is opposed to God - is the chief
object of punishment. Her title "great" points to her vast
religious power. But her complete destruction has come. Are we
keeping separate from this wicked system? chapter 18:4.
Rev 16:21 The worse the punishment, the more men blaspheme and
hate God. It does not turn anyone to Him. Men are unchanged,
unless the Spirit of God, in grace, converts and saves. How
patient God is!
#584
Not past experience, but God must be known by a present faith.
Ps. 78
REVELATION 17
A dreadful description of the religions of the western world in
that time. Many people might say, "Surely not the churches in the
world today". Well, you read this chapter slowly and carefully.
Every unsaved person who is living when the Lord Jesus comes, will
be left behind for these days. The religions of the unsaved will
go on as they go on today. What does Scripture say to us today?
Read 2 Corinthians 6:14-18. Do not forget that every believer in
the Lord Jesus Christ will be caught away from this earth when He
comes the first time. Most people know which city is built on
seven hills - verse 9.
Rev 17:7 The religious power shall control the political power.
Rev 17:18 Western Europe will fight against God.
Rev 17:16 The beast is the head of the political power - the
revived Roman Empire. The "great whore" is the religious
organization.
#585
Power lies in the earnestness and fervor of faith, which is but
the simplicity and reality of faith.
REVELATION 18
This whole chapter is the laments of those who see the
destruction of the religious power. She has brought great splendor
and appearance of righteousness to the world. But it was
hypocrisy. However, it well suited the unsaved, because they could
go on in their sins while attending her religious services. They
are sorry to see her destroyed.
#586
Don't forget... faith has a world of its own. 2 Sam. 23:4
REVELATION 19
Rev 19:1-10 There is joy in heaven because punishment of evil
is carried out. God is thus honored... the wicked, false religious
system, the false bride is destroyed. The true bride is in heaven
and is about to be displayed. While these awful things are
happening on earth, a great event takes place in heaven. The
marriage of the Lamb. The Lord Jesus is married to His bride (the
Church of the New Testament) and who is she? Every sinner who has
been cleansed by His precious blood, by the death of Christ, and
since the descent of the Holy Spirit. What a wonderful day for us!
This ends the second great section of this book. Now the last
section.
Rev 19:11-21 The Lord coming in glory. These verses describe
that event. He comes in rage, the lowly Jesus Who has been
despised and rejected, will come as a conquering King and Victor.
He is King of kings, and Lord of lords. At long last, He has His
right place. Do we give Him this place in our hearts today?
Rev 19:14 "The armies" in heaven are not angels but saints -
(we believers), they follow their Captain. This is the fulfillment
of Enoch's prophecy (see Jude, verse 14).
Rev 19:19-21 A vast army, led by the beast (the head of the
Roman Empire), gathers together to fight the Lord Jesus. All are
destroyed by Him!
Rev 19:20 Who can paint in words the horror of such a doom
(punishment)? This will be the punishment of two persons, one a
Jew (see outlines on chapter 13, verse 11) and the other a Gentile
(see 13:1), and perhaps both on the earth at this moment! "The
lake of fire" - is a place, and not a condition, mentioned here
for the first time.
#587
Faith is the soul's outward, not inward look.
REVELATION 20
Rev 20:1-3 Satan is cast into the bottomless pit (not the lake
of fire yet), for one thousand years (during the millennium).
Rev 20:4 The prophets Daniel and John see the same thrones;
Daniel saw them occupied (Daniel 7:9), but redemption has taken
place, so John sees people sitting on them. Those who were killed
in the tribulation for witnessing for Jesus as well as we who are
believers, will be living and reigning with Christ a thousand
years over the earth, not on the earth.
Rev 20:5-6 Every other dead person will lie in his grave until
the great white throne judgment at the end of the thousand years.
Rev 10:7-10 At the end of the millennium (thousand years) Satan
is going to be brought out of the pit, and let loose for a little
while. Even after seeing the Lord Jesus reign in righteousness for
those thousand years, millions (without number), will turn back to
follow Satan. But punishment will fall on them.
Rev 20:10 Satan the deceiver. If we could only realize how
clever a deceiver he is, we would not be fooled by him so often
today. And remember he is a religious deceiver. Here is his awful
end.
Rev 20:11-15 Now comes the final judgment. Only the lost stand
here. Be very sure you understand this. There is no such thing as
a general judgment day for everyone to stand before God to find
out where they are to go, heaven or hell. Those who stand here are
they who have rejected God from Cain down to the last person born.
#588
Faith is always the best reasoner!
REVELATION 21
Rev 21:1-8 These verses describe the eternal condition (after
the 1,000 years) of the saved. Then the rest of the chapter comes
back to describe the condition of the saved with the Lord during
the millennium. We might have reversed these verses, but God has
His purpose and it is always perfect. The name "God" is used only.
All the work is completed and God is all in all - 1 Corinthians
15:27-28. What does all this do to our heart? Does it draw us away
from this world to Christ? It surely should.
Rev 21:2 The bride even after 1,000 years, is going to be as
fresh and beautiful as on the day of her wedding!
Rev 21:9-27 The millennium for the believers. We believers are
going to be with the Lord, reigning over, not on the earth.
Rev 21:27 Not one thing is going to enter in which could spoil
anything there!
#589
Faith rests on God's estimate of the blood... not ours.
REVELATION 22
Rev 22:1-2 A description of the millennium.
Rev 22:3-5 A description of the eternal state.
Rev 22:6-21 The closing of the book. But before it closes,
Jesus makes one more statement - "Behold I come quickly".
Rev 22:20 And once more. May we ardently reply also with these
same words. For us He died, for us He lives, for us He comes.
Rev 22:21 His unfailing grace is our support and strength. And
so the Bible ends. What treasure is ours! God's Word which tells
us all we need to know. And which reveals all that God is, He is
light and love. May we learn to know and love Him more and more. |