Click onto any blue letter, number or symbol to see the video and text on the blog.
John 1:1
The Eternal Word
1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.
Consider. 1. The birth of Yeshua Jesus was prophesied by Isaiah more than seven hundred years prior to His birth. 2. Yeshua Jesus is shown to be “God with us.” 3. The Kingdom and Throne of Yeshua Jesus, through David, King Of Israel, will never come to an end.
The prophecies of Isaiah about the coming Messiah are dated 742-740 B.C. . The fulfillment took place in 4 B.C. (Dates, Scofield Study Bible). The foundation of this post is based on John 1:1, John 1:11, Isaiah 7:14, Isaiah 9:6-7, and Matthew 1:23-25. Other scriptures are provided for cross-reference purposes.
John 1:11
11 He came to His own, and His own did not receive Him.
1:11 His own…His own. The first usage of “His own” most likely refers to the world of mankind in general, while the second refers to the Jewish nation. As Creator, the world belongs to the Word as His property but the world did not even recognize Him due to spiritual blindness (cf. also v. 10). John used the second occurrence of “His own” in a narrower sense to refer to Jesus’ own physical lineage, the Jews. Although they possessed the Scriptures that testified of His person and coming, they still did not accept Him (Is. 65:2, 3; Jer. 7:25). This theme of Jewish rejection of their promised Messiah receives special attention in John’s gospel (12:37–41). (Note: this study note, and all study notes in this post come from BibleGateway.com, MacArthur Study Bible notes. Scriptures come from the New King James Version.)
Isaiah 7:14
14 Therefore the Lord Himself will give you a sign: Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a Son, and shall call His name Immanuel
7:14 sign. Since Ahaz refused to choose a sign (vv. 11, 12), the Lord chose His own sign, whose implementation would occur far beyond Ahaz’s lifetime. the virgin. This prophecy reached forward to the virgin birth of the Messiah, as the NT notes (Matt. 1:23). The Heb. word refers to an unmarried woman and means “virgin” (Gen. 24:43; Prov 30:19; Song 1:3; 6:8), so the birth of Isaiah’s own son (8:3) could not have fully satisfied the prophecy. Cf. Gen. 3:15. Immanuel. The title, applied to Jesus in Matt. 1:23, means “God with us.”
Isaiah 9:6-7
6 For unto us a Child is born,
Unto us a Son is given;
And the government will be upon His shoulder.
And His name will be called
Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God,
Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.
7 Of the increase of His government and peace
There will be no end,
Upon the throne of David and over His kingdom,
To order it and establish it with judgment and justice
From that time forward, even forever.
The zeal of the Lord of hosts will perform this.
9:7 throne of David. The virgin’s Son will be the rightful heir to David’s throne and will inherit the promises of the Davidic Covenant (2 Sam. 7:12–16; cf. Ps. 89:1–37; Matt. 1:1).
2 Samuel 7:12-16
12 “When your days are fulfilled and you rest with your fathers, I will set up your seed after you, who will come from your body, and I will establish his kingdom. 13 He shall build a house for My name, and I will establish the throne of his kingdom forever. 14 I will be his Father, and he shall be My son. If he commits iniquity, I will chasten him with the rod of men and with the blows of the sons of men. 15 But My mercy shall not depart from him, as I took it from Saul, whom I removed from before you. 16 And your house and your kingdom shall be established forever before you. Your throne shall be established forever.”’”
7:16 your house…your kingdom…Your throne. Luke 1:32b,33 indicates that these 3 terms are fulfilled in Jesus, “…and the Lord God will give Him the throne of His father David. And He will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and of His kingdom there will be no end.” forever. This word conveys the idea of 1) an indeterminately long time or 2) into eternity future. It does not mean that there cannot be interruptions, but rather that the outcome is guaranteed. Christ’s Davidic reign will conclude human history.
Matthew 1:1
The Genealogy of Jesus Christ
1 The book of the genealogy of Jesus Christ, the Son of David, the Son of Abraham:
1:1 book of the genealogy of Jesus Christ. This phrase is viewed by some as Matthew’s title for the entire gospel. The Gr. phrase translated “book of the genealogy” is exactly the same phrase used in Gen. 5:1 in the LXX. Jesus Christ. The Hebrew Jeshua means “the Lord is Salvation.” Christos means “anointed one” and is the exact equivalent of the Heb. word for “Messiah” (Dan. 9:25). Son of David. A messianic title used as such in only the synoptic gospels (see notes on 22:42, 45). Son of Abraham.Takes His royal lineage all the way back to the nation’s inception in the Abrahamic Covenant (Gen. 12:1–3).
Matthew 1:23-25
23 “Behold, the virgin shall be with child, and bear a Son, and they shall call His name Immanuel,” which is translated, “God with us.”
24 Then Joseph, being aroused from sleep, did as the angel of the Lord commanded him and took to him his wife, 25 and did not know her till she had brought forth her firstborn Son. And he called His name Jesus.
1:23 virgin. Scholars sometimes dispute whether the Hebrew term in Is. 7:14 means “virgin” or “maiden.” Matthew is quoting here from the LXX which uses the unambiguous Gr. term for “virgin” (see note on Is. 7:14). Thus Matthew, writing under the Spirit’s inspiration, ends all doubt about the meaning of the word in Is. 7:14. Immanuel. Cf. Is. 8:8, 10.
1:24 took to him his wife. See note on Luke 2:5.
1:25 know her. A euphemism for sexual intercourse. See Gen. 4:1, 17, 25; 38:26; Judg. 11:39.
Luke 2:4-5 4 Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judea, to the city of David, which is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and lineage of David, 5 to be registered with Mary, his betrothed wife, who was with child.
Luke 2:5 2:5 betrothed. See note on Matt. 1:18. Matthew 1:24 indicates that when the angel told Joseph about Mary’s pregnancy, he “took to him his wife”—i.e., he took her into his home. But they did not consummate their marriage until after the birth of Jesus (Matt. 1:25). Therefore, technically, they were still betrothed.
Click onto any blue letter, number or symbol to see the video and text on the blog.
“In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.” (John 1:1)
References:
SRN (Scofield Reference Notes, Dr. C.I. Scofield, Editor)
RSB (Reformation Study Bible, Dr. R.C. Sproul, Editor).
Book Introduction – (SRN) John (Provided by Scofield Reference Notes; Dr. C.I. Scofield, deceased).
WRITER: The fourth Gospel was written by the Apostle John (John 21:24). This has been questioned on critical grounds, but on the same grounds and with equal scholarship, the early date and Johanean authorship have been maintained.
DATE: The date of John’s Gospel falls between A.D. 85 and 90. Probably the latter.
THEME: This is indicated both in the Prologue (John 1:1-14), and in the last verse of the Gospel proper (John 20:31), and is: The incarnation of the eternal Word, and Son of life; (2) that as many as believe on Him as “the Christ, the Son of God” (John 20:31) may have eternal life. The prominent words are, “believed” and “life.”
The book is in seven natural divisions:
1. Prologue: The eternal Word incarnate in Jesus the Christ, John 1:1-14.
2. The witness of John the Baptist, John 1:15-34.
3. The public ministry of Christ, John 1:35 to John 12:50.
4. The private ministry of Christ to His own, John 13:1 to John 17:26.
5. The sacrifice of Christ, John 18:1 to John 19:42.
6. The manifestation of Christ in resurrection, John 20:1-31.
7. Epilogue: Christ the Master of life and service, John 21:1-25.
The events recorded in this book cover a period of 7 years
John 1:1-18 New American Standard Bible (NASB) – Prologue
1:1–18 This “Prologue” to the Gospel is a preface to the narrative beginning at v. 19. (Reformation Study Bible).
The Deity of Jesus Christ
1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2 He was in the beginning with God. 3 All things came into being through Him, and apart from Him nothing came into being that has come into being. 4 In Him was life, and the life was the Light of men. 5 The Light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not comprehend it.
The Witness John
6 There came a man sent from God, whose name was John. 7 He came as a witness, to testify about the Light, so that all might believe through him. 8 He was not the Light, but he came to testify about the Light.
9 There was the true Light which, coming into the world, enlightens every man.10 He was in the world, and the world was made through Him, and the world did not know Him. 11 He came to His own, and those who were His own did not receive Him. 12 But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, even to those who believe in His name, 13 who were born, not of blood nor of the will of the flesh nor of the will of man, but of God.
The Word Made Flesh
14 And the Word became flesh, and dwelt among us, and we saw His glory, glory as of the only begotten from the Father, full of grace and truth. 15 John *testified about Him and cried out, saying, “This was He of whom I said, ‘He who comes after me has a higher rank than I, for He existed before me.’” 16 For of His fullness we have all received, and grace upon grace. 17 For the Law was given through Moses; grace and truth were realized through Jesus Christ. 18 No one has seen God at any time; the only begotten God who is in the bosom of the Father, He has explained Him.
Verse 1 (RSB)
1:1 the Word. The term “Word” (Greek logos) designates God the Son with respect to His deity; “Jesus” and “Christ” refer to His incarnation and saving work. During the first three centuries, doctrines of the Person of Christ focused intensely on His position as the Logos. In Greek philosophy, the Logos was “reason” or “logic” as an abstract force that brought order and harmony to the universe. But in John’s writings such qualities of the Logos are gathered in the Person of Christ. In Neo-Platonic philosophy and the Gnostic heresy (second and third centuriesa.d.), the Logos was seen as one of many intermediate powers between God and the world. Such notions are far removed from the simplicity of John’s Gospel.
In this verse the Word is expressly affirmed to be God. The Word existed already “in the beginning” (a clear reference to the opening words of the Bible), which is a way of denoting the eternity that is unique to God. John states clearly, “the Word was God.” Some have observed that the word translated “God” here has no definite article, and argued on this basis that it means “a god” rather than “God.” This is a misunderstanding; the article is omitted because of the word order in the Greek sentence (the predicate “God” has been placed first for emphasis). The New Testament never endorses the idea of “a god,” an expression that implies polytheism and is in sharp conflict with the consistent monotheism of the Bible. In the New Testament, the Greek word for “God” occurs often without the definite article, depending on the requirements of Greek grammar.
That “the Word was with God,” indicates a distinction of Persons within the unity of the Godhead. Father, Son, and Holy Spirit are not successive forms of appearance of one Person, but are eternal Persons present from “the beginning” (v. 2). “With” suggests a relationship of close personal intimacy. See “One and Three: The Trinity” at Is. 44:6.
Verse 3 (RSB)
1:3 All things were made through him. This verse also emphasizes the deity of the Word, since creation belongs to God alone. See also v. 10; Col. 1:16–17; “God the Creator” at Ps. 148:5.
Verse 4 (RSB)
1:4 In him was life. Another affirmation of deity: the Son as well as the Father has “life in himself” (5:26).
Verse 5 (RSB)
1:5 has not overcome it. It is characteristic of the style of this Gospel to emphasize contrasting concepts (see Introduction). The plot of this Gospel could be seen in terms of a struggle between the forces of faith and unbelief.
Verses 7, 9, 11 (RSB)
1:7, 9 all . . . everyone. The universal relevance of the gospel is asserted (v. 7) as well as the enlightening activity of God’s common grace (v. 9). God’s saving activity is not restricted to any particular people.
Verse 7 (SRN)).
Verse 17
grace
Grace. Summary:
(1) Grace is “the kindness and love of God our Savior toward man.. . not by works of righteousness which we have done” Titus 3:4; Titus 3:5.
It is, therefore, constantly set in contrast to law, under which God demands righteousness from man, as, under grace, he gives righteousness to man Romans 3:21; Romans 3:22; Romans 8:4; Philippians 3:9. Law is connected with Moses and works; grace with Christ and faith; John 1:17; Romans 10:4-10. Law blesses the good; grace saves the bad; Exodus 19:5; Ephesians 2:1-9. Law demands that blessings be earned; grace is a free gift; Deuteronomy 28:1-6; Ephesians 2:8; Romans 4:4; Romans 4:5.
(2) As a dispensation, grace begins with the death and resurrection of Christ Romans 3:24-26, Romans 4:24; Romans 4:25. The point of testing is no longer legal obedience as the condition of salvation, but acceptance or rejection of Christ, with good works as a fruit of salvation,; John 1:12; John 1:13; John 3:36; Matthew 21:37; Matthew 22:24; John 15:22; John 15:25; Hebrews 1:2; 1 John 5:10-12. The immediate result of this testing was the rejection of Christ by the Jews, and His crucifixion by Jew and Gentile Acts 4:27. The predicted end of the testing of man under grace is the apostasy of the professing church: See “Apostasy” (See Scofield “2 Timothy 3:1”) 2 Timothy 3:1-8 and the resultant apocalyptic judgments.
(3) Grace has a twofold manifestation: in salvation Romans 3:24 and in the walk and service of the saved Romans 6:15.
Verse 9 (RSB)
1:9 The true light. In this Gospel, “truth” and “true” are often employed to signify what is everlasting or heavenly, as opposed to the merely temporal or earthly. See notes 4:24; 6:32; “Mankind’s Guilty Knowledge of God” at Rom. 1:19.
Verse 11 (RSB)
1:11 did not receive him. Jesus’ public ministry was one of rejection by “his own people”
Verse 12 (RSB)
1:12 Fallen human beings are not children of God by nature; this is the privilege only of those who have faith, a faith generated in them by the sovereign action of God (v. 13). See Gal. 4:5 (Adoption).
Verse 13 (RSB)
1:13 who were born. Early Latin versions understood this to describe the virgin birth of Christ. However, the plural verb “were born” shows that this verse is about the new birth of Christian believers (cf. 3:3, 5, 7, 8). This new birth takes place by the action of the Spirit giving life to those who were “dead in . . . trespasses and sins” (Eph. 2:1). The new birth, often called “regeneration,” is explained more fully in 3:1–21. Paul uses the metaphor of a resurrection from death in sin rather than the image of rebirth (Rom. 6:4–6; Eph. 2:5, 6; Col. 2:13; 3:1; cf. John 5:24). God’s work of salvation is wholly sovereign and gracious, but the reality of the human response in believing and receiving is never cancelled. See Rom. 9:18.(Election and Reprobation)
Verse 14 (RSB)
1:14 the Word became flesh. This is the climactic assertion of the Prologue. To some of John’s contemporaries, spirit and the divine were utterly opposed to matter and flesh. To others, the gods were thought to visit the earth disguised as human beings (Acts 14:11). But here a chasm is bridged: the eternal Word of God did not merely appear to be a human being, but actually became flesh. He took to Himself a full and genuine human nature. See theological note “Jesus Christ, God and Man” on next page.
dwelt among us. “Dwelt” means “pitched His tent.” This not only indicates the temporary nature of Jesus’ earthly existence, but does so in a way that recalls ancient Israel’s tabernacle, where God could be found (Ex. 40:34, 35).
we have seen his glory. His “glory” is beheld, even as God’s was in the wilderness (Ex. 16:1–10; 33:18–23), in the tabernacle (Ex. 40:34–35), and later in the temple (1 Kin. 8:1–11). There may also be a reference to the Transfiguration, since John witnessed it (Matt. 17:1–5). “Glory” applies supremely to God, who is the Creator and Ruler of the universe, and before whom all knees must bow. The Son has the divine glory by right (17:5). The Reformers declared their faith with the motto, Soli Deo Gloria (“To God alone the glory”).
the only Son. This phrase translates a single Greek word and explicitly points to the eternal generation of the Son in the Trinity.
full of grace and truth. These words correspond to Old Testament terms describing God’s covenant mercy that are often translated “steadfast love and faithfulness” (Gen. 24:27; Ps. 25:10; Prov. 16:6; cf. Ex. 34:6; Ps. 26:3). The Word made flesh fully manifests the gracious covenant-making and covenant-keeping character of God.
Verse 15: (RSB)
1:15 John the Baptist’s ministry preceded the public ministry of Jesus (Matt. 3), yet the Word, being eternal, existed before John (cf. 8:58).
Verse 16: (RSB)
1:16 grace. This word, frequent in Paul’s epistles, appears in John’s writings only in this passage and as a customary greeting in Rev. 1:4; 22:21. It emphasizes that salvation is a gift. The Reformation expressed this with the motto Sola Gratia (“by grace alone”).
Verse 17: (RSB)
1:17 Moses . . . Jesus Christ. There is both contrast and comparison. Grace and truth truly existed in Moses’ day, but they were fully revealed in the coming of Christ.
Verse 18: (RSB)
1:18 No one has ever seen God. It is fundamental that God is invisible and without form (1 Tim. 6:16). Yet Christ reveals God. He brings the invisible and the visible together in a way that has no parallel or analogy.
Click onto any blue letter, number or symbol to see the video and text on the blog.
30 Therefore many other signs Jesus also performed in the presence of the disciples, which are not written in this book; 31 but these have been written so that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing you may have life in His name. (John 20:30-31)
Click onto any blue letter, number or symbol to see the video and text in the blog.
For me, the Gospel of John is the book of the Bible that tells me, “who Jesus is.” The other gospels (Matthew, Mark and Luke) tell me, “what Jesus did.” Before I begin this “chapter by chapter” study of the Gospel Of John, I would like to share with you some of the significant verses of John’s Gospel. I would also like to let you know that “John,” the inspired author of this gospel, never uses his name in his Gospel. The name of “John the Baptist” is used, but it should not be confused with John, “the author, disciple, apostle and evangelist,” who provided this eye-witness account of the life of Jesus, and who also wrote three epistles (1 John, 2 John, 3 John) toward the end of the New Testament.
John 1:1-3, In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2 He was in the beginning with God. 3 All things came into being through Him, and apart from Him nothing came into being that has come into being.
John 1:9-13: 9 There was the true Light which, coming into the world, enlightens every man.10 He was in the world, and the world was made through Him, and the world did not know Him. 11 He came to His own, and those who were His own did not receive Him. 12 But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, even to those who believe in His name, 13 who were born, not of blood nor of the will of the flesh nor of the will of man, but of God.
John 1:14-15, 14 And the Word became flesh, and dwelt among us, and we saw His glory, glory as of the only begotten from the Father, full of grace and truth. 15 John *testified about Him and cried out, saying, “This was He of whom I said, ‘He who comes after me has a higher rank than I, for He existed before me.’”
John 1:16-17, 16 For of His fullness we have all received, and grace upon grace. 17 For the Law was given through Moses; grace and truth were realized through Jesus Christ.
John 1:29, The next day he *saw Jesus coming to him and *said, “Behold, the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world!
John 3:3, Jesus answered and said to him, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born again he cannot see the not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.”
John 3:6-8, ” 6 That which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. 7 Do not be amazed that I said to you, ‘You must be born again.’ 8 The wind blows where it wishes and you hear the sound of it, but do not know where it comes from and where it is going; so is everyone who is born of the Spirit.”
John 3:14-15, ” 14 As Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of Man be lifted up; 15 so that whoever believes will in Him have eternal life.
John 3:16, “For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life”
John 3:17, ” For God did not send the Son into the world to judge the world, but that the world might be saved through Him. ”
John 3:18, “He who believes in Him is not judged; he who does not believe has been judged already, because he has not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.”
John 4:22, “You worship what you do not know; we worship what we know, for salvation is from the Jews.”
John 4:24, “God is spirit, and those who worship Him must worship in spirit and truth.”
John 5:21, ” For just as the Father raises the dead and gives them life, even so the Son also gives life to whom He wishes.”
John 5:22, For not even the Father judges anyone, but He has given all judgment to the Son,”
John 5:39-40, “You search the Scriptures because you think that in them you have eternal life; it is these that testify about Me; 40 and you are unwilling to come to Me so that you may have life.”
John 5:46-47, “For if you believed Moses, you would believe Me, for he wrote about Me. 47 But if you do not believe his writings, how will you believe My words?”
John 5:29, ” Jesus answered and said to them, “This is the work of God, that you believe in Him whom He has sent.”
John 5:40, “For this is the will of My Father, that everyone who beholds the Son and believes in Him will have eternal life, and I Myself will raise him up on the last day.”
John 5:44, “No one can come to Me unless the Father who sent Me draws him; and I will raise him up on the last day.”
John 5:65, “And He was saying, “For this reason I have said to you, that no one can come to Me unless it has been granted him from the Father.”
John 6:37, “All that the Father gives Me will come to Me, and the one who comes to Me I will certainly not cast out.”
John 6:40, ” For this is the will of My Father, that everyone who beholds the Son and believes in Him will have eternal life, and I Myself will raise him up on the last day.”
John 6:44, “No one can come to Me unless the Father who sent Me draws him; and I will raise him up on the last day.”
John 6:47, ” Truly, truly, I say to you, he who believes has eternal life.”
John 6:63, ” It is the Spirit who gives life; the flesh profits nothing; the words that I have spoken to you are spirit and are life.”
John 6:65, “…For this reason I have said to you, that no one can come to Me unless it has been granted him from the Father.”
John 8:32, “…and you will know the truth, and the truth will make you free.”
John 9:35-38, “35 Jesus heard that they had put him out, and finding him, He said, “Do you believe in the Son of Man?” 36 He answered, “Who is He, Lord, that I may believe in Him?” 37 Jesus said to him, “You have both seen Him, and He is the one who is talking with you.” 38 And he said, “Lord, I believe.” And he worshiped Him.
John 10:9-10, ” 9 I am the door; if anyone enters through Me, he will be saved, and will go in and out and find pasture. 10 The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I came that they may have life, and have it abundantly.”
John 10:27-30, ” 27 My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me; 28 and I give eternal life to them, and they will never perish; and no one will snatch them out of My hand. 29 My Father, who has given them to Me, is greater than all; and no one is able to snatch them out of the Father’s hand. 30 I and the Father are one.”
John 10:38, “that you may know and understand that the Father is in Me, and I in the Father.”
John 11:25-26, ” 25 Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life; he who believes in Me will live even if he dies, 26 and everyone who lives and believes in Me will never die. Do you believe this?”
John 11:35, Jesus wept.
John 14:6-7, “6 Jesus *said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father but through Me. 7 If you had known Me, you would have known My Father also; from now on you know Him, and have seen Him.”
John 14:8-11, “8 Philip *said to Him, “Lord, show us the Father, and it is enough for us.” 9 Jesus *said to him, “Have I been so long with you, and yet you have not come to know Me, Philip? He who has seen Me has seen the Father; how can you say, ‘Show us the Father’? 10 Do you not believe that I am in the Father, and the Father is in Me? The words that I say to you I do not speak on My own initiative, but the Father abiding in Me does His works. 11 Believe Me that I am in the Father and the Father is in Me;
John 14:16-17, “16 I will ask the Father, and He will give you another Helper, that He may be with you forever; 17 that is the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it does not see Him or know Him, but you know Him because He abides with you and will be in you.
John 14:20, ” 20 In that day you will know that I am in My Father, and you in Me, and I in you.”
John 15:26, “When the Helper comes, whom I will send to you from the Father, that is the Spirit of truth who proceeds from the Father, He will testify about Me,
John 16:5-10, “5 “But now I am going to Him who sent Me; and none of you asks Me, ‘Where are You going?’ 6 But because I have said these things to you, sorrow has filled your heart. 7 But I tell you the truth, it is to your advantage that I go away; for if I do not go away, the Helper will not come to you; but if I go, I will send Him to you. 8 And He, when He comes, will convict the world concerning sin and righteousness and judgment; 9 concerning sin, because they do not believe in Me; 10 and concerning righteousness, because I go to the Father and you no longer see Me; 11 and concerning judgment, because the ruler of this world has been judged.”
John 16:13-15, “13 But when He, the Spirit of truth, comes, He will guide you into all the truth; for He will not speak on His own initiative, but whatever He hears, He will speak; and He will disclose to you what is to come. 14 He will glorify Me, for He will take of Mine and will disclose it to you. 15 All things that the Father has are Mine; therefore I said that He takes of Mine and will disclose it to you.
The High Priestly Prayer, Chapter 17
John 17:1-2, “1 Jesus spoke these things; and lifting up His eyes to heaven, He said,“Father, the hour has come; glorify Your Son, that the Son may glorify You,2 even as You gave Him authority over all flesh, that to all whom You have given Him, He may give eternal life.”
John 17:3, “This is eternal life, that they may know You, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom You have sent.”
John 17:4-5, “4 I glorified You on the earth, having accomplished the work which You have given Me to do.5 Now, Father, glorify Me together with Yourself, with the glory which I had with You before the world was.”
John 17:6, “I have manifested Your name to the men whom You gave Me out of the world; they were Yours and You gave them to Me, and they have kept Your word.”
John 17:7-10, ” 7 Now they have come to know that everything You have given Me is from You; 8 for the words which You gave Me I have given to them; and they received them and truly understood that I came forth from You, and they believed that You sent Me. 9 I ask on their behalf; I do not ask on behalf of the world, but of those whom You have given Me; for they are Yours; 10 and all things that are Mine are Yours, and Yours are Mine; and I have been glorified in them.”
John 17:20-23, “20 “I do not ask on behalf of these alone, but for those also who believe in Me through their word; 21 that they may all be one; even as You, Father, are in Me and I in You, that they also may be in Us, so that the world may believe that You sent Me. 22 The glory which You have given Me I have given to them, that they may be one, just as We are one; 23 I in them and You in Me, that they may be perfected in unity, so that the world may know that You sent Me, and loved them, even as You have loved.”
John 17:24, ” Father, I desire that they also, whom You have given Me, be with Me where I am, so that they may see My glory which You have given Me, for You loved Me before the foundation of the world.”
John 17:25-26, “25 “O righteous Father, although the world has not known You, yet I have known You; and these have known that You sent Me; 26 and I have made Your name known to them, and will make it known, so that the love with which You loved Me may be in them, and I in them.”
John 19:14, Now it was the day of preparation for the Passover; it was about the sixth hour. And he *said to the Jews, “Behold, your King!”
John 19:31, Then the Jews, because it was the day of preparation, so that the bodies would not remain on the cross on the Sabbath (for that Sabbath was a high day), asked Pilate that their legs might be broken, and that they might be taken away.
John 20:30-31, “30 Therefore many other signs Jesus also performed in the presence of the disciples, which are not written in this book; 31 but these have been written so that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing you may have life in His name.
Please follow this blog. Select category “John” to see more posts of this subject.
Click onto a highlighted word to see the videos and text on the blog.
“Behold, I stand at the door and knock; if anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and will dine with him, and he with Me.” (Revelation 3:20)
Please click onto any blue letter, number or symbol to see the post and movie on the blog.
Question: What did Adolph Hitler and Mother Teresa have in common? You will find the answer in the movie.
God The Father; God The Son; God The Holy Spirit
John 10:27-30 (New American Standard Bible (NASB)
Jesus Asserts His Deity (“I and the Father are one”)
27 My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me; 28 and I give eternal life to them, and they will never perish; and no one will snatch them out of My hand. 29 My Father, who has given them to Me, is greater than all; and no one is able to snatch them out of the Father’s hand. 30 I and the Father are one.”
John 14:7-11 New American Standard Bible (NASB)
Oneness with the Father (“If you have seen Me, you have seen the Father”)
7 If you had known Me, you would have known My Father also; from now on you know Him, and have seen Him.”
8 Philip *said to Him, “Lord, show us the Father, and it is enough for us.” 9 Jesus *said to him,“Have I been so long with you, and yet you have not come to know Me, Philip? He who has seen Me has seen the Father; how can you say, ‘Show us the Father’? 10 Do you not believe that I am in the Father, and the Father is in Me? The words that I say to you I do not speak on My own initiative, but the Father abiding in Me does His works. 11 Believe Me that I am in the Father and the Father is in Me; otherwise believe because of the works themselves.
John 14:16-26 New American Standard Bible (NASB) (Selected verses)
Role of the Spirit (“the indwelling unity of the Father, the Son, the Holy Spirit, and all other believers in Christ”)
16 I will ask the Father, and He will give you another Helper, that He may be with you forever;17 that is the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it does not see Him or know Him, but you know Him because He abides with you and will be in you.
18 “I will not leave you as orphans; I will come to you. 19 After a little while the world will no longer see Me, but you will see Me; because I live, you will live also. 20 In that day you will know that I am in My Father, and you in Me, and I in you.
25 “These things I have spoken to you while abiding with you. 26 But the Helper, the Holy Spirit,whom the Father will send in My name, He will teach you all things, and bring to your remembrance all that I said to you.
Introduction – Jesus said, “I am the only Way to Salvation.”
This message is written for all of my friends who reside in nations all around the world. Jesus is God! The “religious leaders” who have lived from the beginning of time are dead and gone. Their graves are usually marked by some sort of shrine; their bones stay in their graves until those bones decayed. The difference with Jesus is that His tomb has been empty ever since His resurrection, three days after His crucifixion.” And, do you know what? His bones were never left in the tomb to decay. He never suffered decay! (Acts 2:27). He has risen from the dead! He is alive! (Luke 24:1-7) And, He lives within every person’s spirit who knows Him (Jesus) as their Lord and Savior (John 14:20). Eternal life with God begins at the very exact moment that a person comes to know Jesus as their Lord and Savior (John 17:3). No one has to prove their love to God by doing “anything,” except by believing in Jesus with a belief of trust that He is their Lord and Savior (John 3:16). Jesus is love (1 John 4:18). He is not a vengeful God who tells His followers to kill people who don’t believe that He is God; but, it is true that Jesus is God (Isaiah 7:14/Matthew 1:18-25; John 10:30; John 14:9). Here is a very stern warning. Jesus is the only way for anyone to have eternal life in Heaven (John 14:6). Otherwise, a person’s eternity is in the Lake Of Fire (Revelation 20:15) that burns forever and ever (Revelation 20:10). Won’t you accept Jesus as your Lord and Savior?
The Perfect Stranger Movie – Jesus Is God
“THE PERFECT STRANGER” tells the story of Nikki, a troubled attorney who one day receives a mysterious dinner invitation from a man claiming to be Jesus of Nazareth. Throughout their evening of conversation, arguments and spirited debate, Nikki learns things she never knew about life, the universe, and most importantly, herself. Written by Pate Walters.
Consider how you would react if you were to have an invitation to have dinner with Jesus. What if you had been having a bad day? What would you think about the invitation? What would you think about your first meeting with Jesus? Would you have any questions for Him? What would those questions be? The introduction to the movie, “The Perfect Stranger,” will prepare you for the complete movie that will follow. Follow the way that Jesus relates and reacts to the situation at hand. It is important for us to understand the meaning of the scripture:
“Come to me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest,” (Matthew 11:28).
As you watch “The Perfect Stranger” consider the way that Jesus approaches Nikki and presents Himself as God. If you were to have a similar encounter with Jesus, what would you expect it to be like? Consider that Jesus is “God with us,” and that God’s Holy Spirit is involved in every incident where an unbeliever is being drawn to make a decision as to whether they will accept or reject Jesus as their personal Lord and Savior. The invitation is easily accepted:
“For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life,” (John 3:16).
Click onto any blue letter, number or symbol to see the video and text on the Blog.
The video in this post is about God. This post is about God. This series of posts is about the love of God in His “plan for the ages.”
Preview
Revelation 1:3 King James Version (KJV) Godly encouragement for studying end times scriptures.
3 Blessed is he that readeth, and they that hear the words of this prophecy, and keep those things which are written therein: for the time is at hand.
Revelation 1:19 New King James Version (NKJV) A breakdown of the book of Revelation.
19 Write the things which you have seen, and the things which are, and the things which will take place after this.
Note: 1:19 This verse provides a simple outline for the entire book: “the things which you have seen” refers to the vision John has just seen (chap. 1); “the things which are” denotes the letters to the churches (chaps. 2, 3); and “the things which will take place after this” refers to the revelation of future history (chaps. 4–22). (BibleGateway.com, MacArthur Study Bible note)
Eschatology is the study of the teachings in the Bible concerning the end times and of the period of time dealing with the return of Christ and the events that follow. Those events are discussed in this study, but not in any particular order, as follows: the Rapture, the Tribulation, the Three Witnesses, Armageddon, the Resurrection, the Binding of Satan, the Millennium, the Battle of Gog and Magog, the Final Judgment, and The New Heavens and The New Earth. In one form or another most of the books of the Bible deal with end-times subjects. (Mine)
My study of the end times goes back to the year of 1976. There have been many people who have helped me to understand this exciting part of God’s Holy Word. There have also been many credible source documents that I have studied. All of us have read reference material that has been authored by someone else. In the subject of eschatology, it is important for us to select books, and other reference material, from those whom are recognized as being highly qualified to write such material.
The following individuals (some alive, and some deceased) are recognized as being highly knowledgeable of matters that relate to the end times. Their study materials have helped me to prepare this series of posts on “God’s Plan For The Ages.” Their names are presented below, but in no special order of importance.
Drs. C.I. Scofield, Merrill Unger, Charles C. Ryrie, Henry Morris, J. Dwight Pentecost, David Jeremiah, John MacArthur, Frank Charles Thompson, Grant R. Jeffrey, John F. Walvoord, J. Vernon McGee, Charles Swindoll, John Phillips, Ed Hindson, Tim LaHaye, Ron Rhodes, David Reagan, Jimmy DeYoung, Renald Showers, John Ankerberg, and others.
This series of posts began on June 30, 2016. The completed posts can be found by clicking onto the following link and selecting category “Journey.” https://equippingblog.wordpress.com/
This review will concentrate on chapters four through thirteen of the book of Revelation, and will provide a glimpse of chapter 16, which is yet to be written.
In order to study the book of Revelation it is important to realize that God is not an idle bystander, but is the chief architect and completer of the things that will happen. It is not merely a matter of “good versus evil,” but of the actions of our Lord in his plan for the redemption of mankind and nature which began immediately after the fall of Adam. Let’s take a quick look at “God in action.” We will use the King James Version and “Names Of God” translation for comparison purposes. (Mine)
Version Information
The Names of God Bible (NOG) accurately translates the meaning of the original texts into clear, everyday language. While most translations obscure the names and titles of God by replacing them with just a few English words such as God, Lord, or LORD, The Names of God Bible restores the transliterations of ancient names—such as Yahweh, El Shadday, El Elyon, and Adonay—to help the reader better understand the rich meaning of God’s names that are found in the original Hebrew and Aramaic text.
Genesis 1:1 King James Version (KJV)
1 In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth.
Genesis 1:1 Names of God Bible (NOG)
1 In the beginning Elohim created heaven and earth.
Genesis 1:31 King James Version (KJV)
31 And God saw every thing that he had made, and, behold, it was very good. And the evening and the morning were the sixth day.
Genesis 1:31 Names of God Bible (NOG)
31 And Elohim saw everything that he had made and that it was very good. There was evening, then morning—the sixth day.
Genesis 2:7 King James Version (KJV)
7 And the Lord God formed man of the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living soul.
Genesis 2:7 Names of God Bible (NOG)
7 Then Yahweh Elohim formed the man from the dust of the earth and blew the breath of life into his nostrils. The man became a living being.
Genesis 2:22 King James Version (KJV)
22 And the rib, which the Lord God had taken from man, made he a woman, and brought her unto the man.
Genesis 2:22 Names of God Bible (NOG)
22 Then Yahweh Elohim formed a woman from the rib that he had taken from the man. He brought her to the man.
Then came the sin and the fall, and a promise of redemption from God. (Mine)
Genesis 3:14-15 Names of God Bible (NOG) vs 15 is God’s promise of the Messiah, the Christ.
14 So Yahweh Elohim said to the snake, “Because you have done this, You are cursed more than all the wild or domestic animals. You will crawl on your belly. You will be the lowest of animals as long as you live. 15 I will make you and the woman hostile toward each other. I will make your descendants and her descendant hostile toward each other. He will crush your head, and you will bruise his heel.”
Genesis 3:17 Holman Christian Standard Bible (HCSB). God points the sin to Adam, and explains the breadth of the curse. Everything that God had done, in perfect order (Gen 1:31), until this point, was no longer in perfect order. The result was natural disturbances, sickness, death, animal aggression….you can add your own thoughts to this list. In essence, everything that is not as it was in the Garden of Eden is a result of the curse. Death did not come upon mankind, or the animal kingdom, or anything else, until the curse that followed the sin of Adam. (Mine)
17 And He said to Adam, “Because you listened to your wife’s voice and ate from the tree about which I commanded you, ‘Do not eat from it’: The ground is cursed because of you. You will eat from it by means of painful labor all the days of your life.
Just as everything was “very good” in the Garden of Eden, God has provided a plan where “He will make all things new.” Such a plan of God is the one that this “Journey” is following. (Mine)
Revelation 21:1-5 New American Standard Bible (NASB)
The New Heaven and Earth
1 Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth; for the first heaven and the first earth passed away, and there is no longer any sea. 2 And I saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, made ready as a bride adorned for her husband. 3 And I heard a loud voice from the throne, saying, “Behold, the tabernacle of God is among men, and He will dwell among them, and they shall be His people, and God Himself will be among them, 4 and He will wipe away every tear from their eyes; and there will no longer be any death; there will no longer be any mourning, or crying, or pain; the first things have passed away.” 5 And He who sits on the throne said, “Behold, I am making all things new.” And He *said, “Write, for these words are faithful and true.
Names of God.
You will notice that God is not identified by the name. “Jehovah.” For a study on that subject you might want to check out my post on that subject. The post title is “Jehovah – Name Of God (?)” (Aug 9, 2016). You might also want to check out “Names Of God – Elohim” (March 6, 2016).
Review
God is in charge of releasing the judgments (seal, trumpet, bowl), on “all those who dwell on the earth.” (Rev 3:10). No one should down-play the severity of any of the judgments, which begin in Revelation Chapter 6. The judgments will increase in severity, from seal to trumpet to bowl. “No one” who is present on Planet Earth will escape those judgments. To believe that there will not be a catching up of God’s born-again believers from the earth, before beginning of the tribulation, and the revealing of the Anti-Christ, and before the horrible things that will happen due to the lawlessness that will be unleashed on the earth, is also to believe that every man, woman and child will suffer from the effects of God’s judgments, as well as from all of the other terrible things that will happen on the earth during the time of tribulation. (Rapture: John 14:1-3; 1 Corinthians 15:50-54; 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18) (Mine)
Jesus is the bridegroom of all bridegrooms (Ephesians 5:25). God’s Holy Spirit has courted us and led us to the point where we are spiritually born again (John 3:3), and spiritually “in Christ” (2 Corinthians 5:17), and the Spirit of Christ is literally “dwelling within our spirit” (Col 1:27; John 14:15-23). The concept of Christ in us, and we in Christ, is the result of our being born again (John 3:8), and God’s Holy Spirit taking up residence within our spirits (John 14:16-20). Once we have been born again, we begin an eternity of life within Christ. There is no reason for us to be “tried or tested” by the forces of the judgments, the anti-Christ, or worldwide lawlessness which will take place during the tribulation. (Mine)
This review and reinforcement will identify those people who will be “tried and tested,” who are also known as earth dwellers (Rev 3:10; 6:10; 8:13; 11:10; 13:8; 13:14; 17:8). All of those “earth dwellers” are the people who will not have been “born again” at the time of the rapture. They will be tried and tested to be brought to saving faith in Jesus. Unbelieving Jews, also which are left behind from the rapture, will be tried and tested for the same purposes of being brought to saving faith in Jesus. Those of us, which have been born again, individually have souls as pure as the Spirit of Christ; He was “made sin” on Calvary so that He would pay our sin debt (2 Cor 5:21). Jesus will also pay the sin debt for those who become “tribulation saints,” and who accept Him as their Lord and Savior. So, the reason for the tribulation is for God to judge sin, and for unbelieving Jews to come to saving faith in Jesus as their Messiah. Stated again: those of us which have been born again have no purpose for being left on earth to endure the punishments of God’s judgments, and the lawlessness that will cover the earth, and the persecution of the Anti-Christ. (Mine)
The lawlessness of the earth will begin very quickly after the time that all of the believers in Christ are caught up to be with Him (1 Thes 4:13-18), and go with Him to Heaven for rewards and for the preparation for the Marriage of the Lamb (2 Cor 5:10; Rev 19:7-8). (From this point forward, wherever Jesus goes, we will be with Him, vs 18). All of the world’s leaders who are left behind, will be people who have no spiritual wisdom or prompting for righteousness (1 Cor 1:18; 2:14) because they were not born again. All of the nations of the world will be led in a direction of “godlessness.” All of the citizens of the world (earth dwellers…not citizens of Heaven (Phil 3:20-21)), will also be lacking spiritual wisdom or prompting. It is similar to the year 2008, when the USA elected a President, Vice President, Speaker of the House of Representatives, and Senate Majority Leader, with an appointed Secretary of State (HRC), with none of them showing any evidence that they had been born again. These leaders and demonstrated no spiritual wisdom or prompting, as they made many decisions against leading the USA in a direction of righteousness. Instead, the USA was led in a direction of making the killing of unborn babies easier, even up to the point immediately before birth. Marriage was redefined, which allowed men to marry men, and women to marry women. The force of law was used to tell schools and businesses that men are allowed to go into the restrooms of little girls, and that students can choose which shower room to use without regard to sex. A major news paper even went so far as to say that girls would have to get used to seeing the genitals of males. These three areas of unrighteousness legislation will seem to be minor when, during the tribulation, all of the leaders of the world will be governing without the influence of an indwelling Holy Spirit. Citizens of the world will also be those who were left behind, and have no indwelling Holy Spirit to guide them. They will be as ungodly in their actions as will be their governing leaders. Conflict will arise between the forces of the Anti-Christ and the forces of the other ungodly forces and nations of the world. The people who have been left behind, and who will have come to saving faith in Jesus, will be the targets of “the world of the ungodly.” (Mine)
Stated again, Jesus is the bridegroom of bridegrooms. Ephesians 5:25 tells husbands to love their wives as Christ loved the Church by dying for the church. No such bridegroom will put, or leave, their bride in a world such as will be present during any part of the tribulation. No such family leader will leave “little children” to be subject to the conditions of the tribulation. The catching up of the church (born again believers in Christ) is clearly stated in Scripture, and will come under additional review and clarification in future posts. A study of the seal, trumpet and bowl judgments (shown in the outline below) will show why God will remove His born-again believers from such a world, especially since we know that God will unleash each and every judgment on “those who dwell on the earth” (Revelation 3:10). (Mine)
A study of the Book of Revelation is incomplete without a relating study of books that relate to the end times, such as Old Testament Daniel, and New Testament 2 Thessalonians. (Mine)
Purpose statement for the revelation: judge sin, and bring unbelieving Jews to the acceptance of Jesus as the Messiah. The sin of all believers was dealt with at the time that they were born again; there is nothing left for them to do to gain God’s favor and to be born again. If you have been born again, you will be sitting out the tribulation, and will be present with Christ in heaven (1 Thes 4:17). You will return with Him (second coming of Christ) for the Battle of Armageddon (a spiritual battle), at the end of the tribulation, and for the judgment of unbelievers (Zech 14:1-3, 4-16; Rev 16:13-16; 19:11-21; 20:1-15; Matt 24:29-31; 25:31-46). The tribulation occurs when Jesus takes His believers away from earth into Heaven, preceding the tribulation. The second coming of Christ occurs when Jesus returns to earth, with His disciples, when He will stand on the earth, at the end of the tribulation. (Mine)
Review And Reinforcement
Let’s consider scriptures that relate to the rapture of the church, with parallel translations.
John 14:3 King James Version (KJV)
3 And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also.
John 14:3 New International Version (NIV)
3 And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am.
1 Corinthians 15:50-52 King James Version (KJV)
50 Now this I say, brethren, that flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God; neither doth corruption inherit incorruption.
51 Behold, I shew you a mystery; We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed, 52 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.
1 Corinthians 15:50-52 New King James Version (NKJV)
50 Now this I say, brethren, that flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God; nor does corruption inherit incorruption. 51 Behold, I tell you a mystery: We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed— 52 in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed.
1 Thessalonians 4:16-17 King James Version (KJV)
16 For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first: 17 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.
1 Thessalonians 4:16-17 New American Standard Bible (NASB)
16 For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first. 17 Then we who are alive and remain will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air, and so we shall always be with the Lord.
Let’s consider the scriptures that relate to the “earth dwellers.”
Revelation 3:10 King James Version (KJV)
10 Because thou hast kept the word of my patience, I also will keep thee from the hour of temptation, which shall come upon all the world, to try them that dwell upon the earth.
Revelation 3:10 Holman Christian Standard Bible (HCSB)
10 Because you have kept My command to endure, I will also keep you from the hour of testing that is going to come over the whole world to test those who live on the earth.
Revelation 6:10 King James Version (KJV)
10 And they cried with a loud voice, saying, How long, O Lord, holy and true, dost thou not judge and avenge our blood on them that dwell on the earth?
Revelation 6:10 New Living Translation (NLT)
10 They shouted to the Lord and said, “O Sovereign Lord, holy and true, how long before you judge the people who belong to this world and avenge our blood for what they have done to us?”
Revelation 8:13 King James Version (KJV)
13 And I beheld, and heard an angel flying through the midst of heaven, saying with a loud voice, Woe, woe, woe, to the inhabiters of the earth by reason of the other voices of the trumpet of the three angels, which are yet to sound!
Revelation 8:13 New English Translation (NET Bible)
13 Then I looked, and I heard an eagle flying directly overhead, proclaiming with a loud voice, “Woe! Woe! Woe to those who live on the earth because of the remaining sounds of the trumpets of the three angels who are about to blow them!”
Revelation 11:10 King James Version
And they that dwell upon the earth shall rejoice over them, and make merry, and shall send gifts one to another; because these two prophets tormented them that dwelt on the earth.
Revelation 11:10 English Standard Version
and those who dwell on the earth will rejoice over them and make merry and exchange presents, because these two prophets had been a torment to those who dwell on the earth.
Revelation 13:8 King James Version
And all that dwell upon the earth shall worship him, whose names are not written in the book of life of the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world.
Revelation 13:8 New International Version
All inhabitants of the earth will worship the beast–all whose names have not been written in the Lamb’s book of life, the Lamb who was slain from the creation of the world.
Revelation 13:14 King James Version
And deceiveth them that dwell on the earth by the means of those miracles which he had power to do in the sight of the beast; saying to them that dwell on the earth, that they should make an image to the beast, which had the wound by a sword, and did live
Revelation 13:14 New Living Translation
And with all the miracles he was allowed to perform on behalf of the first beast, he deceived all the people who belong to this world. He ordered the people to make a great statue of the first beast, who was fatally wounded and then came back to life.
Revelation 17:8 King James Version
The beast that thou sawest was, and is not; and shall ascend out of the bottomless pit, and go into perdition: and they that dwell on the earth shall wonder, whose names were not written in the book of life from the foundation of the world, when they behold the beast that was, and is not, and yet is.
Revelation 17:8 New American Standard Bible
“The beast that you saw was, and is not, and is about to come up out of the abyss and go to destruction. And those who dwell on the earth, whose name has not been written in the book of life from the foundation of the world, will wonder when they see the beast, that he was and is not and will come
Thought on earth dwellers
In this last verse we clearly see the identity of “those who dwell on the earth.” They are the ones whose names had not been written in the book of life, which are those who had not been born again. (Mine)
Let’s consider scriptures that relate to the second coming of Christ.
Zechariah 14:1-17 King James Version
1 Behold, the day of the Lord cometh, and thy spoil shall be divided in the midst of thee.
2 For I will gather all nations against Jerusalem to battle; and the city shall be taken, and the houses rifled, and the women ravished; and half of the city shall go forth into captivity, and the residue of the people shall not be cut off from the city.
3 Then shall the Lord go forth, and fight against those nations, as when he fought in the day of battle.
4 And his feet shall stand in that day upon the mount of Olives, which is before Jerusalem on the east, and the mount of Olives shall cleave in the midst thereof toward the east and toward the west, and there shall be a very great valley; and half of the mountain shall remove toward the north, and half of it toward the south.
5 And ye shall flee to the valley of the mountains; for the valley of the mountains shall reach unto Azal: yea, ye shall flee, like as ye fled from before the earthquake in the days of Uzziah king of Judah: and the Lord my God shall come, and all the saints with thee.
6 And it shall come to pass in that day, that the light shall not be clear, nor dark:
7 But it shall be one day which shall be known to the Lord, not day, nor night: but it shall come to pass, that at evening time it shall be light.
8 And it shall be in that day, that living waters shall go out from Jerusalem; half of them toward the former sea, and half of them toward the hinder sea: in summer and in winter shall it be.
9 And the Lord shall be king over all the earth: in that day shall there be one Lord, and his name one.
10 All the land shall be turned as a plain from Geba to Rimmon south of Jerusalem: and it shall be lifted up, and inhabited in her place, from Benjamin’s gate unto the place of the first gate, unto the corner gate, and from the tower of Hananeel unto the king’s winepresses.
11 And men shall dwell in it, and there shall be no more utter destruction; but Jerusalem shall be safely inhabited.
12 And this shall be the plague wherewith the Lord will smite all the people that have fought against Jerusalem; Their flesh shall consume away while they stand upon their feet, and their eyes shall consume away in their holes, and their tongue shall consume away in their mouth.
13 And it shall come to pass in that day, that a great tumult from the Lord shall be among them; and they shall lay hold every one on the hand of his neighbour, and his hand shall rise up against the hand of his neighbour.
14 And Judah also shall fight at Jerusalem; and the wealth of all the heathen round about shall be gathered together, gold, and silver, and apparel, in great abundance.
15 And so shall be the plague of the horse, of the mule, of the camel, and of the ass, and of all the beasts that shall be in these tents, as this plague.
16 And it shall come to pass, that every one that is left of all the nations which came against Jerusalem shall even go up from year to year to worship the King, the Lord of hosts, and to keep the feast of tabernacles.
17 And it shall be, that whoso will not come up of all the families of the earth unto Jerusalem to worship the King, the Lord of hosts, even upon them shall be no rain.
Revelation 19:11-21 New King James Version (NKJV)
Christ on a White Horse
11 Now I saw heaven opened, and behold, a white horse. And He who sat on him was called Faithful and True, and in righteousness He judges and makes war. 12 His eyes were like a flame of fire, and on His head were many crowns. He had a name written that no one knew except Himself. 13 He was clothed with a robe dipped in blood, and His name is called The Word of God. 14 And the armies in heaven, clothed in fine linen, white and clean, followed Him on white horses. 15 Now out of His mouth goes a sharp sword, that with it He should strike the nations. And He Himself will rule them with a rod of iron. He Himself treads the winepress of the fierceness and wrath of Almighty God. 16 And He has on His robe and on His thigh a name written: KING OF KINGS AND LORD OF LORDS.
The Beast and His Armies Defeated
17 Then I saw an angel standing in the sun; and he cried with a loud voice, saying to all the birds that fly in the midst of heaven, “Come and gather together for the supper of the great God, 18 that you may eat the flesh of kings, the flesh of captains, the flesh of mighty men, the flesh of horses and of those who sit on them, and the flesh of all people, free and slave, both small and great.”
19 And I saw the beast, the kings of the earth, and their armies, gathered together to make war against Him who sat on the horse and against His army. 20 Then the beast was captured, and with him the false prophet who worked signs in his presence, by which he deceived those who received the mark of the beast and those who worshiped his image. These two were cast alive into the lake of fire burning with brimstone. 21 And the rest were killed with the sword which proceeded from the mouth of Him who sat on the horse. And all the birds were filled with their flesh.
Revelation 20 New King James Version (NKJV)
Satan Bound 1,000 Years
1 Then I saw an angel coming down from heaven, having the key to the bottomless pit and a great chain in his hand. 2 He laid hold of the dragon, that serpent of old, who is the Devil and Satan, and bound him for a thousand years; 3 and he cast him into the bottomless pit, and shut him up, and set a seal on him, so that he should deceive the nations no more till the thousand years were finished. But after these things he must be released for a little while.
The Saints Reign with Christ 1,000 Years
4 And I saw thrones, and they sat on them, and judgment was committed to them. Then I saw the souls of those who had been beheaded for their witness to Jesus and for the word of God, who had not worshiped the beast or his image, and had not received his mark on their foreheads or on their hands. And they lived and reigned with Christ for a thousand years. 5 But the rest of the dead did not live again until the thousand years were finished. This is the first resurrection. 6 Blessed and holy is he who has part in the first resurrection. Over such the second death has no power, but they shall be priests of God and of Christ, and shall reign with Him a thousand years.
Satanic Rebellion Crushed
7 Now when the thousand years have expired, Satan will be released from his prison 8 and will go out to deceive the nations which are in the four corners of the earth, Gog and Magog, to gather them together to battle, whose number is as the sand of the sea. 9 They went up on the breadth of the earth and surrounded the camp of the saints and the beloved city. And fire came down from God out of heaven and devoured them. 10 The devil, who deceived them, was cast into the lake of fire and brimstone where the beast and the false prophet are. And they will be tormented day and night forever and ever.
The Great White Throne Judgment
11 Then I saw a great white throne and Him who sat on it, from whose face the earth and the heaven fled away. And there was found no place for them. 12 And I saw the dead, small and great, standing before God, and books were opened. And another book was opened, which is the Book of Life. And the dead were judged according to their works, by the things which were written in the books. 13 The sea gave up the dead who were in it, and Death and Hades delivered up the dead who were in them. And they were judged, each one according to his works. 14 Then Death and Hades were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death.15 And anyone not found written in the Book of Life was cast into the lake of fire.
Matthew 24:21-31 New American Standard Bible (NASB)
21 For then there will be a great tribulation, such as has not occurred since the beginning of the world until now, nor ever will. 22 Unless those days had been cut short, no life would have been saved; but for the sake of the elect those days will be cut short. 23 Then if anyone says to you, ‘Behold, here is the Christ,’ or ‘There He is,’ do not believe him. 24 For false Christs and false prophets will arise and will show great signs and wonders, so as to mislead, if possible, even the elect. 25 Behold, I have told you in advance. 26 So if they say to you, ‘Behold, He is in the wilderness,’ do not go out, or, ‘Behold, He is in the inner rooms,’ do not believe them.27 For just as the lightning comes from the east and flashes even to the west, so will the coming of the Son of Man be. 28 Wherever the corpse is, there the vultures will gather.
The Glorious Return
29 “But immediately after the tribulation of those days the sun will be darkened, and the moon will not give its light, and the stars will fall from the sky, and the powers of the heavens will be shaken. 30 And then the sign of the Son of Man will appear in the sky, and then all the tribes of the earth will mourn, and they will see the Son of Man coming on the clouds of the sky with power and great glory. 31 And He will send forth His angels with a great trumpet and they will gather together His elect from the four winds, from one end of the sky to the other.
Matthew 25:31-46 New American Standard Bible (NASB)
The Judgment
31 “But when the Son of Man comes in His glory, and all the angels with Him, then He will sit on His glorious throne. 32 All the nations will be gathered before Him; and He will separate them from one another, as the shepherd separates the sheep from the goats; 33 and He will put the sheep on His right, and the goats on the left.
34 “Then the King will say to those on His right, ‘Come, you who are blessed of My Father,inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world. 35 For I was hungry, and you gave Me something to eat; I was thirsty, and you gave Me something to drink; I was a stranger, and you invited Me in; 36 naked, and you clothed Me; I was sick, and you visited Me; I was in prison, and you came to Me.’ 37 Then the righteous will answer Him, ‘Lord, when did we see You hungry, and feed You, or thirsty, and give You something to drink? 38 And when did we see You a stranger, and invite You in, or naked, and clothe You? 39 When did we see You sick, or in prison, and come to You?’ 40 The King will answer and say to them, ‘Truly I say to you, to the extent that you did it to one of these brothers of Mine, even the least of them, you did it to Me.’
41 “Then He will also say to those on His left, ‘Depart from Me, accursed ones, into the eternal fire which has been prepared for the devil and his angels; 42 for I was hungry, and you gave Me nothing to eat; I was thirsty, and you gave Me nothing to drink; 43 I was a stranger, and you did not invite Me in; naked, and you did not clothe Me; sick, and in prison, and you did not visit Me.’ 44 Then they themselves also will answer, ‘Lord, when did we see You hungry, or thirsty, or a stranger, or naked, or sick, or in prison, and did not take care of You?’ 45 Then He will answer them, ‘Truly I say to you, to the extent that you did not do it to one of the least of these, you did not do it to Me.’ 46 These will go away into eternal punishment, but the righteous into eternal life.”
Note on second coming: Matt 25:31-46. The judgment, “sheep and goat judgment,” is for the nations of the world, as to how they treated the Jews (“the least of them”) during the tribulation. (Mine)
First Seal: The Conqueror
Second Seal: Conflict on Earth
Third Seal: Scarcity on Earth
Fourth Seal: Widespread Death on Earth
Fifth Seal: The Cry of the Martyrs
Sixth Seal: Cosmic Disturbances
Revelation 7 New King James Version (NKJV)
The Sealed of Israel
A multitude from the Great Tribulation
Revelation 8 New King James Version (NKJV)
Seventh Seal: Prelude to the Seven Trumpets
First Trumpet: Vegetation Struck
Second Trumpet: The Seas Struck
Third Trumpet: The Waters Struck
Fourth Trumpet: The Heavens Struck
Revelation 8 New King James Version (NKJV)
Seventh Seal: Prelude to the Seven Trumpets
First Trumpet: Vegetation Struck
Second Trumpet: The Seas Struck
Third Trumpet: The Waters Struck
Fourth Trumpet: The Heavens Struck
Revelation 9 New King James Version (NKJV)
Fifth Trumpet: The Locusts from the Bottomless Pit
Sixth Trumpet: The Angels from the Euphrates
Revelation 10 New King James Version (NKJV)
The Mighty Angel with the Little Book
John Eats the Little Book
Revelation 11 New King James Version (NKJV)
The Two Witnesses
The Witnesses Killed
The Witnesses Resurrected
Seventh Trumpet: The Kingdom Proclaimed
Revelation 12 New King James Version (NKJV)
The Woman, the Child, and the Dragon
Satan Thrown Out of Heaven
The Woman Persecuted
Revelation 13 New King James Version (NKJV)
The Beast from the Sea
The Beast from the Earth
Future Study – Bowl Judgments
Revelation 16 New King James Version (NKJV)
First Bowl: Loathsome Sores
Second Bowl: The Sea Turns to Blood
Third Bowl: The Waters Turn to Blood
Fourth Bowl: Men Are Scorched
Fifth Bowl: Darkness and Pain
Sixth Bowl: Euphrates Dried Up
Seventh Bowl: The Earth Utterly Shaken
This series of posts began on June 30, 2016. The completed posts can be found by clicking onto the following link and selecting category “Journey.” https://equippingblog.wordpress.com/
Click onto any blue letter, number of symbol to see the video and text on the blog.
The videos in this post discuss key events, as they relate to the Anti-Christ and the False Prophet. Notice the common understanding of that subject by the contributors to this post,which will discuss the two beasts (Ant-Christ and False Prophet).
The Sequence Of Future Prophetic Events
When Will The Anti-Christ Be Revealed?
Daniel 9:27 And The Anti-Christ
The Beasts And Horns
Will The Anti-Christ Be Jewish?
How Will The Anti-Christ Come To Power?
When Will The Anti-Christ Sign The Peace Treaty With Israel?
Could The Anti-Christ Be Alive Today?
What Will The Anti-Christ Do That Compel People To Follow Him?
The Mark Of The Beast
Blog title from Revelation Commentary: John F. Walvoord (1910 – 2002)
Key Verse: Revelation 13:3: “And I saw one of his heads as if it had been mortally wounded, and his deadly wound was healed. And all the world marveled and followed the beast.”
Key verse from Life Applications From Every Chapter Of The Bible: G. Campbell Morgan (1863 – 1945)
Comment on Revelation 13:3, by John F. Walvoord
In the first ten verses of chapter 13, a character is introduced of central importance to the events of the great tribulation. This passage is first of all a revelation of the revived Roman Empire in its period of worldwide dominion, but more especially this paragraph directs attention to the evil character who exercises satanic power as the world dictator.
The translation of the text is from the New King James Bible. Comments come from BibleGateway.com, MacArthur Study Bible.
Key Question: Who are the “earth dwellers” of 3:8 & 3:14?
Answer: They are the same “earth dwellers” of 3:10.
The earth dwellers of Revelation are those which were “left behind” from the rapture. They are people who had not been born again, and did not have the Spirit of Christ dwelling within their spirits. All nations of the world, including the USA, will be led by governments whose leaders are also “earth dwellers.” No one who has been left behind will have “Godly wisdom” (1 Cor 1:18; 2:14); consider the implications. Other verses that relate to “earth dwellers” are: 6:10; 8:13; 11:10; 17:8. Here is my plea. “Don’t be left behind!”
Blog Category “Journey”
Introduction (Commentary, Revelation, Chapter 13, John F. Walvoord)
As John watches the scene, he sees a beast coming up out of the sea having seven heads and ten horns. Ten crowns are seen on the horns, and on the seven heads names of blasphemy are written. The identity of this beast is quite clear in its reference to the revived Roman Empire, as the description is similar to that found in Daniel 7:7-8 and in Revelation 12:3 and 17:3, 7. The stage of the empire depicted by the beast is the period after the emergence of the little horn, the future world ruler, displacing three of the horns (Dan. 7:8). The description fits the time of the empire during the great tribulation.
Within this chapter we see: vs 1-2 The first beast out of the sea; vs 3 The deadly wound of the beast; vs 4 The worship of Satan by the world; vs 5-6 The blasphemous character of the beast; vs 7 The universal dominion of the beast; vs 8 The universal worship of the beast; vs 9-10 The exhortation to hear; vs 11-12 The second beast out of the earth; vs 13-14 The deceptive miracles of the false prophet; vs 15-17 All required to worship the beast.
Revelation Chapter 13
The Beast from the Sea
1 Then I stood on the sand of the sea. And I saw a beast rising up out of the sea, having seven heads and ten horns, and on his horns ten crowns, and on his heads a blasphemous name. 2 Now the beast which I saw was like a leopard, his feet were like the feet of a bear, and his mouth like the mouth of a lion. The dragon gave him his power, his throne, and great authority. 3 And I saw one of his heads as if it had been mortally wounded, and his deadly wound was healed. And all the world marveled and followed the beast. 4 So they worshiped the dragon who gave authority to the beast; and they worshiped the beast, saying, “Who islike the beast? Who is able to make war with him?”
5 And he was given a mouth speaking great things and blasphemies, and he was given authority to continue for forty-two months. 6 Then he opened his mouth in blasphemy against God, to blaspheme His name, His tabernacle, and those who dwell in heaven. 7 It was granted to him to make war with the saints and to overcome them. And authority was given him over every tribe, tongue, and nation. 8 All who dwell on the earth will worship him, whose names have not been written in the Book of Life of the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world.
9 If anyone has an ear, let him hear. 10 He who leads into captivity shall go into captivity; he who kills with the sword must be killed with the sword. Here is the patience and the faith of the saints.
The Beast from the Earth
11 Then I saw another beast coming up out of the earth, and he had two horns like a lamb and spoke like a dragon. 12 And he exercises all the authority of the first beast in his presence, and causes the earth and those who dwell in it to worship the first beast, whose deadly wound was healed. 13 He performs great signs, so that he even makes fire come down from heaven on the earth in the sight of men. 14 And he deceives those who dwell on the earth by those signs which he was granted to do in the sight of the beast, telling those who dwell on the earth to make an image to the beast who was wounded by the sword and lived. 15 He was granted power to give breath to the image of the beast, that the image of the beast should both speak and cause as many as would not worship the image of the beast to be killed. 16 He causes all, both small and great, rich and poor, free and slave, to receive a mark on their right hand or on their foreheads, 17 and that no one may buy or sell except one who has the mark or the name of the beast, or the number of his name.
18 Here is wisdom. Let him who has understanding calculate the number of the beast, for it is the number of a man: His number is 666.
Comments
13:1 Then I stood. Most manuscripts read “he stood,” referring again to the dragon, or Satan (cf. 12:9, 17). He takes a position in the midst of the nations of his world, represented by the sand of the sea. a beast. Lit. “a monster” (cf. 11:7), which describes a vicious, killing animal. In this context, the term represents both a person (Antichrist) and his system (the world). The final satanic world empire will be inseparable from the demon-possessed man who leads it. For a discussion of Antichrist, see notes on 2 Thess. 2:3–11. He is also described in Dan. 7:8, 21–26; 8:23–25; 9:24–27; 11:36–45. rising up out of the sea. The sea represents the abyss or pit, the haunt of demons (cf. 11:7; 17:8; 20:1; Luke 8:31). The picture is of Satan summoning a powerful demon from the abyss, who then activates and controls the beast (Antichrist) and his empire. seven heads and ten horns. This description is like that of Satan in 12:3. The heads may represent successive world empires—Egypt, Assyria, Babylon, Medo-Persia, Greece, Rome, and the final kingdom of Antichrist (see notes on 17:9,10). The final one is made up of all the kingdoms represented by the horns (see notes for 17:12). Ten is a number that symbolizes the totality of human military and political power assisting the beast (Antichrist) as he controls the world. Horns always represent power, as in the animal kingdom—both offensive power (attack) and defensive power (protection). Daniel shows that the human Antichrist will rise up from these 10 kings (Dan. 7:16–24). John picks up the numerical imagery of Dan. 2:41, 42, which refers to the 10 toes on the statue’s clay and iron feet. The apostle sees the beast as the final world government—the anti-Christ, anti-God coalition—headed by a revived Roman Empire, having the strengths of various world powers, yet mixed with weakness and ultimately crushed (cf. Dan. 2:32–45; 7:7, 8, 19–25; see note on 12:3). The crowns show the regal dominion of this confederate kingdom. blasphemous name. Throughout history, every time a monarch has identified himself as a god, he has blasphemed the true God. Each ruler who contributes to the beast’s final coalition has an identity, wears a crown, exerts dominion and power, and therefore blasphemes God.
13:2 leopard. A metaphor for ancient Greece, alluding to the Greeks’ swiftness and agility as their military moved forward in conquest, particularly under Alexander the Great (cf. Dan. 7:6). The leopard and subsequent animal symbols were all native wildlife in Palestine, familiar to John’s readers. bear. A metaphor for the ancient Medo-Persian Empire, depicting that kingdom’s ferocious strength, combined with its great stability (cf. Dan. 7:5).lion. A metaphor for the ancient Babylonian Empire, referring to the Babylonians’ fierce, all-consuming power as they extended their domain (cf. Dan. 7:4). The dragon gave him his power.See notes on v. 1; 12:9.
13:3 his deadly wound was healed. This statement could refer to one of the kingdoms that was destroyed and revived (i.e., the Roman Empire). But more likely it refers to a fake death and resurrection enacted by the Antichrist, as part of his lying deception. Cf. vv. 12, 14; 17:8, 11; 2 Thess. 2:9. world marveled. People in the world will be astounded and fascinated when Antichrist appears to rise from the dead. His charisma, brilliance, and attractive but deluding powers will cause the world to follow him unquestioningly (v. 14; 2 Thess. 2:8–12).
13:5 was given. The sovereign God will establish the limits within which Antichrist will be allowed to speak and operate. God will allow him to utter his blasphemies, to bring the rage of Satan to its culmination on earth for 3½ years (v. 5; 11:2, 3; 12:6, 13,14). forty-two months. The final 3½ years—1,260 days—of the “time of Jacob’s trouble” (Jer. 30:7) and Daniel’s 70th week (Dan. 9:24–27), known as the Great Tribulation (see notes on 11:2;12:6; cf. Dan. 7:25). This last half is launched by the abomination of desolations (see note on Matt. 24:15).
13:6 His name. This identifies God and summarizes all His attributes (cf. Ex. 3:13, 14). His tabernacle. This is symbolic of heaven (cf. Heb. 9:23, 24). those who dwell in heaven. The angels and glorified saints who are before the throne of God and serve Him day and night.
13:7 make war with the saints. The Antichrist will be allowed to massacre those who are God’s children (cf. 6:9–11; 11:7; 12:17;17:6; Dan. 7:23–25; 8:25; 9:27; 11:38; 12:10; Matt. 24:16–22).See note on 17:6
.17:6 the blood of the saints…martyrs of Jesus. Some see the first group as OT saints, and the second as NT saints—an unimportant distinction since this pictures the martyrs of the Tribulation. John’s point is that the harlot is a murderer. False religion has killed millions of believers over the centuries, and the final false system will be far more deadly than any that preceded
13:8 Book of Life. See note on 3:5. Lamb slain. The Lord Jesus who died to purchase the salvation of those whom God had chosen was fulfilling an eternal plan. from the foundation of the world. According to God’s eternal, electing purpose before creation, the death of Christ seals the redemption of the elect forever (cf. Acts 2:23; 4:27, 28). Antichrist can never take away the salvation of the elect. The eternal registry of the elect will never be altered, nor will the saved in the Antichrist’s day worship him.
13:9 Cf. 2:7, 11 17, 29; 3:6, 13, 22. This phrase omits “what the Spirit says to the churches” as in the 7 letters to the churches, perhaps because they have been raptured.
13:10 A call for believers to accept persecution from Antichrist with perseverance and endurance. God has chosen some believers to be imprisoned and executed which they must not resist (cf. Matt. 26:51–54; 2 Cor. 10:4), but accept with patience such suffering as God ordains for them (cf. 1 Pet. 2:19–24).
13:11 another beast. This is the final false prophet (called such in 16:13; 19:20; 20:10) who promotes Antichrist’s power and convinces the world to worship him as God. This companion beast will be the chief, most persuasive proponent of satanic religion (cf. 16:13; 19:20; 20:10). Antichrist will be primarily a political and military leader, but the false prophet will be a religious leader. Politics and religion will unite in a worldwide religion of worshiping the Antichrist (see 17:1–9, 15–17). out of the earth. Likely another reference to the abyss that lies below the earth. The false prophet will be sent forth and controlled by a powerful demon from below. The earth imagery, in contrast to that of the foreboding, mysterious sea in v. 1, may imply that the false prophet is subtler and more winsome than Antichrist. two horns like a lamb. This describes the relative weakness of the false prophet compared to Antichrist, who has 10 horns. A lamb has only two small bumps on its head, very inferior to the 10 horned beast. like a lamb. The lamb imagery may also imply that the false prophet will be also a false Christ masquerading as the true Lamb. Unlike Antichrist, the false prophet will come not as a killing, destroying animal, but as one who appears gentle and deceptively attractive. spoke like a dragon. The false prophet will be Satan’s mouthpiece and thus his message will be like the dragon, Satan—the source of all false religion (cf. 2 Cor. 11:14).
13:12 exercises all the authority of the first beast. The false prophet exercises the same kind of satanic power as Antichrist because he is empowered by the same source. He, too, will have worldwide influence and reputation as a miracle worker and speaker. causes…to worship. “He causes” is used 8 times of him. He wields influence to establish a false world religion headed by Antichrist and to entice people to accept that system.whose deadly wound was healed. See notes on v. 3; 17:8.This likely refers to the carefully crafted deception of a false resurrection, a false murder to inspire allegiance for the world.
13:13 great signs. The same phrase is used of Jesus’ miracles (John 2:11, 23; 6:2), which indicates the false prophet performs signs that counterfeit Christ’s. Satan, who has done supernatural works in the past (e.g., Ex. 7:11; 2 Tim. 3:8), must use his strategy of false miracles to convince the world that Antichrist is more powerful than God’s true witnesses (chap. 11), including Jesus Christ. fire come down from heaven. The context indicates that the false prophet does counterfeit pyrotechnic signs continually to convince men of his power, and also in imitation of the two witnesses (11:5).
13:14 make an image. This refers to replication of Antichrist that is related to the throne he will erect during the abomination of desolation, halfway into the Tribulation period. This will happen in the Jerusalem temple when Antichrist abolishes the former false world religion and seeks to have people worship him alone as God (cf. Dan. 9:27; 11:31; 12:11; Matt. 24:15; 2 Thess. 2:4). The false prophet and Antichrist again will deceive the world with a clever imitation of Christ, who will later return and reign from the true throne in Jerusalem.
13:15 speak. The false prophet will give the image of Antichrist the appearance of life, and the image will seem to utter words—contrary to what is normally true of idols (cf. Ps. 135:15, 16; Hab. 2:19). cause…to be killed. His gentleness is a lie, since he is a killer (7:9–17). Some Gentiles will be spared to populate the kingdom (Matt. 25:31–40) and Jews will be protected (12:17).
13:16 a mark. In the Roman Empire, this was a normal identifying symbol, or brand, that slaves and soldiers bore on their bodies. Some of the ancient mystical cults delighted in such tattoos, which identified members with a form of worship. Antichrist will have a similar requirement, one that will need to be visible on the hand or forehead.
13:17 buy or sell. Antichrist’s mark will allow people to engage in daily commerce, including the purchase of food and other necessities. Without the identifying mark, individuals will be cut off from the necessities of life. number of his name. The beast (Antichrist) will have a name inherent in a numbering system. It is not clear from the text exactly what this name and number system will be or what its significance will be.
13:18 His number is 666. This is the essential number of a man. The number 6 falls one short of God’s perfect number, 7, and thus represents human imperfection. Antichrist, the most powerful human the world will ever know, will still be a man, i.e., a 6. The ultimate in human and demonic power is a 6, not perfect, as God is. The 3-fold repetition of the number is intended to reiterate and underscore man’s identity. When Antichrist is finally revealed, there will be some way to identify him with this basic number of a man, or his name may have the numerical equivalent of 666. (In many languages, including Heb., Gr., and Lat., letters have numerical equivalents.) Because this text reveals very little about the meaning of 666, it is unwise to speculate beyond what is said.
Closing Thought Chapter 13
Chapter 13, taken as a whole, is one of the great prophetic chapters of Scripture and is the only passage which presents in any detail the two principal evil characters of the end of the age who form with Satan an unholy trinity. Here is clearly presented the fact that the head of the revived Roman Empire ultimately becomes the ruler of the entire world. Dominated by Satan, he is Satan’s masterpiece and substitute for Christ, and is aided and supported by the second beast called the false prophet. Many have alluded to the contrast of this evil trinity with the heavenly Trinity, Satan corresponding to God the Father, the first beast corresponding to Christ, and the second beast corresponding to the Holy Spirit. George W. Davis expresses a common view that this is a false trinity: “This trinity will consist of Satan as God, Antichrist, the counterfeit of Christ, as Christ, and the false prophet, a travesty on the Holy Spirit.”
The closing thought is from Bible.org, by Dr. John F. Walvoord
Important Notice
If you would like to comment on this post, please do so on the comment area of the post.
This post is one of others that you can find in the blog under the category of “Journey.” There, you will be able to locate the Journey posts, which will appear in the order of their being published. If you click onto the following link you will be able to follow the blog and receive future posts automatically, which is important for people who receive posts directly from me. That is because, from time to time, email addresses are dropped from my list of contacts.
Click onto any blue letter, number of symbol to see the video and text on the blog.
Blog title from Revelation Commentary: John F. Walvoord (1910 – 2002)
Key Verse: Revelation 12:7: “And war broke out in heaven: Michael and his angels fought with the dragon; and the dragon and his angels fought,”
Key verse from Life Applications From Every Chapter Of The Bible: G. Campbell Morgan (1863 – 1945)
The translation of the text is from the New King James Bible. Comments come from BibleGateway.com, MacArthur Study Bible. (Everyone should own a MacArthur Study Bible.)
Key Question: Who is the woman of Revelation 12? The answer is Israel. See the following link.
The video in this post discusses the signs of the last days.
Introduction (Commentary, Revelation, Chapter 12, John F. Walvoord)
Within this section seven primary characters are introduced: (1) the woman, representing Israel, (2) the dragon, representing Satan, (3) a male child, referring to Christ, (4) Michael, representing the angels, (5) Israel, the remnant of the woman’s seed, (6) the beast out of the sea, the world dictator, and (7) the beast out of the earth, the false prophet and religious leader of the world. Around these main characters swirls the tremendously moving scene of the great tribulation.
In this post we see: vs 1-2 The woman clothed with the sun: Israel; vs 3-4 The great red dragon: Satan; vs 5-6 The child: Christ; vs 7-9 Satan cast out of Heaven by Michael; vs 10-12 Announcement of Satan’s wrath and the saints’ ultimate victory; vs 13-16 The persecution of Israel in the Great Tribulation; vs 17 The persecution of the Godly remnant of Israel.
Revelation Chapter 12
The Woman, the Child, and the Dragon
1 Now a great sign appeared in heaven: a woman clothed with the sun, with the moon under her feet, and on her head a garland of twelve stars. 2 Then being with child, she cried out in labor and in pain to give birth.
3 And another sign appeared in heaven: behold, a great, fiery red dragon having seven heads and ten horns, and seven diadems on his heads. 4 His tail drew a third of the stars of heaven and threw them to the earth. And the dragon stood before the woman who was ready to give birth, to devour her Child as soon as it was born. 5 She bore a male Child who was to rule all nations with a rod of iron. And her Child was caught up to God and His throne. 6 Then the woman fled into the wilderness, where she has a place prepared by God, that they should feed her there one thousand two hundred and sixty days.
Satan Thrown Out of Heaven
7 And war broke out in heaven: Michael and his angels fought with the dragon; and the dragon and his angels fought, 8 but they did not prevail, nor was a place found for them in heaven any longer. 9 So the great dragon was cast out, that serpent of old, called the Devil and Satan, who deceives the whole world; he was cast to the earth, and his angels were cast out with him.
10 Then I heard a loud voice saying in heaven, “Now salvation, and strength, and the kingdom of our God, and the power of His Christ have come, for the accuser of our brethren, who accused them before our God day and night, has been cast down. 11 And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony, and they did not love their lives to the death. 12 Therefore rejoice, O heavens, and you who dwell in them! Woe to the inhabitants of the earth and the sea! For the devil has come down to you, having great wrath, because he knows that he has a short time.”
The Woman Persecuted
13 Now when the dragon saw that he had been cast to the earth, he persecuted the woman who gave birth to the male Child. 14 But the woman was given two wings of a great eagle, that she might fly into the wilderness to her place, where she is nourished for a time and times and half a time, from the presence of the serpent. 15 So the serpent spewed water out of his mouth like a flood after the woman, that he might cause her to be carried away by the flood.16 But the earth helped the woman, and the earth opened its mouth and swallowed up the flood which the dragon had spewed out of his mouth. 17 And the dragon was enraged with the woman, and he went to make war with the rest of her offspring, who keep the commandments of God and have the testimony of Jesus Christ
Comments
12:1 sign. A symbol pointing to something else. This is the first of 7 signs in the last half of Revelation. Cf. v. 3; 13:13, 14; 15:1; 16:14; 19:20. a woman. Not an actual woman, but a symbolic representation of Israel, pictured in the OT as the wife of God (Is. 54:5, 6; Jer. 3:6–8; 31:32; Ezek. 16:32; Hos. 2:16). Three other symbolic women appear in Revelation: 1) Jezebel, who represents paganism (2:20); 2) the scarlet woman (17:3–6), symbolizing the apostate church; and 3) the wife of the Lamb (19:7), symbolizing the true church. That this woman does not represent the church is clear from the context. clothed with the sun…moon under her feet…twelve stars. Cf. Gen. 37:9–11. Being clothed with the sun speaks of the glory, dignity, and exalted status of Israel, the people of promise who will be saved and given a kingdom. The picture of the moon under her feet possibly describes God’s covenant relationship with Israel, since new moons were associated with worship (1 Chr. 23:31; 2 Chr. 2:4; 8:13; Ezra 3:5; Ps. 81:3). The 12 stars represent the 12 tribes of Israel.
12:2 cried out…in pain. Israel, often pictured as a mother giving birth (cf. Is. 26:17, 18; 54:1; 66:7–12; Hos. 13:13; Mic. 4:10; 5:2, 3; Matt. 24:8), had agonized and suffered for centuries, longing for the Messiah to come and destroy Satan, sin, and death, and usher in the kingdom.
12:3 great, fiery red dragon. The woman’s mortal enemy is Satan, who appears as a dragon 13 times in this book (cf. v. 9; 20:2). Red speaks of bloodshed (cf. John 8:44). seven heads…ten horns…seven diadems. Figurative language depicting Satan’s domination of 7 past worldly kingdoms and 10 future kingdoms (cf. Dan. 7:7, 20, 24). See notes on 13:1; 17:9, 10. Satan has and will rule the world until the seventh trumpet blows (11:15). He has inflicted relentless pain on Israel (Dan. 8:24), desiring to kill the woman before she could bring forth the child that would destroy him (see notes on Esth. 3:6–15).
12:4 a third of the stars of heaven. Satan’s original rebellion (cf. Is. 14:12ff.; Ezek. 28:11ff.) resulted in one-third of the angelic host joining his insurrection and becoming demons. to devour her Child. Unable to prevent the virgin birth of Christ, Satan tried to kill the child in a general massacre of male children commanded by Herod (Matt. 2:13–18; cf. Luke 4:28, 29).
12:5 a male Child. Jesus Christ in His incarnation was of Jewish descent (Matt. 1:1; 2 Tim. 2:8). Despite Satan’s efforts to destroy Israel and the messianic line, Jesus’ birth took place as predicted by the prophets (cf. Is. 7:14; 9:6; Mic. 5:2). rod of iron. Describes Jesus’ coronation as King over the nations of the world (cf. 11:15; 19:15; Ps. 2:6–9). her Child was caught up to God. Christ’s ascension is in view (Acts 1:9; 2:33; Heb. 1:1–3; 12:2).
12:6 wilderness. God will protect Israel from Satan by hiding her in the wilderness, perhaps in the region of Moab, Ammon, and Edom, east of Palestine. Interestingly, those countries will be specifically spared from the Antichrist’s attack against the Holy Land (cf. Dan. 11:41). one thousand two hundred and sixty days. At the mid-point of the Tribulation, the Antichrist breaks his covenant with Israel, puts a stop to temple worship, sets up the abomination of desolation (Dan. 9:27; Matt. 24:15), and devastates Jerusalem (11:2). At that time, many Jews flee for their lives (Matt. 24:16ff.). God will preserve them during the last 1,260 days (42 months; 3½ years) constituting the Great Tribulation. See notes on 3:10; 6:1, 9.
12:7 war broke out in heaven. The tumultuous events on earth during the Tribulation find their counterpart in heaven. A state of war has existed since the fall of Satan (cf. v. 4; cf. Dan. 10:13; Jude 9). Something will intensify that warfare—possibly the raptured saints passing through the realm of the prince of the power of the air (cf. Eph. 2:2).
12:9 dragon was cast…to the earth. Satan and his demons were cast out of heaven at the time of their original rebellion, but still have access to it (cf. Job 1:6; 2:1). That access will then be denied, and they will be forever barred from heaven. Devil and Satan. Cf. 20:2. “Devil” comes from a Gr. verb meaning “to slander” or “to falsely accuse.” He is a malignant liar (John 8:44; 1 John 3:8). His accusations against believers (v. 10) are unsuccessful because of Christ our Advocate (1 John 2:1). Satan, meaning “adversary,” or “enemy,” appears especially in Job and the gospels. deceives the whole world. As he has throughout human history, Satan will deceive people during the Tribulation (cf. 13:14; 20:3; John 8:44). After his temporary release from the bottomless pit at the end of the Millennium, he will briefly resume his deceitful ways (20:8, 10).
12:10 accuser. See note on v. 9. Satan will no longer accuse believers before the throne of God because he will no longer have access to heaven.
12:11 blood of the Lamb. No accusation can stand against those whose sins have been forgiven because of Christ’s sacrificial death (see Rom. 8:33–39).
12:12 he has a short time. Knowing that his time is limited, Satan will intensify his efforts against God and mankind, and specifically target Israel (v. 13, 17).
12:14 wings of a great eagle. Not actual birds’ wings, but a graphic depiction of God’s providential protection of Israel (cf. Ex. 19:4). Wings often speak of protection (cf. Deut. 32:9–12; Ps. 91:4; Is. 40:31). Eagles—probably vulture-like griffins—were the largest birds known in Palestine. a time and times and half a time. Three and one-half years; the second half of the Tribulation (cf. v. 6; 11:2, 3; 13:5).
12:16 earth opened its mouth. A great army will come against Israel like a flood (v. 15; cf. Jer. 46:8; 47:2), only to be swallowed up, perhaps in conjunction with one of the numerous earthquakes that occur during that period (6:12; 8:5; 11:13, 19; 16:18; Matt. 24:7).
12:17 rest of her offspring. Satan will turn his frustrated rage against every follower of the Lamb he can find—Jew or Gentile. commandments of God…testimony of Jesus. The revealed truth from God and Christ contained in Scripture. Obedience to God’s Word always marks a genuine believer. Cf. John 8:32.
Closing Thought Chapter 12
The closing thought is from Bible.org, by Dr. John F. Walvoord
Taken as a whole, chapter 12 is a fitting introduction to the important revelations given in chapter 13. Here are the principal actors of the great tribulation with the historic background which provides so much additional information. Israel, Satan, Christ, the archangel, and the godly remnant figure largely in the closing scenes of the age. Next the two principal human actors are introduced: the beast out of the sea and the beast out of the earth, the human instruments which Satan uses to direct his program during the great tribulation.
Important Notice
If you would like to comment on this post, please do so on the comment area of the post.
This post is one of others that you can find in the blog under the category of “Journey.” There, you will be able to locate the Journey posts, which will appear in the order of their being published. If you click onto the following link you will be able to follow the blog and receive future posts automatically, which is important for people who receive posts directly from me. That is because, from time to time, email addresses are dropped from my list of contacts.
Click onto any blue letter, number or symbol to see the video and text on the blog.
Revelation 11:15-19 – Blog Category “Journey”
Key Verse
Revelation 11:15
The Kingdom Proclaimed
15 Then the seventh angel sounded: And there were loud voices in heaven, saying, “The kingdoms of this world have become the kingdoms of our Lord and of His Christ, and He shall reign forever and ever!” (see comment at bottom, Bible.org)
The video in this post explains the differences between the rapture and the second coming of Christ.
Introduction
In this post we will see: vs 15. The seventh trumpet sounds vs 16-17. The worship of the twenty-four elders vs 18. Events marking the reign of Christ. vs 19. The opening of the temple of God in Heaven.
Revelation Chapter 11:15-19 – Textual Study
The translation of the text is from the New King James Bible. Comments come from BibleGateway.com, MacArthur Study Bible.
Revelation 11:15-19
Seventh Trumpet: The Kingdom Proclaimed
15 Then the seventh angel sounded: And there were loud voices in heaven, saying, “The kingdoms of this world have become the kingdoms of our Lord and of His Christ, and He shall reign forever and ever!” 16 And the twenty-four elders who sat before God on their thrones fell on their faces and worshiped God, 17 saying:
“We give You thanks, O Lord God Almighty,
The One who is and who was and who is to come,
Because You have taken Your great power and reigned.
18 The nations were angry, and Your wrath has come,
And the time of the dead, that they should be judged,
And that You should reward Your servants the prophets and the saints,
And those who fear Your name, small and great,
And should destroy those who destroy the earth.”
19 Then the temple of God was opened in heaven, and the ark of His covenant was seen in His temple. And there were lightnings, noises, thunderings, an earthquake, and great hail.
Comments
11:15 seventh angel sounded. The seventh trumpet includes the 7 bowl, final judgments depicted in chap. 16 and all the events leading up to the establishing of the millennial kingdom (chap. 20) and the coronation of Jesus as King (chap. 19).kingdoms of our Lord and of His Christ. The singular (kingdom) is the preferred reading. Despite its many political and cultural divisions, the Bible views the world spiritually as one kingdom, with one ruler—Satan (John 12:31; 14:30; 16:11; 2 Cor. 4:4). Following Satan’s lead, the human rulers of this world are generally hostile to Christ (Ps. 2:2; Acts 4:26). The long rebellion of the world kingdom will end with the victorious return of the Lord Jesus Christ to defeat His enemies and establish His messianic kingdom (Is. 2:2, 3; Dan. 2:44; 7:13, 14, 18, 22, 27;Luke 1:31–33). This kingdom also belongs to God the Father (see notes on 1 Cor. 15:24).
11:16 twenty-four elders. See note on 4:4.
Note re 11:16: 4:4 twenty-four elders. Their joint rule with Christ, their white garments (19:7, 8), and their golden crowns (2:10) all seem to indicate that these 24 represent the redeemed (vv. 9–11; 5:5–14;7:11–17; 11:16–18; 14:3; 19:4). The question is which redeemed? Not Israel, since the nation is not yet saved, glorified, and coronated. That is still to come at this point in the events of the end. Their resurrection and glory will come at the end of the 7 year tribulation time (cf. Dan. 12:1–3). Tribulation saints aren’t yet saved (7:9, 10). Only one group will be complete and glorified at that point—the church. Here elders represent the church, which sings the song of redemption (5:8–10). They are the overcomers who have their crowns and live in the place prepared for them, where they have gone with Jesus (cf. John 14:1–4).
11:17 One who is and who was. The final phrase, “who is to come,” (used in 1:4, 8; 4:8) is omitted in the most reliable Gr. manuscripts. The coming of the kingdom is no longer future, it will be immediate.
11:18 nations were angry. No longer terrified (cf. 6:15–17), they will be filled with defiant rage. Their hostility will shortly manifest itself in a foolish attempt to fight against Christ—a doomed, futile effort that is the apex of human rebellion against God (16:14;19:17–21). Your wrath. Almighty God answers the feeble, impotent fury of the nations (cf. Ps. 2:1–9). The 24 elders speak of God’s future wrath (20:11–15) as if it were already present, signifying its certainty. That God will one day pour out His wrath on rebellious men is a major theme in Scripture (cf. Is. 24:17–23;26:20, 21; 30:27–33; Ezek. 38:16ff.; 2 Thess. 1:5–10). dead…judged. The final outpouring of God’s wrath includes judging the dead (cf. Matt. 25:31–46; John 5:25–29). The judgment has two parts: 1) God rewards OT saints (Dan. 12:1–3; cf. 22:12; 1 Cor. 3:8; 4:5), the raptured church (1 Cor. 15:51, 52; 1 Thess. 4:13–18), and Tribulation saints (20:4); and 2) God condemns unbelievers to the lake of fire forever (20:15).
11:19 temple of God…heaven. See 3:12; 7:15; 14:15, 17;15:5–8; 16:1, 17. The heavenly Holy of Holies (see notes on Ex. 26:31–36) where God dwells in transcendent glory, already is identified as His throne (chaps. 4, 5). Cf. Heb 9:24. John had seen the throne (4:5), the altar (6:9; 8:3–5), and here the Holy of Holies. ark of His covenant. This piece of furniture in the OT tabernacle and temple (see notes on Ex. 25:11–18) symbolized God’s presence, atonement, and covenant with His people. That earthly ark was only a picture of this heavenly one (see Heb. 9:23; 10:20). It was there God provided mercy and atonement for sin. As the earthly Holy of Holies was open when the price of sin was paid (Matt. 27:51; Heb. 10:19, 20), so the Holy of Holies in heaven is opened to speak of God’s saving New Covenant and redeeming purpose in the midst of judgment. lightnings, noises, thunderings, an earthquake, and great hail. What was anticipated in 4:5 and 8:5 will become a terrifying reality. These events occur as part of the seventh bowl (16:17–21) and are the climax of the seventh trumpet. Since heaven is the source of vengeance, judgment also comes out of God’s Holy of Holies (14:15, 17; 15:5–8; 16:1, 7, 17). See note on 6:1.
Note re 11:19: 6:1 the seals. In chap. 5, Christ was the only One found worthy to open the little scroll—the title deed to the universe. As He breaks the 7 seals that secure the scroll, each seal unleashes a new demonstration of God’s judgment on the earth in the future tribulation period (see notes on 5:1; Matt. 24:3–9). These seal judgments include all the judgments to the end. The seventh seal contains the 7 trumpets; the seventh trumpet contains the 7 bowls.
Comment on verse 15, from Bible.org, by Dr. John F. Walvoord (deceased)
When the seventh trumpet sounds, John hears great voices in heaven announcing that the kingdoms have become the kingdoms of Christ and that henceforth He shall reign forever and ever. In contrast to previous instances where a single voice makes the announcement, here there is a great symphony of voices chanting the triumph of Christ. The expression “the kingdoms of this world” in the best manuscripts is in the singular, but the meaning is much the same. The fact that earthly rule will pass into the hands of God is frequently mentioned in Old Testament prophecy (cf. Ezek. 21:26-27; Dan. 2:35, 44; 4:3; 6:26; 7:14, 26-27; Zech. 14:9). The question that remains, however, is how can the kingdoms of the world become at this point the kingdoms of Christ when, as a matter of fact, the seven vials seemingly are still to be poured out?216 The answer as indicated previously seems to be that just as the seven trumpets are comprehended in the seventh seal so the seven vials are comprehended in the seventh trumpet. The process of destruction of earthly power is therefore already under way.217
A further problem is presented in the fact that Christ is declared to reign “for ever and ever.” This is more than simply announcing His kingdom over the earth. The millennial reign, while it extends for only one thousand years, is in some sense continued in the new heaven and the new earth. Never again will the earth be under the control and over-lordship of man. Even the brief rebellion recorded in Revelation 20 at the close of the millennium is unsuccessful.
Important Notice
If you would like to comment on this post, please do so on the comment area of the post.
This post is one of others that you can find in the blog under the category of “Journey.” There, you will be able to locate the Journey posts, which will appear in the order of their being published. If you click onto the following link you will be able to follow the blog and receive future posts automatically, which is important for people who receive posts directly from me. That is because, from time to time, email addresses are dropped from my list of contacts.
Click onto any blue letter, number or symbol to see the video and text on the blog.
The following post is a list of scriptures. Very little commentary is provided. The key is to study God’s Word.
The curse. The result of the sin of Adam. All of God’s perfect work in creating nature, animals, and people was cursed. Death was a result of the curse that has affected all of us. At the time of our birth, we all began a sickness and death spiral, and found ourselves in need God’s grace . All created things were estranged from God and were in need of God’s grace. Consider hurricanes, tornadoes, tidal waves. Anything in our world that is outside of the perfection of the Garden of Eden (Genesis, Chapters 1:1 to 3:6) is a result of the fall and following curse. Initial sin is the state that Adam and Eve found themselves at the time of the curse.
The new birth. Used by God to bring His fallen people back to proper communion with him. Those whom were fallen were every man, woman, child, and embryo who followed Adam and Eve to conception. It is only through the grace of God than any of us, past, present or future, will be able to be in the presence of God in eternity future, and with Him at the time of our death. It is important to remember that an embryo also has a spirit that needs a savior. It is only through God’s grace that anyone can be born again, and attain the spiritual righteousness of God, which allows a dwelling of us within the Spirit of God. (Father, Son, Holy Spirit).
The Kingdom. The time when Christ, along with His saved saints of all ages, will spend one thousand years of peace of earth which is also called the millennium. During this time of peace there will be no aggression among animals. The new heaven, new earth and new Jerusalem will follow, and nature will be in its pre-fall. pre-curse Edenic state.
THE CURSE
Genesis 1:1 New American Standard Bible (NASB)
The Creation
1 In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth.
Genesis 1:31 New American Standard Bible (NASB)
31 God saw all that He had made, and behold, it was very good. And there was evening and there was morning, the sixth day.
Genesis 2:7 New American Standard Bible (NASB)
7 Then the Lord God formed man of dust from the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living being.
1 Thessalonians 5:23 New American Standard Bible (NASB)
23 Now may the God of peace Himself sanctify you entirely; and may your spirit and soul and body be preserved complete, without blame at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.
Genesis 2:15-17 New American Standard Bible (NASB)
15 Then the Lord God took the man and put him into the garden of Eden to cultivate it and keep it. 16 The Lord God commanded the man, saying, “From any tree of the garden you may eat freely; 17 but from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil you shall not eat, for in the day that you eat from it you will surely die.”
Genesis 3:1-3 New American Standard Bible (NASB)
The Fall of Man – The Curse
1 Now the serpent was more crafty than any beast of the field which the Lord God had made. And he said to the woman, “Indeed, has God said, ‘You shall not eat from any tree of the garden’?” 2 The woman said to the serpent, “From the fruit of the trees of the garden we may eat; 3 but from the fruit of the tree which is in the middle of the garden, God has said, ‘You shall not eat from it or touch it, or you will die.’”
Genesis 3:6-7 New American Standard Bible (NASB)
6 When the woman saw that the tree was good for food, and that it was a delight to the eyes, and that the tree was desirable to make one wise, she took from its fruit and ate; and she gave also to her husband with her, and he ate. 7 Then the eyes of both of them were opened, and they knew that they were naked; and they sewed fig leaves together and made themselves loin coverings.
Genesis 3:9-12 New American Standard Bible (NASB)
9 Then the Lord God called to the man, and said to him, “Where are you?
10 He said, “I heard the sound of You in the garden, and I was afraid because I was naked; so I hid myself.”
11 And He said, “Who told you that you were naked? Have you eaten from the tree of which I commanded you not to eat?”
12 The man said, “The woman whom You gave to be with me, she gave me from the tree, and I ate.”
THE NEW BIRTH
Genesis 3:14-15 New American Standard Bible (NASB)
14 The Lord God said to the serpent, “Because you have done this, Cursed are you more than all cattle, And more than every beast of the field; On your belly you will go, And dust you will eat All the days of your life; 15 And I will put enmity Between you and the woman, And between your seed and her seed;He shall bruise you on the head, And you shall bruise him on the heel.”
Deuteronomy 7:6 New American Standard Bible (NASB)
6 For you are a holy people to the Lord your God; the Lord your God has chosen you to be a people for His own possession out of all the peoples who are on the face of the earth.
Job 19:25 New American Standard Bible (NASB)
“As for me, I know that my Redeemer lives, And at the last He will take His stand on the earth.
Genesis 3:17 New American Standard Bible (NASB) (Consider Gen 1:31)
17 Then to Adam He said, “Because you have listened to the voice of your wife, and have eaten from the tree about which I commanded you, saying, ‘You shall not eat from it’; Cursed is the ground because of you;…..
1 Thessalonians 5:23 New American Standard Bible (NASB)
23 Now may the God of peace Himself sanctify you entirely; and may your spirit and soul and body be preserved complete, without blame at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ
Isaiah 7:14 New American Standard Bible (NASB)
14 Therefore the Lord Himself will give you a sign: Behold, a virgin will be with child and bear a son, and she will call His name Immanuel.
Isaiah 9:6 New American Standard Bible (NASB)
6 For a child will be born to us, a son will be given to us; And the government will rest on His shoulders; And His name will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Eternal Father, Prince of Peace.
Matthew 1:18-25 New American Standard Bible (NASB)
Conception and Birth of Jesus
18 Now the birth of Jesus Christ was as follows: when His mother Mary had been betrothed to Joseph, before they came together she was found to be with child by the Holy Spirit. 19 And Joseph her husband, being a righteous man and not wanting to disgrace her, planned to send her away secretly. 20 But when he had considered this, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream, saying, “Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary as your wife; for the Child who has been conceived in her is of the Holy Spirit. 21 She will bear a Son; and you shall call His name Jesus, for He will save His people from their sins.” 22 Now all this took place to fulfill what was spoken by the Lord through the prophet: 23 “Behold, the virgin shall be with child and shall bear a Son, and they shall call His name Immanuel,” which translated means, “God with us.” 24 And Joseph awoke from his sleep and did as the angel of the Lord commanded him, and took Mary as his wife, 25 but kept her a virgin until she gave birth to a Son; and he called His name Jesus.
CONVERSATIONS WITH JEWS
John 1:1 New American Standard Bible (NASB)
A New Creation/The Deity of Jesus Christ
1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.
John 1:4-5 New American Standard Bible (NASB)
4 In Him was life, and the life was the Light of men. 5 The Light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not comprehend it.
John 1:9-14 New American Standard Bible (NASB)
9 There was the true Light which, coming into the world, enlightens every man. 10 He was in the world, and the world was made through Him, and the world did not know Him. 11 He came to His own, and those who were His own did not receive Him. 12 But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, even to those who believe in His name,13 who were born, not of blood nor of the will of the flesh nor of the will of man, but of God.
The Word Made Flesh
14 And the Word became flesh, and dwelt among us, and we saw His glory, glory as of the only begotten from the Father, full of grace and truth.
John 1:29 New American Standard Bible (NASB)
(Notice the “sin” of the world, and not the “sins” of the world. The sin of the world is “unbelief;” see John 3:18, which is the unpardonable sin. Only the new birth can take care of the sin of unbelief.)
29 The next day he *saw Jesus coming to him and said, “Behold, the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world!
John 3:3-8 New American Standard Bible (NASB)
3 Jesus answered and said to him, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born again he cannot see the kingdom of God.
4 Nicodemus *said to Him, “How can a man be born when he is old? He cannot enter a second time into his mother’s womb and be born, can he?” 5 Jesus answered, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit he cannot enter into the kingdom of God. 6 That which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. 7 Do not be amazed that I said to you, ‘You must be born again.’ 8 The wind blows where it wishes and you hear the sound of it, but do not know where it comes from and where it is going; so is everyone who is born of the Spirit.”
John 3:16-18 New American Standard Bible (NASB)
16 “For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life. 17 For God did not send the Son into the world to judge the world, but that the world might be saved through Him. 18 He who believes in Him is not judged; he who does not believe has been judged already, because he has not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.
John 4:22 New American Standard Bible (NASB)
22 You worship what you do not know; we worship what we know, for salvation is from the Jews
John 6:44-65 New American Standard Bible (NASB)
44 No one can come to Me unless the Father who sent Me draws him; and I will raise him up on the last day.
65 And He was saying, “For this reason I have said to you, that no one can come to Me unless it has been granted him from the Father.”
John 10:11-18 New American Standard Bible (NASB)
11 “I am the good shepherd; the good shepherd lays down His life for the sheep…. 16 I have other sheep, which are not of this fold; I must bring them also, and they will hear My voice; and they will become one flock with one shepherd. 17 For this reason the Father loves Me, because I lay down My life so that I may take it again. 18 No one has taken it away from Me, but I lay it down on My own initiative. I have authority to lay it down, and I have authority to take it up again. This commandment I received from My Father.”
John 10:27-30..38 New American Standard Bible (NASB)
27 My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me; 28 and I give eternal life to them, and they will never perish; and no one will snatch them out of My hand. 29 My Father, who has given them to Me, is greater than all; and no one is able to snatch them out of the Father’s hand. 30 I and the Father are one.” … so that you may know and understand that the Father is in Me, and I in the Father.”
John 14:1-3 New American Standard Bible (NASB) (Where Jesus goes, His followers also go)
Jesus Comforts His Disciples
1 “Do not let your heart be troubled; believe in God, believe also in Me. 2 In My Father’s house are many dwelling places; if it were not so, I would have told you; for I go to prepare a place for you. 3 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.
John 14:6 New American Standard Bible (NASB)
6 Jesus *said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father but through Me.
John 14:7-11 New American Standard Bible (NASB)
Oneness with the Father
7 If you had known Me, you would have known My Father also; from now on you know Him, and have seen Him.”
8 Philip *said to Him, “Lord, show us the Father, and it is enough for us.” 9 Jesus *said to him,“Have I been so long with you, and yet you have not come to know Me, Philip? He who has seen Me has seen the Father; how can you say, ‘Show us the Father’? 10 Do you not believe that I am in the Father, and the Father is in Me? The words that I say to you I do not speak on My own initiative, but the Father abiding in Me does His works. 11 Believe Me that I am in the Father and the Father is in Me; otherwise believe because of the works themselves.
John 14:16-17 New American Standard Bible (NASB)
Role of the Spirit
16 I will ask the Father, and He will give you another Helper, that He may be with you forever;17 that is the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it does not see Him or know Him, but you know Him because He abides with you and will be in you.
John 14:20 New American Standard Bible (NASB)
20 In that day you will know that I am in My Father, and you in Me, and I in you.
John 16:7-10 New American Standard Bible (NASB)
7 But I tell you the truth, it is to your advantage that I go away; for if I do not go away, the Helper will not come to you; but if I go, I will send Him to you. 8 And He, when He comes, will convict the world concerning sin and righteousness and judgment; 9 concerning sin, because they do not believe in Me; 10 and concerning righteousness, because I go to the Father and you no longer see Me;
John 17:3 New American Standard Bible (NASB)
3 This is eternal life, that they may know You, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom You have sent.
CONVERSATIONS WITH BELIEVERS IN CHRIST (GENTILES AND JEWS WHO HAVES BEEN BORN AGAIN)
1 Corinthians 1:18 New American Standard Bible (NASB)
The Wisdom of God
18 For the word of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God.
1 Corinthians 2:14 New American Standard Bible (NASB)
14 But a natural man does not accept the things of the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him; and he cannot understand them, because they are spiritually appraised.
1 John 1:5 New American Standard Bible (NASB)
God Is Light
5 This is the message we have heard from Him and announce to you, that God is Light, and in Him there is no darkness at all.
IN CHRIST (Literally In Christ)
Romans 8:1 New American Standard Bible (NASB)
Deliverance from judgment/condemnation
1 Therefore there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.
2 Corinthians 5:17 New American Standard Bible (NASB)
17 Therefore if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creature; the old things passed away; behold, new things have come.
Colossians 1:27 New American Standard Bible (NASB)
27 to whom God willed to make known what is the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory.
KINGDOM PREPARATION – THE CATCHING UP OF THE CHURCH (BORN AGAIN BELIEVERS) – THE RAPTURE
John 14:3 New Living Translation (NLT)
3 When everything is ready, I will come and get you, so that you will always be with me where I am.
1 Corinthians 15:50-54 New Living Translation (NLT)
50 What I am saying, dear brothers and sisters, is that our physical bodies cannot inherit the Kingdom of God. These dying bodies cannot inherit what will last forever.
51 But let me reveal to you a wonderful secret. We will not all die, but we will all be transformed! 52 It will happen in a moment, in the blink of an eye, when the last trumpet is blown. For when the trumpet sounds, those who have died will be raised to live forever. And we who are living will also be transformed. 53 For our dying bodies must be transformed into bodies that will never die; our mortal bodies must be transformed into immortal bodies.
54 Then, when our dying bodies have been transformed into bodies that will never die
1 Thessalonians 4:13-18 New Living Translation (NLT)
The Hope of the Resurrection
13 And now, dear brothers and sisters, we want you to know what will happen to the believers who have died so you will not grieve like people who have no hope. 14 For since we believe that Jesus died and was raised to life again, we also believe that when Jesus returns, God will bring back with him the believers who have died.
15 We tell you this directly from the Lord: We who are still living when the Lord returns will not meet him ahead of those who have died. 16 For the Lord himself will come down from heaven with a commanding shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trumpet call of God. First, the believers who have died will rise from their graves. 17 Then, together with them, we who are still alive and remain on the earth will be caught up in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. Then we will be with the Lord forever. 18 So encourage each other with these words.
At the time of our new-birth, the Spirit of Father, Son, and Holy Spirit begin to dwell within our spirits. The result is that wherever we may go, “God goes with us.” At the time of the rapture, “we will be with the Lord forever.” That result is that wherever Jesus goes, we will go with Him.
2 Corinthians 5:8 New Living Translation (NLT)
8 Yes, we are fully confident, and we would rather be away from these earthly bodies, for then we will be at home with the Lord.
2 Corinthians 5:10 Holman Christian Standard Bible (HCSB)
10 For we must all appear before the tribunal of Christ, so that each may be repaid for what he has done in the body, whether good or worthless.
Ephesians 5:25 New Living Translation (NLT) (Consider the Love of Christ for 2 Cor 5:10, and for what the Judgment Seat of Christ “is not.”)
25 For husbands, this means love your wives, just as Christ loved the church. He gave up his life for her
ENROUTE TO THE KINGDOM – ARMAGEDDON
Revelation 16:12-16 New Living Translation (NLT)
12 Then the sixth angel poured out his bowl on the great Euphrates River, and it dried up so that the kings from the east could march their armies toward the west without hindrance.13 And I saw three evil spirits that looked like frogs leap from the mouths of the dragon, the beast, and the false prophet. 14 They are demonic spirits who work miracles and go out to all the rulers of the world to gather them for battle against the Lord on that great judgment day of God the Almighty.
15 “Look, I will come as unexpectedly as a thief! Blessed are all who are watching for me, who keep their clothing ready so they will not have to walk around naked and ashamed.”
16 And the demonic spirits gathered all the rulers and their armies to a place with the Hebrew name Armageddon.
Zechariah 14 (selected verses) New Living Translation (NLT) The Second Coming Of Christ (With His Saints)
The Lord Will Rule the Earth
1 Watch, for the day of the Lord is coming when your possessions will be plundered right in front of you! 2 I will gather all the nations to fight against Jerusalem. The city will be taken, the houses looted, and the women raped. Half the population will be taken into captivity, and the rest will be left among the ruins of the city.
3 Then the Lord will go out to fight against those nations, as he has fought in times past.
4 On that day his feet will stand on the Mount of Olives, east of Jerusalem. And the Mount of Olives will split apart, making a wide valley running from east to west. Half the mountain will move toward the north and half toward the south. 5 You will flee through this valley, for it will reach across to Azal. Yes, you will flee as you did from the earthquake in the days of King Uzziah of Judah. Then the Lord my God will come, and all his holy ones with him.
9 And the Lord will be king over all the earth. On that day there will be one Lord—his name alone will be worshiped.
12 And the Lord will send a plague on all the nations that fought against Jerusalem. Their people will become like walking corpses, their flesh rotting away. Their eyes will rot in their sockets, and their tongues will rot in their mouths.
15 This same plague will strike the horses, mules, camels, donkeys, and all the other animals in the enemy camps.
16 In the end, the enemies of Jerusalem who survive the plague will go up to Jerusalem each year to worship the King, the Lord of Heaven’s Armies, and to celebrate the Festival of Shelters. (Feast Of Tabernacles Leviticus 23:33-36)
Revelation 19:7-9 New American Standard Bible (NASB)
Marriage of the Lamb
7 Let us rejoice and be glad and give the glory to Him, for the marriage of the Lamb has come and His bride has made herself ready.” 8 It was given to her to clothe herself in fine linen, bright and clean; for the fine linen is the righteous acts of the saints.
9 Then he said to me, “Write, ‘Blessed are those who are invited to the marriage supper of the Lamb.’” And he *said to me, “These are true words of God.”
Revelation 19:11-19 New American Standard Bible (NASB)
The Coming of Christ
11 And I saw heaven opened, and behold, a white horse, and He who sat on it is called Faithful and True, and in righteousness He judges and wages war. 12 His eyes are a flame of fire, and on His head are many diadems; and He has a name written on Him which no one knows except Himself. 13 He is clothed with a robe dipped in blood, and His name is called The Word of God. 14 And the armies which are in heaven, clothed in fine linen, white and clean, were following Him on white horses. 15 From His mouth comes a sharp sword, so that with it He may strike down the nations, and He will rule them with a rod of iron; and He treads the wine press of the fierce wrath of God, the Almighty. 16 And on His robe and on His thigh He has a name written, “KING OF KINGS, AND LORD OF LORDS.”
17 Then I saw an angel standing in the sun, and he cried out with a loud voice, saying to all the birds which fly in mid-heaven, “Come, assemble for the great supper of God, 18 so that you may eat the flesh of kings and the flesh of commanders and the flesh of mighty men and the flesh of horses and of those who sit on them and the flesh of all men, both free men and slaves, and small and great.”
19 And I saw the beast and the kings of the earth and their armies assembled to make war against Him who sat on the horse and against His army.
Revelation 19:20-21 New American Standard Bible (NASB)
Doom of the Beast and False Prophet
20 And the beast was seized, and with him the false prophet who performed the signs in his presence, by which he deceived those who had received the mark of the beast and those who worshiped his image; these two were thrown alive into the lake of fire which burns with brimstone. 21 And the rest were killed with the sword which came from the mouth of Him who sat on the horse, and all the birds were filled with their flesh.
Revelation 20 New American Standard Bible (NASB)
Satan Bound
1 Then I saw an angel coming down from heaven, holding the key of the abyss and a great chain in his hand. 2 And he laid hold of the dragon, the serpent of old, who is the devil and Satan, and bound him for a thousand years; 3 and he threw him into the abyss, and shut it and sealed it over him, so that he would not deceive the nations any longer, until the thousand years were completed; after these things he must be released for a short time.
4 Then I saw thrones, and they sat on them, and judgment was given to them. And I saw the souls of those who had been beheaded because of their testimony of Jesus and because of the word of God, and those who had not worshiped the beast or his image, and had not received the mark on their forehead and on their hand; and they came to life and reigned with Christ for a thousand years. 5 The rest of the dead did not come to life until the thousand years were completed. This is the first resurrection.6 Blessed and holy is the one who has a part in the first resurrection; over these the second death has no power, but they will be priests of God and of Christ and will reign with Him for a thousand years.
Satan Freed, Doomed
7 When the thousand years are completed, Satan will be released from his prison, 8 and will come out to deceive the nations which are in the four corners of the earth, Gog and Magog, to gather them together for the war; the number of them is like the sand of the seashore. 9 And they came up on the broad plain of the earth and surrounded the camp of the saints and the beloved city, and fire came down from heaven and devoured them. 10 And the devil who deceived them was thrown into the lake of fire and brimstone, where the beast and the false prophet are also; and they will be tormented day and night forever and ever.
Judgment at the Throne of God
11 Then I saw a great white throne and Him who sat upon it, from whose presence earth and heaven fled away, and no place was found for them. 12 And I saw the dead, the great and the small, standing before the throne, and books were opened; and another book was opened, which is the book of life; and the dead were judged from the things which were written in the books, according to their deeds. 13 And the sea gave up the dead which were in it, and death and Hades gave up the dead which were in them; and they were judged, every one of them according to their deeds. 14 Then death and Hades were thrown into the lake of fire. This is the second death, the lake of fire. 15 And if anyone’s name was not found written in the book of life, he was thrown into the lake of fire.
(Note: The Rapture of the Church occurs when Jesus takes His saints away form Earth with Him to avoid the tribulation that will come upon the Earth, which is the result of Christ’s judgment on Sin and to cause the Jews to accept Him as Messiah. The Second Coming Of Christ occurs when Jesus returns to Earth with His raptured saints from Heaven, when He will physically stand on Earth at the end of the tribulation. The judgment of the nations (sheep and goat judgment) will occur, as to how they treated the Jews during the tribulation. Mathew, Chapters 24-25 carefully spell out the order of events; read it carefully.)
Important Notice
This post is one of others that you can find in the blog under the category of “Journey.” There, you will be able to locate the Journey posts, which will appear in the order of their being published. If you click onto the following link you will be able to follow the blog and receive future posts automatically. This option is important for people who receive posts directly from me. That is because, from time to time, email addresses are dropped from my list of contacts.
Click onto any blue letter, number or symbol to see the video and text on the blog.
“And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.” (John 8:32)
The word Jehovah has been said to be the true name of God. But, from the following search of that name, it has been found to be included in only the King James Bible and American Standard Bible. Check out the following data of research and see the list of well-know translations, to include the liberal RSV and NRSV, that do not use the word Jehovah. Notice, also, that the Complete Jewish Bible does not use the word Jehovah. As was said in one of my recent articles, the word “Jehovah” is not the first word for God in the Bible, but is “Elohim.” Outside of the KJV and liberal ASV, the word Jehovah is not used in scripture. The purpose for the information on the ASV, RSV, and NRSV is to show their liberal writing bias. Still, of those three liberal translations, only the ASV uses the word “Jehovah” for “God.” Consider another example, in the way that Isaiah 7:14 is translated in the RSV and NSRV. Amazingly, the ASV uses the word “virgin” instead of young woman. This may be because of the closeness in date of the ASV to the KJV and the fact that the liberal attempt to overthrow sound doctrine of the Bible had not yet infected the ASV, which may have also been due to the time in history of the ASV writing. There were also conflicts between the British and American members of the ASV translation team. Still, many people use the word Jehovah for God. So, in the spirit of love, the video for this post matches that name.
In the spirit of the Great Commission (Matthew 28:18-20), the accompanying video is that of Ukrainian Christians, who are singing “He Is Jehovah.” The choir is singing in their native language, but certain words of the song are easily understood. The people of Ukraine (not “The” Ukraine) are believers in Christ Jesus largely due to the spread of the Gospel by Titus (2 Timothy 4:10). Titus was a companion of the Apostle Paul while he was in jail in Rome awaiting execution. Titus was not an Apostle but Paul sent him to Dalmatia, which became Yugoslavia, and is now Croatia, which is a close neighbor of Ukraine which borders Russia.
Notice that the singers do not speak a pronounced “J” in the song, where Jehovah is written. Instead, they say “Yeh ho vaw.”
Isaiah 7:14
RSV – “Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign. Behold, a young woman shall conceive and bear a son, and shall call his name Imman′u-el.”
NRSV – “Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign. Look, the young woman is with child and shall bear a son, and shall name him Immanuel.”
“Jehovah” used in popular Bible translations.
Jehovah Used In KJV
Genesis 22:14 And Abraham called the name of that place Jehovahjireh: as it is said to this day, In the mount of the Lord it shall be seen.
Other verses containing “Jehovah” in KJV
Exodus 6:3 “And I appeared unto Abraham, unto Isaac, and unto Jacob, by the name of God Almighty, but by my name “JEHOVAH” was I not known to them.” (King James Version)
Exodus 6:3 “I appeared to Abraham, to Isaac, and to Jacob, as God Almighty, but by My name “Lord” I was not known to them.” (New King James Version)
Exodus 6:3 “I appeared to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob as God Almighty, but I did not reveal My name “Yahweh” to them.” (Holman Christian Standard Bible)
Notice the Lexicon discussion of Exodus 6:3
LORD, יְהוָ֔ה Yah·weh 3068 the proper name of the God of Israel from havah
Yhvh: the proper name of the God of Israel
Original Word: יְהֹוָה
Part of Speech: Proper Name
Transliteration: Yhvh
Phonetic Spelling: (yeh-ho-vaw’)
Short Definition: LORD
Genesis 2:4 These are the generations of the heavens and of the earth when they were created, in the day that Jehovah-God made earth and heaven.
Genesis 2:5 And no plant of the field was yet in the earth, and no herb of the field had yet sprung up; for Jehovah God had not caused it to rain upon the earth: and there was not a man to till the ground;
Genesis 2:7 And Jehovah God formed man of the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living soul.
Genesis 2:8 And Jehovah God planted a garden eastward, in Eden; and there he put the man whom he had formed.
Genesis 2:9 And out of the ground made Jehovah God to grow every tree that is pleasant to the sight, and good for food; the tree of life also in the midst of the garden, and the tree of the knowledge of good and evil.
Genesis 2:15 And Jehovah God took the man, and put him into the garden of Eden to dress it and to keep it.
Genesis 2:16 And Jehovah God commanded the man, saying, Of every tree of the garden thou mayest freely eat:
Genesis 2:18 And Jehovah God said, It is not good that the man should be alone; I will make him a help meet for him.
Genesis 2:19 And out of the ground Jehovah God formed every beast of the field, and every bird of the heavens; and brought them unto the man to see what he would call them: and whatsoever the man called every living creature, that was the name thereof.
Genesis 2:21 And Jehovah God caused a deep sleep to fall upon the man, and he slept; and he took one of his ribs, and closed up the flesh instead thereof:
Genesis 2:22 and the rib, which Jehovah God had taken from the man, made he a woman, and brought her unto the man.
Consider the following details of Bible translation as they relate to the ASV, RSV, and NRSV
Notice the reason for Jehovah’s Witnesses using the ASV.
Please notice that not all Baptist groups are conservative.
From Bible Study Tools (ASV). The Revised Version, Standard American Edition of the Bible, more commonly known as the American Standard Version (ASV), is a revision of the King James Version and was released in 1901. It was originally best known by its full name, but soon came to have other names, such as the American Revised Version, the American Standard Revision, the American Standard Revised Bible, and the American Standard Edition. By the time its copyright was renewed in 1929, it had finally come to be known by its present name, the American Standard Version. Because of its prominence in seminaries, however, it was sometimes simply called the “Standard Bible”.
From Bible Study Tools (RSV) The Revised Standard Version (RSV) is a comprehensive revision of the King James Version, the Revised Version of 1881-1885, and the American Standard Version of 1901, published in stages around the middle of the 20th century. It aims to present a literally accurate translation of the Bible in modern English. The panel of scholars who worked on the translation used the 17th edition of the Nestle-Aland Greek text for the New Testament, and the traditional Hebrew Masoretic Text for the Old Testament. However, they amended the Hebrew in a number of places. In the Book of Isaiah, they sometimes followed readings found in the then newly discovered Dead Sea Scrolls.
The RSV New Testament was published on February 11, 1946. In his presentation speech to the International Council of Religious Education, Luther Weigle, dean of the translation committee, explained that he wanted the RSV to supplement and not supplant the King James and American Standard Versions.
In 1950, the Council merged with the Federal Council of Churches to form the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the USA. The RSV copyright was assigned to the new Council’s Division of Christian Education.
From Bible Study Bible Tools (NRSV). The New Revised Standard Version (NRSV) first appeared in 1989, and has received wide acclaim and broad support from academics and church leaders as a Bible for all Christians.
The NRSV Bible Translation Committee consists of thirty men and women who are among the top scholars in America today. They come from Protestant denominations, the Roman Catholic church, and the Greek Orthodox Church. The committee also includes a Jewish scholar.
Standing in the tradition of the RSV, which was the only major English translation that included both the standard Protestant canon and the books that are traditionally used by Roman Catholic and Orthodox Christians (the so-called “Apocryphal” or “Deuterocanonical” books), the NRSV is available in three formats: a standard edition with or without the Apocrypha, a Roman Catholic Edition, which has the so-called “Apocryphal” or “Deuterocanonical” books in the Roman Catholic canonical order, and The Common Bible, which includes all books that belong to the Protestant, Roman Catholic, and Orthodox canons.
From Wikipedia: The American Standard Version (ASV) is rooted in the work that was done with the Revised Version (RV) (a late 19th century British revision of the King James Version of 1611). In 1870, an invitation was extended to American religious leaders for scholars to work on the RV project. A year later, Protestant theologian Philip Schaff chose 30 scholars representing the denominations of Baptist, Congregationalist, Dutch Reformed, Friends, Methodist, Episcopal, Presbyterian, Protestant Episcopal, and Unitarian. These scholars began work in 1872.
The RV New Testament was released In 1881; the Old Testament was published in 1885. The ASV was published in 1901 by Thomas Nelson & Sons. In 1928, the International Council of Religious Education (the body that later merged with the Federal Council of Churches to form the National Council of Churches) acquired the copyright from Nelson and renewed it the following year.
From Wikipedia. The New Revised Standard Version was translated by the Division of Christian Education (now Bible Translation and Utilization) of the National Council of Churches. The group included scholars representing Orthodox, Catholic and Protestant Christian groups as well as Jewish representation in the group responsible for the Hebrew Scriptures or Old Testament. The mandate given the committee was summarized in a dictum: “As literal as possible, as free as necessary.”
From Wikipedia. The New Revised Standard Version (NRSV) of the Christian Bible is an English translation released in 1989. It is an updated revision of the Revised Standard Version, which was itself an update of the American Standard Version.
Usage by Jehovah’s Witnesses
The ASV has been used for many years by the Jehovah’s Witnesses. The reasons for their choosing of the ASV were twofold: its usage of “Jehovah” as the Divine Name, which was congruent with their Joseph Franklin Rutherford doctrine, and they derived their name from Isaiah 43.10, 12, both of which contain the phrase, “Ye are my witnesses, saith Jehovah.” Also, there was a perception that the ASV had improved the translation of some verses in the King James Version, and in other places it reduced the verses that they found to be erroneously translated in the KJV to mere footnotes, removed from the main text altogether.
Jehovah’s Witnesses’ publishing organization, Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society of Pennsylvania, had printed its own edition of the King James Version since 1926, but did not obtain the rights to print ASV until 1944. From 1944 to 1992, they printed and distributed over a million copies of the ASV. By the 1960s, the New World Translation of the Holy Scriptures, made by members of their group and the rights to which they controlled, had largely replaced ASV as the Bible used most by Witnesses. Though now preferring the NWT, Jehovah’s Witnesses’ publications frequently quote from other translations, including ASV.
King James Bible Thoughts – King James Only
The KJV was directed to be written by King James, who was the King of England, during times which were brutal for Christians who disagreed with him. He chose the writers of the KJV, and he excluded writers. Imagine if we were to have a President Obama Bible, or a President Clinton Bible, or a President Bush Bible. Who would possibly stand for such disrespect of the Word of God? So, why do we not provide the same scrutiny for a Bible that bears the name of a King of a nation.
Before someone can say that the KJV is the only Bible to use, and that all others are wrong, there must be a stated reason of fact, which is something that I never hear from KJV only people. The purpose of the KJV was to put the Word of God in the common language of the people of England, which the writers did, in spite of the political pressure that King James placed on them.
The first update of the KJV had more than 70,000 corrections in it, due to changes in the spoken language. The New American Standard Bible (NASB) is the most correct word for word translation of the Greek and Hebrew scriptures to our current languages, than are the other translations. The NASB translation committee meets more frequently than do the others. But, there is value in the other translations, as well as in the KJV. In today’s world, we don’t use “Elizabethan English.” We don’t say, “betwixt me and thee.” as we find in the KJV. I use the KJV daily, but I also understand its limitations.
King James wanted a Bible that showed a “religious superstructure,” as opposed to individual bodies of believers (churches) who were autonomous in control and operation, per scripture references (Acts 14:23; 20:17,28). The KJV used “Bishop” (which is not found in the Greek scriptures) instead of pastor or elder.
If anyone says that Christians should use only the King James version of the Bible, facts should also accompany such a demand.
The KJV was not the first Bible translation to be written in the English language. The following link will provide a good understanding of the different translations of the Bible, from the first English translation, the Wycliffe Translation, to the current day translations. As stated, the KJV was not the first English translation of the Bible, but may actually have been the fifteenth or sixteenth translation.
Click onto any blue letter, number or symbol to see the videos and text on the blog.
Pray for the peace of Jerusalem: “May they prosper who love you.” (Psalm 122:6)
Deuteronomy 7:6 New International Version (NIV)
6 For you are a people holy to the Lord your God. The Lord your God has chosen you out of all the peoples on the face of the earth to be his people, his treasured possession.
Jeremiah 31:3 New International Version (NIV)
3 The Lord appeared to us in the past, saying:
“I have loved you with an everlasting love;
I have drawn you with unfailing kindness.
Zechariah 2:8 New International Version (NIV)
8 For this is what the Lord Almighty says: “After the Glorious One has sent me against the nations that have plundered you—for whoever touches you touches the apple of his eye—
Zechariah 14:1-13 (selected verses) New International Version (NIV)
1 A day of the Lord is coming, Jerusalem, when your possessions will be plundered and divided up within your very walls. 2 I will gather all the nations to Jerusalem to fight against it; the city will be captured … 3 Then the Lord will go out and fight against those nations, as he fights on a day of battle… 12 This is the plague with which the Lord will strike all the nations that fought against Jerusalem: Their flesh will rot while they are still standing on their feet, their eyes will rot in their sockets, and their tongues will rot in their mouths. 13 On that day people will be stricken by the Lord with great panic. They will seize each other by the hand and attack one another.
9 The Lord will be king over the whole earth. On that day there will be one Lord, and his name the only name.
Psalm 46:10 New International Version (NIV)
10 He says, “Be still, and know that I am God;
I will be exalted among the nations,
I will be exalted in the earth.”
Click onto any blue letter, number or symbol to see the video and text on the blog.
Revelation Chapter 11:1-14
The video of this post discusses the two witnesses of God who are discussed in the scriptures and narrative below.
Chapter 11:1-14 Textual Study
We will study Chapter 11 in the New King James Version, with comments coming from the MacArthur Study Bible notes, as shown in BibleGateway.org.
Introduction
Here are the events of this area of Revelation: (1) Gentile nations have control of Jerusalem for forty-two months, which are the last three and a half years of the tribulation, which is also known as “the times of the Gentiles” (Luke 21:24). (2) Two witnesses of God appear in Jerusalem, and have super spiritual powers. (3) The witnesses are murdered by the forces of the Anti Christ, with great “fan-fare,” and remain in their deceased locations in Jerusalem for three and a half days. (3) After three and a half days the witnesses come back to life, and are raised up to heaven in the presence of their enemies. (4) A great earthquake quickly occurs after the resurrection of the two witnesses, and kills many people.
Scripture Text
Revelation 11 New King James Version (NKJV)
The Two Witnesses
1 Then I was given a reed like a measuring rod. And the angel stood, saying, “Rise and measure the temple of God, the altar, and those who worship there. 2 But leave out the court which is outside the temple, and do not measure it, for it has been given to the Gentiles. And they will tread the holy city underfoot for forty-two months. 3 And I will give power to my two witnesses, and they will prophesy one thousand two hundred and sixty days, clothed in sackcloth.”
4 These are the two olive trees and the two lamp stands standing before the God of the earth.5 And if anyone wants to harm them, fire proceeds from their mouth and devours their enemies. And if anyone wants to harm them, he must be killed in this manner. 6 These have power to shut heaven, so that no rain falls in the days of their prophecy; and they have power over waters to turn them to blood, and to strike the earth with all plagues, as often as they desire.
The Witnesses Killed
7 When they finish their testimony, the beast that ascends out of the bottomless pit will make war against them, overcome them, and kill them. 8 And their dead bodies will lie in the street of the great city which spiritually is called Sodom and Egypt, where also our Lord was crucified. 9 Then those from the peoples, tribes, tongues, and nations will see their dead bodies three-and-a-half days, and not allow their dead bodies to be put into graves. 10 And those who dwell on the earth will rejoice over them, make merry, and send gifts to one another, because these two prophets tormented those who dwell on the earth.
The Witnesses Resurrected
11 Now after the three-and-a-half days the breath of life from God entered them, and they stood on their feet, and great fear fell on those who saw them. 12 And they heard a loud voice from heaven saying to them, “Come up here.” And they ascended to heaven in a cloud, and their enemies saw them. 13 In the same hour there was a great earthquake, and a tenth of the city fell. In the earthquake seven thousand people were killed, and the rest were afraid and gave glory to the God of heaven.
14 The second woe is past. Behold, the third woe is coming quickly.
Comments
11:1 a reed. A hollow, bamboo-like cane plant that grew in the Jordan Valley. Because of its light weight and rigidity, it was commonly used as a measuring rod (cf. Ezek. 40:3, 5). Measuring the temple signified God’s ownership of it (cf. 21:15;Zech. 2:1–5). the temple of God. Refers to the Holy of Holies and the Holy Place, not the entire temple complex (cf. v. 2). A rebuilt temple will exist during the time of the Tribulation (Dan. 9:27; 12:11; Matt. 24:15; 2 Thess. 2:4). altar. The reference to worshipers suggests this is the bronze altar in the courtyard, not the incense altar in the Holy Place, since only the priests were permitted inside the Holy Place (cf. Luke 1:8–10).
11:2 court which is outside. The court of the Gentiles, separated from the inner court in the Herodian temple by a low wall. Gentiles were forbidden to enter the inner court on penalty of death. That John is instructed not to measure the outer court symbolizes God’s rejection of the unbelieving Gentiles who have oppressed His covenant people. tread the holy city underfoot.Assyria, Babylon, Medo-Persia, Greece, and Rome all oppressed Jerusalem in ancient times (cf. 2 Kin. 25:8–10; Ps. 79:1; Is. 63:18; Lam. 1:10). This verse refers to the future devastating destruction and oppression of Jerusalem by the forces of the Antichrist. forty-two months. This 3½ year period covers the second half of the Tribulation and coincides with the visibly evil career of the Antichrist (v. 3; 12:6; 13:5). During this same time, the Jews will be sheltered by God in the wilderness (12:6, 14).
11:3 two witnesses. Individuals granted special power and authority by God to preach a message of judgment and salvation during the second half of the Tribulation. The OT required two or more witnesses to confirm testimony (cf. Deut. 17:6; 19:15; Matt. 18:16; John 8:17; Heb. 10:28), and these two prophets will be the culmination of God’s testimony to Israel: a message of judgment from God and of His gracious offer of the gospel to all who will repent and believe. one thousand two hundred and sixty days. Forty-two months or 3½ years (cf. 12:6; 13:5; see note on v. 2). sackcloth. Coarse, rough cloth made from goat or camel hair. Wearing garments made from it expressed penitence, humility, and mourning (cf. Gen. 37:34; 2 Sam. 3:31; 2 Kin. 6:30;19:1; Esth. 4:1; Is. 22:12; Jer. 6:26; Matt. 11:21). The witnesses are mourning because of the wretched wickedness of the world, God’s judgment on it, and the desecration of the temple and the holy city by the Antichrist.
11:4 This imagery is drawn from Zech. 3, 4 (see notes there). Zechariah’s vision had both a near fulfillment (the rebuilding of the temple by Joshua and Zerubbabel) and a far future fulfillment (the two witnesses, whose ministry points toward Israel’s final restoration in the Millennium). two olive trees and the two lampstands. Olive oil was commonly used in lamps; together the olive trees and lampstands symbolize the light of spiritual revival. The two witnesses’ preaching will spark a revival, just as Joshua’s and Zerubbabel’s did in Israel after the Babylonian captivity.
11:5, 6 While it is impossible to be dogmatic about the identity of these two witnesses, several observations suggest they might be Moses and Elijah: 1) like Moses, they strike the earth with plagues, and like Elijah, they have the power to keep it from raining; 2) Jewish tradition expected both Moses (cf. Deut. 18:15–18) and Elijah (cf. Mal. 4:5, 6) to return in the future (cf.John 1:21); 3) both Moses and Elijah were present at the Transfiguration, the preview of Christ’s second coming; 4) both Moses and Elijah used supernatural means to provoke repentance; 5) Elijah was taken up alive into heaven, and God buried Moses’ body where it would never be found; and 6) the length of the drought the two witnesses bring (3½ years; cf. v. 3) is the same as that brought by Elijah (James 5:17).
11:5 fire proceeds…and devours. Probably this refers to literal fire. These two will be invincible during their ministry, protected by supernatural power. The false prophet will counterfeit this sign (13:3).
11:6 power to shut heaven. Miracles have often authenticated God’s messengers. Here, bringing a 3½ year drought (as did Elijah before them) will add immeasurable torment to those experiencing the worldwide disasters of the Tribulation—and exacerbate their hatred of the two witnesses. waters to turn them to blood. The earth’s water, already devastated by the effects of the second and third trumpets, will become undrinkable, adding immensely to the suffering caused by the drought.
11:7 the beast. The first of 36 references to this person in Revelation, who is none other than the Antichrist (see chap. 13). That he will ascend out of the bottomless pit indicates that his power is satanic. kill them. Their ministry completed, God will withdraw the two witnesses’ supernatural protection. The beast will then be able to accomplish what many had died trying to do.
11:8 bodies will lie in the street. Refusing to bury one’s enemies was a way to dishonor and show contempt for them (cf.Acts 14:19). The OT expressly forbids this practice (Deut. 21:22,23). the great city. Identifying Jerusalem as a city like Sodom and Egypt stresses the city’s wickedness. Its Jewish population will apparently be the focus of the witnesses’ ministry, leading to the conversions of v. 13.
11:9 three-and-a-half days. The entire world will watch (undoubtedly on the latest form of visual media) and glorify the Antichrist as the bodies of the dead prophets who have been killed begin to decay.
11:10 rejoice…make merry…send gifts. Wild with joy over the death of their tormentors, those who dwell on the earth (a phrase used 11 times in Revelation to speak of unbelievers) will celebrate the two witnesses’ deaths as a holiday.
11:11 breath of life from God entered them. The festivities, however, are short-lived as God vindicates His faithful witnesses by resurrecting them.
11:12 ascended to heaven in a cloud. Some may wonder why God will not allow them to preach, assuming their message would have more force following their resurrection. But that ignores Christ’s clear statement to the contrary (Luke 16:31). enemies saw them. Those who hated and dishonored the two witnesses will watch their vindication.
11:13 earthquake. God punctuates the ascension of His prophets with a shattering earthquake. The destruction and loss of life may be primarily among the leaders of the Antichrist’s forces. the rest. This refers to the Jews still living, who will not yet have come to faith in Christ. gave glory to the God of heaven. A genuine experience of the salvation of Jews (cf. Luke 17:18, 19), in contrast to those who blaspheme and refuse to glorify God (16:9). This makes a key fulfilment of Zechariah’s prophecy (12:10; 13:1) and Paul’s (Rom. 11:25–27).
11:14 second woe. The sixth trumpet (see note on 9:12). The interlude between the sixth and seventh trumpets ends (see note on 10:1). Israel’s repentance will shortly usher in the millennial kingdom (Acts 3:19–21; Rom. 11:25, 26). But first will come the final, climactic judgments.
Summary. Second woe. Comment from Dr. John F. Walvoord.
With this event, the second woe is brought to its completion and is evidently regarded as the final phase of the sixth trumpet. The third woe contained in the seventh trumpet is announced as coming quickly. The end of the age is rapidly approaching.
The three woes. (MacArthur Study Bible notes)
Revelation 8:13 New King James Version (NKJV)
13 And I looked, and I heard an angel flying through the midst of heaven, saying with a loud voice, “Woe, woe, woe to the inhabitants of the earth, because of the remaining blasts of the trumpet of the three angels who are about to sound!”
8:13 Woe, woe, woe. One for each remaining trumpet blast. Although the first 4 trumpets are unimaginable, they will be nothing like the 3 to come (9:1–21; 11:15ff.).
Revelation 9:12 New King James Version (NKJV)
12 One woe is past. Behold, still two more woes are coming after these things.
9:12 One woe. The first of the final 3 trumpets (see note on 8:13).
Revelation 11:14 New King James Version (NKJV)
14 The second woe is past. Behold, the third woe is coming quickly.
11:14 second woe. The sixth trumpet (see note on 9:12). The interlude between the sixth and seventh trumpets ends (see note on 10:1). Israel’s repentance will shortly usher in the millennial kingdom (Acts 3:19–21; Rom. 11:25, 26). But first will come the final, climactic judgments.
Associated terms. Fullness of the Gentiles. Times of the Gentiles. Jacob’s trouble.
Romans 11:25 New King James Version (NKJV) (Fullness of the Gentiles)
25 For I do not desire, brethren, that you should be ignorant of this mystery, lest you should be wise in your own opinion, that blindness in part has happened to Israel until the fullness of the Gentiles has come in.
11:25 mystery. This word is used to refer to NT truth previously not revealed (see notes on 1 Cor. 2:7; Eph. 3:2–6). This mystery has two components: 1) Israel has experienced a partial spiritual hardening, and 2) that hardening will last only for a divinely specified period of time. See note on 16:25. wise in your own opinion. Another warning to the Gentiles against spiritual pride and arrogance (see notes on vv. 17–24). blindness in part. The nation’s blindness does not extend to every individual Jew. Through all of history God has always preserved a believing remnant (see notes on vv. 5, 17). until the fullness of the Gentiles has come in. “Until” refers to a specific point in time; “fullness” refers to completion; “has come in” translates a Gr. verb often used to speak of coming to salvation (cf. Matt. 5:20;Mark 9:43, 45, 47; John 3:5; Acts 14:22). Israel’s spiritual hardening (which began with rejecting Jesus as Messiah) will last until the complete number of elect Gentiles has come to salvation.
Luke 21:24 New King James Version (NKJV) (Times of the Gentiles)
24 And they will fall by the edge of the sword, and be led away captive into all nations. And Jerusalem will be trampled by Gentiles until the times of the Gentiles are fulfilled.
21:24 the times of the Gentiles. This expression is unique to Luke. It identifies the era from Israel’s captivity (ca. 586 B.C. to Babylon; cf. 2 Kin. 25) to her restoration in the kingdom (Rev. 20:1–6). It has been a time during which, in accord with God’s purpose, Gentiles have dominated or threatened Jerusalem. The era has also been marked by vast spiritual privileges for the Gentile nations (cf. Is. 66:12; Mal. 1:11; Matt. 24:14; Mark 13:10).
Jeremiah 30:7 New King James Version (NKJV) (Jacob’s trouble, aka Jacob’s distress)
Alas! For that day is great, So that none is like it; And it is the time of Jacob’s trouble,
But he shall be saved out of it.
30:7 time of Jacob’s trouble. This period of unprecedented difficulty for Israel, as the verse defines, is set in a context of Israel’s final restoration. It is best equated with the time of tribulation (cf. vv. 8, 9) just before Christ’s Second Advent, mentioned elsewhere (Dan. 12:1; Matt. 24:21, 22) and described in detail by Rev. 6–19.
The Beast – Three Designations
The beast rising out of the pit (Satan) Revelation 11:7
7 When they finish their testimony, the beast that ascends out of the bottomless pit will make war against them, overcome them, and kill them.
The beast rising out of the sea (Anti-Christ/World Dictator) Revelation 13:1
1 Then I stood on the sand of the sea. And I saw a beast rising up out of the sea, having seven heads and ten horns, and on his horns ten crowns, and on his heads a blasphemous name.
The beast rising out of the earth (False Prophet/Religious Leader) Revelation 13:11
11 Then I saw another beast coming up out of the earth, and he had two horns like a lamb and spoke like a dragon.
Important Notice
This post is one of others that you can find in the blog under the category of “Journey.” There, you will be able to locate the Journey posts, which will appear in the order of their being published. If you click onto the following link you will be able to follow the blog and receive future posts automatically. This option is important for people who receive posts directly from me. That is because, from time to time, email addresses are dropped from my list of contacts.
Click onto any blue letter, number or symbol to see the video and text on the blog.
The video of this post discusses three important subjects of end times study. They are: (1) the catching up in the air by Jesus(rapture), of those whom have been born, and take them to Heaven; (2) the tribulation, which affects those who are left behind on earth, having missed the rapture and, (3) the second coming of Jesus, with those who were raptured, when he will stand on earth, judge sin, and set up a 1000 year reign of peace and righteousness.
Chapter 10 Textual Study
We will study Chapter 10 in the New King James Version, with comments coming from the MacArthur Study Bible notes, as shown in BibleGateway.org. We will have an introduction and summary by Dr. John F. Walvoord.
Introduction
Beginning with chapter 10 a parenthetical section is introduced which continues through 11:14. Like chapter 7 it does not advance the narrative but presents other facts which contribute to the total prophetic scene.
Scripture Text
Revelation 10 New King James Version (NKJV)
The Mighty Angel with the Little Book
1 I saw still another mighty angel coming down from heaven, clothed with a cloud. And a rainbow was on his head, his face was like the sun, and his feet like pillars of fire. 2 He had a little book open in his hand. And he set his right foot on the sea and his left foot on the land,3 and cried with a loud voice, as when a lion roars. When he cried out, seven thunders uttered their voices. 4 Now when the seven thunders uttered their voices, I was about to write; but I heard a voice from heaven saying to me, “Seal up the things which the seven thunders uttered, and do not write them.”
5 The angel whom I saw standing on the sea and on the land raised up his hand to heaven 6 and swore by Him who lives forever and ever, who created heaven and the things that are in it, the earth and the things that are in it, and the sea and the things that are in it, that there should be delay no longer, 7 but in the days of the sounding of the seventh angel, when he is about to sound, the mystery of God would be finished, as He declared to His servants the prophets.
John Eats the Little Book
8 Then the voice which I heard from heaven spoke to me again and said, “Go, take the little book which is open in the hand of the angel who stands on the sea and on the earth.”
9 So I went to the angel and said to him, “Give me the little book.”
And he said to me, “Take and eat it; and it will make your stomach bitter, but it will be as sweet as honey in your mouth.”
10 Then I took the little book out of the angel’s hand and ate it, and it was as sweet as honey in my mouth. But when I had eaten it, my stomach became bitter. 11 And he said to me, “You must prophesy again about many peoples, nations, tongues, and kings.”
Comments
10:1—11:14 These verses serve as an interlude between the sixth trumpet and the seventh trumpet (11:15). The seals and the bowls also have a brief interlude between their sixth and seventh judgments (7:1–17; 16:15). God’s intention is to encourage and comfort His people in the midst of the fury and to remind them that He is still sovereign, that He remembers His people, and that they will ultimately be victorious.
10:1 another mighty angel. Many commentators understand this to be Jesus Christ. But the Gr. word translated “another” means one of the same kind, that is, a created being. This is not one of the 7 angels responsible for sounding the trumpets (8:2), but one of the highest ranking in heaven, filled with splendor, greatness, and strength (cf. 5:2; 8:3; 18:1). rainbow. See note on 4:3. Perhaps God included this to remind John, that even in judgment, He will always remember His Noahic Covenant and protect His own. feet like pillars of fire. This angel’s feet and legs indicate the firm resolve with which he will execute the Day of the Lord.
10:2 little book. The 7 sealed scroll that is the title deed to the earth (see note on 5:1) will be fully opened and all the final judgments made visible. right foot on the sea and his left foot on the land. Although Satan has temporarily usurped the sea and the earth, this symbolic act demonstrates that all creation belongs to the Lord and He rules it with sovereign authority.
10:3 seven thunders. See note on 4:5; cf. 6:1; 8:5.
10:4 Seal up. John was told he must conceal the message of the 7 thunders until God’s time (cf. 22:10; Dan. 8:26, 27; 12:9).
10:5 raised up his hand. This Gr. verb appears often in the technical sense of raising the hand to take an oath or a solemn vow (cf. Dan. 12:7; see notes on Matt. 5:33, 34). The hand is raised toward heaven because that is where God dwells. The angel is taking an oath.
10:6 there should be delay no longer. This initiates the last plagues of the Day of the Lord (11:15), indicating that the time the disciples anticipated has come (Matt. 24:3; Acts 1:6). The prayers of the saints will be answered (6:9–11; Matt. 6:10).
10:7 the mystery. A Gr. term meaning “to shut” or “to close.” In the NT, a “mystery” is a truth that God concealed but has revealed through Christ and His apostles (see notes on Eph. 3:4,5; cf. Rom. 16:25). Here the mystery is the final consummation of all things as God destroys sinners and establishes His righteous kingdom on earth. as He declared. This mystery, though not fully revealed, was declared to God’s prophets (cf. Amos 3:7).
10:9 Take and eat it. This act graphically illustrates taking in God’s Word. John’s physical reactions demonstrate what every believer’s proper response to God’s judgment should be (cf.Ezek. 3:1)—sweet anticipation of God’s glory and our victory, and at the same time, the bitterness of seeing God’s wrath poured out on those who reject His Son. your stomach bitter. As he truly digests what the seal, trumpet, and bowl judgments hold in store for the sinner, John becomes nauseated. sweet as honey in your mouth. But still God’s final victory and vindication are sweet realities to the believer.
10:11 prophesy again. A call for John to warn men about the bitter judgment in the seventh trumpet and the 7 bowls. peoples, nations, tongues, and kings. See note on 7:9.
Summary.
John is informed that he must prophesy before “many peoples,” stating that the word “emphasizes the greatness of the field. It is no one Empire or Emperor that is concerned in the prophecies of the second half of the Apocalypse; not merely Rome or Nero or Domitian, but a multitude of races, kingdoms, and crowned heads.
My note. The initial prophecy to John was given to the seven churches of Chapters 2 and 3. However, this chapter indicates that the prophecy of revelation will be given to many people groups that are located well beyond that area of Asia Minor, just as what is happening as we read the words of Revelation now.
Important Notice
This post is one of others that you can find in the blog under the category of “Journey.” There, you will be able to locate the Journey posts, which will appear in the order of their being published. If you click onto the following link you will be able to follow the blog and receive future posts automatically. This option is important for people who receive posts directly from me. That is because, from time to time, email addresses are dropped from my list of contacts.
Click onto any blue letter, number or symbol to see the video and text on the blog.
The video of this post explains the difference in timing and purpose of the rapture of the church in the air to take born again believers with Him to Heaven, and the second coming of Jesus to stand on the earth at the mount of Olives in Jerusalem. In addition to the video, we will discuss the fifth and sixth trumpet judgments.
In Chapter 9 verse 1 the fifth angel sounds his trumpet, and the judgment quickly follows. In like manner, in verse 13 the angel sounds his trumpet, and the judgment also quickly follows. During each of the two judgments, the sealed 144,000 Jews and the new believers in Christ are protected. (The torment of the judgment is a judgment upon those who had rejected Christ.) Also protected, will be the born again believers who will be raptured out of the world prior to the beginning of the tribulation.
We will study Chapter 9 in the New King James Version, with comments coming from the MacArthur Study Bible notes, as shown in BibleGateway.org. We will have a closing summary by Dr. John F. Walvoord (deceased). The seventh trumpet will be discussed in Chapter 11.
Scripture Text
Revelation 9 New American Standard Bible (NASB)
The Fifth Trumpet—the Bottomless Pit
1 Then the fifth angel sounded, and I saw a star from heaven which had fallen to the earth; and the key of the bottomless pit was given to him. 2 He opened the bottomless pit, and smoke went up out of the pit, like the smoke of a great furnace; and the sun and the air were darkened by the smoke of the pit. 3 Then out of the smoke came locusts upon the earth, and power was given them, as the scorpions of the earth have power. 4 They were told not to hurt the grass of the earth, nor any green thing, nor any tree, but only the men who do not have the seal of God on their foreheads. 5 And they were not permitted to kill anyone, but to torment for five months; and their torment was like the torment of a scorpion when it stings a man. 6 And in those days men will seek death and will not find it; they will long to die, and death flees from them.
7 The appearance of the locusts was like horses prepared for battle; and on their heads appeared to be crowns like gold, and their faces were like the faces of men. 8 They had hair like the hair of women, and their teeth were like the teeth of lions. 9 They had breastplates like breastplates of iron; and the sound of their wings was like the sound of chariots, of many horses rushing to battle. 10 They have tails like scorpions, and stings; and in their tails is their power to hurt men for five months. 11 They have as king over them, the angel of the abyss; his name in Hebrew is Abaddon, and in the Greek he has the name Apollyon.
12 The first woe is past; behold, two woes are still coming after these things.
The Sixth Trumpet—Army from the East
13 Then the sixth angel sounded, and I heard a voice from the four horns of the golden altar which is before God, 14 one saying to the sixth angel who had the trumpet, “Release the four angels who are bound at the great river Euphrates.” 15 And the four angels, who had been prepared for the hour and day and month and year, were released, so that they would kill a third of mankind. 16 The number of the armies of the horsemen was two hundred million; I heard the number of them. 17 And this is how I saw in the vision the horses and those who sat on them: the riders had breastplates the color of fire and of hyacinth and of brimstone; and the heads of the horses are like the heads of lions; and out of their mouths proceed fire and smoke and brimstone. 18 A third of mankind was killed by these three plagues, by the fire and the smoke and the brimstone which proceeded out of their mouths. 19 For the power of the horses is in their mouths and in their tails; for their tails are like serpents and have heads, and with them they do harm.
20 The rest of mankind, who were not killed by these plagues, did not repent of the works of their hands, so as not to worship demons, and the idols of gold and of silver and of brass and of stone and of wood, which can neither see nor hear nor walk; 21 and they did not repent of their murders nor of their sorceries nor of their immorality nor of their thefts.
Comments
9:1 a star fallen from heaven. Unlike the other stars that will have fallen (6:13; 8:8), this one will be an angelic being (cf. v. 2)—probably Satan himself (v. 4; 12:7; see notes on Is. 14:12–14;Luke 10:18). bottomless pit. Lit. “pit of the abyss.” Mentioned 7 times in Revelation, it always refers to the prison where some of the demonic hordes are incarcerated, the place of severest torment and isolation (vv. 1, 2, 11; 11:7; 17:8; 20:1, 3; see notes on 2 Pet. 2:4; Jude 6, 7).
9:3 locusts. A grasshopper-like insect that descends in swarms so thick they can obscure the sun and strip bare all vegetation. In the 1950s a locust swarm devoured every growing thing for several hundred thousand square miles in the Middle East. These are not normal locusts, however, but specially prepared ones that are merely the outward form of demons, who, like locusts, will bring swarming desolation (see notes on Joel 2:2, 4). “Like” appears 9 times in John’s description; he finds it difficult to describe what he sees in a way the reader can understand.scorpions. An arachnid that inhabits warm, dry regions and has an erect tail tipped with a venomous stinger. A scorpion’s victim often rolls on the ground in agony, foams at the mouth, and grinds his teeth in pain. The demons in locust form are able to inflict the physical—and perhaps, spiritual—pain like the scorpion (v. 5).
9:4 men who do not have the seal of God. Everyone on earth except the two groups mentioned in chap. 7—the 144,000 Jewish evangelists and their converts (see note on 7:4).
9:5 five months. The normal life cycle of locusts is 5 months, usually from May to Sep.
9:6 seek death and will not find it. The tormented will find no relief. Even their unimaginable attempts to end their misery in suicide will be unsuccessful.
9:7 faces of men. Probably a reference to these demonic creatures as rational, intelligent beings.
9:8 women’s hair. Jeremiah 51:27 refers to locusts having bristles like hair. lions’ teeth. They are fierce, powerful, and deadly (cf. Jer. 51:27).
9:9 breastplates of iron. Breastplates were designed to protect the vital organs and sustain the life of the warrior. These creatures are invulnerable.
9:10 five months. See note on v. 5.
9:11 Abaddon…Apollyon. Although locusts normally have no king (Prov. 30:27), these demonic creatures do. His name in both Heb. and Gr. means “destroyer.” There is a hierarchy of power among the demons, just as among the holy angels. Apparently, “the angel of the bottomless pit” is one of Satan’s most trusted leaders or possibly Satan himself.
9:12 One woe. The first of the final 3 trumpets (see note on 8:13).
9:13 horns of the golden altar. God’s design for the golden altar of incense included small protrusions (horns) on each corner (Ex. 30:2; see note on 6:9). Normally a place of mercy, as God responds to His people’s prayers, the altar will resound with a cry for vengeance.
9:14 four angels. Scripture never refers to holy angels as being bound. These are fallen angels—another segment of Satan’s force whom God had bound but will free to accomplish His judgment through their horsemen (vv. 15–19). God’s control extends even to the demonic forces—they are bound or freed at His command. Euphrates. One of the 4 rivers that flowed through the Garden of Eden (see note on 16:12; cf. Gen. 2:14). Starting with Babel, this region has spawned many of the world’s pagan religions.
9:15 the hour and day and month and year. God works according to His predetermined plan (cf. Matt. 24:36; Acts 1:7).
9:16 the army. Some see this as a reference to forces accompanying the kings of the east (16:12) and identify them with a human army coming from Asia. But that event occurs in connection with the seventh trumpet, not the sixth. The language is better understood as referring to a demon force that makes war with the earth’s inhabitants and kills one-third of humanity (v. 15).
9:17 breastplates. See note on v. 9. brimstone. Brimstone is a yellowish, sulfuric rock that often attends fire and smoke in Revelation (14:10; 19:20; 20:10). Common in the Dead Sea region, when ignited such deposits melt and produce burning streams and suffocating gas
9:19 tails are like serpents, having heads. John’s language represents the demons’ ability to vent their destructive power in both directions.
9:20, 21 God lists 5 sins that are representative of their defiance
9:20 demons. Reminiscent of Paul’s comments about idolatry (see note on 1 Cor. 10:19, 20); demons impersonate the stone and wood idols men make.
9:21 they did not repent. Cf. 16:9, 11, 21. sorceries. This Gr. word is the root of the Eng. word “pharmacy.” Drugs in the ancient world were used to dull the senses and induce a state suitable for religious experiences such as seances, witchcraft, incantations, and cavorting with mediums (21:8; 22:15). See note on Eph. 5:18.
Summary. John F. Walvoord (Deceased)
(The following comment follows verses 20-21, and relates to vs 16.)
In spite of the dramatic judgment inflicted by this invading military force, those who survive are declared to be unrepentant. Such is the hardness of the human heart even though faced by worldwide destruction and divine judgment from God and a clear testimony of God’s power to deal summarily with every human soul. The character of their wickedness is unfolded in these verses. They do not repent of the evil works of their hands. They do not repent of their worship of devils, or demons, and the worship of idols which their hands have formed, which John dramatically describes in the words “which neither can see, nor hear, nor walk.” Their worship of idols does not change their lives, and verse 21 indicates that they do not repent of their murders, their wicked sorceries, their fornication, nor their thefts. Though the power of satanic false religion is evident in the world, it does not have the transforming, purifying, redeeming quality found only in the power and grace of God. Though men can be made to fear God by demonstration of divine power, they are not brought to the place of repentance apart from faith in Christ and divine grace. Scott observes, “The two closing verses of the chapter reveal an astounding picture of human depravity.”
Important Notice
This post is one of others that you can find in the blog under the category of “Journey.” There, you will be able to locate the Journey posts, which will appear in the order of their being published. If you click onto the following link you will be able to follow the blog and receive future posts automatically. This option is important for people who receive posts directly from me. That is because, from time to time, email addresses are dropped from my list of contacts.
Click onto any blue letter, number or symbol to see the video and text on the blog.
The video of this post presents an overview of the entire book of Revelation. There is good counsel on how we should study the book. We have already discussed the seal judgments in Revelation Chapter 6. Beginning with Chapter 8, we will see the opening of the seventh of the seals, which will also open the trumpet judgments In Chapter 8, we will find the first four of the seven trumpet judgments.
In Chapter 8 verse 1, the Lamb opens the seventh seal, which is composed of seven trumpet judgments. Each of the trumpet judgments will follow, with an angel blowing a trumpet preceding each judgment. We will study Chapter 8 in the New King James Version, with comments coming from the MacArthur Study Bible notes, as shown in BibleGateway.org. Chapter 9, with trumpet judgments 5-6, will be shown in the next post. We will have a closing summary by Dr. John F. Walvoord (deceased).
Consider the horrible things that will happen during the time of the judgments. It is important to remember that those who will suffer from those judgments are the ones which Revelation calls “earth dwellers.” Such people are those who had never accepted Jesus as their Lord and Savior. They were left behind when the rapture took place. Instead, they chose the things of this world over the things of heaven. Consider the verses that discuss those who are “earth dwellers,” also known as “those who dwell on the earth.” Notice that “all who live on the earth” will be subject to the judgments of God. Notice, also, that even in the face of the judgments of God, the “earth dwellers” will not change their attitudes toward Christ.
Revelation 3:10 Holman Christian Standard Bible (HCSB)
10 Because you have kept My command to endure, I will also keep you from the hour of testing that is going to come over the whole world to test those who live on the earth.
Revelation 6:10 Holman Christian Standard Bible (HCSB)
10 They cried out with a loud voice: “Lord, the One who is holy and true, how long until You judge and avenge our blood from those who live on the earth?”
Revelation 8:13 Holman Christian Standard Bible (HCSB)
13 I looked again and heard an eagle flying high overhead, crying out in a loud voice, “Woe!Woe! Woe to those who live on the earth, because of the remaining trumpet blasts that the three angels are about to sound!”
Revelation 11:10 Holman Christian Standard Bible (HCSB)
10 Those who live on the earth will gloat over them and celebrate and send gifts to one another because these two prophets brought judgment to those who live on the earth.
Revelation 13:8 Holman Christian Standard Bible (HCSB)
8 All those who live on the earth will worship him, everyone whose name was not written from the foundation of the world in the book of life of the Lamb who was slaughtered.
Revelation 13:14 Holman Christian Standard Bible (HCSB)
14 He deceives those who live on the earth because of the signs that he is permitted to perform on behalf of the beast, telling those who live on the earth to make an image of the beast who had the sword wound and yet lived.
Revelation 17:8 Holman Christian Standard Bible (HCSB)
8 The beast that you saw was, and is not, and is about to come up from the abyss and go to destruction. Those who live on the earth whose names have not been written in the book of life from the foundation of the world will be astonished when they see the beast that was, and is not, and will be present again.
Scripture Text
Revelation 8 New King James Version (NKJV)
Seventh Seal: Prelude to the Seven Trumpets
1 When He opened the seventh seal, there was silence in heaven for about half an hour. 2 And I saw the seven angels who stand before God, and to them were given seven trumpets. 3 Then another angel, having a golden censer, came and stood at the altar. He was given much incense, that he should offer it with the prayers of all the saints upon the golden altar which was before the throne. 4 And the smoke of the incense, with the prayers of the saints, ascended before God from the angel’s hand. 5 Then the angel took the censer, filled it with fire from the altar, and threw it to the earth. And there were noises, thunderings, lightnings, and an earthquake.
6 So the seven angels who had the seven trumpets prepared themselves to sound.
First Trumpet: Vegetation Struck
7 The first angel sounded: And hail and fire followed, mingled with blood, and they were thrown to the earth. And a third of the trees were burned up, and all green grass was burned up.
Second Trumpet: The Seas Struck
8 Then the second angel sounded: And something like a great mountain burning with fire was thrown into the sea, and a third of the sea became blood. 9 And a third of the living creatures in the sea died, and a third of the ships were destroyed.
Third Trumpet: The Waters Struck
10 Then the third angel sounded: And a great star fell from heaven, burning like a torch, and it fell on a third of the rivers and on the springs of water. 11 The name of the star is Wormwood. A third of the waters became wormwood, and many men died from the water, because it was made bitter.
Fourth Trumpet: The Heavens Struck
12 Then the fourth angel sounded: And a third of the sun was struck, a third of the moon, and a third of the stars, so that a third of them were darkened. A third of the day did not shine, and likewise the night.
13 And I looked, and I heard an angel flying through the midst of heaven, saying with a loud voice, “Woe, woe, woe to the inhabitants of the earth, because of the remaining blasts of the trumpet of the three angels who are about to sound!”
Comments
8:1 the seventh seal. This seal includes not only an earthquake, but the 7 trumpet judgments (8:1—9:21; 11:15ff.) and the 7 bowl judgments (16:1–21), with the bowl judgments flowing out of the seventh trumpet and coming in rapid succession just before Christ’s return (see note on 6:1). silence in heaven. The silence of awe and anticipation at the grim reality of the judgments God is about to unleash
8:2 seven trumpets. In Revelation, trumpets primarily announce impending judgment. The trumpets are of greater intensity than the seals, but not as destructive as the final bowl judgments will be (cf. 16:1–21). They occur during the final 3½ years, but the time of each is indefinite, except the effects of the fifth trumpet judgment, which will last 5 months (9:10). The first 4 announce the divine destruction of earth’s ecology (vv. 6–12), while the final 3 involve demonic devastation of earth’s inhabitants (9:1–21;11:15ff.).
8:3 censer. A golden pan, suspended on a rope or chain, that was used to transport fiery coals from the brazen altar to the altar of incense, in order to ignite the incense, symbolizing the prayers of the people (5:8; Ex. 27:3; cf. Luke 1:8, 9). This occurred twice daily at the time of the morning and evening sacrifices.
8:5 thunderings, lightnings. See note on 4:5. an earthquake.Surely of equal or greater intensity than the one described in the sixth seal (see note on 6:12).
8:7 hail and fire followed, mingled with blood. This may describe volcanic eruptions that could certainly result from the earthquake in v. 5. The steam and water thrown into the sky by such eruptions could easily condense into hail and fall to earth along with the fiery lava (cf. Ex. 9:13–25). Dust and gases may so contaminate falling liquid water that it appears blood red. a third of the trees were burned up. The lava storm will create a blazing fire that devastates one-third of the earth’s forests.
8:8 like a great mountain. Probably a huge meteor or asteroid surrounded by gases that will ignite as it enters earth’s atmosphere. Its impact will create a tidal wave, destroying one-third of the world’s ships. sea became blood. This may refer to an event known as red tides, caused by billions of dead micro-organisms poisoning the water—in this case the result of the meteor’s collision. Or it may be actual blood, a clear act of eschatological judgment.
8:10 great star fell. Another celestial body, perhaps a comet in this case since it leaves a fiery trail (see notes on v. 8; 6:13). It will disintegrate as it nears the earth, scattering over the globe.
8:11 Wormwood. A bitter, poisonous substance, derived from a root, that causes drunkenness and eventually death (Deut. 29:18; Prov. 5:4; Jer. 9:15; Lam. 3:15).
8:12 a third of the sun was struck. God will supernaturally reduce the intensity of the celestial bodies by one-third. The loss of solar heat will cause a radical drop in temperature, producing severe changes in meteorological, botanical, and biological cycles (Luke 21:25; cf. Ex. 10:21–23). But this is temporary (cf.16:8, 9).
8:13 Woe, woe, woe. One for each remaining trumpet blast. Although the first 4 trumpets are unimaginable, they will be nothing like the 3 to come (9:1–21; 11:15ff.).
Summary. John F. Walvoord (Deceased)
The first four trumpets deal with aspects of the physical world which are taken more or less for granted. The beauty and benefit of the trees, the luxury and growth of green grass are seldom occasions for thanksgiving to the living God. In a similar way, men are prone to take for granted the blessings of water, whether it be the beauty of the sea, the majestic flow of great rivers, or the pure fountains and springs which abound in the natural world. These too are gifts from a loving God to an undeserving world, and they come under the blight and judgment described in the second and third trumpets.
Important Notice
This post is one of others that you can find in the blog under the category of “Journey.” There, you will be able to locate the Journey posts, which will appear in the order of their being published. If you click onto the following link you will be able to follow the blog and receive future posts automatically. This option is important for people who receive posts directly from me. That is because, from time to time, email addresses are dropped from my list of contacts.
Click onto any blue letter, number or symbol to see the videos and text in the blog.
Jacob served seven years for Rachel and they seemed to him but a few days because of his love for her. (Genesis 29:20)
Who should say that the “love of the valentine” should be confined to only one time a year? Surely, Cupid’s arrow has its resting place in view. Please! Don’t hold up the “warrior shield” that may block “the love of your life” from becoming the most important person “in your life.” Listen very carefully as Troy Donahue explains the meaning of “Al Di La” to Suzanne Pleshette. Maybe that message should be told to someone who is special to you?
The year was 1962. I was fourteen years old. My home was in Gretna, Louisiana which is a suburb of New Orleans. One afternoon, I looked at the movie section of the New Orleans Times Picayune and tried to figure out a good movie to see. There were many theaters in “The Crescent City,” so it took a while to decide on which one would have the best movie. I decided on a theater that was located in the downtown area of what is now known as “Algiers Point.” I rode a city bus from the Mc Donoughville community of Gretna, where I lived, all the way to the theater. That is a time in my life that I will never forget, and would not want to forget.
The movie that was being shown was “Rome Adventure.” At my early teen age, I was in love with the idea of being in love. The movie was about a young woman whose name was Prudence. She worked as a librarian somewhere in America, but wanted to go “where they really know what love is all about – Italy.” So, she went! The role of Prudence was played by Suzanne Pleshette.
Almost magically, upon her arrival in Italy, Prudence met a young man who had recently broken up with his girl friend. That man was Don, and was played by Troy Donahue. Love was truly in the air as Prudence and Don toured Italy together. As is shown in the movie, the love grows between Don and Prudence – love that is tender and innocent. You can not imagine how much I would have loved to have been Don as he was gaining the favor of the beautiful Suzanne Pleshette.
The Rome Adventure theme song, “Al Di La,” has been in my mind throughout the years. While Don and Prudence were on an intimate date, and listening to Emilio Pericolli singing “Al Di La,” Prudence asked Don to explain its meaning. He explained it like this. “It’s hard to explain. It’s far far away, beyond the beyond, beyond this world; that’s how much he loves her in this song.”
Rome Adventure was truly a love story, because it was just that – a story about love – young love. There was nothing out of taste or character for either Suzanne Pleshette or Troy Donahue. Oh, how we need movies like that today! To help you to understand some of my thoughts about this movie, I have provided two videos. The first, and opening, one will take you to the scene where Al Di La is being sung. The second one will show various film clips of the movie. I trust that you will get a feeling deep inside of you that will help you to remember and appreciate such a time in life.
Troy Donahue and Suzanne Pleshette later married, although I am not certain how long their marriage lasted. Troy Donahue, Suzanne Pleshette and Emilio Pericolli are dead now; such great losses.
Film Clips – Rome Adventure
Important Notice
This post is one of others that you can find in the blog under the category of “Intimacy.” There, you will be able to locate all Intimacy posts, which will appear in the order that they were published. If you click onto the following link you will be able to follow the blog and receive posts automatically. This option is important for people who receive posts directly from me. That is because, from time to time, email addresses are dropped from my list of contacts.
Click onto any blue letter, number or symbol to see the video and text on the blog.
The video of this post presents additional information on the horrible conditions that those which have missed the rapture, and are left behind (earth dwellers), will have to face, to include the forces of the Anti Christ, as well as those of worldwide general lawlessness. It is important to remember that the events of the tribulation are of no surprise to God. He is the producer and director. God is not just an observer, but a planner and key player. He is in control of everything that happens (Psalm 103:19).
The text will relate to Revelation Chapter 7. The video will continue through the Battle Of Armageddon, after which time the Anti Christ and False Prophet will be thrown by God into the Lake of Fire (Rev 19:20). The born again believers will already have been raptured, and saved “from the hour of trial which will try all of those who dwell on the earth” (Rev 3:10). In this chapter two groups of people will be discussed, and will find themselves in the tribulation. There are 144,000 Jewish missionaries which are saved “through the tribulation.” They are chosen, sealed and protected by God, with all 144,00 going into the tribulation (Rev 7:4), and that same number going out (Rev 14:1-5). A second group (Gentiles) will consist of “a great multitude that no one could number, from every nation, tribe, and people and language” (Rev 7:9). Many of these Gentiles will be martyred during the tribulation. Their departed souls and spirits will immediately be in the Presence Of God in Heaven. The 144,000 Jewish missionaries will be instrumental to the Gentiles coming to know Jesus as their Lord and Savior. The martyred Gentile bodies will be resurrected at the end of the Battle of Armageddon, immediately preceding the 1,000 year reign of Christ (Rev 20:4-6). It is at that time that the bodies of the Old Testament saints will also be resurrected (Daniel 12:1-2). It should be remembered that both of these groups (Jews and Gentiles) will be from those “left behind.” They will come to know Jesus as Lord and Savior, and will be born again.
When the rapture takes place, all people on earth who have been born again, and who have the Spirit of God dwelling within their spirits, will be taken from the Earth by the Rapture (1 Thessalonians 4:13-18). None of those which are left behind, and are not born again, will have the indwelling influence of God’s Holy Spirit. These earth dwellers will have no understanding of Spiritual discernment, as it relates to right and wrong. As earth dwellers come to accept Jesus as their Lord and Savior, they will be born again and will experience the indwelling of God’s Holy Spirit within their spirits. Outside of the 144,000 sealed Jews, many of the others will be martyred by the forces of the Anti Christ.
Study, Easy Reading
Revelation 7 The Message (MSG)
The Servants of God
1 Immediately I saw Four Angels standing at the four corners of earth, standing steady with a firm grip on the four winds so no wind would blow on earth or sea, not even rustle a tree.
2-3 Then I saw another Angel rising from where the sun rose, carrying the seal of the Living God. He thundered to the Four Angels assigned the task of hurting earth and sea, “Don’t hurt the earth! Don’t hurt the sea! Don’t so much as hurt a tree until I’ve sealed the servants of our God on their foreheads!”
4-8 I heard the count of those who were sealed: 144,000! They were sealed out of every Tribe of Israel: 12,000 sealed from Judah, 12,000 from Reuben, 12,000 from Gad, 12,000 from Asher, 12,000 from Naphtali, 12,000 from Manasseh, 12,000 from Simeon, 12,000 from Levi, 12,000 from Issachar, 12,000 from Zebulun, 12,000 from Joseph, 12,000 sealed from Benjamin.
9-12 I looked again. I saw a huge crowd, too huge to count. Everyone was there—all nations and tribes, all races and languages. And they were standing, dressed in white robes and waving palm branches, standing before the Throne and the Lamb and heartily singing:
Salvation to our God on his Throne!
Salvation to the Lamb!
All who were standing around the Throne—Angels, Elders, Animals—fell on their faces before the Throne and worshiped God, singing:
Oh, Yes!
The blessing and glory and wisdom and thanksgiving,
The honor and power and strength,
To our God forever and ever and ever!
Oh, Yes!
13-14 Just then one of the Elders addressed me: “Who are these dressed in white robes, and where did they come from?” Taken aback, I said, “O Sir, I have no idea—but you must know.”
14-17 Then he told me, “These are those who come from the great tribulation, and they’ve washed their robes, scrubbed them clean in the blood of the Lamb. That’s why they’re standing before God’s Throne. They serve him day and night in his Temple. The One on the Throne will pitch his tent there for them: no more hunger, no more thirst, no more scorching heat. The Lamb on the Throne will shepherd them, will lead them to spring waters of Life. And God will wipe every last tear from their eyes.”
Study, Verse By Verse
Revelation 7 New King James Version
The following study note and all others, unless identified, are taken from BibleGateway.org, MacArthur Study Bible.
7:1–17 Chapter 7 forms a parenthesis between the sixth seal (6:12–17) and the seventh seal (8:1) and answers the question posed at the end of chap. 6. Two distinct groups will survive the divine fury: 1) 144,000 Jewish evangelists on earth (vv. 1–8) and 2) their converts in heaven (vv. 9–17).
THE 144,000 SEALED JEWS
1 After these things I saw four angels standing at the four corners of the earth, holding the four winds of the earth, that the wind should not blow on the earth, on the sea, or on any tree.
7:1 four corners. The 4 quadrants of the compass; that is, the angels will take up key positions on earth. four winds. A figurative expression, indicating all the earth’s winds—those from S, E, N, and W. The 4 angels will turn off, for a brief interlude, the essential engine of our earth’s atmosphere.
2 Then I saw another angel ascending from the east, having the seal of the living God. And he cried with a loud voice to the four angels to whom it was granted to harm the earth and the sea, 3 saying, “Do not harm the earth, the sea, or the trees till we have sealed the servants of our God on their foreheads.”
7:2 seal of the living God. “Seal” often refers to a signet ring used to press its image into wax melted on a document. The resulting imprint implied authenticity and ownership and protected the contents (cf. 9:4; Ezek. 9:3, 4). In this case, the mark is the name of God (14:1).
4 And I heard the number of those who were sealed. One hundred and forty-four thousand of all the tribes of the children of Israel were sealed:
7:4 One hundred and forty-four thousand. A missionary corps of redeemed Jews who are instrumental in the salvation of many Jews and Gentiles during the Tribulation (vv. 9–17). They will be the first fruits of a new redeemed Israel (v. 4; Zech. 12:10). Finally, Israel will be the witness nation she refused to be in the OT (see notes on Rom. 11:25–27). all the tribes of the children of Israel. By sovereign election, God will seal 12,000 from each of the 12 tribes, promising His protection while they accomplish their mission.
5 of the tribe of Judah twelve thousand were sealed;
of the tribe of Reuben twelve thousand were sealed;
of the tribe of Gad twelve thousand were sealed;
6 of the tribe of Asher twelve thousand were sealed;
of the tribe of Naphtali twelve thousand were sealed;
of the tribe of Manasseh twelve thousand were sealed;
7 of the tribe of Simeon twelve thousand were sealed;
of the tribe of Levi twelve thousand were sealed;
of the tribe of Issachar twelve thousand were sealed;
8 of the tribe of Zebulun twelve thousand were sealed;
of the tribe of Joseph twelve thousand were sealed;
of the tribe of Benjamin twelve thousand were sealed.
A Multitude from the Great Tribulation
9 After these things I looked, and behold, a great multitude which no one could number, of all nations, tribes, peoples, and tongues, standing before the throne and before the Lamb, clothed with white robes, with palm branches in their hands,
7:9 a great multitude. While the tribulation period will be a time of judgment, it will also be a time of unprecedented redemption (cf. v. 14; 6:9–11; 20:4; Is. 11:10; Matt. 24:14). all nations, tribes, peoples, and tongues. All the earth’s people groups.white robes. See note on 3:4. palm branches. In ancient times, they were associated with celebrations, including the Feast of Tabernacles (Lev. 23:40; Neh. 8:17; John 12:13).
10 and crying out with a loud voice, saying, “Salvation belongs to our God who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb!”
7:10 Salvation belongs to our God. Salvation is the theme of their worship, and they recognize that it comes solely from Him.
11 All the angels stood around the throne and the elders and the four living creatures, and fell on their faces before the throne and worshiped God,
7:11 elders. See note on 4:4. four living creatures. See note on 4:6.
4:4 twenty-four elders. Their joint rule with Christ, their white garments (19:7, 8), and their golden crowns (2:10) all seem to indicate that these 24 represent the redeemed (vv. 9–11; 5:5–14;7:11–17; 11:16–18; 14:3; 19:4). The question is which redeemed? Not Israel, since the nation is not yet saved, glorified, and coronated. That is still to come at this point in the events of the end. Their resurrection and glory will come at the end of the 7 year tribulation time (cf. Dan. 12:1–3). Tribulation saints aren’t yet saved (7:9, 10). Only one group will be complete and glorified at that point—the church. Here elders represent the church, which sings the song of redemption (5:8–10). They are the overcomers who have their crowns and live in the place prepared for them, where they have gone with Jesus (cf. John 14:1–4).
4:6 sea of glass. There is no sea in heaven (21:1), but the crystal pavement that serves as the floor of God’s throne stretches out like a great, glistening sea (cf. Ex. 24:10; Ezek. 1:22). four living creatures. Lit. “four living ones or beings.” These are the cherubim (sing., cherub), those angels frequently referred to in the OT in connection with God’s presence, power, and holiness. Although John’s description is not identical to Ezekiel’s, they are obviously both referring to the same supernatural and indescribable beings (Pss. 80:1; 99:1; see notes on Ezek. 1:4–25; 10:15). full of eyes. Although not omniscient—an attribute reserved for God alone—these angels have a comprehensive knowledge and perception. Nothing escapes their scrutiny (cf. v. 8).
12 saying:
“Amen! Blessing and glory and wisdom,
Thanksgiving and honor and power and might,
Be to our God forever and ever.
Amen.”
7:12 Blessing…and might. See note on 5:12.
5:12 power…and blessing. This doxology records 7 qualities intrinsic to God and to the Lamb that demand our praise.
13 Then one of the elders answered, saying to me, “Who are these arrayed in white robes, and where did they come from?”
7:13 white robes. See note on 3:4.
3:4 who have not defiled their garments. Defiled means “to smear, to pollute,” or “to stain,” and garments refer to character. There were a few whose character was still godly (cf. Jude 23).in white. The white garments of all the redeemed (cf. 6:11; 7:9,13; 19:8, 14), speak of holiness and purity. Such white robes are reserved for Christ (Matt. 17:2; Mark 9:3), holy angels (Matt. 28:3; Mark 16:5), and the glorified church (19:8, 14). In the ancient world, white robes were commonly worn at festivals and celebrations.
14 And I said to him, “Sir, you know.”
So he said to me, “These are the ones who come out of the great tribulation, and washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb.
7:14 the great tribulation. See notes on 3:10; 6:1, 9, 12. These people didn’t go with the raptured church, since they were not yet saved. During the 7 year period they will be saved, martyred, and enter heaven. Though it is a time of unparalleled judgment, it is also a time of unparalleled grace in salvation (cf. Matt. 24:12–14). washed their robes. Cf. 19:8. Salvation’s cleansing is in view (see Titus 2:11–14). blood of the Lamb. This refers to the atoning sacrifice of Christ (cf. 1:5; 5:9; Rom. 3:24, 25; 5:9)
15 Therefore they are before the throne of God, and serve Him day and night in His temple. And He who sits on the throne will dwell among them.
7:15 His temple. This refers to the heavenly throne of God (see note on 11:19). During the Millennium there will also be a temple on earth—a special holy place where God dwells in a partially restored, but still fallen, universe (see Ezek. 40–48). In the final, eternal state with its new heavens and earth, there is no temple; God Himself, who will fill all, will be its temple (21:22). dwell among them. The preferred reading is that He “will spread His tent over them.” God’s presence will become their canopy of shelter to protect them from all the terrors of a fallen world and the indescribable horrors they have experienced on the earth during the time of tribulation.
16 They shall neither hunger anymore nor thirst anymore; the sun shall not strike them, nor any heat; 17 for the Lamb who is in the midst of the throne will shepherd them and lead them to living fountains of waters. And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes.”
7:17 shepherd. In a beautiful mix of images, the Lamb has always been the Shepherd (Ps. 23; John 10:14ff.; Heb. 13:20).
Summary: Bible.org, Dr. John F. Walvoord, Deceased.
Chapter 7 of the book of Revelation serves as a review of the situation described in the previous chapters and emphasizes two important facts. First, God is going to judge Israel in the period of great trial, and 12,000 from each tribe, totaling 144,000, will be protected and sealed from the judgments which will fall upon the world in general. Second, a great multitude of Gentiles will also be saved, but many of these will be martyred, and a multitude of the martyred dead are found in heaven rejoicing in the presence of the Lamb and representing every tongue and nation. It is an indication that even in the tragic closing hours prior to the second coming of Christ to the earth, countless souls will find Christ as Saviour and be saved by His grace.
Important Notice
This post is one of others that you can find in the blog under the category of “Journey.” There, you will be able to locate the Journey posts, which will appear in the order of their being published. If you click onto the following link you will be able to follow the blog and receive future posts automatically. This option is important for people who receive posts directly from me. That is because, from time to time, email addresses are dropped from my list of contacts.
Chapter 4. The Fifth Vision: The golden lamp stand and the two olive trees.
Read vs 1-1-14. and Note 4:2.
vs 1-7 The golden lamp stand and the two olive trees
vs 8-14 Zerubbabel to finish rebuilding the temple
Note 4:2
The lamp stand represents God’s witness before the world. (Israel in OT and Church in NT). After the rapture, God will still maintain a witness in the world.
The two olive trees represent two phases of God’s government, one from the priestly, and the other from the kingly. From these two olive trees the oil was carried to the lamp stand. Oil is the symbol of the Holy Spirit.
More info on Joshua, Zerubbabel and Christ in note.
Eternity 