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Post by PrisonerOfHope on Jan 10, 2021 2:34:17 GMT -5
Daily Bible Verse, Revelation 9:7, 9 January 2021
www.wonderful1.comSaturday, 9 January 2021 The shape of the locusts was like horses prepared for battle. On their heads were crowns of something like gold, and their faces were like the faces of men. Revelation 9:7 In verses 7-10 John will describe the locusts from the abyss. The description of these locusts is John’s best attempt at describing something he had never seen or even imagined. Further, he was looking into the far future, to a time when Israel would again be established in her land and when the nations would wage war with technology. He never could have imagined what he was seeing. The time prophesied by John appears to be now. Today appears to be the day. What John was seeing then is a common sight of modern man. With this in mind, he says, “The shape of the locusts was like horses prepared for battle.” In John’s time, horses prepared for battle stood upright, they stood in formation, and they were covered with any armor outfitted for them. They would have borne the insignia of the units they were assigned to, and they would have borne the colors of the Roman army. In modern air forces, the same is true. Jet fighters are arrayed in formation, they are formed from a frame of metal and covered in sheets of metal, they bear the insignia of the units they are assigned to, and they bear the colors of the nation they represent. For John to see jets that fly, he would have certainly termed them “locusts.” To see the missiles and guns they employ, he would have certainly equated those things to the stings of scorpions. To see them lined up in preparation for take-off, he would certainly have equated them as horses prepared for battle. Understanding this, he then says, “On their heads were crowns of something like gold.” Of this, Vincent’s Word Studies notes, “Not actual crowns, but as crowns. Milligan remarks that any yellow brilliancy about the head of the insect is a sufficient foundation for the figure.” This yellow brilliancy is an exacting description of the windscreens of a modern jet fighter. They have a microns-thick layer of gold plating to reflect the IR signature of the pilot and cockpit components. When the sun shines on them from the right direction, they reflect this gold very clearly. This is described on Quora.com by Bob Keeter, Former Sr. Systems Engineer at Dept of Defense Civilian – “The gold coloring is actually a very thin sheet of gold sandwiched between the laminated sheets of acrylic or polycarbonate plastic that forms the canopy. On the EA-6B, the golden canopies formed a Faraday cage protecting the aircrew and the cockpit instruments from the high power RF transmissions from the jamming pods. On other aircraft, the gold foil has the same basic function for a very different reason. The cockpit has many edges, corners and radar reflective features. By providing a smooth and opaque surface, a gold foil canopy reduces the radar cross section considerably, even for non-stealthy aircraft.” This is what John was seeing in the “crowns of something like gold.” From there, he finishes this verse with, “and their faces were like the faces of men.” Here, the word anthrōpōn is referring to the shape of humans, not specifically biological sex. John is seeing modern jet fighters and also the shape of men in the cockpits. As their heads are covered in the helmets worn by fighter pilots, they are obscured to the point where John could only say that they are “like the faces of men.” John is certainly seeing and writing about both close up and far distant views of these jets. This will become even more evident in the next few verses. It is as if he is watching a movie and documenting what he has seen, but he is doing so from the perspective of a man who had never seen such things, and also as a man who lived in the Middle East at the time of the Roman empire. In the previous verses, it said that “they were commanded not to harm the grass of the earth, or any green thing, or any tree, but only those men who do not have the seal of God on their foreheads.” This is the exact capability of modern fighters – targeted warfare with precision-guided munitions. Life application: For millennia, the Bible has remained an almost impossible to believe sci-fi account, or it has been over-spiritualized to indicate demonic forces that never existed and that would suddenly come upon the earth – like Godzilla monsters. However, with modern technology, a harmonizing of what is literal and what is figurative becomes more and more evident. This doesn’t mean that we can be one hundred percent certain of every detail. But it does mean that the things described in the passage before us no longer need to be spiritualized. The events and advances of modern history and technology have finally caught up with what the Bible records. In seeing the parallel between the two, our faith in God’s ability to provide reliable prophecy should be greatly strengthened. And as all prophecy is intended to show us what God is doing in redemptive history in relation to Jesus Christ, we should have all the more surety in our hope in Him and His promises. Let us trust Him. Let us not waiver in our faith in JESUS! Lord God, it is especially interesting to live in this day and time when the events of the Bible are becoming much more understandable. We know that because Israel is back in her land that the Day is drawing near for these events to occur and then for the return of Jesus Christ. May that day be soon! Amen.
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Post by PrisonerOfHope on Jan 11, 2021 1:22:58 GMT -5
Daily Bible Verse, Revelation 9:8, 10 January 2021
www.wonderful1.comSunday, 10 January 2021 They had hair like women’s hair, and their teeth were like lions’ teeth. Revelation 9:8 In the previous verse, John began a detailed description of the “locusts” that he saw. The symbolism was clearly that of modern-day jet fighters. To this point, one might include attack helicopters as well, though a later description seems to argue against that. What is presented is clearly that of jets, however. John is seeing them close up and from a distance, as if he is watching a movie about them. One minute he is looking right in the cockpit, and the next minute he is seeing them whir by overhead. Such is the case in this verse as he says, “They had hair like women’s hair.” Women’s hair is long and flowing. The various locks will blow behind them in the wind, giving them a look of beauty and grace as they pass by. So it is with jets. Imagine the last time you were at an air show with jet fighters and the planes flew in all kinds of crazy ways and directions as the smoke-making device pumped away. What did it look like? Or when you watched an old-time WWII movie and saw hundreds of bombers flying to their targets, what did the skies look like as the contrails followed behind the planes? In both instances, something like the long hair of a woman following behind was seen. At least, if you were John on the island of Patmos two thousand years ago, this is how you would describe the scene. In a battle of fighter jets flying to and fro, he would have seen locusts that “had hair like woman’s hair.” And then after viewing the scene from a distance, he is brought close again to what he was just seeing from afar… a fighter jet flies by him! On the fighter are the traditional painted teeth of war pilots of battles past and battles yet to come. Some are painted like tigers or sharks and yes, some have teeth like those of the king of beasts. As John states, “and their teeth were like lion’s teeth.” The lion is an animal that John was obviously familiar, both from Scripture where the lion is often described, and from his own personal witness (or he could not have made the comparison). As the locusts whirred by, he would see the terrifying painting on the fighter and stand in awe and wonder at what he was seeing in his prophetic vision. Life application: From our modern knowledge of air forces and air war, it is apparent that when one stands back and reads these verses, they are not describing something spiritual, but rather something real. Real battles like this are coming to the land of Israel and the surrounding areas. What is being described is something John is being given a glimpse of. Great wars are on the horizon. They will affect the people and the nation of Israel and the nations coming against her. John must have been dumbfounded and amazed at the sight he was beholding! We too should be amazed, but for an entirely different reason. What John saw so perfectly matches what we now know. It is impossible to not be amazed that the Lord presented it so clearly and precisely to him. It is as if John was in a cave on Patmos watching a modern-day movie, but with his limited knowledge of the world of the future. As such, he was excitedly penning details that would not be understood for a full two thousand years. In this, the prophetic vision confirms the reliability of the sacred word. The word of prophecy points to the truth of God in Christ. He has come, and His name is JESUS! Certainly, Lord, You are in control of the future. If You can reveal such startling detail of future events to men who lived thousands of years ago, and which are even today being fulfilled before our very eyes, then You have all things in Your mighty grasp. Why should we fear when You know the end from the beginning? We can look to You and feel the comfort of knowing that all things are under Your control! Hallelujah and Amen.
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Post by PrisonerOfHope on Jan 12, 2021 2:31:09 GMT -5
Daily Bible Verse, Revelation 9:9, 11 January 2021 www.wonderful1.comMonday, 11 January 2021 And they had breastplates like breastplates of iron, and the sound of their wings was like the sound of chariots with many horses running into battle. Revelation 9:9 John is attempting to describe the “locusts” he sees in his vision. So far, he has seen… They can be commanded. They can target their enemies without hitting objects around them. They are not given the authority to kill them, but only to torment them. Their torment is painful and so horrifying that those targeted will seek death and not find it. They are like “horses prepared for battle.” They have “crowns of something like gold.” They have the faces of men. They have hair like women’s hair. They have teeth like lion’s teeth. In this, they have minutely described modern jet fighters and their ability to attack specific targets, destroying infrastructure while protecting human life. This is exactly what occurred during the Gulf War and other recent wars, such as in Israel’s skirmishes against those in Gaza and elsewhere. The descriptions are exactly as you would expect from a man 2000 years ago. John now continues, saying, “And they had breastplates like breastplates of iron.” John, not having an understanding of modern metallurgy, describes a modern fighter as best as he could, saying “iron” instead of “titanium,” or “aluminum.” But the description is marvelously accurate other than the exact type of metal. To someone who had never seen a modern jet fighter, it would appear as a locust with a metal breastplate. And more, John next says, “and the sound of their wings.” First, John identifies the sound as coming from the wings. That precisely identifies this as a jet fighter, not a helicopter, a supposed human/angel hybrid, or a rocket. Rather, John is seeing modern jet fighters whose wings are “like the sound of chariots with many horses running into battle.” The comparison is so precise that it is uncanny. If one watches a movie like Ben Hur and listens closely to the sound as the horses come by, the comparison becomes obvious. This link will take you to a suitable time frame from the classic movie – From there, you can go to any recorded flyby of a jet fighter, and the sound is practically identical. This link is set to the appropriate time – John used Roman-era sound that he was aware of to describe something that would not be known for two thousand years, and he did so exactingly. As you watch the jet fighter video, think on the other descriptions John has given concerning these “locusts.” They are uncanny in how beautifully John presented them as he wrote out the pages of Revelation on the exile island of Patmos. Life application: John’s vision is a terrifying and tremendous comparison to a modern war waged with fighter jets that are specifically targeting infrastructure to weaken an enemy without killing people. The air force is using extreme restraint in their attacks. This is something one would expect from a nation not intent on destroying its enemies but only crippling their ability to retaliate. One can see the future from John’s perspective, united with the reality of our modern-day, in what John is describing. This tells us that Jesus Christ, who relayed these prophetic visions to John, is the Master of time. He transcends it because He created it. He is not bound to it, and therefore He can present the future to us as if it has already come to pass. In Him is the spirit of prophecy because He is JESUS! Lord God, it is amazing to read the descriptions of future events in Scripture and to see that they accurately and minutely describe visions that we can now properly interpret, such as the engagement of a modern battle with fully equipped jet fighters. We know that You are the Creator of time, and therefore You can and have revealed the future to us. We know that You are in complete control, and so we can trust in You to care for us, just as You have promised. Praises to You, O God, for confirming Your word through prophecy to give us a sure and blessed hope. Amen.
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Post by PrisonerOfHope on Jan 13, 2021 1:44:59 GMT -5
Daily Bible Verse, Revelation 9:10, 12 January 2021
www.wonderful1.comTuesday, 12 January 2021 They had tails like scorpions, and there were stings in their tails. Their power was to hurt men five months. Revelation 9:10 Over the past few verses, John has been describing the vision of the locusts. It is certain that the general idea is that these are modern jet fighters and that they are using targeted attacks against an enemy foe. These fighters have been sent out, not to kill the enemy, but to cripple them without taking life. Understanding this symbolism, John begins this verse with, “They had tails like scorpions.” Like his other descriptions, he is making a comparison to their function, not their appearance. The Pulpit Commentary, written before the age of jet fighters (19th century), understood this, saying, “Not that their tails possessed the appearance of scorpions ... but that their tails were like the tails of scorpions in respect of having stings in them.” With this correct understanding, John next says, “and there were stings in their tails.” The sting of the scorpion is right at the end of the tail, and it is sharp and extremely painful. As the tail of a scorpion proceeds forward over the body of the insect, it is from the midpoint of the body, not from behind it. Likewise, a jet fighter will have its weapons under the wings, or under the main body, not at the head. When shooting a missile, John would have seen it flying out from the body, rather than the front of the aircraft. He would probably have the idea of a scorpion in his mind. He is using a metaphor that best describes what he sees, both in the means of attack and in the effect the attack makes. From there, he then finishes the thought with, “Their power was to hurt men five months.” The exact duration of this particular aerial campaign is given, and the effects of it are succinctly stated. The intent is to hurt but not to kill. Obviously, this doesn’t mean people won’t die in such a battle. There is normally collateral damage associated with any aerial bombardment. But the intent of targeted attacks is to harm but not kill. This is what John is seeing and conveying to the one seeking to understand this future prophecy. This air war will last five months. When the campaign ends, things will move into another judgment. All of this could be avoided, but man has other intentions than to willfully submit to the sovereign authority of God. And so, the troubles will only increase. Life application: For millennia, readers of the Bible have come to these words concerning the locusts, and their minds have strained to understand what is being conveyed. The most fanciful of descriptions have been given, attempting to align real living creatures with what John is writing about. In other words, they have taken John’s words as absolute truth, but there has been no ability to appreciate them from a known perspective. And so, their analyses have ranged from describing actual mutant locusts to various creatures that have never existed, but which must supposedly be coming in the future. We no longer need to wonder about whether they are real living creatures or not. We can know, with high reliability, that John is describing modern jet fighters. With this understanding, we can also know that the events of Revelation are coming, and that we are right on the doorstep of that coming Day of the Lord. This future battle, now being described, will be done with precision-guided munitions that are used by an air force that has great restraint. Based on past history, this brings the number of modern countries down to just a few. Most countries go in to completely destroy the enemy without regard to human life. Whether these prophecies are soon to pass or in the distant future, this will be the general idea. This will be a nation or group of nations that is restrained in their assault with highly destructive weapons. For the believer in Christ, and apart from the words of naysayers concerning the rapture, the timeline of the Bible tells us that believers who have called on Jesus will be taken out before these events begin. The rapture, including its timing, is defined by the Apostle Paul. It is he who received his instruction directly from the Lord (Galatians 1:2), and it is he who then conveyed that to us. The mercy of God is coming upon his people, and it is because His Son has already taken our judgment upon Himself at the cross. Thank God for the sure promises that are found in JESUS! Lord God, we can look at the pages of future prophecy given in Scripture, and the world cannot say that it has not been warned. Terrible times are ahead for those who fail to accept Jesus now. Your offer of peace through Him has been given. You are in complete control and have all things worked out in a way that will bring You great glory and that will also show that You are just when You judge. Truly, You are great – merciful and also righteous! Be exalted among Your people, O God. Amen.
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Post by PrisonerOfHope on Jan 14, 2021 1:10:36 GMT -5
Daily Bible Verse, Revelation 9:11, 13 January 2021
www.wonderful1.comWednesday, 13 January 2021 And they had as king over them the angel of the bottomless pit, whose name in Hebrew is Abaddon, but in Greek he has the name Apollyon. Revelation 9:11 The description of the locusts (the jet fighters) is complete. But now we are given another insight concerning them. John now says, “And they had as king over them.” These words definitively show that the “locusts” are not actual locusts. Locusts don’t have stings, but they also don’t have a king over them, as Solomon says in the Proverbs – “The locusts have no king, Yet they all advance in ranks;” Proverbs 30:27 These locusts do though. What is of great interest is that the New Testament writers almost always follow the Greek translation of the Old Testament when making citations. Understanding this, a clue as to who this king is may be provided in the Greek translation of Amos 7:1 – “Thus has the Lord God shewed me; and, behold, a swarm of locusts coming from the east; and, behold, one caterpillar, king Gog.” Brenton Septuagint Translation This verse from Amos not only refers to locusts probably in a figurative sense, but the Greek translation notes that they are led by a king, Gog. Scholars find this as a mistranslation or a corrupt reading, but it appears to be exactly what John is referring to. If so, the army of locusts (meaning jet fighters) would be a part of the coalition of forces under Russia as described in Ezekiel 38, and the battle would be definitely referring to forces allied against Israel. To add into the speculation even more, the Hebrew reading of Amos 7:1 says – “Thus the Lord GOD showed me: Behold, He formed locust swarms at the beginning of the late crop; indeed it was the late crop after the king’s mowings.” This verse in the Hebrew text could possibly be referring to the rapture as it refers to the “king’s mowings.” In other words, the harvest of Christ at the rapture has passed, and now the “late crop” of the tribulation period is being referred to. If this is correct, and this can only be speculation, then two prominent truths can be discerned – 1) The rapture is pretribulation (something completely supported elsewhere in Scripture), and 2) The battle of Gog/Magog of Ezekiel 38 occurs after the rapture. Of this king, John next says he is, “the angel of the bottomless pit.” This would then clearly define the king as a human being, even if under the power of the devil. Whether or not this king is the same as the angel referred to in verses 9:1 and 9:2 is debated, but it is certain he is a human here in verse 9:11. Of him, John continues by saying, “whose name in Hebrew is Abaddon.” Both names to be given are to be taken as a personification of the person being described. The Hebrew word Abaddon here thus means Destruction. It is this king’s scriptural designation. The word Abaddon is found five times in the Old Testament. The references are Job 26:6, 28:22 & 31:12; Psalm 88:11; and Proverbs 15:11. It must be noted that Abaddon is said to be under the full control and authority of the Lord in Job 26:6 and Proverbs 15:11. In other words, the Lord is in control of all of the events that take place, and nothing is “out of control” in regard to His plan and purposes. John next finishes the verse with, “but in Greek he has the name Apollyon.” The word means “Destroyer.” It comes from a common word used over ninety times in the New Testament, apollumi. That means to destroy or perish. The word Apollyon is found only this once in the Bible. Giving the name in both the Hebrew and the Greek is a common writing tool of John in his gospel. This clearly identifies the fact that Revelation, like all of the New Testament, was written in Greek, while translating the Hebrew for the reader. In this, it solidifies the meaning of otherwise doubtful words and phrases. It also draws the Bible into one unified whole, regardless of the language used in the original writing. As another linguistic note, John uses the term Hebraisti to describe the language that the word Abaddon was translated from. Saying “Hebrew” here is correct. However, the term Hebraisti is only used by John, and it is found in his writings seven times. Several of those times, however, it is not referring to Hebrew, but rather to Aramaic – such as in the words Gabbatha and Golgotha. Thus, the term does not mean solely “Hebrew.” Rather, it speaks of the Semitic tongues inclusive of both Hebrew and Aramaic (Chaldee). It is the Aramaic or Chaldee that became the predominant tongue of the people after the Babylonian exile, as is evidenced elsewhere in the New Testament. This is true of both the written alphabet and the spoken language. Life application: As was noted in a previous commentary, the attacks of these “locusts” is direct and targeted in an attempt to avoid destroying the people. It is a common trait among the forces of the western world today. While other armies wage war without any regard for who is killed, the battles and wars waged by various armies in the recent past have showed immense restraint in their conduct. The opposing forces are first “softened up” and allowed a chance to surrender. After this, the armies come at their foe with fully unleashed power and with the intent of subduing them. This appears to be the pattern of this future army of “locusts.” As is seen in the above analysis, this is quite possibly the forces of Gog, meaning Russia. This would then align with the words of Ezekiel 38 – “Thus says the Lord GOD: ‘On that day it shall come to pass that thoughts will arise in your mind, and you will make an evil plan: 11 You will say, “I will go up against a land of unwalled villages; I will go to a peaceful people, who dwell safely, all of them dwelling without walls, and having neither bars nor gates”— 12 to take plunder and to take booty, to stretch out your hand against the waste places that are again inhabited, and against a people gathered from the nations, who have acquired livestock and goods, who dwell in the midst of the land. 13 Sheba, Dedan, the merchants of Tarshish, and all their young lions will say to you, “Have you come to take plunder? Have you gathered your army to take booty, to carry away silver and gold, to take away livestock and goods, to take great plunder?”’” Ezekiel 38:10-13 The intent of the coming battle is not to destroy the people, but to take the spoil without completely destroying the land in the process. Both Ezekiel and John are confirming this is what is to be expected. As a special note for the student of the Bible is that, since 2020, the possibility of the events described here in Ezekiel 38 are now much more plausible than they were previously. The nations mentioned: Sheba, Dedan and (the merchants of) Tarshish are coming into focus in a new way. Sheba and Dedan are both located in the area in and around Saudi Arabia. Sheba is believed to be the Kingdom of Saba in southern Arabia. Dedan was a city-state and oasis area of north-western Arabia mentioned at times in the Bible. The location of Tarshish is highly debated. Some analysis say it is Lebanon, some Spain, and some even England (and other locations). Regardless of that location, the text doesn’t say “Tarshish,” but rather “the merchants of Tarshish,” implying trading partners. Further, the term “all their young lions” speaks of the surrounding city states. This would be inclusive of all of the small countries that border Saudi Arabia – Bahrain, Oman, the UAE, and etc. Only since the presidency of Donald Trump have these nations began to (and some have) make treaties with Israel. Hence, they are said in Ezekiel to not be a part of the attacking forces coming against Israel. Instead of being allied with the invaders, these states will instead stand back and keep distance from the invading armies who come for the spoil. The world’s alignment of nations is matching up with the biblical narrative, even before our eyes. As for the layout of the battle in the verse being analyzed, the coming verses will show that after the air war has softened up the people of the land (meaning of Israel), a great force – inclusive of a coalition of armies – will then come by land in an attempt to complete the task. The point of this is that Israel is still not right with the Lord. They have been returned to the land, but they are as far from Him as the rest of the world. The tribulation period is intended to bring Israel to the point where the only option left is to forsake their own self-reliance and pride, and to finally turn to the Lord. The book is written, and the events will come to pass. And those areas of Scripture that are not debatable as to their true meaning will finally be understood perfectly by those who see the events unfold before their very eyes. The prophetic word has the ultimate goal of revealing Christ to the nations and Messiah to Israel. The point of it all is JESUS. Lord, we know You have sovereign authority over everything that occurs in the world. Even great battles are directed by You to accomplish Your purposes. Nothing is out of Your control, and so we can rest in this knowledge, trusting that the displeasing events around us do serve a good ultimate purpose. Help us to remember this when we look at the immorality and wickedness that permeates the world today. You will bring it all to a satisfactory end, and You will be glorified as You do. Thank You for this assurance. Amen.
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Post by PrisonerOfHope on Jan 15, 2021 2:23:58 GMT -5
Daily Bible Verse, Revelation 9:12, 14 January 2021
www.wonderful1.comThursday, 14 January 2021 One woe is past. Behold, still two more woes are coming after these things. Revelation 9:12 John has seen the revealed trumpet judgment. This was most probably a judgment against Israel and which consisted of the locusts. They were jet fighters sent to soften up the land in order to make a land invasion easier. That is exactly what occurred in the Gulf War, and it was an effective way of preparing the field of battle. With that judgment complete, John says, “One woe is past.” The Greek literally reads, Hē ouai hē mia, or “The woe, the one.” With the completion of the first woe noted, John next says, “Behold, still two more woes are coming after these things.” This next woe will continue, with interesting inserts, until verse 11:14 where the third woe will then be ushered in. Further, it will come in conjunction with the sixth trumpet, and the third will come with the seventh trumpet. But the seventh trumpet will also be immediately followed by the seven “bowl” or “vial” judgments. These events are going through a progression and they are only going to get worse, not better. Life application: Surely the people affected by these judgments will be thinking that each trial will be the end of sorrows and that an era of peace will be ushered in – by the actions of man and through the leadership of the anti-Christ. However, such is not the case. The world has said to God, “We can do it without you.” And God will allow them to try. But man is not inherently good. Rather, the Bible teaches that we are fallen and that we are corrupt by nature. Because this is so, we can only botch things up and make it all worse. The good we do, such as inventing things, writing poetry, and helping out the homeless is inevitably short-lived and overshadowed by the bad we do. Without the light of Christ in the human soul, there is only darkness and a desire to shun God for self and for selfishness. Let us remember this, and then let us lean wholly on our Creator God, and not on our own understanding. The Lord will be with those who call on Him and He will never forsake them. This is the promise of God found in Christ. It is the reason He sent forth His Son. This is the wonder of JESUS! Heavenly Father, thank You for the forgiveness of sins that comes through the shed blood of our Lord and Savior Jesus. We know that we don’t deserve the favor You have lavished on us, but because of Your great love and mercy for the work of Your hands, You have looked upon us and been gracious to us. We will ever sing the praises of Your name. Amen.
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Post by PrisonerOfHope on Jan 16, 2021 0:40:51 GMT -5
Daily Bible Verse, Revelation 9:13, 15 January 2021
www.wonderful1.comFriday, 15 January 2021 Then the sixth angel sounded: And I heard a voice from the four horns of the golden altar which is before God, Revelation 9:13 John had just noted the sounding of the fifth trumpet and the subsequent first woe. The swarm of locusts and the destruction they brought must have been amazing for him to behold. But now his attention is redirected to the heavenly throne room again with the words, “Then the sixth angel sounded.” With the sounding of the trumpet, John continues with, “And I heard a voice.” The Greek reads, “And I heard one voice.” It is specific. There is one Mediator between God and man, the God/Man Christ Jesus. The symbolism of the golden altar was seen in Chapter 8 – “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. 4 And the smoke of the incense, with the prayers of the saints, ascended before God from the angel’s hand.” Revelation 8:3, 4 The golden altar is the altar of incense. The incense is the prayers of the saints directed through Jesus Christ. The one voice John hears is said to be “from the four horns of the golden altar.” It is a remarkable statement. In the construction of the altar of incense recorded in Exodus, the number of horns is never explicitly mentioned. Though implied, and unlike the brazen altar (the altar of sacrifice), the number was noticeably left off of the description of the golden altar. It was a significant omission. As four is the number of creation, the brazen altar having four horns signified the judgment on sin throughout creation. However, because Christ’s intercessory work is in heaven, no number of horns was stated. Thus, it reflected a transcendence from the earthly to the heavenly. Now, however, the number of horns is explicitly stated. This is because the altar pictures Christ in His intercessory role. It is He who speaks for all people on earth – from every corner of it, north, south, east, and west. He alone brings the prayers of the saints to the throne. As it says, this altar is “before God.” Life application: The events to come are happening because God’s judgment is due on the world that has martyred His saints and rejected Him and His offer of peace through Christ Jesus. When Christ mediates on behalf of His people, an answer is certain to come: judgment. And that answer is to be one of judgment. Israel has rejected the Lord, the people of the world have rejected the Lord. The events of Revelation are prophesied in advance to show what will happen to both as the events of redemptive history continue to unfold. God does hear the prayers of His people because His people are in Christ. He will no more reject their calls than He will reject His own Son. However, how He responds is solely up to Him. We may think that He doesn’t hear, but He does. And we may think He is unresponsive to our needs, but He is not. The plan must come to its fulfillment, and we must be patient in the process. But God does hear our prayers because our prayers are mediated through JESUS! O Lord God, You have opened our eyes to future events while keeping some things hidden. In this, we can speculate on what those things mean. But no matter what our personal opinion about the hidden things may be, those things which have been revealed belong to us as a heritage and a means of understanding what is to come. Thank You for these insights. Amen.
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Post by PrisonerOfHope on Jan 17, 2021 2:37:07 GMT -5
Daily Bible Verse, Revelation 9:14, 16 January 2021
www.wonderful1.comSaturday, 16 January 2021 saying to the sixth angel who had the trumpet, “Release the four angels who are bound at the great river Euphrates.” Revelation 9:14 The words now come from the “voice from the four horns of the golden altar which is before God,” as was presented in the previous verse. The sixth angel just sounded, and now that voice speaks “to the sixth angel who had the trumpet.” As noted in a previous commentary, the word angel signifies a messenger. Of the various views concerning who these angels are, one is that they represent the “seven Spirits of God” seen in Revelation 1:4, 3:1, and 4:5. If so, this is the Lord speaking as the Mediator of God’s people now relaying the directive. If such is the case, this doesn’t mean the Lord has multiple personalities. Rather, it would simply be the word revealing the many roles of the Lord in a way that we can understand. Regardless of this, the words say, “Release the four angels.” The number four, though already explained, should again be defined here – “Now the number four is made up of three and one (3+1=4), and it denotes, therefore, and marks that which follows the revelation of God, namely, His creative works. He is known by the things that are seen. Hence the written revelation commences with the words, ‘In-the-beginning God CREATED.’ 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.” EW Bullinger The main aspect of focus here is the thought, “of man in relation to the world as created.” The world as created, and as it is being revealed now in Revelation, is focused on Israel. They are being brought through the tribulation to the point where they will call out to Christ. This is the purpose of their final seven years under the law. It is to bring them from the Mosaic Covenant to the New Covenant (as defined in Daniel 9:24-27). Understanding this, these angels are representative of the forces of man. They are to be released, allowing the great army to come against Israel. John says they are those “who are bound at the great river Euphrates.” One must understand the biblical significance of the Euphrates in order to understand why it is even mentioned. It is the outermost point of the land promised to Abraham – “To your descendants I have given this land, from the river of Egypt to the great river, the River Euphrates— 19 the Kenites, the Kenezzites, the Kadmonites, 20 the Hittites, the Perizzites, the Rephaim, 21 the Amorites, the Canaanites, the Girgashites, and the Jebusites.” Genesis 15:18-21 It is the outermost point of the land held during the reign of Solomon (called “the River”), typical of the ideal that is anticipated in the millennial reign of Christ – “Judah and Israel were as numerous as the sand by the sea in multitude, eating and drinking and rejoicing. 21 So Solomon reigned over all kingdoms from the River to the land of the Philistines, as far as the border of Egypt. They brought tribute and served Solomon all the days of his life.” 1 Kings 4:20, 21 Beyond this river, and since the earliest times, this area has been in a state of war – physically and spiritually – against the forces of goodness. The boundaries began at the time of Cain when he dwelt “in the land east of Eden.” The two highlighted cites of the Bible are Jerusalem – the city of peace and the place where God dwells, and Babylon – the city of confusion and where wickedness dwells. In Genesis 14, the four kings of the area around the Euphrates come against five kings dwelling in the land of Canaan. Later in the Bible, the king of Assyria is called the “rod” of God’s anger (Isaiah 10:5) and is used as God’s judgment against the northern tribes of Israel, carrying them away captive in 722 B.C. After that, the king of Babylon is used as God’s judgment against the southern land of Judah, carrying them away in 586 B.C. In Jeremiah, Babylon is called “the hammer of all the earth.” Jeremiah, writing in Habakkuk asks the question – Why do You look on those who deal treacherously, And hold Your tongue when the wicked devours A person more righteous than he? Habakkuk 1:13 For a further analysis of this border, Vincent’s Word Studies says – “The Euphrates was known as the great River, the River, the Flood. It rises in the mountains of Armenia, breaks through the Taurus range and runs south and southeast until it joins the Tigris in lower Babylonia[.] Its total length is from 1,600 to 1,800 miles, and it is navigable for small craft twelve hundred miles from its mouth. It was the boundary-line of Israel on the northeast (Genesis 15:18; Deuteronomy 1:7; Joshua 1:4. Compare 2 Samuel 8:3-8; 1 Kings 4:21). It thus formed the natural defense of the chosen people against the armies of Assyria. The melting of the mountain snows causes an annual flood, beginning in March and increasing until May. These floods became an emblem of the judgments inflicted by God upon Israel by means of Babylon and Assyria. The brook of Shiloah which flowed past Zion and Moriah was a type of the temple and of its mighty and gracious Lord; and the refusal of allegiance to God by the chosen people is represented as their rejection of the waters of Shiloah which flows softly, and their punishment therefor by the bringing in of the waters of the mighty and great river (Isaiah 8:5-8; compare Jeremiah 17:13). To the prophets the Euphrates was the symbol of all that was disastrous in the divine judgments.” Understanding the symbolism of this great river, one could stop right here and exclaim, “Disaster is coming.” And indeed, the verses ahead will reflect just this. The nations are coming against Israel because Israel has not yet come to Christ. Life application: God has used the unrighteous to bring about His purposes against His people and to bring about His plans in a way that demonstrates His sovereignty over all creation. Nothing happens apart from the sovereign decisions of God – including the great battle to come in the judgment of the sixth trumpet. As you read your Bible, look to the geography of the lands and see how God is using real locations to make spiritual applications. By understanding these things, your knowledge of world events will certainly be increased. But more, in every such description, you will also better understand the ongoing redemptive narrative. It is a narrative laid out by God with the intent of bringing man back to Himself. And He is doing this through His Son, our Lord JESUS! O God, Your word is beyond compare. It is beautiful in all it teaches. Every time we look into it, we can be more amazed at the complexity and beauty of how it is arranged. Every time we think we have a full understanding of all it contains, we will inevitably find ourselves realizing that it is far deeper and more glorious than we had previously imagined. Time and again, we realize what a treasure Your word is. Thank you for this precious and sacred word. Amen.
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Post by PrisonerOfHope on Jan 17, 2021 19:10:01 GMT -5
Daily Bible Verse, Revelation 9:15, 17 January 2021
www.wonderful1.comSunday, 17 January 2021 So the four angels, who had been prepared for the hour and day and month and year, were released to kill a third of mankind. Revelation 9:15 The words here are in response to the voice from the horns of the golden altar commanding the four angels who are bound at the great Euphrates to be released. That response is now noted by John, saying, “So the four angels, who had been prepared.” As seen in the previous commentary, these four angels are representative of the great army that will come against Israel. They have been restrained and now are to be released. With that stated, John continues recording the voice he has heard. It says, “for the hour and day and month and year.” The translation is correct, improving upon the failed KJV which says, “an hour and day and month and year.” By neglecting to translate the definite article, the KJV makes the thought cumulative. Rather, the words speak of a set and particular time that was predetermined all along. Some translations make it even clearer by using the word “this.” In essence, “they are prepared for this particular day out of all others in recorded history.” If this is referring to the battle of Gog/Magog of Ezekiel 38/39 (this is only speculation), then the precise timing of John’s words can be matched with the precise wording of Ezekiel – “Thus says the Lord GOD: ‘Are you he of whom I have spoken in former days by My servants the prophets of Israel, who prophesied for years in those days that I would bring you against them?’” Ezekiel 38:17 The prophets who prophesied did so because the future is determined. Thus, what they anticipated is set, sure, and will come to pass. This is exactly as they had spoken. The thoughts of verses coincide, calling out for the moment John is carefully describing. John then finishes by noting that they “were released to kill a third of mankind.” The aorist verb “were released” defines the thought of the set date. Though John wrote the words of Revelation over 2000 years ago, he wrote it as if the battle has already been waged. In his vision, the angels were released at the set moment and they have been released to kill one-third of the people. The set number, “a third of mankind,” must be viewed as an unknown at this point. Is it speaking of one-third of all humanity on the planet? Probably not. Is it speaking of one-third of the people of Israel? It is possible. Zechariah, prophesying of the future tribulation period, says – “‘And it shall come to pass in all the land,’ Says the LORD, ‘That two-thirds in it shall be cut off and die, But one-third shall be left in it:’” Zechariah 13:8 If this is one-third of the people of Israel, then it would mean a portion of that two-thirds is realized in this battle. Or it could be that it is speaking of one-third of all in the battle – on both sides. If this is the case, then it could be that far fewer of Israel will be killed in this particular passage. In other words, if this is the same battle as mentioned in Ezekiel 38/39 (a possibility), it says there that almost the entire invading army will be completely destroyed (see Ezekiel 38:18-23 and Ezekiel 39:1-5). Thus, if one-third of all dies in the battle, and almost all the invading enemy is destroyed, it would mean a much smaller portion of the people of Israel would be killed. Until the events actually come to pass, it is hard to be dogmatic. However, the words of Revelation 9:20, 21 would be easily explained by such a lopsided win. Little Israel, destroying such a vast invading army, would naturally feel superior and in no need of turning from their wickedness. Repentance comes through humility, and humility comes through defeat, not victory. Life application: No matter how the numbers are divided, the statement “a third of mankind” means that the number of dead will be immense. In Ecclesiastes 3:1, we read these words – “To everything there is a season, A time for every purpose under heaven.” And in Acts 1:7 when asked about the coming kingdom, Jesus told His disciples – “It is not for you to know times or seasons which the Father has put in His own authority.” God has everything under His control, and this includes the resulting destruction of the great battles that lay ahead. These four angels have been prepared, and “they were released.” It is done in God’s mind. There is a logical progression to all things, and God knew before He created anything what that progression would be. All things are according to His purposes and we are merely participants in His great unfolding plan for the ages. We need not get concerned about the things that are ahead because God is completely in control of them. And for those who have called on Him, His promises hold fast. No matter what comes, be it in life or death or in trials or ease, nothing can remove us from His powerful grasp. So, if the events of Revelation seem terrifying, just trust that God already knows His good plans and purposes for you. If you have called out to God through the gospel of Jesus Christ, there is the anticipation of eternal joy in His presence. Whatever evils come in this lifetime are fleeting in comparison. Be sure to accept the gospel by trusting in what God has done through the giving of JESUS! Heavenly Father, when we see that You already know the future, it gives us great comfort. Even if things are troublesome in our own lives, we can be certain that these things will never spin out of Your control. And we can certainly know that all of our trials are being worked out for our good and for Your glory. Because of this, we can shout “Hallelujah!” Amen.
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Post by PrisonerOfHope on Jan 19, 2021 1:43:57 GMT -5
Daily Bible Verse, Revelation 9:16, 18 January 2021
www.wonderful1.comMonday, 18 January 2021 Now the number of the army of the horsemen was two hundred million; I heard the number of them. Revelation 9:16 These words refer back to verse 9:14 where it spoke of the “four angels who are bound at the great river Euphrates.” Of this great coalition, John says, “Now the number of the army of the horsemen.” Here the term strateumatōn, or “armies,” is a plural noun. That is followed by tou hippikou, the horsemen. It is a singular noun, thus speaking in the same manner as our modern term “cavalry.” The singular speaks of the whole. A suitable translation would be, “Now the number of the armies of the cavalry.” Thus, this is a coalition of forces uniting into one giant cavalry. Of this massive coalition, it next says it was “two hundred million.” The Greek reads, dismyriades myriadōn, or “two myriads of myriads.” The myriad at John’s time was a group of ten thousand soldiers. However, the term was also used to express an extremely large number without specificity. It is used in this way in Acts 21 – “And when they heard it, they glorified the Lord. And they said to him, ‘You see, brother, how many myriads of Jews there are who have believed, and they are all zealous for the law; 21 but they have been informed about you that you teach all the Jews who are among the Gentiles to forsake Moses, saying that they ought not to circumcise their children nor to walk according to the customs.’” Acts 21:20, 21 Therefore, the number is expressed in various ways by different translations – twice ten thousand times ten thousand (NIV) 200 million (NLT) two hundred million (BSB) two hundred millions (WNT) twice ten thousand ten thousands (BLB) two hundred thousand thousand (KJV) 200,000,000 (CEV) 20,000 times 10,000 (GWT) two myriads of myriads (YLT) As the word is preceded by a number (two), it is most probable that this is not simply an attempt to speak out a superlative, but is rather a number that closely describes the actual size of the force, being rounded off accordingly. In other words, a force of around two hundred million people will be gathered to come against Israel after they have been softened up through a five-month long aerial bombardment. To ensure that his number is taken literally, as intended, he concludes the verse with, “I heard the number of them.” In Daniel 7, a vision is given of a heavenly scene. There it says – “A fiery stream issued And came forth from before Him. A thousand thousands ministered to Him; Ten thousand times ten thousand stood before Him. The court was seated, And the books were opened.” Daniel 7:10 There, as in Jude 1:14, it speaks in superlative terms without specificity. It is a way of saying, “a great and large number.” However, John gives a specific number, and then he states that he heard the number. Therefore, this is to be taken as the actual force. It is an immense number of cavalry forces. Life application: This is an amazing prophecy for John to have seen. At the time this was written, it would have been unknown if there were even that many people on earth. Because of this, scholars have for generations thought that the number was merely symbolic of something. This is most unlikely because John adamantly confirms the number. It shows that the prophecy is in the far future from John’s time. It is in a generation when an army of this size could be brought together. And today it is not just possible, it could occur in a short amount of time by nations uniting against a common foe. What John saw and heard is both realistic and yet future. When it occurs, it will be because the world is being directed into a whirlpool of destruction because of its failure to acknowledge God and simply call on Him for direction. It is a world that has rejected the true path to restoration. They have rejected JESUS. O Lord God – Creator of heaven and earth – You have given us every opportunity to simply bow the knee and call out to You in faith. You sent Jesus to show us the true avenue to peace, and yet we have continuously rejected Your gracious offer. And because of this, we have faced and will continue to face many trials. Righteous are You when You judge, O God. Amen.
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Post by PrisonerOfHope on Jan 20, 2021 0:40:12 GMT -5
Daily Bible Verse, Revelation 9:17, 19 January 2021www.wonderful1.comTuesday, 19 January 2021 And thus I saw the horses in the vision: those who sat on them had breastplates of fiery red, hyacinth blue, and sulfur yellow; and the heads of the horses were like the heads of lions; and out of their mouths came fire, smoke, and brimstone. Revelation 9:17 The previous verse described horsemen totaling two hundred million men. If there are horsemen, then they are riding horses. But John is not understanding modern warfare, and so the horses he will describe are horses in name only. In order to convey to us that they are not really horses, but that they perform the same job as horses in cavalry, he says, “And thus I saw the horses in the vision.” In other words, he is describing what he sees as horses, even though they are not horses. With that understood, he next begins to describe them saying, “those who sat on them had breastplates of fiery red.” John is providing the reader with the national colors of the armies who ride on these “horses.” The Greek words for all three of these colors are found only here in this verse. The question here is, “Are all the colors one standard, like the US flag, which is red, white, and blue. Or are they each the main color of a single country within the coalition?” There are a few countries that have the color combination of all three of these colors, but none are significant enough (at this time) to be a major player in such a battle. Therefore, it is probably (though not definitively) three different predominant colors. The first is pyrinous, or “fiery.” Thus, it signifies a bright or glittering red. It is a common color of many commie countries such as Russia, China, and so on. Therefore, one cannot dogmatically say it is one particular country. The next is hyakinthinous or “hyacinth.” It is dark purple or blue. Again, a particular country cannot be dogmatically barked out as being the main country. The third color is theiōdeis, or “sulphur” (brimstone). It is a yellowish color. One possibility for this color is that it is the yellowish painting found on tanks in desert battle colors today, regardless of national designation. John could be seeing tanks with this desert-like color and is describing it as such. For example, when fighting in northern densely forested climates, tanks will be repainted darker green to match the surrounding area. The yellowish color might then be what John is seeing in a desert climate of the Mideast. Again, to be dogmatic about a battle which is future, and that concerns the three colors John is seeing, is not the smart option. When the battle comes, the colors will match what John sees. This is certain. With the colors defined, John next begins to describe the “horses,” saying, “and the heads of the horses were like the heads of lions.” Having never seen a modern mechanized cavalry force, John would use terminology that he was familiar with. And yet, what he saw, and the way he describes it, is exactly as we would expect for a modern force of tanks. On top of the tank is a turret. One could see that as the “head” of the horse. Out of the turret comes the cannon, and that is how John is seeing it. The horse’s mouth is at the front of the head, pointing forward. It is at the end where the animal breathes and snorts. In saying that the head is like the head of a lion, he is describing the ferocity of the head of a tank, which roars as it expels its ammunition. And of course, John nails that description with the final words of this verse, saying, “and out of their mouths came fire, smoke, and brimstone.” This is exactly what proceeds from the fierce and angry mouths of modern mechanized armaments. There is a sudden bursting forth of fire when the projectile is expelled. From there, smoke immediately follows it, billowing out of the “mouth” of the barrel. And then from there, the sight and smell of brimstone he is perfectly describing the sulphurous mixture. From there, the projectile hits its mark, and the same thing is again seen as the explosion erupts in fire, smoke, and brimstone. John is seeing a massive battle which is yet future, and he is describing it in terms that even a person would describe it today if they had never seen a tank. Good job John! For a short demonstration of these massive “horses” of destruction, go to this link - Life application: The Lord, through John, has given us a sure insight into the future. Based on the size of the army the location that they are recorded as having come from, we know that the events are ahead of us. They will be fulfilled at some point just as John has seen them. The book of Revelation is describing what is coming against Israel someday. As terrifying as it is, the Lord covenanted with Israel to always preserve them as a people, even through their times of anticipated destruction. When the Lord speaks, He performs. In the New Covenant, the Lord has provided those who come to Him in faith with a deposit, or guarantee, of our salvation – the sealing of the Holy Spirit. Let us trust that God’s promise is greater than our failings. Just as He has kept and preserved His promise to Israel, so He will do for His redeemed. This is because He is faithful. The blood has been shed, the substitution has been made, and His people have been saved by JESUS! How wonderful to know that the Bible proclaims future events for man to know, with absolute certainty, that You, O God, have all things under control. When the world seems to be spinning into chaos, and when the leaders of the world’s nations have become completely corrupt, we know that it is a temporary blip on the calendar. They will be swept away in their unrighteousness, and Your people will dwell in safety, peace, and joy. Thank You for these sure and glorious promises, O Lord! Amen.
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Post by PrisonerOfHope on Jan 21, 2021 3:24:23 GMT -5
Daily Bible Verse, Revelation 9:18, 20 January 2021
www.wonderful1.comWednesday, 20 January 2021 By these three plagues a third of mankind was killed—by the fire and the smoke and the brimstone which came out of their mouths. Revelation 9:18 Here we have the results of the battle waged in the ground war. Of it, John first says, “By these three plagues.” The word “plagues” is inserted here for clarity, but some manuscripts actually include the word. Either way, the intent is that the effects of the artillery and tank warfare are that “a third of mankind was killed.” The question is, “Does this refer to the whole world, or is it referring to all who are engaged in the battle, or is this the number of those who are killed in Israel?” The first option is unlikely. This is a localized battle. The second option is possible, but if it is the same battle as described in Ezekiel 38/39, it is also unlikely. This is because Ezekiel 39 seems to indicate a complete rout of the invading forces. It will be so catastrophic for them that Israel will spend seven years cleaning up the battlefield and burning that which is left behind in the devastation. Therefore, if it is the same battle, this is probably referring to one-third of those in the army of Israel, or even one third of the population who are targeted along with the army. As always, being certain is impossible until the event takes place. However, the means of death is not uncertain. John says the “plagues” are “the fire and the smoke and the brimstone which came out of their mouths.” In other words, the cavalry of tanks and artillery assembled in the battle will destroy one-third of those it has come to destroy. What is a possible (mere speculation) scenario, if this is the same battle as Ezekiel, is that Israel will see the likelihood of being completely defeated, and so they turn to the use of some type of WMD to end the battle. If so, it would need to be a weapon that can destroy like a nuke, but without the radioactive effects of a nuke. Jimmy Carter outlawed the construction of a neutron bomb during his presidency. However, it is believed in certain circles that Israel pursued and developed such a weapon. From Wikipedia – “It is believed that Israel had possessed an operational nuclear weapons capability by 1967, with the mass production of nuclear warheads occurring immediately after the Six-Day War. Although no official statistics exist, estimates of Israeli nuclear weapons range from 75 to as many as 400. It is unknown if Israel's reported thermonuclear weapons are in the megaton range. Israel is also reported to possess a wide range of different systems, including neutron bombs, tactical nuclear weapons, and suitcase nukes. Israel is believed to manufacture its nuclear weapons at the Negev Nuclear Research Center.” Because this is so, the scenario above is actually quite likely. Israel faces the giant invading force, defeat appears imminent, Israel deploys a neutron bomb (which does not cause the fallout a nuke would), and thus Israel is able to effectively clean up the battlefield without the harmful effects that would otherwise hinder such an operation. Of course, this is entirely speculation, but the certain aspect of it is that the battle Ezekiel describes will come to pass, and the battle that John describes will as well. Life application: God has promised to always protect Israel and keep her from complete annihilation. And this, despite her disobedience. It is to Israel that Jesus will return and so this promise stands firm – “You will come up against My people Israel like a cloud, to cover the land. It will be in the latter days that I will bring you against My land, so that the nations may know Me, when I am hallowed in you, O Gog, before their eyes.” Ezekiel 38:16 & “And I will bring him to judgment with pestilence and bloodshed; I will rain down on him, on his troops, and on the many peoples who are with him, flooding rain, great hailstones, fire, and brimstone. Thus I will magnify Myself and sanctify Myself, and I will be known in the eyes of many nations. Then they shall know that I am the Lord.” Ezekiel 38:22, 23 The faithfulness of the Lord is at stake when it comes to the preservation of Israel. He has spoken, and He will accomplish. This is because He is ever faithful and true. He is JESUS! Lord, we know that perilous times are ahead, and that Israel will not be excluded from them. But we also know that You are in complete control of all things and that You will protect them for Your holy name’s sake. Thank You for Your faithfulness even when we aren’t faithful. What a great and awesome God You are! Amen.
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Post by PrisonerOfHope on Jan 22, 2021 0:15:01 GMT -5
Daily Bible Verse, Revelation 9:19, 21 January 2021
www.wonderful1.comThursday, 21 January 2021 For their power is in their mouth and in their tails; for their tails are like serpents, having heads; and with them they do harm. Revelation 9:19 In this verse, John continues with his description of the horses which he has been conveying. Clearly, his words refer to modern mechanized vehicles, and especially that of tank warfare. In his continued words, he says, “For their power is in their mouth.” He is adamantly proclaiming that what was stated in verse 17 is correct. There, he said, “and out of their mouths came fire, smoke, and brimstone.” At John’s time, who would believe such a thing? Because of the incredible nature of the matter, he is reiterating it to ensure that we know that what he said is exactly what he meant. Because it seems so incredible, the thought has long been spiritualized. But to ensure that this means of interpretation is understood to be incorrect, he next says, “and in their tails.” Someone spiritualizing these verses might say that the power in the mouth of these horses is referring to powerful demonic orators whose mouths destroy those they speak of. And this would not be an unfounded analogy. But what about the tails having power? This too could be spiritualized, right from Scripture – “The elder and honorable, he is the head; The prophet who teaches lies, he is the tail.” Isaiah 9:15 One could make the argument that this power in the tails is that of false prophets teaching lies. However, with all of the symbolism taken together, and with an understanding of modern air and ground wars, those interpretations must be excluded. The precision of the terminology is such that these words really should be taken literally. Especially when the number of those included, and the ratio of those who will die, are exactingly stated by John. With this approach understood (meaning a literal interpretation), what is the power in the tail? The secondary weapon systems on tanks are their machine guns, often at the back of the tanks. These cover the rear flank and, sticking out as they do, would appear like tails to John. To continue with his first-century analysis of a 21st-century battle tank, he next says, “for their tails are like serpents, having heads.” Serpents are long and thin. This is true in comparison to the larger canon of the front. Further, in saying they have heads, John is conveying the thought that they can spit out venom. Just as the main barrel spits out fire, smoke, and brimstone, so these also are able to spit forth. Because of this, John says they have heads. And the analogy continues when considering the sound of a machine gun, almost hissing as it ejects its many bullets (listen here for a demonstration that would have led John to make this close analogy - ). With this understood, John next says, “and with them they do harm.” That is a most apt description of the effects of a large caliber machine gun as its lethal rounds tear apart other vehicles and humans, and the sand and rock spit up all around as the bullets land around their intended targets. Life application: The vision only becomes clear in modern times and it points to the fact that Revelation was and is a book of prophecy about a future battle, not something which occurred in his lifetime. Those who want to claim that the church replaced Israel will argue that all of the events of Revelation are past, but this is simply a bad analysis of the timeline, the purpose of the book, and of the meaning of this symbolism that is given. We are living in exciting times and the events of Revelation are coming nearer by the moment. Maybe they will even occur in our lifetime. In saying that, it is not meant that we will be here. The Bible teaches a pre-tribulation rapture. However, the events may be coming in the span that comprises that of a person alive today. If this is so, thank God for what His word says concerning our deliverance from this coming world of woe. Thank God for the sure promises found in our Lord, Christ JESUS! Thank You, Lord, for giving John the visions which we see recorded within the book of Revelation! Because we have an understanding of what he saw, we can look with confidence concerning the events of the book, knowing that You are in complete control of the future and that You have a plan laid out for the people of God. Our confidence and hope are in You! Amen.
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Post by PrisonerOfHope on Jan 23, 2021 2:55:01 GMT -5
Daily Bible Verse, Revelation 9:20, 22 January 2021
www.wonderful1.comFriday, 22 January 2021 But the rest of mankind, who were not killed by these plagues, did not repent of the works of their hands, that they should not worship demons, and idols of gold, silver, brass, stone, and wood, which can neither see nor hear nor walk. Revelation 9:20 As noted in the 9:18 commentary, the extent of the word “mankind” here is actually uncertain. It is probably referring to those in the army of Israel, or even the population who are targeted along with the army. In other words, it says that “a third of mankind was killed.” That would, at this time, leave two-thirds. As John says, “But the rest of mankind.” If this is referring to the same battle that Ezekiel prophesied about, despite losing one-third of the population, the victory over the enemy is so great that it would still be considered a massive accomplishment. In such a state, John says of those “who were not killed by these plagues,” that there will be no change in their attitude. Sometimes calamity will bring people closer to God. However, when there is a great victory at the same time, the opposite can be true. The dead are mourned, but the people as a whole feel proud, self-righteous, and seemingly invincible. This appears to be the case here because John says that they “did not repent of the work of their hands.” If speaking of Israel, as it appears to be the case, they are stuck in idolatry to this day. They have idolatry of self, idolatry of culture, idolatry of nationalism, idolatry of wealth, power, and status. They also have idols throughout the land. It is not uncommon to see buddhas in houses, eastern spiritualism permeates many in the society, and so on. For the most part, they are a secular society that lives very similarly to those in the US and elsewhere. The religious Jews are not religious for the word of God, but for the teachings and traditions of their sages as found in the Talmud. This is not to beat up on the people. Rather, it is a simple fact. In following any such idol mentioned above, or any other that they follow (and the list is as long as with any other nation), they are not following the Lord. He presented Himself to them and confirmed that He was the fulfillment of their own Scriptures – “Do not think that I shall accuse you to the Father; there is one who accuses you—Moses, in whom you trust. 46 For if you believed Moses, you would believe Me; for he wrote about Me. 47 But if you do not believe his writings, how will you believe My words?” John 5:45, 46 If one is not following the Lord (Yehovah of the Old Testament who has come as Christ Jesus in the flesh in the New), they are – by default – following the devil – “You are of your father the devil, and the desires of your father you want to do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and does not stand in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaks a lie, he speaks from his own resources, for he is a liar and the father of it. 45 But because I tell the truth, you do not believe Me. 46 Which of you convicts Me of sin? And if I tell the truth, why do you not believe Me? 47 He who is of God hears God’s words; therefore you do not hear, because you are not of God.” John 8:44-47 The thing about Israel (and the world at large today that now has Scripture) is that not only have they followed after countless other gods, but they have rejected the Scriptures. It is these that tell of Jesus (as noted above) as well as the battles that will come. The truth is clearly laid out in them, in minute detail. If they simply made themselves aware of the contents of the word, they would be able to see that the battle now being described was prophesied in advance. However, as John says, they have failed to come to the Lord so “that they should not worship demons, and idols of gold, silver, brass, stone, and wood, which can neither see nor hear nor walk.” The constant failing of Israel (and indeed the whole world, but the focus is on Israel here) is that they have, even since their inception, followed every “god” they could conjure up. They have followed demons (e.g., 2 Chronicles 11:15), and they have followed idols of gold, silver, brass, and wood (e.g., Hosea 8:4). In this, they have traded the living God for those things. And not only will they not give up such things after this terrifying battle is complete, but they will continue with their abominations as is noted in the verse to come. Life application: Judgment has been brought about in the fifth and sixth trumpets, which are the first and second woes. These battles comprise the aerial assault and then a ground invasion. However, there has been no change in heart – no repentance and turning to God. Instead, they have continued in the worship of things made by their hands. Anything that we can form is formed out of something that God has made. Therefore, it is not God. The bizarre thought process of worshipping an idol of this sort, along with the irony involved, is laid out clearly in Isaiah 44:6-20. Take time to read that passage, but here is a portion of it – “He burns half of it in the fire; With this half he eats meat; He roasts a roast, and is satisfied. He even warms himself and says, ‘Ah! I am warm, I have seen the fire.’ 17 And the rest of it he makes into a god, His carved image. He falls down before it and worships it, Prays to it and says, “Deliver me, for you are my god!” Isaiah 44:16, 17 In the list provided by John in this verse are a host of materials used in idolatry – gold, silver, brass, stone, and wood. But the list is started with the thought that they are really worshipping demons. Paul explains this in 1 Corinthians 10:20. Demonic activity is behind all idolatry. Any worship of a physical, tangible, created substance is error. For proper worship, we are only to look to God, the Maker of all things, and not to the things He has made. The Bible says for us to fix our eyes on Jesus. The word reveals Jesus to us, and Jesus reveals the Father. Why should we look anywhere else for our heart’s desire when He is the Source of all things? Lord God, how far we have fallen! We direct our eyes away from You and instead lavish our attention and devotion on mere things? Forgive our wicked hearts. May we always remember that You are the Creator and that all things have come from You. May we never set up an idol in our home or in our heart, but instead may we worship You alone. Amen.
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Post by PrisonerOfHope on Jan 24, 2021 1:21:47 GMT -5
Daily Bible Verse, Revelation 9:21, 23 January 2021
www.wonderful1.comSaturday, 23 January 2021 And they did not repent of their murders or their sorceries or their sexual immorality or their thefts. Revelation 9:21 In the previous verse, it says that mankind (see the explanation of the meaning of “mankind” in that verse) “did not repent of the works of their hands, that they should not worship demons, and idols of gold, silver, brass, stone, and wood.” John continues with that sentiment in this final verse of chapter 9. In addition to those abominable practices, he says they also “did not repent of their murders.” The word is phonos, and it signifies intentional, unjustified homicide. It was first used in Matthew 15:19 – “For out of the heart proceed evil thoughts, murders, adulteries, fornications, thefts, false witness, blasphemies.” In the Old Testament, there are various words used for killing another, but the term “murder” translates a word first used in the giving of the Ten Commandments. Like the Greek, it is an unauthorized killing of another. However, in the Old Testament it could be either intentional or unintentional. Any unauthorized slaying is defined by the same Hebrew word. And yet, refuge could be given to a person who did not intentionally commit the act. That is defined in Numbers 35. The words of John here in Revelation indicate a willful and intentional act based on the fact that there is no repentance for the deed. John continues with his words by also noting that the people did not repent of “their sorceries.” The Greek word is pharmakos. It signifies sorcery, but it is based on the idea of “using drugs and ‘religious incantations’ to drug people into living by their illusions – like having magical (supernatural) powers to manipulate God into giving them more temporal possessions” (HELPS Word Studies). One can see the basis for our modern word “pharmacy” in it. The word is found only in Revelation (three times), along with its associated word pharmakeia, which is found in Galatians 5:20 and once in Revelation 18:23. What is probable is that both basic meanings equally apply here – sorcery and drug use. Both are common in the world today, and the legalization of drugs has become increasingly prevalent, including in Israel. Next, John says, or their sexual immorality. Sexual intimacy is expected to be between man and woman, and within the bonds of marriage. Any other sexual acts are to be considered immoral. Obviously, this is no longer accepted by society in general where every possible perversion of this precept is considered normal and acceptable. But this is not simply a precept to casually overlook. It is stated to be unacceptable even until the last page of Scripture, along with other perversions of what is right – “But outside are dogs and sorcerers and sexually immoral and murderers and idolaters, and whoever loves and practices a lie.” Revelation 22:15 Sexual immorality, of all types, is now widely promoted in the nation of Israel, showing that they are not only not immune from judgment, but that they can and should expect it for their unholy conduct. John then finishes the list, and the chapter, by noting “their thefts.” Thieving is repugnant because it is taking what doesn’t belong to someone without care or concern for the work and time of the one being stolen from. The other sins will often take up a great deal of time and expense of the offender, who is only bent on more sin, so the easiest route to feed their debauchery is to steal from others. For these acts, continued judgment and woe is coming on the world, especially upon Israel who bears the name of God. Before Christ returns to this wayward people, they must be purified and made ready. Life application: Man is created in God’s image and to kill another human is therefore an attack against God’s image-bearer. The Bible only gives one penalty for murder – the ending of the life of the murderer. When a society fails to execute one guilty of this capital crime, it is actually a secondary attack against God. And this is what we see in the liberalizing of our judicial systems around the world. Murderers are given light sentences in court and this only leads to more murder. Likewise, the other crimes against God that are noted in this verse mar the image of God in the people who do such things. When they continue to occur in society, the society devolves into an unholy congregation of wickedness. Even if the society seems progressive, and projects an attitude of caring and “social justice,” the corruption is clearly evident when compared against the standard by which man will be judged – the Lord Jesus. He is the embodiment of the law, and He offers His perfect performance under the law to anyone who will receive it by faith. This is what it means to be brought into the New Covenant through Christ’s shed blood. But for those who fail to come to Him, the severe judgment of God will be meted out. This is true for each individual, but it is also true on a national scale for Israel. Only after they are purified will He return to them. For today, consider your standing before God, do what is right and wise, and call on His hand of extended mercy... call on JESUS! Lord Jesus, when we read the Bible’s list of things that offend You and that bring about Your wrath, we each know that we have participated in many of those things as well. And yet You extend mercy upon us when we come to You through Jesus. We can only pray that You will call the hearts of the unrepentant back to You, just as You have done for those of us who have called on Jesus. Thank You for Your grace and mercy. Amen.
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Post by PrisonerOfHope on Jan 25, 2021 3:21:15 GMT -5
Daily Bible Verse, Revelation 10:1, 24 January 2021
www.wonderful1.comSunday, 24 January 2021 I saw still another mighty angel coming down from heaven, clothed with a cloud. And a rainbow was on his head, his face was like the sun, and his feet like pillars of fire. Revelation 10:1 Chapter 10 begins a new scene, but it is from an earthly perspective. John begins with, “I saw still another mighty angel.” This is certainly another revelation of Jesus Christ, as will be explained as the chapter unfolds. The word translated as “mighty” has been seen in Revelation 5:2. The word is being used to reveal the nature and character of the Lord for this particular unveiling. Everything about the presentation supports the notion of His might. It next says the Angel is “coming down from heaven.” As he is seeing the Angel coming down from heaven, it signifies John is seeing things from the earth. The statement of John is reminiscent of the statement Jesus made in John 1:51 – “Most assuredly, I say to you, hereafter you shall see heaven open, and the angels of God ascending and descending upon the Son of Man.” The previous verses have been centered on battles occurring on earth. Now this Angel is coming to that realm. John then further describes Him as “clothed with a cloud.” It speaks of divine glory surrounding Him. Several times in Revelation, a cloud is mentioned in connection with the Lord (1:7; 10:1; 14:14-16), but more, the Lord is seen to ascend or descend in a cloud numerous times. This is an indication that this Angel is the Lord. And again, John says, “And a rainbow was on his head.” The symbolism is first seen in Ezekiel 1:28 in relation to the Lord. This ties the Angel now in Revelation directly to the Lord of the Old Testament. The Angel is Jesus – “Like the appearance of a rainbow in a cloud on a rainy day, so was the appearance of the brightness all around it. This was the appearance of the likeness of the glory of the Lord.” The rainbow also corresponds to the rainbow around the throne in Revelation 4:3. The rainbow, then, accompanies the Lord who is on the throne and who is now descending. The Greek word translated as rainbow is iris. It is seen only here and in verse 4:3. The rainbow is a symbol of divine mercy as well as His faithfulness in relation to that mercy. The allusion to the bow in the cloud from Genesis 9 is obvious. The reason for the accompanying rainbow now may be as indicated by Albert Barnes – “The rainbow is properly an emblem of peace. Here the symbol would mean that the angel came not for wrath, but for purposes of peace; that he looked with a benign aspect upon people, and that the effect of his coming would be like that of sunshine after a storm.” Whether of mercy or of peace, the rainbow speaks to the deity of the Lord here. Next, John notes that “his face was like the sun.” This takes the reader back to verse 1:16, another indication that this is the Lord. His appearance as the sun indicates that what He shines on is fully illuminated. The radiance of the light of life is in Him and it shines forth from Him. There is nothing that He will not see. All that is dark or hidden will be brought to light. It also probably is conveying the idea of the Lord coming in a benign manner. Were it otherwise, a dark cloud could be anticipated instead of the radiant sun. And finally, John says, “and his feet like pillars of fire.” This then refers back to verse 1:15. There it spoke of his feet being like fine brass that had been refined in a furnace. Brass speaks of judgment whereas fire speaks of purification as well as judgment. The idea of pillars is that of authority, strength, and stability, even permanence (see Galatians 2:9, 1 Timothy 3:15, and Revelation 3:12). Everything about this Angel so far (and to come) speaks of the Person of Jesus Christ in His deity. Life application: The Greek word allos used here, and translated as “another,” can signify “another of the same kind.” In other words, it can be (and most surely is) another description of the Lord – this book is the revealing or unveiling of Jesus and it is He who is being depicted. This verse begins an interlude between the sixth and seventh trumpets, just as there was one between the sixth and seventh seals. This interlude will last for quite a while and the final trumpet isn’t blown until Revelation 11:15. The majestic description of this portion of the heavenly vision is given to prepare us for the verses ahead – all of which are amazing and glorious. The important point to remember is that God is in control. The future is laid out to show that He is both aware of it and is in control of it. He is revealing Himself to us in these many varied ways to help us have confidence that He is intervening at times in order to bring about the end that He has promised. And with that thought in mind, we are to remember that He is doing it through His Son. The same One who came to die for us on the cross of Calvary, in order to redeem us, is now attending to the stream of human existence for the sake of those He has redeemed. Let us, therefore, not fret about the world events that would otherwise trouble our hearts. Instead, let us be filled with joy and hope as God continues to bring us back to Himself through our Lord JESUS. Lord God, how beautiful it is to read the various descriptions given to us in Scripture that show us the glory and beauty of the heavenly realm. Above all, how wonderful is the majesty and splendor of Jesus, our Lord who rules at Your right hand. Thank You, O God, for the wonderful insights into these things. They give us hope in this fallen world as we look to You and your glory with amazement and anticipation of better days ahead! Amen.
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Post by PrisonerOfHope on Jan 26, 2021 1:37:49 GMT -5
Daily Bible Verse, Revelation 10:2, 25 January 2021
www.wonderful1.comMonday, 25 January 2021 He had a little book open in his hand. And he set his right foot on the sea and his left foot on the land, Revelation 10:2 John continues with the vision from verse 10:1 saying, “He had a little book.” This is referring to the mighty angel coming down from heaven as detailed there. Every indication is that this is another aspect of the Lord Jesus. That will continue now in this verse. The Greek word translated as “book” is biblaridion. This is most likely a type of unsealed scroll, but not the same as the scroll that was mentioned in Chapter 5 where a different word was used. The fact that it specifically notes it is a little book bears its own significance. Unlike the large scroll noted in Chapter 5, a title deed to the entire world, the contents of this book obviously have a narrower focus and scope to it. Albert Barnes provides his thoughts on this little book – “A book, as such, thus borne in the hand of an angel coming down to the world, would be an indication that something of importance was to be communicated to people, or that something was to be accomplished by the agency era book. It was not, as in Revelation 6:2, a bow - emblem of conquest; or Revelation 10:4, a sword - emblem of battle; or Revelation 10:5, a pair of scales - emblem of the exactness with which things were to be determined; but it was a book - a speechless, silent thing, yet mighty; not designed to carry desolation through the earth, but to diffuse light and truth. The natural interpretation, then, would be, that something was to be accomplished by the agency of a book, or that a book was to be the prominent characteristic of the times - as the bow, the sword, and the balances had been of the previous periods. As to the size of the book, perhaps all that can be inferred is, that this was to be brought about, not by extended tomes, but by a comparatively small volume - so that it could be taken in the hand; so that it could, without impropriety, be represented as eaten by an individual.” Without stating the purpose of the words, Barnes’ thoughts are correct concerning what they convey. The words are important, they diffuse light and truth, they are short and concise in their volume and stated purpose, and they are intended to be transmitted in order to be understood. But what do the words of this small book proclaim? Without attempting to get too far ahead, the answer is found later in this chapter, but especially in the final verse of it where it says, “You must prophesy again about many peoples, nations, tongues, and kings.” The importance of those words that is to be focused on now is the word “about.” Some translations say “before” (or something similar), as if John is to preach before many peoples, nations, tongues, and kings. However, the Pulpit Commentary notes – “...concerning many peoples, etc. (ἐπί, with dative). These are the objects of the prophecy, not the audience. This serves to explain the reference in the preceding sentence. The message is not delivered to, but about peoples, etc.” If this is so, and if it is a message being conveyed about “many peoples, nations, tongues, and kings,” then who is the audience? The answer must be taken from elsewhere in Scripture. It should be noted that this particular type of scroll is only mentioned in this chapter of Revelation where it will be referred to three times (verses 2, 9, and 10). Of this book, John says it was “open in his hand.” Before going on, it is a good place to note that the tenth chapter of Revelation corresponds to the tenth letter of the Hebrew aleph-bet. The tenth letter, yod, pictures an arm with a closed hand, and it signifies “hand,” “work,” and “throw,” and “worship.” In this chapter is found the little book in the hand of the angel. The closed hand is holding the open scroll. This is unlike Chapter 5 where the scroll was epi, or “upon,” the right hand. Here the scroll is en, or in, the hand. Having noted this, the reader is directed back to the book of Ezekiel where the prophet Ezekiel had a similar vision. There, the Lord appeared to him. While giving him instruction concerning his prophetic office, it said in Ezekiel 2 – “Now when I looked, there was a hand stretched out to me; and behold, a scroll of a book was in it.” Ezekiel 2:9 The viewing of this scroll was preceded by these words – “Son of man, I am sending you to the children of Israel, to a rebellious nation that has rebelled against Me; they and their fathers have transgressed against Me to this very day. 4 For they are impudent and stubborn children. I am sending you to them, and you shall say to them, ‘Thus says the Lord GOD.’ 5 As for them, whether they hear or whether they refuse—for they are a rebellious house—yet they will know that a prophet has been among them. 6 “And you, son of man, do not be afraid of them nor be afraid of their words, though briers and thorns are with you and you dwell among scorpions; do not be afraid of their words or dismayed by their looks, though they are a rebellious house. 7 You shall speak My words to them, whether they hear or whether they refuse, for they are rebellious. 8 But you, son of man, hear what I say to you. Do not be rebellious like that rebellious house; open your mouth and eat what I give you.” Ezekiel 2:3-8 Ezekiel was told to go to the rebellious house of Israel. John is being instructed likewise. The previous trumpet judgment(s) were directed especially to the land of Israel. However, what will be said later about prophesying “about many peoples, nations, tongues, and kings” is showing that John’s words are to be conveyed to Israel about what has occurred among the Gentiles. Just as Ezekiel was directed to speak to Israel, so John is now. Remember, it is they who rejected Christ, and who were exiled in disbelief for two thousand years. Now that they are regathered into the land, they need to be reinstructed concerning Him. Thus, the contents of the book– Are important. They diffuse light and truth. They are short and concise in their volume and stated purpose. They are intended to be transmitted in order to be understood. They are directed to Israel again. They contain specifics about many peoples, nations, tongues, and kings. What is it that the nations have heard and accepted that meets all of these points? It is the gospel of Jesus Christ. John is being shown that Israel will again be the focus of the conveyance of the gospel during the final seven years of Daniel’s “seventy sevens” found in Daniel 9:24-27. With that understood, it next says, “And he set his right foot on the sea and his left foot on the land.” This message that has been conveyed to the entire world is in His hand. Further, the Angel is claiming authority over both the sea and the land. In a display of complete control over a vanquished nation, rulers of the past would go to the shore of the land and place their feet in this manner. It was a symbol that they held control over the entire realm. All trade, all industry, all the resources – all of it as acquired from the land or the sea – was under the authority of that ruler. The Angel is claiming complete authority over the earth because He descended from heaven to earth. The Owner of the title deed to the earth, which was opened in chapter 5, is the One making the claim of total authority over the sea and the land in this verse. And, He has a book with a message to be conveyed with Him. Life application: The amazing thing about our God is that He is sovereign over the world, and yet He allows us to disobey Him and ignore Him at will. Most sovereign rulers would simply snuff out those who rebel without giving them a chance, but God provides ample opportunity to the people of the world to turn to Him. The gospel continues to be conveyed, even during the times of His judgment upon peoples. However, this is not to be taken as an excuse for putting off accepting His offer of peace. There is always an anticipated end to such disobedience when the cup of His indignation is full. It is eventually poured out in judgment. We, as His creatures, cannot be disobedient forever. Lord God, it is so encouraging to know that despite man’s constant rebellion toward you, we also know that You are so very patient with the sons of men. Instead of immediate destruction, we receive mercy and blessing from Your open hand of loving provision. Through Your goodness, You continue to call to us in hopes that we will turn to You and be saved. This, even when we fight against You. Thank You for Your longsuffering and kindness. Amen.
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Post by PrisonerOfHope on Jan 27, 2021 2:46:59 GMT -5
Daily Bible Verse, Revelation 10:3, 26 January 2021
www.wonderful1.comTuesday, 26 January 2021 and cried with a loud voice, as when a lion roars. When he cried out, seven thunders uttered their voices. Revelation 10:3 The words now refer to the mighty angel of the previous verses. It said he had a little book open in his hand, and he set his right foot on the sea and his left foot on the land. With that done, it now says he “cried with a loud voice.” The words are certainly stated to provide emphasis. Having placed His feet on the sea and on the land, He was making an absolute claim over them both. The loud voice crying out accompanies that act in order to proclaim this. John then says, “as when a lion roars.” The Greek work mukaomai, translated as “roar,” is found only here in the Bible. Vincent’s Word Studies notes, “The verb here is originally applied to the lowing of cattle, expressing the sound, moo-ka-omai. Both Aristophanes and Theocritus use it of the roar of the lion, and the former of thunder.” Bengel then says that it “expresses the voice of an animal under the influence of hunger or anger.” This note of the roaring continues the emphasis. The lion is the king of his realm and the fiercest animal of his domain. When he roars, it is a sound of terror to those who hear it. The symbolism is one of ferocity and a source of great fear for all who hear it. It is loud and it elicits fear. The connection seems to be that the claim over the land and sea is made, but there are those who are rebellious still. The roaring is intended to let them know that the peaceful Lamb is also the terrifying Lion – the Lion of Judah (verse 5:5). In other words, this is another clue that the angel is, in fact, the Lord Jesus. With this noted by John, he next says, “When he cried out, seven thunders uttered their voices.” The Greek bears the definite article which should not be excluded – “the seven thunders.” Much speculation is made concerning what these are. This is especially so because they are not mentioned anywhere else. However, a few points to consider are that the word translated as “thunder” is found seven times outside of Revelation 10 (meaning ten times total). It is always connected with events that occur around the heavenly throne. Also, the first time the thunders are mentioned was in verse 4:5 – “And from the throne proceeded lightnings, thunderings, and voices. Seven lamps of fire were burning before the throne, which are the seven Spirits of God.” It may be that the seven thunders are voices speaking out revelation from these seven Spirits of God. This seems more assured when considering that the voice of the Lord speaks out seven voices in Psalm 29 – Give unto the LORD, O you mighty ones, Give unto the LORD glory and strength. 2 Give unto the LORD the glory due to His name; Worship the LORD in the beauty of holiness. 3 The voice of the LORD is over the waters; The God of glory thunders; The LORD is over many waters. 4 The voice of the LORD is powerful; The voice of the LORD is full of majesty. 5 The voice of the LORD breaks the cedars, Yes, the LORD splinters the cedars of Lebanon. 6 He makes them also skip like a calf, Lebanon and Sirion like a young wild ox. 7 The voice of the LORD divides the flames of fire. 8 The voice of the LORD shakes the wilderness; The LORD shakes the Wilderness of Kadesh. 9 The voice of the LORD makes the deer give birth, And strips the forests bare; And in His temple everyone says, “Glory!” 10 The LORD sat enthroned at the Flood, And the LORD sits as King forever. 11 The LORD will give strength to His people; The LORD will bless His people with peace. Life application: The voice of God is majestic and marvelous, and with His utterances, great things occur. As the voice of God is recorded in the pages of the Bible, we should be looking there for our instruction, insight, wisdom, and counsel. Let us never fail to pay heed to what it says, applying His word to our conduct at all times. We cannot know God without knowing Jesus, and we cannot know Jesus without knowing the Bible. Do you want to have intimacy with God? Read the Bible and there you will find the highest expression of His love and tender care for you. There you will find JESUS. Lord, we know that we as humans have two choices: to hear Your tender call as the Shepherd of Your saved sheep, or to hear Your terrifying voice as the great Judge of lost humanity. We thank You for having called us out of darkness into Your light,and we pray for those we love who have not yet responded to this call. May You work upon their hearts and bring them to You. Amen.
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Post by PrisonerOfHope on Jan 28, 2021 0:02:42 GMT -5
Daily Bible Verse, Revelation 10:4, 27 January 2021
www.wonderful1.comWednesday, 27 January 2021 Now when the seven thunders uttered their voices, I was about to write; but I heard a voice from heaven saying to me, “Seal up the things which the seven thunders uttered, and do not write them.” Revelation 10:4 In this verse is an enduring enigma that has both tempted and frustrated scholars for millennia. John just wrote in the previous verse that when the conquering Angel cried out, the “seven thunders uttered their voices.” John now continues that thought by saying, “Now when the seven thunders uttered their voices.” In other words, we are being shown – explicitly – that John wrote Revelation as the events came to his eyes. That corresponds with verse 1:11. There, it said, “What you see, write in a book and send it to the seven churches.” John didn’t see the events and then write them down at some later point, but he was writing as he saw the visions. That is confirmed by the words, I was about to write.” Like a journalist taking down the events as they occurred, so John was compiling what he saw. This gives us the surety that what he saw was carefully and accurately detailed. With a large number of events, with many details in events, or with time between events, things can get jumbled up in the mind. To ensure that what was seen was recorded without any of these problems, John chronicled the events as they occurred. In the case of the seven thunders, John was just about to write them down. However, he was stopped from doing so. As it says, “but a voice from heaven said to me.” Like several other times in Revelation, a voice speaks even though the speaker remains unidentified. However, it can be inferred that this is the Lord Jesus. This is because the Lord instructed him to write in the first place. As this is so, it would be the continued voice of the Lord, speaking out instruction concerning His word to the churches (as indicated above). With this in mind, the voice then says to John, “Seal up the things which the seven thunders uttered, and do not write them.” The seven thunders are the voice of the Lord speaking out seven truths, commands, prophecies, or etc. The word translated as “thunder” is found only two times outside of Revelation. One is in the naming of John and his brother James “Sons of Thunder” in Mark 3:17. The other time is in John 12 – “Now My soul is troubled, and what shall I say? ‘Father, save Me from this hour’? But for this purpose I came to this hour. 28 Father, glorify Your name.” Then a voice came from heaven, saying, “I have both glorified it and will glorify it again.” 29 Therefore the people who stood by and heard it said that it had thundered. Others said, “An angel has spoken to Him.” 30 Jesus answered and said, “This voice did not come because of Me, but for your sake.” John 12:27-30 John is specifically told to not write down what these thunders state, clearly indicating that the thunders are conveyed as intelligent words. However, what is uttered is not to be recorded. This is similar to what was conveyed to Daniel – “But you, Daniel, shut up the words, and seal the book until the time of the end; many shall run to and fro, and knowledge shall increase.” Daniel 12:4 Daniel was given the word, but he did not understand what he was presented. Because of this, he asked about the matter (Daniel 12:8). From there, the answer was – “Go your way, Daniel, for the words are closed up and sealed till the time of the end.” Daniel 12:9 What then is a possibility concerning these seven thunders is that the events that are now being recorded actually occur chronologically in conjunction with what is said in Revelation 8 where the same word translated as “thunder” is used – “Then the angel took the censer, filled it with fire from the altar, and threw it to the earth. And there were noises, thunderings, lightnings, and an earthquake.” Revelation 8:5 In other words, like the opening of the seventh seal (Revelation 8:1) which may actually have preceded the events of Chapter 7, this vision John is now seeing is chronologically occurring before, or in conjunction with, the sounding of the seven trumpets. As confusing as this may seem, it must be remembered that the events from verse 10:1 through 11:14 are being inserted between the sounding of the sixth and seventh trumpet, just as the events of Chapter 7 occurred between the loosing of the sixth and seventh seal. As noted in the Revelation 8:1 commentary, the same happens numerous times elsewhere in Scripture, such as where the book of Ruth follows the book of Judges, but its events occur during the time of the Judges. Thus, the main events of Judges are laid out, and then the information of Ruth (that occurred during Judges) is filled in afterward. This seems more certain when considering what it will say in verse 10:7 – “but in the days of the sounding of the seventh angel, when he is about to sound, the mystery of God would be finished, as He declared to His servants the prophets.” The mystery of God is finished at the sounding of the seventh trumpet. When the seventh trumpet is sounded (verse 11:15) it will say, “The kingdoms of this world have become the kingdoms of our Lord and of His Christ, and He shall reign forever and ever!” Therefore, the words of “seven thunders” are unknown, but the function of them is not. They are given to direct the events of the apocalypse through to its completion. Life application: Because the voice of this verse comes from heaven and directs the Angel, some scholars have decided that the Angel can’t be Jesus. But we have already seen on several occasions that Jesus fulfills sequential roles of the heavenly court – such as in Revelation 4 and 5 where Jesus is sitting on the throne and then hands the scroll to the Lamb who is Jesus. In other words, we are seeing the “unveiling” or “revealing” of Jesus. Just because we see sequential things occur from different places, and which include interaction between individuals who are present, it doesn’t negate that they are all Jesus. As for the words from Daniel 12 that were cited above, the book of Revelation is the “time of the end.” It is revealing the things Daniel wasn’t understanding. However, even in Revelation, there are things that are sealed. God has chosen to reveal His Son in the way which He has determined, and we are not privy to all of the information concerning the coming time of tribulation. His plan will come to pass as He directs, and in order for that to happen, the seven thunders must remain hidden. Though what is said isn’t revealed, it is surely a call for judgment. In Job 37, we read this parallel – “At this also my heart trembles, And leaps from its place. 2 Hear attentively the thunder of His voice, And the rumbling that comes from His mouth. 3 He sends it forth under the whole heaven, His lightning to the ends of the earth. 4 After it a voice roars; He thunders with His majestic voice, And He does not restrain them when His voice is heard. 5 God thunders marvelously with His voice; He does great things which we cannot comprehend.” Job 37:1-5 In the end, we may not have the words of the seven thunders, but we can understand their function. Like the voice that thundered in John 12 (above), the purpose of the voice of the Lord is ultimately to reveal to us JESUS. Lord God, it sure is exciting to see the events of redemptive history unfolding before our very eyes. And yet, there are things that are hidden from us as well. Because of this, we when we read Your word, we stretch our minds - hoping to see that which is beyond our eyes. How wise You are in how You have presented the future to us. You provide enough so that we can know when You have acted to fulfill prophecy, but You withhold enough so that we must wait for the prophecies to come about. Thank You, O God, for giving us both hope in Your word, and surety in what it proclaims as it comes to pass. Amen.
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Post by PrisonerOfHope on Jan 28, 2021 23:44:35 GMT -5
Daily Bible Verse, Revelation 10:5, 28 January 2021
www.wonderful1.comThursday, 28 January 2021 The angel whom I saw standing on the sea and on the land raised up his hand to heaven Revelation 10:5 John continues the vision of the “mighty angel” who came down from heaven as noted in verse 10:1. Of this Angel (capitalized because it is certainly referring to the Lord Jesus), John says, “The angel whom I saw standing on the sea and on the land.” That was noted in verse 10:2, and it was a note of claiming rule and authority over both the sea and the land and all business conducted in connection with them. It is a note of supreme authority. While in this stance, John says He “raised up his hand to heaven.” Many manuscripts say, “his right hand,” and this might be the case here. The right hand is the hand that is often used in such instances of vows, blessing, and the like. Raising one’s hand in an oath goes back even to the book of Genesis – “But Abram said to the king of Sodom, ‘I have raised my hand to the LORD, God Most High, the Possessor of heaven and earth, 23 that I will take nothing, from a thread to a sandal strap, and that I will not take anything that is yours, lest you should say, “I have made Abram rich”— 24 except only what the young men have eaten, and the portion of the men who went with me: Aner, Eshcol, and Mamre; let them take their portion.’” Genesis 14:22-24 The symbolism is that of calling on heaven to witness the act, and thus it is a solemn affirmation that what is stated will be performed. This verse, combined with the next one to come, provides a reason why scholars have denied that this Angel is Jesus. In the next verse, the raising of the hand is accompanied by swearing by “Him who lives forever and ever.” If this Angel is swearing by “Him who lives for ever and ever,” the thought is that it cannot be Jesus because Jesus is God and it is He who lives for ever and ever. This logic is incorrect. Deuteronomy 32:40, Jeremiah 22:5, Daniel 12:7, and elsewhere contain such vows made by the Lord when speaking of Himself. For the Angel to raise His hand to heaven and make such a statement in no way negates His deity. The only thing that can be inferred from this verse is that an oath is going to be made, and it is being made by One who has authority over the sea and the land. Here is how the Lord presents His vow in Deuteronomy 32 – “For I raise My hand to heaven, And say, “As I live forever, 41 If I whet My glittering sword, And My hand takes hold on judgment, I will render vengeance to My enemies, And repay those who hate Me.” Deuteronomy 32:40, 21 Life application: When God swears by Himself, in either testament, it is making a proclamation that what is said will absolutely and assuredly come to pass. We have every confidence that what God speaks is absolute truth and that the Bible is God’s word. Whatever God says, as is recorded in His word, is as an oath. This is because God is unchanging in His being. What He speaks forth will come to pass. And any promise He has made shall be fulfilled. God has spoken in His word that those who come to Him by faith in Jesus Christ will be granted eternal life. Be comforted in this thought and be confident in your salvation. God has spoken, and His Son has performed according to that word. We have a sure and eternal hope because of God’s unfailing promise – the giving of JESUS. We know, O God, that You can do all things and that You have all authority and all power. We also know that Your word is truth and that what You proclaim will surely come to pass. Thank You for having given us such confidence. By resting in Your truth, we can live at peace in this world full of trouble and trial. Amen.
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Post by PrisonerOfHope on Jan 30, 2021 1:06:30 GMT -5
Daily Bible Verse, Revelation 10:6 29 January 2021
www.wonderful1.comFriday, 29 January 2021 and swore by Him who lives forever and ever, who created heaven and the things that are in it, the earth and the things that are in it, and the sea and the things that are in it, that there should be delay no longer, Revelation 10:6 The words continue from the previous verse where the mighty Angel raised His hand to heaven. John now says, “and swore by Him who lives forever and ever.” Rather than “by,” the Greek reads “in.” He “swore in Him who lives forever and ever.” As noted in the previous verse, this is something the Lord does in the Old Testament. He will swear by Himself in order to stress the importance of a matter – “‘But if you will not hear these words, I swear by [Hebrew bi: in] Myself,’ says the Lord, ‘that this house shall become a desolation.’” Jeremiah 22:5 Therefore, the words now conveyed by John do not negate the possibility of the Angel being the Lord Jesus, as some commentaries state. The words “forever and ever” are repeated from earlier in Revelation when speaking of Jesus, such as in verse 4:9, 10; 5:13, 14; and 7:12. It is He “who created heaven and the things that are in it.” This is Jesus, as noted by Paul in Colossians 1:15 – “For by Him all things were created that are in heaven...” John continues with, “the earth and the things that are in it, and the sea and the things that are in it.” This is Jesus, as noted by Paul in the continuance of Colossians 1:15 – “...and that are on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or principalities or powers. All things were created through Him and for Him.” The reason for swearing in this manner is to demonstrate the absolute surety of the statement to come. Just as the Lord has created all things in heaven and in earth by His own power and wisdom, so He is in control over those things. What He will speak is as certain to us as the nature of the very universe He spoke into existence. And even more certain because it is a result of His word. And the oath He makes is “that there should be delay no longer.” The Greek literally reads, “time no longer shall be.” Various interpretations have arisen as to the meaning of this. One is that time, as it now exists, will end. In other words, the eternal state will commence. Another is that presented by the NKJV, “there should be delay no longer.” The second is correct. However, even that is then debated. Is it referring to an end to a time of repentance? Is it that when the seventh trumpet is sounded (see next verse) the end of the time set forth will come? What may be the case is that the angel is responding to the call made back in verse 6:10 – “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?’” The answer to their question was that “they should rest a little while longer.” The Angel’s oath now may be that the time to avenge their blood has come. It is hard to be dogmatic over the words as they are future to us now. However, because of the fact that the oath is made by the Lord Himself, that which is promised will surely come to pass. Life application: What is seen here is a binding oath. It is one that reflects the very nature of God, who is everlasting. As the Creator, he existed before the creation and He will endure for all time, throughout eternal ages. The vow is eternal in nature and cannot be changed. If this vow refers to the opportunity for repentance, it indicates that there is only a short time left to turn to righteousness. When the judgments arrive, it will be too late. With that thought in mind, it should be noted that each human already faces such a deadline. In reality, we don’t know the moment of our death. It could be today in an accident or by the stopping of our heart. We could be killed by an intruder or choke on our dinner. We simply don’t know the time of our end, and therefore we must be ready at every moment for the Lord to come for us. Let us be found ready. And to be found ready means to be right with God. To be right with God is to have faith in His provision. And that provision is only found in the giving of His Son for our sin. Be right with God today. Call out to Him through JESUS. Lord God, we have a date to meet You that was set before the creation of the world. And we do not know when that moment will arrive. Each of us is destined to stand before You in judgment. In Your wisdom, You created us and have allowed us to decide which path we will follow. May we make the right decision that is pleasing to You by calling out to Jesus for the forgiveness of our sins now. Help us to be wise in this. Amen.
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Post by PrisonerOfHope on Jan 31, 2021 1:11:27 GMT -5
Daily Bible Verse, Revelation 10:7 30 January 2021
www.wonderful1.comSaturday, 30 January 2021 but in the days of the sounding of the seventh angel, when he is about to sound, the mystery of God would be finished, as He declared to His servants the prophets. Revelation 10:7 The wording of this verse anticipates what is coming in Chapter 11. In verse 11:15, the seventh angel will sound. For now, and in anticipation of that, it says, “but in the days of the sounding of the seventh angel.” The words are based upon what was said in the previous verse. There, it said, “that there should be delay no longer.” The words here are given to confirm that thought. However, there is not a set moment that he is referring to. Instead, it details events occurring over a period of time. As it says, “in the days of the sounding of the seventh angel.” In other words, one might look at the birth of Christ. That happened at a set moment. However, someone may write about the events that were to occur at that time. In this, he would write, “In the days of the coming of Messiah such and such will be the state of the world.” The sounding of the trumpet is a set event at a set moment, but the events leading up to it actually precede the event. This is then confirmed by the words, “when he is about to sound.” The way these words are translated will make all the difference in how the events will be interpreted. Some translations to consider – when he is about to sound, the mystery of God would be finished - NKJV When the seventh angel blows his trumpet, God’s mysterious plan will be fulfilled - NLT but that in the days of the trumpet call to be sounded by the seventh angel, the mystery of God would be fulfilled - ESV but in the days of the sound of the seventh angel, when he will blow his trumpet, then God's hidden plan will be completed - HCSB When the time approaches for the seventh angel to blow his trumpet, God's secret plan will be fulfilled - ISV but in the days of the voice of the seventh messenger, when he may be about to sound, and the secret of God may be finished - YLT These are but a few variations of these difficult words. In them are a variety of ideas about how the events will occur. However, the main two ideas are that either 1) the events will occur upon the sounding of the trumpet, or 2) the events will occur before the sounding. The verb is present subjunctive. The other two uses of the verb in this same form are found in Mark 13:4 and Luke 21:7. But even there, the words are variously translated. The idea is that things will happen in a period of time surrounding the sounding. Thus, the words “when he is about to sound” give the right sense. The timing of the sounding of the seventh trumpet completes the set of events that occur. It does not initiate them. It is during this period that “the mystery of God would be finished.” The word used as “mystery” signifies the things known only to God, but which are revealed by the unfolding of His plans. It is something not knowable except as is revealed specifically by Him. Thus, the mystery here is the consummation of the hidden things of God. It is their final unveiling. With that understood, John finishes the verse with “as He declared to His servants the prophets.” Here the word signifying the gospel, or good news, is translated as “declared.” God has declared that things will be made right. The world will receive its renewal, and wickedness will be eradicated. In the time when the seventh angel is about to sound, these things will be fully revealed. Matthew Poole seems to be correct when he says of this, “generally, whatsoever God hath revealed concerning the propagation of the gospel, the ruin of antichrist, and the end of the world.” All of these things will have come to their completion when the seventh trumpet is sounded. John writes about it as if it is already accomplished because God is there at the end, revealing it to him for us to know that He is in control of what is coming. Life application: A mystery in the New Testament is something that was previously unknown, and which is now revealed. There are several mysteries spoken of by Jesus and the apostles. The Old Testament saints saw, for example, a time when there would be great tribulation on earth and they also saw a time when there would be a reign of righteousness on earth. When these and many other things were declared to them, they wrote them down, but they didn’t understand how these things tied together with the Person and work of Jesus Christ. Peter describes this process in his first epistle – “Of this salvation the prophets have inquired and searched carefully, who prophesied of the grace that would come to you, 11 searching what, or what manner of time, the Spirit of Christ who was in them was indicating when He testified beforehand the sufferings of Christ and the glories that would follow. 12 To them it was revealed that, not to themselves, but to us they were ministering the things which now have been reported to you through those who have preached the gospel to you by the Holy Spirit sent from heaven—things which angels desire to look into.” 1 Peter 1:10-12 We now have a fuller description of these things, and many of the things that were hidden are now more fully explained. However, the actual events still need to be unfolded in the stream of time. We are provided with the outline of those events. These are stated as absolute assurances, or as accomplished facts, thus giving us complete confidence that what is prophesied is as good as done. With this thought, we can then be fully assured that we will be tended to as God has promised. As we who have called on Him through Christ are now “in Christ,” our worries should be behind us. He could no more reject or abandon us than He would do so to His own dear Son, JESUS. O God! How blessed we are to read the words of Scripture and to see that it is all accomplished in Your mind. We are just watching the events that You have told us about unfold before our eyes. May we handle this knowledge with great care, knowing that it has been given for our understanding of what is to come and for our comfort that You have it all under control. Amen.
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Post by PrisonerOfHope on Feb 1, 2021 1:49:45 GMT -5
Daily Bible Verse, Revelation 10:8 31 January 2021
www.wonderful1.comSunday, 31 January 2021 Then the voice which I heard from heaven spoke to me again and said, “Go, take the little book which is open in the hand of the angel who stands on the sea and on the earth.” Revelation 10:8 In his vision, John is positionally on the earth. This has been the case, and it continues now. Here, we read, “Then the voice which I heard from heaven spoke to me again.” This is the voice referred to in verse 10:4 that directed John to not write what was uttered in the seven thunders. As this voice is “from heaven,” then John is on the earth. John’s position within the visions of Revelation has migrated back and forth between heaven and earth. At times it requires careful attention to see when the change from place to place occurs. With this understanding, John continues. The voice he hears says, “Go, take the little book which is open.” Because the voice notes the book is “open,” it is an important detail. If it was closed, it would mean the contents were closed up and not discernible. This is seen, for example, in Daniel 12:9 – “Go your way, Daniel, for the words are closed up and sealed till the time of the end.” Daniel wanted to know the details of what he had seen and heard, but he was told that the words were “closed up,” meaning not open for viewing, and “sealed,” meaning they were purposefully protected so that they could not even be accessed. The book in the Angel’s hand however is fully open for any to read and discern. John finishes the verse with the words from heaven stating that the book is “in the hand of the angel who stands on the sea and on the earth.” The Angel is certainly Christ Jesus. The word of the book is brought forth by Him, it is open, and it is in His hand, meaning within His authority. It is an authority that covers all of the earth (represented by His stance on the sea and on the earth). John is now given the authority to take it from His hand. The symbolism given now comes directly from the book of Ezekiel where this is recorded – “Now when I looked, there was a hand stretched out to me; and behold, a scroll of a book was in it. 10 Then He spread it before me; and there was writing on the inside and on the outside, and written on it were lamentations and mourning and woe.” Ezekiel 2:9, 10 The symbolism from Ezekiel will continue in the verses ahead. Life application: The continued unfolding of the Lord’s great plan of redemption includes the use of His people for specific tasks. Just as He used Ezekiel and John, so He can use you too. When He stirs up your spirit to act, be ready to do so. He prompts us in various ways so that He may be glorified through our actions. It must be a delight to His heart for Him to see His creatures willfully following His call and directives. And it is certainly the case that even small things done for the work of the Lord can have great impact. So, don’t look at the big personalities within the church and think, “I wish I could be effective like him.” Someone had to work his camera, or he wouldn’t be in front of it. Someone else probably wrote his sermon. Without his sermon writer, he couldn’t deliver it. And so on. Every part makes up a whole, and no part is without its usefulness. In the body, there are fingers and hands, feet and toes, eyes and noses, and so on. But every part is a part accepted by JESUS! Use us according to Your great plan, O Lord. We can know that You will never give us any task that is beyond our abilities because You created us and know our capabilities. Help us to know them as well and to use our time and talents in a manner that will bring You the most glory. You are surely worthy of all that we can do, so use us accordingly, O Lord. Amen.
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Post by PrisonerOfHope on Feb 1, 2021 23:49:40 GMT -5
Daily Bible Verse, Revelation 10:9, 1 February 2021 Monday, February 1st, 2021
Monday, 1 February 2021
So I went to the angel and said to him, “Give me the little book.”
And he said to me, “Take and eat it; and it will make your stomach bitter, but it will be as sweet as honey in your mouth.” Revelation 10:9
John was just told to take the little book that was open in the hand of the angel. In compliance with that directive, he says, “So I went.” It is a compound word in the Greek beginning with the preposition apo, signifying away, or from. The imagery here is in the form of a vision, and so he “went away” to the angel, as if he is moving from one place to another. In this movement, he says to the angel, “Give me the book.”
He complied with what he was told to do. The symbolism here seems to reflect what occurred in Isaiah 6. Isaiah had a vision of the Lord. During that vision, someone was needed to go forth and proclaim the Lord’s words to Israel. With that in mind, it says –
“Also I heard the voice of the Lord, saying:
‘Whom shall I send,
And who will go for Us?’
Then I said, ‘Here am I! Send me.’” Isaiah 6:8
In Revelation, the Angel is standing there with this little open book in His hand, anticipating that someone will take it and proclaim its contents. John is instructed to take it and he complies with the instruction. In doing so, John says, “And he said to me, ‘take and eat it.’” This is what happened to Ezekiel as well. Ezekiel saw a hand with a scroll in it. On the scroll were writings of lamentations, mourning, and woe. When he saw it, the account then says –
“Moreover He said to me, ‘Son of man, eat what you find; eat this scroll, and go, speak to the house of Israel.’ 2 So I opened my mouth, and He caused me to eat that scroll.
3 And He said to me, ‘Son of man, feed your belly, and fill your stomach with this scroll that I give you.’ So I ate, and it was in my mouth like honey in sweetness.” Ezekiel 3:1-3
Like Ezekiel, John is instructed to take the book and eat it. For Ezekiel, there was the effect of it filling his stomach, but first was the effect of it being like honey in sweetness. The taste of honey represents the sweetness of the word of God –
“The law of the Lord is perfect, converting the soul;
The testimony of the Lord is sure, making wise the simple;
8 The statutes of the Lord are right, rejoicing the heart;
The commandment of the Lord is pure, enlightening the eyes;
9 The fear of the Lord is clean, enduring forever;
The judgments of the Lord are true and righteous altogether.
10 More to be desired are they than gold,
Yea, than much fine gold;
Sweeter also than honey and the honeycomb.
11 Moreover by them Your servant is warned,
And in keeping them there is great reward.” Psalm 19:7-11
&
“How sweet are Your words to my taste,
Sweeter than honey to my mouth!” Psalm 119:103
For John, there are two effects to be realized. Quoting the words of the Angel, he says, “and it will make your stomach bitter, but it will be as sweet as honey in your mouth.”
Nothing is said of the bitter stomach in Ezekiel, but it is surely implied because the words on the scroll are of “lamentations, mourning, and woe.” In other words, the taste of the word of God is sweet, but there is also the responsibility of conveying the word to others. It is a sobering and difficult responsibility. For Jeremiah, both effects can be seen. First, from Jeremiah 16 –
“Your words were found, and I ate them,
And Your word was to me the joy and rejoicing of my heart;
For I am called by Your name,
O Lord God of hosts.” Jeremiah 15:16
However, Jeremiah also says –
“O Lord, You induced me, and I was persuaded;
You are stronger than I, and have prevailed.
I am in derision daily;
Everyone mocks me.
8 For when I spoke, I cried out;
I shouted, ‘Violence and plunder!’
Because the word of the Lord was made to me
A reproach and a derision daily.
9 Then I said, ‘I will not make mention of Him,
Nor speak anymore in His name.’
But His word was in my heart like a burning fire
Shut up in my bones;
I was weary of holding it back,
And I could not.” Jeremiah 20:7-9
Jeremiah ate the words and they blessed him, but in conveying them to others, he found that the mission was painful and a burden. But he bore the commission and found himself unable to withhold the words he had eaten. John is being given a commission in his taking of the book. He too must proclaim the word, even if it makes his stomach bitter.
Life application: When we meditate on God’s word, we can compare ourselves to what it says. In this, we find that God is infinitely greater than we are, and we can never compare to what His word proclaims – absolute holiness and complete purity. Because of this, it makes our stomach bitter, knowing our fallen state. And even more – when we share it with others, knowing that we are sharing God’s truth, we can expect those who hear it will often shun us and revile us.
Many people want nothing to do with holiness and purity. They will accuse those who proclaim the word of being “holier than thou.” And when we proclaim God’s judgment for rejecting His word, the accusations and hatred only grow more intense.
The world is at war with God and His word, and this brings about bitterness and strife. But let us never compromise God’s word for the sake of tolerance or non-confrontation. We are in a spiritual war and all wars contain bitterness, lamentation, and woe. But there is also great reward for those who proclaim the word, and for those who hear it and respond. That reward is JESUS!
Lord, fill us with Your word. Surely it is sweeter than honey to the mouth. In tasting its sweetness, may we never withhold its truth or diminish the lessons it teaches us, even though they can be hard to stomach, even causing bitterness of soul. And, Lord, give us the desire, stamina, and fortitude to stand fast on Your word and to proclaim it to the people of the world. It is a message the world simply cannot do without. Amen.
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Post by PrisonerOfHope on Feb 3, 2021 1:53:16 GMT -5
Daily Bible Verse, Revelation 10:10, 2 February 2021 www.wonderful1.comTuesday, 2 February 2021 Then I took the little book out of the angel’s hand and ate it, and it was as sweet as honey in my mouth. But when I had eaten it, my stomach became bitter. Revelation 10:10 The order is the opposite of what the previous verse provided – – it will make your stomach bitter, but it will be as sweet as honey in your mouth. – it was as sweet as honey in my mouth. But when I had eaten it, my stomach became bitter. The Angel knew the outcome of what John would experience and focused on the result. John, however, wrote the events as they occurred. Having noted this, John’s words begin with, “Then I took the little book out of the angel’s hand and ate it.” It is the same thought, expressed in the previous verse, that was also earlier expressed by both Ezekiel and Jeremiah – “So I opened my mouth, and He caused me to eat that scroll.” Ezekiel 3:2 “Your words were found, and I ate them.” Jeremiah 15:16 For John, it turned out just as the Angel said it would, “and it was as sweet as honey in my mouth.” The Bible is a book of hope. It details the redemption of mankind, and it provides the gospel narrative. It tells us what God did in order to save us, and it tells us how to appropriate that salvation. Further, Jesus really is coming back for His people. Because of these things, the Bible – the word of God – is a book of hope, wonderment, and joy. It is all revealed in what God has done, is doing, and will bring to completion for the people of the world. The messianic age will be marvelous to behold. And after that time, we have all of eternity to look forward to as well. There will be no more pain or suffering. All things will be made new and we will walk in the light of the Lord. These things really will come to pass, and reading about them and conveying them to others is “as sweet as honey” to our souls. However, something else happened to John after eating the book. As he says, “But when I had eaten it, my stomach became bitter.” When we know something bad is coming in our lives, our stomachs churn and we have all kinds of physical problems associated with that. The bitterness we feel inside can only be resolved by passing through those times of trial and getting to the other side. This is the case with the message John has been tasked to convey, and it should be the case for each of us as we continue reading on in Revelation. The world really will come to a time of decision, rejection of God, judgment, and destruction. How can the love of God be complete in our hearts when we know that each person who dies apart from Christ will be eternally separated from God and sent to a place of eternal torment? This should be a great and bitter thought of all for each of us. However, one thing we cannot do in the process is to waffle on our convictions. Life application: Like Ezekiel of the past, we need to stand firm and proclaim God’s word in its entirety – “But the house of Israel will not listen to you, because they will not listen to Me; for all the house of Israel are impudent and hard-hearted. 8 Behold, I have made your face strong against their faces, and your forehead strong against their foreheads. 9 Like adamant stone, harder than flint, I have made your forehead; do not be afraid of them, nor be dismayed at their looks, though they are a rebellious house.” Ezekiel 3:7-9 John finished Chapter 9 with mournful words after the great battle that killed “a third of mankind” – “But the rest of mankind, who were not killed by these plagues, did not repent of the works of their hands, that they should not worship demons, and idols of gold, silver, brass, stone, and wood, which can neither see nor hear nor walk. 21 And they did not repent of their murders or their sorceries or their sexual immorality or their thefts.” Revelation 9:20, 21 The bitterness of conveying what the rejection of God means is something that John faced, and it is something we must face as well. Many will be lost because they have rejected the fount of true life. But some will be saved. Let us be sure to continue to tell what God has done. Let us continue to tell the precious gospel message concerning JESUS. It is true Lord, the thought of your coming judgment is a difficult concept to stomach, especially when we understand Your mercy provided in the cross of Jesus. But it is this very cross that demands Your justice on all who reject the offer, the glorious offer, of grace and peace that was given there. Truly You are just when You judge, O God. Amen.
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