Superior Word Daily Devotional on the Book of Revelation

[PrisonerOfHope]

Daily Bible Verse, Revelation 10:11, 3 February 2021

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Wednesday, 3 February 2021


And he said to me, “You must prophesy again about many peoples, nations, tongues, and kings.” Revelation 10:11


John has taken the little open book and eaten it. It was, as anticipated, sweet as honey in his mouth, and it also made his stomach bitter. With that noted, John next says, “And he said to me.”


Some Greek manuscripts say, “And they said to me.” To justify “they” instead of “he,” Greek scholars say it provides a sense of indefiniteness, such as “It was said to me.” However, this doesn’t follow naturally with the use of the word. If “he” is correct, it would be the Angel speaking to him. If “they” is correct, it would be both the Angel and the voice from heaven. This would be possible, even if both voices are that of Jesus. He is the One who was and who is and who is to come, and so it would be no different than the Lord speaking to Himself as is recorded in the 110th Psalm. This psalm is then cited in the New Testament by Jesus in the gospels (Matthew 22:44, Mark 12:36, and Luke 20:42) and in Acts 2:34. It is also cited in Hebrews 1:13.


Either way, the voice then says, “You must prophesy.” Here, the word “prophesy” should be considered in the broader sense of the word. Rather than speaking forth a future prophecy as in “Thus says the Lord, this will come about,” it is referring to speaking forth the word of God such as is described in Romans 12:6. In other words, John is being told he must communicate the contents of the little book, and he must do so, as it next says, “again.”


Albert Barnes is certainly correct in his analysis of this prophesying –

“The direct address is to John himself; but it is evidently not to be understood of him personally. He is represented as seeing the angel; as hearkening to his voice; as listening to the solemn oath which he took; as receiving and eating the volume; and then as prophesying to many people; but the reference is undoubtedly to the far-distant future.”


What Albert Barnes is saying, and which rightly conveys the intent, is that the word of Revelation that John is writing down (see Revelation 1:11) is what is being referred to. John, and the visions he is writing down, will be the basis for the “prophesying again.” As this is so, it means that prophesying has already been accomplished towards an intended audience and it went unheeded by that audience. As the prophecy of the Old Testament was directed toward Israel, it is Israel that must be “prophesied again” to with the words of John.


The contents of Revelation, from verse 4:1 until verse 19:10, are dealing with the tribulation period which is focused on the nation of Israel. As this is based on the seventieth week of Daniel’s “seventy sevens” of Daniel 9, it makes this a logical deduction. It would also explain the bitterness in John’s stomach as the recorded words are directed to his own nation who had rejected their Messiah. The prophesying that John is to do is not literally in person. Rather, it is speaking about the warnings and judgments which are revealed in Revelation. What he will receive and pen is what brings bitterness.


With that understood, the verse and the chapter end with, “about many peoples, nations, tongues, and kings.” Here the idea that this is directed toward Israel specifically comes clearly into focus. The word translated as “about” is epi. It is used in the dative case and it signifies “concerning.” Saying “about” is a good way of conveying the intent. As the Pulpit Commentary says –

“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. The fourfold enumeration seems to point to the breadth of the signification - it embraces the whole of mankind.”


The question is, “Why would the message to be prophesied be ‘about’ all these categories instead of ‘to’ them?” The answer is because it is the Gentile nations who received and accepted the message of Christ for so long. At the same time, Israel had rejected it. This is found, for example, just before the close of the book of Acts –

So when they had appointed him a day, many came to him at his lodging, to whom he explained and solemnly testified of the kingdom of God, persuading them concerning Jesus from both the Law of Moses and the Prophets, from morning till evening. 24 And some were persuaded by the things which were spoken, and some disbelieved. 25 So when they did not agree among themselves, they departed after Paul had said one word: “The Holy Spirit spoke rightly through Isaiah the prophet to our fathers, 26 saying,

‘Go to this people and say:

“Hearing you will hear, and shall not understand;

And seeing you will see, and not perceive;

27 For the hearts of this people have grown dull.

Their ears are hard of hearing,

And their eyes they have closed,

Lest they should see with their eyes and hear with their ears,

Lest they should understand with their hearts and turn,

So that I should heal them.”’


28 “Therefore let it be known to you that the salvation of God has been sent to the Gentiles, and they will hear it!” Acts 28:23-28


The Gentiles did hear (meaning respond to) the gospel. On the other hand, Israel rejected it and went into two thousand years of punishment. The message that must be “prophesied again” is to the people brought back from exile, and in the far-distant future from the time John received it. It will be especially proclaimed “in the days of the sounding of the seventh angel” as noted in verse 10:7.


Life application: The words of this verse appear to be correctly translated and evaluated above, but there are translations and evaluations that convey a different intent. Instead of prophesying about the people, nations, languages, and kings, it could very well mean “before” them. If this is the case, then these would be prophecies “against” them. In other words, they would stand as a witness against them. If so, what he will receive and pen for the world to see then is what brings bitterness to the whole world.

This idea, then, would be parallel to what Ezekiel was told in his vision and prophecy. Ezekiel 3:11 records –

“And go, get to the captives, to the children of your people, and speak to them and tell them, ‘Thus says the Lord God,’ whether they hear, or whether they refuse.”

Ezekiel was prophesying against the rebellious house of Israel. John is either to prophesy a warning against the continued rebellious house of Israel, or against all of the people of the world. This secondary explanation is given as a reference, but – as noted above – this prophecy is more likely referring to the time of Daniel’s seventieth seven and concerning Israel specifically, but without neglecting the Gentiles in the process.


The love and covenant faithfulness of God for His people has ensured that He has kept them and will keep them as a people. Someday they will acknowledge this and turn to Him in faith. And this great grace and mercy extends to any who will simply accept His offer of pardon and receive the gift of eternal life through the shed blood of His own precious Son, our Lord JESUS.


Lord, we as a species cannot seem to learn from the past, and we are thus destined to make the same mistakes again in the future. How sad it is that the people of the world cannot simply bow their knees and acknowledge You and Your great workings in human history. But such is not the case. We stubbornly turn our necks and turn from You. In this, You are surely justified when You judge. Before that day, give us the desire to continue to share the message of hope found in Jesus our Lord. Amen.

[PrisonerOfHope]

Dailiy Bible Verse, Revelation 11:1, 4 February 2021
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Thursday, 4 February 2021


Then I was given a reed like a measuring rod. And the angel stood, saying, “Rise and measure the temple of God, the altar, and those who worship there. Revelation 11:1

As Revelation is 22 chapters long, we are approaching the halfway point of the book. Chapter 11 begins another interlude between the sixth and seventh sounding of the trumpets, and the words of this opening verse trace a thought back to what is said in Daniel 9:27 –

“Then he shall confirm a covenant with many for one week;

But in the middle of the week

He shall bring an end to sacrifice and offering.

And on the wing of abominations shall be one who makes desolate,

Even until the consummation, which is determined,

Is poured out on the desolate.”


Without going through all the details, determining who the pronoun “he” is will define what one believes about the entire eschatological scenario of the Bible. If one incorrectly assumes it is Jesus, then what is being looked at now in Revelation will mean something entirely different to that person than to someone who rightly deduces that the “he” is referring to the antichrist.


The study is too long to include in a single line of Revelation commentary, but the details conveyed to Daniel refer to a seven-year period that is still future to us now. The details speak of Israel’s time under the law, granted to them by the Lord in order for them to finally come into a right relationship with Him through the New Covenant.

In this coming time, a temple will be built. Israel will conduct temple rituals as prescribed by the law. In the middle of that “week,” or seven-year period, the antichrist will end those sacrifices and offerings. Paul refers to how this will come about in 2 Thessalonians 2 –

“Let no one deceive you by any means; for that Day will not come unless the falling away comes first, and the man of sin is revealed, the son of perdition, 4 who opposes and exalts himself above all that is called God or that is worshiped, so that he sits as God in the temple of God, showing himself that he is God.” 2 Thessalonians 2:3, 4

The temple rites will be ended when the antichrist (called by Paul “the man of sin”) proclaims himself God in the temple of God. It is an event future to us now, and the identity of this antichrist will be unknown to believers who will be taken at the rapture. Paul’s words concerning the rapture, and the timing of these end times events, reveal this to be the case.


Understanding these things, John begins Chapter 11 with the words, “Then I was given a reed like a measuring rod.” In Chapter 9, the war was waged by a real air force and army that John described using terms he understood. It was something future to our time.


What John is seeing is something also future to us now. He is being given a reed that is intended to be used as a measuring rod. The measuring of something in the Bible is normally used to indicate either destruction of something, preservation of something, or a mixture of both. In the time of King David, in 2 Samuel 8, we read this –

“After this it came to pass that David attacked the Philistines and subdued them. And David took Metheg Ammah from the hand of the Philistines.

2 Then he defeated Moab. Forcing them down to the ground, he measured them off with a line. With two lines he measured off those to be put to death, and with one full line those to be kept alive. So the Moabites became David’s servants, and brought tribute.” 2 Samuel 8:1, 2

The measuring rod was used in a prophecy in Ezekiel concerning the layout of a temple different than the temple Ezekiel knew during his time as a priest. That is seen in Ezekiel 40 –

“In the visions of God He took me into the land of Israel and set me on a very high mountain; on it toward the south was something like the structure of a city. 3 He took me there, and behold, there was a man whose appearance was like the appearance of bronze. He had a line of flax and a measuring rod in his hand, and he stood in the gateway.” Ezekiel 40:2, 3


The line of flax was used for longer measurements; the rod is for shorter ones. John is being given a rod for shorter measurements. After that, John says, “And the angel stood.” These words are not found in many manuscripts and are considered spurious by some scholars. Assuming they are meant to be here, it is probably then an allusion to Zechariah 3:5 –

“So they put a clean turban on his head, and they put the clothes on him. And the Angel of the LORD stood by.”


If this is so, then the angel now being referred to by John is the Lord Jesus, just as it was in Chapter 10. Either way, John next says that this angel stood, “saying, ‘Rise and measure the temple of God.’” Scholars of the past assumed that this must be a symbolic measuring. This is because the dimensions of the actual temple were surely known, even if it had been destroyed by the time of John’s writing out the book of Revelation.


In other words, they could not conceive of a future temple being built. Christ had come and fulfilled all of the symbolism of the temple and annulled the law in the giving of the New Covenant. But the thinking is in error. The Jews rejected Jesus and did not come under the New Covenant. Further, Daniel’s timeline clearly indicates that the temple of the seventieth week must be a future temple, as confirmed by Paul’s words of 2 Thessalonians. It is a literal temple that John is measuring, along with “the altar.”

This would not be referring to the altar of incense which is within the walls of the temple. This is the altar of sacrifice located in the outer courtyard. It is the altar that Daniel implicitly refers to in Daniel 9:27 above when he said, “He shall bring an end to sacrifice and offering.”


In order to have “sacrifice and offering,” there must be an altar for those things. John is directed to measure those things “and those who worship there.” One does not measure “spiritual representations of worshippers.” Rather, these are literal worshippers that are given an area of the courtyard to worship in, as was the case in past times, such as –

“So it was, that while he was serving as priest before God in the order of his division, 9 according to the custom of the priesthood, his lot fell to burn incense when he went into the temple of the Lord. 10 And the whole multitude of the people was praying outside at the hour of incense.” Luke 1:8-10


This is what John is being asked to measure. It is a real temple. It is future to us today. It will have an altar of sacrifice and an area for worshippers to come to. It will be on the temple mount, and it will be built based on a peace agreement that will be made between parties as brokered by the antichrist. As it says in Daniel 9 (above), “Then he shall confirm a covenant with many for one week.”


Life application: What is certain is that the temple John is asked to measure is not the temple that was destroyed in AD70. It is a temple that is yet future to our time. Amazingly, the implements for this temple are already made and are on display in Jerusalem. Its cornerstone has been anointed, and it is safely kept in Jerusalem, too. The time for God’s plan to be completed is coming, and we are participants and spectators in the great unfolding drama.


As the antichrist is the one who will broker the deal that will allow for this temple to be built, and as Paul says that we will not know who the antichrist will be, it is an implicit note to us that we are not to bother speculating on who he is. Rather, believers in the church today are to fix our eyes elsewhere. We are to fix our eyes on JESUS!

Lord, looking at the world today we can see that the end of the ages is not far off. Israel, the people, have been returned to their ancient homeland. The implements for temple worship have been made and are awaiting the temple’s construction. And all of the associated tragedy with that happening is not far off. All because they missed their Messiah when He came. May many turn their hearts and minds to Him now before the terrible days of woe come. Amen.

[schwartzie]

Daily Bible Verse, Revelation 11:2, 5 February 2021
Friday, 5 February 2021



But leave out the court which is outside the temple, and do not measure it, for it has been given to the Gentiles. And they will tread the holy city underfoot for forty-two months. Revelation 11:2



John was instructed to “measure the temple of God, the altar, and those who worship there.” Now, in this verse, he is told, “But leave out the court which is outside the temple, and do not measure it.” The word translated as “leave out” signifies to cast out. This means that the temple is considered acceptable and in accord with the allowances of Daniel 9:24-27, but the area outside of the temple is considered defiled and unholy. The measuring is what signifies the difference between the two. As it next says, “for it has been given to the Gentiles.”



As incredible and impossible as it seems to many in today’s world, there really will be another temple in Jerusalem. It will be built on the Temple Mount where the first and second temples stood. There is no need to argue this, God has already determined that it will come to pass, and He has prepared the people of Israel for this coming day. He has readied their hearts and they have readied the implements.



What seems like a likely scenario is that the battle described in Chapter 9, and quite possibly being the same battle as described in Ezekiel 38/39, will be the impetus for the building of this temple. After such an incredible victory, the nations will sue for peace with Israel, and a part of that peace deal will be the allowance for them to build this temple.



It may be that this temple will stand on a large empty spot directly in the middle of the mount. On the north end stands the Dome of the Rock, which is adorned with a gold dome. On the south end is the Al Aqsa Mosque. Or it may be where the Dome of the Rock is today, although that may continue to stand. Being dogmatic about that is unnecessary at this point.



The areas outside of the temple are obviously defiled areas that belong to the Gentiles. The measuring of this future temple leaves out the court where two defiled edifices stand, thus indicating that they are excluded from any blessing and will be removed at some point in the future. With this considered, the verse ends with, “And they will tread the holy city underfoot for forty-two months.”



Of this time span, Vincent’s Word Studies notes –



“A period which appears in three forms in Revelation: forty-two months (Revelation 13:5); twelve hundred and sixty days (Revelation 11:3, Revelation 12:6); a time, times and half a time, or three years and a half (Revelation 12:14, compare Daniel 7:25; Daniel 12:7).”



The Gentiles who have a foothold on the Temple Mount will also “tread the holy city underfoot for forty-two months.” The term “underfoot” signifies that their very presence is a defiling act. They are unclean and what they tread on is defiled by them. Of the number forty-two, EW Bullinger says –



It “is a number connected with Antichrist. An important part of his career is to last for 42 months (Rev 11:2, 13:5), and thus this number is fixed upon him. Another number of Antichrist is 1260, and this is 30 x 42.



Its factors are six and seven (6×7=42), and this shows a connection between man and the Spirit of God, and between Christ and Antichrist:



Forty-two stages of Israel’s wanderings mark their conflict with the will of God.

Forty-two young men* mocked the ascension of Elijah to Elisha, 2 Kings 2:23, 24.



Being a multiple of seven, it might be supposed that it would be connected with spiritual perfection. But it is the product of six times seven. Six, therefore, being the number of Man, and man’s opposition to God, forty-two becomes significant of the working out of man’s opposition to God.”



The time period of forty-two months corresponds with Daniel 9:27 which says–



“Then he shall confirm a covenant with many for one week;

But in the middle of the week

He shall bring an end to sacrifice and offering.

And on the wing of abominations shall be one who makes desolate,

Even until the consummation, which is determined,

Is poured out on the desolate.”



A covenant of peace with the antichrist is coming, and it will be for a period of “one week” or seven years. However, this covenant will be broken in the middle of the week, which is three- and one-half years or forty-two months. Understanding and properly interpreting Daniel 9:24-27 is the key to understanding what is coming and when – and it all pertains to the Jewish people and to the city of Jerusalem. The book of Revelation is filling in details of what lies ahead that Daniel only saw in a broader outline.



But Paul also filled in some of the details. As he says in 2 Thessalonians 2 (and which was cited in the previous verse as well) –



“Let no one deceive you by any means; for that Day will not come unless the falling away comes first, and the man of sin is revealed, the son of perdition, 4 who opposes and exalts himself above all that is called God or that is worshiped, so that he sits as God in the temple of God, showing himself that he is God.” 2 Thessalonians 2:3, 4



Life application: The end times events being described in Revelation have been a constant source of worry and even fear for believers since they were written. But understanding Paul’s words from 2 Thessalonians shows that this should not be so. When Paul refers to the falling away coming first and the man of sin being revealed, he is basing that on his words of 2 Thessalonians 2:2. There he refers to the “day of Christ.”



But that is first based on what he says in verse 1, “concerning the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ and our gathering together to Him.”



The tribulation period is also known as the Day of the Lord. Paul says that this day of the Lord (day of Christ – the terms are synonymous) will not come until AFTER the man of sin is revealed, and that will only come AFTER our gathering to Him. Each step is logical and orderly. If the antichrist (the man of sin) signs a seven-year covenant with Israel, which is Daniel’s seventieth-seven, and that initiates the Day of the Lord (day of Christ), then why would we be looking for the antichrist? Rather, our eyes are to be set in anticipation of the coming of the Lord for us.



These time frames are important, and they are not to be dismissed. The Bible is carefully laying out the sequence of future events in order to give us hope, a great and blessed hope. It is the anticipation of our being gathered to JESUS!



O Lord, it is so exciting to see that we may be very close to the time that was prophesied so long ago in the book of Revelation, prophecies which reach back even to the time of the Old Testament prophets. As the world turns away from You, our hearts are longing for You all the more. We have a sure and blessed hope in the coming deliverance of Your people because of Jesus. Great is the promise and the hope that we possess. Thank You for this word of hope. Amen.

[schwartzie]

Daily Bible Verse, Revelation 11:3, 6 February 2021


Saturday, 6 February 2021



And I will give power to my two witnesses, and they will prophesy one thousand two hundred and sixty days, clothed in sackcloth.” Revelation 11:3



John is conveying the words of the Angel. He was instructed to measure the temple of God, but to omit the court outside the temple, noting that it had been given to the Gentiles. Now, the angel says, “And I will give power to my two witnesses.”



The word “power” has been inserted. Based on the coming verses, that is possibly correct. However, it could also be “authority” or some other concept of appointment. Some translations simply leave the thought alone and say, “And will give to my two witnesses.” Also, they are preceded by a definite article in the Greek –



“And I will grant to the two witnesses of me.”



This then implies that they are known figures who serve the Lord. How they are known will come in the next verse.



Who these two witnesses are is as debated as anything else in the book of Revelation. Some see them as two people and the identification of them starts from that point. Some see them as representative of sets of twos, like when Jesus set apart his disciples to go forth two by two in Luke 10:1. Some think they are two institutions, such as two bodies of believers. Others see them as two general categories such as saved Jews and saved Gentiles, or the two testaments of Scripture.



As there are two, the meaning of the number should be explained. Two demonstrates that a difference exists. As E.W. Bullinger says, “We now come to the spiritual significance of the number Two. We have seen that One excludes all difference, and denotes that which is sovereign. But Two affirms that there is a difference—there is another; while One affirms that there is not another!”



Two is the minimum number given to bring charges against another as well. This is seen in the precept found in both testaments that says, “By the mouth of two or three witnesses every word shall be established” (2 Corinthians 13:1).



For this commentary, and without giving a defense against every one of the innumerable guesses as to who these two witnesses are, it is assumed based on their description that they are two people. These witnesses predate Christ’s first advent (as will be explained in the next verse), and they have a difference between them that fits what has already been revealed. In this, they are identified as Enoch and Elijah.



Some point to them as Moses and Elijah because they appeared to the Lord at the Mount of Transfiguration. This is incorrect for one obvious reason. They will be killed in verse 11:7. If they are two men, one cannot be Moses –



“And as it is appointed for men to die once, but after this the judgment.” Hebrews 9:27



Moses’ death is recorded already, and it excludes him from being one of these men. The arguments against this fail to adhere to this verse which states a firm and fixed precept. Further, the reason for Moses and Elijah’s appearance was one of symbolism. Bringing back Moses, who had already died, to appear on the Mount with Jesus was to make a theological point concerning His power over both the living (Elijah) and the dead (Moses). It also served to demonstrate that Jesus is the fulfillment of the law (Moses) and the prophets (Elijah).



Some see the two as Elijah and John (the Apostle John). This is assumed because of the statement made by Jesus at the end of the Gospel of John –



“Jesus said to him, ‘If I will that he remain till I come, what is that to you? You follow Me.’” John 21:22



Such an interpretation is incorrect. Jesus never said John wouldn’t die. He was speaking to Peter about Peter. What was to happen to John had nothing to do with what would happen to Peter. Further, John does not precede the first advent of Christ in his ministry, something that is required for these witnesses. That will be put to rest with the analysis of the coming verse. Without defending against any other such claims, the two are more than probably Enoch and Elijah.



Only Enoch and Elijah are recorded as having been taken directly to heaven without dying. They were both taken before Christ’s first advent. Enoch was not a Hebrew (Abraham is recorded as the first Hebrew), while Elijah was. Hebrew means “to cross over.” This designation is important because of what has already been seen in measuring the temple but not the outer court. The temple is associated with the Hebrew people; the outer court is associated with Gentiles. The difference is seen in the sum of their testimony which is for all people. One testifies to the Hebrew people and the other to the Gentile people.



A clue of exactly this is found in Daniel 12 –



“Then I, Daniel, looked; and there stood two others, one on this riverbank and the other on that riverbank. 6 And one said to the man clothed in linen, who was above the waters of the river, ‘How long shall the fulfillment of these wonders be?’

7 Then I heard the man clothed in linen, who was above the waters of the river, when he held up his right hand and his left hand to heaven, and swore by Him who lives forever, that it shall be for a time, times, and half a time; and when the power of the holy people has been completely shattered, all these things shall be finished.” Daniel 12:5-7



Two men accompanied the Lord, who was above the waters. One is on one riverbank while the other is on the other riverbank. It is the same typology as seen above – one is a Hebrew; one is not. The word Hebrew means “to cross over.” The symbolism is that one has crossed over the river and is a Hebrew. The Lord above the waters is Lord of both. Of these two, the verse continues with, “and they will prophesy.”



The word can mean giving a testimony of repentance, sharing the gospel, predicting the future, and so on. It gives the idea of speaking out the inspired word of God as a witness. This is what they will be doing, and it will be for a period of “one thousand two hundred and sixty days.”



This is the same as “forty-two months,” or exactly three and one-half biblical years. A biblical year is three hundred and sixty days per. It signifies one-half of the tribulation period, meaning Daniel’s seventieth seven. During this time, it says they will be “clothed in sackcloth.”



The word is a transliteration from the Hebrew word sak. Wearing it is a sign of mourning and woe. Wearing such garments is to show great distress and humility before God. It is also as a petition that, even though destruction is deserved, there is a hope for mercy. In the case of these two, they are in sackcloth on behalf of the people they are speaking to. They are demonstrating that great woe is coming and that the people should take heed and join them in their humble petitioning of God for mercy. Sackcloth is seen numerous times in the Old Testament in this manner. If the people they witness to fail to mourn over their sins and repent of their unholy lives, there will be consequences.



The three- and one-half-year period is not unique in the Bible. Elijah withheld the rains from Israel for this amount of time. This is testified to by both Jesus and James in the New Testament (Luke 4:25 and James 5:17).



Life application: This three- and one-half year period was prophesied by Daniel. It is pointing to a future date, not something that has already been fulfilled. The key to understanding the times we live in today is to understand Israel’s role in prophetic events. Israel has been planted again in her land, never to be uprooted as the Lord has promised (see Amos 9:15).



The rebellion of Israel, and their being cast off from the Lord, is used by many scholars and theologians to justify the stand that the church has replaced Israel. This is a poor analysis of Scripture. It fails to take into consideration the unfailing nature of the Lord to His covenants. Israel’s disobedience in no way negates the Lord’s faithfulness. If the Lord could cut off Israel, He could also be unfaithful to His guarantee of redemption for those He has saved (see Ephesians 1:13, 14). Such can never be the case. We are dealing with the faithful Lord. We are dealing with JESUS.



Heavenly Father, the precise details of the future events revealed in Your word, including set time periods, tells us that there is a sure plan. It also reveals that there will be an end to the dispensation of grace that we now live in. And more, that the time is fixed and will not be changed. What You have ordained will come to pass, and all we can do is be in prayer that eyes will be opened and hearts will be responsive – to Your glory, O God. Amen.

[schwartzie]

Daily Bible Verse, Revelation 11:4, 7 February 2021




Sunday, 7 February 2021



These are the two olive trees and the two lampstands standing before the God of the earth. Revelation 11:4



In the previous verse, the two witnesses were introduced. Two aspects of them were given that indicate they are actually men and not merely to be considered as metaphor: they prophesy and they are clothed in sackcloth. With that in mind, an evaluation of who they are was given, deciding upon (but not dogmatically barking out) Enoch and Elijah. Reasons for that were provided.



Moses was rejected as one and the explanation was given as to why. The apostle John was rejected as one. The reason was not fully explained. In this verse, it can be determined why he is excluded. These two witnesses are now described by John. He says, “These are the two olive trees and the two lampstands standing before the God of the earth.” John is reaching back to what was said in the Old Testament. In Zechariah 4, the following is recorded –



“Now the angel who talked with me came back and wakened me, as a man who is wakened out of his sleep. 2 And he said to me, ‘What do you see?’

So I said, ‘I am looking, and there is a lampstand of solid gold with a bowl on top of it, and on the stand seven lamps with seven pipes to the seven lamps. 3 Two olive trees are by it, one at the right of the bowl and the other at its left.’ 4 So I answered and spoke to the angel who talked with me, saying, ‘What are these, my lord?’” Zechariah 4:1-4



Towards the end of the same chapter, it then says this –



“Then I answered and said to him, ‘What are these two olive trees—at the right of the lampstand and at its left?’ 12 And I further answered and said to him, ‘What are these two olive branches that drip into the receptacles of the two gold pipes from which the golden oil drains?’

13 Then he answered me and said, ‘Do you not know what these are?’

And I said, ‘No, my lord.’

14 So he said, ‘These are the two anointed ones, who stand beside the Lord of the whole earth.’” Zechariah 4:11-14



These two anointed ones predate the time of the Apostle John. They have been serving the Lord since Old Testament times. As noted, the only two men who were taken directly to heaven in the Old Testament were Enoch and Elijah –



“Enoch lived sixty-five years, and begot Methuselah. 22 After he begot Methuselah, Enoch walked with God three hundred years, and had sons and daughters. 23 So all the days of Enoch were three hundred and sixty-five years. 24 And Enoch walked with God; and he was not, for God took him.” Genesis 5:21-24



&



“Then it happened, as they continued on and talked, that suddenly a chariot of fire appeared with horses of fire, and separated the two of them; and Elijah went up by a whirlwind into heaven.” 2 Kings 2:11



The book of Hebrews repeats the note concerning Enoch’s translation ensuring that the few words concerning him could not be misconstrued –



“By faith Enoch was taken away so that he did not see death, ‘and was not found, because God had taken him’; for before he was taken he had this testimony, that he pleased God. 6 But without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him.” Hebrews 11:5, 6



Jude goes on to note that Enoch was a prophet –



“Now Enoch, the seventh from Adam, prophesied about these men also, saying, ‘Behold, the Lord comes with ten thousands of His saints, 15 to execute judgment on all, to convict all who are ungodly among them of all their ungodly deeds which they have committed in an ungodly way, and of all the harsh things which ungodly sinners have spoken against Him.’” Jude 1:14, 15



Enoch is not a Hebrew; Elijah is a Hebrew (see the symbolism explained in the previous verse). Both were prophets. Both prophesied concerning the ungodliness surrounding them. These reasons indicate that the two most logical choices for the identification of the two witnesses are Enoch and Elijah. If they are humans, as seems more than probable, they meet the criteria that both Moses (whose death is recorded in Scripture) and John (who was not yet alive when Zechariah was written) do not meet.



An argument against this, which is invalid, is that it cannot be Enoch because he wasn’t a Hebrew. This is faulty logic based on Paul’s words of Romans 3:2 where he says that the oracles of God (meaning Scripture) were committed to the people of Israel. Two points dispel this thinking. Jude clearly identifies Enoch as a prophet, and Moses is the one who recorded the details of his life. Paul’s words are simply a note that the people of Israel were those who maintained the oracles, not that non-Israelites could not prophesy. Job was not of Israel, and an entire book is recorded concerning him.



Life application: Both Enoch and Elijah never died. They have been faithfully serving the Lord for thousands of years now. There is no reason to think that they will not serve Him in this especially personal way during the coming tribulation period.



When evaluating difficult passages, it is often necessary to search the entire Bible to resolve the difficulties. We cannot run with biblical analysis without doing diligent research, and although passages like this one are not related directly to salvation, they are a part of the whole counsel of God and so they need to be treated as such.



Let us endeavor to do our best when evaluating Scripture. When our logic or interpretation is found wanting, let us step back, admit our error, and then move on in what is logical and proper. To the glory of the Lord who gave us this marvelous word. To the glory of JESUS!



Lord, instill a desire in our hearts to know Your word completely – in both Testaments. Surely it is filled with treasure beyond our understanding, and the more we look into it, the more You will reward us in grasping it. May You alone be glorified through our studies and our teaching others of the wonders of Your Word! Amen.

[schwartzie]

Daily Bible Verse, Revelatio 11:5, 8 February 2021


And if anyone wants to harm them, fire proceeds from their mouth and devours their enemies. And if anyone wants to harm them, he must be killed in this manner. Revelation 11:5



This is referring to the two witnesses introduced in verse 11:3. It has already been established that their purpose is to prophesy. While prophesying, they are “clothed in sackcloth.” As noted, this indicates a sign of mourning and woe. Wearing such garments is to show great distress and humility before God. It is also as a petition that even though destruction is deserved, there is a hope for mercy (see Jonah 3:5, e.g.). In the case of these two, they are in sackcloth on behalf of the people they are speaking to.



However, preaching a call to “repentance or judgment” – as is seen in Scripture and in the world today – is not a popular thing among those who revel in their wickedness. Because of this, there are those who will always fight against those who preach it. This will be the case with these two witnesses, and John next notes, “And if anyone wants to harm them, fire proceeds from their mouth and devours their enemies.”



The question here is, “Is this literal fire, or something else?” It is true that Elijah called down fire on those who came to him –



“So Elijah answered and said to the captain of fifty, ‘If I am a man of God, then let fire come down from heaven and consume you and your fifty men.” And fire came down from heaven and consumed him and his fifty.’” 2 Kings 1:10



In this, Elijah called down fire, and fire from heaven consumed the men. However, this verse in Revelation says this fire came not from heaven, but from their mouths. Unless their breath is really bad, even explosive, it seems hard to imagine literal fire is what is spoken of here. Rather, the answer to the question appears to be resolved in the words of Jeremiah –



“’Is not My word like a fire?’ says the Lord,

‘And like a hammer that breaks the rock in pieces?’” Jeremiah 23:29



And again –



“They have lied about the Lord,

And said, ‘It is not He.

Neither will evil come upon us,

Nor shall we see sword or famine.

13 And the prophets become wind,

For the word is not in them.

Thus shall it be done to them.’

14 Therefore thus says the Lord God of hosts:

‘Because you speak this word,

Behold, I will make My words in your mouth fire,

And this people wood,

And it shall devour them.’” Jeremiah 5:12-14



The word of the Lord, which is what these men are conveying through prophesying, is directly equated to fire. And the effects of the word of the Lord can then be equated to the effects of fire. For example –



“For thus says the Lord: ‘Behold, I will make you a terror to yourself and to all your friends; and they shall fall by the sword of their enemies, and your eyes shall see it. I will give all Judah into the hand of the king of Babylon, and he shall carry them captive to Babylon and slay them with the sword. 5 Moreover I will deliver all the wealth of this city, all its produce, and all its precious things; all the treasures of the kings of Judah I will give into the hand of their enemies, who will plunder them, seize them, and carry them to Babylon. 6 And you, Pashhur, and all who dwell in your house, shall go into captivity. You shall go to Babylon, and there you shall die, and be buried there, you and all your friends, to whom you have prophesied lies.’” Jeremiah 20:4-6



Also –



“Then the prophet Jeremiah said to Hananiah the prophet, ‘Hear now, Hananiah, the Lord has not sent you, but you make this people trust in a lie. 16 Therefore thus says the Lord: ‘Behold, I will cast you from the face of the earth. This year you shall die, because you have taught rebellion against the Lord.’

17 So Hananiah the prophet died the same year in the seventh month.” Jeremiah 28:15-17



Jeremiah also prophesied against groups of people, pronouncing upon them the judgment of the Lord. When the judgment was spoken forth, it was also accomplished. Therefore, there is no reason to not accept this “fire” spoken of in Revelation as a metaphor for the word of the Lord as spoken by these prophets. With this being the case, John then repeats the thought, saying, “And if anyone wants to harm them, he must be killed in this manner.”



The repetition of the thought indicates the certainty of the matter. What is conveyed is certain, and it shall certainly come to pass. Those coming to harm these prophets are people with their own false testimony, and also naysayers who say that God isn’t judging the world at all. They will come against these two in order to trap them in their own words, but Jesus has already given a promise to those who speak on His behalf in times such as this –



“Now when they bring you to the synagogues and magistrates and authorities, do not worry about how or what you should answer, or what you should say. 12 For the Holy Spirit will teach you in that very hour what you ought to say.” Luke 12:11, 12



Because this is the case, the “fire” of the Holy Spirit’s utterances is far more likely than real flames.



Life application: The words of the Lord are a consuming fire, particularly when they proclaim judgment. They burn away impurity, they refine those who are repentant, and they consume those who are not. In Isaiah, it says –



“Heaven is My throne,

And earth is My footstool.

Where is the house that you will build Me?

And where is the place of My rest?

2 For all those things My hand has made,

And all those things exist,”

Says the Lord.

“But on this one will I look:

On him who is poor and of a contrite spirit,

And who trembles at My word.” Isaiah 66:1, 2



When you read the word of God, do you tremble at what you read? Are you understanding this word is a word of judgment and condemnation, or a word of grace and life? The way that it comes to a person is based upon how they treat it. If the heart is humble, it will lead to grace and life. If the heart is hard, it will judge and it will condemn. Be sure to accept the gospel as the saving grace it is presented as. Do not turn away from it! Instead, soften your heart and turn to God through JESUS!



Lord, just as Your words are a consuming fire when disregarded, they are also a fire in the hearts of those who love You. Let us never quench the fire that burns inside of us by withholding Your truth from others. Instead, give us the desire and ability to boldly proclaim Your truth to the people of the world. Amen.

[schwartzie]

Daily Bible Verse, Revelatio 11:6, 9 February 2021

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reTuesday, 9 February 2021


These have power to shut heaven, so that no rain falls in the days of their prophecy; and they have power over waters to turn them to blood, and to strike the earth with all plagues, as often as they desire. Revelation 11:6


John continues with the powers granted to the two witnesses. He begins this verse with, “These have the power to shut heaven.” The heavens are above. To exercise power in the heavens implies the power of God. Thus, in exercising this power, it is a confirmation of the Source of their prophesying.


To shut up the heaven is then further described saying, “so that no rain falls in the days of their prophecy.” The Greek reads more descriptively, saying, “so that no rain shall wet.” The implication is that even if there is rain in the sky, it will not wet the earth and provide relief from drought. This is the same power granted to Elijah. In 1 Kings 17:1, it says –

“And Elijah the Tishbite, of the inhabitants of Gilead, said to Ahab, ‘As the LORD God of Israel lives, before whom I stand, there shall not be dew nor rain these years, except at my word.’”


In this, it did not rain for three- and one-half years, as is testified to by both Jesus and James. Along with this power, it next says, “and they have power over waters to turn them to blood.” This is the same power exercised by Moses –

“Say to Aaron, ‘Take your rod and stretch out your hand over the waters of Egypt, over their streams, over their rivers, over their ponds, and over all their pools of water, that they may become blood. And there shall be blood throughout all the land of Egypt, both in buckets of wood and pitchers of stone.’” Exodus 7:19


The idea of the waters being turned into blood here does not mean that it must be literal blood. The term can be metaphorically speaking of death in the water (from the Bible’s statement that the life is in the blood), or some similar concept. The idea is that these two witnesses have power over the waters to call on them to become blood, and thus undrinkable for the people.


Next, the verse continues with, “and to strike the earth with all plagues.” The Greek actually reads in the singular – “with every plague.” This then extends beyond the ten plagues of Moses to any plague also mentioned elsewhere in Scripture, or whatever other plague they decide upon that has not been mentioned before. They will have power, demonstrating their divine authority (and thus a confirmation that their message is from God), to strike the earth with every plague. And John notes this power is “as often as they desire.”


From these words, it can be inferred that they are given full reign and authority to determine what plagues they will send forth. Unlike Moses who was given specific plagues to be performed at the word of the Lord, these witnesses can speak forth a variety of plagues to come about, and they come accordingly.


It should be considered that by noting these specific plagues, and the fact that several of them are close to what both Moses and Elijah did, it is asserted that this proves the two witnesses are Moses and Elijah. As one commentator notes, “Enoch doesn’t meet any of those qualifications” (Ruckman). That is a simplistic and narrow evaluation of the matter.


The fact is that Moses did not do what Elijah did, and Elijah did not do things Moses did. Further, other prophets did things that neither of them did. Even the apostles spoke regarding authority to call down fire from the heavens (Luke 9:54). The idea that because no such miracle, sign, or wonder is recorded as being accomplished by Enoch – and so Enoch cannot be one of the two witnesses – is an argument from silence.


Enoch has already been noted as a prophet, and thus, he can be granted whatever power the Lord determines to give him in order to accomplish his witness. Moses does not qualify as one of the two witnesses because his death was recorded. As this is so, and as Hebrews clearly explains that man dies and then is judged, Moses is not one of the two witnesses. The two witnesses will die in the verses ahead. Whether the second witness is Enoch or not (and he is the most likely candidate based on the evidence presented), it is perfectly certain that neither is Moses.


Life application: The closing verses of the Old Testament says –

“Behold, I will send you Elijah the prophet

Before the coming of the great and dreadful day of the LORD.

6 And he will turn

The hearts of the fathers to the children,

And the hearts of the children to their fathers,

Lest I come and strike the earth with a curse.” Malachi 4:5, 6


This is a strong indication that Elijah is certainly one of the witnesses. Enoch is the most likely and biblically reasonable second witness. The power that these witnesses possess demonstrates that they are truly of God, and thus their message is from God. This is the purpose of granting such authority – confirmation of the Source.

However, throughout Scripture, men of God have had their words confirmed through such power, or through the fulfillment of their prophetic word, and yet people have rejected their message. How sad it is that the truth of God is presented to humanity, but it is ignored by those who see it!


And this is true with Scripture itself. It stands as a witness to the workings of God in the stream of time. It validates itself in countless ways, and it possesses true power to change. Despite this, it is ignored, belittled, and manipulated by the majority of the world. Let us not do any of these things. But rather, let us hold fast to this precious and sacred word, and let us carefully heed what it says, applying its contents to our lives in the context that is intended for us. It is this marvelous treasure, the Holy Bible, that tells us of God’s saving grace as is revealed in the Person of JESUS!


Lord God, it is hard to understand how people can disregard Your word, despite all of the evidence in it which demonstrates that it is from You. It reveals You and Your plans to us, and it confirms itself through the prophetic word. And yet, it is rejected. Because of this, how much more just is Your judgment when it comes. Until that day, help us to continue to share the beautiful message of the gospel to others in anticipation of converting the lost to a saving relationship with You. Amen.

[schwartzie]

Daily Bible Verse, Revelation 11:7, 10 February 2021

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Wednesday, 10 February 2021


When they finish their testimony, the beast that ascends out of the bottomless pit will make war against them, overcome them, and kill them. Revelation 11:7


The two witnesses are being referred to here. They have a set mission to perform, and it will last a preordained amount of time. It is at the end of that time that John now says, “When they finish their testimony.” In verse 11:3, the word martysin, or witnesses, was used. It is the noun that described them. They were witnesses to the people. Here, the word marturia speaks of the witness, or testimony itself. Once that is complete, John says, “the beast that ascends.”


The Greek contains definite articles – “the beast the coming up.” Thus, it is speaking of a particular beast. This may be a way of identifying, in advance, the beast mentioned in Revelation 13:1 and/or 17:8. This also may be a way of identifying the fourth beast of Daniel 7. John says that this beast that ascends “out of the bottomless pit will make war against them.”


The two witnesses, regardless of who they are (this commentary has identified them probably as Enoch and Elijah but being future, this isn’t certain), will finish their prophesying after three- and one-half years and they will be killed by this beast.


This is not likely to be the angel with the key to the bottomless pit in verse 9:1, but rather he is probably the leader of the forces that were let loose from there, represented by locusts. He is quite possibly the antichrist who was spoken of by Daniel and also by Paul in 2 Thessalonians 2:3-10.


The term used for “beast” here is not the same term that is used for the four living creatures around the throne. Those are rightly translated as “living creatures.” But because some translations use the term “beast” for both, it is good to clarify this. The term used here means a wild animal. It is probably analogous to the term used for a beast in Daniel chapter 7, but there is also a difference. The beast there is speaking of an empire, but this one in Revelation appears to be speaking of an individual. However, this isn’t 100% certain either. This very well may be an empire too.


The leader of an empire is normally associated with the entire empire. When one speaks of the Germans of World War II, they will often speak of Hitler as representing the whole. Again, Stalin is used as an example of the entire communist system of his time. There is no reason to think this isn’t the case here as well. Time will resolve these hard to identify terms, peoples, and empires. For now, John finishes with the words that this beast will “overcome them, and kill them.”


Regardless as to who these witnesses are, this is an allowance of God. They have had the power to perform the miracles and wonders previously described, signifying that they are working on behalf of God who gave them the power. But the redemptive plan is set, the timeline is given, and these two witnesses are to die in the performance of their duties. This is by the allowance of God, and it is for His glory that it will occur.


Life application: God is in control of this and of every situation. After these things occur, we will see His omniscience in what comes about – knowing that He foresaw exactly what would happen. Whether this analysis is correct on who the two witnesses are or not, the world will be able to identify exactly what has come about as being what was prophesied in the Bible. There will be no excuse for rejecting what is so clearly presented.


Death is not the end of the story for these two witnesses. Nor is it the end for any who belong to the Lord. He has complete and final control over all who are His. And so, whether by death or by rapture, we will be with the Lord forever. He prevailed over death so that we too will prevail over death. He is the Lamb that was slain but who rose again. He is JESUS!


Lord, by seeing the faithfulness of your prophets and witnesses who are described in the Bible, it can give us courage as well to speak out for Your glory and Your great name. Give us strength and boldness as we face the wickedness of this world, knowing that man can do nothing to us apart from Your will. Whether in life or in death, we are Yours. Nothing can change that. Thank You for this wonderful assurance. Amen.

[schwartzie]

Daily Bible Verse, Revelation 11:8, 11 February 2021
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Thursday, 11 February 2021


And their dead bodies will lie in the street of the great city which spiritually is called Sodom and Egypt, where also our Lord was crucified. Revelation 11:8


John now describes the treatment of the two witnesses after they have been killed, saying, “And their dead bodies will lie in the street.” The Greek reads “upon the street.” Their carcasses will be left exposed upon the street as a supposed testimony to the ending of their witness. They had prophesied of repentance or coming judgment, and there they will lie. As their dead bodies are left open and exposed in the streets of the city, these two are – in a sense – following their Lord in the public shame He endured.


Like Jesus, they have supposedly (stress the word) been defeated in “the great city.” This is referring to the same spot that was mentioned in verse 11:1 –

“Then I was given a reed like a measuring rod. And the angel stood, saying, ‘Rise and measure the temple of God, the altar, and those who worship there.’”

John was told to measure “the temple of God,” meaning the temple of the Lord that will again stand on the temple mount in Jerusalem. It is in this location where the two witnesses had prophesied.


The term “great city” has not been used this way before when referring to Jerusalem, but it signifies the importance of the location in the end times. The world will look to it as a beacon of peace and unity, even while it flourishes in perversion and wickedness, something that has increased almost exponentially in recent years.


The Knesset, the seat of government in Israel, is located in western Jerusalem. There, the legalization of every type of indecency and perversion has come to pass, abortion is openly accepted as a legitimate practice, laws concerning the easing of restrictions on drug use are increasingly being introduced, and so on. These things will only increase in the time leading up to the coming of the two witnesses. Such things as this, and especially Israel’s rejection of Jesus as their Messiah, will be highlighted by them. For this, they will be martyred and then their dead bodies will be left in the open street.


Because of these immoral practices by the people, John continues with descriptions of the city, saying, “which spiritually is called Sodom.” The sin of Sodom is obvious. It is clearly defined in Scripture, and in whatever place the practice of homosexuality is openly accepted, that place will be labeled as Sodom – whether it is a bar, a district, a city, or a country. The label is fully understood as to what is being referred to.


Such practices are condoned and applauded throughout Israel today, and it all stems from the laws enacted in Jerusalem. Hence, it is the bearer of the title “Sodom.” John continues with, “and Egypt.” Egypt was the place of bondage, hardship, and oppressive rule from which Israel was redeemed by the Lord. Being brought out of Egypt was a picture of man’s being brought out from bondage to sin. However, here John calls Jerusalem “Egypt.”


Thus, he is indicating that it is a city in bondage to sin. The temple has changed nothing because by the law is the knowledge of sin. It can never lead to holiness. Instead, it can only heap up more guilt upon the people. The two witnesses will testify of freedom through the grace of God in Christ, but that will be rejected. The people will remain in their bondage.


Finally, and to ensure that the location of the city is not to be spiritualized away, John says of it, “where also our Lord was crucified.” Jesus was crucified outside of the gates of Jerusalem. Today, that area is within the limits of Jerusalem. The note of the Lord’s crucifixion is affixed to remind the reader that Jesus is the fulfillment of the law. All of the types and shadows of the Temple are found fulfilled in Him. And yet, instead of the Substance, they have chosen the shadow.

Further, the crucifixion of Christ points in two directions at once. It points to grace for those who accept it, and it points to judgment upon those who reject it. John’s note calls out, “This really happened! The Lord of Creation came to this place and died for the sins of His people! Accept the grace of God in Christ or be judged by God in Christ!”


The words of John in this one verse were anticipated by the prophet Isaiah –

“Hear the word of the LORD,

You rulers of Sodom;

Give ear to the law of our God,

You people of Gomorrah:

11 “To what purpose is the multitude of your sacrifices to Me?”

Says the LORD.

“I have had enough of burnt offerings of rams

And the fat of fed cattle.

I do not delight in the blood of bulls,

Or of lambs or goats.

12 “When you come to appear before Me,

Who has required this from your hand,

To trample My courts?

13 Bring no more futile sacrifices;

Incense is an abomination to Me.

The New Moons, the Sabbaths, and the calling of assemblies—

I cannot endure iniquity and the sacred meeting.

14 Your New Moons and your appointed feasts

My soul hates;

They are a trouble to Me,

I am weary of bearing them.

15 When you spread out your hands,

I will hide My eyes from you;

Even though you make many prayers,

I will not hear.

Your hands are full of blood.

16 “Wash yourselves, make yourselves clean;

Put away the evil of your doings from before My eyes.

Cease to do evil,

17 Learn to do good;

Seek justice,

Rebuke the oppressor;

Defend the fatherless,

Plead for the widow.

18 “Come now, and let us reason together,”

Says the LORD,

“Though your sins are like scarlet,

They shall be as white as snow;

Though they are red like crimson,

They shall be as wool.

19 If you are willing and obedient,

You shall eat the good of the land;

20 But if you refuse and rebel,

You shall be devoured by the sword”;

For the mouth of the LORD has spoken. Isaiah 1:10-20


Isaiah called the people of Judah Sodom and Gomorrah. He told them of the futility of their temple rites, and He spoke of their receiving the grace and cleansing from sins that can only come from a heart directed to the Lord. What Isaiah laid out at the beginning of his book, John sums up in a single sentence in Revelation.


Life application: These names and descriptions for Jerusalem are given, but they could have been avoided – simply by heeding the call of the two witnesses. But by rejecting their words, the same thing will come upon them as came upon both Sodom and Egypt – great punishment and judgment.


The same is true with the world today. We have two great witnesses already – the two testaments of Scripture. They stand together as a unified body of writing that witnesses to God’s working out the redemptive narrative for fallen man. It is this marvelous book, the Holy Bible, that calls out to us to turn to God and receive His offer of pardon, restoration, and forgiveness. This book calls out for us to turn to JESUS.


O Lord, even in the face of the great plan of redemption for us that You have so carefully laid out in the pages of Scripture, the people of the world have rejected its testimony. Thus, they have rejected You. We have Your complete revelation in the pages of the Bible and yet most people ignore it, shun it, and openly revile against it. Lord, open hearts and minds to the precious truth of Your word – the word that tells us of Your loving grace, given through Jesus. Amen.

[schwartzie]

Daily Bible Verse, Revelation 11:9, 12 February 2021

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Friday, 12 February 2021


Then those from the peoples, tribes, tongues, and nations will see their dead bodies three-and-a-half days, and not allow their dead bodies to be put into graves. Revelation 11:9


The previous verse noted that the dead bodies of the two witnesses will lie in the street of the great city (certainly speaking of Jerusalem). Now John says, “Then those from the peoples, tribes, tongues, and nations.” This is an all-encompassing thought that could be spiritualized, but today there is no need to do so. In the past, such a thought could be conveyed as well, as a message went out from one nation to another by courier, but that would take an extraordinary amount of time.


However, a long amount of time is not available with what this verse next conveys. John says that these many categories “will see their dead bodies three-and-a-half days.” At the time of John, seeing something meant within the distance of the human eye, or maybe as a depiction in a drawing. However, John’s words clearly convey that people from all over the world would be able to see these dead bodies all at once, and for a period of three-and-a-half days.


Unless this timeframe is somehow spiritualized, it would be impossible to think this could happen at John’s time, or at any time up to the present generation. And yet, with the advent of the internet, smart phones, live-streaming, and so on, this is not only possible, but it is what one would naturally expect for a such an event. Something like “The Two Witnesses” live webcam could have been broadcasting during the entire time of the witnessing. Upon their deaths, it would continue to run. With these two “enemies” of the state now dead, John says that the people of the world will “not allow their dead bodies to be put into graves.”


In the Middle East, as elsewhere in hot sunny climates (assuming it is the warm time of the year), it is important to bury bodies quickly due to the effects of decay. However, the world will be happy to have these men lie open and exposed as they rejoice in their perceived triumph over them and over the message they proclaimed. As they claimed they were speaking on behalf of the Lord, the thought will be that of triumph over Him.


The words of this verse show a world filled with wickedness, as they jointly deny these two the respect of burial.


Life application: This verse does not prove John was referring to modern technology, such as TV, live-streaming, and so on. However, it does suggest it. Because these things are now a normal part of everyday society, it is easy to see how what John relays to us certainly matches the world as it now is.


Those who deny that Revelation is written for our time might say that the categories of people mentioned in this verse were simply pilgrims to Jerusalem and were thus representative of the known world at the time. However, it is no longer necessary to look at the events in such a manner. The description of the armies in Chapter 9 clearly point to modern armies. As this is certain, there is no reason to take what is stated in these verses as anything but literal as well. They exactingly match what is now possible in the world today.


As this is so, it shows that we are probably very near to the time in which these events will come about. That, in turn, tells us that we are even nearer to the coming of the rapture. Each day draws us nearer to the day we will be called home to be with JESUS!


Lord God, we surely live during exciting times. It is wonderful to think of the blessing of living in this age and seeing the things that people of the past could not have even imagined. And yet, we also now face new types of trials and frustrations unknown to those of the past. Our lives are hurried, and our days are overloaded. Help us to focus on what is most important, which is our relationship with You. Help us to not be distracted from that! Amen.

[schwartzie]

Daily Bible Verse, Revelation 11:10, 13 February 2021

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Saturday, 13 February 2021


And those who dwell on the earth will rejoice over them, make merry, and send gifts to one another, because these two prophets tormented those who dwell on the earth. Revelation 11:10


The previous verses noted the killing of the two witnesses. It then mentioned that they were left in the street for three- and one-half days with the whole world able to see it. From there, John says, “And those who dwell on the earth will rejoice over them, make merry.” The verbs are actually in the present tense in order to make the scene more graphic – “And those who dwell on the earth rejoice over them and make merry.”


John is describing the future in his words as if it is happening as he writes. It is understood that when someone’s foes are defeated, there is a sense of elation. In the case of these two witnesses, they were the enemy because the world hated the convicting message they spoke out. With that testimony ended, the world at large goes into a party of jubilation. Along with that, John says they will “send gifts to one another.”


The verb here is in the future tense, “and will send gifts to one another.” The change from the present to the future tense seems to convey a sense of revulsion by John – “They do this and this and then they will even do this.”


The sending of gifts is a middle eastern way of showing elation. For example, it is found in Nehemiah 8:10 –

“Then he said to them, ‘Go your way, eat the fat, drink the sweet, and send portions to those for whom nothing is prepared; for this day is holy to our Lord. Do not sorrow, for the joy of the Lord is your strength.’”


It is also seen in Esther 9 when the Jews gained victory over their own enemies –

“But the Jews who were at Shushan assembled together on the thirteenth day, as well as on the fourteenth; and on the fifteenth of the month they rested, and made it a day of feasting and gladness. 19 Therefore the Jews of the villages who dwelt in the unwalled towns celebrated the fourteenth day of the month of Adar with gladness and feasting, as a holiday, and for sending presents to one another.” Esther 9:18, 19


Likewise, when the world thinks it has gained the final victory, they will send gifts “because these two prophets tormented those who dwell on the earth.”


The word translated as “tormented” signifies to examine by torture. It can be literal or figuratively applied. The sense here is the same as in 2 Peter 2:8 where it speaks of Lot's righteous soul being tormented by the wicked conduct around him. Where wickedness dwells, the soul of the righteous is tormented. And where righteousness is proclaimed, the souls of the wicked are tormented. This is the sense of what is being conveyed now. The earth wants to follow its own perverse path, but the call out – by the two witnesses – brings about unwanted conviction.


Life application: In John 16:20, Jesus said to his disciples – “Most assuredly, I say to you that you will weep and lament, but the world will rejoice; and you will be sorrowful, but your sorrow will be turned into joy.” The world rejoices when it seems that God’s plans are thwarted or defeated. It has always been this way, and it will continue on during the tribulation period. But what the world does not stop to consider: God is God, and He is above His creation. He knows what will occur – from beginning to end.


What may seem to be a defeat to us may still be a part of His plan. If so, it comes about because He determines it to be that way. This is a trick people. Instead, it is proof of His sovereignty over what happens. This is because He will tell, in advance, concerning what and how things will happen. When those things come about, we can then know that it was because He directed the events. Such is true with the entire redemptive narrative. God promised He would restore man to paradise, and He shall do so. And that promise is centered on the giving of His Son. The promise is fulfilled through our Lord JESUS.


Heavenly Father, it truly is heartbreaking to stand back and see people rejoice over deeds of evil and wickedness. There is a sense that there is no control at all left in the world. However, we know there is, and we know that it is found in You. Help us to change hearts and minds through the gospel of Jesus before judgment falls and it is too late for these wayward souls. Amen.

[PrisonerOfHope]

Daily Bible Verse, Revelation 11:11, 14 February 2021

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Sunday, 14 February 2021


Now after the three-and-a-half days the breath of life from God entered them, and they stood on their feet, and great fear fell on those who saw them. Revelation 11:11


In the previous verse, John noted that those who dwell on the earth rejoiced over the death of the two witnesses. However, he now says, “Now after the three- and one-half days the breath of life from God entered them.”


The world saw and heard the witness, the prophecy, and the miraculous signs, wonders, and plagues of the two witnesses. However, they disregarded them, fought against them, and eventually killed them. After this, they shamelessly let them lie dead in the streets of Jerusalem for three- and one-half days. The bodies will certainly be in a state of decay and, knowing the way things are handled at such times, people will also probably abuse the dead bodies as well. However, their shameless conduct, along with their gloating, parties, and celebrations, will be short-lived. After this period, the “breath of life from God” will enter them.


If these two witnesses are Enoch and Elijah, meaning real people and not something being spoken of in metaphor, it seems incredible to even imagine. However, such an event is not without biblical precedent –

Then Jesus, again groaning in Himself, came to the tomb. It was a cave, and a stone lay against it. 39 Jesus said, “Take away the stone.”

Martha, the sister of him who was dead, said to Him, “Lord, by this time there is a stench, for he has been dead four days.”

40 Jesus said to her, “Did I not say to you that if you would believe you would see the glory of God?” 41 Then they took away the stone from the place where the dead man was lying. And Jesus lifted up His eyes and said, “Father, I thank You that You have heard Me. 42 And I know that You always hear Me, but because of the people who are standing by I said this, that they may believe that You sent Me.” 43 Now when He had said these things, He cried with a loud voice, “Lazarus, come forth!” 44 And he who had died came out bound hand and foot with graveclothes, and his face was wrapped with a cloth. Jesus said to them, “Loose him, and let him go.” John 11:38-44


Lazarus really was dead for four days, and yet he was raised to life. From a biblical perspective, there is nothing impossible about the event now being conveyed in Revelation. This is because the God of the Bible is the Creator of all things. In His hand is the power to give life and to restore life. As for the two witnesses, it next says, “and they stood on their feet.”


The wording here carefully and precisely follows that which is recorded in Ezekiel 37 –

Also He said to me, “Prophesy to the breath, prophesy, son of man, and say to the breath, ‘Thus says the Lord God: “Come from the four winds, O breath, and breathe on these slain, that they may live.”’” 10 So I prophesied as He commanded me, and breath came into them, and they lived, and stood upon their feet, an exceedingly great army. Ezekiel 37:9, 10


First, the breath of life entered the nation, and then they stood upon their feet. Because of the symbolism, it is quite clear that the two accounts are being tied together for Israel to make the connection. Just as Israel was raised to life, became a nation again, and stands upon its feet, so have these two witnesses.


In fact, the death and resurrection of these two witnesses are to be considered the most powerful part of their mission for the evangelization of Israel. If they can see that the same Lord, who reestablished them as a nation, is also the Lord Jesus who these witnesses proclaimed, they will finally come to the point of calling out to Him. So incredible, however, will this event be that John finishes with, “and great fear fell on those who saw them.”


Again, whether two actual people or something else which is spoken of in metaphor, the event will be incredible. In viewing this, the whole world will fear greatly. It will be a clear indication that the God who was proclaimed by these two witnesses is, in fact, fully capable of doing anything. The assumed victory will be short-lived. This revivification of life will be the sign of their sure to come judgment.


Life application: The term “breath” and “spirit” are, at times, used synonymously in the Bible. They come from the same word in both the Hebrew and the Greek languages. The breath referred to here is surely the same breath mentioned at the creation of man in Genesis 2:7, “And the Lord God formed man of the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living being.” These two are given the reanimation of their bodies. The “breath of life from God” surely includes the fact that they are born of the Spirit.


Their resurrection then is an eternal one. They have triumphed over death because Jesus went before them and has granted them the same eternal life that He has. This is an implicit indication that the rapture has already occurred. These two witnesses, Enoch and Elijah, were taken to serve the Lord in Old Testament times and returned to earth to witness. These two came as witnesses to the fact that it is in Jesus Christ alone that true life is found. Their death and resurrection will testify to this.


Paul explains in 1 Thessalonians 4:16, 17 that “the dead in Christ will rise first. 17 Then we who are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And thus, we shall always be with the Lord.” These two are resurrected, demonstrating that the rapture is something that really happened, and the great delusion spoken of in 2 Thessalonians 2 was exactly that. People will be convinced that a “rapture” never happened somehow. This will be proven false by the resurrection of the two witnesses.


All of this may seem incredible, or even impossible from our earthly perspective, but it is what the Bible proclaims. Enoch and Elijah were taken by the Lord in the past, Lazarus was raised, and we too shall be raised to eternal life and raptured to eternal glory. The two witnesses will testify of the truth of God in Christ, they will die, and they will be resurrected. All of this is possible because we serve the Living God. We serve JESUS!


Thank You Lord for the great hope we as believers in Christ Jesus possess – the promise of eternal life through the resurrection of the dead! Why should we fear when we know that Jesus has already triumphed over death for us? We need never fear; our hope is secure in You! Hallelujah and Amen.

[PrisonerOfHope]

Daily Bible Verse, Revelation 11:12, 15 February 2021
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Monday, 15 February 2021


And they heard a loud voice from heaven saying to them, “Come up here.” And they ascended to heaven in a cloud, and their enemies saw them. Revelation 11:12


The two witnesses that were killed were brought back to life in the previous verse. There, it said that the breath of life from God entered them, and they stood on their feet. John now continues with the amazing words concerning them, saying, “And they heard a loud voice from heaven saying to them.”


A voice from heaven was last noted (twice) in Chapter 10. It now calls out again, this time directly to the two witnesses. One reason for taking these two witnesses as literal humans is this statement. If they are simply being used as metaphors of something not alive, it would be rather hard to understand why a voice is calling out to them.


It is true that they could be metaphors for categories of people, like Jews and Gentiles within the church, but that would mean that all of the believers on the planet would have been killed and left in the streets of Jerusalem for three- and one-half days. Such analyses are quickly found to be wanting. It is probably best to accept these as two literal people who have served the Lord all along (see comments on verse 11:4) and who are now being called out to after their deaths. With this thought in mind, the words of the voice are recorded, saying, “Come up here.”


In Revelation 4:1, this was recorded –

“After these things I looked, and behold, a door standing open in heaven. And the first voice which I heard was like a trumpet speaking with me, saying, ‘Come up here, and I will show you things which must take place after this.’”

As was seen, and which follows the carefully detailed timeline of Scripture, that was a picture of the rapture of the church. From chapters 1-3 the church was addressed, but after 4:1 – all the way up to chapter 19 – the church is never mentioned again. The world, however, was deceived into believing that no such thing as the rapture occurred. Paul explained in 2 Thessalonians 2:11, 12 that this deception would happen. The people of the world will be blinded to the truth of the rapture, and they will accept some cunningly crafted story instead.


But when these two witnesses are brought back to life, there will be no doubt about what they have seen. In the same call as the church received, “Come up here,” they will be gathered to the Lord. And it will be in a similar fashion to the rapture as well, just as Paul explains –

“For this we say to you by the word of the Lord, that we who are alive and remain until the coming of the Lord will by no means precede those who are asleep. 16 For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of an archangel, and with the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first. 17 Then we who are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And thus we shall always be with the Lord.” 1 Thessalonians 4:15-17


The comparison to the rapture as is being described by John now is purposeful. He continues saying, “And they ascended to heaven in a cloud.” Believers in Christ will be gathered to the Lord in the twinkling of an eye (1 Corinthians 15:50-52). It will be an immediate change from a state of death (Paul calls it “sleep”) for those who have passed, or a change from this earthly life to a new and eternal life for those who are still alive at the Lord’s coming. This will be so sudden and abrupt that it will allow for the great delusion to occur. However, the words of Scripture testify of the event. When the two witnesses are raised to life and taken to heaven, it will be a witness that such things are possible and that those who failed to believe after the rapture were without excuse. With the ascension of these two witnesses, the end will come. The timeline is referred to by Paul –

“But each one in his own order: Christ the firstfruits, afterward those who are Christ’s at His coming. 24 Then comes the end, when He delivers the kingdom to God the Father, when He puts an end to all rule and all authority and power.” 1 Corinthians 15:23, 24


This is the general order of things. Christ was raised. Christ will come for His church. The end will come. Paul was giving an overall summary of the timeline, not every detail. The ascension of the two witnesses comes three- and one-half years after the rapture of the church. The way it occurs here in Revelation 11 does not match Paul’s description in 1 Corinthians or 1 Thessalonians.


The ascension of the two witnesses is the conclusion of the matter though, because after that occurs, the time of the end will be at hand. Again, Paul’s words form an overall summary that is supplemented with greater detail elsewhere, both in his words and those of John in Revelation. With this understood, the verse closes out with, “and their enemies saw them.”


Unlike the rapture, which will be instantaneous, this is a visible event. Such events are recorded in Scripture to stand as a witness to the fact that it truly occurred, and those who beheld it could be confident of what they saw. It happened at the taking of Elijah in 2 Kings 2, it happened at the ascension of the Angel of the Lord in Judges 13, and so forth. It also happened in Acts 1 at the ascension of the Lord Jesus. Interestingly, it is probable that these two witnesses who are now being called to heaven after their resurrection were there at that time (meaning Enoch and Elijah) –

“Now when He had spoken these things, while they watched, He was taken up, and a cloud received Him out of their sight. 10 And while they looked steadfastly toward heaven as He went up, behold, two men stood by them in white apparel, 11 who also said, ‘Men of Galilee, why do you stand gazing up into heaven? This same Jesus, who was taken up from you into heaven, will so come in like manner as you saw Him go into heaven.’” Acts 1:9-11


The raising and ascension of these two witnesses is not a picture of the rapture of the church. Instead, it is a sign to the people of the world that the words of Scripture concerning the rapture of the church were true. Rather than believing the word of God, most will have believed the lie.


Life application: These two men, most probably Enoch and Elijah, were taken directly to heaven to serve the Lord for the past thousands of years. If so, they were there with Him in the Old Testament, they were probably the two with Him at His ascension, and they will testify concerning Him at the end of the present age. Eventually, they too will be taken up in a cloud just as their Lord was. Imagine the stories these two men have concerning their service to the Lord!


But imagine the stories you too can have, right now, for the service of the Lord. The results of your judgment for rewards and loss at the Bema Seat of Christ is totally up to you. As long as you are alive, you still have a chance to do GREAT THINGS for the Lord. What may seem like a small thing can have immense effects.


If you give to a church or missionary, they may – in turn – bring many to Christ, build up and train believers, and so on. If you pray for the lost, your prayers may be responded to in a manner that will bring about the event that brings them to Christ. Doing something great for the Lord may involve helping out with the writing or editing of commentaries or sermons for your pastor. It may be that you can help with uploading sermons to the internet. Each of these things may seem insignificant, but the results of them may be enormous.


And remember that each and everything you do should be with one overall purpose – to reveal to a lost and dying world the majesty of the Lord, our Lord, JESUS!

Lord, the way you have tied things together in Scripture is simply astonishing. The small clues you have placed throughout the pages of Your word lead to immensely interesting patterns and parallels. They also testify to Your faithfulness to Your people. When the world is judged, Your people have nothing to fear. At the same time, the world at large will have no excuses. Hallelujah! Thank You, O Lord. Amen.

[PrisonerOfHope]

Daily Bible Verse, Revelation 11:13, 16 February 2021
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Tuesday, 16 February 2021


In the same hour there was a great earthquake, and a tenth of the city fell. In the earthquake seven thousand people were killed, and the rest were afraid and gave glory to the God of heaven. Revelation 11:13


In the previous verse, the two witnesses ascended to heaven in a cloud. With that event complete, it now says, “In the same hour there was a great earthquake.” The Greek reads, “In the hour there was…” It is a way of showing that the two events are connected and not merely coincidence. It is the same thought that is conveyed in Matthew at Christ’s death –

“And Jesus cried out again with a loud voice, and yielded up His spirit.

51 Then, behold, the veil of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom; and the earth quaked, and the rocks were split.” Matthew 27:50, 51

And again, at Christ’s resurrection –

“And behold, there was a great earthquake; for an angel of the Lord descended from heaven, and came and rolled back the stone from the door, and sat on it.” Matthew 28:2


The earthquakes coinciding with such major events are to alert those who experience them that they are more than chance events, they are perfectly time events to confirm they are of God. With the coming of the earthquake, it then says, “and a tenth of the city fell.” Of the number ten, EW Bullinger states –

“It has been already pointed out that ten is one of the perfect numbers, and signifies the perfection of Divine order, commencing, as it does, an altogether new series of numbers. The first decade is the representative of the whole numeral system, and originates the system of calculation called ‘decimals,’ because the whole system of numeration consists of so many tens, of which the first is a type of the whole. Completeness of order, marking the entire round of anything, is, therefore, the ever-present signification of the number ten. It implies that nothing is wanting; that the number and order are perfect; that the whole cycle is complete.”


As Bullinger notes, “the first decade is the representative of the whole numeral system.” In a tenth of the city falling, it is revealing that the whole is judged. An example of a tenth representing the whole is the Old Covenant system of tithing. The first tenth is representative of the whole. The idea here is the “judgment has come upon the whole.” With that understood, John next says, “In the earthquake seven thousand people were killed.”


The Greek reads, “names of men.” It is a way of positively identifying those of a set number rather than a rounded number. It is the same number that was claimed by the Lord at the time of Elijah. In 1 Kings 19:18, the Lord said to him, “Yet I have reserved seven thousand in Israel, all whose knees have not bowed to Baal, and every mouth that has not kissed him.” Surprisingly, a liberal newspaper in Israel, Ha’Aretz, reported in 2018 that this exact number is anticipated to die in a major earthquake. The title of the article says, “Minister: Major Earthquake in Israel Could Kill 7,000.”


It should be noted that it says a tenth of the city was destroyed, but it doesn’t say that seven thousand is a tenth of the people. The facts stand alone, but they are connected by the event. The number seven is the number of spiritual perfection. Thus, whether seven thousand are reserved by the Lord (as in the days of Elijah), or seven thousand are killed at the time of the earthquake, it is a spiritually perfect claim by God on the whole. Because of what occurs, John then says, “and the rest were afraid and gave glory to the God of heaven.”


The meaning of this is that they recognized God’s hand in what has occurred and acknowledged it as such. It cannot mean that all of them will turn to God and believe unto salvation. Later in Revelation, it will explicitly say that any who take the mark of the beast cannot be saved (vs. 20:4). For any who take the mark, there can only be condemnation. For those who do not, they can turn to God through belief in Christ and be saved.


Life application: God has given His word to us to lead us back to Himself. However, many carelessly fail to pick it up and read it. However, He will also work through natural events to wake people up by His judgments. Tragedy, in one form or another, has a way of causing people to seek out God and have a proper relationship with Him. If this results in a person turning his heart to the Lord, then the tragedy was worth it. In the end, no tragedy is worse than dying apart from God’s one and only means of restoration with Him. And that means is through His Mediator, our Lord JESUS.


Lord God, we in the world find every reason to ignore you and Your obvious call to us through the written testimony in Your word. Therefore, judgment is often the only remedy. Because this is so, and because it will bring You glory, let Your judgment come so that You may receive what we have otherwise failed to give. Amen.

[PrisonerOfHope]

Daily Bible Verse, Revelation 11:14, 17 February 2021

Wednesday, 17 February 2021



The second woe is past. Behold, the third woe is coming quickly. Revelation 11:14



With the ascension of the two witnesses, followed by the great earthquake in Jerusalem, John now says, “The second woe is past.” With the first two woes complete, there is one more to come. The world has not woken up from the spiritual darkness they are in. Because of this, there will be more judgment before the tribulation period is over. With that understood, John next says, “Behold, the third woe is coming quickly.”



When it says “quickly,” it doesn’t necessarily mean “immediately.” It means that when it comes, it will be sudden and abrupt. In the Revelation narrative, there is going to be a lengthy delay in the sequence of judgments. The next set, the bowl judgments, will not be introduced until Chapter 15, and they will not be poured out until Chapter 16. In the meantime, there will be more interludes to analyze.



Life application: Looking over commentaries of the past, there is an amazing diversity of opinion about the meaning of the events that are given in Revelation. Depending on one’s view of Scripture and the role of the church in history, some have seen all these events directed at the Jewish nation culminating in the destruction of the temple in AD70 (preterism). In this view, prophecy is complete. Other than the return of Jesus, the church is the center of all attention throughout history. Others take that a step further and say that all prophecy is complete, even including the return of Jesus (hyper preterism – a heresy).



Some see these events and their resulting judgments directed at the Roman Catholic Church and/or other historical figures as the narrative unfolds in history. Subsects and cults have invariably inserted themselves into the narrative, claiming they are the center of the presentation. Within these views, there are innumerable varied interpretations as well.



However, and has been clearly seen, these events are future, not fulfilled in the past or progressively unfolding in history. Israel of the future is the key to understanding coming prophecy. Unfortunately, for most of the church age, it was assumed that the church had replaced Israel (replacement theology) and that it alone was to be the center of prophecy.



Why would this be the case? The answer is that the Old Testament makes innumerable prophecies that had not been fulfilled. These were directed to Israel, and yet Israel was destroyed, and the people were scattered all over the world. It could not be conceived by the church that Israel would ever again hold a notable position within the world. Because of this, the church assumed that the unfulfilled prophecies were to be spiritually fulfilled in the church.



In Romans 11, Paul speaks of blindness coming upon Israel (meaning blindness toward who Jesus is) until the fullness of the Gentiles has come in. What the church has failed to see is that this time of blindness in Israel has been matched with its own time of blindness toward Israel. With Israel regathered, and with the nations lining up in the exact manner that the Old Testament prophecies revealed, it has become clear that replacement theology is simply incorrect.



The Lord has remained faithful to Israel despite Israel’s unfaithfulness to Him. The promises and prophecies will be fulfilled. Israel will receive her Messiah, and He will return to them after the woes of Revelation are complete. He will never let a word of His word fail because He is JESUS!



O God, thank You for allowing us to peer into your word and discover the riches of Your unfolding plan. In recent history, we have seen that it does include the faithful keeping of Your covenant with Israel. After a seemingly endless dispersion, they are back where You promised they would be, and the church is in the state Your word says it would be in these final days. Your word is trustworthy and sure. Now, we await the culmination of the ages and the return of Jesus. May that day be soon! Amen.

[PrisonerOfHope]

Daily Bible Verse, Revelation 11:15, 18 February 2021

Revelation 11:15

Thursday, February 18th, 2021 



Then the seventh angel sounded: And there were loud voices in heaven, saying, “The kingdoms of this world have become the kingdoms of our Lord and of His Christ, and He shall reign forever and ever!” Revelation 11:15



The last verse mentions that the second woe, which came at the blowing of the sixth trumpet, was past. It then said that the third woe is coming quickly. Now it says, “Then the seventh angel sounded.” This means the third and final woe is to be ushered in. That was noted in verse 8:13 –



“And I looked, and I heard an angel flying through the midst of heaven, saying with a loud voice, ‘Woe, woe, woe to the inhabitants of the earth, because of the remaining blasts of the trumpet of the three angels who are about to sound!’”



As noted in the previous verse, however, the word “quickly” does not necessarily mean “immediately.” In relation to the biblical narrative, there is an extended set of interludes before the pouring out of the bowl judgments. To open up those various scenes, John next says, “And there were loud voices in heaven.”



This is the exact opposite of the loosing of the seventh seal. At that time, it said, “there was silence in heaven for about half an hour.” What is interesting is that the seventh trumpet is a trumpet of woe and of judgment on earth, and yet for now there is silence. On the other hand, the voices in heaven resound.



We are not told whose voices are heard, but it is possible that they are the voices of the four living creatures. This is because in verses 4:9 & 10 it says, “Whenever the living creatures give glory and honor and thanks to Him who sits on the throne, who lives forever and ever, 10 the twenty-four elders fall down before Him who sits on the throne and worship Him who lives forever and ever, and cast their crowns before the throne…”



The response to the voices now heard will be recorded in the coming verse. Whoever’s voices they are, John records them as “saying, ‘The kingdoms of this world have become the kingdoms of our Lord and of His Christ.’”



Here, manuscripts vary saying either “kingdom” or “kingdoms.” If the singular is correct, it would mean that the kingdom of Satan that held sway over the entire world has now moved to the authority of Jesus. If the plural, it would be referring to the many dominions of the world now falling under the authority of the Lord. Either way, the sense of total rule and spiritual dominion has moved to that of Jesus.



Saying “our Lord” speaks of the ownership rights of Jesus. He is the master of all. Saying “and of His Christ” refers to the anointed status of Jesus as the rightful Heir. The term, “the Lord’s Christ,” was used to indicate this in Luke 2:26. This follows on from the Old Testament term, “the Lord’s Anointed,” and it gives the sense of what is now conveyed. For example, Psalm 2 says –



“The kings of the earth set themselves,

And the rulers take counsel together,

Against the Lord and against His Anointed, saying,

3 ‘Let us break Their bonds in pieces

And cast away Their cords from us.’” Psalm 2:2, 3



The idea is also conveyed in Psalm 110 –



“The Lord said to my Lord,

‘Sit at My right hand,

Till I make Your enemies Your footstool.’” Psalm 110:1



Jesus is “His Anointed” and He is the “Lord.” John’s words assure the reader that Jesus has reclaimed full authority over what was lost at the fall, “and He shall reign forever and ever!” The term “forever and ever” is from the Greek phrase “to the ages of the ages.” It reflects eternity itself and is something that has no end. The authority of Christ over the earth is complete, absolute, and eternal. What was lost will never be lost again.



Life application: What might seem confusing is that this cry is made before the third woe. In other words, there is still rebellion, judgment, and destruction coming. However, this is an anticipatory trumpet and it includes the seven bowl judgments. It encompasses what is yet ahead.



Remembering what just occurred concerning the resurrection of the two witnesses, there can be no doubt about God’s promises or about the truth of His word at this point, and so before the bowl judgments come, the proclamation is made.



Also, the seventh trumpet here is not the “last trumpet” Paul refers to when speaking about the rapture. That trumpet was a trumpet of the church age and was one of salvation. This trumpet is during the Tribulation period and is one of woe and more coming judgment. However, despite the coming trials, the victory is assured.



Each part of the unfolding narrative tells us that God has a plan, that it is being worked out, and that it cannot be thwarted. Things are stated as a certainty at various points in redemptive history because those things are certain. For example, Paul tells believers in Ephesians 2:6 that God “raised us up together, and made us sit together in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus.”



In other words, even though we are still in the world, living out our earthly lives, in God’s mind, we are already raised up and seated in the heavenly places. This is the note that is conveyed concerning the certainty of Christ’s position that is found in this verse of Revelation. The thing is accomplished, and the victory is won. The Lord’s Christ shall reign forever and ever because He is JESUS!



Victory belongs to our Lord. His kingdom will reign on earth forever and ever. But how wonderful it is to know that, even now, we can participate in that glorious kingdom! Oh God, You have offered peace and reconciliation to the people of the world through the shed blood of Jesus. Thank You, O God, for the victory of our Lord over the cross of Calvary! Hallelujah and Amen.

[PrisonerOfHope]

Daily Bible Verse, Revelation 11:16, 19 February 2021
Friday, February 19th, 2021 5 Comments





Friday, 19 February 2021



And the twenty-four elders who sat before God on their thrones fell on their faces and worshiped God, Revelation 11:16



In the previous verse, it was noted that “there were loud voices in heaven.” The source of those voices was not stated, but it was surmised that they were possibly the voices of the four living creatures around the throne. The reason for assuming this was found in verses 4:9 & 10, which state, “Whenever the living creatures give glory and honor and thanks to Him who sits on the throne, who lives forever and ever, 10 the twenty-four elders fall down before Him who sits on the throne and worship Him who lives forever and ever, and cast their crowns before the throne.”



That exact reaction of the elders is now stated in this verse, saying, “And the twenty-four elders who sat before God on their thrones fell on their faces and worshiped God.” This may be in response to the voices of the four living creatures giving “glory and honor and thanks to Him who sits on the throne, who lives forever and ever.”



What these elders will say comes in the next two verses, but before citing those words, it would be good to review what they said in the same such instances from chapters 4 & 5 –



Rev 4:11 – “You are worthy, O Lord, To receive glory and honor and power; For You created all things, And by Your will they exist and were created.”



Rev 5:9, 10 – “You are worthy to take the scroll, And to open its seals; For You were slain, And have redeemed us to God by Your blood Out of every tribe and tongue and people and nation, And have made us kings and priests to our God; And we shall reign on the earth.”



As is noted, the first time they fell before the Lord in praise it was based on the Lord’s creative power – “For You created all things and by your will they exist and were created.” The next time their phrase was based on Jesus’ act of redemption – “For You were slain, and have redeemed us to God by Your blood.” These things have followed a pattern. Such will be the case with their coming words as well. Before analyzing those coming words, what do you think will be the reason these twenty-four elders fall down before the Lord in the coming verses? Stay tuned and we will analyze them together.



Life application: Paying attention to the terminology of phases, such as the utterances of the twenty-four elders will help you see and understand the plan of God unfolding before your eyes. Everything in Scripture is connected, and so it is good to step back and look at the word from a wide-angle lens, and then focus on the details as well. Neglecting one aspect or another will cause you to miss some of the marvelous intricacies of the word. So keep studying! Keep reading! Keep meditating on this precious word. It contains words of life because it speaks of JESUS!



What a wonderful and beautifully unfolding plan You have laid out in the pages of Your word! Thank You for opening up these passages for us and showing us the great heavenly scenes which even the angels participate in! How blessed we are when we simply open Your word and look at its structure and beauty! Thank You, O Lord, Amen.

[schwartzie]

Daily Bible Verse, Revelation 11:17, 20 February 2021
Revelation 11:17

Saturday, February 20th, 2021

“We give You thanks, O Lord God Almighty,

The One who is and who was and who is to come,

Because You have taken Your great power and reigned. Revelation 11:17



This verse begins the doxology of the twenty-four elders who have fallen on their faces to worship God. In this act, they are “saying: ‘We give You thanks, O Lord God Almighty.’” The verb, though a common one in the gospels and epistles, is found only here in Revelation. It is eucharisteó, and it signifies to be thankful.



Here, in Revelation 11, we have an interesting parallel to John 11.The eleventh letter of the Hebrew aleph-bet. The eleventh letter, kaph, pictures an open palm, and it signifies “bend,” “open,” “allow,” and “tame.” In this chapter is found the modeh anakhnu, Hebrew for “We give you thanks,” that would certainly be accompanied by the open, outstretched palms of the worshippers.



John 11 corresponds to this in Jesus’ words of John 11:41, “I give you thanks,” or modeh ani in Hebrew. In John 11, it is the same Greek word as here, eucharisteó. Both chapters also have the return of life from the dead. In John 11, it is Lazarus. In Revelation 11, it is the two witnesses. Jesus’ prayer of thanks to the Father precedes the raising of Lazarus. The twenty-four elders’ prayer of thanks to the Lord God Almighty follows the raising of the two witnesses.



Here, the term “Lord God Almighty” is repeated from verse 4:8 which was referring to Jesus on the throne. The term “Almighty” (Greek: pantokratór) was first claimed by Jesus in Revelation 1:8. That is next followed by the words, “The One who is and who was and who is to come.”



Again, it is an expression spoken concerning Jesus in verses 1:4, 1:8, and 4:8 as well. To more fully understand the expression, reviewing the explanatory comments from Chapter 1 will help. Of the Lord on the throne, the elders next call out, “Because You have taken Your great power and reigned.”



This is the main theme of the doxology – authority to rule. The Eternal One (who is and who was and who is to come) is the Creator. He is before His creation. His presence is above and yet in His creation, directing it. And He ever shall be, as He rules His creation.



Just as we move into the future, live in the present, and look back on the past, we also anticipate God’s revelation. We live moment by moment in His revelation, and continuously look back and learn from the things He has revealed.



This is noted by the chorus of the twenty-four elders in saying “You have taken Your great power and reigned.” In analyzing the three doxologies that have been given, the logical sequence of this heavenly scene goes from Creation to Redemption and then to the Authority to Rule –



First doxology, Revelation 4: Creation (And by Your will they exist and were created).

Second doxology, Revelation 5: Redemption (And have redeemed us to God by Your blood).

Third doxology, Revelation 11: Authority to Rule (Because You have taken Your great power and reigned).



In Matthew 4, we read this account between the devil and Jesus –



“Again, the devil took Him up on an exceedingly high mountain, and showed Him all the kingdoms of the world and their glory. 9 And he said to Him, ‘All these things I will give You if You will fall down and worship me.’” Matthew 4:8, 9



Jesus didn’t question the devil’s authority over the world. That dominion was lost at the fall of man, but Jesus regained the authority in His work on the cross. Now that authority is being exercised as the final judgments on the earth are being readied in anticipation of His millennial reign.



Life application: The term pantokratór, used when speaking of Jesus, is equivalent to the Lord of the hosts or Yehovah Sabaoth of the Old Testament. Jesus is the omnipotent Creator, Redeemer, and Ruler. He is sovereign over His creation and has full authority to reign. His purposes for man are being realized within His creation – the very creation He participated in when He walked among us.



This is the marvel of what God has done in the sending of His Son. We have rebelled against Him, we moved to the authority of the devil, but Jesus has destroyed the devil’s works and has regained full authority over all things. For those who come to God through Him, there will be a complete restoration of all things, and the glory that lies ahead is beyond our ability to even grasp. Let us wait patiently as the redemptive narrative unfolds. In due time, we will receive our reward. In due time, we will see JESUS!



Glorious and Almighty God! The story which You have planned and participated in is beyond our comprehension. You came and united to Your creation in the Person of Jesus Christ. You walked among us and shared in our humanity. How can we not give You all the praise and honor and glory You are due! Great are Your works among the children of men! Amen.

[PrisonerOfHope]

Daily Bible Verse, Revelation 11:18, 21 February 2021

Revelation 11:18

Sunday, February 21st, 2021 



The nations were angry, and Your wrath has come,

And the time of the dead, that they should be judged,

And that You should reward Your servants the prophets and the saints,

And those who fear Your name, small and great,

And should destroy those who destroy the earth. Revelation 11:18



The doxology of the twenty-four elders continues in this verse. It is a doxology of authority to rule, and because it is, it is a doxology that reveals the exercise of that rule, and that is revealed in several descriptive ways. The first is judgment, and is stated with the words, “The nations were angry, and Your wrath has come.”



The thought here is very well reflected in the 2nd Psalm. In the first verse, the raging of the nations is mentioned. From there, the authority of the Son, the Lord’s Anointed, is spoken of. From there, judgment and wrath are noted until the end of the psalm. This is then connected to Jesus’ words in John 3 which confirm that there is only one avenue to avoid the wrath of God –



“He who believes in the Son has everlasting life; and he who does not believe the Son shall not see life, but the wrath of God abides on him.” John 3:36



The immediate context that preceded this heavenly scene was that the two witnesses testified to the world. They were rejected and killed. Along with their being slain, the world rejoiced and sent gifts to one another. They acted as if they had gained the victory over God because they had gained victory over His witnesses. Because of the rejection of their message, a new phase in history is about to come into focus. This is revealed in the next words, “And the time of the dead, that they should be judged.”



This is the second aspect of Christ’s authority to rule: judgment. Due to the coming words, it appears that this is an overall judgment of humanity. Therefore, it is probably referring to the judgment recorded in Revelation 20:4-6 which precedes the millennium, and Revelation 20:11-15 which follows it. If this is so, then stating that the time for these things to come to pass means the sequence of events leading to them has allowed for them to occur, and they will happen in due time as prophesied. John next records, “And that You should reward Your servants the prophets and the saints.”



This would be the resurrection promised in Daniel 12:1-3 (and elsewhere), and then which is explicitly stated to Daniel in Daniel 12:13 –



“But you, go your way till the end; for you shall rest, and will arise to your inheritance at the end of the days.”



This judgment is known in Revelation 20:5 as “the first resurrection.” It is a resurrection of reward and for the granting of eternal life. John next notes it also speaks of the prophets and saints in another way, saying, “And those who fear Your name, small and great.”



These are surely not separate categories from the “prophets and saints,” but are rather descriptors of them. There are true prophets who fear the Lord’s name, and there are false prophets who do not. There are both small (average) people and great people who fear His name (His saints), and there are those who do not. These will receive their reward and inheritance. And then there are others who will be dealt with differently, as John next notes, “And should destroy those who destroy the earth.”



This is the third aspect of Christ’s authority to rule: punishment. Peter speaks of the “wages of unrighteousness” in 2 Peter 2:13. People earn punishment through their conduct. This is how a properly functioning society works, and it is how the heavenly court will be run. The details for this judgment are found in Revelation 20:11-15 (also noted above). This will be the “second death” referred to in Revelation 20:6 and 20:14. The result of that judgment is summed up in verse 20:15 –



“And anyone not found written in the Book of Life was cast into the lake of fire.”



Life application: As noted above, the anger of the nations is spoken of in the 2nd Psalm. Peter then quotes this psalm in Acts 4 indicating that Jesus and His work are the fulfillment of what David prophesied. However, the cross and the resurrection are not something that was fought against at only one point in history. Instead, the nations have continued to rage against the work of Christ since that time. This will come to its final state during the tribulation period.



As the world rejects what Jesus has done, God’s wrath is being stored up and will be poured out in great judgments. After this period of tribulation, there will come a 1000-year reign of Christ on earth. At both ends of this reign, there will be resurrections. Those prophets and saints who have gone before the time of the cross and those who died during the tribulation period will be a part of the first resurrection. This will include those who fear the Lord’s name, small and great. In other words, God looks for faith in His unfaithful creatures, so just a little bit will do.



Each will receive his rest and reward based on the faith he exercised in his walk of life. And in contrast to the saved, there will be judgment and destruction for those who destroy the earth.



This is probably not just speaking of the physical earth, but of the people of the earth as well. At times in the Bible, the term “the earth” is used in this way, speaking of the earth’s inhabitants. Those who destroy the lives and souls of people are striking out at God’s image-bearers, and their judgment will be harsh.



Jesus tells us of this in Matthew 18:6 – “Whoever causes one of these little ones who believe in Me to sin, it would be better for him if a millstone were hung around his neck, and he were drowned in the depth of the sea.”



Let us take heed to the words of Scripture and let us think soberly on what is being conveyed. All people are heading to one of only two possible ends – restoration with God and eternity in His presence, or dying apart from God’s pardon that has been offered through Christ Jesus. In the case of the latter, it means an eternal swim in the Lake of Fire. Let us do our best to get the word out. Let us be sure to tell all of the marvel of what God has done in the giving of His Son for our sins. Let us also be sure to never miss the chance to sing out praises and thanks to Him for the giving of JESUS!



Holy, just, true, and righteous are Your judgments, O God. You have given us every chance and opportunity to turn to You through the giving of Your Son. And You have not made it hard. Instead, all You ask is that we live by faith, even faith as small as a mustard seed. Help us to think rightly and to use our time wisely that we may be saved from the Day which is surely coming. Amen.

[PrisonerOfHope]

Daily Bible Verse, Revelation 11:19, 22 February 2021
Revelation 11:19

Monday, February 22nd, 2021 5 Comments




Then the temple of God was opened in heaven, and the ark of His covenant was seen in His temple. And there were lightnings, noises, thunderings, an earthquake, and great hail. Revelation 11:19



With the doxology of the twenty-four elders complete, John next says, “Then the temple of God was opened in heaven.” The translation is confused. It should rather say, “Then the temple of God in heaven was opened.” John is seeing a vision of the heavenly temple. And rather than the entire temple, this is referring to the Most Holy Place in the temple. This is the place where, in the earthly sanctuary, the Ark of the Covenant was set. It is the place where the Lord said He would dwell among Israel.



However, the book of Hebrews explains that the earthly sanctuary was only a type, or shadow, of the true sanctuary –



“Now this is the main point of the things we are saying: We have such a High Priest, who is seated at the right hand of the throne of the Majesty in the heavens, 2 a Minister of the sanctuary and of the true tabernacle which the Lord erected, and not man.


3 For every high priest is appointed to offer both gifts and sacrifices. Therefore it is necessary that this One also have something to offer. 4 For if He were on earth, He would not be a priest, since there are priests who offer the gifts according to the law; 5 who serve the copy and shadow of the heavenly things, as Moses was divinely instructed when he was about to make the tabernacle. For He said, “See that you make all things according to the pattern shown you on the mountain.” 6 But now He has obtained a more excellent ministry, inasmuch as He is also Mediator of a better covenant, which was established on better promises.” Hebrews 8:1-6



In other words, everything about the earthly sanctuary was given to represent a more perfect spiritual reality in heaven. To understand this, the entire series of sermons concerning the construction of the sanctuary, which is detailed in the book of Exodus, can be reviewed at the Superior Word website. This link will take you to all written Exodus sermons – superiorword.org/wp-content/uploads/study-pdfs/exodus-commentary-rev1.pdf


Every detail of its construction points to the Person and work of Jesus Christ. Therefore, what John is seeing is another revelation of Jesus Christ that points to spiritual truths. With this understanding, he next says, “and the ark of His covenant was seen in His temple.”



The ark of the covenant, in every detail, pictures Christ Jesus. Placed within it were the Ten Commandments, signifying that He is the embodiment of the law. The two poles picture the two testaments – the Old and the New. The mercy seat place on top of it pictures Christ, the place of propitiation for man. He is the spot where atonement is made, and where restoration is realized. And so on. This is only a small part of the typology that pointed to Christ.



Here, the significance of the ark being seen is based on the words of the doxology of the twenty-four elders. Their words spoke of the reigning authority of Christ, and of His judgments. As Christ is the embodiment of the law, He has full authority to judge according to the law. As He is the place of atonement, it is He who atones for the sins of those who are His. For those who are not His, their condemnation remains. In saying that the ark of the covenant is seen, it means that the basis for judgment – meaning the law – is now being presented. With that in mind, the verse and the chapter end with, “And there were lightnings, noises, thunderings, an earthquake, and great hail.”



The wording is similar to verses 4:5 and 8:5 –



lightnings, thunderings, and voices – 4:5

noises, thunderings, lightnings, and an earthquake – 8:5

lightnings, noises, thunderings, an earthquake, and great hail – 11:19



It can be seen that the number and types of events have increased. It is as if the wrath of God is increasing as the pages of Revelation continue to unfold. The terrifying events are similar to the great display that occurred when the Law of Moses was received on Mt. Sinai. The judgment on the world is based on this standard, which no one can meet. As Paul says in Romans 3:20 –



“Therefore by the deeds of the law no flesh will be justified in His sight, for by the law is the knowledge of sin.”



The law was given to show all people of the world their sinful state and that something more than our own works is needed, meaning the imputed righteousness of Christ. Here, the world has rejected this and will now be judged based on the standard set forth in the law. The world has rejected Christ’s imputed righteousness as testified to by the bringing forth of the ark. Only the saints who trust in Christ alone, and not on some other standard of righteousness, are to be saved. The rest will perish in their unrighteousness.



Life application: For any who are willing to call on Jesus, mercy will be granted. God is infinitely merciful, and He understands our failings. However, He is perfect in His being, and only perfection may be accepted by Him. This perfection cannot be attained by our own efforts because we are already imperfect. What we need is the perfection of Christ to cover us. This is why the Bible uses the term “in Christ.” It means just that. We are in Him, and when God looks at us, it is through the covering of His Son.



Let us be sure to let the world know this. The gospel is not merely one means of reconciliation with God. Rather, it is the ONLY means of reconciliation with Him. But in understanding our already fallen nature, we should be eternally grateful that God has even given us this one means of restoration. Yes, let us be forever grateful to God for the giving of JESUS!



O God, You have revealed to us the glory of Your Son and the magnificent work that He has accomplished for Adam’s fallen seed. How great, yes, how truly great You are. Thank You, O God, for the perfect and glorious Gift who is Jesus our Lord! May we be sure to tell the world of this wonderful means of restoration and forgiveness while there is still time. Amen.

[PrisonerOfHope]

Daily Bible Verse, Revelation 12:1, 23 February 2021

Tuesday, February 23rd, 2021 5 Comments


Now a great sign appeared in heaven: a woman clothed with the sun, with the moon under her feet, and on her head a garland of twelve stars. Revelation 12:1



Note for Chapter 12: The events portrayed in this chapter have been, and continue to be, used in an attempt to predict the future, such as the dating of the rapture. This is an incorrect, arrogant, and twisted approach to Scripture, and should be rejected by the follower of Christ, not pursued or applauded.



Regardless as to whether the evaluation of these verses by me is correct or not, it is certain that attempting to predict the dating of such future events is, in fact, wrong. Jesus indicates this in Acts 1. We are to allow God to work out the timing of future events according to His wisdom, and we are to not attempt to usurp the Lord by ignoring His words concerning such matters –



“It is not for you to know times or seasons which the Father has put in His own authority. 8 But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be witnesses to Me in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.” Acts 1:7, 8



Revelation 12:1 introduces a new interlude with beautiful symbolism of the workings of God through human history. During this display, in this and in the coming verses, there will be seven distinct characters and four different conflicts presented for contemplation.



In this verse, John begins with, “Now a great sign appeared in heaven.” The word “sign” is correct. It is from the Greek word sémeion, and it is something that represents something else. In other words, circumcision was given to Israel as a “sign.” It was to signify the coming of Christ who would “cut” the sin nature in man. Circumcision does not make a person righteous, but it rather anticipates righteousness. Thus, it is a “sign” of something to come.



Charles Ellicott rightly says of this word, “It is a sign which is seen: not a mere wonder, but something which has a meaning; it is not ‘a surprise ending with itself,’ but a signal to arrest attention, and possessing significance; there is ‘an idea concealed behind it.’”



Now, we first see “a great sign in heaven.” In Genesis 1:14, it says the heavenly lights were given “for signs and for seasons.” There, the Hebrew word oth is used, carrying the same general meaning as the Greek word used here. This is a clue that even the heavens declare the unfolding plan of God. The very order of the constellations carries His message and displays His wisdom. In Daniel 4:3, it is proclaimed, “How great are His signs!”



God has woven into the creation His workings in a way that reveals the message of redemption found in Jesus. Other types of signs we are given come from His word. They are symbolic messages which convey truths concerning reality. These are known as apocalyptic symbols.



In this verse, we begin to see one of them as John next describes the sign, saying, “a woman clothed with the sun.” To be “clothed” with something is to have that characteristic as one’s very nature. In the 104th Psalm, it says, “O Lord my God, You are very great: You are clothed with honor and majesty, Who cover Yourself with light as with a garment…”



This woman then bears the radiance of the sun. In Malachi 4:2, the coming Messiah is called “the Sun of righteousness.” John next continues the description saying, “with the moon under her feet.” The moon is the lesser light which rules the night, as is indicated in Genesis 1:16. It is also the sign of coming judgment when it is eclipsed.



During an eclipse, it turns a blood-red color – a sign used several times in the Bible in this way (Joel 2:31, Acts 2:20, and Revelation 6:12). The full moon shines during the nighttime. But the night is also the time Jesus said holds the power of darkness (Luke 22:53). And so even during times of darkness, the reflection of the sun on the moon provides illumination.



John finishes the verse by saying, “and on her head a garland of twelve stars.” The stars were explained in Genesis when Joseph (whose life is used in the Bible as a picture of Christ) had a dream. They represent the twelve sons (and thus the twelve tribes) of Israel (Genesis 37:9).



With these things in mind, we can evaluate who this woman represents. Three main figures have been proposed by past scholars – Mary, the mother of Jesus; the church; or the Jewish nation.



It is certainly not Mary. She was the human mother of Jesus who came from one of the tribes of Israel. Further, the corresponding symbolism in the chapter surely negates it being her.



The woman is also not the church. As will be seen in the coming verses, the woman will bring forth a Son, who is Jesus. The church did not bring forth Jesus. Only a bias against the nation of Israel (the Jewish people) could come to such a conclusion.



What seems most likely is that the woman represents the nation of Israel who brought forth the Messiah. Jesus was of the tribe of Judah from the nation of Israel. He is the glory of Israel shining forth and clothing the nation with His splendor. He is the One adorned by the twelve tribes of Israel. He is the One who stands over the night in both rule and judgment. He was born from Israel. He lived as a Jew under the Law of Moses. He died in fulfillment of that law while, at the same time, establishing a New Covenant for the house of Israel and the house of Judah (See Jeremiah 31:31) in His blood. He was resurrected as a Jew. And He will return to His people Israel and rule among them from Jerusalem during the millennial reign.



Therefore, Israel is the most reasonable interpretation for who the woman is.



Life application: The apocalyptic literature in the Bible is interpreted in an almost unlimited number of ways in order to suit the preconceived notions of the interpreter. What is presented here is a “best guess” of the symbolism presented based on what the Bible has revealed already. As noted, Joseph’s dream in Genesis revealed that the twelve stars reflected the twelve sons of Israel.



The main thing to remember is that the book of Revelation is given to reveal Jesus. The symbolism, even if interpreted incorrectly in one point or another, is always given for this main purpose. As this is absolutely certain, and as Jesus has explicitly told us that we will not be made aware of the times and seasons for the fulfillment of future events, let us not insert ourselves into the narrative, except as the Bible has already done so.



As members of the church, and as we know there will be a rapture, we can rightly say, “I know I will be raptured someday.” But when someone says, “I know when the rapture will be,” he has inserted himself into the narrative in a manner that Jesus has said will not happen. Therefore, that person is to be ignored. In the end, let us be patient and do as the Lord says for us to do. Let us be witnesses to the wonderful workings of God in Christ. Let us be witnesses for our precious Lord JESUS.



Lord God, Your word shows us that You have a plan, and that plan is being worked out carefully and precisely in the stream of time. You have shown that You will bring Your people to Yourself some wonderful day. But You have also given us work to do while we are here. Help us to be faithful to that calling, just as You are faithful in working out your plans. You are the God who will fulfill every promise You have made, and at just the right time. Praise You for Your faithfulness. Amen.

[PrisonerOfHope]

Daily Bible Verse, Revelation 12:2, 24 February 2021

Wednesday, February 24th, 2021 

Then being with child, she cried out in labor and in pain to give birth. Revelation 12:2



John’s vision of the woman, clothed with the sun, continues now, saying, “Then being with child.” The woman, who is believed to represent Israel (see the previous commentary), bears a son. This could be one of two circumstances. It could be Israel bringing forth the Messiah at the time of Christ’s first advent, or it could be Israel in the end times symbolically bringing forth Messiah (accepting Him as Messiah). More likely, it is the latter.



It is from a mother that a child is born. In other words, it is Israel who brought forth the Child who is the Redeemer and Lord. Jesus was not brought forth by the church. Instead, the church issued from His work at the cross. It is absurd to think the church brought forth Jesus.



The symbolism now being conveyed goes all the way back to Genesis 3:15 which is known as the Protoevangelium, or the “first Gospel.”



“And I will put enmity

Between you and the woman,

And between your seed and her Seed;

He shall bruise your head,

And you shall bruise His heel.” Genesis 3:15



The seed of the woman would be the one to destroy the devil’s work. In the physical sense, this was Mary in whose womb Christ was conceived, but Mary was of the seed of Israel and the line of David. It is this group of people who are symbolically represented by the woman. John next says, “she cried out in labor and in pain to give birth.”



This is a reference to Isaiah 26:17 which is speaking of Israel –



“As a woman with child

Is in pain and cries out in her pangs,

When she draws near the time of her delivery,

So have we been in Your sight, O Lord.”



The symbolism of Israel being the woman continues in Isaiah 66 –



“Before she was in labor, she gave birth;

Before her pain came,

She delivered a male child.

8 Who has heard such a thing?

Who has seen such things?

Shall the earth be made to give birth in one day?

Or shall a nation be born at once?

For as soon as Zion was in labor,

She gave birth to her children.” Isaiah 66:7, 8



Again, in Micah, it says –



“Be in pain, and labor to bring forth,

O daughter of Zion,

Like a woman in birth pangs.

For now you shall go forth from the city,

You shall dwell in the field,

And to Babylon you shall go.

There you shall be delivered;

There the Lord will redeem you

From the hand of your enemies.” Micah 4:10



The church is never said to be such an entity.



Life application: As noted in the previous verse, the words of this chapter of Revelation have been, and continue to be, used to predict the dating of end-times events. By looking to conjunctions in the stars and equating them with the symbolism in Revelation, people have scammed countless multitudes into believing they have determined a set date for events like the rapture, the second coming, and so on.



If you are presented with such an analysis, don’t waste your time on the video, and be sure not to waste your money on the book. The future will unfold exactly as God intends, and it will not be as they predict. Be sure of this. We are given a general outline of events so that when they happen, those who have experienced them will know it was of God. The only thing that happens when people insert themselves into the narrative in advance is that they damage other people’s faith, and they make themselves look stupid.



In the end, let us be patient and do as the Lord says for us to do. Let us be witnesses to the wonderful workings of God in Christ. Let us be witnesses for our precious Lord JESUS.



Heavenly Father, since the world began, You have spoken through Your holy prophets concerning the coming of the Messiah. And You have brought Him forth through Your beloved people Israel. And now all nations share in the rich heritage of the birth of Your Son – fully God and fully man. Thank You for what Christ Jesus means in our lives. We once again have restoration with you. Hallelujah and Amen.

[PrisonerOfHope]

Daily Bible Verse, Revelation 12:2, 25 February 2021
Thursday, 25 February 2021



And another sign appeared in heaven: behold, a great, fiery red dragon having seven heads and ten horns, and seven diadems on his heads. Revelation 12:3



John continues with the vision which began in verse 12:1. The woman clothed in the sun has cried out in labor and in pain, ready to give birth. After noting this, John continues, saying, “And another sign appeared in heaven.” This doesn’t mean a new vision, but another part of the same unfolding vision.



Being a “sign,” it is given to represent something else. In other words, the language is not to be taken as literal. Rather, what is seen is given as an allegory. Just as the woman is given as a picture of Israel, what is seen here is only a picture representing other things. As it is seen “in heaven,” it is representing spiritual matters. With that understood, John says, “behold, a great fiery red dragon.”



The word drakón, translated as “dragon,” is introduced into Scripture here. It will be seen thirteen times in Revelation. Of this word, HELPS Word Studies states –



“…properly ‘seeing one,’ used of mythical dragons (huge serpents) seeing their prey from far away; (figuratively) Satan (Rev 12:7,9) exercising his subtle (indirect) impact on heathen governments (powers) – i.e. accomplishing his hellish agenda from ‘behind the scenes.’”



As stated, this dragon can represent Satan, or it can represent the powers of Satan as worked out in governments. The same Greek word is found in the Greek translation of the Old Testament in the account of the serpent on the pole in Numbers 21. It is also used in Job 41:1, Isaiah 27:1, Jeremiah 51:34, and Ezekiel 29:3 – all in various ways. For example, in Ezekiel, it is used as a metaphor for Pharaoh, king of Egypt.



The description of it being “great” signifies that it is large and powerful. The color, translated as “fiery red,” was used in verse 6:4. This is its last use in Scripture. As seen then, the color being fiery red is overwhelmingly agreed upon to signify war, just as the planet Mars, the red planet, is a symbol of war. This probably isn’t coincidence as even from the first chapter of the Bible, the heavenly objects are meant “for signs and for seasons.” Planets and constellations are mentioned elsewhere in the Bible in this way.



Of this dragon, John next says it is “having seven heads.” The symbolism here is probably that of a group of nations. This type of apocalyptic literature was seen in the Old Testament writings, such as in Daniel 7. The dragon is a body of united governments, and the heads probably represent individual nations. From there, it says, “and ten horns.” Horns in Scripture signify power and authority. What is seen here is similar to the words of Daniel –



“After this I saw in the night visions, and behold, a fourth beast, dreadful and terrible, exceedingly strong. It had huge iron teeth; it was devouring, breaking in pieces, and trampling the residue with its feet. It was different from all the beasts that were before it, and it had ten horns. 8 I was considering the horns, and there was another horn, a little one, coming up among them, before whom three of the first horns were plucked out by the roots. And there, in this horn, were eyes like the eyes of a man, and a mouth speaking pompous words.” Daniel 7:7, 8



John next says, “and seven diadems on his heads.” The word translated as “diadem,” is diadéma. This is its first use in Scripture and it will be seen three times. It signifies a royal crown. HELPS Word Studies says –



“…referring to: a) the pagan empires of ancient history which opposed God (Rev 12:3); b) the end-times coalition led by Antichrist (Rev 13:1); and c) the infinite majesty (kingship) of Christ (Rev 19:12).”



Their analysis places this account in Revelation 12:3 as ancient history. This is a possibility. As this is apocalyptic literature, it could be a panorama of past history leading into the future, or it could be events that are yet ahead in the redemptive narrative. Those options will be explored in the verses ahead. For now, the symbolism appears to be –



A great, fiery red dragon – An entity filled with satanic influence, bent on war.

Having seven heads – Comprised of seven distinct nations.

And ten horns – Under the authority of ten powerful rulers.

And seven diadems on his heads – Seven of the entities are kingdoms or nations under a single leader rule.



Obviously, there is speculation as to the structure of this beast, but this gives a general outline of what it may be comprised of.



Life application: Jesus called the devil “a murderer from the beginning…” Right from the time of the creation of man, the devil set out to kill and destroy. In the Garden of Eden, he tempted man and caused death to enter the world when man believed his lies. He continues to deceive and destroy both individuals and nations. He does it by influencing people and nations as well.



The picture given here is a corporate body that has been established on earth and which has the intent of thwarting God’s purposes for the redemption of man. This redemption was promised all the way back in Genesis 3:15 and reflects the anticipated Messiah. From the beginning, and even until today, all of the devil’s efforts are to undermine what God has done in and through Christ.



But the devil is a created being. He is finite and limited. God is infinite and unlimited. There should be no fear that the devil can steal one of the redeemed of the Lord away. Such cannot occur. Once a person is saved by the blood of the Lamb, he is forever secure. Let us trust this and not be overcome with anxiety about the wiles of the devil. Let us put our hope, trust, and confidence in the Lord’s Christ. Let us fix our eyes on JESUS!



Oh God, no matter what the devil tries and no matter how fierce are his minions who work his evil, we know that You are infinitely greater. We know that Your plans and purposes for the restoration of all things will never be thwarted. Your book is written and the prophecies are given. We can watch them unfold with great surety that all will come about as stated! Amen.

[PrisonerOfHope]

Daily Bible Verse, Revelation 12:4, 26 February 2021

Friday, February 26th, 2021 4 Comments


His tail drew a third of the stars of heaven and threw them to the earth. And the dragon stood before the woman who was ready to give birth, to devour her Child as soon as it was born. Revelation 12:4



John now continues with his description of the vision before his eyes. In the previous verse, he described the great, fiery red dragon. He continues with that imagery now, saying, “His tail drew a third of the stars of heaven.”



Like in verse 6:13 and elsewhere, the meaning of the words “stars” is not intended to be taken literally. Rather, it is speaking of either heavenly beings, such as angels (thus these would be fallen angels), or it is speaking of humans in high positions, religious or otherwise. This is seen, for example, in Daniel 8:10. Regardless as to which is correct, John next says, “and threw them to the earth.”



Possibly these beings were in powerful, or exalted, positions and have been cast out of those positions. The dragon is probably a symbol of Satan’s power being worked out in a human government. As such, it would then mean that it has consolidated great power by removing people from their high positions. These “stars” could be either religious or political figures. Either way, the dragon has strengthened its own authority by removing these figures. In this strengthened position, it then says, “And the dragon stood before the woman who was ready to give birth.”



Again, the woman is Israel, not the church. If the dragon is speaking of an earthly system, the idea is that this great power is ready to act against Israel at the time of her giving birth. The reason for this is “to devour her Child as soon as it was born.”



Here, the translators have chosen to capitalize the word “Child,” thus they have interpreted this to indicate that it is Christ Jesus. The Greek word is teknon. It means a child, descendant, or even inhabitant. Such a child can be a fully grown person, such as is assumed to be the case in Matthew 9:2 –



“Then behold, they brought to Him a paralytic lying on a bed. When Jesus saw their faith, He said to the paralytic, ‘Son, be of good cheer; your sins are forgiven you.’”



In that verse in Matthew, the word “son,” is the Greek word teknon. John uses the term numerous times in his epistles when speaking of believers in Christ. Thus, it reflects a state of being. HELPS word studies defines it as –



“…properly, a child; (figuratively) anyone living in full dependence on the heavenly Father, i.e. fully (willingly) relying upon the Lord in glad submission. This prompts God to transform them into His likeness.”



If the word “Child” here is speaking of Christ, which is the likely interpretation, it could be referring to Him at any time.



In other words, the dragon has positioned itself in anticipation of the birth of the Child. Therefore, this scene is either a look back into the past at the coming of Christ, or a look into the future when Israel is about to “give birth” to their knowledge of Christ, whom they have rejected for the past millennia. Either way, the woman is Israel, not the church. Christ wasn’t born from the church. Rather, the church came from Christ’s completed work.



As Revelation is a book of prophecy, and unless this portion of the vision is looking back to the birth of Christ, it is most probable that what is being described here is actually future. Even though Christ was literally born two thousand years ago, He has not yet been “born” into the life of Israel. However, with the coming of the two witnesses, the people have come to the point where He is coming to be understood as their Messiah.



The idea of giving birth in this manner is not unknown to Scripture. Paul uses similar terminology in Galatians 4 –



“My little children, for whom I labor in birth again until Christ is formed in you, 20 I would like to be present with you now and to change my tone; for I have doubts about you.” Galatians 4:19, 20



Life application: Satan has been at war with the message of the coming Christ since the beginning. He was prophesied all the way back in Genesis 3:15. From that time on, the devil has used every means possible to thwart this redemptive process. In His first advent, Israel rejected Him. But He promised He would return to them when they called out to Him –



“O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, the one who kills the prophets and stones those who are sent to her! How often I wanted to gather your children together, as a hen gathers her chicks under her wings, but you were not willing! 38 See! Your house is left to you desolate; 39 for I say to you, you shall see Me no more till you say, ‘Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord!’” Matthew 23:27-39



When Christ returns, Satan will be bound for a thousand years (Revelation 20:2). In order to stop this, he will work to again subvert the very people through whom Christ came and to whom He has promised to return. But the book is written, and the devil is not God. God’s plans cannot be thwarted!



If the scene John is describing is future, as is the likely scenario, the attempt to subvert Israel’s conversion and to stop the coming millennial reign of Christ will not succeed. This is because God has spoken. What He has determined will come to pass. There will be the promised rule among Israel, and it will be under the authority of God’s Messiah, our Lord JESUS!



Lord, the plan You have laid out in the Bible is glorious and it is one that spans the ages. From Adam all the way to the end, You are in complete control. Despite our weaknesses and failings, You have accomplished wondrous deeds by bringing many of Your wayward children home by the work of this precious Child who came and dwelt among us! Amen.

[PrisonerOfHope]

Daily Bible Verse, Revelation 12:5, 27 February 2021
Revelation 12:5



Saturday, 27 February 2021



She bore a male Child who was to rule all nations with a rod of iron. And her Child was caught up to God and His throne. Revelation 12:5



In the previous commentary, it was noted that the timeline of this could be speaking of the past, when Christ was born into the world, or it could be speaking of the future when Christ will be born into the nation of Israel as her Messiah. The latter view is surely correct. One’s view on the matter will shape how the rest of the vision is formed. One option against the first view is that no definitive structure of the dragon fits past history at the time of Christ’s birth. Therefore, it is most surely a future event when Israel is in the pains of labor concerning Messiah being born into the collective body.



The verbs of the verse support the latter view quite well. A more literal translation says, “and she brought forth a male child, who is about to rule all the nations with a rod of iron, and caught away was her child unto God and His throne.”



The verb “brought forth” is aorist. The verb “is about” is present. And the verb “caught away” is aorist. He was brought forth at a set time. He is about to rule the nations, and he was caught away at a set time. With this understood, John begins the verse with, “She bore a male Child.” The Greek reads, “a Son, a male.” As Vincent’s says, “The object is to emphasize, not the sex, but the peculiar qualities of masculinity – power and vigor.” That is then evidenced in the next words, saying, “who was to rule all nations.”



The Greek, being in the present tense (noted above), conveys the thought of, “who is about to rule all nations.” This is well reflected in the 2nd Psalm –



“I will declare the decree:

The Lord has said to Me,

‘You are My Son,

Today I have begotten You.

8 Ask of Me, and I will give You

The nations for Your inheritance,

And the ends of the earth for Your possession.

9 You shall break them with a rod of iron;

You shall dash them to pieces like a potter’s vessel.’” Psalm 2:7-9



In these words, Revelation 12 corresponds to the twelfth letter of the Hebrew aleph-bet. The twelfth letter, lamad, pictures a shepherd’s staff, and it signifies “teach,” “yoke,” “authority,” and “bind.” In this chapter is found the “male Child who is to rule all nations.” In this case, and as noted in the psalm, it will be “with a rod of iron.”



Iron denotes strength, be it in binding together, in government, in hard service, in bondage, etc. A rod of iron then means that the rule of this Son will be firm over the nations with no chance of it being overthrown or subverted. With that thought in mind, John continues the verse with, “And her Child was caught up.”



As noted above, the verb is aorist. There is no reason that this cannot be speaking of a past event even though the previous clause is a future event. The Child of Israel, her Messiah, was caught up as is recorded in Acts 1 –



“Now when He had spoken these things, while they watched, He was taken up, and a cloud received Him out of their sight. 10 And while they looked steadfastly toward heaven as He went up, behold, two men stood by them in white apparel, 11 who also said, ‘Men of Galilee, why do you stand gazing up into heaven? This same Jesus, who was taken up from you into heaven, will so come in like manner as you saw Him go into heaven.’” Acts 1:9-11



Christ ascended at that time, and He will return again to Israel, even to the same mount from which He ascended –



“Then the Lord will go forth

And fight against those nations,

As He fights in the day of battle.

4 And in that day His feet will stand on the Mount of Olives,

Which faces Jerusalem on the east.

And the Mount of Olives shall be split in two,

From east to west,

Making a very large valley;

Half of the mountain shall move toward the north

And half of it toward the south.” Zechariah 14:3, 4



Until His return, however, John finishes the thought with the words, “to God and His throne.” Jesus said to His disciples that He was going to His Father (John 14:12). He says a comparable thought several times elsewhere, such as in John 20:17. Upon His ascension, He returned to God. In this ascension, it is to the throne of God, as is evidenced already in Revelation. The throne is the position of power and authority. This is where He remains until He will come again.



Life application: Some commentators claim that this verse is speaking of the Church, and not Jesus, because “her Child was caught up to God and to His throne.” The idea is that the Church, not Jesus, will be raptured in the twinkling of an eye. Another support for this view is that in Revelation 2:27, Jesus grants authority to those who overcome (meaning those who make up the Church) to rule [the nations] with a rod of iron.



This is incorrect. The authority that is granted here is referring to the overall ruler of the nations (as is defined in Psalm 2 noted above). This rule belongs to the Messiah. Further, the Greek of the verse, “a Son, male,” dispels this. The repetition clearly identifies this One as an individual, not a corporate body. It is referring to Jesus and His right to rule.



Jesus, after His work on earth, was caught up to God. In like manner, the church will be gathered in the clouds. This verse then demonstrates that the church age is a distinct dispensation, and also that Christ will return again to rule during the millennium.



In other words, God is not through with the Jewish people and there is still a plan for them in the future. This future begins with the tribulation period of Revelation and continues through the millennial reign. In order to dismiss this, doctrine will suffer. Further, the analysis of the remaining chapters of Revelation will only become more and more convoluted as scholars must “symbolize” passages that would otherwise be taken literally.



God has a plan for the Jewish people, and Jesus will return to them. Their unfaithfulness in no way negates His faithfulness. This is a wonderful truth that extends even to us. Though we fail in many ways, if we are His, He will never reject us. This is the glory of God’s Christ. He is ever faithful and true. He is JESUS!



Lord, it is evident that even when we are faithless, You remain faithful. When we turn our backs on You, You still abundantly forgive when we turn and call on Jesus as Lord. Thank You for this. And thank You for being faithful to the people of Israel despite their disobedience. Great and splendid is Your working in and for the people of Your world! Amen.