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Post by PrisonerOfHope on Nov 21, 2020 1:53:53 GMT -5
Daily Bible Verse, Revelation 6:4, 20 November 2020 www.wonderful1.comFriday, 20 November 2020 Another horse, fiery red, went out. And it was granted to the one who sat on it to take peace from the earth, and that people should kill one another; and there was given to him a great sword. Revelation 6:4 With the loosing of the second seal, John sees “Another horse, fiery red.” Only one word is translated as “fiery red,” but it is appropriate. The Greek word is purrhos, coming from pur – fire, or firelike. It is as if the horse is burning as it “went out.” The directive to proceed was given, and the horse is loosed to begin the execution of the judgment. The color being fiery red is overwhelmingly agreed upon to signify war, just as the planet Mars, the red planet, is a symbol of war. This probably isn’t coincidence as even from the first chapter of the Bible, the heavenly objects are meant “for signs and for seasons.” Planets and constellations are mentioned elsewhere in the Bible in this way. Confirming the meaning of the color, John next says, “And it was granted to the one who sat on it to take peace from the earth.” The Greek has an important definite article before peace. It reads, “the peace.” Of this, Cambridge says, “...according to Greek usage may mean merely ‘peace in general, peace in the abstract,’ but may also very well stand for ‘the peace’ which the conquests of the previous Rider have left as their fruit.” This is a correct analysis, but it is based on a faulty premise. They (and many others) have equated the first horse and rider to Christ and the peace He brought on the earth. As shown in the Superior Word commentary of that verse, such a notion is wholly incorrect. The white horse and rider are symbols of judgment on an unrepentant world, occurring during the Tribulation period. What the words, “the peace,” are referring to would be the state of hopeful peace that comes with the signing of the seven-year peace deal between the antichrist and Israel. At the time, the whole world will anticipate peace, but the deal will only be a precursor to the unleashing of hell on earth. Using the peace deal as a pretext, the white horse and rider will go forth conquering and to conquer. This will be followed by the red horse and rider who will take “the peace,” meaning the state of peace anticipated by the supposed healing of this long sore wound on the earth, and they will do exactly the opposite. In this state, John next says, “and that people should kill one another.” The books of Jeremiah and Ezekiel repeat the same general idea four times where they indicate a state of peace is called out by the populace when it is a lie. For example – “Because, indeed, because they have seduced My people, saying, ‘Peace!’ when there is no peace—and one builds a wall, and they plaster it with untempered mortar— 11 say to those who plaster it with untempered mortar, that it will fall.” Ezekiel 13:10, 11 Such references speak of a state of anticipated worldly peace when the Lord is not included in the picture. Without His approval of the conduct of the people, there can be no peace. For reference, see also Jeremiah 6:14 & 8:11 and Ezekiel 13:16. Those Old Testament references are then paralleled by the greatest state of false peace to come upon the world. This is spoken of by Paul in 1 Thessalonians – “But concerning the times and the seasons, brethren, you have no need that I should write to you. 2 For you yourselves know perfectly that the day of the Lord so comes as a thief in the night. 3 For when they say, ‘Peace and safety!’ then sudden destruction comes upon them, as labor pains upon a pregnant woman. And they shall not escape.” 1 Thessalonians 5:1-3 This is “the peace” that is being referred to specifically in Revelation now. It is a false peace that has been proclaimed by the world because of the workings of the antichrist. In this, the fiery red horse is emblematic of the war that will come because of this false state of peace. The one sitting on the horse will take the opportunity to bring about destruction and many will be killed. Of this, John finishes the verse with, “and there was given to him a great sword.” Here, the sword is a machaira. It signifies a slaughter-knife. It is a short sword or dagger, the purpose of which is stabbing. Thus, it carries with it the figurative meaning of being an instrument used for exacting retribution. An Old Testament passage that gives the sense of this is – “When they were at the large stone which is in Gibeon, Amasa came before them. Now Joab was dressed in battle armor; on it was a belt with a sword fastened in its sheath at his hips; and as he was going forward, it fell out. 9 Then Joab said to Amasa, ‘Are you in health, my brother?’ And Joab took Amasa by the beard with his right hand to kiss him. 10 But Amasa did not notice the sword that was in Joab’s hand. And he struck him with it in the stomach, and his entrails poured out on the ground; and he did not strike him again. Thus he died.” 2 Samuel 20:8-10 This would have been a short sword, small enough to conceal from the eyes of Amasa until it was too late. Unlike the sword in this troubling account, Revelation describes this machaira, or slaughter-knife, as megalē, meaning “great.” The rider on the horse will not conceal his intent for slaughter. Rather, he will go forth throughout the earth with great slaughter with his great sword. This is seen in the word translated as “kill.” It is sphaxousin, and it means “to kill by violence,” rather than by means of war. War will come, but following after that, the world will devolve into a place of chaos and mayhem. Murderous bands of thugs will prevail over the weaker, and then they themselves will slaughter each other. In other words, the whole world will devolve into lawlessness, civil war, tribal hatred, ethnic cleansing, and etc. There will be few left when the seven years of tribulation are over. What was anticipated as a time of “peace and safety” will turn out to be a time of bloody slaughter. Life application: As noted, this second horseman is symbolic of war. The symbolism is given, and the general outline of what is coming is relayed in Revelation, including the parallel of this red horse and rider to the red planet, Mars. However, we should not make the error that we can either predict the future by astrology, nor should we look to them for divine guidance. Instead, we have the pages of the Bible to tell us the meaning of heavenly occurrences. Astrology is an ungodly pursuit that should never be pursued. Rather, the Bible gives a broad and yet detailed picture for us to know what lies ahead. This horse and rider being granted to take peace from the earth are coming after the rapture as is revealed in 2 Thessalonians 1-12. Specifically, verse 7 says this – “For the mystery of lawlessness is already at work; only He who now restrains will do so until He is taken out of the way.” The world is already filled with war and lawlessness, but it is restrained by the power of God’s Holy Spirit. Were it not for this presence, the world would have already come to its end. But when the Holy Spirit’s restraining influence through the church is removed, the world will be left to do things on its own. How do we know this is after the rapture? It is because believers are already “sealed” with the Holy Spirit according to Ephesians 1:13, 14. If the Holy Spirit is removed (meaning the presence of the Spirit in the workings of the church), then the believers must be removed too because the Holy Spirit is a “guarantee of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession, to the praise of His glory” (Ephesians 1:14). Once this occurs, mayhem will ensure. Now is the time to call on Jesus. Those who do will be taken out before that time of trouble comes. The Lord has shown us these things, in advance, because He is loving and gracious. His offer of peace stands. For those who reject it, terrible times await. Lord God, we look around and see the world in chaos and distress, and yet we know that it could be so much worse. Thank You for Your calming Holy Spirit upon the nations. Thank You for Your patience with the unruly sons of man. Help us to be lights to Your goodness during our walk here – to Your honor and glory. Amen.
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Post by PrisonerOfHope on Nov 22, 2020 1:07:35 GMT -5
Daily Bible Verse, Revelation 6:5, 21 November 2020 www.wonderful1.comSaturday, 21 November 2020 When He opened the third seal, I heard the third living creature say, “Come and see.” So I looked, and behold, a black horse, and he who sat on it had a pair of scales in his hand. Revelation 6:5 Now, the focus goes from the red horse and its rider to the scroll as John says, “When He opened the third seal.” More judgment can be anticipated. The world rejected the offing of God in Christ, and now – for a third time – a form of judgment will be unleashed. Following the pattern already set, John says, “I heard the third living creature.” This would be the one resembling a man (verse 4:7). He speaks forth, “Come and see.” Like the previous two seals, manuscripts vary here. Rather than, “Come and see,” as if a command to John, other manuscripts simply say, “Come.” This would be a calling forth of the entity held by the seal. This appears to be the more likely translation, it is a call for the entity to come forth, and thus to go out, like with the first two seals. With the call, John’s attention is redirected – “So I looked, and behold, a black horse.” Black. It is the color of famine and of mourning. For example – “For this shall the earth mourn, And the heavens above be black, Because I have spoken. I have purposed and will not relent, Nor will I turn back from it.” Jeremiah 4:28 “Her Nazirites were brighter than snow And whiter than milk; They were more ruddy in body than rubies, Like sapphire in their appearance. 8 Now their appearance is blacker than soot; They go unrecognized in the streets; Their skin clings to their bones, It has become as dry as wood.” Lamentations 4:7, 8 “You have said, ‘It is useless to serve God; What profit is it that we have kept His ordinance, And that we have walked as mourners [literally: blackly] Before the LORD of hosts?’” Malachi 3:14 These, and other examples, give us a Scriptural view of what this black horse portrays. With this understanding, John says, “and he who sat on it had a pair of scales in his hand.” Of the scales, Vincent’s Word Studies notes, “Properly, anything which joins two bodies; hence a yoke (Matthew 11:29; Acts 15:10). The cross-beam of the loom, to which the warp was fixed; the thwarts joining the opposite sides of a ship; the beam of the balance, and hence the balance itself. The judgment of this seal is scarcity, of which the balance is a symbol, representing the time when food is doled out by weight.” An example of this is found in Leviticus 26:26 – “When I have cut off your supply of bread, ten women shall bake your bread in one oven, and they shall bring back your bread by weight, and you shall eat and not be satisfied.” Another in Ezekiel 4:16, 17 – “Moreover He said to me, ‘Son of man, surely I will cut off the supply of bread in Jerusalem; they shall eat bread by weight and with anxiety, and shall drink water by measure and with dread, 17 that they may lack bread and water, and be dismayed with one another, and waste away because of their iniquity.’” This weighing out of food, however, may extend beyond simple famine to the abuse of what is readily available. In other words, extorting wealth from others so that they can simply survive. This is seen in Hosea – “A cunning Canaanite! Deceitful scales are in his hand; He loves to oppress.” Hosea 12:7 In the end, deprivation awaits those who enter the tribulation period. It will be a terrible time on earth. Following on from the quotation from Lamentations above, Jeremiah notes the horrifying state of dying of famine – “Those slain by the sword are better off Than those who die of hunger; For these pine away, Stricken for lack of the fruits of the field. 10 The hands of the compassionate women Have cooked their own children; They became food for them In the destruction of the daughter of my people.” Lamentations 4:9, 10 Life application: The third horse is let loose. The first horse was white and carried a rider with a bow who went out conquering and to conquer. The second horse was red, and it was granted to the one who sat on it to take peace from the earth through war. Now come famine and hunger – a result of the first two horses. If you see the logical progression, the entire world is following the same path that Nazi Germany went down and the same path that many other countries have gone down. They started with a leader who supposedly could conquer and provide peace (the white horse), but he instead brought war (the red horse) and its result was famine and suffering (the black horse). These will be followed by one more, but before that one arrives, there is going to be the time of rationing which is symbolized by the scales. Because the rationed food won’t be enough to satisfy, people will secretly hide anything they can eat even from their own family. The horrendous consequences of rejecting God will result in what is now unimaginable. Deuteronomy 28:56, 57 shows us the level that humans will sink to when the food runs out. The terrifying words read – “The tender and delicate woman among you, who would not venture to set the sole of her foot on the ground because of her delicateness and sensitivity, will refuse to the husband of her bosom, and to her son and her daughter, 57 her placenta which comes out from between her feet and her children whom she bears; for she will eat them secretly for lack of everything in the siege and desperate straits in which your enemy shall distress you at all your gates.” Such is the state that the entire world will be reduced to in the years ahead. This type of situation will fill the world because of our rejection of the love of God in Jesus so that we can do things our own way. Reject that avenue now and call on Jesus before the time of horror described here comes upon the entire world. Lord, it is overwhelming to consider what the Bible presents concerning the horrors of the tribulation period. Man will turn to the lowest levels of existence and the greatest levels of depravity on a global scale. It is hard to even comprehend that during times of abundance and prosperity. But we know it is coming. You are righteous in Your judgments because we have left You out of our lives. In wrath remember mercy, O God. Amen.
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Post by PrisonerOfHope on Nov 23, 2020 3:20:39 GMT -5
Daily Bible Verse, Revelation 6:6, 22 November 2020 www.wonderful1.comSunday, 22 November 2020 And I heard a voice in the midst of the four living creatures saying, “A quart of wheat for a denarius, and three quarts of barley for a denarius; and do not harm the oil and the wine.” Revelation 6:6 As was seen in the previous verse, the rider on the black horse symbolizes both famine and mourning. In his hand there is a pair of scales, signifying to weigh things out by measure. Scripture provided clear instances of that being used as a means of conveying deprivation as well. When measures are used, it is to ensure an exact amount – and nothing more – is doled out. During times of abundance, such things are not even considered as the vats overflow. But during times of deprivation, every kernel of wheat becomes precious. With that in mind, John begins this verse, saying, “And I heard a voice in the midst of the four living creatures.” This is one of the voices mentioned throughout the book that does not identify its source. However, it can be deduced who it is. The voice is that of the Lord. We can tell this because a similar term is used four times in Revelation – in 4:6, 5:6, 6:6, and 7:17. Each time, it is referring to Him – 1) The Lord God Almighty in verse 4:6 (the Creator); 2) The Lamb who was slain in verse 5:6 (the Redeemer); 3) The Director of judgment in verse 6:6; and 4) The Lamb who is the Shepherd of His people in verse 7:17. For now, it is a call out either bearing authority to direct (meaning the rider on the horse) or to describe (to the audience the significance of the event). John hears the voice proclaiming, “A quart of wheat for a denarius.” The word translated as “quart” is found twice, and only in this verse. It is choinix. Vincent’s Word Studies explains its meaning – “Only here in the New Testament. A dry measure, according to some, a quart; to others a pint and a half. Herodotus, speaking of the provisions for Xerxes' army, assigns a choenix of corn for a man's daily supply, evidently meaning a minimum allowance (vii., 187); and Thucydides, speaking of the terms of truce between the Lacedaemonians and the Athenians, mentions the following as one of the provisions: "The Athenians shall permit the Lacedaemonians on the mainland to send to those on the island a fixed quantity of kneaded flour, viz., two Attic quarts (χοίνικας) of barley-meal for each man" (iv., 16). Jowett ("Thucydides") says that the choenix was about two pints dry measure. So Arnold ("Thucydides"), who adds that the allowance of two choenixes of barley-meal daily to a man was the ordinary allowance of a Spartan at the public table. See Herodotus, vi., 57.” A denarius (Greek: dénarion) is a small silver Roman coin that, at the time of Nero, weighed 53 grams. The value of it varied from time to time based on the value of silver. However, Matthew 20:2-16 assigns a denarius as an acceptable amount for the daily wages of a man. For example, in verse 2, it says, “Now when he had agreed with the laborers for a denarius a day, he sent them into his vineyard.” With this understanding, the voice John heard continues, saying, “and three quarts of barley for a denarius.” Wheat is the finer and more desired grain for daily living. Barley is of lesser quality and is eaten by poorer people, and is also used as feed for animals. The meaning, then, is that a person’s daily wage is just enough to buy a choinix of wheat to sustain himself, or he could buy three choinix and have a larger meal, but it will be of lesser quality grain. Or, if he had a wife and one child, there will be a lack if he bought wheat. However, there will be enough to feed all three if they eat of the lesser quality grain. If the family is larger than three, the food will either be divided into less than subsistence amounts or choices will have to be made about who will do without. There will be no extra money for anything else. Understanding this brings in the thought of the scales. If a person is spending everything he has made during the day just to eat, he will be absolutely sure to have the grain weighed out so that not a single kernel comes up short. Likewise, the seller would weigh the silver to make sure that it was the exact standard and had not been filed down. There would be a complete lack of trust on both sides of the scales, and measuring out one’s existence, from day to day, would be the standard. The voice from the midst of the four living creatures then finishes with, “and do not harm the oil and the wine.” This goes back to Deuteronomy 28:51 – “And they shall eat the increase of your livestock and the produce of your land, until you are destroyed; they shall not leave you grain or new wine or oil, or the increase of your cattle or the offspring of your flocks, until they have destroyed you.” Along with farm animals, oil and wine were considered valuable commodities for daily life, but there will be no such extras in the time of tribulation. The wealthy and elite will bring the masses to a state of complete ruin. Taking all of the property and means of obtaining wealth for themselves. For the specific term, “do not harm the oil and the wine,” there have been many interpretations and guesses as to what it means. The words don’t especially appear to be directed to the rider on the horse. Rather, like the previous words, they are simply statements of the state of things at the time. The cost will be set for wheat and barley, and the means of obtaining that cost will need to be carefully protected. In other words, referring again to the parable in Matthew 20, the workers obtained their daily wage from working in the vineyards. A person who is underpaid may sabotage the property of his employer. However, in harming the oil or the wine (meaning the vineyard or the olive trees), he will have no employment at all. It is thus probably a metaphor for the complete subjugation of the masses. To harm one’s mean of livelihood would mean to have no livelihood at all, and thus certain death. Life application: In the tribulation period, the things we think of as common and easy to obtain will be completely missing. There will be no fish, no vegetables, no ice cream, no French fries, and so on. Today, if we want tater tots, we go to the store and buy them. We take what we have and pass some on to our pets. Dogs eat better now than most of the humans on earth will eat when that day comes. The daily existence of people will be as in any socialist country seen in the world today. There will be labor with little or no reward. There will be constant deprivation, constant hunger, and constant worry if tomorrow will provide enough to simply get through the day. When someone gets sick, the daily portion will be missed due to the lack of labor. Such is the state of man for rejecting the Lord and throwing their allegiance behind the antichrist. There will be terror on every side, and there will be sadness in every soul, even to the point of simply desiring death over continued existence. Call on Jesus today. The future has been prophesied, and it will come to pass. Be saved from this horror through belief in God’s provision of the gospel. It is centered on the giving of His Son. It is found in the giving of JESUS. Heavenly Father, we take the normal commodities of life as a given, and we never consider that a time is coming when they simply won’t be available. The world is heading towards disaster, and we need to spread the word that man does not live by bread alone, but by every word which proceeds from the mouth of God. May we impress this on them now! Amen.
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Post by PrisonerOfHope on Nov 24, 2020 2:45:00 GMT -5
Daily Bible Verse, Revelation 6:7, 23 November 2020
www.wonderful1.comMonday, 23 November 2020 When He opened the fourth seal, I heard the voice of the fourth living creature saying, “Come and see.” Revelation 6:7 John’s attention is now directed from the black horse and its rider to the scroll saying, “When He opened the fourth seal.” Another form of judgment is set to come forth upon an unrepentant world. The terrors have been incrementally horrifying, and this will be no exception. With the opening of the seal, John says, “I heard the voice of the fourth living creature.” This would be the one resembling a flying eagle (verse 4:7). He speaks forth, “Come and see.” Like the previous seals, manuscripts vary here. Rather than “Come and see,” as if a command to John, other manuscripts simply say, “Come.” This would be a calling forth of this horse and rider held by the seal. As this is the more likely translation, it is a call for the entity to come forth, and thus to go out, like with the previous three seals. Life application: Thus far, there have been three calls resulting in three horses – a white horse with a rider going out to conquer; a red one with a rider going out to take peace from the earth; and a black one going out to bring famine upon the earth. The number four is used consistently throughout the Bible as the number dealing with the earth. As Bullinger says, “it is the world number, and especially the ‘city’ number.” Therefore, without even reading the next two verses, we can make the connection that this too will be a horse with a rider, and it will affect the earth in a way that logically follows a pattern we can see in past history. As we review these verses, we will see what this pattern is and how the people of the earth will be affected – on a global scale. Until then, we can consider that these tragedies are being released from the four living creatures around the throne and that these creatures symbolize the four-fold facets of Jesus – the King, the Servant, the Son of man, and the Son of God. In other words, what is occurring is happening because these revelations of Jesus have been rejected by the people of the world. Their rejection naturally leads to a breakdown in morality, because God is the Author of morality – it being His very nature. It leads to a breakdown in justice, in righteousness, in truth, in mercy, in grace, in holiness, and in love. All of these have been set aside by a world at enmity with God. They will reap the rewards of wanting to do it their own way. Some will say that God then is the Author of evil, but this isn’t the case. A rejection of God is what will bring on these evils. Micah tells us how they could have been avoided – “He has shown you, O man, what is good; And what does the LORD require of you But to do justly, To love mercy, And to walk humbly with your God?” Micah 6:8 When we don’t walk with God as He has revealed Himself, meaning through the Person and work of Jesus Christ, He leaves us to our own devices and the evil that results is our own fault. Be sure to come to the Fountain of all truth and blessing, be reconciled to God today through the shed blood of Jesus Christ. Lord Jesus, give us the ability and the desire to walk in agreement with You, in a humble, just, and merciful way towards others and in a way that will glorify You. Thank You for the Gift of Your Spirit to guide us in our walk with You. And please give us the wisdom to rely on His counsel and not on our own earthly desires and understandings. Amen.
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Post by PrisonerOfHope on Nov 25, 2020 1:21:02 GMT -5
Daily Bible Verse, Revelation 6:8, 24 November 2020 www.wonderful1.com]Tuesday, 24 November 2020 So I looked, and behold, a pale horse. And the name of him who sat on it was Death, and Hades followed with him. And power was given to them over a fourth of the earth, to kill with sword, with hunger, with death, and by the beasts of the earth. Revelation 6:8 With the fourth seal opened, John’s eyes are directed to the last horrifying horse and rider. As it says, “So I looked, and behold a pale horse.” The Greek word translated as “pale” is chlóros. It indicates, like Clorox Bleach, a sickly pale greenish color. Without explicitly saying so, this is a horse of sickness and plague – an obvious connotation from the color. The Pulpit Commentary notes, “The Greek poets use it as an epithet of fear, and Thucydides thus describes the colour of persons affected by the plague.” With that in mind, John next says, “And the name of him who sat on it.” Here is a difference from the first three horses. In each previous instance, the word epi was used, signifying “on.” However, with this rider, the word epanó is used. It signifies “over,” or “above.” It is as if he hovers above the horse like an apparition. So deadly is he that if he sat on the horse, the beast itself would immediately die. This is because his name is “Death.” Here, the Greek reads “the Death.” By simply capitalizing the word, the thought is made understandable. Death is personified by this ghastly figure. It is similar in thought to Isaiah’s words where death is also prefixed by an article in the Hebrew – “He will swallow up death forever, (Literally: ha’mavet – “the Death.”) And the Lord GOD will wipe away tears from all faces; The rebuke of His people He will take away from all the earth; For the LORD has spoken.” Isaiah 25:8 Here, in Revelation, John says the rider is Death, “and Hades followed with him.” Again, there is an article before “Hades.” It is “the Hades.” Like Death, the place of Death is personified. Isaiah personifies sheol, the place of the dead, in a similar manner by giving it lifelike attribues, saying – “Hell from beneath is excited about you, To meet you at your coming; It stirs up the dead for you, All the chief ones of the earth; It has raised up from their thrones All the kings of the nations.” Isaia4:9 It is to be understood that Hades follows with Death. The idea signifies “after-with,” as in being accompanied. Thus, the Pulpit Commentary rightly states, “...not as a separate infliction, but as the necessary complement of Death in the completion of the vision, swallowing up and guarding, as it were, those seized by the latter.” Of this horse and rider, John next says, “And power was given to them over a fourth of the earth.” Views vary on the scope of this. The term ges is used. It can be the earth, a country, the inhabitants of a region, and so on. At times, it may signify only the land of Israel, or it may signify the Roman Empire. But the sense seems rather clear. This is a heavenly vision being sent to the people of the earth, and so it appears that a quarter of the population of the planet will fall under the power of the rider, who is Death. Of the means in which he brings about his destruction of humanity, John next says, “to kill with sword.” The plague of the sword is mentioned first. The Greek word signifies a long and broad cutlass, but it can be used figuratively as well. The idea is that of the implements of man cutting one another down. Even nations cutting down other nations in battle would be included in the destruction. That is then followed “with hunger.” The word gives the sense of a scarcity of food, dearth, and famine. It is a natural consequence of war. The first means, the sword, leads naturally to this means. Next, it says, “with death.” It is the same word as used when describing the Death above. This is death that occurs in any manner. As the other means of death are explicitly stated, this is a catchall phrase to include any manner of death that would occur along with them, but probably “pestilence” gives the sense of what can be expected. It is a natural consequence of a world filled with war, famine, and captivity. John then finishes the terrifying thought with, “and by the beasts of the earth.” This is probably to be taken in two separate ways. The first is literally. With war and depopulation, animals such as dogs and the like will become packs of killers. Other animals would also go on the offense against weakened humans. However, with the rise of modern diseases stemming from animals – both natural and manmade – it can be assumed that things like equine encephalitis, swine flu, bird flu, mad cow disease, ebola virus, typhoid, AIDs, malaria, coronavirus, and etc., would all be a part of this type of death. The diseases of animals, jumping to humans are occurring more and more, even now. When the world is in a state of chaotic war, there will not be the funds available to stop such outbreaks, and they will spread like lightning over the earth. They will be able to kill in the billions with little chance of containing them. Life application: What is seen in this verse is not unlike what Jeremiah was told would come upon the people of the land for their disobedience – “And it shall be, if they say to you, ‘Where should we go?’ then you shall tell them, ‘Thus says the LORD: “Such as are for death, to death; And such as are for the sword, to the sword; And such as are for the famine, to the famine; And such as are for the captivity, to the captivity.”’ 3 “And I will appoint over them four forms of destruction,” says the LORD: “the sword to slay, the dogs to drag, the birds of the heavens and the beasts of the earth to devour and destroy. 4 I will hand them over to trouble, to all kingdoms of the earth, because of Manasseh the son of Hezekiah, king of Judah, for what he did in Jerusalem. Jeremiah 15:2-4 What was prophesied to them is not unlike what John sees will come upon the entire world someday. Israel had forsaken the Lord their God, and they suffered because of it. Since the coming of Christ, He has been made known throughout the entire world. And the world that has rejected Him will likewise suffer. What seems like a world of peace and prosperity right now could, within an extremely short period, turn into a world of war, famine, disease, and utter ruin. Not only could it happen, it will happen. When the rapture occurs, it will be a mere seven-year period before man, who numbers about 7 to 8 billion right now, will be brought almost to extinction. The Lord, through Isaiah, says, “I will make a mortal more rare than fine gold, A man more than the golden wedge of Ophir” (Isaiah 13:12). And Jesus’ own words tell us it is so – “For then there will be great tribulation, such as has not been since the beginning of the world until this time, no, nor ever shall be. 22 And unless those days were shortened, no flesh would be saved; but for the elect’s sake those days will be shortened.” Matthew 24:21-22 Only those who have called out to the Lord Jesus in faith will be taken at the rapture. Now is time to consider what the word says, to humble yourself, and to admit you are a sinner in need of a Savior. That Savior – and He alone – is JESUS! O great God Almighty, we who know what the Bible says look with dread at what is coming upon the world. It tears at our souls that what is coming could have been avoided – simply by acknowledging Jesus as our Lord. We pray for those who have not yet accepted this truth, desiring that many will realize it before it is too late. Amen.
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Post by PrisonerOfHope on Nov 26, 2020 0:17:33 GMT -5
Daily Bible Verse, revelation 6:9, 25 November 2020 www.wonderful1.comWednesday, 25 November 2020 When He opened the fifth seal, I saw under the altar the souls of those who had been slain for the word of God and for the testimony which they held. Revelation 6:9 The fifth of seven seals is broken and the resulting scene changes. The past four seals have released the four horsemen upon the earth for judgment. This verse now redirects John’s attention to the altar. As it says, “When He opened the fifth seal, I saw under the altar.” The main question here concerns the identification of this altar. There are two possibilities from the Mosaic Covenant that might correspond to this altar – the brazen altar of sacrifice, or the golden altar of incense. Almost all commentaries associate this with the brazen altar of sacrifice in the tabernacle. The reason for this is the next clause, “I saw under the altar the souls of those who had been slain.” The fact that they are slain supposedly signifies a sacrifice, and thus these are martyrs symbolically sacrificed at the brazen altar. This sounds plausible. Vincent’s Word Studies defines the words “souls” and “slain” to justify this – ------------------------------------- Souls (ψυχὰς) Or lives. See on 3 John 1:2. He saw only blood, but blood and life were equivalent terms to the Hebrew. Slain (ἐσφαγμένων) See on Revelation 5:6. The law commanded that the blood of sacrificed animals should be poured out at the bottom of the altar of burnt-offering (Leviticus 4:7). ------------------------------------- Therefore, with such an analysis, it seems a convincing argument. This corresponds with almost all other commentaries as well. However, there is a problem with this. The sacrifices on the brazen altar pictured the coming work of Christ, not the martyrdom of saints. To understand this, the entire book of Leviticus has been preached on by the Superior Word. Be sure to start with Chapter 1 of those sermons and proceed through the entire series. Understanding the typology will bring an understanding of what is seen here in the final book of the Bible. Every sacrifice and every part of each sacrifice pictures Christ – His work and His cross in completion of that work. Therefore, this is not speaking of the brazen altar that is an offering to God for sin. The altar of sacrifice was used for the transference of sin from a guilty person to an innocent animal (picturing the transfer of sin from fallen man to Christ on the cross). The blood of that animal (picturing Christ) was then poured out at the base of the altar. However, the people mentioned in this verse have already transferred their sins to the Lamb of God, Jesus. As this is so, this altar pictures the golden altar of incense. There is no altar of sacrifice in this heavenly scene because Jesus has already cleansed His people. He is the fulfillment of the necessary sacrifices for their cleansing, and He is the fulfillment of the typology of the brazen altar. The altar here is referred to in both Revelation 8 and 9 which describes the golden altar of incense. In the tabernacle, this altar was in the Holy Place, directly before the veil which separated the Holy Place from the Most Holy Place where the Ark was kept. At Jesus’ death, the veil (which was a representation of Christ’s body – Hebrews 10:20) was rent in two (Luke 23:45) signifying full access to God through His accomplished work. In this, access to God was restored. Therefore, the altar of incense mentioned here is directly in the throne room. These people did not die for sins, but they rather died in Christ. As it says, they were “slain for the word of God.” This is the same expression used by John in Revelation 1:9. As noted then, it signifies receiving punishment because of the proclamation of the word of God. These martyrs, the faithful disciples of Christ, proclaimed Scripture. It is this “word of God” that is deemed to be contrary to the values of those in power, and they therefore want to have it silenced. John finishes the verse with, “and for the testimony which they held.” Their testimony (in Greek marturia, the basis for our modern word “martyr”), based on the word of God, is the proclamation of Jesus Christ. In their refusal to deny Him, and in their willingness to continue to proclaim Him, they are martyred. John will continue to describe their state in the verses ahead. Life application: When we get to Revelation 8:3, we will read, “Then another angel, having a golden censer, came and stood at the altar. He was given much incense, that he should offer it with the prayers of all the saints upon the golden altar which was before the throne.” The incense is “the prayers of the saints.” These saints have “been slain for the word of God.” In the psalms, it says, “Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of His saints” (Psalm 116:15). The souls under this heavenly altar are eternally safe and their precious prayers are heard by the God who judges their death. He will avenge their shed blood. Throughout the church age, people have been willing to die rather than deny Jesus. They have openly and boldly proclaimed Him. What are you willing to face for this great Creator and Redeemer who first died for you? Be prepared now to give all for Him. He is worthy of whatever you face. He is JESUS. Lord, surely many faithful souls have been martyred over the centuries for their witness of Your wonderful work, but surely many more will die when the tribulation period starts, and when complete wickedness has taken over the world. But those who have died for the glorious name of Jesus are secure and will be secure. Their blood will be avenged. Hallelujah to the God who remembers His faithful saints! Amen.
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Post by PrisonerOfHope on Nov 27, 2020 1:21:26 GMT -5
Daily Bible Verse, Revelation 6:10, 26 November 2020 dtoS2p1onnsorehdc ·
Thursday, 26 November 2020
And they cried with a loud voice, saying, “How long, O Lord, holy and true, until You judge and avenge our blood on those who dwell on the earth?” Revelation 6:10
John begins the verse with, “And they cried with a loud voice.” This is referring to “the souls of those who had been slain” from the previous verse. They had held to the word of God, and they had kept their faithful testimony. Because of this, they were slain. In this, their souls cry out, “saying, How long.”
The Greek reads, “Until when.” It is as if with each succeeding person who is slain, there is another cry. “Surely, it must be time.” And then another soul is added, and the cry is, “Until when! Surely it must be time.” And another soul is added, and the cry repeats again. And the cry isn’t just one of personal woe that fades into vapor. Rather, they cry out, “O Lord, holy and true.”
Here, the term ho Despotēs ho hagios kai alēthinos, or the MASTER the HOLY and TRUE, is used. It is the last time that the term despotés, or “master,” is used in Scripture. It signifies an authority figure with complete jurisdiction and unrestricted power. There are no restraints or limitations on His authority. One can see the connection to the question “Until when?” As the Lord is completely sovereign, then He has a plan and has determined the scope of it, including every aspect. But the souls who are added to the number don’t know that plan, and so the question is made of the One who does know.
But more, in saying, “the HOLY and TRUE,” it is acknowledging these qualities define who He is, and therefore there must be a reason for the death of these souls. The Holy God would not otherwise allow His saints to be so destroyed, and the God who is True would not commit any falsity. As these are understood, those who have been slain are stuck in a mental conundrum, not able to understand the perceived disparity between the two.
To understand the sentiment, one needs to look no further than those who constantly await the return of the Lord today. We look around at the world at the continuously increasing immorality, and at the wickedness that is growing exponentially, and we think, “How Long, O Lord?” We cannot see how the God who is HOLY and TRUE can allow the perversion, murder, and immorality to continue. And yet, it does. Therefore, we feel there is a disconnect between what we are seeing and experiencing, and that which should happen. This is because we are not God, and we do not have all of the information He does. And so, we must trust.
For these slain, the question to the Master is, “until you judge and avenge our blood.” Here, we see that the cry is not specifically for personal vengeance, but for correcting that which is wrong. In Genesis 4:10, the Lord said to Cain –
“What have you done? The voice of your brother’s blood cries out to Me from the ground.”
Likewise, in 2 Chronicles 24:22, Zechariah cried out while being stoned –
“The Lord look on it, and repay!”
Abel was the first martyr of the Old Testament; Zechariah was the last. There is the understanding in both that an injustice had been committed, and the Lord was aware of it and was being called to right the wrong. The blood of these souls is calling out for the same. “Our blood has been shed, it was not in accord with Your moral state, and therefore judgment is due upon the offenders.”
In this, the cry is for the Avenger of their blood to take action to right the wrong. In the Old Testament, the term gaal was used in two ways. One was as a kinsman redeemer, and the other was as an avenger of blood. This was a next of kin who had a personal stake in either redeeming a near kin’s property or in avenging the death of the near kin. Christ fulfills both roles. He is our Redeemer, and He is our Avenger of blood. To understand this concept, one can watch or read the Ruth sermons from the Superior Word (Redeemer), and also the Numbers 35 sermons (Avenger of Blood). Together, a fuller understanding of what is occurring in this passage from Revelation will be obtained. With this in mind, the verse finishes with a request for judgment and avenging “on those who dwell on the earth?”
Here, the ungodly of the earth are being referred to. They hate the word of God, they hate the moral standard that has been set in the heart of men, and they hate those who hold to the faithful testimony of those things. They are set in contrast to those who have been martyred, and the call is for them to be judged.
As to who these souls are, there are various interpretations. Is it all of the faithful souls from Abel until the end? Is it only the Old Testament martyrs? Is it the martyrs since the inception of the church? And so on. The exact identification of them is less to be concerned over than the general precept. The blood of the saints is precious in the sight of the Lord. It calls out for justice, and it will be executed. The Lord is not slack in His judgments. Rather, He has a plan, and the faithful of the world are to accept that their short-term call for justice may not necessarily be in accord with the Lord’s long-term view of redemptive history.
But, to give a best analysis of who these are, each category can be considered. Is it the Old Testament martyrs? Probably not. Jesus said this to the leaders of Israel –
“Therefore the wisdom of God also said, ‘I will send them prophets and apostles, and some of them they will kill and persecute,’ 50 that the blood of all the prophets which was shed from the foundation of the world may be required of this generation, 51 from the blood of Abel to the blood of Zechariah who perished between the altar and the temple. Yes, I say to you, it shall be required of this generation.” Luke 11:49-51
Is it those who are martyred during the church age? Probably not. Paul says that all of the dead in Christ, and those who are alive at the coming of Christ, will be taken at the rapture. Any who were martyred during the church age will be vindicated through Christ’s call to the church at the rapture. It is its own form of judgment upon the world.
Understanding this, and as the events of Revelation are focused on the tribulation period, this is more surely referring to those who are martyred during that period. They will be willing to give up their lives for the testimony of Christ. And there will be many of them, as is testified to in the coming chapters. But Christ will avenge their blood in due time.
Life application: The Lord is the Avenger of Blood. The avenger had the responsibility to take the life of the person who killed a near relative, willingly or by accident, but provisions were also set up to protect the person who killed unintentionally. However, when the murder was intentional, “The avenger of blood himself shall put the murderer to death; when he meets him, he shall put him to death” (Numbers 35:19).
As noted, the gaal is the same term applied to the kinsman redeemer and the avenger of blood. Jesus is both to us because He is our nearest relative. The people, as it said in the previous verse, were martyrs – thus implying that they were God’s witnesses of Jesus Christ. They are saved believers, either anticipating the coming of Christ, or who proclaim that Christ has come (as noted above, surely the latter – tribulation saints). Because of this, they are to be avenged. Their cry of “How long?” is one also seen several times in the Old Testament.
Isaiah wanted to know how long he had to witness to the people of Israel. Zechariah asked the Lord how long He would withhold His mercy from Jerusalem and the other cities of Judah. And Daniel cried out to God wanting to know how long until the visions he was given would come to pass. The Lord is working on His own timetable and we must be patient as we wait on His plans.
These martyrs in Revelation call out to the Lord with a rare word that signifies a master with full and absolute authority. In this, they are recognizing Christ’s divine authority to judge. And He will. This verse is one that pleads for the people of the Lord to allow Him to conduct His affairs according to His wisdom. He will not let any wrong deed go unpunished, and He will work in the most effective manner to receive the full glory that He is due. He will also receive the greatest praises from His people when they see His effective hand of completing the redemptive narrative. He is all wise, and He is fully capable of completing the task set before Him. He is JESUS!
Lord Jesus, it is comforting to know that You are our Avenger and that You will surely judge any who come against us. It is also comforting to know that You are our closest relative, even closer than a brother. You are our glorious Kinsman Redeemer and You have paid the ransom price for our souls with Your own precious blood. Thank You, O Lord! Amen.
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Post by PrisonerOfHope on Nov 28, 2020 1:57:19 GMT -5
Daily Bible Verse, Revelation 6:11, 27 November 2020 www.wonderful1.comFriday, 27 November 2020 Then a white robe was given to each of them; and it was said to them that they should rest a little while longer, until both the number of their fellow servants and their brethren, who would be killed as they were, was completed. Revelation 6:11 The words here still refer to those first mentioned in verse 6:9. They are those who had been slain for the word of God and for the testimony they held. Their cry went forth asking when their blood would be avenged. In response, this verse is given, saying, “Then a white robe was given to each of them.” The word for “robe” is stolé. It speaks of a long robe worn by the upper class in the Middle East. When seen, it reflected people of high station and wealth. It was also used as a special festal robe. Here, the white is signifying righteousness, and the style of robe is reflecting their high status because of their willingness to die for the truth of God in Christ. In verse 4:4, the twenty-four elders were said to be clothed in white robes. Likewise, in verse 19:8, it says – “And to her it was granted to be arrayed in fine linen, clean and bright, for the fine linen is the righteous acts of the saints.” The general symbolism is found here, but with the note of the particular type of robe. This certainly highlights their martyrdom as worthy of special note. As Charles Ellicott says, “Persecuted on earth, they are honoured in heaven.” This particular type will be noted three times in Chapter 7, and once in Revelation 22:14 (depending on the source text used). The sixth chapter of Revelation corresponds to the sixth letter of the Hebrew aleph-bet. The sixth letter, vav, pictures a tent peg, and it signifies “secure.” Here, the martyrs of the tribulation are given white robes, signifying the righteousness of Christ, and that they are eternally secure in Him. After receiving their robes, John notes, “and it was said to them that they should rest a little while longer.” These words are given in response to their cry of the previous verse, “How long, O Lord, holy and true, until You judge and avenge our blood on those who dwell on the earth?” The answer is for them to “...rest a little while longer.” It is a way of saying, “Let God unfold His plan accordingly. All will be made right, and in the meantime, rest.” In this, it isn’t just a rest from their cries, but a rest which is in peace and without any further cares. As Matthew Poole says, “That they should rest yet for a little season; that they should be satisfied, and acquiesce in God’s dispensations.” And there is a reason for this. God does, in fact, have a set plan which is “until both the number of their fellow servants and their brethren, who would be killed as they were, was completed.” The word translated as “completed” is pléroó. It signifies filling to capacity. There is a set amount that will meet an end purpose, and until that amount is reached, the purpose has not been met. One could think of a scale weighing out gold. The target weight is 44 grams. Until that amount is met, the adding of grains is not fulfilled. So it is with God’s plans for the martyred of the tribulation period. A concrete example of this type of addition is found in Romans – For I do not desire, brethren, that you should be ignorant of this mystery, lest you should be wise in your own opinion, that blindness in part has happened to Israel until the fullness of the Gentiles has come in. 26 And so all Israel will be saved, as it is written: “The Deliverer will come out of Zion, And He will turn away ungodliness from Jacob; 27 For this is My covenant with them, When I take away their sins.” Romans 11:25-27 God’s dispensational model clearly reveals that He still has a plan and a purpose for Israel, but that plan includes Israel’s partial blindness until a set number of Gentiles has been filled up (pléróma). Likewise, Paul says – “Now, therefore, you are no longer strangers and foreigners, but fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God, 20 having been built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ Himself being the chief cornerstone, 21 in whom the whole building, being fitted together, grows into a holy temple in the Lord, 22 in whom you also are being built together for a dwelling place of God in the Spirit.” Ephesians 2:19-22 In Paul’s (and also Peter’s) words, it notes that believers are being built into a building. Having a building implies having someone who has planned that building. Every detail of a building is first laid out by an architect, even down to the last amount of wire, tile, or mortar. In this, God has a set plan, and that plan is being worked out in the stream of human existence. Until the details of that plan have been met, we are to patiently wait. What is important to remember is that God is not indifferent to the slaying of His people. However, because they are His people, they will ultimately be with Him forever. As Jesus said, “It is the Spirit who gives life; the flesh profits nothing. The words that I speak to you are spirit, and they are life.” Because we are in physical bodies, it is our point of reference. We look to the flesh as that which is essential and of the highest value. But this is an error in thinking. Trusting in Christ as these martyrs did, even to death, does not mean the end. Rather, it is only a step to that which is truly life. Life application: The granting of these garments has symbolism that reaches all the way back to Genesis 3:21 where “for Adam and his wife the Lord God made tunics of skin, and clothed them.” This was done only after Adam demonstrated faith in the promise of a Redeemer to come. By naming his wife “Eve,” he indicated his belief in the promises of God; Eve means “life.” This pattern continues without wavering throughout the Bible. Only when faith in God and His promises are made can anyone be clothed, or covered, by Him. This clothing then signifies that a right relationship with God has been restored. Before that time, a person is separated from Him because of his sins. However, when we demonstrate faith in God’s word, we move from a position of guilt to a state where we are free from guilt. In essence, God bestows upon us the righteousness of Jesus Christ, symbolized by the white robe. Isaiah speaks of this blessed state – “I will greatly rejoice in the LORD, My soul shall be joyful in my God; For He has clothed me with the garments of salvation, He has covered me with the robe of righteousness, As a bridegroom decks himself with ornaments, And as a bride adorns herself with her jewels.” Isaiah 61:10 These martyrs of the tribulation period have demonstrated faith, even to the point of death, and they can now rest in the eternal security which is the reward of this faith. For His people of Israel, Jesus spoke of this trial that would be faced during the tribulation – “You will be betrayed even by parents and brothers, relatives and friends; and they will put some of you to death. 17 And you will be hated by all for My name’s sake. 18 But not a hair of your head shall be lost. 19 By your patience possess your souls.” Luke 21:16-19 Obviously, if someone had been put to death and yet “not a hair of your head shall be lost,” then Jesus was speaking of the eternally secure state of these martyrs. Despite the bloodbath of this horrific period, there is an appointed end to the death and destruction. God knows, in advance, how many will be martyred. When that number is complete, He will act by sending Jesus back to reign from His throne in Jerusalem. As this is so, and as these things are certain and known to God – in each dispensation of time – then why would we worry about the temporary trials and troubles we face? Let us trust God to deliver us from whatever trouble or trial we now experience. He is faithful and He will deliver. He is JESUS. Lord God, in Your word, there are many passages about martyrdom for your people. And yet, they are – at the same time – words of comfort and assurance. You have promised that You have us safely in Your care, and that because of Jesus, we will receive the eternal inheritance of everlasting life. We can look to Your word and then to the future and have nothing to fear. You have everything under control. We are secure in Christ. Hallelujah and Amen.
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Post by PrisonerOfHope on Nov 29, 2020 1:14:04 GMT -5
Daily Bible Verse, Revelation 6:12, 28 November 2020 www.wonderful1.comSaturday, 28 November 2020 I looked when He opened the sixth seal, and behold, there was a great earthquake; and the sun became black as sackcloth of hair, and the moon became like blood. Revelation 6:12 John’s attention is now redirected once again with the breaking of the next seal. The first four seals dealt with the judgments upon the earth, symbolized by the four horsemen. The fifth seal took us to the heavenly altar and the souls of those who were martyred for faith in Christ during those judgments. John is now directed back to the earth and the “two great lights” of Genesis 1, the sun and the moon. The scene begins with, “I looked when He opened the sixth seal.” A new judgment is coming. Whether these judgments are chronological or not is debated, but probably not. Each is simply something that occurs during the tribulation period, and it is introduced in a logical sequence for the reader to understand. For example, it is certain that the consequences of the four horsemen will fill the entire tribulation period. For now, however, John is directed to the events surrounding this sixth seal, saying, “and behold, there was a great earthquake.” The word translated as “earthquake” is seismos. It signifies a shaking, or even a storm (as in Matthew 8:24). Despite being a “shaking,” the translation of “earthquake” is certainly correct. The Bible records several earthquakes in the past and in the future. One such example is found in Ezekiel 38 – “‘And it will come to pass at the same time, when Gog comes against the land of Israel,’ says the Lord GOD, ‘that My fury will show in My face. 19 For in My jealousy and in the fire of My wrath I have spoken: “Surely in that day there shall be a great earthquake in the land of Israel, 20 so that the fish of the sea, the birds of the heavens, the beasts of the field, all creeping things that creep on the earth, and all men who are on the face of the earth shall shake at My presence. The mountains shall be thrown down, the steep places shall fall, and every wall shall fall to the ground.”’” Ezekiel 38:18-20 The timing of earthquakes, such as the one in Ezekiel, is propitiously placed when redemptive events occur. One of the most notably propitious timings of all such events in human history is found in Matthew 27 – “Then, behold, the veil of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom; and the earth quaked, and the rocks were split, 52 and the graves were opened; and many bodies of the saints who had fallen asleep were raised; 53 and coming out of the graves after His resurrection, they went into the holy city and appeared to many.” Matthew 27:51-53 Another such event is prophesied to occur at Christ’s second coming when His feet stand on the Mount of Olives. At that time, it will be split in two according to Zechariah 14:4. God’s purposes for moving history along in a predetermined manner include His use of the elements to effect those purposes. John next says, “and the sun became black as sackcloth of hair, and the moon became like blood.” It is two separate things, but they are the result of one event. Because the events are mentioned after the earthquake, this terminology is surely to be taken literally. What is most likely being described is an earthquake large enough to cause volcanoes or some other natural disaster that will spew great volumes of dust and debris into the atmosphere. This will cause the darkening of the sun during the day and the moon looking red like blood at night. This is seen at times from other such events. Sandstorms from Africa will cause the sun and moon to darken over the United States. The oil fields burning during the Iraq war caused this to occur for an extended period of time in many parts of the world, and so on. As the events of the Bible are generally surrounding the Middle East, it is certain that this is the view that will be seen from there, and particularly in Israel. Based on the terminology in the rest of this chapter, it is likely that this will not be isolated to the Middle East though, but it could possibly encompass the whole earth. Such an event is prophesied by Christ Jesus in Matthew 24 – “Immediately after the tribulation of those days the sun will be darkened, and the moon will not give its light; the stars will fall from heaven, and the powers of the heavens will be shaken. 30 Then the sign of the Son of Man will appear in heaven, and then all the tribes of the earth will mourn, and they will see the Son of Man coming on the clouds of heaven with power and great glory. 31 And He will send His angels with a great sound of a trumpet, and they will gather together His elect from the four winds, from one end of heaven to the other.” Matthew 24:29-31 The two accounts between Matthew and Revelation parallel exactingly. The events of the first five loosing of the seals closely match the events Jesus speaks of in Matthew 24 that precede His coming as prophesied there. The words of Matthew 24 match the verses here in Revelation 6. And so, even if not completely chronological in the opening of the seals, they do follow the overall pattern of what Jesus first spoke of to Israel. Life application: The events spoken by Jesus in Matthew 24 were spoken to Israel, under the law, and in anticipation of events in their history leading up to the kingdom age. Christ was not speaking to the Gentile-led church, and it is not until Acts 10 that it was even known that Gentiles would be a part of what was going on. And, not until the introduction of Paul was this mystery most fully understood (e.g., see Ephesians 3:1-7). The events of Revelation that parallel the events of Matthew 24 are directed to Israel during the tribulation period, not to the church – which has been taken out at the rapture. In mixing dispensations, one will always (not sometimes, but always) have confused theology. There will be contradictions that are not resolvable because the events and theology for the various dispensations apply only to those dispensations. All of Scripture is useful for the disciple of Christ to understand the redemptive narrative, but not all of Scripture is directed to everyone at all times. Have sound theology, keep things in context, and do not mix theology between dispensations. In this, you will do well, and your eschatology will be sound. For example, in Acts 2, Peter speaks of the sun turning into darkness and the moon into blood. His words are quoting Joel chapter 2, and they are applied to Pentecost in the year of the resurrection of Jesus in a symbolic fashion, but this isn’t a full picture of what Peter was speaking about. Instead, he was saying these things would come because of Jesus’ completed work, but not that they had necessarily come in their fullness at that time. The context of Peter’s words must be evaluated based on the original prophecy in Joel. Further, they must be evaluated based on who Peter was speaking to – the Jewish people only. Some of those events are future to us, even now, and they will be fully realized after the rapture of the church, in and through the people of Israel. How great and wonderful You are, O God. You have given us a look into future events and what is coming upon the whole world. And, You have also given us the way to avoid being caught up in them – by calling on Jesus now. Help us to focus our thoughts, hearts, and minds on Jesus and to tell His message to others before that Day comes. Amen.
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Post by PrisonerOfHope on Nov 30, 2020 2:03:11 GMT -5
Daily Bible Verse, Revelation 6:13, 29 November 2020 www.wonderful1.comSunday, 29 November 2020 And the stars of heaven fell to the earth, as a fig tree drops its late figs when it is shaken by a mighty wind. Revelation 6:13 The previous verse spoke of a great earthquake and the darkening of the sun and the moon. The events continue in the heavens in this verse where John says, “And the stars of heaven fell to the earth.” The symbolism that was presented by the Lord in Matthew 24:29 continues here. There, He said, “Immediately after the tribulation of those days the sun will be darkened, and the moon will not give its light; the stars will fall from heaven.” Concerning these stars, there are two general ways the words are interpreted. The first is that these are literal meteors in the heavens falling to earth, which to John would appear as stars. This then could indicate the timing of the surrounding events – such as during a Perseid or Leonid meteor shower. This would be perfectly in line with the symbolism of the sun and moon being darkened in the preceding verse and the earthquake before that – each of which is plausible and likely if the events are to be taken literally. If this natural explanation is correct, it is important to remember that the Bible, at times, describes events as they would appear to the spectator, not in scientifically accurate terms. However, there is a second option as well. It could be that the stars are references to people in high positions, religious or otherwise. This terminology is used elsewhere in the Bible, such as in Daniel 8:10 – “And it grew up to the host of heaven; and it cast down some of the host and some of the stars to the ground, and trampled them.” The symbolism of stars being equated to rulers or leaders is found elsewhere as well. In Numbers 24:17, there is a prophecy that says, “A Star shall come out of Jacob.” That is then defined by the next clause, saying, “A Scepter shall rise out of Israel.” It is a messianic prophecy of the coming Messiah. Later, in Isaiah 17, the “day star” of verse 12 is referred to. In verse 13, he then says, “I will exalt my throne above the stars of God.” Such references (and others) are to leaders, religious or civil. If this is the correct interpretation, then the symbolism appears to be that the religious leaders are abandoning their religious allegiances and focusing on the anti-Christ. Not only then is military power being solidified, but also the religious activities of the world are being brought into one large body of apostasy, of which Israel participates. As this is during the tribulation period, Israel’s final seven years under the law (Daniel 9:24-27), this allegorical meaning is quite likely. With this in mind, John then says, “as a fig tree drops its late figs when it is shaken by a mighty wind.” The symbolism here continues in Matthew 24:29 (cited above) in its final clause – “Immediately after the tribulation of those days the sun will be darkened, and the moon will not give its light; the stars will fall from heaven, and the powers of the heavens will be shaken.” An early description of these events (the stars of heaven falling to the earth and the fig tree dropping its late figs) is found in Isaiah 34. There, it says – “All the host of heaven shall be dissolved, And the heavens shall be rolled up like a scroll; All their host shall fall down As the leaf falls from the vine, And as fruit falling from a fig tree.” Isaiah 34:4 This then is to be taken together with Jesus’ words of Matthew 24 – “Now learn this parable from the fig tree: When its branch has already become tender and puts forth leaves, you know that summer is near. 33 So you also, when you see all these things, know that it is near—at the doors! 34 Assuredly, I say to you, this generation will by no means pass away till all these things take place. 35 Heaven and earth will pass away, but My words will by no means pass away.” Matthew 24:32-35 Jesus speaks of the fig tree being tender and sprouting. At that time, the events of these terrible times will begin to come to pass. What the fig symbolizes, then, must be determined. It was first mentioned in the Garden of Eden. After the fall, it says – “Then the eyes of both of them were opened, and they knew that they were naked; and they sewed fig leaves together and made themselves coverings.” Genesis 3:7 The fig, or teenah in Hebrew, can be seen here and elsewhere to signify a connection to God or a disconnect from Him. Jesus provided a clue of this symbolism when He cursed the fig tree in Mark 11 – “Now the next day, when they had come out from Bethany, He was hungry. 13 And seeing from afar a fig tree having leaves, He went to see if perhaps He would find something on it. When He came to it, He found nothing but leaves, for it was not the season for figs. 14 In response Jesus said to it, ‘Let no one eat fruit from you ever again.’” Mark 11:12-14 He was making a living parable of the cutting off of the spiritual connection to God through the ineffective temple worship. No fruit was borne through it, and it was to be terminated. Thus, Jesus’ words of Matthew 24 are saying that there will be a time when the spiritual connection to God is blossoming. However, that will be terminated as prophesied with the words “the stars of heaven fell to the earth, as a fig tree drops its late figs.” The temple that is supposed to bring a reconnection to the Lord will fail to do so. Only by coming to God through Christ can this truly come about. Life application: What is written in the Bible is from our human perspective. Even in modern times we do this, such as saying, “The sun will rise at 7:10 am.” The sun doesn’t actually rise, but from our perspective it does. Therefore, the Bible cannot be accused of dishonesty when otherwise odd pronouncements are made, such as stars of heaven falling to earth. They are for the benefit of the reader. Therefore, even if they appear as “stars” to John’s eyes, they can simply be meteors. However, the symbolic typology is more likely concerning what is referred to here. It is speaking of rulers who are supposed to be exalted, but who instead are disgraced. Either way, literally or symbolically, the world is in its tailspin and the events are on a global scale. These things will be fully understood only after they come to pass, but there is enough information provided now to give us insights into what is coming. The only way to not be swept up in the catastrophes that lie ahead is to accept the gospel now and to call out to Jesus. It is He who is the true Star that blazes brightly from the throne of God. He is our great Lord and Savior. He is JESUS. Thank You, Lord, for allowing us to peer into the future events prophesied in Your word and to see what is coming. Although we may struggle with individual interpretations, we know the overall outcome. It is wonderful to know that you have complete control over the future and that we are already safe in You. Glory be to You, O God. Amen.
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Post by PrisonerOfHope on Dec 1, 2020 2:31:38 GMT -5
Daily Bible Verse, Revelation 6:14, 30 November 2020 www.wonderful1.comMonday, 30 November 2020 Then the sky receded as a scroll when it is rolled up, and every mountain and island was moved out of its place. Revelation 6:14 In the comments of the previous verse, it was seen that Isaiah 34:4 matched the content of the verse. It spoke of the stars of heaven falling to the earth, and the fig dropping its late figs. Here, the same verse from Isaiah also matches what is stated in this verse – “All the host of heaven shall be dissolved, And the heavens shall be rolled up like a scroll; All their host shall fall down As the leaf falls from the vine, And as fruit falling from a fig tree.” Isaiah 34:4 Understanding this, John begins his words of this verse, saying, “Then the sky receded as a scroll when it is rolled up.” The idea here isn’t that these things will literally occur, but the terminology is saying that like a scroll is rolled up, so will the order of things that currently exist be so completely removed. One can lay out a scroll and read its contents, seeing all that is displayed there. If the scroll has notes of love and joy, that will be seen. If the scroll has notes of hatred, war, and wickedness, that can be read. But when a scroll is rolled up, all of what is written there will be drawn away from the eyes. Thus, a completely new order of things can then be introduced. However, if these words are to be taken literally, one would have to consider that the events being viewed are from a man’s perspective. The sky receding like a scroll could be a result of the earthquake previously noted. Just as when there is a nuclear detonation where the sky appears to roll up, this earthquake could be so large and so widespread that it will affect the atmosphere of the earth. Side effects of earthquakes are numerous and so this is not at all implausible. If a literal rendering of this is assumed, the cataclysm to come will cause such a tectonic disturbance that even, as John says, “every mountain and island was moved out of its place.” An earthquake great enough could cause damage on a global scale with giant tsunamis, volcanoes, and the like. Again, the description is not impossible when considered from the view of a man looking at the destruction around him. But the symbolism here could also be taken symbolically. Just as the stars of the previous verse are shown elsewhere in Scripture to indicate human rulers, so mountains are shown to be reflective of governments. In Isaiah 11, and elsewhere, Jerusalem is equated to a mountain. Jeremiah 52:25 calls Babylon a “destroying mountain.” The islands of the sea are equated to jurisdictions belonging to larger governmental bodies, such as in Esther 10:1. Such references show that the events of this verse in Revelation may be speaking of a complete change in the moral and governmental order of things as they now exist. And, indeed, this is what is said to have been set into motion at the first coming of Christ Jesus. Luke cites Isaiah 40:3-5 when speaking of John the Baptist’s ministry which was given to prepare the way for the coming of Christ – “The voice of one crying in the wilderness: ‘Prepare the way of the LORD; Make His paths straight. 5 Every valley shall be filled And every mountain and hill brought low; The crooked places shall be made straight And the rough ways smooth; 6 And all flesh shall see the salvation of God.’” Luke 3:4-6 Without being dogmatic concerning a literal fulfillment of these things that John writes in Revelation, they are certainly symbolically fulfilled as well. The apocalyptic nature of the account leaves open either or both options to come about. The certainty, however, is that when the events are fulfilled, they shall be known to be their fulfillment at the time. For example, when Christ came, the literal mountains and hills of the world were not brought low, and yet, we know that the government of Christ on earth had begun and that the terminology clearly pointed to Him and His ministry being superior to all other forms of government. The final fulfillment of His redemptive plan had been set into motion, and the subjects of His kingdom are – even now – being gathered together. Life application: A global restructuring – either literal or symbolic or both – is coming. It will shake the very foundations of all of human society, and it will certainly cause immense economic and national upheaval. But they are all a part of the events leading to the millennial reign of Christ. Before that time, such global devastation is coming on the earth, and most will not survive the events. For those who have put their faith in Christ Jesus, we need not worry about the details provided here. We are safe in Christ, and we are safely kept in His firm grasp. Let us live for Him because He is worthy of our attention, devotion, and love. He is our Redeemer, and He is coming to save His people. He is JESUS. Lord, we know that the disasters coming on the earth that are prophesied in Your word are both natural and man-made. Together they are leading to a cumulative effect of woe and misery for those who must face them. Use us, O Lord, as instruments of Your good news now, so that many will come to a saving knowledge of Jesus before the time of tribulation. Help us to be responsible to speak to others about the gospel that saves. Amen.
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Post by PrisonerOfHope on Dec 2, 2020 1:38:51 GMT -5
Daily Bible Verse, Revelation 6:15, December 1, 2020 www.wonderful1.comTuesday, 1 December 2020 And the kings of the earth, the great men, the rich men, the commanders, the mighty men, every slave and every free man, hid themselves in the caves and in the rocks of the mountains, Revelation 6:15 The words of the previous verses described the scene of the world coming apart at its seams – an earthquake, the stars falling, the sky receding, mountains and islands being removed from their places. Now, John describes the effects upon man who dwells on this trembling earth. They will do their own trembling. In his words, he will provide a list of seven categories of men. The list is intended to be an all-inclusive list. As a side note, the list does vary between manuscripts by either changing the order or the word used to describe a certain category. However, the changes are minimal. In the end, it is a list intended to convey the idea of the complete range of categories of men. A list from the society at the time of Isaiah, as seen in Isaiah 3, follows a similar thought to John’s words here in the New Testament – “The mighty man and the man of war, The judge and the prophet, And the diviner and the elder; 3 The captain of fifty and the honorable man, The counselor and the skillful artisan, And the expert enchanter.” Isaiah 3:2, 3 The words of Revelation identify the categories according to the Greek descriptions of men. Understanding this, John begins the verse by saying, “And the kings of the earth.” These are those leaders who have sovereign authority over their lands. Even today, kings reign in countries of the world. The Greek word is derived from a root signifying a foundation of power. Such men sit in authority over their domains. Next are “the great men.” These would be comparable to our presidents, prime ministers, dictators, etc. They are those who were elected to office or who gained their rule through force, but who are not considered kings. Outside of Revelation, the word is only found in Mark 6:21 where it is variously translated as “lords,” “great men,” “nobles,” and etc. Next are “the rich men.” This category of men is obvious even in today’s world. They are people who have immense wealth and can wield that wealth behind the scenes to bring about their agendas. They have authority in media and access to their leaders in a way that others don’t. John next identifies “the commanders.” These are known in Greek as chiliarchs. They are high military officers who exercise the military powers of their nations. Some manuscripts reverse the order of “the rich men” and “the commanders.” The next category is “the mighty men.” The Greek reads dunatos, meaning powerful or capable. As a man, he is a powerful warrior. Here, some manuscripts say ischuros instead of dunatos. It is another word that signifies a mighty or powerful warrior. These words refer to people who exercise power that is not specifically military in nature, and yet their power is of great strength – lower levels of governmental authority, industry, etc. may fall under this term. From there, John notes “every slave.” The word is doulos, and it signifies a bond man or a slave. It is a designation of anyone who generally exerts himself and his efforts on behalf of another. This can be applied to servants, but it surely even extends to blue-collar workers who are kept in the bonds of low-level work just to make ends meet. The last of the seven refers to “every free man.” The Greek word is eleutheros. It signifies free, delivered from obligation, exempt, uninhibited, and so on. This would then apply to the rest of the people on earth – self-employed, small business owners, even the retired who are living in an uninhibited way. Of this all-inclusive list of men, it says they “hid themselves in the caves and in the rocks of the mountains.” The words take the reader back to Isaiah 2. There he says – “They shall go into the holes of the rocks, And into the caves of the earth, From the terror of the LORD And the glory of His majesty, When He arises to shake the earth mightily.” Isaiah 2:19 A similar sentiment is repeated in Isaiah 2:21 speaking of the “clefts of the rocks” and the “crags of the rugged rocks.” When the great cataclysm mentioned in the preceding verses occurs, all will know that God is sovereign over His creation. All of their power, position, and wealth won’t be able to save them in that time. They will hide themselves in terror from what is coming upon them. Life application: In Ecclesiastes, we are told that things repeat themselves and that there is nothing new under the sun. Going back to Isaiah, we see that this is true. Man fails to learn, and the cycles of horror that come upon him repeat themselves. The Bible tells us of these things to wake us up to the nature of the Lord and the terror that will come upon us if we reject Him. Unfortunately, the world looks at God as a cosmic pushover who overlooks sin, will accept any path to Him, and maybe grades man on some type of bell curve. As most people think they are better than the next guy, the bell curve of being on God’s good side is always perceived to be true of each individual. But God has spoken. He does not overlook sin, He has provided one and only one path of restoration, and there is only one grade that is acceptable – absolute perfection. And the only way to obtain each of these aspects of what is required is to come to Him through Jesus Christ. Through Him, sin is forgiven. In Him is the one path to the Father. And because of His imputed righteousness, man is once again deemed pure and spotless before God. Come to God through His offer of reconciliation. Come today to JESUS. Lord, thank You that the rapture means that Your redeemed will be spared from the terrifying calamities to come. Even the great and mighty will be fearful and hide at what is coming, but we who have Christ will be secure in Your glorious presence through it all. Thank You Lord God! Amen.
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Post by PrisonerOfHope on Dec 3, 2020 3:11:29 GMT -5
Daily Bible Verse, Revelation 6:16, 2 December 2020 www.wonderful1.comWednesday, 2 December 2020 and said to the mountains and rocks, “Fall on us and hide us from the face of Him who sits on the throne and from the wrath of the Lamb! Revelation 6:16 To remember the context, the previous verse needs to be cited as well – “And the kings of the earth, the great men, the rich men, the commanders, the mighty men, every slave and every free man, hid themselves in the caves and in the rocks of the mountains, 16 and said to the mountains and rocks, “Fall on us and hide us from the face of Him who sits on the throne and from the wrath of the Lamb!” The words here are cited first from Hosea 10 – “Also the high places of Aven, the sin of Israel, Shall be destroyed. The thorn and thistle shall grow on their altars; They shall say to the mountains, ‘Cover us!” And to the hills, ‘Fall on us!’” Hosea 10:8 Jesus then cited that passage (Luke 23:30) to the women of Jerusalem as He was being taken out to be crucified. Here in Revelation, the people, from the greatest to the least, are hiding in the caves and rocks of the mountains. In this state, John continues, saying, “and said to the mountains and the rocks.” The words of Hosea called out for death rather than life because of the terror of the situation the people faced. Jesus says the same thing would come upon the people of Israel when they were to be destroyed in the siege of the land by the Romans. Thus, this is a proverbial statement that is used for times of absolute calamity. John uses this to show the state of the entire world during the seven years of tribulation that lie ahead. The people will be so terrified that they will call out to the mountains and rocks, “Fall on us and hide us from the face of Him who sits on the throne.” The one who sits on the throne is Christ Jesus, the divine Word of God. Three times in the book of Hebrews, it says that Jesus “sat down” – * who being the brightness of His glory and the express image of His person, and upholding all things by the word of His power, when He had by Himself purged our sins, sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high, (1:3) * But this Man, after He had offered one sacrifice for sins forever, sat down at the right hand of God, (10:12) * looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Saying that He is at God’s right hand means that He is in the position of total power and authority. To sit at the right hand of the throne of God means it is He who is on the throne. Thus, the people of the world will know that it is He who they have rejected, and they will attempt to hide from Him, even seeking to be covered by the rocks and the mountains. Then to parallel what was just said, it restates Christ’s ability to bring judgment, saying, “and from the wrath of the Lamb!” The statement is paradoxical in nature. A lamb is considered the gentlest of farm animals, and it is the one that needs protection from its surroundings, and even from its own self – being too simple to tend to itself properly. And yet, the Lamb is the one whose wrath they flee from. This is because it is the humanity of Christ Jesus who suffered and died on the cross. Verse 5:5 shows that it is His sacrifice that qualifies Him to open the seals. It is He who has the authority to loose the seals, and in loosing the seals, it is He who then brings forth the wrath of God upon the world. The world will realize that in rejecting Jesus Christ, and His offer of peace with God, only wrath, indignation, and judgment is left. For them, there will be a double terror. They will not only face His wrath in their earthly lives as they are destroyed among the nations, but they will again face His judgment at the great white throne before they are cast into the Lake of Fire. Knowing that there is no hope for having rejected Him, it is no wonder that they would want the rocks and mountains to fall on them. There is no place safe from the coming wrath and no place that the Lord’s eyes don’t roam. Understanding this, there is a parallel in the book of Joshua – “But these five kings had fled and hidden themselves in a cave at Makkedah. 17 And it was told Joshua, saying, ‘The five kings have been found hidden in the cave at Makkedah.’ 18 So Joshua said, ‘Roll large stones against the mouth of the cave, and set men by it to guard them.’” Joshua 10:17, 18 These kings hid, just as the kings of the earth will hide in the future time of tribulation, but they know they cannot hide securely. With no other alternative, they call out to the mountains and rocks. Instead of making a plea to the Creator of the rocks before taking the mark of the beast, they now simply ask nature to hide them. But then in a typical contradictory process, they acknowledge who they are hiding from… the Creator. It is confused thinking by a confused generation that will deny the Creator while simultaneously acknowledging Him. But this is exactly how the world is turning, even now. Peter explains what this means in his first epistle – “For the eyes of the Lord are on the righteous, And His ears are open to their prayers; But the face of the Lord is against those who do evil.” 1 Peter 3:12 They know that their lives have been conducted in evil, and they know that what is happening is just and deserved, and so they call out to a secondary force, nature, to hide them from the ultimate force – the wrath of the Lamb. As a note of doctrine, in order to justify a “prewrath” rapture, it is common to divide up the wrath of these seven years into two periods. This is known as the “prewrath” view. In order to substantiate this concept, and using the words of this verse in Revelation 6 (among other points), this is stated in the commentary from the prewrath view on Wikipedia – “A side-to-side comparison of the wording of the sixth seal (Revelation 6:12–13) and the signs in Matthew 24:29 announcing the Second Coming of Jesus and the rapture of the Church indicate that they are the same event. Immediately after the sixth seal is opened in Revelation 6:12, the people of the earth, "said to the mountains and rocks, Fall on us, and hide us from the face of him that sitteth on the throne, and from the wrath of the Lamb" (the Lamb being Jesus Christ), indicating that they are viewing Jesus in the clouds. Since all of the people on earth (every slave and every free man) are crying out because of the wrath of God, this implies that all those on earth are unbelievers, and that the believers have already been raptured. Therefore, the rapture in Matthew 24:29–31 occurs after the sixth seal (Revelation 6:12-13), but before the seventh seal of God's wrath (Revelation 8:1). The church is said to be in heaven as the great multitude (Revelation 7:1 ff.), which has "come out of great tribulation" (Revelation 7:9–17).” This analysis would then mean that all of the saints of all of church history had “come out of great tribulation,” meaning the first three years of the tribulation period. It completely ignores the fact that an innumerable number of people that are raptured, meaning the dead in Christ of 1 Thessalonians 4:16, were never a part of the tribulation period. This view further mixes dispensations, assuming that “the elect” of Matthew 24 are those of the church, and that Jesus is referring to the rapture in that passage. Both are incorrect. The various views – mid-trib, prewrath, and post-trib – fail to properly treat the timeline given by Paul in 2 Thessalonians 2. They also fail to acknowledge that Jesus never spoke of the rapture of the church. Rather, that was a “mystery” revealed by Paul in 1 Corinthians 15, some thirty-plus years after the resurrection and ascension of Jesus. Mixing dispensations, as these views do, leaves a contradictory and convoluted eschatology concerning the rapture of the church and other end times events. Life application: Don’t mix dispensations. Lord, surely we think unclearly about who You are and what You have done for us. Instead of holding fast to You and acknowledging you now, we live our lives in selfish pursuit and reckless abandon. But You are holy and deserving of so much more. Forgive us for our transgressions and give us the heart and desire to serve You now and always. Amen.
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Post by PrisonerOfHope on Dec 4, 2020 3:23:47 GMT -5
Daily Bible Verse, Revelation 6:17, 3 December 2020 www.wonderful1.comThursday, 3 December 2020 For the great day of His wrath has come, and who is able to stand?” Revelation 6:17 There is an emphasis in the Greek that is missing in this translation. It literally says, “the day, the great.” Thus, a rendering such as the Weymouth Version is appropriate. In that translation, the emphasis is rendered almost as a proper name – “for the day of His anger--that great day--has come, and who is able to stand?” Also, some Greek translations say “their” while others say “His.” As two entities are referred to in the previous verse (the one on the throne and the Lamb), the word “their” is fine. But because they are both manifestations of Christ, saying “His” is fine as well. Either way, the time of the Lord’s wrath is what is being spoken of. With these variations noted, John says (using the Weymouth Version), “for the day of His anger--that great day--has come.” The Lamb who was crucified for the sins of the world has been rejected. His church has been taken home, and worldwide enmity towards Him and His gospel of peace is left. Because of this, only His anger can be poured out on those who have failed to believe. The love seen in the shed blood is now anger towards the rejection of that offering. With the coming of this great day in mind, a question is presented, “and who is able to stand?” If the One on the throne has presented the Lamb, and the Lamb is rejected, then what shall be the end of those who have rejected Him? The question is being raised based on the categories given in verse 15. There are the kings of the earth, the great men, the rich men, the commanders, the mighty men, every slave and every free man. Who can stand before the Lamb? The answer is given in Chapter 7, and it involves two separate categories who will be presented there. Life application: There are verses in the Bible that seem to contain oxymorons because they don’t fit our thinking of how things are. For example, each in Christ is asked to be a “living sacrifice.” A sacrifice, by its very nature, is something that dies. Someone not understanding the significance of the Christian life cannot grasp such a concept. But the informed believer knows that we are to be “dead to sin,” and to offer our lives to God apart from the body of sin and death that is in the world and which is in our flesh. Likewise, we have here what would otherwise be considered an oxymoron – the wrath of the Lamb. How can a lamb demonstrate wrath? For some, even the “wrath of God” makes no sense. They can only see the Creator as a big fluffy pushover who dotes on us and gives us candy and prosperity. But God is holy. Our sin, no matter how small, is an affront to God. Multiply that by the billions of people on earth who have rejected Him, and His righteousness demands justice. God doesn’t change during this process. Think of a column that is fixed and unmoving. On one side of the column is written “peace” and on the other side is written “strife.” If you are on the “peace” side, then peace reigns down on you, but if you move to the “strife” side, then you have become the object of punishment and pain. This is how we interact with God. We change in relation to Him; He does not change in position to us. When we are covered in Christ, we are on the “peace” side, but without His covering, we remain on the “strife” side. As we are at strife with God because of original sin, we can never again be on His good side by anything we do. It is an eternal change, and only an eternal correction – one from outside of the created order – can rectify the situation. This is Jesus. He is the payment for an infinite crime of sinning against an infinite Creator. In the tribulation, the world will have rejected Jesus and therefore it will taste the fruits of that rejection – the wrath of the Lamb. One cannot be right with God without accepting Jesus Christ. He is “the way, the truth, and the life.” No one comes to the Father except through Him. He is the path to reconciliation with our Creator. He is JESUS. Lord God, it is certain that a finite crime against You bears an infinite penalty. It is certain that we can never pay the fine necessary to be right with You. But we know that Jesus could – He is fully God and fully Man, and He is qualified to do so. May we be wise and accept His payment on our behalf. Thank You for the Lamb of God; thank You for Jesus! Amen.
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Post by PrisonerOfHope on Dec 5, 2020 3:21:46 GMT -5
Daily Bible Verse, Revelation 7:1, 4 December 2020 www.wonderful1.comFriday, 4 December 2020 After these things I saw four angels standing at the four corners of the earth, holding the four winds of the earth, that the wind should not blow on the earth, on the sea, or on any tree. Revelation 7:1 The words now arrive at the beginning of Chapter 7, and immediately there arrives a brief interlude between the opening of the sixth and seventh seals. “After these things” shows a progression of thought and time. And so, what is coming now is sequential to what has occurred with the other seals. Whether it is sequential to John only, meaning he is being shown these things one at a time even though they overlap, or whether the events of the opening of this seal are sequential to the previous ones is uncertain. However, the events coming through verse 8 are most likely at the beginning of the tribulation period and so the first option seems correct. With this option probable, one can see the error in thinking of those who hold to a “mid-tribulation,” or “pre-wrath” (or even post-tribulation, and etc.), view of the events. Taking these events as purely chronological in order to justify one’s position on the timing of the rapture is unsound. Rather, the scenes are most probably categorical, even if some logically happen in a chronological order (such as the releasing of the four horsemen). The proper way to evaluate the timing of the rapture is to do so from the writings of Paul who first conveyed the mystery of the rapture (1 Corinthians 15:51), and who then further explained the timing of eschatological events in 1 & 2 Thessalonians. To understand the timing of those events, a short explanation was given on the Superior Word commentary of Revelation 6:2. With this understanding, John begins with, “After these things.” This most likely means, “After the things I just saw,” not “And what will occur in the future will happen after the things that have been seen.” This is the next logical event to be revealed as a category. In this, John says, “I saw four angels standing at the four corners of the earth.” This is not intended to mean that the Bible proclaims a square earth, it doesn’t. In Isaiah 40:22 the Bible speaks of the “circle of the earth,” meaning an orb, not a cube or flat square. In the book of Job, the Bible says that the Lord “hangs the earth on nothing.” The four winds then, like other references in the Bible, merely speak of the four general directions of the earth; not set points. John says these angels are “holding the four winds of the earth.” As is consistent, the number four here matches the overall use of it in Scripture. The number is defined by EW Bullinger saying – “Creation is therefore the next thing—the fourth thing, and the number four always has reference to all that is created. It is emphatically the number of Creation; of man in his relation to the world as created; while six is the number of man in his opposition to and independence of God. It is the number of things that have a beginning, of things that are made, of material things, and matter itself. It is the number of material completeness. Hence it is the world number, and especially the ‘city’ number.” In this, one can see that the “world number,” four, fits exactingly into what is being described. Next, the word “holding” comes from the Greek word krateó. It signifies holding firmly. There is a restraining power that is being directed. These winds are certainly from the perspective of the land of Israel, or more specifically in relation to the people of Israel. That will be seen in the coming verses. They are forces that affect the peoples of the world in a negative manner. Thus, holding them back allegorically provides a temporary restraining of the events. Quite a few references in the Old Testament substantiate this. In Daniel 7, we read – “I saw in my vision by night, and behold, the four winds of heaven were stirring up the Great Sea.” Daniel 7:2 There, the Great Sea is the mass of humanity, and the winds are what churn and rile them up. Another example of the winds affecting the people is found in Jeremiah, where it is used metaphorically to scatter Israel – “I will scatter them as with an east wind before the enemy; I will show them the back and not the face In the day of their calamity.” Jeremiah 18:17 They are also used to scatter the other peoples of the world, such as – “Against Elam I will bring the four winds From the four quarters of heaven, And scatter them toward all those winds; There shall be no nations where the outcasts of Elam will not go.” Jeremiah 49:36 A “destroying wind” is even said to have come against Babylon (Jeremiah 51:1) in the day of her doom. With this symbolism defined from the Old Testament typology, John continues his words, saying, “that the wind should not blow on the earth, on the sea, or on any tree.” The meaning here is explained by the next verse where another angel will imply that the winds now being held back are destroying winds, but they are not to be released until a particular matter is resolved on earth. Once that is accomplished, the winds will be unleashed to consummate their intended purposes. Life application: The vision that John is seeing is telling the people of the world that there will be a time of calm before the storm of chaos and destruction. This restive period was seen by Zechariah hundreds of years before John received his vision – “We have walked to and fro throughout the earth, and behold, all the earth is resting quietly.” Zechariah 1:11 Unfortunately, for those who experience this time of calm, it will assuredly lead them into a false sense that all is ok with the world. Whatever happened at the supposed “rapture” of the Christian church will be explained away through the strong delusion prophesied by Paul in 2 Thessalonians 2:11. It will supposedly be a time to get on with life and all will be fine. Such however will not be the case. The world will devolve into a calamitous sea of chaos, mayhem, anarchy, and death. This is the cost of refusing to be included in what God offers now through His gospel of peace. It is available today, and it comes through the glorious giving of our Lord and Savior. He is JESUS! Lord God, after the rapture of the church, the world will believe it has the peace it seeks, and the people will delude themselves by it. Even today, we rage against You and look to cast off Your sovereign rule. Forgive our stubborn and rebellious hearts, and help us to hold fast and faithfully to You. No matter what is coming, those who have called on You through Christ Jesus will be safe. Even so, come Lord Jesus. Amen.
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Post by PrisonerOfHope on Dec 7, 2020 2:12:31 GMT -5
Daily Bible Verse, Revelation 7:2 December 5, 2020 www.wonderful1.comSaturday, 5 December 2020 Then I saw another angel ascending from the east, having the seal of the living God. And he cried with a loud voice to the four angels to whom it was granted to harm the earth and the sea, Revelation 7:2 John continues here with the scene that was newly presented in verse 7:1 which saw the four angels who were holding back the four winds of the earth. Now, another angel is introduced. As John says, “Then I saw another angel.” This does not have to be another angel in the sense of a being who has never been seen before, but simply another angel coming into this new scene that began in verse 7:1. The word “angel,” (in Greek, aggelos) as has been explained previously, simply means “messenger.” It is one who brings tidings. The comparable Hebrew word (malak) is used, at times, to speak of the Lord (Yehovah) of the Old Testament, such as in Malachi 3:1 where it is used twice. In that passage, once it refers to the coming of John the Baptist, and once it refers to the coming of Jesus Christ – “’Behold, I send My messenger, And he will prepare the way before Me. And the Lord, whom you seek, Will suddenly come to His temple, Even the Messenger of the covenant, In whom you delight. Behold, He is coming,’ Says the LORD of hosts.” Malachi 3:1 This angel is said to be “ascending from the east.” Rather than “from the east,” the Greek reads, anatolēs hēliou – “from the rising of the sun.” Scholars debate who this angel is, but the wording seems sufficient to answer the question. Returning again to Malachi, this time Chapter 4, there it says – “But to you who fear My name The Sun of Righteousness shall arise With healing in His wings; And you shall go out And grow fat like stall-fed calves.” Malachi 4:2 In that verse, the word “arise” is translated from zarach, a verb with the same basic meaning as the Greek anatolé. This is the same Lord described in Malachi 3:2 as an Angel, and who is now in Malachi 4:2 said to rise as the “Sun of Righteousness.” Thus, the implication is “from the east.” This then is equated to Christ in Luke 1:78 – “Through the tender mercy of our God, With which the Dayspring from on high has visited us.” Luke 1:78 There, the word “Dayspring” is anatolé, the same word translated as “rising” in the analysis above. With this understanding so far, John next says, “having the seal of the living God.” The same word, sphragis, translated as “seal,” is found also in 2 Timothy 2:19 – “Nevertheless the solid foundation of God stands, having this seal: ‘The Lord knows those who are His,’ and, ‘Let everyone who names the name of Christ depart from iniquity.’” This Messenger carries the seal of the living God. Paul says that the seal by which believers are identified indicates that the Lord, meaning Jesus, “knows those who are His.” The corresponding verb, sphragizó, is used when referring to the sealing of believers with the Holy Spirit in 2 Corinthians 1:22, Ephesians 1:13, and Ephesians 4:30. This sealing comes by faith (believing) in Christ. The purpose of the seal of the living God here in Revelation will be explained in the coming verses. It is to seal one hundred and forty-four thousand of the tribes of Israel. That is then explained in verse 14:1 – “Then I looked, and behold, a Lamb standing on Mount Zion, and with Him one hundred and forty-four thousand, having His Father’s name written on their foreheads.” John next notes, “And he cried with a loud voice to the four angels to whom it was granted to harm the earth and the sea.” This Messenger is giving instruction to the angels of the four winds, meaning He has control over the elements to withhold or let loose destruction. This is an attribute of the Lord as well. When He spoke, the storm on Galilee abated. At His command, the elements obey – symbolized by the four angels of the four winds. Thus, this Messenger is another revelation of the Lord Jesus. It is why the book is called the Revelation of Jesus Christ. The many aspects and manifestations of Him are being presented to us so that we can have faith that what was spoken of Him in the Old Testament, and what is spoken of Him in the New, is a reliable witness to who He is. Life application: In Genesis 3:24, we read, “So He drove out the man; and He placed cherubim at the east of the Garden of Eden, and a flaming sword which turned every way, to guard the way to the tree of life.” Later, when the temple was built in Jerusalem, it was oriented east and west. The Most Holy Place was to the extreme west and so worshippers appropriately would face west, away from the rising sun. One reason for this was certainly to prevent idolatry of the rising sun. Instead, the people would look to God for their life. It was also to allow for the coming promised Messiah, to be the one to rise from the east in order to make entrance into God’s paradise possible once again. The east, qedem in Hebrew, signifies both the direction and “aforetime,” meaning eternity past. Micah 5 tells us that Jesus is the One who would come “from of old,” meaning “from the east,” using the word qedem – “But you, Bethlehem Ephrathah, Though you are little among the thousands of Judah, Yet out of you shall come forth to Me The One to be Ruler in Israel, Whose goings forth are from of old, From everlasting.” Micah 5:2 In Ezekiel 10, the glory of the Lord departed from the temple because of the idolatry of the people. When it did, it left going out over the threshold which is on the east. In Ezekiel 43, when describing a future temple, the glory of the Lord returns from the east. These, and many other clues, are given in Scripture to reveal the coming of Messiah. In the future, there will be a group of Jewish people who will come to understand this and accept Him as the Messiah they had long rejected. The coming verses will explain what will be done to and for them. Believers today are marked with the seal of God, which is the Holy Spirit, the moment they put their trust and faith in Jesus Christ. Ephesians 1 tells us that this seal is a deposit or guarantee of our future redemption. As God is sealing us, there is no greater seal possible. It is given as a guarantee, and therefore our salvation is eternal; it can never be lost. The Angel in this verse carries such a seal – an everlasting mark of God’s faithfulness. This Angel is JESUS! What a majestic and splendid display to behold! We can look to the pages of the Bible and see a heavenly drama being played out before our very eyes. It is awesome to our souls to be allowed to peer into these events and see the very workings of the heavenly throne room, if we will just pick up the word and read it. Thank You, O God, for Your wonderful, precious, and superior word! Amen.
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Post by PrisonerOfHope on Dec 7, 2020 2:30:06 GMT -5
Daily Bible Verse, Revelation 7:3 December 6, 2020
www.wonderful1.comSunday, 6 December 2020 saying, “Do not harm the earth, the sea, or the trees till we have sealed the servants of our God on their foreheads.” Revelation 7:3 These are the words of the “angel ascending from the east, having the seal of the living God” from the previous verse. Before analyzing them, it should be noted that because there were four angels and He then came, it means He is now the fifth angel in the scene. EW Bullinger defines the number five, saying – ------------------------------------------ Five is four plus one (4+1). We have had hitherto the three major Offices of the Godhead. Now we have a further revelation of a People called out from mankind, redeemed and saved, to walk with God from earth to heaven. Hence, Redemption follows creation. Inasmuch as in consequence of the fall of man creation came under the curse and was "made subject to vanity," therefore man and creation must be redeemed. Thus we have: Father Son Spirit Creation Redemption These are the five great mysteries, and five is therefore the number of GRACE. ------------------------------------------ Five, being the number of grace, is exactingly seen in this Angel. He is the Redeemer of His people, and it is by faith in Him that one is sealed as a sign and a guarantee of this redemption. He is Jesus, the Giver of God’s grace. He now instructs with a loud voice the four angels who are holding back the four winds of the earth, “saying, ‘Do not harm the earth, the sea, or the trees.’” In this, it is evident that the judgments to be unleashed upon the earth will affect everything, and there will be great destruction as the winds accomplish their tasks. This would include everything that the earth produces and all that is established on the earth. It is a time of grace, regardless as to its actual length. Understanding this order, the voice next says, “till we.” The use of the plural indicates that the process of sealing is not done solely by the Angel crying out. Rather, it is similar in thought to the sealing of those to be saved before the destruction of Jerusalem in Ezekiel 9 – ------------------------------------------ Then He called out in my hearing with a loud voice, saying, “Let those who have charge over the city draw near, each with a deadly weapon in his hand.” 2 And suddenly six men came from the direction of the upper gate, which faces north, each with his battle-ax in his hand. One man among them was clothed with linen and had a writer’s inkhorn at his side. They went in and stood beside the bronze altar. 3 Now the glory of the God of Israel had gone up from the cherub, where it had been, to the threshold of the temple. And He called to the man clothed with linen, who had the writer’s inkhorn at his side; 4 and the LORD said to him, “Go through the midst of the city, through the midst of Jerusalem, and put a mark on the foreheads of the men who sigh and cry over all the abominations that are done within it.” 5 To the others He said in my hearing, “Go after him through the city and kill; do not let your eye spare, nor have any pity. 6 Utterly slay old and young men, maidens and little children and women; but do not come near anyone on whom is the mark; and begin at My sanctuary.” So they began with the elders who were before the temple. 7 Then He said to them, “Defile the temple, and fill the courts with the slain. Go out!” And they went out and killed in the city. ------------------------------------------ As these things are symbolic of truths that occur in the spiritual realm, it may be that the word “we” is referring to Jesus as the Redeemer and the Holy Spirit as the Sealer, as is the case noted by Paul several times, such as – “In Him you also trusted, after you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation; in whom also, having believed, you were sealed with the Holy Spirit of promise, 14 who is the guarantee of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession, to the praise of His glory.” Ephesians 1:13, 14 A process is set forth with intent. It is looking to “have sealed the servants of our God.” These are people who will be sealed because of faith in Christ’s accomplished work. They will be brought into the household of God, and in their salvation, they will become witnesses of the truth of God in Christ Jesus. This designation, servant, is used to speak of those who minister the gospel to others. The word is one that Paul, James, Peter, and Jude each use as a title when referring to themselves. Paul designates several others as such as well. The word is doulos, and it signifies someone who belongs to another. He is a bonded slave without any of his own ownership rights. It is used by Paul in this manner, including when referring to Jesus in Philippians 2 – “Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus, 6 who, being in the form of God, did not consider it robbery to be equal with God, 7 but made Himself of no reputation, taking the form of a bondservant, and coming in the likeness of men. 8 And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself and became obedient to the point of death, even the death of the cross.” Philippians 2:5-8 These to be sealed are thus to be considered bondservants of Christ for the purpose He has determined. With this understood, like the typology from Ezekiel 9, these servants are to be sealed “on their foreheads.” Some translations incorrectly say, “in their foreheads.” It is a mark upon the head which is clearly visible (in a spiritual sense). They are known for their faith in Christ. Having acknowledged Him, they are marked as His. The nature of the mark is revealed later in Revelation 14:1 – “Then I looked, and behold, a Lamb standing on Mount Zion, and with Him one hundred and forty-four thousand, having His Father’s name written on their foreheads.” Life application: After the task of marking the people in Ezekiel 9 was accomplished, by the one with the inkhorn, the others were told to destroy anyone without the mark. The mark in that account is the Hebrew word tav. The word is the same as the 22nd letter of the Hebrew aleph-bet. The ancient tav was in the shape of crossed sticks, resembling a cross. In other words, these “servants of God” in this verse in Revelation have accepted the work of Jesus Christ and are being sealed just as those in Ezekiel’s time were. This seal isn’t necessarily a visible mark, but a change in attitude; an understanding in their minds of who Jesus is and their role in His work. Such a mark is given with the inner sealing of the Holy Spirit. These people are being saved by God, and for His purposes. Hence, it is defined in Revelation 14 as being that of the Father’s name. What God has done in Christ, and through the cross of Christ, is a witness in these servants. As noted, the term for “servants” signifies a bondservant (or a slave). Such a person was often captured during battle. These to be sealed are won in the great battle for the human soul. It is the spiritual battle between light and darkness. These people of the tribulation period are to be sealed, having been brought into the marvelous light of the glory of Jesus Christ before the angels are unleashed to bring destruction on the earth. At this time in human history, during the church age, we too must be sealed by the Holy Spirit. That can only happen by placing one’s faith in Christ according to the gospel. None deserve what God offers in Christ, but when that grace is received, it is a guarantee of salvation. This is because God is pleased to save them. Through Christ, He has done the work. He is the God/Man. He is JESUS. Lord God, it is ever so comforting to know that we have been sealed with the Holy Spirit from the moment we accepted Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior. We know that You don’t make mistakes and, therefore, we are eternally saved despite our failings. When we stumble and fall, we can still trust that You have already forgiven us of our sins. Great and wonderful You are, O Lord! Amen.
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Post by PrisonerOfHope on Dec 9, 2020 2:20:32 GMT -5
Daily Bible Verse, Revelation 7:4 December 7, 2020 www.wonderful1.comMonday, 7 December 2020 And I heard the number of those who were sealed. One hundred and forty-four thousand of all the tribes of the children of Israel were sealed: Revelation 7:4 News Flash: When the Bible says “Israel,” it is speaking of an ethnic group of people who today are the Jewish people, not anyone else. Israel does not refer to the Jehovah’s Witnesses; British Israelism; Black Hebrew Israelites; Israelite Church of God; the Church of God, International; or a litany of other people who falsely claim they are the descendants of the Hebrew people (Israel) found in Scripture, or the “ten lost tribes” (which are not lost at all). Nor does the church replace the people of Israel to become “spiritual Israel,” as claimed by replacement theologians. These are false claims and/or extremely poor analyses of Scripture. They are to be rejected outright. Concerning the subject verse, the words of this verse are referring to “the servants of God” who are to be sealed on their foreheads, as was noted in the previous verse. Of them, it now says, “And I heard the number of those who were sealed.” A specific number of the “servants of God” are to be sealed, and the number is heard by John. There is a specific number decided upon, just as there are a certain number of Gentiles who will be included in the portion of the redemptive narrative known as the church age. This is explicitly stated by Paul in Romans 11:25 (see commentary on Revelation 6:11). God is building a house out of His people who are “living stones” (1 Peter 2:4, 6). This is “for a dwelling place of God in the Spirit” (Ephesians 2:22). Such terminology means that God has a plan. He is building something out of the redeemed. As this is so, it would hardly be expected that he would be imprecise in numbers. Rather, with God there is only perfection. Every aspect of what He is doing is precise and serves an exacting purpose. Concerning these servants of God to be sealed, the same is true. Understanding that, John hears the number. It is “One hundred and forty-four thousand.” The number is precise and obviously serves its own particular purpose. That will be analyzed as the verses continue. However, and getting a bit ahead of the narrative, it will be seen that there are twelve tribes mentioned, and there will be twelve thousand from each tribe that are sealed. It calls out for understanding what the number twelve signifies in Scripture. EW Bullinger states that it – “...is a perfect number, signifying perfection of government, or of governmental perfection. It is found as a multiple in all that has to do with rule. The sun which "rules" the day, and the moon and stars which "govern" the night, do so by their passage through the twelve signs of the Zodiac which completes the great circle of the heavens of 360 (12 x 30) degrees or divisions, and thus govern the year. Twelve is the product of 3 (the perfectly Divine and heavenly number) and 4 (the earthly, the number of what is material and organic). While seven is composed of 3 added to 4, twelve is 3 multiplied by 4, and hence denotes that which can scarcely be explained in words, but which the spiritual perception can at once appreciate, viz., organization, the products denoting production and multiplication and increase of all that is contained in the two numbers separately. The 4 is generally prominently seen in the twelve.” In short, twelve is the number of perfection of government, or of governmental perfection. With this understood, John says, “of all the tribes of the children of Israel were sealed.” As noted in the important News Flash above, this is referring to actual descendants of the people of Israel who have been regathered as a people, and who are living in the land of Israel today, with many still living in the nations of the world, but who are identified by their Jewish heritage. As a proof that this is referring to this group of people, and not the church having replaced Israel, one can go to the final Leviticus 26 sermon from the Superior Word which clearly reveals this. This truth is also discussed throughout the Deuteronomy sermons of the Superior Word. One of note is the sermon on Deuteronomy 8:10-20, entitled “And You Shall Remember the Lord Your God.” Sermons such as these clearly reveal that God is faithful to this unfaithful group of people, and that it is they who are referred to in the book of Revelation. As an example of the lightbulb properly lit on this issue, even scholars of the past – long before Israel was regathered as a nation – were able to deduce this. For example, speaking of the regathering of the people, Israel, Amos 9:14, 15 says – “’I will bring back the captives of My people Israel; They shall build the waste cities and inhabit them; They shall plant vineyards and drink wine from them; They shall also make gardens and eat fruit from them. 15 I will plant them in their land, And no longer shall they be pulled up From the land I have given them,’ Says the LORD your God.” Although most scholars of the past spiritualized or disregarded these words as some type of allegory, several scholars looked to the seemingly impossible, and anticipated a literal fulfillment of them – “And they shall no more be pulled up - Most certainly this prophecy has never yet been fulfilled. They were pulled out by the Assyrian captivity, and by that of Babylon. Many were planted in again, and again pulled out by the Roman conquest and captivity, and were never since planted in, but are now scattered among all the nations of the earth. I conclude, as the word of God cannot fail, and this has not yet been fulfilled, it therefore follows that it will and must be fulfilled to the fullness of its spirit and intention. And this is established by the conclusion: "Saith the Lord thy God." He is Jehovah, and cannot fail; he is Thy God, and will do it. He can do it, because he is Jehovah; and he will do it, because he is Thy God. Amen.” Adam Clarke (1762-1832) “...and they shall no more be pulled up out of their land which I have given them, saith the Lord thy God; by which it appears that this is a prophecy of things yet to come; since the Jews, upon their return to their own land after the Babylonish captivity, were pulled up again, and rooted out of it by the Romans, and remain so to this day; but, when they shall return again, they will never more be removed from it; and of this they may he assured; because it is the land the Lord has, ‘given’ them, and it shall not be taken away from them any more; and, because he will now appear to be the "Lord their God", the ‘loammi’, Hosea 1:9, will be taken off from them; they will be owned to be the Lords people, and he will be known by them to be their covenant God; which will ensure all the above blessings to them, of whatsoever kind; for this is either said to the prophet, "the Lord thy God", or to Israel; and either way it serves to confirm the same thing.” John Gill (1697-1771). First and foremost, to understand sections of the Bible – such as these words in Revelation 7 – there must be an acceptance of God’s faithfulness to His covenant promises. If God were unfaithful to the nation of Israel, there would be no security for the believer in Christ. But God has used Israel as a template for eternal security in the individual believer. When the Bible speaks of Israel, it is referring to this group of people, and none other. Life application: There is a complete structural unity to the number of people being sealed. And, this is occurring during the tribulation period, which is the 70th “week” or 7-year period of Daniel’s 70 weeks (see Daniel 9:24-27). This is speaking about the Jewish people and it is centered on Jerusalem, not the church. Only an extremely poor and/or anti-Semitic view of the Bible could come up with a “spiritual Israel” interpretation. Further, only an arrogant but false claim by fringe cults can be made by groups who attempt to co-opt the right to be called something they are not (as noted in those named in the News Flash above). Rather, those referred to in this verse are the descendants of Abraham, through Isaac, and then through Jacob/Israel. They are Jews who are being sealed for God’s purposes as He deals with the world through the Jewish nation once again. In accepting this truth, we – as believers in Christ through the New Covenant in His blood – can have the absolute confidence that He will deal with us according to the same covenant faithfulness that He has dealt with the disobedient people, Israel. Their unfaithfulness to Him in no way negates His faithfulness to His word. In Christ, we have the absolute surety of eternal salvation because God – who is ever faithful – has done it. God in Christ has spoken, and He will perform. He is the embodiment of faithfulness and truth. He is JESUS! Lord God, help us to not be deceived by those who would purposely or carelessly misapply the clear and concise statements of the Bible for selfish, hateful, or other reasons. May You open our eyes to the truth of Your word and lead us in the proper handling of it so that You will be glorified through our studies. This we pray in Jesus’ name. Amen.
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Post by PrisonerOfHope on Dec 9, 2020 2:32:41 GMT -5
Daily Bible Verse, Revelation 7:5, December 8, 2020
www.wonderful1.comTuesday, 8 December 2020 of the tribe of Judah twelve thousand were sealed; of the tribe of Reuben twelve thousand were sealed; of the tribe of Gad twelve thousand were sealed; Revelation 7:5 The instruction to withhold judgment on the earth until the sealing of God’s servants has been called out. The total number of them to be sealed is one hundred and forty-four thousand of all the tribes of the children of Israel. That number is now further refined. The amount of analysis and of speculation on the order of the names is immense. Of particular note concerning the tribes is that Joseph is given instead of his son Ephraim, and that the tribe of Dan is also omitted. Some other relevant facts are that the sons are not listed according to birth order. For example, Reuben was the firstborn. Judah is the fourth son, and yet he is mentioned first. They were both born to Leah. Also, the twelve names specifically form six pairs. Placing Judah first seems reasonable because it became the prominent tribe, and it is also the tribe Christ Jesus came through. Reuben being second is paired with him. The next pairings are Gad and Asher who were both born to the maidservant Zilpah and in that order. Next are Naphtali and Manasseh. Naphtali was born to Bilhah and Manasseh was born to Joseph and his wife in Egypt. Next, Simeon and Levi are mentioned. They were both born to Leah and in that order. They are followed by Issachar and Zebulun, they were the last two born to Leah, and they were born in that order. The last paring is Joseph and Benjamin, the two naturally born of Rachel. In the list, then, six come through Leah, three come through Rachel (because Manasseh is from Joseph who is from Rachel), two come through Zilpah, and one comes through Bilhah. As all of the four mothers of the children of Israel are represented, the main idea here is that the list does not neglect any of those four main branches. To come to the number of tribes as twelve varies in lists from the first in Genesis to those in Deuteronomy 33 and to those in Ezekiel. In these varied lists, different inclusions or exclusions are made. There are many speculations on why this is so, and none are without their own difficulties. In the end, a listing of twelve is given to retain the Bible’s standard of “perfection of government.” With that as an all-too-brief accounting for the names, John begins the list, saying, “of the tribe of Judah twelve thousand were sealed.” The modern term “Jew” comes from the name Judah. Judah means “praise.” It is therefore the prominent tribe even today. Here we have a lesson which is seen time and again throughout the Bible – “Let the Praise of God always go first.” This is a great spiritual application that we should apply to our own lives and our prayer time as well. It next says, “of the tribe of Reuben twelve thousand were sealed.” Reuben was the firstborn of Israel, but he lost his right to the birthright because he slept with Bilhah, his father’s concubine. Reuben means “See, a Son.” John next says, “of the tribe of Gad twelve thousand were sealed.” Gad was the firstborn of Zilpah, the handmaid of Leah – Jacob’s first wife. Gad means “A Troop” or “Fortune.” These are the blessings for each of these sons of Israel as given by their father before his death – “Judah, you are he whom your brothers shall praise; Your hand shall be on the neck of your enemies; Your father’s children shall bow down before you. 9 Judah is a lion’s whelp; From the prey, my son, you have gone up. He bows down, he lies down as a lion; And as a lion, who shall rouse him? 10 The scepter shall not depart from Judah, Nor a lawgiver from between his feet, Until Shiloh comes; And to Him shall be the obedience of the people. 11 Binding his donkey to the vine, And his donkey’s colt to the choice vine, He washed his garments in wine, And his clothes in the blood of grapes. 12 His eyes are darker than wine, And his teeth whiter than milk.” Genesis 49:8-12 “Reuben, you are my firstborn, My might and the beginning of my strength, The excellency of dignity and the excellency of power. 4 Unstable as water, you shall not excel, Because you went up to your father’s bed; Then you defiled it— He went up to my couch.” Genesis 49:3, 4 “Gad, a troop shall tramp upon him, But he shall triumph at last.” Genesis 49:19 Life application: The sealing of those of Israel is a record of the faithfulness of God to His covenant promises. Israel was (and to this day is) faithfully unfaithful to the Lord, and yet their unfaithfulness in no way negates His faithfulness. We have in the sealing of these people of Israel a listing that demonstrates that the Lord is not through with this group of people, and they will be used in the future to meet His purposes. Over-analyzing the listing may cause us to miss the most important point, which is that Israel has been preserved, they stand today, and they will stand in the future. This is because the Lord is faithful and true to His word. As this is true with Israel, it is certainly true with each person who has entered into the New Covenant through the precious shed blood of Christ. You have ordained all things, O Lord, and You have safely protected what You have ordained, including the children of Israel. Thank You for Your everlasting faithfulness to those who have not always been faithful to You. We can know that because of this, we are equally secure in You. Amen.
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Post by PrisonerOfHope on Dec 10, 2020 2:59:20 GMT -5
Daily Bible Verse, Revelation 7:6, 9 December 2020www.wonderful1.comWednesday, 9 December 2020 of the tribe of Asher twelve thousand were sealed; of the tribe of Naphtali twelve thousand were sealed; of the tribe of Manasseh twelve thousand were sealed; Revelation 7:6 The listing of the servants of God in relation to who their tribe is continues in this verse, beginning with John saying, “of the tribe of Asher twelve thousand were sealed.” Asher was the second son born to Leah’s handmaid Zilpah. His name means “Happy.” Next, John says, “of the tribe of Naphtali twelve thousand were sealed.” Naphtali was the second son of Rachel’s handmaid Bilhah. His name means “My Wrestling.” The verse then finishes with, “of the tribe of Manasseh twelve thousand were sealed.” Manasseh was the firstborn son of Joseph, Rachel’s oldest son. His name means “Forgetting.” When Israel moved to Egypt, he took Joseph’s two sons for his own, to be counted as a part of his clan. By doing this, they were elevated to the same level as his eleven other sons and this meant that the double portion which came with the birthright was given to Joseph. Although this may be a bit confusing, it was a way for Israel to honor Joseph. The blessings bestowed upon these three by Israel are: To Asher – “Bread from Asher shall be rich, And he shall yield royal dainties.” Genesis 49:20 To Naphtali – “Naphtali is a deer let loose; He uses beautiful words.” Genesis 49:21 To Manasseh (and his brother Ephraim) – “God, before whom my fathers Abraham and Isaac walked, The God who has fed me all my life long to this day, 16 The Angel who has redeemed me from all evil, Bless the lads; Let my name be named upon them, And the name of my fathers Abraham and Isaac; And let them grow into a multitude in the midst of the earth.” Genesis 48:15, 16 Life application: The two sons of Joseph were elevated to the same status among Israel as the sons of Jacob, thus being entitled to the status as tribes of Israel. They had done nothing to merit this, but Jacob decided it would be so. And more, Jacob knowingly guided his hands in order to place his right hand upon the younger brother, Ephraim, elevating him above his brother Manasseh. And yet, it is Manasseh who is named in Revelation as a tribe, and Joseph stands in place of Ephraim. In each of these actions, the sons received what they were given apart from any merit. Thus, what they received was grace. It is important for us to remember that Christ Jesus died for us while we were sinners. We had done nothing to merit the favor of God in Christ, and yet we – through a simple act of faith – are brought into the family of God and are made sons in His family. In fact, Scripture tells us that we are made “heirs of God and joint-heirs with Christ” in this relationship (Romans 8:17). Such is the nature of God’s wonderful hand of grace. Believe the gospel, trust that it is sufficient to save your soul with an eternal salvation, and then be sure to contemplate the love of God in Christ. He is the Heir of all things and He has offered to share that with His people. Great and glorious is He. He is JESUS! Lord, it is so wonderful to see how You have worked through real people in human history to unfold Your beautiful plan of redemption. Use each of us also, Lord, in the way that will bring You the most honor and glory. We thank You that we can be a small part of Your loving work in and through the people of the world. Amen.
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Post by PrisonerOfHope on Dec 11, 2020 2:07:49 GMT -5
Daily Bible Verse, Revelation 7:7, 10 December 2020
www.wonderful1.comThursday, 10 December 2020 of the tribe of Simeon twelve thousand were sealed; of the tribe of Levi twelve thousand were sealed; of the tribe of Issachar twelve thousand were sealed; Revelation 7:7 The list of the descendants of Israel who are sealed continues in this verse, starting with, “of the tribe of Simeon twelve thousand were sealed.” Simeon was the second son of Israel’s wife, Leah. His name means “Heard.” Next, John says, “of the tribe of Levi twelve thousand were sealed.” Levi is the third son of Leah. His name means “Attached.” John next continues with, “of the tribe of Issachar twelve thousand were sealed.” Issachar means “Wages.” An interesting note concerning this verse is the mentioning of Levi. Under the Law of Moses, the Old Covenant, Levi had no inheritance of land because they were the priests. Because of this, they were given cities within the land areas of the other tribes. But here in Revelation, they are sealed among the other tribes. This means that one tribe, Dan, is left out of these verses. What this appears to indicate is that Levi is to no longer be singled out as a priestly class. Instead, it is on the same level as the other tribes. And considering the tenets of the New Covenant, this makes complete sense. Here are the blessings of these sons by Israel from Genesis 49 – “Simeon and Levi are brothers; Instruments of cruelty are in their dwelling place. 6 Let not my soul enter their council; Let not my honor be united to their assembly; For in their anger they slew a man, And in their self-will they hamstrung an ox. 7 Cursed be their anger, for it is fierce; And their wrath, for it is cruel! I will divide them in Jacob And scatter them in Israel.” Genesis 49:5-7 “Issachar is a strong donkey, Lying down between two burdens; 15 He saw that rest was good, And that the land was pleasant; He bowed his shoulder to bear a burden, And became a band of slaves.” Genesis 49:14, 15 Israel noted that Simeon and Levi would be divided in Israel and this is what happened. Levi, as the priestly class, was disbursed among the tribes and Simeon received its land within the borders of Judah. The tribe not sealed in Revelation, Dan, never claimed its intended property inheritance (Joshua 19:40-48) when it was allotted. This may be why they aren’t mentioned here, but the variety of speculation on this goes on and on. Life application: It has been noted that the listing of these twelve tribes in Revelation 7 is complicated, and the speculation on why they are listed as they are is extensive. What should not be in doubt, however, is that these are actual tribes of the people of Israel. They are not allegorical divisions of the church. Nor do they validate nutty cults who make ludicrous claims that they are the fulfillment of these divine promises. The Lord faithfully promised to preserve Israel, and He has. He has promised that they, as a nation, will enter into the New Covenant. He has even said explicitly when this will happen in Luke 13:35. His unfailing faithfulness to this unfaithful group of people is because He has covenanted with them. In the New Covenant, believers are given the promise of eternal salvation. We are sealed with the Holy Spirit as a guarantee. If you are struggling with the Lord’s faithfulness to you because you have committed some great and terrible sin, all you need to do is come back and look at Israel. They remain a people despite themselves, and you will remain saved despite your own failings. Just be sure to ignore any pastor, preacher, or teacher who says you can lose your salvation. That person does not understand what the word “grace” means. Cling to the unmerited favor you have been granted, and trust in the faithfulness of God in Christ to carry you through to His place of promised rest. Lord, it is so precious to look into Your word and to contemplate the reasons for the mysteries it holds. Open our eyes and our understanding to ensure that what we conclude is proper and aligned with Your intent. Let us not deviate from sound and reasonable explanations of these hidden treasures. Thank You for Your precious word! Amen.
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Post by PrisonerOfHope on Dec 12, 2020 1:58:58 GMT -5
Daily Bible Verse, Revelation 7:8, 11 December 2020 www.wonderful1.comFriday, 11 December 2020 of the tribe of Zebulun twelve thousand were sealed; of the tribe of Joseph twelve thousand were sealed; of the tribe of Benjamin twelve thousand were sealed. Revelation 7:8 The list of the servants of God who are of the children of Israel that are sealed in the future tribulation period is completed with this verse. To finish the list, John begins by saying, “of the tribe of Zebulun twelve thousand were sealed.” Zebulun was the youngest son of Leah and his name means “Glorious Dwelling Place.” John next states, “of the tribe of Joseph twelve thousand were sealed.” Joseph is the first son of Jacob’s wife, Rachel. He became Pharaoh’s right-hand man in leading all of Egypt. His name means “He Will Add.” John finishes the list saying, “of the tribe of Benjamin twelve thousand were sealed.” Benjamin is the second son of Rachel, and the last recorded of Jacob’s natural sons. His name means “Son of My Right Hand.” Of note is that Joseph’s youngest son, Ephraim, isn’t mentioned in this sealing of the twelve tribes, but he was given the greater blessing by his grandfather Israel and therefore is certainly represented by Joseph. In other words, where Joseph is mentioned, we can infer that these 12,000 sealed include the tribe of Ephraim. Thus, all of the tribes, with the exception of Dan are mentioned and sealed. As previously noted, many have tried to insert the church into these verses and claim that what is seen here is the church spiritually representing Israel. Other aberrant cults have claimed that they are the spiritual fulfillment of these sealed Israelites. Such claims are nonsense. Only an extremely poor interpretation, one biased against a literal reading of the Bible, or one that is possibly anti-Semitic, could hold this view. Here are the blessings given by Israel to these three sons – “Zebulun shall dwell by the haven of the sea; He shall become a haven for ships, And his border shall adjoin Sidon.” Genesis 49:13 “Joseph is a fruitful bough, A fruitful bough by a well; His branches run over the wall. 23 The archers have bitterly grieved him, Shot at him and hated him. 24 But his bow remained in strength, And the arms of his hands were made strong By the hands of the Mighty God of Jacob (From there is the Shepherd, the Stone of Israel), 25 By the God of your father who will help you, And by the Almighty who will bless you With blessings of heaven above, Blessings of the deep that lies beneath, Blessings of the breasts and of the womb. 26 The blessings of your father Have excelled the blessings of my ancestors, Up to the utmost bound of the everlasting hills. They shall be on the head of Joseph, And on the crown of the head of him who was separate from his brothers.” Genesis 49:22-26 “Benjamin is a ravenous wolf; In the morning he shall devour the prey, And at night he shall divide the spoil.” Genesis 49:27 Life application: It is obvious that there are literary tools used in the book of Revelation such as allegory, idiomatic expressions, and so on. These need to be interpreted as best as one can from the context of other such uses in Scripture. There are also things that are clearly not merely literary tools, but they are rather to be taken literally. At times, it may be hard to determine every instance of such things. However, there are some things that are presented that are obvious on the surface. For example, when the Bible speaks of Israel, it is referring to Israel – not the church. What happened to Israel in the past can be used as examples for the church and its dealings with God through Christ (see 1 Corinthians 10:11), but this does not mean that Israel suddenly becomes the church. Keeping the theological categories straight, and not mixing what is in those separate boxes, will keep us from great error. The only way to really be sure of such things is to read the word constantly, growing in understanding as what has been read is pondered and stored away for future reference. Such an attitude should be a self-imposed obligation on each person who claims to follow Christ. The only way to know God personally is to know Jesus Christ. The only way to know Jesus Christ is to know the word of God. Read the word, cherish the word, and meditate on the word at all times. In it you will find peace and soundness of mind. In it you will find proper theology. And, in it you will find JESUS. Heavenly Father, thank You for Your faithfulness to the sons of Israel, even in the midst of their unfaithfulness. Likewise, for those who have called to You through Jesus, You keep every promise and You are ever-faithful in Your dealings with your redeemed. We know that, despite ourselves, You will also keep us in Your grasp, and You will bring us to Your everlasting home. Great and faithful are you, O God. Hallelujah and Amen!
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Post by PrisonerOfHope on Dec 12, 2020 23:53:48 GMT -5
Daily Bible Verse, Revelation 7:9, 12 December 2020 www.wonderful1.comSaturday, 12 December 2020 After these things I looked, and behold, a great multitude which no one could number, of all nations, tribes, peoples, and tongues, standing before the throne and before the Lamb, clothed with white robes, with palm branches in their hands, Revelation 7:9 The servants of God from the children of Israel who were sealed is complete. With that done, John’s attention is drawn to a second scene that occurs between the loosing of the sixth and seventh seals. And so, John begins the description, saying, “After these things.” This indicates a progression of time, but this does not necessarily mean from our viewpoint or within the stream of redemptive history. Rather, it can simply be from John’s perspective as he watches the scenes appear. What he sees as sequential may be overlapping within the stream of time to us. And this is certainly the case with what he will now describe, saying, “I looked, and behold, a great multitude which no one could number.” Who are these people and at what point in history do they appear? The answer will be given in the verses ahead, saying that they are martyrs of the tribulation period – the final seven years before Christ’s return. Because this is so, and because those who were just sealed in the previous vision were sealed during the tribulation, it shows that the events are only sequential as John views them, but they are overlapping within the stream of redemptive history. They are simply a categorical presentation of things that will occur. Understanding this, John continues by saying that they are “of all nations, tribes, peoples, and tongues.” Because of this, they are not the same as the 144,000 Jews who were sealed in the first half of the vision. There may be (and indeed surely are) Jews included in the multitude, but the 144,000 are in a different category. What is certain is that there will be an immense number of people saved out of the tribulation from around the earth, having realized too late for the rapture that Jesus really is who He claimed to be. Now they have proven their faith by being faithful even unto death. This is evident by the words that they are “standing before the throne and before the Lamb.” They are portrayed in the vision as being in heaven. They have left the earthly behind. John next says that they are “clothed with white robes.” It is the same symbolism that has been seen several times already. The white robes signify the imputed righteousness of Jesus Christ. Their sins have been covered over, and they stand before God without fault or blemish because of their faith in the Lamb that was slain. John next says they stand there before the throne “with palm branches in their hands.” The palm in Hebrew is tamar. This comes from an unused root meaning “to be erect.” Thus, the palm is figuratively a symbol of uprightness or righteousness. On Palm Sunday before His crucifixion, John records – The next day a great multitude that had come to the feast, when they heard that Jesus was coming to Jerusalem, 13 took branches of palm trees and went out to meet Him, and cried out: “Hosanna! ‘Blessed is He who comes in the name of the LORD!’ The King of Israel!” John 12:12, 13 The palms signify their faith that Jesus was the upright Savior who had come to save His people, and thus He is the King of Israel. But the symbolism goes further. In Leviticus 23, it says – “Also on the fifteenth day of the seventh month, when you have gathered in the fruit of the land, you shall keep the feast of the LORD for seven days; on the first day there shall be a sabbath-rest, and on the eighth day a sabbath-rest. 40 And you shall take for yourselves on the first day the fruit of beautiful trees, branches of palm trees, the boughs of leafy trees, and willows of the brook; and you shall rejoice before the LORD your God for seven days. 41 You shall keep it as a feast to the LORD for seven days in the year. It shall be a statute forever in your generations. You shall celebrate it in the seventh month. 42 You shall dwell in booths for seven days. All who are native Israelites shall dwell in booths, 43 that your generations may know that I made the children of Israel dwell in booths when I brought them out of the land of Egypt: I am the LORD your God.” Leviticus 23:39-43 Palms were to be an integral part of the adornment of the booths constructed by the people of Israel during the Feast of Tabernacles. This was a pilgrim feast, one of the three feasts that anticipate the position of a believer in Christ. Each of the types of branches named carries its own significance, but the palm – as noted above – signifies being upright. This is the righteousness of Christ. To understand the details of the feast (and indeed all of the Feasts of the Lord) in its entirety, it can be read or viewed at the Superior Word website. These people are now living out the more perfect fulfillment of their pilgrim feast for all eternity in the presence of the One who made that possible. This will be made more evident in the verses ahead. Life application: Analyses of the events of Chapter 7 that try to align them as sequential, and literally occurring between the sixth and seventh seals in the overall chronology of the redemptive narrative, inevitably lead to a hopeless and confused timeline. The events are categorical, but not necessarily chronological. They are being placed at logical points within the narrative to teach essential truth, regardless as to the timeline in which they occur in actual human history. Holding fast to the dispensational model, without mixing the dispensational categories, will alleviate such problems. Also, the feasts mentioned in the Old Testament – but which are carefully explained in the books of Moses, and in particular Leviticus – are Feasts of the Lord. They are not “Jewish Feasts,” nor are they “Feasts of Israel.” They were given to Israel to live out as typological representations of what the Lord Jesus would accomplish. These feasts, all eight of them, are fulfilled in Christ. There is no future fulfillment of them. This is important to understand. If Christ Jesus did not fulfill these feasts, then He did not fulfill the law. If He did not fulfill the law, He is not the Messiah. To teach that the “fall feasts” are yet to be fulfilled in Israel is – therefore – heresy. When reading up on these feasts, if they are called anything but the Feasts of the Lord, or if they are said to have a future fulfillment, you can give up on that analysis and move on. This is important to have sound theology. The feasts anticipate Christ Jesus, and they are fulfilled in His first advent. To finish, the most important point to remember is that all of Scripture is ultimately about God’s dealings in redemptive history through His Son. It is this that brings all other things into proper focus. Someday, the redeemed of the Lord will stand before Him for all eternity, praising His glory and reveling in what God has done in and through Him. He is the Lamb of God. He is our King. He is JESUS. Hallelujah and glory to God in the highest! Salvation has come to men in the Person and work of Jesus Christ our Lord. He has fulfilled the law, paid our sin debt, and prevailed over death – all the work of our Messiah who is our King. Praise You, O God, for the glorious work of Jesus Christ Your Son. Amen.
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Post by PrisonerOfHope on Dec 14, 2020 2:08:16 GMT -5
Daily Bible Verse, Revelation 7:10, 13 December 2020
www.wonderful1.comSunday, 13 December 2020 and crying out with a loud voice, saying, “Salvation belongs to our God who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb!” Revelation 7:10 The words of this verse complete the thought of the previous verse. Taken together, they say, “After these things I looked, and behold, a great multitude which no one could number, of all nations, tribes, peoples, and tongues, standing before the throne and before the Lamb, clothed with white robes, with palm branches in their hands, 10 and crying out with a loud voice, saying, ‘Salvation belongs to our God who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb!’” With this context understood, a better evaluation of the words can be made. John sees the great multitude and now he hears their joyous cry – “Salvation belongs to our God who sits on the throne.” As already noted, this is referring to Jesus. Jesus is the One who is “sitting at the right hand of God” (Colossians 3:1). The right hand is not a physical position, as if God has parts. Rather, God is Spirit. What this means is that Jesus Christ is sitting in the position of power and authority, represented by the right hand. Thus, He is “our God who sits on the throne.” It speaks of the deity of Jesus Christ. Next, John says, “and to the Lamb!” This now speaks of the humanity of Christ, taking us back to Chapter 5, where Christ is described as the “Lamb as though it had been slain.” It refers to the substitutionary death that Christ suffered for His people. It is this act that is highlighted out of His human existence. Yes, He fulfilled the law, but dying was a part of the law. As the law would not be fulfilled without His death, the epitome of the work of Jesus Christ is His crucifixion. This is what the saints here, and indeed all of the saints for all of eternity, will consider above all else when interacting with Christ Jesus. The terminology in this verse goes back to many occurrences in the Old Testament, but specifically to Psalm 3:8 which says – “Salvation belongs to the Lord. Your blessing is upon Your people. Selah” Salvation is of the Lord, meaning “Yehovah” of the Old Testament. This is yet another example of the deity of Jesus Christ being proclaimed. It is He who sits on the throne as the Creator, and it is He who is the Lamb as our Redeemer. The pattern of Creation/Redemption that is so notably seen in Scripture continues on in this verse. He fills both roles – He is the Beginning and the End of our walk with God. He is the One who calls us and the one who completes the work in us. In a pun demonstrated throughout the New Testament, the word “salvation” is used in conjunction with Jesus. The name “Jesus” is the Hebrew name Yeshua which specifically means “salvation.” Therefore, the play on words is saying that Jesus is the One who is God and who is also the Lamb – Salvation belongs to our God. He is the fullness of the Godhead in bodily form and the One who reveals the Father to us. Life application: As a point of doctrine, and as a point to apply to one’s life because it pertains to almost all of us, we wonder what will happen to those who do not receive Christ after the rapture. The answer is that the same options are available to them then as are available to them now – salvation or condemnation. There is a horrifying lie taught in Christianity that if a person has heard the gospel and rejects it prior to the rapture, that person can never be saved. The Bible never even hints at that. As a seeming proof, the words concerning the strong delusion found in 2 Thessalonians 2 is brought forth as some sort of proof text. This is a very poor interpretation of those verses; it is utter nonsense; it dismisses other parts of Scripture (such as the verses we are now evaluating); it completely overlooks the nature of God; and it diminishes the significance of the cross of Jesus Christ. To understand the meaning of those verses in 2 Thessalonians, you are invited to read the Superior Word commentary on them. When considering such points of theology, or indeed any other that are the pet peeves of some supposed scholar, teacher, or pastor, the easiest way to determine if it is probably wrong is to simply try to insert that precept into John3:16. For example – *For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him before the rapture should not perish but have everlasting life. *For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him – and is baptized into the Church of Christ – should not perish but have everlasting life. *For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him – and only reads the King James Version – should not perish but have everlasting life. *For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him – and proves it by speaking in tongues – should not perish but have everlasting life. As you can see, the ideas do not sync with what Christ Jesus has said. They are false notions that are unsupported elsewhere in Scripture, and they are the inane ramblings of those who have a perverse agenda that is being pushed. Have sound theology, don’t get caught up in every wind of doctrine that blows across the waters, and don’t allow such things to cast you to and fro. Instead, realize that this book – the Holy Bible – is given to reveal God’s love for the people of the world as is found in Jesus Christ. The book of Revelation is the Revelation of Jesus Christ because it is revealing Him. To find any other doctrine than that which is laid out in Scripture, or to find any other symbolism than the Person and work of Jesus, is to deny the very foundation of the Christian faith. He is our Lord! He is our God! He is JESUS! Truly salvation belongs to our God and to the Lamb! It is to Jesus that we direct our hope, our love, our devotion, and our praise. Glory to God in the highest for having revealed Himself to us in such a beautiful and loving way! May we as faithful Christians ever praise the beauty of the Lord in the Person of Jesus Christ! Amen.
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Post by PrisonerOfHope on Dec 15, 2020 1:15:16 GMT -5
Daily Bible Verse, Revelation 7:11, 14 December 2020 www.wonderful1.comMonday, 14 December 2020 All the angels stood around the throne and the elders and the four living creatures, and fell on their faces before the throne and worshiped God, Revelation 7:11 After noting the great multitude and hearing their cry of praise, John next says that “All the angels stood around the throne.” The verb is a pluperfect being used as an imperfect. It more correctly says, “were standing.” In other words, the angels were standing around the throne watching the scene of the great multitude just presented. These are the angels referred to in verse 5:11 – “Then I looked, and I heard the voice of many angels aro und the throne, the living creatures, and the elders; and the number of them was ten thousand times ten thousand, and thousands of thousands.” Like in verse 5:11, this verse now also includes “the elders and the four living creatures.” The elders are those first referred to in verse 4:4. Of them, it said there – “Around the throne were twenty-four thrones, and on the thrones I saw twenty-four elders sitting, clothed in white robes; and they had crowns of gold on their heads.” The four living creatures were then first presented just a couple verses later in Chapter 4 – “Before the throne there was a sea of glass, like crystal. And in the midst of the throne, and around the throne, were four living creatures full of eyes in front and in back. 7 The first living creature was like a lion, the second living creature like a calf, the third living creature had a face like a man, and the fourth living creature was like a flying eagle. 8 The four living creatures, each having six wings, were full of eyes around and within.” Revelation 4:6-8 What is seen here is an outer circle comprising the angels. From there, the thrones of the twenty-four elders forms the next grouping, and that is then followed by a circle of the four living creatures. Within that circle, and near the throne, stands this great multitude. And on the throne sits the Lamb. Of this vast multitude of the heavenly hierarchy which is now accompanied by this great multitude adorned in white, John says that they “fell on their faces before the throne and worshiped God.” The implication is that this is occurring because of the presence of this great multitude. So vast is the number of redeemed, that the entire heavenly congregation falls down in praise to God for what has been accomplished. What must be explained is the fact that the great multitude is actually closer to the throne than are the angels. There is a heavenly hierarchy being presented here and the angels, beings who were created sinless and who have never sinned, are outside of the redeemed who were sinners. How can this be? The answer is found in Ephesians 2:13, which explains what occurs when a person, Jew or Gentile, receives Christ as Savior – “But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far off have been brought near by the blood of Christ.” Because of Jesus Christ’s work, those who are saved by Him are covered in His perfection, symbolized by the white garments. They are deemed as sinless, and their past sins can never be brought forth again. Life application: The infinite gap between God and fallen man is restored through the Person of Jesus Christ. The angels come after us because they are, as stated in Hebrews 1:14, “ministering spirits sent forth to minister for those who will inherit salvation.” The honors granted to the fallen sons of Adam are immense when Jesus is received as Lord. Sins are washed away and the benefit of being in the very presence of God is restored. Hallelujah and amen for our great and awesome Lord! He is the One who suffered on Calvary’s cross in order to redeem fallen man to Himself. He is splendid. He is arrayed in light and majesty. He is JESUS. Lord, it’s hard for us to grasp the complete significance of what You have done for us. We have sinned and rebelled, and yet You have lovingly granted us restoration to You and release from the debts we owed. How can we do anything but praise You for Your majesty and glory. Thank You for every good and kind blessing You have bestowed upon Your unworthy servants. Amen.
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