What John continues to see here in Chapter 14, are the events that will transpire right before the Day of the Lord. John sees this in verse 6;
"And I saw another angel flying in midheaven, having an eternal gospel to preach
to those who live on the earth, and to every nation and tribe and tongue and nation"
So right before Jesus comes to execute His wrath on those who are destroying the earth, He again will send another messenger, this time an angel, to proclaim the truth that leads to eternal life. Remember, Jesus had already sent Enoch and Elijah to proclaim the gospel of the truth. Now again Jesus is sending throughout the whole world the message by which people can avoid going through His wrath, by receiving what He did on the cross, to give them the gift of eternal life. Jesus wants as many who would choose to come to Him to have the chance so that they can avoid the alternative, which is eternal death. Remember what Peter wrote in his 2nd letter Chapter 3, verse 9;
"The Lord is not slow about His promise, as some may count slowness, but is
patient toward you, not wishing for any to perish but for all me to repentance."
In verse 7, the angel proclaims this with a loud voice;
"Fear God, and give Him glory, because the hour of His judgment has come, and
worship Him who made the heaven and the earth and see and springs of water."
The interesting thing here to note, is that the angel, at the same time he is saying that Jesus' judgment is coming, is pointing out that Jesus is the creator on the heaven and earth. Jesus spoke all things into existence. After He avenges the blood of the saints on those who murdered them and stops Satan and his armies from destoying the earth, He is quite capable of again speaking into existence and creating anew that which He desires.
In verse 8 a second angel follows saying this;
"Fallen, fallen is Babylon the great, she who has made all the nations drink of
the wine of the passion of her immorallity."
Babylon the great is the city that will be built in the last days which will be like the capital of the world. The nations of the world will all participate in the building of this city. The merchants of the earth will become wealthy because of the supplies that will be required to build this first class modern city. The thing to note here is that as the first angel is proclaim the gospel of salvation, the second angel is letting people know that this city has been destroyed. This again shows the great grace of Jesus. This will now force those on the earth to look more closely at their choice. They have just been deceieved by Satan that he is claiming to be God, but now Satan's city has been destroyed. So they will ask themselves, "was this man (Satan) really God or is this message by the first angel the truth?"
There are many scripture verses making references to this city and the king of this city. I think it is important to pinpoint where this city will be. The prophet Ezekiel reveals where this city will be built. Daniel talks about the king of the north that will bring forth the proposal of peace. This king is the one that makes a seven year covenant with the many. He is also the one who becomes (IT) in the middle of that covenant. This is Satan who is cast down to the earth, at the same time this king of the north recovers from a fatal wound. This leader now becomes a vehicle of Satan, who will then proceed down into Israel and seat himself in the Jewish temple that will be built during the seven year peace covenant. When Daniel says that he will be the king of the north, it is in agreement with what Ezekiel wrote in his 27th and 28th Chapters. In Ezekiels 27th chapter, he reveals that the city will be Tyre. In Chapter 28, Ezekiel reveals that the king of Tyre is Satan. Tyre is in Lebanon, directly north of Israel. This city will corrupt the whole earth.
There is a lot more to talk about pertaining to this city. Babylon the great will be talked more about as we go through Revelation. My next blog will be solely dedicated to decribing this city and it's king. There is much to much to include in this blog.
Jesus peace and grace be with all of you.
Thursday, September 20, 2012
Thursday, September 6, 2012
Revelation Chapter 14 (Part 1) 144,000
Chapter 14 begins talking about the 144,000 descendents of Israel, 12,000 from each of the 12 tribes (sons) of Jacob. We saw them in the 7th Chapter in verse 3 being sealed with the seal of God on their foreheads. This seal will alllow them not to be harmed during the tribulation period. John starts the Chapter in verse ;
" And I looked, and behold, the Lamb was standing on Mount Zion, and with Him
one hundred and forty four thousand, having His name and the name of His Father
written on their foreheads."
Isaiah wrote in his 10th Chapter, in verses 20 -22;
(20)"Now it will come about in that day that a remnant of Israel, and those of the
house of Jacob who have escaped, will never again rely on the one who struck them,
but will truly rely on the Lord, the Holy one of Israel. (21) A remnant will return, the
remnant og Jacob, to the mighty God.(22) For though your people, O Israel, may be
like the sand of the sea, only a remnant within them will return....."
Jesus is going to preserve these 144,000 from harm during the last 3 1/2 years of the seven year tribulation period. At the end of this period, Jesus is going to bring them back to Jerusalem. Satan is going to be so outraged at the fact that they were spared and are now back in Israel that he is going to get the armies of the world to gather in the valley of Har- Magedon for a two fold purpose. First, to destroy the remnant that has returned and the Second, in all futillity, he will try to stop Jesus from executing His wrath that will stop Satan from destoying the earth.
Isaiah wrote again in his 31st Chapter, in verses 4 and 5;
(4)"......So will the Lord of hosts come down to wage war on Mount Zion and
on its hill.(5) Like flying birds so the Lord of hosts will protect Jerusalem. He
will protect and deliver it; He will pass over and rescue it."
The seal on their foreheads, that protects them, is the name of the Lamb and the name of His Father. This means that the name on their foreheads is Jesus(Yeshua). Since Jesus and the Father are one and the same.
In John's gospel Chapter 10, verse 30, he quotes Jesus;
"I and the Father are one."
In verses 2 and 3 John continues;
(2)"And I heard a voice from heaven, like the sound of many waters and like
the sound of loud thunder, and the voice that I heard was like the sound of
harpists playing on their harps. (3) And they sang a new song before the throne
and before the four living creatures and elders; and no one could learn the song
except the one hundred and fourty-four thousand who have been purchased
from the earth."
In Revelations Chapter 1, verse 15, the voice that sounds like many waters was coming from Jesus. The interesting thing in these verses is that these 144,000 are singing before the thone. These 144,000 are sealed to be protected from harm, which would mean from being killed. These 144,000 will also be brought back by Jesus to Jerusalem. There are few possibilties, either they are brought for a moment into heaven like Enoch and Elijah were, or the throne came to the place they were brought, or their song was heard before the throne, like our worship and prayers are.
Psalm Chapter 100, verse 4
"We shall enter His gate with thanksgiving in our hearts, we shall enter His
courts with praise."
With thanksgiving we enter into the gates of heaven, His temple. Then when we give Jesus praise, we enter His court, this is were His throne is, the Holie of Holies.
This is how these 144,000 came to be selected. First of all, they are descendants of Jacob who came to believe in Jesus as their Messiah. They will be believers in the gospel of Jesus who have allowed themselves to be born of above by receiving what Jesus did for them on the cross. As the rest of the believers are resurrected, these 144,000 will remain to start the earthly rule of Jesus here on earth, while those who have been caught up to be with Jesus in the air, will help rule the earth from the heavenly Jerusalem that will reside above the skys of Israel. So verses 4 and 5 says this of them;
(4)"These are the ones who have not been defiled with women, for they have kept
themselves chaste. These are the ones who follow the Lamb wherever he goes.
These have been purchased from among men as first fruits of God and to the Lamb.
(5) And no lie was found in their mouth; they are blameless."
Like all other beleivers, they are purchased with the blood of Jesus and they are blameless because the blood of Jesus has covered their sins. The only difference is that they have been selected to do a special function of Jesus kingdom here on the earth, in the earthly Capital, Jerusalem. All other saints will help rule from the Heavenly Jerusalem. This is when Jesus' 1,000 year rule begins while Satan is locked up. There will be a small amount of people still left alive on earth. This is why Jesus
wrath has to come. His wrath is to destroy those who are destoying the earth, mainly Satans destruction. In Matthews gospel, Chapter 24, verse 22, Jesus said;
"And unless those days had been cut short, no life would have been saved;
but for the sake of the elect those days shall be cut short."
Jesus peace be with all of you.
" And I looked, and behold, the Lamb was standing on Mount Zion, and with Him
one hundred and forty four thousand, having His name and the name of His Father
written on their foreheads."
Isaiah wrote in his 10th Chapter, in verses 20 -22;
(20)"Now it will come about in that day that a remnant of Israel, and those of the
house of Jacob who have escaped, will never again rely on the one who struck them,
but will truly rely on the Lord, the Holy one of Israel. (21) A remnant will return, the
remnant og Jacob, to the mighty God.(22) For though your people, O Israel, may be
like the sand of the sea, only a remnant within them will return....."
Jesus is going to preserve these 144,000 from harm during the last 3 1/2 years of the seven year tribulation period. At the end of this period, Jesus is going to bring them back to Jerusalem. Satan is going to be so outraged at the fact that they were spared and are now back in Israel that he is going to get the armies of the world to gather in the valley of Har- Magedon for a two fold purpose. First, to destroy the remnant that has returned and the Second, in all futillity, he will try to stop Jesus from executing His wrath that will stop Satan from destoying the earth.
Isaiah wrote again in his 31st Chapter, in verses 4 and 5;
(4)"......So will the Lord of hosts come down to wage war on Mount Zion and
on its hill.(5) Like flying birds so the Lord of hosts will protect Jerusalem. He
will protect and deliver it; He will pass over and rescue it."
The seal on their foreheads, that protects them, is the name of the Lamb and the name of His Father. This means that the name on their foreheads is Jesus(Yeshua). Since Jesus and the Father are one and the same.
In John's gospel Chapter 10, verse 30, he quotes Jesus;
"I and the Father are one."
In verses 2 and 3 John continues;
(2)"And I heard a voice from heaven, like the sound of many waters and like
the sound of loud thunder, and the voice that I heard was like the sound of
harpists playing on their harps. (3) And they sang a new song before the throne
and before the four living creatures and elders; and no one could learn the song
except the one hundred and fourty-four thousand who have been purchased
from the earth."
In Revelations Chapter 1, verse 15, the voice that sounds like many waters was coming from Jesus. The interesting thing in these verses is that these 144,000 are singing before the thone. These 144,000 are sealed to be protected from harm, which would mean from being killed. These 144,000 will also be brought back by Jesus to Jerusalem. There are few possibilties, either they are brought for a moment into heaven like Enoch and Elijah were, or the throne came to the place they were brought, or their song was heard before the throne, like our worship and prayers are.
Psalm Chapter 100, verse 4
"We shall enter His gate with thanksgiving in our hearts, we shall enter His
courts with praise."
With thanksgiving we enter into the gates of heaven, His temple. Then when we give Jesus praise, we enter His court, this is were His throne is, the Holie of Holies.
This is how these 144,000 came to be selected. First of all, they are descendants of Jacob who came to believe in Jesus as their Messiah. They will be believers in the gospel of Jesus who have allowed themselves to be born of above by receiving what Jesus did for them on the cross. As the rest of the believers are resurrected, these 144,000 will remain to start the earthly rule of Jesus here on earth, while those who have been caught up to be with Jesus in the air, will help rule the earth from the heavenly Jerusalem that will reside above the skys of Israel. So verses 4 and 5 says this of them;
(4)"These are the ones who have not been defiled with women, for they have kept
themselves chaste. These are the ones who follow the Lamb wherever he goes.
These have been purchased from among men as first fruits of God and to the Lamb.
(5) And no lie was found in their mouth; they are blameless."
Like all other beleivers, they are purchased with the blood of Jesus and they are blameless because the blood of Jesus has covered their sins. The only difference is that they have been selected to do a special function of Jesus kingdom here on the earth, in the earthly Capital, Jerusalem. All other saints will help rule from the Heavenly Jerusalem. This is when Jesus' 1,000 year rule begins while Satan is locked up. There will be a small amount of people still left alive on earth. This is why Jesus
wrath has to come. His wrath is to destroy those who are destoying the earth, mainly Satans destruction. In Matthews gospel, Chapter 24, verse 22, Jesus said;
"And unless those days had been cut short, no life would have been saved;
but for the sake of the elect those days shall be cut short."
Jesus peace be with all of you.
Thursday, August 30, 2012
Revelation Chapter 13 (Part 2) The Second Beast
The next beast that we are going to see will be different from the first one. The first one comes up from out of the sea, the second comes up out of the earth. The beast from the sea represented a goverment from among the nations. The beast from the earth will represent a governing from among a religious mindset. It will be a convergence of all religious persuasions with this beast(leader) being its chief representative. Many different religions have been looking forward to the coming of some diety to solve the earths woes. The anti-christ will be the perfect canidate because he will be killed and come back to life. Little do they know that this person comes back to life in the power of Satan as Satan is kicked down to the earth. This is why they will worship this leader. Not only will he say he is God, but they will be told that he is, by this second beast. John sees this in Chapter 13, verse 11;
"And I saw another beast coming up out of the earth; and he had two horns like
a lamb, and he spoke as a dragon."
The interesting thing here is that is says that he had two horns like a lamb. We know that Jesus is the Lamb of God who took away the sins of the world for anyone who would receive what He did. This is why I feel that this leader is a religious leader. He speaks like a dragon (Satan) so we know that this person is a false prophet. Verse 12;
"And he exercises all the authority of the first beast in his presence. And he
makes the whole earth and those who dwell in it worship the beast(anti-christ),
whose fatal would was healed.
Verse 13;
"And he performs great signs, so that he even makes fire come down out of
to the earth in the presence of men."
Jesus warned about being deceived from these signs and wonders. Remember, in the 24th Chapter of Matthew, Jesus was responding to the disciples questioning him as to the signs of His Coming and the end of the age. This is were Jesus had instructed them to look to the writings of the prophet Daniel about the abomination of desolation. This is when the anti-christ, (IT), Satan, seats himself in the temple of God, making claims of being God. After telling the disciples that, Jesus goes on to say in Chapter 24, verses 21-25;
(21)"for then there will be a tribulation, such as has not occured since the beginning
of the world until now, nor ever shall. (22) And unless those days had been cut short,
no life would have been saved; but for the sake of the elect those days shall be cut
short, (23) Then if anyone says to you, 'Behold, here is the Christ', or 'There He is',
do not believe him. (24) For false Christs and false prophets will arise and will show
great signs and wonders, so as to mislead, if possible, even the elect."(25) Behold I
have told you in advance."
Jesus confirms what Daniel wrote about this leader who will devour the whole earth and tread it down and crush it. Jesus also warns about the false prophet who will tell people that this leader is a messiah and get them to beleive it by performing great signs and wonders in the presence of the beast. Jesus said that if it was possible, and it's not, that these signs would be so persuasive that they
might even be able to deceive even those who know this is coming. Even the apostle Paul told of these deceptions in his 2nd letter to the Thessalonians. Right after Paul had just wrote about the man of lawlessness who would take his seat in the temple of God, making claims of being God, Paul writes in verses 9 and10;
(9)"that is, the one whose coming is in accord with the activity of Satan, with all
power and signs and false wonders, (10) and with all the deception of wickedness
for those who perish, because they did not receive the truth so as to be saved."
John continues in verse 14;
"And he deceives those who dwell on the earth because of the signs which it
was given to perform in the presence of the beast, telling those who dwell on
the earth to make an image to the beast, who had the wound of the sword and
has come to life."
Somehow people on the earth are going to be told to worship the image of the beast. Since not everyone can be in the physical presence of the beast 1, there must be images that are going to be replicated throughout the world that everyone will be able to see. When I first came to believe, 35 years ago, this was not something that could seem possible. But with todays advance technologies and computers, maybe even holograms, there may be a way for people everywhere to see, hear and worship the beast. John continues in verse 15;
(15)"And there was given to him (the false prophet) to give breath to the image
of the beast (IT), that the image of the beast (IT) might even speak and cause as
many as do not worship the image of the beast (IT) to be killed."
John goes on to descibe a new means of commerce that will be implemented during this time, when John writes this in verses 16 and 17;
(16) And he causes the all, the small and the great, and the rich and the poor,
and the freemen and the slaves, to be given a mark on their right hand, or on
their forehead, (17) and he provides that no one should be able to buy or to sell,
except the one who has the mark, either the name of the beast or the number
of his name."
Again, when I first received the truth, this was hard to imagine being possible. But again, with all the new technologies, I can see where this now is in the realm of possibility. How could this have been monitored if everyone is still using cash? Then came bank cards, but how could this work with global commerce, if the values of currencies are different throughout the world? Would we move towards a global currency, to where the rate of exchanges would not be an issue? What would the mark on the right hand or forehead have to do with it? Would it be a mark of the beast, like a tattoo, that would have to be seen before you could buy or sell? Is it a mark that actually will be used to access imformation, like a bar code or maybe even a chip that can now be used for commerce as is being done in some of the airports throughout the world, by scanning? A cashless society is a safer society, right? The drug trade will stop. Robberies would cease. All transactions can be recorded. Everyone could be located with a chip. No more kidnapping and getting away with it. Sounds like a great idea, but here's the problem for anyone who gets the mark of the beast, they will loose any chance of gaining eternal life. Receiving the mark is worshiping the beast. John completes Chapter 13, with this in verse 18;
" Here is the wisdom. Let him who has understanding calculate the number
of the beast, for the number is that of a man; and his number is six hundred
and sixty six."
Some manuscripts read 616. It says to calculate. I have no idea what to calculate. All I know is that it is the number of a man. As of right now maybe it is something that can not yet be calculated.
Jesus peace to all of you.
"And I saw another beast coming up out of the earth; and he had two horns like
a lamb, and he spoke as a dragon."
The interesting thing here is that is says that he had two horns like a lamb. We know that Jesus is the Lamb of God who took away the sins of the world for anyone who would receive what He did. This is why I feel that this leader is a religious leader. He speaks like a dragon (Satan) so we know that this person is a false prophet. Verse 12;
"And he exercises all the authority of the first beast in his presence. And he
makes the whole earth and those who dwell in it worship the beast(anti-christ),
whose fatal would was healed.
Verse 13;
"And he performs great signs, so that he even makes fire come down out of
to the earth in the presence of men."
Jesus warned about being deceived from these signs and wonders. Remember, in the 24th Chapter of Matthew, Jesus was responding to the disciples questioning him as to the signs of His Coming and the end of the age. This is were Jesus had instructed them to look to the writings of the prophet Daniel about the abomination of desolation. This is when the anti-christ, (IT), Satan, seats himself in the temple of God, making claims of being God. After telling the disciples that, Jesus goes on to say in Chapter 24, verses 21-25;
(21)"for then there will be a tribulation, such as has not occured since the beginning
of the world until now, nor ever shall. (22) And unless those days had been cut short,
no life would have been saved; but for the sake of the elect those days shall be cut
short, (23) Then if anyone says to you, 'Behold, here is the Christ', or 'There He is',
do not believe him. (24) For false Christs and false prophets will arise and will show
great signs and wonders, so as to mislead, if possible, even the elect."(25) Behold I
have told you in advance."
Jesus confirms what Daniel wrote about this leader who will devour the whole earth and tread it down and crush it. Jesus also warns about the false prophet who will tell people that this leader is a messiah and get them to beleive it by performing great signs and wonders in the presence of the beast. Jesus said that if it was possible, and it's not, that these signs would be so persuasive that they
might even be able to deceive even those who know this is coming. Even the apostle Paul told of these deceptions in his 2nd letter to the Thessalonians. Right after Paul had just wrote about the man of lawlessness who would take his seat in the temple of God, making claims of being God, Paul writes in verses 9 and10;
(9)"that is, the one whose coming is in accord with the activity of Satan, with all
power and signs and false wonders, (10) and with all the deception of wickedness
for those who perish, because they did not receive the truth so as to be saved."
John continues in verse 14;
"And he deceives those who dwell on the earth because of the signs which it
was given to perform in the presence of the beast, telling those who dwell on
the earth to make an image to the beast, who had the wound of the sword and
has come to life."
Somehow people on the earth are going to be told to worship the image of the beast. Since not everyone can be in the physical presence of the beast 1, there must be images that are going to be replicated throughout the world that everyone will be able to see. When I first came to believe, 35 years ago, this was not something that could seem possible. But with todays advance technologies and computers, maybe even holograms, there may be a way for people everywhere to see, hear and worship the beast. John continues in verse 15;
(15)"And there was given to him (the false prophet) to give breath to the image
of the beast (IT), that the image of the beast (IT) might even speak and cause as
many as do not worship the image of the beast (IT) to be killed."
John goes on to descibe a new means of commerce that will be implemented during this time, when John writes this in verses 16 and 17;
(16) And he causes the all, the small and the great, and the rich and the poor,
and the freemen and the slaves, to be given a mark on their right hand, or on
their forehead, (17) and he provides that no one should be able to buy or to sell,
except the one who has the mark, either the name of the beast or the number
of his name."
Again, when I first received the truth, this was hard to imagine being possible. But again, with all the new technologies, I can see where this now is in the realm of possibility. How could this have been monitored if everyone is still using cash? Then came bank cards, but how could this work with global commerce, if the values of currencies are different throughout the world? Would we move towards a global currency, to where the rate of exchanges would not be an issue? What would the mark on the right hand or forehead have to do with it? Would it be a mark of the beast, like a tattoo, that would have to be seen before you could buy or sell? Is it a mark that actually will be used to access imformation, like a bar code or maybe even a chip that can now be used for commerce as is being done in some of the airports throughout the world, by scanning? A cashless society is a safer society, right? The drug trade will stop. Robberies would cease. All transactions can be recorded. Everyone could be located with a chip. No more kidnapping and getting away with it. Sounds like a great idea, but here's the problem for anyone who gets the mark of the beast, they will loose any chance of gaining eternal life. Receiving the mark is worshiping the beast. John completes Chapter 13, with this in verse 18;
" Here is the wisdom. Let him who has understanding calculate the number
of the beast, for the number is that of a man; and his number is six hundred
and sixty six."
Some manuscripts read 616. It says to calculate. I have no idea what to calculate. All I know is that it is the number of a man. As of right now maybe it is something that can not yet be calculated.
Jesus peace to all of you.
Wednesday, August 22, 2012
Revelation Chapter 13 (Part 1) The First Beast
In Chapter 13, we are going to see the coming of what John calls a beast from the sea and a beast from the earth. These two beasts will be leaders who will control what will take place on the earth in the last fourty-two months of the end of this age, before Jesus returns to execute judgement to stop their destuction. In verse 1, John said that he was standing on the sand of the seashore and saw this;
"And I saw a beast coming up out of the sea, having ten horns and seven heads,
and on the horns were ten diadems, and on his heads were blasphemous names."
The beasts that comes up out of the sea represents the nations that will be governing the earth during the first 3 1/2 years of the tribulation period. After the realm of Greece comes againsts Persia, who was waging war to it's north, south and west, and subdues them, the realm of Greece will be divided into four different kingdoms. At that time, one of the leaders will make the seven year covenant with the many, as Daniel wrote in his 9th Chapter, verse 27. It will be a time of so called "peace and safety!", as Paul wrote in his first letter to the Thessalonians Chapter 5, verse 3. In the first half of the covenant, it will appear to seem like it is. For Israel will start back up their grain offerings and sacrifices and a capital city of the world will be built in Tyre, Lebanon. John continues in verse 2;
"And the beast which I saw was like a leopard, and his feet were like those of a bear,
and his mouth like the mout of a lion. And the dragon gave him his power and his
throne and great authority."
Daniel wrote in his 7th Chapter, verse 2 and 3, about the four winds of heaven stirring up the great sea and that four beasts(kingdom) were coming up from the sea, different from one another. Daniel describes these beasts in verses 3-7 as one being like a lion, another like a bear and another like a leopard. Daniel describes the fourth beasts in verse 7;
"After this I kept looking in the night visions, and behold a fourth beast dreadful,
terrifying and extremely strong; and it had large iron teeth. It devoured and
crushed and trampled down the remainder with its feet; It will be different from
all the other beasts that were before it, and it had ten horns."
From this fourth dreadful kingdom will come forth ten kings. From these ten kings, one of them will subdue three of the other kings, leaving seven kings. This king that removes the other three will be (IT) the anti-christ, the one who will cause the abomination of desolatition, when he seats himself in the temple of God, making claims of being God. The apostle Paul wrote about this in his 2nd leter to the Thessalonians Chapter 2, verses 3 and 4:
(3)"Let no one in any way deceive you, for it (the day of the Lord) will not come
unless the apostasy comes first, and the man of lawlessness is revealed, the son
of destuction,(4) who opposes and exalts himself above every so-called god or
object of worship, so that his seat in the temple of God, displaying himself as
being God."
One of the ten kings, the one who makes the 7 year covenant, will be slain and will come back to life. When he comes back to life as (IT), he will remove three of the other kings. When Daniel received the interpretation of the forth beast it was explained this way to him in verses 23-25;
(23) "The fourth beasts will be the fourth kingdom on the earth, which will be
different from all the other kingdoms, and it will devour the whole earth and tread
it down and crush it.(24) as for the ten horns, out of this kingdom ten kings
will arise; and another will arise after them, and he will be different from the
previous ones and will subdue three kings.(25) And he will speak out against
the Most High and wear down the saints of the Highest One, and he will intend
to make alterations in times and in law; and they will be given into his hand
for a time, times, and half a time.(3 1/2 years)"
Continuing Revelation Chapter 13, verses 3-8, John writes;
(3)"And I saw one of his heads as if it were slain, and his fatal head was healed.
And the whole earth was amazed and followed after the beast;(4) and they
worshiped the dragon, because he gave his authority to the beast; and they
worshiped the beast, saying, 'Who is like the beast, and who is able to wage war
with him?'(5) And there was given him a mouth speaking arrogant words and
blasphemie; and authority to act for fourty-two months(3 1/2 years) was
given him.(6) and he opened his mouth in blasphemies against God, to blasphemie
His name (Jesus) and His tabernacle, that is those who dwell in heaven.(7) And
it was given to him to make war with the saints and to overcome them; and
authority over every tribe and people and tongue and nation was given to him.
(8) And all who dwell on the earth will worship him, everyone whose name
has not been written in the book of life of the Lamb that was slain from the
foundation of the world."
What we see here is the leader who comes from the fourth dreadful kingdom, that devours three of this kingdoms kings, when he comes back to life, worshiped by an amazed world. They unknowingly or knowingly worship Satan because Satan gave his authority to this leader. Just like in Daniel, it says that this leader will have 3 1/2 years to speak out against Jesus and come against the saints (believers). Anyone whose names are not recorded in the Lambs book of life, will worship this leader. Those who know the truth and will not worship this leader will pay a price, knowing that their reward is at hand. When a person is born of above, by receiving what Jesus did on the cross to give, to anyone who whould receive it, the gift of eternal life, their names are recorded in the Lambs (Jesus) book of life. Daniel refferenced this book in his last Chapter,12, first verse, when he said;
'.........everyone who is found written in the book, will be rescued.
We will finish with part one of Chapter 13 with verses 9 and 10;
(9) "If anyone has an ear, let him hear.
Whenever this is said, it is very important that the reader hears and understands and acts on what is about to be said;
(10) " If anyone is destined for captivity, to captivity he goes; if anyone kills
with the sword, with the sword he must be killed. Here is the perseverance
and the faith of the saints."
I always define faith as trusting Jesus. For belivers during this time, it is important for them to recognize that their redemption is drawing near. If they must go to prison for not worshiping
this world leader and chosing Jesus over their own lives, knowing that their real life is about to be realized, then amen, let it be. It is good to pre-meditate what you will choose.
Jesus' peace to all of you.
"And I saw a beast coming up out of the sea, having ten horns and seven heads,
and on the horns were ten diadems, and on his heads were blasphemous names."
The beasts that comes up out of the sea represents the nations that will be governing the earth during the first 3 1/2 years of the tribulation period. After the realm of Greece comes againsts Persia, who was waging war to it's north, south and west, and subdues them, the realm of Greece will be divided into four different kingdoms. At that time, one of the leaders will make the seven year covenant with the many, as Daniel wrote in his 9th Chapter, verse 27. It will be a time of so called "peace and safety!", as Paul wrote in his first letter to the Thessalonians Chapter 5, verse 3. In the first half of the covenant, it will appear to seem like it is. For Israel will start back up their grain offerings and sacrifices and a capital city of the world will be built in Tyre, Lebanon. John continues in verse 2;
"And the beast which I saw was like a leopard, and his feet were like those of a bear,
and his mouth like the mout of a lion. And the dragon gave him his power and his
throne and great authority."
Daniel wrote in his 7th Chapter, verse 2 and 3, about the four winds of heaven stirring up the great sea and that four beasts(kingdom) were coming up from the sea, different from one another. Daniel describes these beasts in verses 3-7 as one being like a lion, another like a bear and another like a leopard. Daniel describes the fourth beasts in verse 7;
"After this I kept looking in the night visions, and behold a fourth beast dreadful,
terrifying and extremely strong; and it had large iron teeth. It devoured and
crushed and trampled down the remainder with its feet; It will be different from
all the other beasts that were before it, and it had ten horns."
From this fourth dreadful kingdom will come forth ten kings. From these ten kings, one of them will subdue three of the other kings, leaving seven kings. This king that removes the other three will be (IT) the anti-christ, the one who will cause the abomination of desolatition, when he seats himself in the temple of God, making claims of being God. The apostle Paul wrote about this in his 2nd leter to the Thessalonians Chapter 2, verses 3 and 4:
(3)"Let no one in any way deceive you, for it (the day of the Lord) will not come
unless the apostasy comes first, and the man of lawlessness is revealed, the son
of destuction,(4) who opposes and exalts himself above every so-called god or
object of worship, so that his seat in the temple of God, displaying himself as
being God."
One of the ten kings, the one who makes the 7 year covenant, will be slain and will come back to life. When he comes back to life as (IT), he will remove three of the other kings. When Daniel received the interpretation of the forth beast it was explained this way to him in verses 23-25;
(23) "The fourth beasts will be the fourth kingdom on the earth, which will be
different from all the other kingdoms, and it will devour the whole earth and tread
it down and crush it.(24) as for the ten horns, out of this kingdom ten kings
will arise; and another will arise after them, and he will be different from the
previous ones and will subdue three kings.(25) And he will speak out against
the Most High and wear down the saints of the Highest One, and he will intend
to make alterations in times and in law; and they will be given into his hand
for a time, times, and half a time.(3 1/2 years)"
Continuing Revelation Chapter 13, verses 3-8, John writes;
(3)"And I saw one of his heads as if it were slain, and his fatal head was healed.
And the whole earth was amazed and followed after the beast;(4) and they
worshiped the dragon, because he gave his authority to the beast; and they
worshiped the beast, saying, 'Who is like the beast, and who is able to wage war
with him?'(5) And there was given him a mouth speaking arrogant words and
blasphemie; and authority to act for fourty-two months(3 1/2 years) was
given him.(6) and he opened his mouth in blasphemies against God, to blasphemie
His name (Jesus) and His tabernacle, that is those who dwell in heaven.(7) And
it was given to him to make war with the saints and to overcome them; and
authority over every tribe and people and tongue and nation was given to him.
(8) And all who dwell on the earth will worship him, everyone whose name
has not been written in the book of life of the Lamb that was slain from the
foundation of the world."
What we see here is the leader who comes from the fourth dreadful kingdom, that devours three of this kingdoms kings, when he comes back to life, worshiped by an amazed world. They unknowingly or knowingly worship Satan because Satan gave his authority to this leader. Just like in Daniel, it says that this leader will have 3 1/2 years to speak out against Jesus and come against the saints (believers). Anyone whose names are not recorded in the Lambs book of life, will worship this leader. Those who know the truth and will not worship this leader will pay a price, knowing that their reward is at hand. When a person is born of above, by receiving what Jesus did on the cross to give, to anyone who whould receive it, the gift of eternal life, their names are recorded in the Lambs (Jesus) book of life. Daniel refferenced this book in his last Chapter,12, first verse, when he said;
'.........everyone who is found written in the book, will be rescued.
We will finish with part one of Chapter 13 with verses 9 and 10;
(9) "If anyone has an ear, let him hear.
Whenever this is said, it is very important that the reader hears and understands and acts on what is about to be said;
(10) " If anyone is destined for captivity, to captivity he goes; if anyone kills
with the sword, with the sword he must be killed. Here is the perseverance
and the faith of the saints."
I always define faith as trusting Jesus. For belivers during this time, it is important for them to recognize that their redemption is drawing near. If they must go to prison for not worshiping
this world leader and chosing Jesus over their own lives, knowing that their real life is about to be realized, then amen, let it be. It is good to pre-meditate what you will choose.
Jesus' peace to all of you.
Monday, August 13, 2012
Revalation Chapter 12 (Part 4) Satan, Daniel's IT
We left off in verse 12, were it says that Satan has come down to the earth with great wrath knowing that he only has a short time. In Revelation Chapter 13, verse 5, we learn that the short time is 42 months, equaling 3 1/2 years or 1260 days. I have wrote in an earlier blog about Daniel's IT. In Daniel's 8th Chapter, he writes about a vision he sees as to the end of this age. Daniel sees and it is interpreted to him as this and this is my summation of what occured;
There will be a war that breaks out as Persia (modern day Iran) pushes militarily towards the West, the North and the South in which the kingdom of Greece will come against Persia (modern day Iran).
Iran will be defeated. Countries threatened by Iran's move;
1) Westward 2) Northward 3) Southward
Iraq Azerbijan Qatar
Syria Armenia United Arab Emirates
Jordan Georgia Oman
Turkey Russia Saudi Arabia
Kuwait Turkmenistan Yeman
Israel
Daniel wrote this in verse 4, referring to the ram (Persia);
"I saw the ram butting westward, and northward, and sourthward, and no other
beasts(military) could stand before him, nor was there anyone to rescue from his power;
but he did as he pleased and magnified himself."
Daniel then saw in verse 5 a male goat referring to the kingdom of Greece;
"While I was observing, behold, a male goat was coming from the west over
the surface of the whole earth without touching the ground; and the buck had
conspicuous horn between his eyes."
So it appears that as the war breaks out, there is no country in the area that is able to withstand the might of this military of Persia. So help needs to come from a military effort that travels from the west over the surface of the whole earth without touching the ground. This tells me that Daniel is seeing a military that is coming in the air, probably many war planes. This is what Daniel calls the kingdom of Greece. After the kingdom of Greece defeats Persia, the kindom of Greece is broken into four kingdoms having four kings. Out of one of the kingdoms, their king, IT, will show up onto the scene.
I wrote in an earlier blog, when I was going through Daniel, about the abomination of desolation.
Jesus had directed the apostles to look to Daniel, when they had inquired about the signs of your coming and the end of the age. Matthew wrote about this in Chapter 24 of his writings. In verses 15 and 16, Jesus had told them this;
"Therefore when you see the abonination of desolation which was spoken of
through Daniel the prophet, standing in the holy place ( let the reader understand)
then let those in Judea flee to the mountains."
Let us look at this in it's order;
1st) Iran will start a military action that will move west, north and south.
2nd) A military response to Iran's aggression will come in the air from the powers of the west.
3rd) Iran will be defeated.
4th) The powers from the west will be divided into four parts
5th) During that time, one of the kings will make a 7 year covenant of peace. Daniel wrote in his 9th
Chapter, verse 27;
"And he will make a firm covenant with the many for one week (7 years),.....
6th) The world will say "Peace and safety". Paul wrote about this in his first letter to the
Thessalonians in Chapter 5, verse 3;
"While they are saying, "Peace and safety!" then destruction will come upon them
suddenly like birth pangs upon a woman with child; and they shall not escape."
7th) The king now (IT) will break the covenant 3 1/2 years into it, for Daniel continues in Chapter 9,
verse 27;
".......But in the middle of the week he will put a stop to the sacrifice and grain
offering; and on the wings of abominations will come one who makes desolate,
even until a complete destruction, one that is decreed, is poured out on the one
who makes desolate."
The apostle Paul wrote about this in his 2nd letter to the Thessalonians in Chapter 2, verses 3 and 4;
(3) "Let no one in any way deceive you, for (the day of the Lord) will not come
unless the apostasy comes first, and the man of lawlessness is revealed, the
son of destruction,(4) who opposes and exalts himself above every so-called god
or object of worship, so that he takes his seat in the temple of God, displaying
himself as being God."
Now, to how I came to call this king (IT). Many times I had read Daniel before noticing this for the first time while doing my blogs on the "Abomination of Desolation", that Jesus said to look to. While going through Daniel Chapter 8, when Daniel was referring to the king that would come from one of the four kingdoms, that the kingdom of greece was broken into, in verses 9 - 12, I noticed this;
(9) "And out of one of them came forth a rather small horn (king) which grew
exceedingly great toward the south, toward the east, and towards the Beautiful
Land. (10) And IT grew up to the host of heaven and caused some of the host
and some of the stars to fall to the earth, and IT trampled them down.(11) IT
even magnified ITself to be equal the Commander of the host (Jesus); and IT
removed the regular sacrifice from Him (Jesus), and the place of His sanctuary
was thown down. (12) and on account of the transgression the host will be given
over to the horn (king) along with the regular sacrifice; and IT will fling truth to
the ground and perform ITS will and prosper."
If you notice in these verses, Daniel did not refer to this king as a he, like he does in all his other references to the other kings. Daniel refers to this king as an (IT). The first 3 1/2 years the king is a he, the second 3 1/2 years the king is an IT. Satan is kicked out of heaven having 42 months (3 1/2 years). The king who made the covenant was a he and then becomes an IT as Satan is kicked down to the earth. We will read later in Revelation that a world leader will be slain and his fatal wound will be healed and the whole world will follow after him because he was dead and came back to life. It says that the dragon (Satan) gave his authority to this leader. When this leader comes back to life, is he now an IT because he is now possibly possessed by Satan.
We complete Revelation Chapter 12, verses 13 -17, with this;
(13) "And when the dragon (Satan) saw that he was thrown down to the earth, he
persecuted the woman (Israel) who gave birth to the male child (Jesus). (14) And the
two wings of a great eagle were given to the woman (Israel), in order that she might
fly into the wilderness to her place, where she was nourished for a time and times
and a half of time, from the presence of the serpent (Satan). (15) And the serpent
(Satan) threw water like a river out of his mouth after the woman, so that he might
cause her to be swept away with a flood. (16) And the earth helped the woman, and
the earth opened its mouth and drank up the river which the dragon poured out of
his mouth. (17) And the dragon (Satan) was enraged with the woman, and went off
to wage war with the rest of her offspring, who keep the commandments of God and
hold to the testimony of Jesus.
So this is what we see in these verses;
1) Satan is thrown to the earth.
2) Satan will come against Israel and seat himsef in the temple, making claims of being God.
3) Some of Israel will be rescued by nations or a nation that will evacuate them in airplanes.
4) Some of the people of Israel will be brought to a safe place, away from where Satan is.
5) Satan will attempt to stop the evacuation but some nations will come to help.
6) Satan is enraged that some of the people of Israel got away, so he then turns his anger against those who have become New Creations in Jesus. These are the ones who received Jesus' gift of eternal life and hold to their testimony of Jesus, even unto death.
Satan is enraged that some of the people of Israel are recued, because his plan has been to make an environment in Israel in which the Jewish people would be comfortable and feel safe returning to or visiting Israel. This is why he will make a peace covenant with the many. Remember the first 3 1/2 years of the tribulation period, the world will be saying peace and safety. This is because terrorism has been, so called, defeated when Persia falls. When Satan comes down to the earth, the terrorism that Persia caused will pale in comparrison to the destruction that Satan will cause. His plan was to gather all the people of Isreal into Israel at the same time, probably a Passover Feast, and the destroy all of them at one time. So when some flee, he becomes very upset and then goes after the Christians,
because they are probably the ones who are responsible for the recovery effort.
In closing, we will look at what Daniel said about this in Daniel Chapter 8, when referring to the four kingdoms, Daniel said this in verses 23 -25;
(23)"And in the latter period of there rule, When the transgressors run their course,
a king (IT) will arise insolent and skilled in intrique.(24) And his power will be
mighty, but not by his own power, And he will destroy to an extraordinary degree
And prosper and perform his will; He will desroy mighty men and the people of
the saints.(25) And through his shrewdness he will cause deceit to succeed by his
hand; And he will will magnify himself in his heart, And he will destroy many
while they are at ease. He will even oppose the Prince of princes(Jesus), But he
will be broken without human agency."
Jesus peace to all of you.
There will be a war that breaks out as Persia (modern day Iran) pushes militarily towards the West, the North and the South in which the kingdom of Greece will come against Persia (modern day Iran).
Iran will be defeated. Countries threatened by Iran's move;
1) Westward 2) Northward 3) Southward
Iraq Azerbijan Qatar
Syria Armenia United Arab Emirates
Jordan Georgia Oman
Turkey Russia Saudi Arabia
Kuwait Turkmenistan Yeman
Israel
Daniel wrote this in verse 4, referring to the ram (Persia);
"I saw the ram butting westward, and northward, and sourthward, and no other
beasts(military) could stand before him, nor was there anyone to rescue from his power;
but he did as he pleased and magnified himself."
Daniel then saw in verse 5 a male goat referring to the kingdom of Greece;
"While I was observing, behold, a male goat was coming from the west over
the surface of the whole earth without touching the ground; and the buck had
conspicuous horn between his eyes."
So it appears that as the war breaks out, there is no country in the area that is able to withstand the might of this military of Persia. So help needs to come from a military effort that travels from the west over the surface of the whole earth without touching the ground. This tells me that Daniel is seeing a military that is coming in the air, probably many war planes. This is what Daniel calls the kingdom of Greece. After the kingdom of Greece defeats Persia, the kindom of Greece is broken into four kingdoms having four kings. Out of one of the kingdoms, their king, IT, will show up onto the scene.
I wrote in an earlier blog, when I was going through Daniel, about the abomination of desolation.
Jesus had directed the apostles to look to Daniel, when they had inquired about the signs of your coming and the end of the age. Matthew wrote about this in Chapter 24 of his writings. In verses 15 and 16, Jesus had told them this;
"Therefore when you see the abonination of desolation which was spoken of
through Daniel the prophet, standing in the holy place ( let the reader understand)
then let those in Judea flee to the mountains."
Let us look at this in it's order;
1st) Iran will start a military action that will move west, north and south.
2nd) A military response to Iran's aggression will come in the air from the powers of the west.
3rd) Iran will be defeated.
4th) The powers from the west will be divided into four parts
5th) During that time, one of the kings will make a 7 year covenant of peace. Daniel wrote in his 9th
Chapter, verse 27;
"And he will make a firm covenant with the many for one week (7 years),.....
6th) The world will say "Peace and safety". Paul wrote about this in his first letter to the
Thessalonians in Chapter 5, verse 3;
"While they are saying, "Peace and safety!" then destruction will come upon them
suddenly like birth pangs upon a woman with child; and they shall not escape."
7th) The king now (IT) will break the covenant 3 1/2 years into it, for Daniel continues in Chapter 9,
verse 27;
".......But in the middle of the week he will put a stop to the sacrifice and grain
offering; and on the wings of abominations will come one who makes desolate,
even until a complete destruction, one that is decreed, is poured out on the one
who makes desolate."
The apostle Paul wrote about this in his 2nd letter to the Thessalonians in Chapter 2, verses 3 and 4;
(3) "Let no one in any way deceive you, for (the day of the Lord) will not come
unless the apostasy comes first, and the man of lawlessness is revealed, the
son of destruction,(4) who opposes and exalts himself above every so-called god
or object of worship, so that he takes his seat in the temple of God, displaying
himself as being God."
Now, to how I came to call this king (IT). Many times I had read Daniel before noticing this for the first time while doing my blogs on the "Abomination of Desolation", that Jesus said to look to. While going through Daniel Chapter 8, when Daniel was referring to the king that would come from one of the four kingdoms, that the kingdom of greece was broken into, in verses 9 - 12, I noticed this;
(9) "And out of one of them came forth a rather small horn (king) which grew
exceedingly great toward the south, toward the east, and towards the Beautiful
Land. (10) And IT grew up to the host of heaven and caused some of the host
and some of the stars to fall to the earth, and IT trampled them down.(11) IT
even magnified ITself to be equal the Commander of the host (Jesus); and IT
removed the regular sacrifice from Him (Jesus), and the place of His sanctuary
was thown down. (12) and on account of the transgression the host will be given
over to the horn (king) along with the regular sacrifice; and IT will fling truth to
the ground and perform ITS will and prosper."
If you notice in these verses, Daniel did not refer to this king as a he, like he does in all his other references to the other kings. Daniel refers to this king as an (IT). The first 3 1/2 years the king is a he, the second 3 1/2 years the king is an IT. Satan is kicked out of heaven having 42 months (3 1/2 years). The king who made the covenant was a he and then becomes an IT as Satan is kicked down to the earth. We will read later in Revelation that a world leader will be slain and his fatal wound will be healed and the whole world will follow after him because he was dead and came back to life. It says that the dragon (Satan) gave his authority to this leader. When this leader comes back to life, is he now an IT because he is now possibly possessed by Satan.
We complete Revelation Chapter 12, verses 13 -17, with this;
(13) "And when the dragon (Satan) saw that he was thrown down to the earth, he
persecuted the woman (Israel) who gave birth to the male child (Jesus). (14) And the
two wings of a great eagle were given to the woman (Israel), in order that she might
fly into the wilderness to her place, where she was nourished for a time and times
and a half of time, from the presence of the serpent (Satan). (15) And the serpent
(Satan) threw water like a river out of his mouth after the woman, so that he might
cause her to be swept away with a flood. (16) And the earth helped the woman, and
the earth opened its mouth and drank up the river which the dragon poured out of
his mouth. (17) And the dragon (Satan) was enraged with the woman, and went off
to wage war with the rest of her offspring, who keep the commandments of God and
hold to the testimony of Jesus.
So this is what we see in these verses;
1) Satan is thrown to the earth.
2) Satan will come against Israel and seat himsef in the temple, making claims of being God.
3) Some of Israel will be rescued by nations or a nation that will evacuate them in airplanes.
4) Some of the people of Israel will be brought to a safe place, away from where Satan is.
5) Satan will attempt to stop the evacuation but some nations will come to help.
6) Satan is enraged that some of the people of Israel got away, so he then turns his anger against those who have become New Creations in Jesus. These are the ones who received Jesus' gift of eternal life and hold to their testimony of Jesus, even unto death.
Satan is enraged that some of the people of Israel are recued, because his plan has been to make an environment in Israel in which the Jewish people would be comfortable and feel safe returning to or visiting Israel. This is why he will make a peace covenant with the many. Remember the first 3 1/2 years of the tribulation period, the world will be saying peace and safety. This is because terrorism has been, so called, defeated when Persia falls. When Satan comes down to the earth, the terrorism that Persia caused will pale in comparrison to the destruction that Satan will cause. His plan was to gather all the people of Isreal into Israel at the same time, probably a Passover Feast, and the destroy all of them at one time. So when some flee, he becomes very upset and then goes after the Christians,
because they are probably the ones who are responsible for the recovery effort.
In closing, we will look at what Daniel said about this in Daniel Chapter 8, when referring to the four kingdoms, Daniel said this in verses 23 -25;
(23)"And in the latter period of there rule, When the transgressors run their course,
a king (IT) will arise insolent and skilled in intrique.(24) And his power will be
mighty, but not by his own power, And he will destroy to an extraordinary degree
And prosper and perform his will; He will desroy mighty men and the people of
the saints.(25) And through his shrewdness he will cause deceit to succeed by his
hand; And he will will magnify himself in his heart, And he will destroy many
while they are at ease. He will even oppose the Prince of princes(Jesus), But he
will be broken without human agency."
Jesus peace to all of you.
Monday, August 6, 2012
Revelation Chapter 12 (Part 3) Satan Is Kicked Out of Heaven
When we last left off, we found one of the chief angels, Michael, kicking Satan and his angels (demons) out of heaven and down to the earth. Satan was referred to as;
1) The great dragon - Earlier we saw the dragons tail sweeping a third of the stars of heaven down to
the earth. (Revelation 12: 3 and 4)
2) Serpent of old - The serpent deceived Eve in the garden of Eden. (Genesis 3:1)
3) Devil - Jesus was tempted by the devil in the wilderness. (Matthew 4:1)
4) Satan - Deceives the whole world and thrown down to the earth. (Revelation 12:9)
Satan has been deceiving mankind since the creation of man. His deceptions have snowballed and will continue to increase as we head towards the last days. Up to the point that Satan is kicked out of heaven and down to the earth, he has been deceiving mankind from the spiritual realm. He has been able to possess and motivate fallen men (vessels with empty souls) to work in agreement with his deceptions. Satan has been allowed to war against the saints (souls filled with the Spirit of God) and oppress some are unaware. Saints have victory over every work and scheme of the devil through the shed Blood of Jesus. Not all saints even realize that they are waring against demonic forces in the spiritual realm. This would cause many to become discouraged. For this reason, it is very important for all believers to read what the apostle Paul wrote is his letter to the Ephesians in the 6th Chapter, verses 10 - 18;
(10) "Finally, be strong in the Lord, and in the strength of His might. (11) Put on
the full armor of God, that you may be able to stand firm against the work and
schemes of the devil. 912) For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but
against the rulers, against the powers, against the world forces of this darkness,
against the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly places. (13) Therefore,
take up the full armor of God, that you may be able to resist in the evil day, and
having done everything to stand firm. (14) Stand firm therefore, having girded
your loins with truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness, (15) and
having shod your feet with the preperation of the gosple of peace; (16) In addition
to all, taking up the sheild of faith with which you will be able to exstinguish all
the flaming missles of the evil one. (17) And take up the helmet of salvation, and
the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. (18) With all prayer an petition
pray at all time in the Spirit, and with this in view, be on the alert with all
perseverance and petition for all the saints."
We must always remember that are battle is not against people, even though it may be easy to assume that we are. Most empty souls are unaware that many times they are being motivated by the powers of darkness to work Satans schemes. We must remember that we are ambassadors of the Kingdom of Light who are bringing the gosple of peace to the vessels with empty souls who need to become souls fill with the Spirit of God so that they can inherit eternal life. Through all the darkness we must always remember why we are here and what our purpose is, lest we grow weiry.
Continuing in Revelation 12, John writes in verse10;
"And I heard a loud voice in heaven saying, 'Now the salvation, and the power, and
the kingdom of our God and the authority of His Christ have come, for the accuser
of our brethren has been thrown down, who accuses them before our God day and
night."
So what occurs when Satan and his angels are kicked out of heaven, is that now the Spirit of Light has complete rule in the heavenly realm, for Satan and his kingdom of darkness is now cast down upon the earth. You notice that Satan, before being cast down to the earth, spent a lot of his time before the throne of God accusing the saints. Even though, "there is no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus", I am sure that many of the saints fell into self condemnation as Satan would magnify their shortcomings before God. With Satan now being kicked out of heaven, these saints are now freed from any self condemnation as the blood of Jesus, that covers their sins, will allow them to walk in the peace and joy of the Lord. This is a great time for believers to be alive, for they will walk in the unhindered full power and grace of the Spirit of God. This is made evident by what is written in verse 11;
"And they overcame him because of the blood of the Lamb and because of the word
of their testimony, and they did not love their life even to death."
So the saints, who have power through the blood of the Lamb to overcome Satan, will continue to testify to the vessels of empty souls during difficult times, even though for many it will cost them their lives. They will have the full power and grace of God upon them, with there no longer being Satan coming between them and the throne of God. This is why they will gladly choose to die before yeilding to Satan.
The apostle Paul wrote in his letter to the Ephesians in Chapter 12, verse 5 and 6;
"God made us alive together with Christ(by grace we have been saved) and raised
us up with Him in the heavenly places, in Christ Jesus."
When a person receives Jesus unto eternal life, they at that point now exist in two realms. They become a New Creation, as in their soul they allow Jesus to come in and give them a second birth, (born of above). That new spiritual man is now seated in the heavenly realm as the earthly man continues to walk on the earth. With Satan and all his darkness now out of heaven, the New Creations in heaven no longer has to contend with Satan in the spiritual realm, giving that spirit full power in the will of God. This is why verse 12 says;
"For this reason, rejoice, O heavens and you who dwell in them. Woe to the earth
and the sea, because the devil has come down to you, having great wrath, knowing
that he has only a short time."
So the spiritual man will be rejoicing with great joy, which will way overshadow any concern for the earthly mans own life.
Jesus peace to all of you.
1) The great dragon - Earlier we saw the dragons tail sweeping a third of the stars of heaven down to
the earth. (Revelation 12: 3 and 4)
2) Serpent of old - The serpent deceived Eve in the garden of Eden. (Genesis 3:1)
3) Devil - Jesus was tempted by the devil in the wilderness. (Matthew 4:1)
4) Satan - Deceives the whole world and thrown down to the earth. (Revelation 12:9)
Satan has been deceiving mankind since the creation of man. His deceptions have snowballed and will continue to increase as we head towards the last days. Up to the point that Satan is kicked out of heaven and down to the earth, he has been deceiving mankind from the spiritual realm. He has been able to possess and motivate fallen men (vessels with empty souls) to work in agreement with his deceptions. Satan has been allowed to war against the saints (souls filled with the Spirit of God) and oppress some are unaware. Saints have victory over every work and scheme of the devil through the shed Blood of Jesus. Not all saints even realize that they are waring against demonic forces in the spiritual realm. This would cause many to become discouraged. For this reason, it is very important for all believers to read what the apostle Paul wrote is his letter to the Ephesians in the 6th Chapter, verses 10 - 18;
(10) "Finally, be strong in the Lord, and in the strength of His might. (11) Put on
the full armor of God, that you may be able to stand firm against the work and
schemes of the devil. 912) For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but
against the rulers, against the powers, against the world forces of this darkness,
against the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly places. (13) Therefore,
take up the full armor of God, that you may be able to resist in the evil day, and
having done everything to stand firm. (14) Stand firm therefore, having girded
your loins with truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness, (15) and
having shod your feet with the preperation of the gosple of peace; (16) In addition
to all, taking up the sheild of faith with which you will be able to exstinguish all
the flaming missles of the evil one. (17) And take up the helmet of salvation, and
the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. (18) With all prayer an petition
pray at all time in the Spirit, and with this in view, be on the alert with all
perseverance and petition for all the saints."
We must always remember that are battle is not against people, even though it may be easy to assume that we are. Most empty souls are unaware that many times they are being motivated by the powers of darkness to work Satans schemes. We must remember that we are ambassadors of the Kingdom of Light who are bringing the gosple of peace to the vessels with empty souls who need to become souls fill with the Spirit of God so that they can inherit eternal life. Through all the darkness we must always remember why we are here and what our purpose is, lest we grow weiry.
Continuing in Revelation 12, John writes in verse10;
"And I heard a loud voice in heaven saying, 'Now the salvation, and the power, and
the kingdom of our God and the authority of His Christ have come, for the accuser
of our brethren has been thrown down, who accuses them before our God day and
night."
So what occurs when Satan and his angels are kicked out of heaven, is that now the Spirit of Light has complete rule in the heavenly realm, for Satan and his kingdom of darkness is now cast down upon the earth. You notice that Satan, before being cast down to the earth, spent a lot of his time before the throne of God accusing the saints. Even though, "there is no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus", I am sure that many of the saints fell into self condemnation as Satan would magnify their shortcomings before God. With Satan now being kicked out of heaven, these saints are now freed from any self condemnation as the blood of Jesus, that covers their sins, will allow them to walk in the peace and joy of the Lord. This is a great time for believers to be alive, for they will walk in the unhindered full power and grace of the Spirit of God. This is made evident by what is written in verse 11;
"And they overcame him because of the blood of the Lamb and because of the word
of their testimony, and they did not love their life even to death."
So the saints, who have power through the blood of the Lamb to overcome Satan, will continue to testify to the vessels of empty souls during difficult times, even though for many it will cost them their lives. They will have the full power and grace of God upon them, with there no longer being Satan coming between them and the throne of God. This is why they will gladly choose to die before yeilding to Satan.
The apostle Paul wrote in his letter to the Ephesians in Chapter 12, verse 5 and 6;
"God made us alive together with Christ(by grace we have been saved) and raised
us up with Him in the heavenly places, in Christ Jesus."
When a person receives Jesus unto eternal life, they at that point now exist in two realms. They become a New Creation, as in their soul they allow Jesus to come in and give them a second birth, (born of above). That new spiritual man is now seated in the heavenly realm as the earthly man continues to walk on the earth. With Satan and all his darkness now out of heaven, the New Creations in heaven no longer has to contend with Satan in the spiritual realm, giving that spirit full power in the will of God. This is why verse 12 says;
"For this reason, rejoice, O heavens and you who dwell in them. Woe to the earth
and the sea, because the devil has come down to you, having great wrath, knowing
that he has only a short time."
So the spiritual man will be rejoicing with great joy, which will way overshadow any concern for the earthly mans own life.
Jesus peace to all of you.
Monday, July 30, 2012
Revelation Chapter 12 (Part 2) War In The Heavens
What we are going find in the next few verses is that the universe will undergo a massive change. The world will be different from how it has been from the creation of the earth and man, until the present. John writes in Chapter 12, verses 7 - 9;
(7)"And there was war in heaven, Michael and his angels waging war with the dragon.
And the dragon and his angel waged war, (8) and they were not strong enough, and
there was no longer a place found for them in heaven. (9) And the great dragon was
thrown down, the serpent of old who is called the devil and Satan, who deceives the
whole world; he was thrown down to the earth, and his angels were thrown down with him."
First we will take a look at Michael. Michael was first introduced by the prophet Enoch in the 40th Chapter of his writings. Enoch wrote about four presences he saw when he was caught up into the upper heavens and was told to write what he saw. Enoch was talking to someone that he refered to as the angel of peace. When Enoch asked the angel of peace, "who are these four presences which I have seen?", he was told this, 'These are the four angels of the Lord of Spirits,
The 1st is Michael - The merciful and long suffering.
The 2nd is Raphael - The one who is set over all the diseases and wounds of the children of men.
The 3rd is Gabriel - The one who is set over all the powers.
The 4th is Phanuel - The one who is set over the repentance unto hope of those who inherit eternal
life."
If you have read my blog about Revelation Chapter 4, it told about four living creatures that were in the center and around the throne of God. In the Bible we get a small peek at two of these angels. Daniel references both Michael and Gabriel. In Daniel Chapter 8, verse 16, Gabriel is asked, by a voice that Daniel heard standing between the banks of the Ulai, to give Daniel an understand as to the visions Daniel had seen pertaining to the time of the end. Gabriel then proceeded to explain the vision to Daniel. That vision pertains to what we are about to see here in Revelations. In the 9th Chapter of Daniel, verse 21, Gabriel is referenced again. After seeing the visions of events that will occur in the end times, Daniel was so disturbed that he was in prayer and supplication over it, when Gabriel appeared again to Daniel to give him insight and understanding. After Daniel was given insight, he went into mouning for three weeks. In Chapter 10, verse 13, Gabriel is referenced again, along with Michael for the first time. Gabiel told Daniel that God had been sent him to comfort him on the first day that he had set his heart on understanding this and on humbling yourself before your God. In verse 13, Gabriel tells daniel this;
"But the prince of the kingdom of Persia was withstanding me for 21 days; then
behold, Michael, one of the chief princes, came to help me, for I had been left there
with the kings of Persia."
You are probably wondering why I am showing these things right now. To see the picture of what is taking place as Michael is waging war with the dragon, we have to have an understanding of what has been taking place in the spiritual realm as well as here on earth. God sent Gabriel on the first day of Daniels request to reveal the events of the end times and comfort Daniel. The prince of Persia, referring to a spirit of influence over Persia, most likely Satan, fought Gabriel for 21 days, to prevent him from getting to Daniel. Satan does not want people to know prophesy, because he knows that it will make it much harder for him to deceive people if they are aware of what is going on. It was such a fierce battle, that another one of the chief princes, Michael, had to come and help him. Is there any wonder why all the prophets of Israel were murdered. This is why it is so important to understand and why there is a blessing that comes with understanding the things that are written in Revelation. It will prevent many from being deceived. The Saints who have the hope of Jesus salvation and His coming, will be anticipating their gathering together with Jesus in the air. Daniel, through much dred of seeing the visions without understaning, was comforted when understanding this. When writing In his last Chapter 12, verses 1 -3, where Michael is referenced again;
(1) "Now at that time Michael, the great prince who stands guard over the sons of your
people, will arise. And there will be a time of distress such has never occured since
there was a nation until that time; and at that time your people, everyone who is
found written in the book, will be rescued. (2) And many who sleep in the dust of the
ground will awake, these to everlasting life, but the others to disgrace and everlasting
contempt. (3) And those who have insight will shine brightly like the brightness of the
expanse of heaven, and those who lead many to righteousness, like the stars forever
and ever."
When Daniel finally saw the end goal, his heart found peace. He understood that all the things that must occur are not in vain.
In the Gospel of Luke, in the first Chapter, verses 19 and 26, Gabriel is referenced again. In verse 19, Gabriel appears to Zacharias, the father of John the baptist, to tell him about Johns birth. Then in verse 26, Gabriel appears to Mary, to tell her that she will give birth to the son of God, and to name Him Jesus.
I am trying to show, that in the spiritual realm, there is interaction between the spiritual forces of light and the spiritual forces of darkness. These forces sometimes affect what is happening in this physical realm, much more than we realize. There is a battle over the souls people. The Saints, through their prayers, determine a lot of what that activity will be. Believers are in a constant battle against the forces of darkness. The bigger threat you are, the more resistance you should expect. Boot camp, not much. The front lines, much battle. But greater is He (Jesus) who is in a New Creation, than he (Satan) who is in the world. In Jesus, a Believer has power over Satan through Jesus shed blood.
What we see happening in verse 7, 8 and 9, is Michael, one of these chief princes, kicking Satan and his angels down to the earth. We have to ask ourselves, What will this be like? It will be different then how it has been. Satan and his fallen angels have had access to the earth, since it's creation, but they have been limited to doing so only in the spiritual realm. Now they are kicked down to this physical realm. We have to ask ourselves, What kind of manifestation this will be. We know at the present time that Satan and the fallen angels have been able to possess people. I wonder at what this might look like. If they can been seen, Where might they say they have come from?
Jesus peace to all of you.
(7)"And there was war in heaven, Michael and his angels waging war with the dragon.
And the dragon and his angel waged war, (8) and they were not strong enough, and
there was no longer a place found for them in heaven. (9) And the great dragon was
thrown down, the serpent of old who is called the devil and Satan, who deceives the
whole world; he was thrown down to the earth, and his angels were thrown down with him."
First we will take a look at Michael. Michael was first introduced by the prophet Enoch in the 40th Chapter of his writings. Enoch wrote about four presences he saw when he was caught up into the upper heavens and was told to write what he saw. Enoch was talking to someone that he refered to as the angel of peace. When Enoch asked the angel of peace, "who are these four presences which I have seen?", he was told this, 'These are the four angels of the Lord of Spirits,
The 1st is Michael - The merciful and long suffering.
The 2nd is Raphael - The one who is set over all the diseases and wounds of the children of men.
The 3rd is Gabriel - The one who is set over all the powers.
The 4th is Phanuel - The one who is set over the repentance unto hope of those who inherit eternal
life."
If you have read my blog about Revelation Chapter 4, it told about four living creatures that were in the center and around the throne of God. In the Bible we get a small peek at two of these angels. Daniel references both Michael and Gabriel. In Daniel Chapter 8, verse 16, Gabriel is asked, by a voice that Daniel heard standing between the banks of the Ulai, to give Daniel an understand as to the visions Daniel had seen pertaining to the time of the end. Gabriel then proceeded to explain the vision to Daniel. That vision pertains to what we are about to see here in Revelations. In the 9th Chapter of Daniel, verse 21, Gabriel is referenced again. After seeing the visions of events that will occur in the end times, Daniel was so disturbed that he was in prayer and supplication over it, when Gabriel appeared again to Daniel to give him insight and understanding. After Daniel was given insight, he went into mouning for three weeks. In Chapter 10, verse 13, Gabriel is referenced again, along with Michael for the first time. Gabiel told Daniel that God had been sent him to comfort him on the first day that he had set his heart on understanding this and on humbling yourself before your God. In verse 13, Gabriel tells daniel this;
"But the prince of the kingdom of Persia was withstanding me for 21 days; then
behold, Michael, one of the chief princes, came to help me, for I had been left there
with the kings of Persia."
You are probably wondering why I am showing these things right now. To see the picture of what is taking place as Michael is waging war with the dragon, we have to have an understanding of what has been taking place in the spiritual realm as well as here on earth. God sent Gabriel on the first day of Daniels request to reveal the events of the end times and comfort Daniel. The prince of Persia, referring to a spirit of influence over Persia, most likely Satan, fought Gabriel for 21 days, to prevent him from getting to Daniel. Satan does not want people to know prophesy, because he knows that it will make it much harder for him to deceive people if they are aware of what is going on. It was such a fierce battle, that another one of the chief princes, Michael, had to come and help him. Is there any wonder why all the prophets of Israel were murdered. This is why it is so important to understand and why there is a blessing that comes with understanding the things that are written in Revelation. It will prevent many from being deceived. The Saints who have the hope of Jesus salvation and His coming, will be anticipating their gathering together with Jesus in the air. Daniel, through much dred of seeing the visions without understaning, was comforted when understanding this. When writing In his last Chapter 12, verses 1 -3, where Michael is referenced again;
(1) "Now at that time Michael, the great prince who stands guard over the sons of your
people, will arise. And there will be a time of distress such has never occured since
there was a nation until that time; and at that time your people, everyone who is
found written in the book, will be rescued. (2) And many who sleep in the dust of the
ground will awake, these to everlasting life, but the others to disgrace and everlasting
contempt. (3) And those who have insight will shine brightly like the brightness of the
expanse of heaven, and those who lead many to righteousness, like the stars forever
and ever."
When Daniel finally saw the end goal, his heart found peace. He understood that all the things that must occur are not in vain.
In the Gospel of Luke, in the first Chapter, verses 19 and 26, Gabriel is referenced again. In verse 19, Gabriel appears to Zacharias, the father of John the baptist, to tell him about Johns birth. Then in verse 26, Gabriel appears to Mary, to tell her that she will give birth to the son of God, and to name Him Jesus.
I am trying to show, that in the spiritual realm, there is interaction between the spiritual forces of light and the spiritual forces of darkness. These forces sometimes affect what is happening in this physical realm, much more than we realize. There is a battle over the souls people. The Saints, through their prayers, determine a lot of what that activity will be. Believers are in a constant battle against the forces of darkness. The bigger threat you are, the more resistance you should expect. Boot camp, not much. The front lines, much battle. But greater is He (Jesus) who is in a New Creation, than he (Satan) who is in the world. In Jesus, a Believer has power over Satan through Jesus shed blood.
What we see happening in verse 7, 8 and 9, is Michael, one of these chief princes, kicking Satan and his angels down to the earth. We have to ask ourselves, What will this be like? It will be different then how it has been. Satan and his fallen angels have had access to the earth, since it's creation, but they have been limited to doing so only in the spiritual realm. Now they are kicked down to this physical realm. We have to ask ourselves, What kind of manifestation this will be. We know at the present time that Satan and the fallen angels have been able to possess people. I wonder at what this might look like. If they can been seen, Where might they say they have come from?
Jesus peace to all of you.
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