When we left off in Chapter 14, we saw an angel flying in midheaven throughout the whole earth proclaiming the gospel. This is the last of many efforts by Jesus to get people to come to Him, so that they can receive eternal life and be spared from the wrath that will shortly be coming. I can not repeat this scripture enough by Peter in his second letter Chapter 3, verse 9;
"The Lord is not slow about His promise, as some count slowness, but is patient
toward you, not wishing that any should perish but for all to come to repentance."
He is going to send His two witnesses, Enoch and Elijah, for 3 1/2 years. Then an angel throughout every nation, to make sure it is clear to everyone what is about to take place on the earth and give everyone a chance to escape in Him. The angel will also let everyone know that the city of the beast has been destroyed, to let them know that it was all a deception. This is why I stepped away from Revelation to point out what the prophet Ezekiel had written pertaining to this city and to its king being Satan. There will be more references in the Old Testament by the prophets Isaiah and Jeremiah that we will look at when we cover was is written about Babylon the Great in Chapters 17 and 18.
What we see next in Chapter 14, verse 9 is the third angel that will come into the earth will a loud voice that will give a warning to all those who would worship the beast proclaiming this;
"If anyone worships the beast and his image, and receives a mark on his forehead
or upon his hand, he will drink of the wine of the wrath of God, which is mixed
in full strength in the cup of His anger; and he will be tormented with fire and
brimstone in the presence of the holy angels and in the presence of the Lamb."
A lot of people aways like to make issue with the wrath of God. They say how can a loving God do this? God will do this because He is a Loving God. First, the cup of His anger is that He will come to avenge the blood of all His children that had been slain and persecuted, just because they confess Jesus as being the Lord of the universe. Second, He coming to destroy those who are destroying the earth, as we saw in Revelation Chapter 11, verse 18. If Jesus didn't come with His wrath, Satan would have destoyed all flesh. Jesus said this in the 22nd Chapter of Matthew, verse 21 and 22;
"For there will be a great tribulation, such as has not occured since the
beginning of the world until now, nor ever shall.
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' wrath will cut these days short to spare the elect but to those who worship the beast will suffer the consequence of rejecting Jesus and choosing Satan. As written in verse 11;
"And the smoke of their torment goes up forever and ever; and they have no
rest day and night, those who worship the beast and his image, and whoever
receives the mark of his name."
Sounds bad, but they chose it. They had an option and refused it. They will go with him who they worshiped.
Now for those who worship Jesus, verse 12 and 13 says this:
"Here is where the perseverance of the saints who keep the commandments of God
and their faith (trust) in Jesus. And I heard a voice from heaven saying, 'Blessed
are the dead who die in the Lord from now on!' 'Yes,' says the Spirit, 'that they
may rest from their labors, for their deeds follow with them."
Notice that for a believer, death is a blessing. So persevering in their confession of Jesus, despite the possiblity of being killed for it, recognize, that for a believer in Jesus, death leads to real life.
Jesus grace and peace be with all of you.
Wednesday, October 31, 2012
Monday, October 22, 2012
King of Tyre - Used By Satan
If you have been following this blog, you may be wondering what happened to the study in Revelation.This still is the study in Revelation. What I had to do was expand on where we had left off in Revelation Chapter 18, verse 8, where John saw Babylon the great fall. Later in Revelation Chapter 18, we will see more about the fall of Babyon, that John saw. What we are doing now is looking at what was written in the old testiment by the prophets, pertaining to this city. I am showing why I believe that this city will be built in Lebanon, in the city of Tyre and the king, or leader, of this city will be used by Satan. In doing this now, it will help to understand why John says that this city will make those who dwell on the earth drunk with the wine of her immorality to where she has the name, "Babylon The Great, The Mother Of Harlots And The Abominations Of The Earth".
The prophet Ezekiel wrote this,in his 28th Chapter, about the leader of Tyre;
"The word of the came to me saying, 'Son of man, say to the leader of Tyre, Thus
says the Lord God,
This is what God Himself wants Ezekiel to relate to this leader what God is saying to this leader;
"Because your heart is lifted up and you have said, "I am a god, I sit in the
seat of God, in the heart of the seas", yet you are a man and not God, although
your heart like the heart of God----Behold you are wiser than Daniel;
It is interesting here where God tells him that he is wiser than Daniel. Daniel had the gift to interpret dreams and Daniel was also shown and was given understanding as to the events of the end times. It sounds like this man will know what is going to take place in the end times and will insert himself into this self fullfilling prophecy. Ezekiel continues;
"There is no secret that is a match for you. By your wisdom and understanding
you have acquired riches for youself, and have acquired gold and silver for your
treasuries. By your great wisdom and by your trade you have increased your
riches, and your heart is lifted up because of your riches."
So here we have a man who has made himself wealthy by trading according to his wisdom, what he has come to know and understand. In the end times there will be two ways to become wealthy by trading. Either he makes or has something that he can sell to make income or he uses the investment markets to sell and trade commodities and equities to acquire and skim money from others who were on the opposite side of the investment. If a person acquires enough wealth, they can manipulate these markets from both sides, earning for themselves great wealth. If someone is able to aquire great wealth this way, it also means that he is decreasing the wealth of others. In other words, it is not like acquiring wealth from hard work or supplying goods and services that people need. I don't think someone who works hard and acquires wealth is going to consider himself to be God. It is probably the latter, because he feels that he has outsmarted everyone else and therefore he is superior. This does not rule out the possibilty that this leader may be able to attract many businesses to his city and aquire wealth that way. It will be a global trading port uniting the east and west. It will be a global city and many companys throughout the world will want to have their hand in it.
God goes on to say to this leader, in verse 6;
"Therefore, thus says the Lord God, 'Because you have made your heart like
the heart of God, therefore I will bring strangers upon you, the most ruthless of
the nations, and they will draw their swords against the beauty of your wisdom
and defile your splendor. They will bring you down to the pit, and you will die
the death of those who are slain in the heart of the seas. Will you still say, "I am
a god, in the presence of your slayer, although you are a man and not a God, in
in the hands of those who would wound you?" You will die the death of the
uncircumcised by the hand of strangers, For I have spoken! declares the Lord
God!"
Although at this time, the deceived of the world will look at this man as being God, there will be a people who will not view him as so. In Isaiah's 13th Chapter, he has a prophecy pertaining to Babylon. In verses 17 - 20;
"Behold, I am going to stir up the Medes against them, who will not value silver
or take pleasure in gold, and their bows will mow down the young men, they will
not even have compassion on the fruit of the womb, nor will their eye pity the
children. And Babylon, the beauty of kingdoms, the glory of the Chaldeans pride,
will be as when God overthrew Sodom and Gomorrah. It will never be inhabited
or lived in from generation to generation."
The prophet Jeremiah wrote about this also in his 51st Chapter, where he was speaking on the judgement of Babylon in verse 11 saying;
"Sharpen the arrows, fill the quivers! The Lord has aroused the spirit of the
kings of the Medes, because His purpose is against Babylon to destroy it;
For it is the vengeance of the Lord, vengeance for His temple."
Notice that it is vengeance for His, God's temple. This is in response to the fact that the leader of Tyre will come against Israel and seat himself in the temple of God, making claims of being God. This is the abomination of desolation that Jesus said to look for, that was written by the prophet Daniel, pertaining to the signs of the end of this age and His coming. The apostle Paul wrote in
his 2nd letter to the Thessalonians in the 2nd Chapter, verses 3 ,4, 9 and 10;
(3)"Let no one in any way deceive you, for it 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.
(9)that is, the ones whose coming is in accord with the activity of Satan, with
all power and signs and false wonders, and with all the deception of wickedness
for those who perish, BECAUSE THEY DID NOT RECEIVE THE LOVE OF
TRUTH AS TO BE SAVED."
Ezekiel continues in verses 11-19 to reveal who this leader is, and as he descibes him you will see that he is Satan;
"Again the word of the Lord came to me saying, 'Son of man, take up
lamentation over the king of Tyre, and say to him, 'Thus says the Lord God',
"You had the seal of perfection, full of wisdom and perfect in beauty. You
were in Eden, the garden od God;
Remember who deceived Eve in the garden of Eden.
Every precious stone was your covering: the ruby, the topaz, and the
diamond; the beryl, the onyx, and the jasper; The lapis lazuli, the turquoise,
and the emerald; and the gold, the workmanship of your settings and sockets,
was in you on the day that you were created they were prepared. You were
the anointed cherub who covers, and I placed you there. You were on the holy
mountain of God; you walked in the mist of the stones of fire. You were
blameless in your ways from the day you were created, until unrighteousness
was found in you. By the abundance of your trade you were internally filled
with violence, and you sinned; Therefore I cast you as profane from mountain
of God. And I have destroyed you, O covering cherub. From the mist of the
stones of fire.
The mountain of God is the heavenly realm were God dwells. Notice that it says that he is cast from the mountain of God. If you read my earlier blogs, you will remember that we saw in Revelation Chapter 12, verses 7-9;
"And ther was a war in heaven, Michael and his angels waging war with
the dargon. And the dragon and his angels(demons) waged war, and they
were not strong enough, and there was no longer a place found for them in
heaven. And the great dragon was thrown down, the serpant of old who is
called the devil and Satan, who decives the whole world; he is thrown down
to the earth, and his angels were thrown down with him."
If you read my blog on Chapter 12 of revelation you will see that he is cast down to the eartth with
authority to act for 42 months, 3 1/2 years. The leader of Tyre who will make a 7 year covenant
with the many, and will break it 3 1/2 years into it. He will come against Israel and stop the agreed sacrifices in the temple and seat himself in the temple of God, making claims of being God. This is right after the leader of Tyre is killed and comes back to life, at the same time Satan is cast down to the earth. I believe that at the same time this leader is killed, Satan is cast to the earth and the leader comes back to life with the power of Satan. This I showed in my blog when going threw Revelation Chapter 13.
Ezekiel continues in verse 12;
Your heart was lifted up because of your beauty; you corrupted you wisdom
by reason of your spender. I cast you to the ground; I put you before kings,
that they may see you. By the multitudes of your iniquities, in unrighteousness
of your trade, you profaned your sanctuaries. Therefore I have brought fire
from the mist of you; it has consumed you, and I have turned you to ashes on
the earth in the eyes of all who see you. All who know you among the peoples
are appalled at you; You have become terrified, and you will be no more."
Jesus peace be with all of you.
The prophet Ezekiel wrote this,in his 28th Chapter, about the leader of Tyre;
"The word of the came to me saying, 'Son of man, say to the leader of Tyre, Thus
says the Lord God,
This is what God Himself wants Ezekiel to relate to this leader what God is saying to this leader;
"Because your heart is lifted up and you have said, "I am a god, I sit in the
seat of God, in the heart of the seas", yet you are a man and not God, although
your heart like the heart of God----Behold you are wiser than Daniel;
It is interesting here where God tells him that he is wiser than Daniel. Daniel had the gift to interpret dreams and Daniel was also shown and was given understanding as to the events of the end times. It sounds like this man will know what is going to take place in the end times and will insert himself into this self fullfilling prophecy. Ezekiel continues;
"There is no secret that is a match for you. By your wisdom and understanding
you have acquired riches for youself, and have acquired gold and silver for your
treasuries. By your great wisdom and by your trade you have increased your
riches, and your heart is lifted up because of your riches."
So here we have a man who has made himself wealthy by trading according to his wisdom, what he has come to know and understand. In the end times there will be two ways to become wealthy by trading. Either he makes or has something that he can sell to make income or he uses the investment markets to sell and trade commodities and equities to acquire and skim money from others who were on the opposite side of the investment. If a person acquires enough wealth, they can manipulate these markets from both sides, earning for themselves great wealth. If someone is able to aquire great wealth this way, it also means that he is decreasing the wealth of others. In other words, it is not like acquiring wealth from hard work or supplying goods and services that people need. I don't think someone who works hard and acquires wealth is going to consider himself to be God. It is probably the latter, because he feels that he has outsmarted everyone else and therefore he is superior. This does not rule out the possibilty that this leader may be able to attract many businesses to his city and aquire wealth that way. It will be a global trading port uniting the east and west. It will be a global city and many companys throughout the world will want to have their hand in it.
God goes on to say to this leader, in verse 6;
"Therefore, thus says the Lord God, 'Because you have made your heart like
the heart of God, therefore I will bring strangers upon you, the most ruthless of
the nations, and they will draw their swords against the beauty of your wisdom
and defile your splendor. They will bring you down to the pit, and you will die
the death of those who are slain in the heart of the seas. Will you still say, "I am
a god, in the presence of your slayer, although you are a man and not a God, in
in the hands of those who would wound you?" You will die the death of the
uncircumcised by the hand of strangers, For I have spoken! declares the Lord
God!"
Although at this time, the deceived of the world will look at this man as being God, there will be a people who will not view him as so. In Isaiah's 13th Chapter, he has a prophecy pertaining to Babylon. In verses 17 - 20;
"Behold, I am going to stir up the Medes against them, who will not value silver
or take pleasure in gold, and their bows will mow down the young men, they will
not even have compassion on the fruit of the womb, nor will their eye pity the
children. And Babylon, the beauty of kingdoms, the glory of the Chaldeans pride,
will be as when God overthrew Sodom and Gomorrah. It will never be inhabited
or lived in from generation to generation."
The prophet Jeremiah wrote about this also in his 51st Chapter, where he was speaking on the judgement of Babylon in verse 11 saying;
"Sharpen the arrows, fill the quivers! The Lord has aroused the spirit of the
kings of the Medes, because His purpose is against Babylon to destroy it;
For it is the vengeance of the Lord, vengeance for His temple."
Notice that it is vengeance for His, God's temple. This is in response to the fact that the leader of Tyre will come against Israel and seat himself in the temple of God, making claims of being God. This is the abomination of desolation that Jesus said to look for, that was written by the prophet Daniel, pertaining to the signs of the end of this age and His coming. The apostle Paul wrote in
his 2nd letter to the Thessalonians in the 2nd Chapter, verses 3 ,4, 9 and 10;
(3)"Let no one in any way deceive you, for it 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.
(9)that is, the ones whose coming is in accord with the activity of Satan, with
all power and signs and false wonders, and with all the deception of wickedness
for those who perish, BECAUSE THEY DID NOT RECEIVE THE LOVE OF
TRUTH AS TO BE SAVED."
Ezekiel continues in verses 11-19 to reveal who this leader is, and as he descibes him you will see that he is Satan;
"Again the word of the Lord came to me saying, 'Son of man, take up
lamentation over the king of Tyre, and say to him, 'Thus says the Lord God',
"You had the seal of perfection, full of wisdom and perfect in beauty. You
were in Eden, the garden od God;
Remember who deceived Eve in the garden of Eden.
Every precious stone was your covering: the ruby, the topaz, and the
diamond; the beryl, the onyx, and the jasper; The lapis lazuli, the turquoise,
and the emerald; and the gold, the workmanship of your settings and sockets,
was in you on the day that you were created they were prepared. You were
the anointed cherub who covers, and I placed you there. You were on the holy
mountain of God; you walked in the mist of the stones of fire. You were
blameless in your ways from the day you were created, until unrighteousness
was found in you. By the abundance of your trade you were internally filled
with violence, and you sinned; Therefore I cast you as profane from mountain
of God. And I have destroyed you, O covering cherub. From the mist of the
stones of fire.
The mountain of God is the heavenly realm were God dwells. Notice that it says that he is cast from the mountain of God. If you read my earlier blogs, you will remember that we saw in Revelation Chapter 12, verses 7-9;
"And ther was a war in heaven, Michael and his angels waging war with
the dargon. And the dragon and his angels(demons) waged war, and they
were not strong enough, and there was no longer a place found for them in
heaven. And the great dragon was thrown down, the serpant of old who is
called the devil and Satan, who decives the whole world; he is thrown down
to the earth, and his angels were thrown down with him."
If you read my blog on Chapter 12 of revelation you will see that he is cast down to the eartth with
authority to act for 42 months, 3 1/2 years. The leader of Tyre who will make a 7 year covenant
with the many, and will break it 3 1/2 years into it. He will come against Israel and stop the agreed sacrifices in the temple and seat himself in the temple of God, making claims of being God. This is right after the leader of Tyre is killed and comes back to life, at the same time Satan is cast down to the earth. I believe that at the same time this leader is killed, Satan is cast to the earth and the leader comes back to life with the power of Satan. This I showed in my blog when going threw Revelation Chapter 13.
Ezekiel continues in verse 12;
Your heart was lifted up because of your beauty; you corrupted you wisdom
by reason of your spender. I cast you to the ground; I put you before kings,
that they may see you. By the multitudes of your iniquities, in unrighteousness
of your trade, you profaned your sanctuaries. Therefore I have brought fire
from the mist of you; it has consumed you, and I have turned you to ashes on
the earth in the eyes of all who see you. All who know you among the peoples
are appalled at you; You have become terrified, and you will be no more."
Jesus peace be with all of you.
Thursday, October 11, 2012
Tyre - Babylon the Great (Part 2)
In the 27th Chapter Ezekiel, Ezekiel goes on to name all the countrys that will trade with Tyre, and what they will trade. Starting in verse 12;
(12)"Tarshish (Spain, possibly) was your customer because of the abundance of all kinds
of wealth; with silver, iron, tin, and lead, they paid for your ware. (13) Javan, Tubal, and
Meshech, (These were located in what is present Turkey) they were your traders; with the
lives of men and vessels of bronze they paid for your merchandise."
It says that these countrys will make purchases with the lives of men. Obviously these will be men who are sold into slavery as a commodity to purchase Tyre's merchandise. In Revelation Chapter 17 we will see in verse 6, John seeing this, when referring to Babylon the Great, the Mother of Harlots;
"And I saw the woman drunk with the blood of the saints, and with the blood of
the witnesses of Jesus. And when I saw her, I wondered greatly."
In other words, this city was getting much injoyment in the abuse of the lives of these Christians.
(14)"Those from Beth-togarmah (Also in Turkey) gave horses and war horses and
mules for your wares."
These can possibly be military supplies.
(15)"The sons of Dedan (Down in the Arabian Area) were your traders. Many
coastlands were your market; ivory tusks and ebony they brought as your payment"
Many coastlands for Ezekiel were probably many areas of the earth that he was not even aware of. When Ezekiel was alive the earth was not as expansive as it is now.
(16)"Aram (Which in Syria) was your customer because of the abundants of your
goods; they paid for your wares with emeralds, purple, embroidered work, fine
linen, coral, and rubies." (17) Judah and the land of Israel they were your traders;
with the wheat of Minnith, cakes, honey, oil, and balm they paid for your merchandise."
The fact that Judah and Israel will be traders with the City of Tyre, show that they are really going to believe that this peace covenant that is made by the king of Tyre, is one that can be trusted. But we know by what Paul wrote in his 1st letter to the Thessalonians in the 5th Chapter, verse 3, that this peace is the forerunner to destruction, when Paul wrote"
"While they are saying, 'Peace and safety!' then destruction shall be upon them
suddenly like birth pangs upon a woman with child; and they shall not escape."
(18)"Damascus (Syria) was your customer because of the abundance of your goods,
because of the abundance of all kinds of wealth, because of the wine of Helbon
and white wool. (19) Vedan and Javan paid for your wares from Uzal (Yemen);
wrought iron, cassia (cinnamon), and sweet cane were among your merchandise.
(20) Dedan traded with you in saddlecloths for ridding.(21) Arabia and all the princes
of Kedar, they were your customers for lambs, rams, and goats; for these they were
your customers. (22) The traders of Sheba and Raamah, they traded with you; they
paidfor your wares with the best of all kinds of spices, and with all kinds of precious
stones, and gold.(23) Haran, Canneh, Eden, the traders of Sheba, Asshur, and
Chilmad traded with you.(24) They traded with you in choice garments, in clothes
of blue and embroidered work, and in carpets of many colors, and tightly wound
cords, which were among you merchandise.(25) The ships of Tarshish were the
carriers for your merchandise. And you were filled and were very glorious in the
heart of the seas.(26)Your rowers have brought you into great waters. The east wind
has broken you in the heart of the sea."
So all these countrys and other countries, that Ezekiel did not know, will all participate in the function of this city. But the glory of this city, that the world will have exausting themselves in building, will quickly come to an end. Ezekiel 27 -36 show this;
"Your wealth, your wares, your merchandise, your sailors and your pilots, your
repairers of seams, your dealers in merchandise, and all your men of war who are
in you, with all your company that is in your mist, Will fall into the heart of the
seas on the day of your overthrow. At the sound of the cry of your pilots, the
pasture land will shake. And all who handle the oar,the sailors and the pilots of the
sea will ome down from their ships; They will stand on the land, and they will
make their voice be heard over you and will cry bitterly. they will cast dust on
their heads, they will wallow in ashes. Also they will make themselves bald for
you and gird themselves with sackcloth; And they will weep for you in bitterness
of soul with bitter mourning. Moreover, in their wailing they will take up a
lamentation for you and lament for you:
"Who is like Tyre, Like her who is silent in the mist of the sea?
You satisfied many peoples; With the abundance of your wealth
and your merchandise you enriched the kings of the earth. Now
that you are broken by the seas in the depths of the waters, Your
Your merchandise and and all your company have fallen in the
midst of you. All the inhabitants of the coastlands are appalled
at you, and their kings are horribly afraid; They are troubled in
countenance. The merchants among the peoples hiss at you; You
have become terrors and you will be no more."
So what we have seen, is that this City of Tyre (Babylon the Great, the Mother of Harlots) will be built with the cooperation of many nations. It will be a beautiful city, built with the finest materials that the world has to offer. But this city will corrupt the whole earth with her immorality. This is why she will be referred to as a harlot. Her corruption will be that she will try to put a hush to the gospel of the truth of Jesus. I have always felt that this city will be a result of a union of nation. Possibly a global capital of some type. A hope of all the nations. But it will fall as quickly as it has been built. When we look at the king of Tyre in my next blogg, we will see why this city will fall.
Jesus peace to all of you.
(12)"Tarshish (Spain, possibly) was your customer because of the abundance of all kinds
of wealth; with silver, iron, tin, and lead, they paid for your ware. (13) Javan, Tubal, and
Meshech, (These were located in what is present Turkey) they were your traders; with the
lives of men and vessels of bronze they paid for your merchandise."
It says that these countrys will make purchases with the lives of men. Obviously these will be men who are sold into slavery as a commodity to purchase Tyre's merchandise. In Revelation Chapter 17 we will see in verse 6, John seeing this, when referring to Babylon the Great, the Mother of Harlots;
"And I saw the woman drunk with the blood of the saints, and with the blood of
the witnesses of Jesus. And when I saw her, I wondered greatly."
In other words, this city was getting much injoyment in the abuse of the lives of these Christians.
(14)"Those from Beth-togarmah (Also in Turkey) gave horses and war horses and
mules for your wares."
These can possibly be military supplies.
(15)"The sons of Dedan (Down in the Arabian Area) were your traders. Many
coastlands were your market; ivory tusks and ebony they brought as your payment"
Many coastlands for Ezekiel were probably many areas of the earth that he was not even aware of. When Ezekiel was alive the earth was not as expansive as it is now.
(16)"Aram (Which in Syria) was your customer because of the abundants of your
goods; they paid for your wares with emeralds, purple, embroidered work, fine
linen, coral, and rubies." (17) Judah and the land of Israel they were your traders;
with the wheat of Minnith, cakes, honey, oil, and balm they paid for your merchandise."
The fact that Judah and Israel will be traders with the City of Tyre, show that they are really going to believe that this peace covenant that is made by the king of Tyre, is one that can be trusted. But we know by what Paul wrote in his 1st letter to the Thessalonians in the 5th Chapter, verse 3, that this peace is the forerunner to destruction, when Paul wrote"
"While they are saying, 'Peace and safety!' then destruction shall be upon them
suddenly like birth pangs upon a woman with child; and they shall not escape."
(18)"Damascus (Syria) was your customer because of the abundance of your goods,
because of the abundance of all kinds of wealth, because of the wine of Helbon
and white wool. (19) Vedan and Javan paid for your wares from Uzal (Yemen);
wrought iron, cassia (cinnamon), and sweet cane were among your merchandise.
(20) Dedan traded with you in saddlecloths for ridding.(21) Arabia and all the princes
of Kedar, they were your customers for lambs, rams, and goats; for these they were
your customers. (22) The traders of Sheba and Raamah, they traded with you; they
paidfor your wares with the best of all kinds of spices, and with all kinds of precious
stones, and gold.(23) Haran, Canneh, Eden, the traders of Sheba, Asshur, and
Chilmad traded with you.(24) They traded with you in choice garments, in clothes
of blue and embroidered work, and in carpets of many colors, and tightly wound
cords, which were among you merchandise.(25) The ships of Tarshish were the
carriers for your merchandise. And you were filled and were very glorious in the
heart of the seas.(26)Your rowers have brought you into great waters. The east wind
has broken you in the heart of the sea."
So all these countrys and other countries, that Ezekiel did not know, will all participate in the function of this city. But the glory of this city, that the world will have exausting themselves in building, will quickly come to an end. Ezekiel 27 -36 show this;
"Your wealth, your wares, your merchandise, your sailors and your pilots, your
repairers of seams, your dealers in merchandise, and all your men of war who are
in you, with all your company that is in your mist, Will fall into the heart of the
seas on the day of your overthrow. At the sound of the cry of your pilots, the
pasture land will shake. And all who handle the oar,the sailors and the pilots of the
sea will ome down from their ships; They will stand on the land, and they will
make their voice be heard over you and will cry bitterly. they will cast dust on
their heads, they will wallow in ashes. Also they will make themselves bald for
you and gird themselves with sackcloth; And they will weep for you in bitterness
of soul with bitter mourning. Moreover, in their wailing they will take up a
lamentation for you and lament for you:
"Who is like Tyre, Like her who is silent in the mist of the sea?
You satisfied many peoples; With the abundance of your wealth
and your merchandise you enriched the kings of the earth. Now
that you are broken by the seas in the depths of the waters, Your
Your merchandise and and all your company have fallen in the
midst of you. All the inhabitants of the coastlands are appalled
at you, and their kings are horribly afraid; They are troubled in
countenance. The merchants among the peoples hiss at you; You
have become terrors and you will be no more."
So what we have seen, is that this City of Tyre (Babylon the Great, the Mother of Harlots) will be built with the cooperation of many nations. It will be a beautiful city, built with the finest materials that the world has to offer. But this city will corrupt the whole earth with her immorality. This is why she will be referred to as a harlot. Her corruption will be that she will try to put a hush to the gospel of the truth of Jesus. I have always felt that this city will be a result of a union of nation. Possibly a global capital of some type. A hope of all the nations. But it will fall as quickly as it has been built. When we look at the king of Tyre in my next blogg, we will see why this city will fall.
Jesus peace to all of you.
Wednesday, October 3, 2012
Tyre - Babylon the Great Has Fallen
In Revelation Chapter 14, verse 8, we see an angel proclaiming;
"Fallen, fallen is Babylon the great, she who has made all the nations drink of the
wine of the passion of her immorality."
We are going to read about the fallen Babylon in chapter 18 of Revelation. This city will be built with the whole world participating one way or another. Whether by financial support, transport support, construction support, goods and servives support, the whole world will benefit from the construction of this global city. The Old testament writtings of some of the prophets describe this city, it's king, it's corruption and it's destruction. This is what we are going to look at in this blogg.
First of all, we are going to look at what the prophet Ezekiel wrote about this city and it's king.
Ezekiel wrote this about the City of Tyre, which is in Lebanon north of Israel, in Chapter 27:
"Moreover, the word of the Lord came to me saying, 'And you, son of man,
take up a lamentation over Tyre; and say to Tyre, who dwells at the entrance
of the sea, merchant of the people to many coastlands, Thus says the Lord God,
O Tyre, you have said, 'I am perfect in beauty.' Your borders are in the heart of
the sea; Your builders have perfected your beauty. They have made all your
planks fir trees from Senir; They have taken a cedar from Lebanon to make a mast
for you. Of oaks from Bashan they have made your oars; with ivory they have
inlaid your deck of boxwood from the coastland of Cyprus. Your sail was of fine
embroidered linen from Egypt so that it became your distinguishing mark; Your
awning was blue and purple from the coastlands of Elishah. The inhabitants of
Sidon and Arvad were your rowers; Your wise men, O Tyre, were aboard; they
were your pilots. The elders of Gebal and her wise men were with you repairing
the seams; All the ships of the sea and their sailors were with you in order to deal
your merchandise."
Picture the most beautiful sailing ship every built that was constructed with all of the worlds most precious and finest building materials. This is how this City of Tyre will be built. All the most precious and finest building materials from all around the world and all the nations, will be shipped to aid in the construction of this city. Many will become wealthy from the material required to fulfill such an endeavor. Many merchant ships will be required to complete this city. Not just the completion of the city, but after it is built, all the goods and services, that are needed by the consumers of this city, will be aided by production from all the other countries. Likewise, Tyre will be the supplier of much wares back to the the nations.
It is interesting which armies are included in the city of Tyre. Persia (Iran), Lud (Turkey), Put(Lybia), and Arvad (Syria) will all have army presence in the City of Tyre. I am wondering if part of the 7 year covenant, a proposal of peace, that the anti-christ will make with the many, would include a state for Palastine, since this would be a necessity for any agreement to be acceptable. Just prior to the City of Tyre being built, there will be a military action, from the realm of Greece, that will be the only force that will stop Persia (Iran) from their attempt to control the middle east. This was written by the prophet Daniel, who received a vision of this event and recorded it in his 8th Chapter. After this successful military action from the realm of Greece, a man will come forth from among this realm, that will make this proposal for peace. After this action, there will have to be a presence in the middle east that will be able to maintain a stable peace. To do this there must be an agreement that satisfies all parties involved. Palastine must have a state. Israel must be allowed to exisist. The realm of Greece must have a presence in the middle east to maintain the peace. So it is possible that to do this, the covenant would give Palastine a state. Israel would concede to this, after being rescued by the realm of Greece, if it is agreed that in doing so, they could rebuild their Temple in Jerusalem. The realm of Greece will agree to all of this, if they can build an inclusive city for all of them, that would be built as a peace keeping city in the middle east, and thus we have the City of Tyre in Lebanon. The City of Trye will be a merger between the east and the west. This is the vision that Daniel wrote about when Daniel interpreted the dream of King Nebuchadnezzar in his 2nd Chapter, verses 40 - 43;
"Then there will be a forth kingdom as strong as iron; inasmuch as iron crushes
and shatters all things, so, like iron that breaks in pieces, it will crush and break
all these to pieces. And in that you saw the feet and toes, partly of potters clay
and partly of iron, it will be a divided kingdom, but it will have the toughness of
iron inasmuch as you saw iron mixed with common clay. And as the toes
of the feet were partly iron and partly pottery, so some of the kingdom will be
strong and part of it will be brittle. And in that you saw the iron mixed with
common clay, they will combine with one another with the seed of men; but they
will not adhere to one another, even as iron does not combine with pottery.
This 4th kingdom will be the last kingdom ruling the earth when Jesus will return with His wrath to stop Satan from destroying the earth, so that some life will survive. This 4th kingdom of the earth will be last kingdom of man, that will rule over the earth, and the capital of this kingdom can possibly be the City of Tyre.
There is a lot to write on this and I don't want to overwhelm the readers, so I will do it in part so that the reader will have time digest it all.
Jesus peace to all of you.
"Fallen, fallen is Babylon the great, she who has made all the nations drink of the
wine of the passion of her immorality."
We are going to read about the fallen Babylon in chapter 18 of Revelation. This city will be built with the whole world participating one way or another. Whether by financial support, transport support, construction support, goods and servives support, the whole world will benefit from the construction of this global city. The Old testament writtings of some of the prophets describe this city, it's king, it's corruption and it's destruction. This is what we are going to look at in this blogg.
First of all, we are going to look at what the prophet Ezekiel wrote about this city and it's king.
Ezekiel wrote this about the City of Tyre, which is in Lebanon north of Israel, in Chapter 27:
"Moreover, the word of the Lord came to me saying, 'And you, son of man,
take up a lamentation over Tyre; and say to Tyre, who dwells at the entrance
of the sea, merchant of the people to many coastlands, Thus says the Lord God,
O Tyre, you have said, 'I am perfect in beauty.' Your borders are in the heart of
the sea; Your builders have perfected your beauty. They have made all your
planks fir trees from Senir; They have taken a cedar from Lebanon to make a mast
for you. Of oaks from Bashan they have made your oars; with ivory they have
inlaid your deck of boxwood from the coastland of Cyprus. Your sail was of fine
embroidered linen from Egypt so that it became your distinguishing mark; Your
awning was blue and purple from the coastlands of Elishah. The inhabitants of
Sidon and Arvad were your rowers; Your wise men, O Tyre, were aboard; they
were your pilots. The elders of Gebal and her wise men were with you repairing
the seams; All the ships of the sea and their sailors were with you in order to deal
your merchandise."
Picture the most beautiful sailing ship every built that was constructed with all of the worlds most precious and finest building materials. This is how this City of Tyre will be built. All the most precious and finest building materials from all around the world and all the nations, will be shipped to aid in the construction of this city. Many will become wealthy from the material required to fulfill such an endeavor. Many merchant ships will be required to complete this city. Not just the completion of the city, but after it is built, all the goods and services, that are needed by the consumers of this city, will be aided by production from all the other countries. Likewise, Tyre will be the supplier of much wares back to the the nations.
It is interesting which armies are included in the city of Tyre. Persia (Iran), Lud (Turkey), Put(Lybia), and Arvad (Syria) will all have army presence in the City of Tyre. I am wondering if part of the 7 year covenant, a proposal of peace, that the anti-christ will make with the many, would include a state for Palastine, since this would be a necessity for any agreement to be acceptable. Just prior to the City of Tyre being built, there will be a military action, from the realm of Greece, that will be the only force that will stop Persia (Iran) from their attempt to control the middle east. This was written by the prophet Daniel, who received a vision of this event and recorded it in his 8th Chapter. After this successful military action from the realm of Greece, a man will come forth from among this realm, that will make this proposal for peace. After this action, there will have to be a presence in the middle east that will be able to maintain a stable peace. To do this there must be an agreement that satisfies all parties involved. Palastine must have a state. Israel must be allowed to exisist. The realm of Greece must have a presence in the middle east to maintain the peace. So it is possible that to do this, the covenant would give Palastine a state. Israel would concede to this, after being rescued by the realm of Greece, if it is agreed that in doing so, they could rebuild their Temple in Jerusalem. The realm of Greece will agree to all of this, if they can build an inclusive city for all of them, that would be built as a peace keeping city in the middle east, and thus we have the City of Tyre in Lebanon. The City of Trye will be a merger between the east and the west. This is the vision that Daniel wrote about when Daniel interpreted the dream of King Nebuchadnezzar in his 2nd Chapter, verses 40 - 43;
"Then there will be a forth kingdom as strong as iron; inasmuch as iron crushes
and shatters all things, so, like iron that breaks in pieces, it will crush and break
all these to pieces. And in that you saw the feet and toes, partly of potters clay
and partly of iron, it will be a divided kingdom, but it will have the toughness of
iron inasmuch as you saw iron mixed with common clay. And as the toes
of the feet were partly iron and partly pottery, so some of the kingdom will be
strong and part of it will be brittle. And in that you saw the iron mixed with
common clay, they will combine with one another with the seed of men; but they
will not adhere to one another, even as iron does not combine with pottery.
This 4th kingdom will be the last kingdom ruling the earth when Jesus will return with His wrath to stop Satan from destroying the earth, so that some life will survive. This 4th kingdom of the earth will be last kingdom of man, that will rule over the earth, and the capital of this kingdom can possibly be the City of Tyre.
There is a lot to write on this and I don't want to overwhelm the readers, so I will do it in part so that the reader will have time digest it all.
Jesus peace to all of you.
Thursday, September 20, 2012
Revelation Chapter 14 (Part 2) The Fall of Babylon
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.
"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 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.
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