Revelation 8, The Seventh Seal

 

Revelation 8, The Seventh Seal

The seven angels with the seven trumpets will bring us to the full intensity of the great tribulation. God is directly and supernaturally judging a rebellious people. The seven trumpets will reveal the direct activity of God because of man’s and satan’s rebellion. God will judge both. Some might say this book is scary but for those who are left behind, God is going to scare them back to Him and then to heaven. When the 7th seal was opened there was silence for about 1/2-hour. This was the calm before the storm. It was a transition from grace to judgment. If you have ever been in the eye of a tornado, it will give you a sense of what this silence is. These seven angels with their seven trumpets will be a process of moving all the Israelites back to the land of Palestine. Just like the walls of Jericho fell down, the walls of God's opposition will crumble and fall down. Another Angel went to the altar where prayer is offered. The incense is the prayers of the Saints still on earth Psalm 141: 2 says “let my prayer be set before thee as incense ..” These prayers were made in Jesus’ name. All these prayers left the angels hands and went to God. The thundering’s mean the storm is coming. The voices is the intelligent direction of God. God is ceertainly in charge. Lightning came after the Thunder. The earthquake is the response to the severe pressure that will be put in place by God's judgment. The half hour of silence is over, the prayers have been heard and the order to blow the trumpets were made. The first trumpet blew and 1/3 of the grass, forest, and trees are damaged by fire and hail. Plant life was the first to be created and the first to be destroyed. The second trumpet blew and a mountain on fire was cast into the sea and 1/3 of sea life was destroyed. The third trumpet blew, and Wormwood means calamity and sorrow. The star is a meteor containing poison which contaminates 1/3 of fresh water and drinking water for mankind. The 4th trumpet blew, and the light and the darkness put out on 1/3 of the earth. Matthew 14:29. Then an Angel flies around heaven saying with a loud voice, woe and judgment is coming on the earth.

Please read the chapter listed so that you can understand God’s Word better.

 

If you have missed any lessons, you can go to: God Plans For You at https://sherrysouthard.blogspot.com.

Nelson’s Quick Reference Commentary.

Dr. David Jeremiah Study Bible.  J. Vernon McGee Through the Bible

Revelation 7, The Sealed Ones

 Revelation 7 The Sealed Ones

What we have learned so far is that the church has been raptured up. John told us what we will see in heaven. Then last week we learned what will happen on earth to those who are left behind. The world is in chaos. The Holy Spirit is still on earth, but he is no longer holding back evil like he did before the rapture. The devil is having a holiday during this. He can now do as he pleases. God grants this because this is his period of judgment upon a Christ rejecting the world. The question is how will the people be saved during the tribulation? John explains that in this chapter. Before the rapture, God used the wind in judgment in way of fire, hail, snow, storms and vapors. (Palms148: 8). Now in the tribulation God holds back the wind. He is still in control. God's purpose is to bring the rest of the world to Him. If He still didn't love those who were left behind, He would shut the earth down and speak it out of existence. But we will see that multitudes will turn to him. When we have struggles in our life we will either turn to God or away from Him. These people that are left behind have hardened their hearts to God. Therefore, God's judgments are harsher than before. This will turn a multitude of people to God. So far, he has four angels holding back the north, South, East and West winds. Then there is a 5^th. angel ordering them not to hurt the earth, sea, and trees until God's servants are sealed in their foreheads. This is an indication that God's judgment is going to get worse, so it is necessary to secure the servants of God. Without the seal, they will not survive. Those who received the seal will be those of the 12 tribes of Israel and the Gentiles. It doesn't say what the seal in their forehead will look like but there will be a great distinction between God's people and those who take the mark of the beast. He promises to shorten the days of His people because the people will not be able to buy and sell unless they have the mark of the beast. God will protect and provide for His servants. He numbered how many Israelites that will be saved but he did not number the Gentiles as they were too numerous to count. There will be more saved during the tribulation than ever before. And now at the end of it all there is a fantastic scene of universal worship of God by his creatures. The church is there, the Old Testament Saints are there, and the tribulation saints are there. And all the angels join in. Now those that went through the tribulation and were redeemed are before the throne of God and are serving God in His temple. Christ is dwelling with them. These people were hungry, thirsty and suffered in the heat. Now they are in heaven and will be fed and given living waters and God will wipe away all their tears. These people are not a part of the church but were people redeemed through the tribulation.

 

Please read the chapter listed so that you can understand God’s Word better.

If you have missed any lessons, you can go to: God Plans For You at https://sherrysouthard.blogspot.com.

J. Vernon McGee Commentary and Nelson’s Quick Reference Commentary

Revelation 6, The Six Seals continued.

 

Revelation 6, The Six Seals, continued

This fifth seal is of the altar that is in heaven. The souls mentioned here are the Old Testament saints. These are all the prophets that were slain between the time of Abel and Zacharias. Also, those who were slain in the Great Tribulation period who suffered for the name of Christ. All of them will be given a white robe and told to rest awhile. The Sixth seal is the beginning of the last half of the tribulation. The earthquake will be greater than any earthquake before. The sun will become black and the moon red as blood. The winds will shake the stars out of the heavens. The heavens depart as a scroll when they are rolled together, and the mountains and the islands will be moved. Everyone will run to the hills and mountains to hide from the wrath of Jesus Christ. The only way to avoid this period is to put our faith and trust in Jesus and build that relationship with Him that ensures our entry into the Kingdom of heaven. We all want to be raptured up before these terrible times come.

 

Please read the chapter listed so that you can understand God’s Word better.

If you have missed any lessons, you can go to: God Plans For You at https://sherrysouthard.blogspot.com.

Nelson’s Quick Reference Commentary.

Dr. David Jeremiah Study Bible.

J, Vernon McGee Through the Bible

 

Revelation 6, The Six Seals

 

Revelation 6 The Six Seals

In this chapter it is revealed what happens on earth while God's children are in heaven. The great tribulation is what happens. The Lord Jesus opens the 6 seals and the four horses ride forth. Jesus is now the executor of God's will upon the earth as He opens the seals of the book. According to J. Vernon McGhee and a few other Bible scholars they say the White Horse and the rider is the Antichrist. He is the one who pretends to be Christ. He doesn't come as a villain but as a smooth talker. He is going to be the most attractive man that the world has ever seen. He promises peace and because all the people that are not raptured is in a world of chaos. They accept him and follow him, but because he lied to them it does not turn out well. The tribulation comes in like a lamb but goes out like a lion. The piece which the rider promised was short lived because after that came the red horse of war. This will be a real-world War. Most likely World War 111. The third horse is black which speaks of mourning. It also speaks of famine. Always after war comes a lack of food. In those days there will not be enough food for food or barley. There will be enough barley for oil and wine and the rich will thrive on that but the poor will remain poor and hungry. The fourth horse is a pale rider who brings pestilence upon the earth that will kill 1/4 of the population. There won't be enough medicines to go around to stop the plagues. The pale rider is named death. He's not only death of the body but death in Hades where the lost man goes. The pale rider named death comes with hades following with him. The sword, famine, pestilence and wild beasts will destroy the earth's population by ¼. read Matthew 24: 5-8.

 

Please read the chapter listed so that you can understand God’s Word better.

If you have missed any lessons, you can go to: God Plans For You at https://sherrysouthard.blogspot.com.

Nelson’s Quick Reference Commentary.      J. Vernon McGee Through the Bible

Dr. David Jeremiah Study Bible.

 

The Lukewarm Church of Laodicea

 

The Lukewarm Church of Laodicea

This church is about 40 miles from Ephesus. Its name means “justice of the people”. It was a place of great wealth, of commerce and Greek culture. It was a place of science and literature. It boasted of an excellent medical school. This city was abandoned during the earthquakes and has not been built as of the last recording. John writes this letter of Christ saying Christ has the last word. He is the Amen. His word is final. He is the one who will fulfill all the promises of God. He says that because the church has rejected the deity of Christ, Christ will reveal all and tell all. This will be the day the church will have difficulty hearing the truth. He reminds them that Christ is their creator. He knows all and he doesn't commend this church for anything. Their works are evil works. They were lukewarm people and Christ wanted to spit them out of His mouth. A cold church denies every doctrine of faith while the hot church is one who has a real spiritual fervor and passion for Christ. A lukewarm church maintains a middle of the road position. They didn't want to fully believe the whole word of God, nor did they want to say they are firm in their beliefs. This kind of church makes Jesus sick enough to spit them out of His mouth. It's like saying “I love you” and not meaning it. This city believed they were rich and didn't need anything. Laodicea and Sardis were two of the richest cities in this area during this time. They believed the dollar was the answer to every problem of life. Christ said differently. He said they were miserable, poor, blind and naked. Where were their priorities? Where are our priorities? Are they in material things or in spiritual wealth? The Laodiceans were “the wretched one.” It was worse than all the seven churches. It was spiritually poverty-stricken. They didn't study the word, had no love of Christ and did not witness Christ’s saving grace. It was blind to its own condition. Christ counseled them to become part of the blood of Christ and be clothed in his righteousness. And to receive the Holy Spirit who opens the eyes of the believer. Christ tells them that because He loves them, He rebukes them and hopes they will repent and change their ways. They need to get on fire for God. Christ is knocking on the door of our heart. He won't force His way in but waits for us to answer. Once we answer He will share His word with us and help create a relationship with Him. Those who overcome will sit with Christ in heaven next to God on his throne. If we have an ear to hear the spirit of God can make the Word real to us.

 

Please read the chapter listed so that you can understand God’s Word better. If you have missed any lessons, you can go to: God Plans For You at https://sherrysouthard.blogspot.com. Nelson’s Quick Reference Commentary. J. Vernon McGee Through the Bible. Dr. David Jeremiah Study Bible.

Revelation 5, The Scroll

 

Revelation 5, The Scroll

In the last chapter and in this one, God's people are in heaven. John shows us what we will see once we are there. The Lion and the Lamb, both of whom represent Christ is the main subject of this chapter. John continues what he started in chapter four. In verse one it shows God holding the scroll in His hands that is tightly sealed with seven seals. Many people say this scroll contained the 10 commandments. It doesn't say in this chapter what it says, so it is merely speculation. Another speculation might be that it contains the new covenant with the House of Israel. The reason would be is because the 10 commandments failed. Not because there was anything wrong with it or its laws, but because of man. People might blame our sins on the tree in the garden of Eden or on the 10 commandments, but the truth is that the fault lies upon men who chose not to follow the rules. The new covenant depends on the throne of God. It depends on Jesus Christ. The strong angel is a powerful angel with a loud voice which is needed to make the covenant effective. There is not a man in heaven or earth that can open the scroll, nor can they take control of the earth. This bothered John so much that he cried. No one seemed worthy until one of the elders spoke to him and told him not to cry because the Lion of Judah will open the book. Jesus is the Lion of Judah. Then John visioned a wounded lamb. He was the only one found worthy to open the seven seals of the scroll. The wounded lamb is Jesus Christ, who sacrificed himself on the cross for our sins. His blood has ransomed us from slavery to sin so that we can become His holy people. Only Christ, who is also the conquering Lion of Judah to utter futility but with him, our lives are being woven into the beautiful tapestry of God, salvation history. No wonder He deserves all the glory, honor and power. Once Jesus takes the book, the 24 elders bow down before Jesus and worship Him. Each of them has a harp and a bowl of incense, which are the prayers of the Saints. Those who love to sing and play a harp can still do that in heaven. If you can't do it now but you want to I am certain you will be able to do it perfectly in heaven. John says that there are so many Saints, beasts, and elders there that there are too many to count. Even all the creatures on earth were praising him. Can you imagine being part so such a huge praise and worship team? Get prepared to sing your heart out for Jesus Christ who is worthy of all our praises.

 

Please read the chapter listed so that you can understand God’s Word better. If you have missed any lessons, you can go to: God Plans For You at https://sherrysouthard.blogspot.com. Nelson’s Quick Reference Commentary. J. Vernon McGee Through the Bible. Dr. David Jeremiah Study Bible.

 

Revelation 4, The Throne Room of Heaven

 

Revelation 4, The Throne Room of Heaven

The church is no longer mentioned. That is because the church has been raptured up. The church is not a name, it is the people who trusted in Christ. They are no longer on earth but in heaven. The church is now mentioned as the bride of Christ. In 1 Cor. 15:51-52 it says, “behold, I show you a mystery, we shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye at the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed.” In 1Thess.4:17 it says “Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air, and so shall we ever be with the Lord.” John saw an open door which is the way to God through Christ. This door remains open for all time. It is the door for believers to come through. The open door is Jesus Christ who also enters the door of our hearts. Christ says “come here”. It is an invitation to John and all believers that know Christ as their savior. Christ's voice is like a trumpet. It was a shout that pulled John up and will someday pull you and me up. Immediately (in a twinkling of an eye) John was in the spirit. The Holy Spirit is guiding John into new truths and showing him what is to come. John sees the throne of God and Jesus is at His right hand. This is no longer the throne of grace but the throne of judgment. John didn't see a form on the throne but the brilliance and brightness of precious stones. Jasper was a myriad of colors with purple being the most outstanding. It was the first stone in the foundation of the new Jerusalem and its walls. A sardius stone is a fiery red. It was the first stone in the breastplate of the high priest. The rainbow is like an emerald which is green. The rainbow is a promise that God will not destroy the earth by flood. The green is also the color of the earth. The 24 elders stand for the total church from the Pentecost to the rapture. The white raiment is the righteousness of Christ. The “crowns of gold” indicates that His bride will rule with Christ. Crowns are also given as rewards. The lightnings, thundering’s and voice indicate judgment is coming directed by the one on the throne. The seven spirits of God are a reference to the Holy Spirit. The Sea of glass represents the holiness and righteousness of God. We will be at rest and no longer victims of the storms of life. We will no longer be on a tossing sea. The four beasts are living creatures alert and aware of everything. The first living creature was aligned. The tribe of Judah was like a lion and the ruler and king will come from that tribe. Jesus was born a king, died a king, was of the tribe Judah and will return to us as king. The 2^nd. creature was like a calf. This is a beast of burden, a servant. Christ is present in Matthew as a servant. The 3^rd. creature has a face of a man. The Book of Luke presents Christ as the son of man. The 4th creature was like an eagle. This communicates the deity of Christ. The six wings relate to the seraphim in Isaiah 6. Their song is the same as the one in Isaiah 6:3. John saw the first great worship service in heaven. Praise and adoration are the eternal activity of God's creatures in heaven. We will be laying our crowns down at Jesus's feet as an act of submission and worship. The 24 elders worship God as their Creator. He didn't forget to create you and me because we are in His plan and purpose. We worship him because of that.

Please read the chapter listed so that you can understand God’s Word better.

If you have missed any lessons, you can go to: God Plans For You at https://sherrysouthard.blogspot.com. Nelson’s Quick Reference Commentary.

Dr. David Jeremiah Study Bible. J. Vernon McGee Through the Bible