Revelation – Bitterroot Valley Calvary Chapel

Revelation 22:1-21 | In the Land of The Living

bvcc — Wed, 06 Apr 2022 20:16:00 +0000

Intro

In the 21^st chapter John was shown what heaven would be like practically as well as physically. Because heaven is eternal, and we dwell in a temporal place John described heaven from the point of view of what it was not going to be there:

A place absent of sorrow, pain, and grief.
A place where no type of sin will ever find a thought to roost in.
A place where there will never be a separation between what is sacred and that which is secular.
A place where we will continually dwell in God’s unapproachable light.

In the 22nd chapter John sees that heaven will be a place full of life, instead of a place where dead people go. In Matthew 22:31-32 Jesus handled a question by those who did not believe in the resurrection of the dead by saying, “But concerning the resurrection of the dead, have you not read what was spoken to you by God, saying, I am the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob’? God is not the God of the dead, but of the living.” In heaven we will realize how much everything is more alive and that our earthly experience was very much the place of death.

Vs. 1-7 Behold I am coming quickly

Vs. 1-2 In these first two verses John’s attention is drawn towards two things that depict life:

Vs. 1 “a pure river of water of life”: Last week in 21:1 we were told that in the new heaven and earth there will be no sea but here we see that there will be a river. Jesus said in John 7:38-39 “He who believes in Me, as the Scripture has said, out of his heart will flow rivers of living water.” The apostle John commented on the meaning of Jesus’ words, “But this He spoke concerning the Spirit, whom those believing in Him would receive; for the Holy Spirit was not yet given, because Jesus was not yet glorified.” Living water is tied to the ministry of the Holy Spirit in the life of the believer. When we consider this we realize that the Holy Spirit renews us, sets us free, strengthens us, leads us into a holy life and brings forth fruit of a Christ like character. Most of the work of the Holy Spirit will no longer be needed in heaven as we are in our glorified bodies. But if you take a look at all the work of the Holy Spirit in our lives and boil it down you will realize that it is His work to continue to make the presence of Jesus more real to us. I believe that in heaven that a drink from the “river of life” will do just that as it will give us more of Him as we will desire to continually drink from the river of life. Notice that it proceeds from the throne and 100% pure thus we see the Godhead gave to all more of themselves.
Vs. 2 “was the tree of life”: The word for tree here is one often associated with the cross. In fact, five times in the N.T. the word is used this way. There is an aspect of Jesus character that we can see no other way then from the view of the cross. The truth is the cross is our “tree of life” for without Jesus’ death upon that tree we whom He gave His life for would have no life! Notice the variety, frequency, and usefulness of this tree of life. There is a never-ending supply of fruit. I think of what Jesus’ work has produced in our lives as the fruit of the Spirit. In Galatians five Paul says, “the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law. And those who are Christ’s have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit.” Perhaps this tree of life will enhance these aspects of the life in the Spirit? Even the leaves have a therapeutic aspect, as they are health giving producing further enjoyment among God’s people. In Proverbs 13:12 we are told “Hope deferred makes the heart sick, but when the desire comes, it is a tree of life.” Our only desire in heaven will be for the Lord and as such we will be constantly fed on the fruit of His presence.

Vs. 3-5 There will be no more curse since the cure was a righteous act of God’s judgment has forever been dealt with. We will enjoy an uninterrupted and unhindered fellowship with God as Adam had prior to the fall. God’s throne will be among us, and God can’t dwell with sin. Furthermore, we are told that “His servants shall serve Him” which is our greatest joy. We were created for worship and service, and we shall finally be doing that which we were designed for. Our eternity will be filled with joy, as we shall be doing that which we have longed to do without any hindrances.

Next we are told that we shall see His face; with all my imagination I still cannot imagine what beauty my redeemed glorified body eyes will behold. The psalmist cried out saying, “Restore us, O God; Cause Your face to shine, and we shall be saved!” We shall see His face forever more and even greater than this be identified as His. We have all seen those shirts you get while on vacation, “property of” that is what this reminds me, as His character will be stamped as our identity.

Finally, we will be remind of the truth of Jesus being the Light of the world. Light revels, gives warmth and provides a sense of security. There in nothing in us that is hidden so the light will continue to show us more of God’s beauty which will provide us the with the warmth of His love.

Vs. 6-7 These verses begin the epilogue containing affirmations and assurances. The first thing God does is affirm that the words John has just heard and the visions he has written down are trustworthy. There is nothing so certain as the faithfulness of God to keep that which He has promised as He can never be contrary to His own nature and character.

This is the promise of Jesus for all that watch over their lives in accordance with the truths found in this book. The word “quickly” is a word that we get our word “tachometer” from. A “tachometer” is a device to measure speed in order to determine how quick something is moving. So, Jesus says that when these events begin to take place that things are going to happen very rapidly. These words of Jesus serve as a reminder of two things:

We who will spend eternity in the presence of the Lord need to live in this life with a light hold upon it.
While we are here in this world we are to watch over His word living obediently to it and to Him who entrusted it to us.

Vs. 8-21 Worship God

Vs. 8-9 John is overwhelmed at what he has seen and heard and begins to worship the messenger. This is always a temptation, but any true messenger of God will deflect any and all glory that comes their way to the only One that is worthy of such praise. In Matthew 5:16 Jesus said, “Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven.” Yet in Hebrews 1:6 we read “when He again brings the firstborn into the world, He says: “Let all the angels of God worship Him.” Two things equal to the same thing are by nature equal to each other and as such worshipping Jesus is the same as worshipping God.

Vs. 10-11 In 22:7 there was a blessing for those who keep the sayings of the book of Revelation, so John is told to not seal up the book in order that people would read it and understand it. God’s desire is to give mankind all the information necessary to make the right decision for eternity. How often people turn to funny looking cards, stars with charts, or some charlatan who will take their money to guide their future.

There is an old adage that says, “Decisions determine character and character determines destiny”, how true that is based on verse 11. The truth is if someone hears or reads this book and still won’t repent then their problem is not coming from the head but rather the heart. In Luke 16:31 Jesus was speaking on this issue when he said, “If they do not hear Moses and the prophets, neither will they be persuaded though one rise from the dead.”

Vs. 12-15 Revelation opened with the words of 1:7 “Behold, He is coming” and it now ends with the fulfillment of this promise “And behold, I am coming quickly”. Furthermore, we are told that He is coming with His reward and this reward is going to be given to everyone according to his work. The child of God will not be judged according to sin as that has been judged on the cross of Christ, but we will be reward based upon our works empowered by Christ. Paul speaks of this in 1^st Cor. 3:11-14 “For no other foundation can anyone lay than that which is laid, which is Jesus Christ. Now if anyone builds on this foundation with gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, straw, each one’s work will become clear; for the Day will declare it, because it will be revealed by fire; and the fire will test each one’s work, of what sort it is. If anyone’s work which he has built on it endures, he will receive a reward.”

In chapter 1:8 we saw the same attributes attributed to God the Father and here they are said to be Jesus’ nature as well. Jesus is the source of all things, the goal of all things and the consummation of all things. A blessing is pronounced upon “those who do His commandments” but who are those and how can we know if we are doing His commandments? Well 1^st John 3:23-24 tells of two such commandments then this verse before us shows the corresponding blessing:

“That we should believe on the name of His Son Jesus Christ”: “That they may have the right to the tree of life,”
“And love one another, as He gave us commandment”: “And may enter through the gates into the city.”

Vs. 15 This is the 3^rd time the unsaved are mentioned in such terms and here we see that perhaps those who are listed here will have the ability like the rich man to see what they refused for all of eternity.

Vs. 16-17 These words of Jesus are meant for His church and are His titles, it is the first time Jesus has addressed the Church in this book since the 3^rd chapter.

“I am the Root and the Offspring of David”: He is that which was hidden but at the same time is the source (the root), while also coming from David. This is a picture of Jesus’ deity as well as His humanity.
“The Bright and Morning Star”: Jesus is all that is glorious clearly visible proclaiming His majesty.

Many folks want a written invitation to become Christians from God well here it is, “The Holy Spirit as well as Jesus Church say, Come!” If you thirst for that which can only quench your parched heart, come! But you must desire to come and do so without any strings attached. In Isaiah 55:1-3 God gave a similar invitation saying, “Ho! Everyone who thirsts, come to the waters; And you who have no money, Come, buy, and eat. Yes, come; buy wine and milk Without money and without price. Why do you spend money for what is not bread, and your wages for what does not satisfy? Listen carefully to Me, and eat what is good, and let your soul delight itself in abundance. Incline your ear, and come to Me. Hear, and your soul shall live; And I will make an everlasting covenant with you; The sure mercies of David.”

Vs. 18-21 Finally a warning is issued not to take away from or add to this book or else God will add to the person who does so the curses in this book. This is not the only place in scripture such a warning is issued in fact you can find them in Deut. 4:2, Prov. 30:5-6 and in Gal. 1:8-9.

Finally, we have the testimony of Jesus Himself as to His desire to be with us, so our response could only be that of Johns words here, “So be it, even so come!” John closes with the benediction and thus our need for, grace to be upon us as we wait for Him, and grace is only found in Jesus. So, as we wait for Jesus please give us more of Jesus until He comes for us!

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Revelation 21:1-27 | The Tabernacle of God Is With Men – Part II

bvcc — Thu, 31 Mar 2022 00:44:00 +0000

Intro

The 20^th chapter of revelation dealt with life during the 1000-year reign of Christ upon the earth. At the end of that time satan will be cast into hell for eternity, as we will begin a new aspect of our eternal life. The 21st chapter deals with what heaven will be like from two perspectives:

Vs. 1-8 What life will be like for those in heaven
Vs. 9-27 What heaven will look like

It is important to realize that it is very difficult to express the eternal from the vantage point of the finite. Even though this is the most complete chapter on the subject to be found. Paul in writing to the Corinthian’s in his 2^nd letter to them spoke of his own experience saying, “I know a man in Christ who fourteen years ago; whether in the body I do not know, or whether out of the body I do not know, God knows; such a one was caught up to the third heaven. And I know such a man; whether in the body or out of the body I do not know, God knows; how he was caught up into Paradise and heard inexpressible words, which it is not lawful for a man to utter.” Now there will come a time as Paul says in 1 Cor. 13:12 that even though “now we see in a mirror, dimly, but then face to face. Now I know in part, but then I shall know just as I also am known.” Eternity will be a timeless place where everything that was past is future and everything future is past because everything is present.

Vs. 1-8 Behold I make all things new

Vs. 1 It is interesting to compare how the world begin with how it will begin again:

The world began in a garden, but eternity will begin in a city
It was started with the words “In the beginning God created” and eternity will start with the words “Behold I make all things new, and it is done” (verses 5-6)
In Gen. 3 a cure is pronounced because of man’s curse and is 22:3 God pronounces no more curse therefore we will not need the cure because we will have been cured!
In the first chapter of Gen. God creates the heavens and the earth and in Rev. He creates a new heaven and earth
In the 3^rd chapter of Gen. death enters the human race in Rev 21: 4 there is an announcement that there will be no more death

In the bible there are three words that speak of the heavens:

Atmospheric: Which speaks of the gas’s that surround the earth.
Stellar: Which speak of the sun, moon, and stars.
Third heaven: Which is described as the place where God abides.

What John sees as being recreated would deal with the areas where man’s fall affected them. Peter in his 2^nd letter wrote that, “the elements will melt with fervent heat; both the earth and the works that are in it will be burned up….the heavens will be dissolved, being on fire, and the elements will melt with fervent heat?” Science tells us that the earth is 25,000 miles in circumference and 8,000 mile in diameter and at the center is made up of a liquid lake of fire which at certain times under pressure erupts to revealing this truth. What this tells us is that simply put we are living on a bomb.

Apparently in the new heaven and earth there will be no division of land meaning that people will not be separated based upon ¾ of our earth’s service being water.

Vs. 2 John sees a literal city coming down out of heaven which he will describe at length in verse 10-27. God spoke through Isaiah in chapter 65:17 and chapter 66:22 about this saying, “behold, I create new heavens and a new earth; And the former shall not be remembered or come to mind.” And “as the new heavens and the new earth Which I will make shall remain before Me,” says the LORD, “So shall your descendants and your name remain.” Jesus also spoke of this saying in John 14:2-3 “In My Father’s house are many mansions; if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself; that where I am, there you may be also.” In this book Jesus spoke to the Church at Philadelphia saying, “He who overcomes, I will make him a pillar in the temple of My God, and he shall go out no more. And I will write on him the name of My God and the name of the city of My God, the New Jerusalem, which comes down out of heaven from My God. And I will write on him My new name.” Abraham and his descendants after him we are told in Hebrews 11:10 “waited for the city which has foundations, whose builder and maker is God.”

Vs. 3-5 Here we are given the most important part of this new city, “He will dwell with them, and they shall be His people.” The word “tabernacle” is a word that carries the idea of fellowship and blessing and is the same word that John uses in his gospel saying in 1:14 that Jesus “the Word became flesh and dwelt among us”. The origin of the word goes back to the time prior to the temple when Moses was instructed by God to build a sanctuary in order that He may reveal Himself to His people. In the 40^th chapter of Exodus that which God spoke about building the tabernacle in the 25^th chapter was filled with His glory. The problem with this was that His presence among them was interrupt constantly by their sin so that only on the day of atonement would He fill the tent with His glory. Ah but in John’s declaration in the words of His gospel God’s glory was again visible in His only Son who pitched himself next to us that we might see His glory. Yet still based upon Philips words in John 14:8-9 asking Jesus to show them the Father Jesus said, “He who has seen me has seen the Father”. Jesus had already declared to them in the 10:30 that He and the Father were one. Paul wrote to the Col. 1:15-19 concerning Jesus that He is “the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation. For by Him all things were created that are in heaven and that are on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or principalities or powers. All things were created through Him and for Him. And He is before all things, and in Him all things consist of. And He is the head of the body, the church, who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, that in all things He may have the preeminence. For it pleased the Father that in Him all the fullness should dwell” So here He will take up His permanent residence forever dwelling with us so that all of His character will be known by us.

Vs. 4-5 John describes here, first in negatives (what won’t be in the world any longer).

“And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes”: What a great picture of the comfort of God.
“There shall be no more death”: Gone forever will be the cure of our rebellion.
“Nor sorrow”: Those emotions tied to our sin will no longer have a place.
“Nor crying”: Gone as well will be weeping for our failure
“There shall be no more pain”: All such things caused by our sin even pain shall find no place to roost in heaven.

I believe furthermore that all such memories well fade into the context of those things God worked in our lives for our good and His glory.

The word “new” here is a word that speaks of such as new in character and so great is this that God attests to this truth based upon His nature.

Vs. 6-8 The citizens of heaven will be satisfied people. Notice the words “it is done” speaks of the truth that God will put back into order what He intended. He identifies His ability to do so by who He is:

“I am the Alpha and the Omega”: These are the first and last letters of the Greek alphabet which is to say that He sum total of everything.
“The Beginning and the End”: These words speak of His deity as He is not just the first in the point of time but rather the source and origin of all things.
“I will give of the fountain of the water of life freely to him who thirsts”: Finally, He offers an invitation to all to partake of Him and be refreshed with only the condition that you do so freely.

The “overcomers” of verse 7 are best understood by the words of John in 1^st John 5:4-5 where he tells us that they are those, “who believes that Jesus is the Son of God”.

Finally, we see here those who will not be in heaven:

“cowardly”: Faithless and fearful as they denied to death trust in Jesus
“unbelieving”: Disbelieving and untrustworthy as they declared God word not trustworthy.
“abominable”: The word means to stink and in this usage speaks of a person who is so polluted that there is a stench about them.
“murderers”: The person who kills intentionally
“Sexually immoral”: The sexual promiscuous
“sorcerers”: The druggist
“idolaters”: The image worshiper
“And all liars”: Every untrue, deceitful, and wicked person

Vs. 9-27 Come I will show you the great city

Vs. 9-10 One of the angels who’s first assignment was that of delivering the sever judgments of God upon a world that rejected Jesus is now given the privilege of revealing the dwelling place of God and His bride. The angel declares that he will show John the “bride the Lamb’s wife”. A city cannot be a bride but like a wedding dress upon the betrothed it reveals the truth that she is His chosen wife. The angel declares the glory of the gown (the city) in which the bride will be placed in. In verse 1 John saw this city coming down out of heaven here he is taken to a higher view of the city.

Vs. 11-14 Here we are given the general description of this eternal city. Now it is important to remember that this city has already been described as “new, holy out of heaven and from God”.

Vs. 11 Tells us that it will be a city where it will be completely illuminated by the glory of God which is specifically said to be coming from the Lamb. The light is like most precious stone probably a reference to diamond. Everything in the city is built to reflect and refract light which suggests to us that we will forever be aware of the glory of God, what Moses desired to see but could not, we will make our home in.
Vs. 12-14 Furthermore this will be a walled city that is both great and high which would indicate that it is exclusive and only those who are their based upon the Lord’s worthiness will find themselves inside the wall. The wall will have 12 gates three on each side guarded by angels named after the 12 tribes of Israel. The angels will be an honor guard to allow those to enter in and go out. The appearance of those names will remind us of god’s faithfulness in spite of man’s failure. There will be 12 foundations inscribed with the names of the 12 apostles which will remind us of God’s faithfulness to His Church.

Vs. 15-17 The dimensions are given us, and they will equal about 1,400 square miles or the length of San Francisco to Cincinnati in length, breadth as well as height approximately ¾ of the size of the U.S. The walls just mentioned are 216 feet tall with no function as God will dwell in the city co perhaps they will speak to us of our security in Him? Heaven will not be in the sky as we know it but rather upon a recreated earth above which will be a recreated heaven which we will come and go too.

Vs. 18-21 John also lists the construction materials which are made up of very expensive material on earth but will be common materials in heaven. So, what does that tell us? Well, it seems that in heaven the materials used will be beautiful to behold but of no value other than to reflect what is precious the glory of God. It also seems that the materials are layered to create a rainbow effect. The gates are of made of one solid pearl man think of the oyster. Perhaps the reason is to be found in how a pearl is formed? A tiny grain of sand injures the oyster causing it to secret a fluid to protect. I think that is what Jesus has done for us as he has secreted His save around us who caused His injury and made something beautiful out of common dirt.

Vs. 22-27 John notices five things missing from this city:

There will be no temple: The temple was the place where God would shoe His glory but in heaven God’s glory will be seen everywhere.
There will be no sun or moon to light the city: why because the Light of the world will be the light of heaven.
There will be no nations: Only one nation centered around the King of King’s.
There will be no sleeping as we will have forever entered His rest and gates will never close to this.
Finally, there will not one person who does not want to be there.

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Revelation 21:1-27 | The Tabernacle of God Is With Men – Part I

bvcc — Wed, 23 Mar 2022 06:26:00 +0000

Intro

Vs. 1-8 What life will be like for those in heaven
Vs. 9-27 What heaven will look like

Vs. 1-8 Behold I make all things new

Vs. 1 It is interesting to compare how the world begin with how it will begin again:

The world began in a garden, but eternity will begin in a city
It was started with the words “In the beginning God created” and eternity will start with the words “Behold I make all things new, and it is done” (verses 5-6)
In Gen. 3 a cure is pronounced because of man’s curse and is 22:3 God pronounces no more curse therefore we will not need the cure because we will have been cured!
In the first chapter of Gen. God creates the heavens and the earth and in Rev. He creates a new heaven and earth
In the 3^rd chapter of Gen. death enters the human race in Rev 21: 4 there is an announcement that there will be no more death

In the bible there are three words that speak of the heavens:

Atmospheric: Which speaks of the gas’s that surround the earth.
Stellar: Which speak of the sun, moon, and stars.
Third heaven: Which is described as the place where God abides.

Apparently in the new heaven and earth there will be no division of land meaning that people will not be separated based upon ¾ of our earth’s service being water.

Vs. 4-5 John describes here, first in negatives (what won’t be in the world any longer).

“And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes”: What a great picture of the comfort of God.
“There shall be no more death”: Gone forever will be the cure of our rebellion.
“Nor sorrow”: Those emotions tied to our sin will no longer have a place.
“Nor crying”: Gone as well will be weeping for our failure
“There shall be no more pain”: All such things caused by our sin even pain shall find no place to roost in heaven.

I believe furthermore that all such memories well fade into the context of those things God worked in our lives for our good and His glory.

The word “new” here is a word that speaks of such as new in character and so great is this that God attests to this truth based upon His nature.

“I am the Alpha and the Omega”: These are the first and last letters of the Greek alphabet which is to say that He sum total of everything.
“The Beginning and the End”: These words speak of His deity as He is not just the first in the point of time but rather the source and origin of all things.
“I will give of the fountain of the water of life freely to him who thirsts”: Finally, He offers an invitation to all to partake of Him and be refreshed with only the condition that you do so freely.

The “overcomers” of verse 7 are best understood by the words of John in 1^st John 5:4-5 where he tells us that they are those, “who believes that Jesus is the Son of God”.

Finally, we see here those who will not be in heaven:

“cowardly”: Faithless and fearful as they denied to death trust in Jesus
“unbelieving”: Disbelieving and untrustworthy as they declared God word not trustworthy.
“abominable”: The word means to stink and in this usage speaks of a person who is so polluted that there is a stench about them.
“murderers”: The person who kills intentionally
“Sexually immoral”: The sexual promiscuous
“sorcerers”: The druggist
“idolaters”: The image worshiper
“And all liars”: Every untrue, deceitful, and wicked person

Vs. 9-27 Come I will show you the great city

Vs. 11-14 Here we are given the general description of this eternal city. Now it is important to remember that this city has already been described as “new, holy out of heaven and from God”.

Vs. 11 Tells us that it will be a city where it will be completely illuminated by the glory of God which is specifically said to be coming from the Lamb. The light is like most precious stone probably a reference to diamond. Everything in the city is built to reflect and refract light which suggests to us that we will forever be aware of the glory of God, what Moses desired to see but could not, we will make our home in.
Vs. 12-14 Furthermore this will be a walled city that is both great and high which would indicate that it is exclusive and only those who are their based upon the Lord’s worthiness will find themselves inside the wall. The wall will have 12 gates three on each side guarded by angels named after the 12 tribes of Israel. The angels will be an honor guard to allow those to enter in and go out. The appearance of those names will remind us of god’s faithfulness in spite of man’s failure. There will be 12 foundations inscribed with the names of the 12 apostles which will remind us of God’s faithfulness to His Church.

Vs. 22-27 John notices five things missing from this city:

There will be no temple: The temple was the place where God would shoe His glory but in heaven God’s glory will be seen everywhere.
There will be no sun or moon to light the city: why because the Light of the world will be the light of heaven.
There will be no nations: Only one nation centered around the King of King’s.
There will be no sleeping as we will have forever entered His rest and gates will never close to this.
Finally, there will not one person who does not want to be there.

See PDF Download

Revelation 20:1-15 | What The World Is Coming Too – Part II

bvcc — Thu, 17 Mar 2022 00:08:00 +0000

Intro

Before us in this chapter is the end of history as we know it and the beginning of eternity. John describes three specific events that usher in eternity:

Vs. 1-3 Satan is bound
Vs. 4-6 Saints reign
Vs. 7-15 The world is judged

There have been three points of view that deal with the section of scripture at hand:

Amillennialism: The word means “NO 1000-year reign of Christ” and those that hold to this position believe that this section of scripture (as well as the book of revelation) ought to be interpreted figuratively or metaphorically. It is their position that what is described in this chapter is now happing and has been happening since the cross and Jesus is now reigning through His Church. They hold to the verse in 2 Peter 3:8 that say’s “beloved, do not forget this one thing, that with the Lord one day is as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day.” But notice the wording of this phrase carefully as it says, “with the Lord one day is as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day”. The bible was not written for the Lord it was written for you and I, and as such for us a day is a day and 1,000 years is 1,000 years. It has well been said that if satan has been bound with a chain now then it must be a very long chain. True satan has been bound partially at the cross as Col. 2:15 tells us saying that Jesus has, “disarmed principalities and powers, He made a public spectacle of them, triumphing over them in it.” James 4:7 reminds us that we are to “submit to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you.” Why would we need to do so if he is bound? Furthermore, Peter admonishes us in 1 Peter 5:8-9 to “Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour. Resist him, steadfast in the faith”. It is clear by this passage that he is not bound and that he can only be resisted in the “faith”.
Postmillennialism: This position does not deny that there will be a literal 1000-year reign of Christ upon the earth, but it is their position that this will happen before Jesus returns to earth. It is their belief that this will occur as the Church becomes revitalized and this will usher in the 2^nd coming of Christ. Paul wrote to the Thessalonians in his 2^nd letter saying, “concerning the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ and our gathering together to Him, we ask you, not to be soon shaken in mind or troubled, either by spirit or by word or by letter, as if from us, as though the day of Christ had come. Let no one deceive you by any means; for that Day will not come unless the falling away comes first”. Then to Timothy he said concerning this time saying that “men will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, unloving, unforgiving, slanderers, without self-control, brutal, despisers of good, traitors, headstrong, haughty, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, having a form of godliness but denying its power. And from such people turn away!”
Premillennialism: We take this passage literally and as such believe that there will be a yet future 1000-year reign of Jesus upon the earth, the fulfillment of many prophecies. The word appears six times in this chapter and cannot possibly fit any other view as it has well passed the 1000 years since the cross of Jesus.

Vs. 1-3 Satan is bound

Vs. 1-3 John in these verses describes four ways in which satan will be bound during the 1000-year reign of Christ upon the earth. In the 19^th chapter we were told that the antichrist and the false prophet were placed in hell (Gehenna) and satan will be placed there in the tenth verse of this chapter but at the start of the 1000-year reign just as he was cast out of heaven he is now cast out of the earth. There are four symbols John sees to describe satan’s imprisonment each of which give us a vivid picture of how his influence upon the earth will come to an end.

Vs. 1-2 “a great chain in his hand…and bound him for a thousand years”: This picture is that of complete restraint and as such declares that during the 1000-year reign of Christ upon the earth satan will have no ability nor power to function as he once did upon the earth.
Vs. 3a “he cast him into the bottomless pit”: Not only is he bound but clearly John sees him removed from the earth all together.
Vs. 3b “shut him up”: Here John describes the angel shutting the door to the abyss and locking it which suggests that it will be impossible for satan to get out from within the abyss.
Vs. 3c “set a seal on him”: Finally, John sees that the abyss has a seal placed upon it from the outside which tells us that no one will be able to release him from the outside.

What this means is that all that satan is now able to do on this earth will be completely ended for the 1000-year reign of Christ. Yeh, but what about his demons? Well, the bible tells in Isa. 24:21-22 that, “It shall come to pass in that day That the LORD will punish on high the host of exalted ones, And on the earth the kings of the earth. They will be gathered together, as prisoners are gathered in the pit, and will be shut up in the prison; After many days they will be punished.” It appears that what John sees lines up with what Isaiah sees and that Isaiah includes the demons as well. To further understand what impact satan’s imprisonment will have during this time John in the 2^nd verse uses four names to describe his influence while upon the earth.

“The dragon”: This word is used to describe him 12 times in Revelation alone and it speaks of his fearfulness as well as his power of insight into the ways of man. Yet these we are told will be bound by a great chain, imagine for a moment all of his powers of persuasion and influence no longer being around?
“That serpent of old”: This phrase is used to describe his cunning evil, his crafty ways, which in his case is the author of evil.
“Who is the Devil”: This word means “false accuser or slanderer” which he does as he continually gives forth-false ideas about God and to God about us.
“And Satan”: Finally, John calls him by the name which means “adversary” and we are told that there will be a seal placed over the abyss which tells me that he will not have the ability to do this again.

The bible gives some insight into what life will be like during this 1000-year reign of Jesus upon the earth:

Ps. 72 Tells us that there will be equality for all as the poor receive justice. This will be possible because of the universal reverence for the Lord who will be the central focus of all praise and prayer. There will be an abundance of food so no more hunger.
Isa. 2:2-4 As the people will have a hunger for the Word of God there will be more wars or violence so no needs of a military presence or police force.
Isa. 11:6-9 There will be universal harmony between all of God’s creatures.
Isa. 65:18-25 No more weeping over death as premature death as we now know it will end as a child will be thought of 100 years of age as apparently the life span of those people not in their new bodies will revert back to pre-flood ages.
Zech. 14:16 Perfect weather conditions will exist based upon people’s worship of Him who holds these things in His hands.
Zech. 3:9-10 There will be only one language as the curse of Babel will be removed.

Vs. 3 Finally we are given the purpose of the binding of satan as John says, “so that he should deceive the nations no more”. Yes but why does God release him after the 1000-year reign? Verses 7-10 will reveal the answer to that question but simply put it will reveal what mankind refuses to admit about themselves namely that we are not basically good but rather are sinners. You see for 1000 years mankind will live in a perfect environment, perfect government and all temptation and evil will be removed. So, for this 1000 years mankind will live in total freedom form any outside influence towards evil and in the end will discover what Jeremiah spoke of in 17:9 “The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked; Who can know it?”

Vs. 4-6 The saint’s reign

Here in this section, we discover three things about the saints with Jesus during the 1000-year period:

Who are the saints
How they have become saints
What they will receive

Vs. 4-5 Notice that there are three different groups that John sees here in verse 4 and 5:

“I saw thrones, and they sat on them, and judgment was committed to them”: The first group is those who are seated and given authority to judge. Clearly based upon Jesus’ words in Matt. 19:28 this would include the disciples but based upon Paul’s words in 1 Cor. 6:2 where he says to the Corinthian believers that they will judge the world that would include you and I as well.
“Then I saw the souls of those who had been beheaded for their witness to Jesus and for the word of God”: The next group John sees is those who were martyred during the tribulation period that he described in chapter’s 6 and 7. John describes why they were martyred:
For their witness of Jesus and the word of God
For their refusal to worship the beast and receive his mark

So, then they were beheaded first for following the Lamb which caused them not to follow the antichrist.

“But the rest of the dead did not live again until the thousand years were finished”: This is a reference to the unbelievers who died apart from having a personal relationship with Jesus and will be judged as the “great whit throne judgement” in verses 11-15.

The phrase “This is the first resurrection” belongs with verse 4 and those who reign with Jesus. The bible in Acts 24:15 speaks of two resurrections saying that, “there will be a resurrection of the dead, both of the just and the unjust.” The first resurrection will be for the just and be to everlasting life the 2^nd resurrection will be for the unjust and be for everlasting judgement.

Vs. 6 This is the 6^th out of seven beatitudes found in this book and it describes four special blessings given to those who share the first resurrection.

“Blessed and holy is he who has part in the first resurrection”: Here we are given our final disposition as “Happy and holy” as we will share in His character and nature.
“Over such the second death has no power”: This literally means the 2^nd kind of death and the bible speaks of two types of death physical and spiritual so we are told that we believers will never face the possibility of eternal separation from God.
“But they shall be priests of God and of Christ”: We will enjoy a special relationship with the Lord as well as those other citizens of the earth during the 1000-year reign of Jesus as their spiritual leaders.
“And shall reign with Him a thousand years”: We are given the privilege of service in His kingdom ruling over the nations.

Vs. 7-15 The final curtain

Here we conclude with the end of the 1000-year reign of Christ upon the earth and the beginning of eternity. Amazing as it sounds even living during a utopian age will do nothing to change the human heart. Place unbelieving man in a time of peace, prosperity and perfection and we see that given the opportunity he will still chose rebellion.

Vs. 7-8 After 1000-years satan will be let out of prison and will waste no time in resuming his activities upon the descendants of those that survived the tribulation period. During the 1000-year reign of Jesus they had no choice but to outwardly conform to the King of Kings but inwardly they remained rebellious. The nations that are on the four corners of the earth are a part of those in the rebellion during the tribulation period “Gog and Magog”. Satan cannot be rehabilitated as this verse clearly shows.

Vs. 9 Fallen man apart from Jesus will rather follow satan even after living in a perfect government and environment all controlled by Jesus. This will forever stand as a testimony of the hopelessness of mankind’s condition apart from Jesus as clearly man is not converted by education nor environment but only through the Holy Spirit working through the Word of God bringing light upon their sinful condition and God’s abundant grace. Notice that Jesus needs no battle plane to thwart this rebellion instead it fire comes down from heaven. How prideful is man to think they can overcome Jesus.

Vs. 10 Satan is reunited with the antichrist and the false prophet for eternity where each will be tormented day and night. What a different picture hell is compared to what the world is led to believe. Hell is not where the party is and all that live there do so in pleasure, wealth, and luxury. Satan does not run things in hell, he gives no orders to all the other inmates instead his punishment is most severe.

Vs. 11-15 John sees a great whit throne and the One who sits upon it is so glorious that all that has been affected by sin will flee from His face. We are told in John 5:22-30 that this Judge will be non-other than Jesus whom Peter said in 3:7-10 will cause the elements to melt with a fervent heat causing everything and everyone’s works of goodness to be burned up.

Vs. 12 John sees people from every walk of life standing to be sentenced as several books are opened.

The book of life: This book contains the names of all who have trusted in Jesus alone for their salvation. There will not be one unsaved person’s name in this book not because God did not want them but rather because they did not want God!
There will be a set of records kept which contain the works of those who died apart from Jesus. Since they didn’t want to trust in the one work they will be judged based upon their “good works” which scripture tells us is like filthy rags.

Now look at verse 15 and you will see that there is not one mention of any works instead every name will stand as a testimony of His work, just as John 6:29 says, “This is the work of God, that you believe in Him whom He sent”! There will be recorded for believers all the work that we have done in Christ, and this too will be judged to test and see each one’s work. (1 Cor. 3:11-15)

Vs. 13-15 There will be no escaping this judgment no matter how a person has died, and each person will be held accountable for the truth about the Lord they heard in this life. All that wanted to go to hell are there because of their choice and their end will not be annihilation or non-existence they will live forever in the state of their choosing. Sin will at this time be forever put away!

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Revelation 20:1-15 | What The World Is Coming Too – Part I

bvcc — Thu, 03 Mar 2022 05:25:00 +0000

Intro

Before us in this chapter is the end of history as we know it and the beginning of eternity. John describes three specific events that usher in eternity:

Vs. 1-3 Satan is bound
Vs. 4-6 Saints reign
Vs. 7-15 The world is judged

There have been three points of view that deal with the section of scripture at hand:

Amillennialism: The word means “NO 1000-year reign of Christ” and those that hold to this position believe that this section of scripture (as well as the book of revelation) ought to be interpreted figuratively or metaphorically. It is their position that what is described in this chapter is now happing and has been happening since the cross and Jesus is now reigning through His Church. They hold to the verse in 2 Peter 3:8 that say’s “beloved, do not forget this one thing, that with the Lord one day is as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day.” But notice the wording of this phrase carefully as it says, “with the Lord one day is as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day”. The bible was not written for the Lord it was written for you and I, and as such for us a day is a day and 1,000 years is 1,000 years. It has well been said that if satan has been bound with a chain now then it must be a very long chain. True satan has been bound partially at the cross as Col. 2:15 tells us saying that Jesus has, “disarmed principalities and powers, He made a public spectacle of them, triumphing over them in it.” James 4:7 reminds us that we are to “submit to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you.” Why would we need to do so if he is bound? Furthermore, Peter admonishes us in 1 Peter 5:8-9 to “Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour. Resist him, steadfast in the faith”. It is clear by this passage that he is not bound and that he can only be resisted in the “faith”.
Postmillennialism: This position does not deny that there will be a literal 1000-year reign of Christ upon the earth, but it is their position that this will happen before Jesus returns to earth. It is their belief that this will occur as the Church becomes revitalized and this will usher in the 2^nd coming of Christ. Paul wrote to the Thessalonians in his 2^nd letter saying, “concerning the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ and our gathering together to Him, we ask you, not to be soon shaken in mind or troubled, either by spirit or by word or by letter, as if from us, as though the day of Christ had come. Let no one deceive you by any means; for that Day will not come unless the falling away comes first”. Then to Timothy he said concerning this time saying that “men will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, unloving, unforgiving, slanderers, without self-control, brutal, despisers of good, traitors, headstrong, haughty, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, having a form of godliness but denying its power. And from such people turn away!”
Premillennialism: We take this passage literally and as such believe that there will be a yet future 1000-year reign of Jesus upon the earth, the fulfillment of many prophecies. The word appears six times in this chapter and cannot possibly fit any other view as it has well passed the 1000 years since the cross of Jesus.

Vs. 1-3 Satan is bound

Vs. 1-2 “a great chain in his hand…and bound him for a thousand years”: This picture is that of complete restraint and as such declares that during the 1000-year reign of Christ upon the earth satan will have no ability nor power to function as he once did upon the earth.
Vs. 3a “he cast him into the bottomless pit”: Not only is he bound but clearly John sees him removed from the earth all together.
Vs. 3b “shut him up”: Here John describes the angel shutting the door to the abyss and locking it which suggests that it will be impossible for satan to get out from within the abyss.
Vs. 3c “set a seal on him”: Finally, John sees that the abyss has a seal placed upon it from the outside which tells us that no one will be able to release him from the outside.

“The dragon”: This word is used to describe him 12 times in Revelation alone and it speaks of his fearfulness as well as his power of insight into the ways of man. Yet these we are told will be bound by a great chain, imagine for a moment all of his powers of persuasion and influence no longer being around?
“That serpent of old”: This phrase is used to describe his cunning evil, his crafty ways, which in his case is the author of evil.
“Who is the Devil”: This word means “false accuser or slanderer” which he does as he continually gives forth-false ideas about God and to God about us.
“And Satan”: Finally, John calls him by the name which means “adversary” and we are told that there will be a seal placed over the abyss which tells me that he will not have the ability to do this again.

The bible gives some insight into what life will be like during this 1000-year reign of Jesus upon the earth:

Ps. 72 Tells us that there will be equality for all as the poor receive justice. This will be possible because of the universal reverence for the Lord who will be the central focus of all praise and prayer. There will be an abundance of food so no more hunger.
Isa. 2:2-4 As the people will have a hunger for the Word of God there will be more wars or violence so no needs of a military presence or police force.
Isa. 11:6-9 There will be universal harmony between all of God’s creatures.
Isa. 65:18-25 No more weeping over death as premature death as we now know it will end as a child will be thought of 100 years of age as apparently the life span of those people not in their new bodies will revert back to pre-flood ages.
Zech. 14:16 Perfect weather conditions will exist based upon people’s worship of Him who holds these things in His hands.
Zech. 3:9-10 There will be only one language as the curse of Babel will be removed.

Vs. 4-6 The saint’s reign

Here in this section, we discover three things about the saints with Jesus during the 1000-year period:

Who are the saints
How they have become saints
What they will receive

Vs. 4-5 Notice that there are three different groups that John sees here in verse 4 and 5:

“I saw thrones, and they sat on them, and judgment was committed to them”: The first group is those who are seated and given authority to judge. Clearly based upon Jesus’ words in Matt. 19:28 this would include the disciples but based upon Paul’s words in 1 Cor. 6:2 where he says to the Corinthian believers that they will judge the world that would include you and I as well.
“Then I saw the souls of those who had been beheaded for their witness to Jesus and for the word of God”: The next group John sees is those who were martyred during the tribulation period that he described in chapter’s 6 and 7. John describes why they were martyred:
For their witness of Jesus and the word of God
For their refusal to worship the beast and receive his mark

So, then they were beheaded first for following the Lamb which caused them not to follow the antichrist.

“But the rest of the dead did not live again until the thousand years were finished”: This is a reference to the unbelievers who died apart from having a personal relationship with Jesus and will be judged as the “great whit throne judgement” in verses 11-15.

Vs. 6 This is the 6^th out of seven beatitudes found in this book and it describes four special blessings given to those who share the first resurrection.

“Blessed and holy is he who has part in the first resurrection”: Here we are given our final disposition as “Happy and holy” as we will share in His character and nature.
“Over such the second death has no power”: This literally means the 2^nd kind of death and the bible speaks of two types of death physical and spiritual so we are told that we believers will never face the possibility of eternal separation from God.
“But they shall be priests of God and of Christ”: We will enjoy a special relationship with the Lord as well as those other citizens of the earth during the 1000-year reign of Jesus as their spiritual leaders.
“And shall reign with Him a thousand years”: We are given the privilege of service in His kingdom ruling over the nations.

Vs. 7-15 The final curtain

Vs. 12 John sees people from every walk of life standing to be sentenced as several books are opened.

The book of life: This book contains the names of all who have trusted in Jesus alone for their salvation. There will not be one unsaved person’s name in this book not because God did not want them but rather because they did not want God!
There will be a set of records kept which contain the works of those who died apart from Jesus. Since they didn’t want to trust in the one work they will be judged based upon their “good works” which scripture tells us is like filthy rags.

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Revelation 19:1-21 | What’s For Dinner

bvcc — Wed, 09 Feb 2022 15:54:00 +0000

Intro

There are two places all of humanity can make reservations in revelation: You will either have dinner with the Lamb or you will be dinner for the birds. The truth is God is not willing any should parish and all have been invited to the banquet and as Jesus said in Matthew 22:14 “many are called, but few are chosen.” In that same parable Jesus explains why they were not allowed into the wedding even though they were invited as they “did not have on a wedding garment” they were not clothed in the righteousness of Christ but came instead in the filthy rags of their own good works. Paul wrote of this in Philip. 3:9 saying that he wanted to “be found in Him, not having my own righteousness, which is from the law, but that which is through faith in Christ, the righteousness which is from God by faith”.

Vs. 1-10 The marriage of the Lamb

Vs. 1 The words “after these things” indicates the timing of what John sees and hears which is after the destruction of both the religious as well as the commercial religious system. Its destruction brings forth praise to God in heaven and this is the first of four times in six verses that the word “alleluia” appears (first appearance in N.T.). The word is a Hebrew word that means praise only to Jehovah and there are four things that the multitude praise as belonging exclusively “to the Lord our God”:

Salvation: Salvation is an exclusive property of God. Nothing and no one can save us, deliver us apart from God. Mankind loves to put stock in their intellect, works and prosperity with regards to their salvation. Some trust in little idols they make to save them to which God spoke through Jeremiah saying, “where are your gods that you have made for yourselves? Let them arise if they can save you in the time of your trouble”. God’s judgement of religion will forever demonstrate that the things that mankind trusts in to save them will be unable to do so.
Glory: Again, mankind has sought glory in that which they possess as well as that which they accomplish but in heaven only what God possess and accomplishes will be praised. James wrote the truth of this in chapter 1:17 saying, “Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above and comes down from the father of lights”.
Honor: The word here for honor is a word that means to value and in heaven we will see that only God’s works and ways have value. I’m personally looking forward to praising God on this front, as I will finally be able to see what I can only do so by faith now. I think we will look over His dealings in our lives and say in praise, “That was valuable!”
Power: Finally, we will praise Him for His ability to accomplish ever thing in our lives. So much of God’s working in our lives is a mystery and can only be understood in the framework of His nature as we cannot always comprehend the value in the situations or circumstances we are placed in. But why does He not let us in on what He is doing? Well, it is because He wants us to learn to trust Him not based upon our comprehension of circumstances but rather upon understanding who He is!

Vs. 2 There is no rejoicing over the destruction of religion apart from praising God upon His attributes. We shall all sing praise to God of His judgments because they are:

True: God’s judgments are based not upon speculation but rather upon what is true, He alone is all knowing and everywhere present. God will never have to say, “Hey I’m so sorry for that judgment I missed the call on that!”
Righteous: The word here means “equitable” in other words the punishment will always fit the crime as He will never give out too much or too little! You see we ought to start with what we know to be true about God and not try to figure out how what we are going through is just.

God is going to deal with the religious system that killed those who proclaimed the truth, and He will do so according to truth giving out that which is equitable.

Vs. 3-4 The smoke of God’s judgment upon this religious system rises forever as an eternal monument of God’s judgment of self-righteousness and those of us in heaven will proclaim “so be it praise the Lord”.

Vs. 5-6 The phrase literally reads “keep praising our God” as God who has been reigning in heaven is now reigning over the earth as all have been put under His feet.

Vs. 7-8 At most weddings, it is the bride that receives most of the attention but here it is the Groom, and the bride is here not because of a list of things she has accomplished but rather because she has embraced the Grooms love for her. There is a puzzling statement in this verse dealing with the marriage of the Lamb in light of the rapture of the bride and that is why are they just now getting married if she has been with the Lord for seven years? Interestingly enough the Jewish wedding was different than the one we do today as it consisted of three parts:

Betrothal: This was a written legal document where the groom agreed to be joined with his bride is about a year. Usually, he brought a gift as a seal of this pledge tell he came back for her and paid the “bride price”. During that year she was to be ready as he could at any moment and would be making her wedding dress often out of material the groom had provided. The groom was at his father’s house preparing a place for them that where he was she would be also. The groom himself did not know the day or the hour of his wedding and when asked could only respond “only my father knows the day and the hour”.
Wedding day: As the days passed usually in autumn around harvest time the bride would notice that the “little mansion” was nearing completion so she would ware here wedding dress and tell her friends to get ready as the groom may coming at any moment. Sure, enough he would set off with his friends throughout the city warring crown and scented garments she would leave her home to join the celebration as they wound their way around the streets until they arrived under a canopy. The ceremony consisted of reading the agreement and their friends and family giving benedictions exalting the groom and his bride. Finally, they were led into the wedding chamber where the marriage was to be consummated.
Wedding feast: Finally, there was a feast that lasted seven days where for the only time in their lives they would be waited upon as if they were a king and a queen on the final day there was a great feast called the marriage supper.

It is exactly what we see here as the church has been celebrating for seven years and now is having the great feast as they start their life forever with the Groom. The bride is warring the cloth of the Grooms righteousness having “put on” His royal robe of righteousness which is gifted to us and is through this grace that we have any right acts!

Vs. 9-10 The angel proclaims the blessing of those who are untied to the Groom. Can you imagine this moment? John is so overwhelmed that he falls at the feet of the messenger but is told not to do so because he is just a fellow servant and to worship God, then he tells them that all prophecy is the unveiling of Jesus. We are far too prone to worship messengers instead of whom they proclaim, the beauty and grace of our Lord which the spirit of prophecy.

Vs. 11-21 The return of the Lamb

Vs. 11-16 This is the 2^nd time John sees an open door into heaven, in 4:1 John sees into heaven to behold the Father and the Son on the throne as he is caught up. Here John is now caught up to see but Jesus is ready to come down. Isaiah the prophet wrote, “Oh, that You would rend the heavens! That You would come down! That the mountains might shake at Your presence”. (Isa. 64:1) In 6:2 the rider on the white horse is the antichrist here the rider is the true Christ. At Jesus 1^st coming He came riding a donkey a sign of peace here He comes riding a white horse a sign of war. Four names identify the rider of which we know only three:

Vs. 11 “He who sat on him was called Faithful and True”: The context of this name points to the “righteousness He judges and makes war.” Which speaks of how He administers justice. In fact, He can be nothing less than this in all His dealings, yes He deals with us in accordance with His love, but He also does so according to His faithfulness and truth. Jesus has never and will never do anything that is not true, and we can count on this. I’m afraid that far too many people are devoted to that which is false and believe the most important thing is that they are devoted but the most important thing is not mere devotion alone it is devotion to the truth!
Vs. 12 “He had a name written that no one knew except Himself”: This name that no one knows except Himself has to do with “eyes like flames of fire and on His head many crowns”. His eyes have penetrating knowledge and His crowns speak of complete authority, both of which relate to His omniscience and His omnipotence. I can’t help but wonder in light of chapter 4:10 if the many crowns are the ones in which He gave us, and we lay at His feet? The mystery of this name is one which we will spend all of eternity discovering. There is so much about our Lord that we do not know and will enjoy finding out.
Vs. 13-15 “His name is called The Word of God”: His name is identified with the fact that He is clothed in a robe dipped in blood all of what he has done can be summed up in His sacrifice. John wrote in his gospel in the first chapter; “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.” Then in the 14^th verse he said, “the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we beheld His glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth.” In the 21^st chapter of Revelation He refers to as the Alpha and the Omega, which is the first and last letters in the Greek alphabet, in other words He is the final word on truth and what is right. The armies of heaven come with Him not to fight, as the armies of the world will be defeated by the word out of His mouth. Thus, they are there watching His victory which He had won at Calvary be culminated here. Just as Paul said in 2 Cor. 10:4-5 that “the weapons of our warfare are not carnal but mighty in God for pulling down strongholds, casting down arguments and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ”. Neither will Jesus’ be! Jesus’ weapon of Judgment then will be the Word of God, which is what He is.
Vs. 16 “He has on His robe and on His thigh a name written: KING OF KINGS AND LORD OF LORDS”: Finally, we see the fourth name given to Him which reveals that there is none above Him and no appealing to another judge. The buck will truly stop with Him and I’m thankful for that.

Vs. 17-21 Now if you don’t want to go to dinner with the Lamb then you will be dinner for the birds and in fact be declining Jesus’ invitation you are accepting to be gathered together for the supper of the great God, and you will apparently become “bird food”. Amazingly John sees this angel standing in the sun, which is around 150 million degrees Fahrenheit, so I don’’ think anybody will be missing with this fellow. It will matter not a person’s social standing they will be judged based upon what they have done with regards to receiving Jesus’ invitation to His wedding feast.

All the armies of the world converge on the plain of Jezreel valley to fight against each other but when they see Jesus coming they turn their weapons upon Him, which is what their commander, and chief has always wanted. The beast is captured and along with the false prophet are cast alive into the lake of burning fire where they will remain for 1,000 years and then be joined by satan, his demonic force of fallen angels and those who refused to love the truth and so be saved. The rest are killed by the word of God, which proceeds from the mother of Jesus.

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Revelation 18:1-24 | The Destruction of Babylon

bvcc — Wed, 02 Feb 2022 14:47:00 +0000

Intro

The angel in chapter 17:1 called the false religious system the “great harlot” but was this symbol used? The description is used to describe a person who is unfaithful and offers sexual satisfaction for a price what a spouse would for love. What makes it worse in these two chapters is that this is done by one who claims to be married to the Lord. Worship under religion is: Proclaiming our need but only accepting a solution that does not meet our need and being charges for it! Religion develops its own terms and conditions to manipulate a god of its own creation and then evaluates itself to determine how well it lived up to its own standards.

Although it will appear for the first 3 ½ years that the religious system will be riding the political system of the antichrist, but the truth is satan will allow this until his purposes are served.

Vs. 1-13 Bankrupt in Babylon

Vs. 1-3 After the destruction of the religious system in 17:16 John sees another angel illuminating the whole earth reflecting God’s glory. The angel’s statement in verse 2 is that this religious system had “become a dwelling place of demons, a prison for every foul spirit, and a cage for every unclean and hated bird” and is very reminiscent of Jesus parable of the “mustard seed” in Matt. 13:31-32. The commercial world has had intoxicating effect upon this religion’s institution with materialism, popularity, and power. Paul had warned in 2 Tim. 3:4-5 that religion had produced people who were “lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God,

having a form of godliness but denying its power.” Through these false religions system, the kings of the earth as well as their subjects had bought into her false teaching. This had caused the merchants of the world to become wealthy be adhering to her seductive message of prosperity. The things offered by the world always comes at a cost and they never satisfy.

Vs. 4-8 Here God gives two reasons for those rapped up into her influence to come out:

“Lest you share in her sins”: The word, “share” means a joint partner, so they are warned to avoid further pollution and to do so they need to come out!
“Lest you receive of her plagues”: To not come out is to receive the same judgment as the false religious system.

God is reaching out to those who are on the fringe during the tribulation, not the ones who want to worship satan but the ones that as of yet do not wanting to die to self-centeredness either. A person can become a true believer even in a false religious system if there is enough open heart to the truth that the Holy Spirit can work with. Yet the opposite is true as well a person can be a non-believer where the truth is readily available, yet they just go through the motions. If a person is a true believer in a false system God’s word is still “come out of her”! The prayer of religion does not reach the throne of God, but her sins sure do. The word “reached” is “glued or piled up” meaning the sins of religion just keep on being stacked on top of each other until they reached God. I’m reminded of the tower of Babel where they desired to communion with heaven without having to have a relationship with God. In Psalm 103:12 we are told that, “As far as the east is from the west, so far has He removed our transgressions from us.” What a tragedy that instead of confessing their sins so that they would be remembered no more they chose to hang onto them. There is a natural law of “retribution” where what is done to others comes back upon those that have done evil to others here it is doubled probably because the refusal to repent. Those who wish to do good works to be right with God will in the end find that they will be repaid for the bad works as well!

The religious system is judged upon two things here in verses 7-8:

“She glorified herself”: She calls herself the “queen” and “am no widow and will not see sorrow.” The arrogance of her pride and boasting is what often attracts the world to her.
“Lived luxuriously”: She loves to adorn herself in the treasures of this world instead of the treasures of heaven and the people of the world flock to that which they want for themselves.

God’s judgment will be swift as in one day this false religious system that caused all the world to become intoxicated with materialism will be destroyed. Her wealth and affluence caused a false since of security and clouded her ability to see her real need.

Vs. 9-13 The kings of the earth who committed fornication with her now weep at her destruction but at a distance for fear of being associated with her and receiving the same fate. Verse 11 indicates that their mourning is not over her loss but rather the loss of their profits, such is the case with religion and those who belong to her. False religion was great for business, but no one cares for the moral religious speech just that which can be gained from religion.

In verse 12-13 John lists the commodities that brought wealth and power to those who trafficked in them through the false religious system. Satan has long used the fallen appetites of man to enslave them in their own passions. Every one of these items are not necessities but rather they are all luxury items. It is not immediately known what John sees as it relates to the “bodies and souls of men”, but whatever enslaves men’s bodies entraps their souls as well.

Vs. 14-24 Two responses to religions destruction

Vs. 14-19 Offer a further description of why the merchants of the world weep as all “The fruit that your soul longed for has gone from you”. In the end mankind will be seen worshipping their own possessions and unable to find this treasure any longer will become miserable. Jesus warned in Matthew 6:19-21 “not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal; but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” Babylon (Rome) will be the city that drives the world’s economy as everyone who exported from or imported to her is saying, “Oh no! How will we buy and sell now?”

Vs. 20-24 There are two responses to her destruction:

Vs. 19 “They threw dust on their heads and cried out, weeping and wailing, and saying, ‘Alas, alas, that great city, in which all who had ships on the sea became rich by her wealth! For in one hour, she is made desolate.” Those who have profited from her weep because of the loss of profit.
Vs. 20 “Rejoice over her, O heaven, and you holy apostles and prophets, for God has avenged you on her!” Heaven will rejoice, as it was this same system that was responsible for the killing of the saints.

Our rejoicing is not over the destruction of “sinners” but rather over that system which oppressed and destroyed so many lives as His justice will be done. God lists three reasons for her destruction:

Vs. 23a “For your merchants were the great men of the earth,” The heroes of the world’s system are the ones that oppressed mankind the most.
Vs. 23b “for by your sorcery all the nations were deceived.” The word for “sorcery” is drugs in the Greek; so, it seems that the merchandise of the world and the economy in the tribulation will be in large part propped up by drug trafficking who not only get rich but dope up the world in so doing.
Vs. 24 “And in her was found the blood of prophets and saints, and of all who were slain on the earth.” God blames not only the death of the saints upon this false system but all murders.

Why does God tell John to write these things for us? (Remember that these things were first to be given to the seven churches). I believe God is showing us not only a picture of the last days but also the present dangers while we live in this world now so that if we are into these things and apart of His Church we can come out of such things. It is time for us to evaluate our own hearts!

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Revelation 17:1-18 | The Acts of the Apostates – Part II

bvcc — Thu, 27 Jan 2022 01:09:00 +0000

Intro

Chapters 17-18 are about God’s judgement upon the false world systems: Chapter 17 deals with the false religious system, while chapter 18 deals with the false political and commercial system. The first six verses of this chapter, we are given the description of this false religious system, in verses 7-15 John explains the symbols he had used to describe this false religious system. Finally in verse 16-18 John tells us of God’s judgment of this system.

Vs. 1-6 Rotten religion

Vs. 1 One of the seven angels, (perhaps the 7^th as he was sent to judge the false religious system 16:19), now comes with his bowl to John but before he does anything he wants to show John an unusual sight. “Come, I will show you the judgment of the great harlot who sits on many waters, with whom the kings of the earth committed fornication, and the inhabitants of the earth were made drunk with the wine of her fornication.” Verses 1-6 go on to give us three important things about this “great harlot”:

Her effect upon the world (verses 1-2)
Her wardrobe (verses 3-4)
Her revealed mystery (verses 5-6).

Her effect upon the world (verses 1-2)

To unravel what John records for us based upon what the angel tells him all we have to do is look further on in this chapter and in so doing we discover four things.

1. Verse 18 identifies the harlot with a “great city” that was “reign over the Kings of the earth”. Furthermore, this great city was wealthy based upon her royal attire in verse 4 yet it was the center of idolatrous worship as well as the persecution of the Church. Verse 15 speaks of this city’s worldwide influence and verse 9 tells us that it was located on seven mountains. The question is, “What city at the time of John’s writing of this reigned over all the earth, was wealthy, was the center of idolatrous worship and persecuted the church and was located on seven mountains?” There can only be one that fit this and that would be Rome.

2. In verse 6 John says that having seen her causes him to “marvel with great amazement” only to have his amazement questioned by the angel in verse 7. Several things all combined to caused John to be so overwhelming amazed:

A harlot dressed not in her normal attire but in royal clothes
A harlot that had such intoxicating influence over all the Kings of the earth
A harlot who prior to this was an ordinary woman riding a dressed-up beast full of blasphemy
A woman not only drunk but drunk on the blood of the saints

You will notice that the angel informs John that this woman is none other than a “great harlot” he sees her as a woman, a woman saying things dressed in a manor not familiar to him, doing things that he never imagined. What John sees is religion but not a religion that was unrecognizable to him but rather religion that had the form of what He followed in fact it looked outwardly like that which had been the passion of his life. The Church is called the “bride of Christ”! Oh it had become glorious but not with the glory of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit but rather glorious with fading glory of the world and its system powered by satan whom she rides. Do not miss understand me this was not the true “bride of Christ” as she has drunk the blood of the martyrs and made war with the Lamb. Paul wrote to his young protege in 2 Tim. 3:1-5 “know this, that in the last days perilous times will come: For men will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, unloving, unforgiving, slanderers, without self-control, brutal, despisers of good, traitors, headstrong, haughty, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, having a form of godliness but denying its power. And from such people turn away!” That is what we see here “a form of godliness” having replaced the power of Christ with religious ceremonies which worship nothing more than itself and cannot be fitted to worship anything including satan. Religion is a Latin term that means “laws that bind” and in the fullest of definitions means, “an emotional expression of devotion to a superhuman power through a system that binds a person to their belief!” That is NOT what Christianity is, (although clearly at times it has been reduced to this). A religious person is seen by the outward things they do that causes them to feel and appear spiritual. But that is NOT what true Christianity is, ours is a relationship. A relationship is NOT concerned with maintain outward appearances but rather in growing closer to the person they love these can best be measured not by the outward self-righteous pomp of religion but rather by love and humility. Religion seeks to get mankind to trust in their own “goodness” seen in their works such as “church affiliation, religious ordinances, and spiritual experiences”. Religion offers the false hope of being right with God along with or apart from the Person and work of Jesus!

3. In verse one John is told that this harlot is upon “many water” and we need not guess as to what is meant by this as he is told in verse 15 that “many waters” are “are peoples, multitudes, nations, and tongues.” This Religion has a worldwide influence and appeal like Jesus’ parable of the mustard seed in Mathew 13:31-32. The part of the Church that world sees is “favorable” and enhances its appetites for the things of the world, it is this religious Church that grows into superstructures that sit upon the beast.

4. Verse 2 also informs us that the political powers that be commit fornication with her. This began around 300 A.D. with the Roman emperor Constantine as the state joined the Church and Church embraced the state. John had already written of the danger of this “mixed marriage” in 1 John 2:15 saying, “Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him.” Not only have the political rulers of the world-committed fornication with religion their citizens have become drunk with the wine of her fornication. They have had their senses clouded where they could no longer distinguish religion from relationship. In 2 Cor. 4:4 Paul writes that “if our gospel is veiled, it is veiled to those who are perishing, whose minds the god of this age has blinded, who do not believe, lest the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine on them.”

Her wardrobe (verses 3-4)

Vs. 3-4 As John is led away into the wilderness he sees a woman whom the angel called a “great harlot”, yet John sees arrayed in splendor. The difference is obvious as the angel sees religion, as it really is, and mankind can only upon what it is on the outside. The 13^th chapter told us that this woman would be sitting on the antichrist and here we see her riding satan which seems to suggest that religion will both be supported by satan as well as seem to have dominance over him at least until the 16^th verse where he will destroy her. The beast is fully of names of blasphemy which religion will have to compromise with in order to ride the beast.

Her attire again is that of royalty full of the trappings of wealth far from the humble trappings of true Christianity. It is to this Church Jesus said in the 3^rd chapter verse 17 “you say, I am rich, have become wealthy, and have need of nothing’; and do not know that you are wretched, miserable, poor, blind, and naked”. In her hand is a golden chalice filled with abominations and filthiness. Her alliance with the world has made her both powerful and wealthy but as those increased any purity and truth left!

Her revealed mystery (verses 5-6)

Vs. 5-6 Her name involves a “mystery” which is scripture is something once hidden that now has been revealed. Her name ties her in with a city founded by Nimrod called Babylon, (Gen. 10:8-11, 11:1-10). The name Babylon comes from the root word Bab-El that meant, “gate of God” but latter came to mean “confusion”. It was in this location that the idolatrous descendants of Noah built a tower to attempt to bypass God in their desire to communicate with the heavens. Instead, God destroyed their ability to communicate with each other. She is further called the “Mother of Harlots” thus she is the original system of false worship which has seduced all mankind to worship upon works and not upon having a relationship. You can trace this worship and see how it seeks to confuse man by becoming an imitation of true Christianity, for instance:

They practiced the worship of a mighty warrior named Nimrod who was the 4^th generation from the flood; his grandfather was Ham who uncovered Noah’s nakedness. His wife’s name was Semiramis (also known as Ashtart the fertility goddess), she gave birth in her virginity to a son named Tammuz who was said to be a savior to his people. Tammuz was born on Dec. 25^th and his birth was celebrated by bringing an evergreen tree into the house and decorating it with silver and gold. Tammuz was said have been gored by a bull and died in which his body lay in the wilderness three days upon which he came back to life. The people celebrated his resuscitation by coloring eggs and the worship of rabbits, naming the day Ashtart day of, as we know it “Easter”. There were drawings of Semiramis, and Tammuz known as the “Queen of heaven” with a baby Tammuz in her arms. All of this is well documented and was part of the hodgepodge of religions of the Roman empire. Religion is what was behind the crusades and inquisitions as well as the martyrdom of countless true believers. Religion in all its trappings has sought block the way to God by elevating education, personal works, or a man as mediator between God and mankind. God did not create the “Church” as a system to approach Him, no the Church is simply called to fellowship with Him and to proclaim the truth about Him to a hurting world. We are all to be brothers and sisters, servants of Jesus and one another living as examples of people who have personally experienced God’s love and grace. What makes us “right before God” has everything to do with Him and nothing to do with us!

Vs. 7-18 The mystery of religion

Vs. 7-8 What John marveled at, the angel question, but why such an astonishment as this mystery has been given to us in the prophecies of Daniel 2:40-44, 7:7 as well as what he has already seen in chapter 12 and 13 is this unveiling. This religious system will be one in which the world governments of the revised Roman empire will have no problem with. The angel describes the beast in which this apostate church rides as one that “was and is not”. Some see this as referring to a monarchy or imperial form of government which will be revised and will indeed be the antichrist empowered by satan. It appears as though the apostate church will be used to help ease people into satan worship as they will be caught up in false religion only to have their belief system switched to that of marveling at the beast they were riding. In John 5:43 Jesus said, “I have come in My Father’s name, and you do not receive Me; if another comes in his own name, him you will receive.”

In this book of life is written all the names of those who have been saved by Jesus and this was before the foundation of the world. There are two truths about this from two separate perspectives.

John 3:16 The “Whoever” perspective: That is “whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life”. This is from our point of view and upon our trust in Him.
John 15:16 “You did not choose Me, but I chose you” perspective: Their names were placed in this book before time and the only way we will know if our name is there is to look and see which you will be able to do so based upon our repentance and trust in Him.

Vs. 9-10 The A.S.V. translation is preferable here as it reads “The seven heads are seven mountains, on which the woman sitteth: and they are seven kings; the five are fallen, the one is, the other is not yet come; and when he cometh, he must continue a little while.” The difference is the NKJ adds a sentence break and the words “there are also” which is not in the Greek. Simply put what John records is that the seven heads are seven hills or mountains in which is further explained as seven Kings or kingdoms. There are those who see this as referring to Rome’s location upon the seven hills, while others see it referring to world ruling empires which are also referred to us as mountains in (Ps. 30:7, Jer. 51:25 and Dan. 2:45). History reveals six of these empires as “Babylonian, Assyrian, Egyptian, Persian, Greek and Roman”.

Vs. 11-13 The Bible speaks of two more empires to come in the last days and John is told that five have fallen (Babylonian, Assyrian, Egyptian, Persian, Greek), one is that would be the Roman empire and one had yet to come. The seventh ruling empire will come out of the sixth (Roman) as Daniel sees in 2:33 & 7:20 which will form a 10-nation confederation which will have authority for only a short time in their allegiance to the antichrist.

Vs. 14-18 The purpose of this is to untie the religious system with that of the political economic system of the world in which they will make war with the Lamb and the world will follow after the antichrist. The 15^th verse begins to give us the interpretation of that which John saw which end is given us here. The very system that carries the apostate church in the end will destroy it once it has served its purpose. Satan always seeks to accomplish his goals of power and worship but will never share it with that which gained it for him. All of the world’s trappings will be stripped form religion and it will be devoured by that which she had hoped to ride to her glory.

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Revelation 17:1-18 | The Acts of the Apostates – Part I

bvcc — Wed, 19 Jan 2022 12:48:00 +0000

Intro

Vs. 1-6 Rotten religion

Her effect upon the world (verses 1-2)
Her wardrobe (verses 3-4)
Her revealed mystery (verses 5-6).

Her effect upon the world (verses 1-2)

To unravel what John records for us based upon what the angel tells him all we have to do is look further on in this chapter and in so doing we discover four things.

A harlot dressed not in her normal attire but in royal clothes
A harlot that had such intoxicating influence over all the Kings of the earth
A harlot who prior to this was an ordinary woman riding a dressed-up beast full of blasphemy
A woman not only drunk but drunk on the blood of the saints

Her wardrobe (verses 3-4)

Her revealed mystery (verses 5-6)

They practiced the worship of a mighty warrior named Nimrod who was the 4^th generation from the flood; his grandfather was Ham who uncovered Noah’s nakedness. His wife’s name was Semiramis (also known as Ashtart the fertility goddess), she gave birth in her virginity to a son named Tammuz who was said to be a savior to his people. Tammuz was born on Dec. 25^th and his birth was celebrated by bringing an evergreen tree into the house and decorating it with silver and gold. Tammuz was said have been gored by a bull and died in which his body lay in the wilderness three days upon which he came back to life. The people celebrated his resuscitation by coloring eggs and the worship of rabbits, naming the day Ashtart day of, as we know it “Easter”. There were drawings of Semiramis, and Tammuz known as the “Queen of heaven” with a baby Tammuz in her arms. All of this is well documented and was part of the hodgepodge of religions of the Roman empire. Religion is what was behind the crusades and inquisitions as well as the martyrdom of countless true believers. Religion in all its trappings has sought block the way to God by elevating education, personal works, or a man as mediator between God and mankind. God did not create the “Church” as a system to approach Him, no the Church is simply called to fellowship with Him and to proclaim the truth about Him to a hurting world. We are all to be brothers and sisters, servants of Jesus and one another living as examples of people who have personally experienced God’s love and grace. What makes us “right before God” has everything to do with Him and nothing to do with us!

Vs. 7-18 The mystery of religion

In this book of life is written all the names of those who have been saved by Jesus and this was before the foundation of the world. There are two truths about this from two separate perspectives.

John 3:16 The “Whoever” perspective: That is “whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life”. This is from our point of view and upon our trust in Him.
John 15:16 “You did not choose Me, but I chose you” perspective: Their names were placed in this book before time and the only way we will know if our name is there is to look and see which you will be able to do so based upon our repentance and trust in Him.

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Revelation 16:1-21 | Crime and Punishment – Part II

bvcc — Wed, 12 Jan 2022 17:33:00 +0000

Intro

This section of revelation is where John sees God’s righteous judgment upon the earth; a topic that draws much conversation depending upon your perspective. There are those that see God as indifferent towards sin and that His judgement is long overdue. To which Hebrews 10:30-31 says, “Vengeance is Mine, I will repay,” says the Lord. And again, “The LORD will judge His people. It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God.” Then there are those that see God as a mean restrictive ogre who punishes poor mankind on a whim. Based upon the Bible there are six reasons God is right in His judgment:

Ps. 90:8 “You have set our iniquities before You, Our secret sins in the light of Your countenance.” Eccl 12:14 “For God will bring every work into judgment, Including every secret thing, Whether good or evil.” Mark 4:22 “For there is nothing hidden which will not be revealed, nor has anything been kept secret but that it should come to light.” Simply put God see every hidden thing as well as the “the thoughts and intents of the heart.”
Rom. 1:18 “The wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who suppress the truth in unrighteousness”. Not only does man “miss the mark” concerning how God created him he does so willingly suppressing the truth.
Rom. 2:5 “But in accordance with your hardness and your impenitent heart you are treasuring up for yourself wrath in the day of wrath and revelation of the righteous judgment of God”. Mankind continues to harden their heart while God is patient giving them time to repent.
Ps. 78:21-22 “Therefore the LORD heard this and was furious; So, a fire was kindled against Jacob, and anger also came up against Israel, because they did not believe in God, and did not trust in His salvation.” Mankind’s continual refusal to trust God is yet another reason for His judgment.
2 Sam 6:7 “the anger of the LORD was aroused against Uzzah, and God struck him there for his error; and he died there by the ark of God.” Not only is there a refusal to trust God there is a rebellion seen in repeated attempts to approach God on our own grounds.
Finally, there is a disobedience that will continue and not ever change.

Vs. 1-11 Righteous judgments of God

Vs. 1-2 This is the first of the seven bowls of wrath which is a continuation of the 15^th chapter. These final seven judgments will happen in quick succession at the very end of the tribulation period just prior to the 2^nd coming of Jesus.

1. Vs. 2 This judgement causes “foul and loathsome sore came upon the men who had the mark of the beast and those who worshiped his image.” In chapter 14:9-10 the angel of the Lord warned the people of the earth “If anyone worships the beast and his image and receives his mark on his forehead or on his hand, he himself shall also drink of the wine of the wrath of God, which is poured out full strength into the cup of His indignation.” Mankind’s reaction to God’s warning is willful disobedience as they were given every opportunity to heed the Lord’s warning. The description of this sore as being “foul and loathsome” describes an ulcer like sore that has become malignant. These words are the very words used to translate the sores given to the Egyptians in Exodus 9:9 when it was translated from Hebrew to Greek. It is interesting to remember the plight of Job who was attacked by satan with painful sores from head to foot. How fitting it is that God’s judgement for those who have disobeyed His word not to take the mark of the beast to receive a mark of having done so!

2. Vs. 3 The 2^nd bowl judgment comes out against the sea turning it into “blood as of a dead man”. This is descriptive words that describe the color of the sea being blood red and its smell will be that of something in a state of decay. The location of this judgment is upon the sea and its effects will be universal as, “every living creature in the sea died”, from whales to the plankton they eat. Again, the judgment fits the crime as those who wanted to worship the creation apart from the creator or given the stench of death of such worship. Mankind has always sought to worship their environment, but God has given us His creation to sustain us and to point us to Him. But instead of worshiping the creator they fallen humanity has chosen to fashion idols that look like the creation (Rom. 1:18-23, Isa. 46:5-7). God sends judgment upon the very thing that man looks to as their savior showing them the futility of worshiping that which cannot save.

3. Vs. 4-6 The 3^rd bowl judgment is sent towards the fresh water supply. Those who have shed the blood of those who dispensed “living water” are given blood to drink. Just like Pharaoh who tried to drown all the Jewish boys saw in the end his first-born son die and his army drown in the Red Sea. Notice that the angels worship God based upon His Character as well as His actions:

“You are righteous, O Lord”: God always at all times does right!
“The One who is and who was and who is to be”: Not only is He self-existing but He is unchanging. Thus, His counsel, purpose and character are always the same!
“Because You have judged these things”: Based upon the above two aspects God’s judgment can never be unfair and will always fit the crime! Since He always does right He alone is the true test of what right is. Furthermore, since He has never changed His standards will never be altered; thus, man is without excuse as to their behavior. Verse seven declares the affirmation of what was just said as all of heaven sees the consistency and righteousness of God’s judgments.

4. Vs. 8-9 As in the 4^th trumpet the judgment being upon the darkness of mankind’s heart here the sun is not darkened but intensified the result being that people are scorched. How fitting is this judgment when we consider Matt. 5:45 as Jesus said that the Father, “He makes His sun rise on the evil and on the good and sends rain on the just and on the unjust.” All of life depends upon the light of the sun to sustain them but here it will be this light that will judge them. Amazingly we are told that the effects of these first four judgments will not cause a change of heart. So often people think that if God just displayed His power or let them know that their behavior is unexcitable then they would repent and turn to Him. The truth is that based upon verse 11 they just blaspheme Him in their stubborn rebellion. If the harden heart will reject the love of God the judgment of God will do nothing to alter it either.

5. Vs. 10-11 Here the 5^th bowl is upon the source of all wickedness, “the throne of the beast”. The people who proclaimed his invincibility in chapter 13:4 claiming that no one will be able to make war with him will see how powerless he is against God’s judgment. But amazingly even this will not turn them from their devotion to a defeated foe or their sinful behavior! What a fitting judgment as the antichrist’s kingdom of darkness with all of its lies is placed into a physical place to match it wickedness. The word for “darkness” means to obscure or blind and seeing that satan has blinded the minds of unbelievers (2 Cor. 4:4) The veiled appearance of satan as an angel of light will be removed and those that worship him will see the object of their worship, yet in spite of that will still not repent!

III. Vs. 12-21 Preparation for war

Vs. 12-16 Here we see the 6^th bowl judgment which begins the start of the war known as Armageddon. The start of the river Euphrates is in Turkey and flows northwest to southeast through Iraq on its way to the Persian Gulf forming the boundary of the ancient Roman Empire as well as the boundary to the land God gave to Abraham in Gen. 15:18. Dams have since been built on this river making the prophecy of Isa. 11:15 as well as the words here very easily done. In chapter 9:13-14 we were told that a demonic army would be released from this area. The purpose of this drying up of the river is to prepare the way for the kings of the east, unclean spirits (who are like frogs); the dragon who we know is satan, the beast who we are told is the antichrist and finally the false prophet. So, there are five distinct groups that will play a part in the final battle:

The kings of the east: This would include China, Japan, India etc., which represent ½ the world’s population. This army will gather together and cross the dried upriver Euphrates.
Vs. 13 Unclean spirits like frogs: This is just another way of saying demons what is interesting is if you travel the world you will see idols of many of the pagan religions that are depicted as frogs.
The dragon: In the 12^th chapter we were told that this is satan who is the accuser of the brethren.
The beast: The 13^th chapter tells us that the beast will be the antichrist that will be the political world leader who will get his power and authority from satan.
The false prophet: He will be the mouth pace for the antichrist as well as the religious leader who will encourage the worship of the beast.

The demons will perform signs to deceive the people of the world to fight in this battle. It seems as though this battle breaks out in internal conflict that unites as Jesus’ 2^nd coming as they seek to attack Him. Dan. 11:35 through chapter 12 deals with this the rough outline being that the antichrist will assume power and for the first 3 ½ year period enjoy peace until his reign begins to crumble and people begin to rebel under his leadership. He enters Israel to stop the opposition against him at which time he gets news of the Kings of the east coming from the dried upriver all will meet t Megiddo in Jezreel valley which some 14 miles wide and 20 miles in length. The point of the battle at first is who is going to be king of the earth as the world is not too happy with the antichrist’s reign. It is at this very time that Jesus comes back, and the object of their hatred unites against Jesus. In verse 15 we have a quote from Jesus serving as a warning and an admonition. Jesus is saying that those who are alive are to walk in the righteousness that He has given or else they will walk unclothed and ashamed. Armageddon comes from a combination of two words “Hill” and “slaughter”.

Vs. 17-21 Finally we see the 7^th bowl judgment which at the very end of the great tribulation. Before it transpires there will be verbal signs proclaiming the end of judgment. These words are familiar as they are the same as Jesus words on the cross in John 19:30 when He proclaimed, “it is finished”. The difference between these two statements has to do with the truth that good judged all of mankind’s sin on the cross and that there will be no other judgment accept what that unrepentant man will bare their own guilt! The choice is simple have your sins judged based upon Jesus finished work upon the cross or have your sins judged based upon your own works which is seen here. There will be visible signs as well as audible ones all of which will demonstrate His power and authority. There are four things to note about this earthquake:

Vs. 18 It will be like no other earthquake that has ever been. There will be nothing to compare this with not even polar shifts.
Vs. 19 Jerusalem will be divided into three parts and all other cities of the earth will be destroyed. All of this seems to be a simultaneous event other speculate that it will be a domino effect one triggering the other which Seismologists have concurred the possibility of happening for some time. Babylon will be the specific target as it is the center of all false worship.
Vs. 20 Every island and mountain will be destroyed and as such there will be and safe place as the whole earth’s surface will undergo restructuring.
Vs. 21 Finally there will be hail stones that weigh approximately 75 pounds. The interesting thing here is that the penalty for blaspheme was stoning in the O.T. and it appears that it will still be!

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