Wow, I'm here again so soon!!!!
144,000 Servants of God!
Luke 18:8 ... When the Son of man comes, shall he find faith on the earth?
What a question!!!
At this time, there will be such a revival as the world has never known. Until the Rapture of the Church, there will constantly be falling away from the Church.
Rev 7 is very clear who the 144,000 people are. They are Jews from the 12 tribes. There is no question about this group of people.
Picture your worship. How do you do it? Is there a certain time, posture or whatever when you worship? I really hope not because we should be able to truly worship any time, any place and in any season of our lives.
In these verses it is the first time scripture in Revelation tells us that God will wipe away tears from their eyes! What a sweet picture.
When the scripture refers to the angels and creatures bowing to worship the One on the throne, it literally means to press the forehead to the ground - lift the head and blow kisses repeatedly!
Angels in Revelation are special ministers of God. They administer His plans for the earth.
In Chapters 2 and 3 they were messengers assigned to the churches
In 8 they are presenting the trumpet judgments
Here we find that they control the forces of nature and they supervise 2 things:
1. The wind from the four corners of the earth
2. They seal the servants of God (the 144,000)
There is complete stillness as the angels hold back the four winds.
These angels will ultimately have the power to change the wind patterns of the earth.
The wind will have two purposes: to cause catastrophe (hurricanes, etc) and to scatter the witnesses (144,000)
The sixth seal takes place toward the end of the first quarter of the tribulation.
The destroying angel is ordered to wait until the 144,000 servants have been sealed and begin their ministry of preaching the Gospel.
This will be a time of persecution for all believers which will be inspired by the Antichrist.
The 144,000 are obviously Jews from around the world.
Whenever you hear someone say that they are part of the 144,000 or their religion is part of that number ... ask them which tribe they are from!
There is no group today that is part of that 144,000 unless the rapture occurs today! These people have not been sealed.
Look back at the names of the tribes. One is missing! The tribe of Dan has been replaced by Manasseh.
Genesis 49:17 ...
Judges 18:30
The 144,000 have a job and that is to communicate the Gospel no matter what their occupation or work is at the present time.
Jeremiah 49:36
I will bring against Elam the four winds from the four quarters of the heavens; I will scatter them to the four winds, and there will not be a nation where Elam's exiles do not go.
Acts 8:1
God scatters people in order to bring His word to ALL people.
The advantage that this group of people will have over any of us is that they will know exactly how long they have to win people to Christ.
The purpose of the mark for these is to seal their security and deliver over safely the one who has been sealed.
Exodus 39:27-30
REMEMBER THAT SATAN NEVER HAS AN ORIGINAL THOUGHT! HE ONLY COPIES WHAT CHRIST AND GOD HAVE ALREADY THOUGHT OF AND DONE.
His ways are always counterfeit.
144,000 will be empowered by the Holy Spirit; they will not have to learn new languages because they will evangelize in the nation where they live. They will come from all over the earth.
It will be like having 144,000 Billy Grahams or Apostle Pauls!
There will probably be more people converted during the first part of the tribulation than at any time during the history of the Church.
Rapture = chaos!
People from every walk of life have disappeared and the Antichrist is trying to make people believe that there is some reasonable explanation.
How could one not listen and accept? I will never understand that part of all of this.
Verse 9 gives us a small picture of the vast crowd ... a number so great that no man could number!
The fact that the multitude stands befor e the throne clothed in white shows that they are redeemed ones from the earth.
The palm branches indicate their victory in Christ.
Another reason we know they accepted Christ later is that John did not know who they were. They came after his death.
If they had been saints of old, John would have reocgnized them.
Granny and the kids
Wednesday, April 15, 2009
Tuesday, April 7, 2009
Chapter 6
This world has come under some cruel times but never such as will happen when the Seal Judgments begin!
This 7 year period decreed by God is for the primary purpose of shaking man loose from a false sense of security
Chapter 6 sets out the first of three judgments: (seals, trumpets and bowls)
All the judgments build in intensity.
The opening the seventh seal introduces the trumpet judgments; the blowing the 7th trumpet introduces the bowl judgments and so forth.
Each is worse than the one before but each period between gives people a chance to come to Christ.
HE NEVER GIVES UP!
The seal judgments cover approximately the first quarter of the Tribulation or 21 months.
The first four seals reveal horses and riders. They represent world conditions and not specific persons.
White horse ... The beginning of the reign of the Antichrist and his kingdom.
The purpose of the rider is to conquer ... the bow in his hand is symbolic of aggressive warfare but there is mention of an arrow. He will conquer by diplomacy rather than by war.
He will be the superman who promises to solve all the world's problems. The crown on his head is symbolic that he will be victorious for a time.
This will probably introduce the time of the beginning of the one world government. The Antichrist will accomplish this through the promise of peace and prosperity to mankind worldwide.
Ezekial 38/39 tells us that a nation will conceive of the idea of conquering Israel. God will supernaturally destroy this country.
the Antichrist will offer peace to all men in order to avoid further wars between nations.
Although all world leaders promise peace to the masses, man does not have the capacity to fulfill that promise.
2nd rider ... Red Horse ... WAR ... he has the ability to take peace from the earth ... he has a sword which is a weapon to kill. The nations who do not want the one government nation will revolt agains tthe Antichrist. This will bring about a world war the likes of which have never been seen as will be seen with the opening of the next seals.
3rd rider ... Black horse ... famine
Jeremiah 4:28
Famine often follows war as it did after World War I. Inflation also grips the world after a world war. The scales indicate the scarcity of food or the worth of things. Food will be worth more than silver or gold during this time.
The rich will not be hurt so much which is indicated by the instructions "not to hurt the oil and wine" which are traditionally foods of the rich.
4th seal ... Pale horse ... death.
1/4 of the earth's population will due during the tribulation. The fact that Hades follows indicates that these are unsaved dead.
Rev 20 ... Hades is the holding place of the unsaved dead.
5th seal --- The Martyred Tribulation Saints
These are the souls of the ones who had not accepted Christ prior to the Tribulation but realized it and were saved after the rapture!
John says he sees the souls of those. They are visible
Read Luke 16.
they are under the altar ... a place of sacrifice covered by the blood of Jesus!
THEY ARE NOT PART OF THE 144,000!
tHIS WILL BE THE GREATEST TIME OF CRUELTY EVER TO CHRISTIANS.
6th seal -- total catastrophe on earth ...
God will show His anger to the mass murders of his Saints.
The sun will be blackened ... maybe an eclipse which could cause earthquakes and volcanoes. Volcanic ash seems to make the moon look red and blots out the sun.
This 7 year period decreed by God is for the primary purpose of shaking man loose from a false sense of security
Chapter 6 sets out the first of three judgments: (seals, trumpets and bowls)
All the judgments build in intensity.
The opening the seventh seal introduces the trumpet judgments; the blowing the 7th trumpet introduces the bowl judgments and so forth.
Each is worse than the one before but each period between gives people a chance to come to Christ.
HE NEVER GIVES UP!
The seal judgments cover approximately the first quarter of the Tribulation or 21 months.
The first four seals reveal horses and riders. They represent world conditions and not specific persons.
White horse ... The beginning of the reign of the Antichrist and his kingdom.
The purpose of the rider is to conquer ... the bow in his hand is symbolic of aggressive warfare but there is mention of an arrow. He will conquer by diplomacy rather than by war.
He will be the superman who promises to solve all the world's problems. The crown on his head is symbolic that he will be victorious for a time.
This will probably introduce the time of the beginning of the one world government. The Antichrist will accomplish this through the promise of peace and prosperity to mankind worldwide.
Ezekial 38/39 tells us that a nation will conceive of the idea of conquering Israel. God will supernaturally destroy this country.
the Antichrist will offer peace to all men in order to avoid further wars between nations.
Although all world leaders promise peace to the masses, man does not have the capacity to fulfill that promise.
2nd rider ... Red Horse ... WAR ... he has the ability to take peace from the earth ... he has a sword which is a weapon to kill. The nations who do not want the one government nation will revolt agains tthe Antichrist. This will bring about a world war the likes of which have never been seen as will be seen with the opening of the next seals.
3rd rider ... Black horse ... famine
Jeremiah 4:28
Famine often follows war as it did after World War I. Inflation also grips the world after a world war. The scales indicate the scarcity of food or the worth of things. Food will be worth more than silver or gold during this time.
The rich will not be hurt so much which is indicated by the instructions "not to hurt the oil and wine" which are traditionally foods of the rich.
4th seal ... Pale horse ... death.
1/4 of the earth's population will due during the tribulation. The fact that Hades follows indicates that these are unsaved dead.
Rev 20 ... Hades is the holding place of the unsaved dead.
5th seal --- The Martyred Tribulation Saints
These are the souls of the ones who had not accepted Christ prior to the Tribulation but realized it and were saved after the rapture!
John says he sees the souls of those. They are visible
Read Luke 16.
they are under the altar ... a place of sacrifice covered by the blood of Jesus!
THEY ARE NOT PART OF THE 144,000!
tHIS WILL BE THE GREATEST TIME OF CRUELTY EVER TO CHRISTIANS.
6th seal -- total catastrophe on earth ...
God will show His anger to the mass murders of his Saints.
The sun will be blackened ... maybe an eclipse which could cause earthquakes and volcanoes. Volcanic ash seems to make the moon look red and blots out the sun.
Seven sealed scroll
OK, so I'll try to do better (I always say that!) but I really will.
Here is the next chapter in Revelation: Chapter 5
There were no actual books at this time - only scrolls of parchment.
Once John was able to take his eyes off the throne ... can you only imagine how difficult that was! he noticed something in the hand of the One on the throne.
3 characteristics of the scroll: It was in the right hand of GOD; it was written on front and back; and it was closed by 7 seals.
The scroll is the title deed to the Earth that God is holding.
the cause of John's weeping ... the scroll is intensely related to manAngelic beings are excluded from opening the seals, even the mightiest angel couldn't open it.No man could open it. No human like us.When nobody was found worthy, John wept. This was not the usual crying ... it was "klaio" every external form of weeping! Wailing, pulling and tearing at his clothing. The same type of grief Martha had at the tomb when she saw Jesus.The title deed was given by God to Adam who lost it through sin.
Christ is the only heir worthy to open the seal to the property ... John wept because he knew that this scroll represented the title deed to the earth and as long as it was sealed, satan would remain in control of the earth!
The lion, lamb is worth to open the seals! John saw the Lamb appearing as if it had been sacrificed...
7 horns
7 eyes
7 spirits
Five characteristics of the Lord:
The lion of the tribe of Judah ... Lion is the king of beasts and since Judah is the ruling tribe of Israel, Christ is to come as King to reign over the affiars of men
The root of David ... Jesus birth into the family of David
A Lamb as though it had been slain (Luke 22:7-16) ... As Peter & John made the preparation for the meal, they killed the lamb. They saw the lamb slain and so they saw the Lamb slain! John would know what He looked like!
When Christ completed the work of redemption, He earned the title deed to the earth.
Lion - power and might
Lamb - sacrificial
Having 7 horns --- a horn in scripture indicates power and authority
Matthew 28:18
When Christ came the first time - even though He displayed certain powers, He did not manifest all of His powers! When He comes the next time, it will be in all of His glory and power.
6 eyes (which are the 7 spirits of God sent forth into all the earth.
These eyes speak of the judgment of our Lord. When He comes, He willknow all that man has ever thought or done.
Every deed will be brought to judgment ... good and bad.
He will come as the perfect judge.
7 horns --- all powerful
7 eyes --- all knowing
7 spirits ... all present
The moment that Christ takes the seven sealed scroll all the angelic beings fall down before Him.
NOTE: The 4 creatures and 24 elders have something in their hands.
Harps
Psalm 137:1-4 ... How could they rejoice when in captivity in a strange land. Did you ever feel like you do not belong?
They are home!!! They will once again sing and play their instruments!
GOLDEN BOWLS FILLED WITH THE PRAYERS OF THE SAINTS.
It is believed that these prayers are the unanswered prayers which will be answered at the appearing of Christ.
Three truths about prayer today:
We pray too little
We pray too small
We give up too soon.
Your next prayer may be the one that fills the bowl!
A NEW SONG WAS SUNG!
Christ is worthy because He was the One who was slain and purchased our sin.
We are members of God's spiritual kingdom into which we are born when we believe.
EVERY CREATURE!!!! Not just man, but every creature! will worship Him.
Phillipians 2:9-11
EVERY LIVING THING!!!Even those who rejected Him.
Here is the next chapter in Revelation: Chapter 5
There were no actual books at this time - only scrolls of parchment.
Once John was able to take his eyes off the throne ... can you only imagine how difficult that was! he noticed something in the hand of the One on the throne.
3 characteristics of the scroll: It was in the right hand of GOD; it was written on front and back; and it was closed by 7 seals.
The scroll is the title deed to the Earth that God is holding.
the cause of John's weeping ... the scroll is intensely related to manAngelic beings are excluded from opening the seals, even the mightiest angel couldn't open it.No man could open it. No human like us.When nobody was found worthy, John wept. This was not the usual crying ... it was "klaio" every external form of weeping! Wailing, pulling and tearing at his clothing. The same type of grief Martha had at the tomb when she saw Jesus.The title deed was given by God to Adam who lost it through sin.
Christ is the only heir worthy to open the seal to the property ... John wept because he knew that this scroll represented the title deed to the earth and as long as it was sealed, satan would remain in control of the earth!
The lion, lamb is worth to open the seals! John saw the Lamb appearing as if it had been sacrificed...
7 horns
7 eyes
7 spirits
Five characteristics of the Lord:
The lion of the tribe of Judah ... Lion is the king of beasts and since Judah is the ruling tribe of Israel, Christ is to come as King to reign over the affiars of men
The root of David ... Jesus birth into the family of David
A Lamb as though it had been slain (Luke 22:7-16) ... As Peter & John made the preparation for the meal, they killed the lamb. They saw the lamb slain and so they saw the Lamb slain! John would know what He looked like!
When Christ completed the work of redemption, He earned the title deed to the earth.
Lion - power and might
Lamb - sacrificial
Having 7 horns --- a horn in scripture indicates power and authority
Matthew 28:18
When Christ came the first time - even though He displayed certain powers, He did not manifest all of His powers! When He comes the next time, it will be in all of His glory and power.
6 eyes (which are the 7 spirits of God sent forth into all the earth.
These eyes speak of the judgment of our Lord. When He comes, He willknow all that man has ever thought or done.
Every deed will be brought to judgment ... good and bad.
He will come as the perfect judge.
7 horns --- all powerful
7 eyes --- all knowing
7 spirits ... all present
The moment that Christ takes the seven sealed scroll all the angelic beings fall down before Him.
NOTE: The 4 creatures and 24 elders have something in their hands.
Harps
Psalm 137:1-4 ... How could they rejoice when in captivity in a strange land. Did you ever feel like you do not belong?
They are home!!! They will once again sing and play their instruments!
GOLDEN BOWLS FILLED WITH THE PRAYERS OF THE SAINTS.
It is believed that these prayers are the unanswered prayers which will be answered at the appearing of Christ.
Three truths about prayer today:
We pray too little
We pray too small
We give up too soon.
Your next prayer may be the one that fills the bowl!
A NEW SONG WAS SUNG!
Christ is worthy because He was the One who was slain and purchased our sin.
We are members of God's spiritual kingdom into which we are born when we believe.
EVERY CREATURE!!!! Not just man, but every creature! will worship Him.
Phillipians 2:9-11
EVERY LIVING THING!!!Even those who rejected Him.
Tuesday, February 24, 2009
Chapter 4 ... The Throne of God
Remember ... to explain what was being seen would be like taking someone from a foreign land and showing him everything here ... for him to explain to his people, he would have to compare it to something ... John was doing just that in his writings.
Rev 4:1-11
The Bible teaches us that there was three heavens:
1. The atmospheric heaven where the "prince of the power of the air" lives and this will one day be destroyed (the earth).
2. Stellar heaven (the sky we see) or the universe.
3. The one into which John was taken - the heaven of God. Could this be the "black hole" that some scientists describe? Maybe!
Job 26:7 He stretches out the north over empty space and hangs the earth on nothing.
Behind the North Star there is an empty space.
It has been suggested that this is the Third Heaven where God's throne is set.
After the letters to the churches, John is caught up into heaven.
The reasons we believe in the rapture before the Tribulation:
1. John, one of the first true members of the Church of Jesus Christ, is a fitting symbol of the Church being taken out of the world before the tribulation begins.
The location of this event is right for the Rapture. Chapters 2 and 3 deal with the successive periods of church history; Chapters 4 and 5 present a vision in heaven and Chapter 6 introduced the tribulation period.
2. The absence of any mention of the Church indicates that the Church is not around during Tribulation. In the first three chapters there are 16 references to the Church and it is not mentioned again until Chapter 19.
3. The use of Old Testament language and symbols in Chapters 4 - 18 indicate Israel ... not the Church.
4. The similarity between the events in Chapter 4 and other teaching on the Rapture ...
1 Thes 4:13-18 (some of my favorite scripture!)
Rapture - caught up - to seize by force.
Christ is coming to rob the world of His redeemed ones to take them to Heaven.
All believers who have voluntarily invited the Lord Jesus Christ into their lives will be raptured.
Most of the symbols in the book of Revelation have a counterpart in the Old Testament.
The throne of God seems to be fixed point and everything else in Heaven is in relation to it.
The throne of God is the place of authority and center of God's rulership for activities in Heaven.
Seven things around the Throne of God:
1. The triune God
studied carefully these verses reveal the three members of the triune God.
When John said he was in the Spirit - he was referring to the Holy Spirit; he was filled with the person of the HOly Spirit; the presence of the throne could be translated to be God.
Christ is seated at the right hand of God the Father
v 3 mentions Jesus ... John said, "...and He that sat was to look upon ..."
We know that God cannot be seen or looked upon!
John 1:18
John 6:46
1 Tim 6:16
The one John looked at is non other than the only member of the Trinity that can been and that is Jesus. John was seeing his old friend ... WHAT A REUNION!
Described in two ways ...
Jasper - diamond ... a diamond disperses light into color ... 1 Peter 4:10 talked about the grace being "various" or multicolored!
Jasper emits the colors of grace from the Throne of God.
Carnelian or Sardius - blood red ... the redemptive blood of Christ.
Jasper - grace (multicolored)
Sardius - mercy (blood red)
Grace is getting what we don't deserve and mercy is not getting what we do deserve.
Also notice the color of the stone according to Exodus 18:17-20
This was the breastpiece of judgment for the priest in the temple.
The stones of the throne of God were the first and last stones in the breastpiece for the tribes of Israel each tribe according to their birth order.
Reuben was the first tribe meaning "behold a son"
Benjamin was the last tribe meaning "son of my right hand"
It is Christ enthroned; the Son about the reign in power Who was before John's vision!
It represents the first time Christ has had His entire priesthood together at one time.
The priesthood of believers began at the day of Pentecost.
Every member of the body of Christ is a member of the priesthood of believers ... 1 Peter 2:9
The Church made up the royal priesthood and is now in the presence of Christ all united at one time.
The sardius and jasper stones are used to depict Christ as our High Priest ... the first and the last Commander in Chief of the tribes of Israel and the priesthood.
CHRIST THE ETERNAL ONE:
another phrase of the description of Christ is ... a rainbow round about the throne, in sight like an emerald."
A perfectly circular rainbow (not just a bow)
In heaven we will see a perfectly circular rainbow which represents the deternal nature of Christ.
These are reminders that we are in heaven not because of anything we have done but because Christ has given us a royal priesthood by His grace.
TWENTY FOUR ELDERS
2 views on this ...
12 representing the tribes of Israel (Old Testament)
12 representing the apostles (New Testament)
Reason ... they are wearing gold victor's crowns (not ones with stones) telling us that they were redeemed men.
Second opinion:
They are not of our race at all ... they may be elders over God's creation.
I believe it is the first!
SIGNS OF JUDGMENT
Lightning and thunder have most always been associated with judgment. Since they come from the throne of God, they are a prelude to the judgment that is about to fall on the earth.
SEVEN SPIRITS OF GOD
Sevenfold characteristics of the Holy Spirit
Spirit of the Lord
Spirit of Wisdom
Understanding
Council
Might
Knowledge
Fear of the Lord
NOT SEVEN DIFFERENT SPIRITS BUT SEVEN CHARACTERISTICS OF THE ONE HOLY SPIRIT.
We are filled with the Holy Spirit and in addition to the fruit of the Spirit, we should have these characteristics.
SEA OF GLASS.
Sea = cleansing of the saings Psalm 24:3-6
Sea - 1 Kings 7:23
2 Chron 4:6
Glass - calm
It represents a sure foundation - the Word of God and our means of cleansing.
FOUR LIVING CREATURES.
Angels
Isaiah 6:1-3
These creatures were there to give constant praise and glory to the Father
They possibly represent the four Gospels:
Lion ... Christ the King (Matthew)
Ox ... Christ the servant (Mark)
Man ... Son of Man (Luke
Flying Eagle ... God Himself (John)
HEAVENLY WORSHIP OF CHRIST
Christ is the object of worship in heaven
Crowns are ones of victor - solid gold.
Everything in this chapter is in relation to its position with the Throne. How about our lives? What is in your life that should be looked at by how it relates to God's Throne?
HAVE A WONDERFUL DAY!!!!!!
Rev 4:1-11
The Bible teaches us that there was three heavens:
1. The atmospheric heaven where the "prince of the power of the air" lives and this will one day be destroyed (the earth).
2. Stellar heaven (the sky we see) or the universe.
3. The one into which John was taken - the heaven of God. Could this be the "black hole" that some scientists describe? Maybe!
Job 26:7 He stretches out the north over empty space and hangs the earth on nothing.
Behind the North Star there is an empty space.
It has been suggested that this is the Third Heaven where God's throne is set.
After the letters to the churches, John is caught up into heaven.
The reasons we believe in the rapture before the Tribulation:
1. John, one of the first true members of the Church of Jesus Christ, is a fitting symbol of the Church being taken out of the world before the tribulation begins.
The location of this event is right for the Rapture. Chapters 2 and 3 deal with the successive periods of church history; Chapters 4 and 5 present a vision in heaven and Chapter 6 introduced the tribulation period.
2. The absence of any mention of the Church indicates that the Church is not around during Tribulation. In the first three chapters there are 16 references to the Church and it is not mentioned again until Chapter 19.
3. The use of Old Testament language and symbols in Chapters 4 - 18 indicate Israel ... not the Church.
4. The similarity between the events in Chapter 4 and other teaching on the Rapture ...
1 Thes 4:13-18 (some of my favorite scripture!)
Rapture - caught up - to seize by force.
Christ is coming to rob the world of His redeemed ones to take them to Heaven.
All believers who have voluntarily invited the Lord Jesus Christ into their lives will be raptured.
Most of the symbols in the book of Revelation have a counterpart in the Old Testament.
The throne of God seems to be fixed point and everything else in Heaven is in relation to it.
The throne of God is the place of authority and center of God's rulership for activities in Heaven.
Seven things around the Throne of God:
1. The triune God
studied carefully these verses reveal the three members of the triune God.
When John said he was in the Spirit - he was referring to the Holy Spirit; he was filled with the person of the HOly Spirit; the presence of the throne could be translated to be God.
Christ is seated at the right hand of God the Father
v 3 mentions Jesus ... John said, "...and He that sat was to look upon ..."
We know that God cannot be seen or looked upon!
John 1:18
John 6:46
1 Tim 6:16
The one John looked at is non other than the only member of the Trinity that can been and that is Jesus. John was seeing his old friend ... WHAT A REUNION!
Described in two ways ...
Jasper - diamond ... a diamond disperses light into color ... 1 Peter 4:10 talked about the grace being "various" or multicolored!
Jasper emits the colors of grace from the Throne of God.
Carnelian or Sardius - blood red ... the redemptive blood of Christ.
Jasper - grace (multicolored)
Sardius - mercy (blood red)
Grace is getting what we don't deserve and mercy is not getting what we do deserve.
Also notice the color of the stone according to Exodus 18:17-20
This was the breastpiece of judgment for the priest in the temple.
The stones of the throne of God were the first and last stones in the breastpiece for the tribes of Israel each tribe according to their birth order.
Reuben was the first tribe meaning "behold a son"
Benjamin was the last tribe meaning "son of my right hand"
It is Christ enthroned; the Son about the reign in power Who was before John's vision!
It represents the first time Christ has had His entire priesthood together at one time.
The priesthood of believers began at the day of Pentecost.
Every member of the body of Christ is a member of the priesthood of believers ... 1 Peter 2:9
The Church made up the royal priesthood and is now in the presence of Christ all united at one time.
The sardius and jasper stones are used to depict Christ as our High Priest ... the first and the last Commander in Chief of the tribes of Israel and the priesthood.
CHRIST THE ETERNAL ONE:
another phrase of the description of Christ is ... a rainbow round about the throne, in sight like an emerald."
A perfectly circular rainbow (not just a bow)
In heaven we will see a perfectly circular rainbow which represents the deternal nature of Christ.
These are reminders that we are in heaven not because of anything we have done but because Christ has given us a royal priesthood by His grace.
TWENTY FOUR ELDERS
2 views on this ...
12 representing the tribes of Israel (Old Testament)
12 representing the apostles (New Testament)
Reason ... they are wearing gold victor's crowns (not ones with stones) telling us that they were redeemed men.
Second opinion:
They are not of our race at all ... they may be elders over God's creation.
I believe it is the first!
SIGNS OF JUDGMENT
Lightning and thunder have most always been associated with judgment. Since they come from the throne of God, they are a prelude to the judgment that is about to fall on the earth.
SEVEN SPIRITS OF GOD
Sevenfold characteristics of the Holy Spirit
Spirit of the Lord
Spirit of Wisdom
Understanding
Council
Might
Knowledge
Fear of the Lord
NOT SEVEN DIFFERENT SPIRITS BUT SEVEN CHARACTERISTICS OF THE ONE HOLY SPIRIT.
We are filled with the Holy Spirit and in addition to the fruit of the Spirit, we should have these characteristics.
SEA OF GLASS.
Sea = cleansing of the saings Psalm 24:3-6
Sea - 1 Kings 7:23
2 Chron 4:6
Glass - calm
It represents a sure foundation - the Word of God and our means of cleansing.
FOUR LIVING CREATURES.
Angels
Isaiah 6:1-3
These creatures were there to give constant praise and glory to the Father
They possibly represent the four Gospels:
Lion ... Christ the King (Matthew)
Ox ... Christ the servant (Mark)
Man ... Son of Man (Luke
Flying Eagle ... God Himself (John)
HEAVENLY WORSHIP OF CHRIST
Christ is the object of worship in heaven
Crowns are ones of victor - solid gold.
Everything in this chapter is in relation to its position with the Throne. How about our lives? What is in your life that should be looked at by how it relates to God's Throne?
HAVE A WONDERFUL DAY!!!!!!
Wednesday, February 18, 2009
Assurance
It comes regularly to my attention that some people who say they are saved do not believe in the assurance of their salvation. This really bothers me because if I had to worry every day of my life if I'm saved or not, all my energy would be expended on getting saved every day. I know I don't need to do that because I am SAVED BY GRACE and God will not take back His gift from me. Yes, I sin every day but I will not lose my salvation because it is real and will be real until the end of time!Just some notes on this subject: Hope they help you. Let me know if they do!
First, we did nothing to gain our salvation … it was a free gift that we accepted from God when we accepted Christ. Do we think He’s going to take back a gift? I don’t.
Ephesians 2:8-9For by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God; not as a result of works, that no one should boast.
The initiative for your salvation was God’s …
Ephesians 1:4-5
He chose us in Hi before the foundation of the world that we should be holy and blameless before Him. In love He predestined us to adoption as sons (and daughters) through Jesus Christ to Himself according to the kind intention of His will.It was God (through His spirit) who convicted you of your sin and wooed you to Christ Jesus (Prevenient Grace)
Romans 8:9
However, you are not in the flesh but in the Spirit, if indeed the Spirit of God dwells in you. But if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, he does not belong to Him.Hebrews 12:2… fixing our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfector of faith, who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.
1 Thes. 5:24
Faithful is He who calls you, and He also will bring it to pass.
Do you believe that the blood of Christ can cover ALL sins? Or just some sins? There is no “little” sin … it is black and white … no gray areas.Yes, if we are sinning, we are outside His will but there is nothing that says we will not be with Him in the end.I believe that if you have truly accepted Christ as your Savior, you cannot do anything to undo your salvation. You can be separated from His hearing but never from His love and power.
Romans 8:35-39
Who will separate us from the love of Christ? Will tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness or peril or sword? Just as it is written, “For your sake we are being put to death all day long; we are considered as sheep to be slaughtered.” But in all these things we overwhelmingly conquer through Him who loved us. For I am convinced that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, nor height, nor depth, nor any other created thing, will be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.
John 10:29
My Father, who has given them to Me, is greater than all; and no one is able to snatch them out of the Father’s hand.
First, we did nothing to gain our salvation … it was a free gift that we accepted from God when we accepted Christ. Do we think He’s going to take back a gift? I don’t.
Ephesians 2:8-9For by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God; not as a result of works, that no one should boast.
The initiative for your salvation was God’s …
Ephesians 1:4-5
He chose us in Hi before the foundation of the world that we should be holy and blameless before Him. In love He predestined us to adoption as sons (and daughters) through Jesus Christ to Himself according to the kind intention of His will.It was God (through His spirit) who convicted you of your sin and wooed you to Christ Jesus (Prevenient Grace)
Romans 8:9
However, you are not in the flesh but in the Spirit, if indeed the Spirit of God dwells in you. But if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, he does not belong to Him.Hebrews 12:2… fixing our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfector of faith, who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.
1 Thes. 5:24
Faithful is He who calls you, and He also will bring it to pass.
Do you believe that the blood of Christ can cover ALL sins? Or just some sins? There is no “little” sin … it is black and white … no gray areas.Yes, if we are sinning, we are outside His will but there is nothing that says we will not be with Him in the end.I believe that if you have truly accepted Christ as your Savior, you cannot do anything to undo your salvation. You can be separated from His hearing but never from His love and power.
Romans 8:35-39
Who will separate us from the love of Christ? Will tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness or peril or sword? Just as it is written, “For your sake we are being put to death all day long; we are considered as sheep to be slaughtered.” But in all these things we overwhelmingly conquer through Him who loved us. For I am convinced that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, nor height, nor depth, nor any other created thing, will be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.
John 10:29
My Father, who has given them to Me, is greater than all; and no one is able to snatch them out of the Father’s hand.
Monday, February 16, 2009
Oops
Left out the Church at Laodicea:
Most disappointing of all the churches
In spite of the wealth of this church, nothing is known of the ministry:
There is no commendation to this church.
Condemnation: They are lukewarm. They have no power. May have never seen a transformation of souls at this church.
They were deceived about themselves! Sound familiar?
Counsel: Be tried by fire! Let their impurities be dissolved.
Most disappointing of all the churches
In spite of the wealth of this church, nothing is known of the ministry:
There is no commendation to this church.
Condemnation: They are lukewarm. They have no power. May have never seen a transformation of souls at this church.
They were deceived about themselves! Sound familiar?
Counsel: Be tried by fire! Let their impurities be dissolved.
Friday, November 7, 2008
Let's see if we can get this started: I left off at the beginning of the 7 churches. Remember a few things about these passages:
There will always be: (a) Commendation; (b) Condemnation; (c) counsel; and (d) challenge to the church.
Church 1:
Ephesus
Commendation: God knows their works. They have labored and were patient.
Condemnation: They left their first love. God was not being put first in their lives. (Sound familiar?)
Quote: To come to Christ costs nothing; to follow Christ costs something; to serve Christ costs everything!
Counsel: Remember from where they had fallen; repent; do the first works (what were they called to do by Christ?)
Challenge: Hear what the Spirit has to say!
Church 2: Smyrna
Commendation: That there is no condemnation! He knew their works and the tribulations.
Counsel: Fear nothing and be faithful
Challenge: Hear what the Spirit has to say!
Church 3: Pergamum
Commendation: Christ knew their works and where they were living and that they had held fast His name and had not denied the faith. They lived in a place where Satan's throne was evident.
Condemnation: Some of the people held to the teaching of Balaam! Doctrines of evil
Challenge: To overcome and He would give them hidden manna and a white stone with a new name!
Note: Have you ever been in a place that you just "felt" the evil? That's what this place was ... a terrible place to be. This place was satan's headquarters.
Are you tolerant? Do we need to be tolerant of everything? I don't think so. We can get into real trouble when we tolerate everything and just say that we're being tolerant because we're Christians. Be careful of staying friends with someone or in a job in the name of "witnessing". You might get caught!
Gal 6:1 Brethren, even if a man is caught in any trespass, you who are spiritual restore such a one in a spirit of gentleness; EACH ONE LOOKING TO YOURSELF, LESS YOU TOO BE TEMPTED.
In v 17 a white stone is mentioned ... this is very cool! In ancient times a white stone meant acquittal. If a man had been tried by a court, the jurors published their vote by laying down a white stone, thus signifying that they had freed him of the charge.
another example is that when you were invited to a banquet by the King, you were sent a white stone with the king's inscription on it. You had to have this stone to get into the banquet. What a beautiful illustration ... we hold the white stone in order to get into the King's banquet.
Because of Christ, we receive a white stone of acquittal with a name upon it that is unknown to men. Eternal acquittal!!!!
Church 4: Thyatira
Commendation: I know your works and love and service and faith and patience!
Condemnation: They tolerated an attitude of ungoliness invading the church through women! Jezabel worshipped Baal and thereby followed false teaching.
Women are natural teachers ... we constantly teach our children. We must be careful in our teaching and make sure we are correct and in tune with the Holy Spirit!
Judgment: The death referred to in this scripture is possible the "second death" when all nonbelievers will be cast into the lake of fire.
Counsel: Hold fast until I come
Challenge: Keep the works to the end! They would receive power.
Church 5: Sardis
Commendation: (such as it is) They had a name or reputation for themselves. People had heard and were apparently impressed with this church.
They had done nothing for today ... all for yesterday. What is your testimony today? Is the same as it was yesterday? I hope not.
Condemnation: YOU ARE DEAD!
Counsel: Wake up! Strengthen what remains and is about to die!
Warning: If you don't wake up, Christ will come like a thief in the night, taking from you in secret what you have!
To the faithful ... their garments were not soiled and they will walk with Christ, in white! They are worthy!
Challenge: To him who overcomes! I will not blot his name out of the book of life. This could possibly be the book once all believers have been removed by the Rapture.
It is possible to have one's name taken out of the Book of Life for three reasons:
1. Sinning against God Exod 32:33
2. Not being an overcomer (putting your trust in Christ) 1 John 5:1-4
3. For taking away from the words of the prophecy of Rev. 22:19
Church 7 Philadelphia
Commendation: The doors of opportunity were open for the proclamation of the Gospel
But they had little strength ... small congreations.
They kept the Word! They also obeyed it! They did not deny the name of Christ.
Counsel: Behold I come quickly and they will have a crown!
Challenge: God will make a pillar in the temple of God. Stability. Again, a new name !
WHY A NEW NAME? FOR CHRIST, IT IS THAT THERE WILL BE NAME THAT NOBODY HAS EVER KNOWN BECAUSE IT WILL NOT BE BLASPHEMED OR CURSED! NOBODY WILL BE ABLE TO CURSE THAT PRECIOUS NAME ANY MORE!
Church 6:
There will always be: (a) Commendation; (b) Condemnation; (c) counsel; and (d) challenge to the church.
Church 1:
Ephesus
Commendation: God knows their works. They have labored and were patient.
Condemnation: They left their first love. God was not being put first in their lives. (Sound familiar?)
Quote: To come to Christ costs nothing; to follow Christ costs something; to serve Christ costs everything!
Counsel: Remember from where they had fallen; repent; do the first works (what were they called to do by Christ?)
Challenge: Hear what the Spirit has to say!
Church 2: Smyrna
Commendation: That there is no condemnation! He knew their works and the tribulations.
Counsel: Fear nothing and be faithful
Challenge: Hear what the Spirit has to say!
Church 3: Pergamum
Commendation: Christ knew their works and where they were living and that they had held fast His name and had not denied the faith. They lived in a place where Satan's throne was evident.
Condemnation: Some of the people held to the teaching of Balaam! Doctrines of evil
Challenge: To overcome and He would give them hidden manna and a white stone with a new name!
Note: Have you ever been in a place that you just "felt" the evil? That's what this place was ... a terrible place to be. This place was satan's headquarters.
Are you tolerant? Do we need to be tolerant of everything? I don't think so. We can get into real trouble when we tolerate everything and just say that we're being tolerant because we're Christians. Be careful of staying friends with someone or in a job in the name of "witnessing". You might get caught!
Gal 6:1 Brethren, even if a man is caught in any trespass, you who are spiritual restore such a one in a spirit of gentleness; EACH ONE LOOKING TO YOURSELF, LESS YOU TOO BE TEMPTED.
In v 17 a white stone is mentioned ... this is very cool! In ancient times a white stone meant acquittal. If a man had been tried by a court, the jurors published their vote by laying down a white stone, thus signifying that they had freed him of the charge.
another example is that when you were invited to a banquet by the King, you were sent a white stone with the king's inscription on it. You had to have this stone to get into the banquet. What a beautiful illustration ... we hold the white stone in order to get into the King's banquet.
Because of Christ, we receive a white stone of acquittal with a name upon it that is unknown to men. Eternal acquittal!!!!
Church 4: Thyatira
Commendation: I know your works and love and service and faith and patience!
Condemnation: They tolerated an attitude of ungoliness invading the church through women! Jezabel worshipped Baal and thereby followed false teaching.
Women are natural teachers ... we constantly teach our children. We must be careful in our teaching and make sure we are correct and in tune with the Holy Spirit!
Judgment: The death referred to in this scripture is possible the "second death" when all nonbelievers will be cast into the lake of fire.
Counsel: Hold fast until I come
Challenge: Keep the works to the end! They would receive power.
Church 5: Sardis
Commendation: (such as it is) They had a name or reputation for themselves. People had heard and were apparently impressed with this church.
They had done nothing for today ... all for yesterday. What is your testimony today? Is the same as it was yesterday? I hope not.
Condemnation: YOU ARE DEAD!
Counsel: Wake up! Strengthen what remains and is about to die!
Warning: If you don't wake up, Christ will come like a thief in the night, taking from you in secret what you have!
To the faithful ... their garments were not soiled and they will walk with Christ, in white! They are worthy!
Challenge: To him who overcomes! I will not blot his name out of the book of life. This could possibly be the book once all believers have been removed by the Rapture.
It is possible to have one's name taken out of the Book of Life for three reasons:
1. Sinning against God Exod 32:33
2. Not being an overcomer (putting your trust in Christ) 1 John 5:1-4
3. For taking away from the words of the prophecy of Rev. 22:19
Church 7 Philadelphia
Commendation: The doors of opportunity were open for the proclamation of the Gospel
But they had little strength ... small congreations.
They kept the Word! They also obeyed it! They did not deny the name of Christ.
Counsel: Behold I come quickly and they will have a crown!
Challenge: God will make a pillar in the temple of God. Stability. Again, a new name !
WHY A NEW NAME? FOR CHRIST, IT IS THAT THERE WILL BE NAME THAT NOBODY HAS EVER KNOWN BECAUSE IT WILL NOT BE BLASPHEMED OR CURSED! NOBODY WILL BE ABLE TO CURSE THAT PRECIOUS NAME ANY MORE!
Church 6:
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