Month: June 2021

Tribulation Prophecies And Doctrine 12 – The Beginning Of The Sixty-Nine Weeks 4.

I. Scripture Text. Daniel 9:24a.

“Seventy weeks are decreed about your people and your holy city” Holman Christian Standard Bible.

II. Introduction.

A. Daniel’s prophecy of the 70 weeks (Dan 9:24-27) contributes the most specific chronological information about the future Tribulation by describing it as a remaining 7 year period (Dan 9:27) out of a total 490-year time period that concerns Israel. Dan 9:27 even divides this future 7 year period into halves, and predicts the prophetic event, the Abomination of Desolation, which will transpire at the midpoint of this coming 7 year period. However, the end result will be a politically and spiritually restored nation, whereby the 6 clauses spoken of in Dan 9:24 will then become a reality for national Israel in her millennial glory. Daniel’s prophecy of the 70 weeks again fits the familiar Old Testament theme of Israel’s predicted national restoration, only after and through a time of unprecedented distress.

B. It will be shown that the 70th week of Daniel’s prophecy will be that of the Tribulation. This article discusses the beginning of the 69 weeks that precede the Tribulation.

III. Scripture Examination.

A. Dan 9:24. Seventy weeks may also be translated seventy sevens. Many scholars agree that the “sevens” are years, as the 70 years of captivity addressed in v. 2 implies. Lev 25:8 speaks of “seven sabbaths of years”; Lev 26:18, 21 implies that Israel’s punishment would be multiplied sevenfold. Therefore, an exile of 70 “weeks” would be expected to last for seven times 70 years. 

B. 2 Chron 36:21 suggests that the captivity was to last long enough to make up for 70 omissions of the sabbatical year, which occurred every seven years. This would amount to 490 years before God’s people would experience perfect reconciliation with their God.

C. There are many different interpretations of how these years account for the eras of world history before the Second Coming of the Messiah. Some interpreters have suggested that the use of the number seven in this verse is symbolic representing completeness—that is, the completion of all of human history.

IV. Additional Examination.

A. Daniel was told that this 490 year period would being “from the going forth of the commandment to restore and build Jerusalem” (Dan 9:24). In the Scriptures are contained several decrees that have to do with the restoration of the Jews from the Babylonian captivity. There was the decree of Cyrus in 2 Chr 36:22-23; Ezra 1:1-3; the decree of Darius in Ezra 6:3-8; and the decree of Artaxerxes in Ezra 7:7. However, in all these, permission was granted for the rebuilding of the temple, and nothing was said about the rebuilding of the city. In Ezra 4:1-4, the rebuilding of the temple was stopped because the Jews were rebuilding the city without authorization. In none of these decrees was the condition of Dan 9:25 met. When we turn to the decree of Artaxerxes, made in his 20th year, recorded in Neh 2:1-8, for the first time is permission granted to rebuild the city of Jerusalem. This then becomes the beginning of the prophetic time appointed by God in this prophecy.

B. It is necessary to establish the date of the decree of Artaxerxes.

1. The date of Artaxerxes’s reign can be definitely ascertained-not from elaborate disquisitions by biblical commentators and prophetic writers, but by the united voice of secular historians and chronologers.

2. The Persian edict which restored the autonomy of Judah was issued in the Jewish month of Nisan. It may in fact have been dated from the 1st of Nisan….The 70 weeks are therefore to be computed from the 1st of Nisan, 445 B.C.

3. The great characteristic of the Jewish sacred year has remained unchanged ever since the memorable night when the equinoctial moon beamed down upon the huts of Israel in Egypt, bloodstained by the Paschal sacrifice; and there is neither doubt nor difficulty in fixing within narrow limits, the Julian date of the 1st of Nisan in any year, whatever. In 445 B.C., the new moon, by which the Passover was regulated, was on the 13th of March at 7h.9m. A.M. And, accordingly, the 1st Nisan may be assigned to the 14th March

V. References.

A. Paragraph I. These verses in this paragraph come from the Holman Christian Standard Bible, which was cut and pasted from Bible Gateway.

B. Paragraph II.A. The Coming Kingdom, 2016, Grace Gospel Press, Andrew M. Woods, Ph. D., p 163.

C. Paragraph II.B. Mine.

D. Paragraph III. Holman Christian Standard Bible.

E. Paragraph IV. Things To Come, 1958, Zondervan, J. Dwight Pentecost, Th.D., pp 244-245.

VI. Biogenesis – Life. Article 6-29-21.

Life News 6-29-21

“the life of the flesh is in the blood” Leviticus 17:11 (New American Standard Bible).

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The Coming Kingdom 4

Video Details


Andy Woods45.1K subscribers Mosaic Covenant Exodus 19:5-6. The law, given to Israel on Mt. Sinai, is the basis of a conditional covenant given through Moses. [1 hour 4 minutes] Series: “The Coming Kingdom: How Kingdom Now Theology is Changing the Focus of the Church.” © Andy Woods Ministries. All rights Reserved. Power points, transcripts, and audio can be downloaded from https://slbc.org/sermon/the-coming-ki… For videos on other topics please visit Andy Woods Ministries YouTube Channel or visit the Andy Woods Ministries website: http://andywoodsministries.org/ PLEASE SHARE AND COMMENT Comments *with a URL attachment or are *longer than 2-3 sentences or have *a disrespectful tone (Colossians 4:6) may be removed.

Additional Information

  • In these, “The Coming Kingdom,” videos Andy Woods provides great insight into the literal kingdom that will come (Matt 6:10), in the depth and clarity that will cause most readers to come to an appreciation of the subject that they may have never had. I encourage you to watch these videos with great interest, and with a desire for learning God’s plan for the kingdom that will be a physical existence on earth for 1,000 years. If you have not done so, please view videos 1 and 2. This is an 84 video series of teaching sermons and lessons.
  • This video is one of a series of lessons that are provided by Dr. Andy Woods. The teaching that Dr. Woods provides will cover the whole Bible. The purpose is to show a plumb line that goes from Genesis 1:1 to Revelation 22:21. Andy has stated that the Bible is about a garden and a city, with a cross in between. Other teaching and preaching videos of Andy Woods can be obtained through FaceBook (Sugar Land Bible Church), YouTube (Andy Woods, Dr. Andy Woods Ministries, ), the link https://slbc.org/ (Sugar Land Bible Church) and Twitter. Andy’s sermons are provided each Sunday morning for people who like Sugar Land Bible Church on FaceBook, and at other times each week. Volunteers monitor comments that are made on the YouTube videos.
  • Dr. Woods has written a book that is a parallel to this teaching series. The title of the book is, “The Coming Kingdom,” by Dr. Andrew M. Woods. I encourage everyone to obtain a copy of the book.
  • Dr. Woods has an amazing resume, as he was a lawyer before entering seminary. The church of which Andy is the Senior Pastor is Sugar Land Bible Church, which is located west of Houston, Texas, in Sugar Land Texas.

Revelation 5:1-14 – The Book in Heaven – 96 A.D.

I. Introduction.

A. There are two key verses of Scripture in which great emphasis must be placed.

1. Verse 9. “Worthy are You to take the book and to break its seals”

2. Verse 12. “Worthy is the Lamb that was slain to receive power and riches and wisdom and might and honor and glory and blessing.”

B. Only Christ will be found to be worthy to break the seals of the tribulation judgments which will come on the whole world, on those which will be left behind from the rapture (Rev 3:10), which will begin in Rev 6:1, and continue until the second coming of Christ at the Battle of Armageddon (Rev 19:11-21). God, through Christ and His angels, will bring the judgments of the tribulation, “upon the whole world, to test those who dwell on the earth.” Every bit of the tribulation will be God’s wrath, and not the wrath of Satan, Anti-Christ, mankind, or of “mother nature.”

C. Only Christ is worthy to receive power and riches and wisdom and might and honor and glory and blessing (vs 12), all of which come from, “every created thing which is in heaven and on the earth and under the earth and on the sea, and all things in them,” per Philippians 2:9-11…..9 For this reason also, God highly exalted Him, and bestowed on Him the name which is above every name, 10 so that at the name of Jesus every knee will bow, of those who are in heaven and on earth and under the earth, 11 and that every tongue will confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

II. Scripture Text.

The Book with Seven Seals

1 I saw in the right hand of Him who sat on the throne a book written inside and on the back, sealed up with seven seals. 2 And I saw a strong angel proclaiming with a loud voice, “Who is worthy to open the book and to break its seals?” 3 And no one in heaven or on the earth or under the earth was able to open the book or to look into it. 4 Then I began to weep greatly because no one was found worthy to open the book or to look into it; 5 and one of the elders *said to me, “Stop weeping; behold, the Lion that is from the tribe of Judah, the Root of David, has overcome so as to open the book and its seven seals.”

6 And I saw between the throne (with the four living creatures) and the elders a Lamb standing, as if slain, having seven horns and seven eyes, which are the seven Spirits of God, sent out into all the earth. 7 And He came and took the book out of the right hand of Him who sat on the throne. 8 When He had taken the book, the four living creatures and the twenty-four elders fell down before the Lamb, each one holding a harp and golden bowls full of incense, which are the prayers of the saints. 9 And they *sang a new song, saying,

“Worthy are You to take the book and to break its seals; for You were slain, and purchased for God with Your blood men from every tribe and tongue and people and nation.

10 “You have made them to be a kingdom and priests to our God; and they will reign upon the earth.”

Angels Exalt the Lamb

11 Then I looked, and I heard the voice of many angels around the throne and the living creatures and the elders; and the number of them was myriads of myriads, and thousands of thousands, 12 saying with a loud voice,

“Worthy is the Lamb that was slain to receive power and riches and wisdom and might and honor and glory and blessing.”

13 And every created thing which is in heaven and on the earth and under the earth and on the sea, and all things in them, I heard saying,

“To Him who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb, be blessing and honor and glory and dominion forever and ever.”

14 And the four living creatures kept saying, “Amen.” And the elders fell down and worshiped.

III. Verse Examination.

A. Ryrie Study Bible.

1. Rev 5:1. “a book.” Lit. a scroll. This may be called the “Book of Redemption,” as it contains the story of man’s fall through sin, and rise through Christ (Heb 2:5-9).

2.Rev 5:5. “the Lion that is from the tribe of Judah.” The noblest and victorious of the kingly tribe (cf. Gen 49:9). “the root of David.” The one who fulfills the covenant with David (cf. Isa 11:1, 10). The Messiah, John is assured, is competent and worthy to break the seven seals and open the scroll to release the plagues.

3. Rev 5:6. “as if slain.” Christ, the Lamb, bears the mark of His death (See Luke 24:40; John 20:20, 27) even in His glorified state. “horns” are a symbol of strength (cf. 1 Kings 22:11; Zech 1:18).

4. Rev 5:8. “bowls,” like saucers.

5. Rev 5:9-10. The Lamb is worthy because He died in the past to pay the ransom price for the sins of the world; positioned us in the present as a kingdom and priests before God, and gave us a promise of reigning on the earth in the future. A few mss. read “us” and “we” in verse 10 instead of “them” and “they.” In either case, the elders could be singing of their own redemption in either the first or third person.

6. Rev 5:13. All creation joins in praise to God and the Lamb.

7. Rev 5:14. The heavenly scene of chapters 4 and 5 gives heaven’s perspective on the need for the awful judgments to follow, for Christ’s right to reign must be realized and sin must be punished.

B. Holman Christian Standard Bible.

1. Rev 5:1. A scroll …sealed with seven seals cannot be read until all the seals have been opened. The scroll apparently contains the judgments and redemption seen in later chapters. It may also be the scroll that was sealed in Dan 12:4. There appears to be an allusion to the scroll the Lord handed Ezekiel in Ezek 2:9-10.2.

2. Rev 5:2-4. No creature in all of creation was found worthy to open the seals on the scroll in God’s hand (v. 1).

3. Rev 5:5-6. Here we see the consummation of God’s twofold purpose in history: to reclaim His kingdom and to redeem His people. This twofold victory over Satan is first predicted in Gen 3:15 and then covenanted to Abraham in the promise of a land and a Seed (see Gen 12:1-3; Deu 30:1-5; 2 Sam 7:12-16).

4. Rev 5:7. The reception of the scroll from the Father demonstrates that judgment and authority over the earth is committed to the Son (see Dan 7:13-14). The scroll is likely the same one sealed by Daniel (see Dan 12:9-10).

5. Rev 5:8. The prayers of the saints (believers) play an important role in the Lamb’s opening of the scroll and the ensuing judgment.

5. Rev 5:9. The new song celebrates the redemptive work of the Son as the basis of His right to judge. Divine rule has its basis in creation (ch. 4) and redemption.

6. Rev 5:13-14. Blessing and honor and glory and power: From the vantage point of heaven, these verses look forward to the climactic point when “every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord” (Phil 2:11)

IV. Additional Examination.

THE SCROLL AND THE LAMB

This chapter is part of the vision that begins at 4:1 and continues through the opening of the seven seals (6:1-8:1; cf. comment on 4:1-8:1). Its center of gravity lies in the three hymns (vv 9, 12, 13) addressed to the Lamb. They beautifully combine the worship of the Lamb (hymns 1 and 2) with the worship of the one who sits on the throne (hymn 3, addressed to both God and the Lamb). The movement of the whole scene focuses on the slain Lamb as he takes the scroll from the hand of the one on the throne. The actions of all other participants are described in terms of worship directed to the Lamb and the one on the throne. The culminating emphasis is on the worthiness of the Lamb to receive worship because of his death.

V. References.

A. Paragraph I. Holman New Testament Commentary.

B. Paragraph II. The NASB 95 verses were cut and pasted from Bible Hub

C. Paragraph III. References for Paragraph II are stated in the paragraph.

D. Paragraph IV. Expositor’s Bible Commentary (Abridged Edition): New Testament. Comments were cut and posted from Bible Hub.

Tribulation Prophecies And Doctrine 11 – The Meaning Of Weeks 3.

I. Scripture Text. Daniel 9:24.

Seventy weeks are decreed about your people and your holy city, to finish the transgression, to put an end to sin, and to atone for iniquity, to bring in everlasting righteousness, to seal both vision and prophet, and to anoint a most holy place.

II. Discussion.

A. Before one can determine the chronology of the prophecy of the “seventy weeks,” it is first necessary to understand Daniel’s use of the term “weeks” as it is here employed. On this, McClain has written:

1. The Hebrew word is”shabua,” which means literally, a “seven,” and it would be well to read the passage thus…..Thus the twenty-fourth verse of Daniel’s ninth chapter simply asserts that “seventy sevents are determined” ….. and what these “sevens” must be determined from the context and from other Scriptures. The evidence is quite clear and sufficient as follows: (thru 3)

…..the Jews had a “seven” of “years” as well as a “seven” of “days.” And this Biblical “week” of years was just as familiar to the Jews as the “week of days.” It was, in certain respects, even more important. “Six years” the Jew was free to till and sow his land, but the “seventh year” was to be a solemn “Sabbath of rest unto the land” (Lev 25:3-4). Upon a multiple of this important week of years -“seven Sabbaths of years” – there was based the great jubilee year …..

2. Now there are several reasons for believing that the “Seventy Sevens” of Daniel’s prophecy refer to this well known “seven” of years. In the first place the prophet Daniel had been thinking not only in terms of years rather than days, but also in a definite multiple of “sevens” (10×7) of years (Dan 9:1-2). Second, Daniel also knew that the very length of Babylonian captivity had been based on Jewish violation of the divine law of the Sabbatic year. Since, accordingto II Chron 36 :21, the Jews had been removed from off the land in order that it might rest for”seventy years,” it should be evident that the Sabbatic year had been violated for 490 years, or exactly seventy “sevens” of years. How appropriate, therefore, that now at the end of the judgment for these violations the angel should be sent to reveal the start of a “new era” of God’s dealing with the Jew which would extend for the same number of years covered by his violations of the Sabbatic year, namely, a cycle of 490 years, or
“Seventy Sevens” of years (Dan 9:24).

3. Furthermore, the context of the prophecy demands that the “Seventy Sevens” be understood in terms of years. For, if we make them “sevens” of days, the entire period would extend for merely 490 days, or a little over one year. Considering now that within this brief space of time, the city is to be rebuilt and once more destroyed (to say nothing of the tremendous events of verse 24), it becomes clear that such an interpretation is altogether improbable and untenable. Finally ….. the Hebrew word “shabua” is found only in one other passage of the book (10:2-3), where the prophet states that he mourned and fasted “three full weeks.” Now, here it is perfectly obvious that the context demands “weeks” of days…..And significantly, the Hebrew here reads literally “three sevens of days.” Now, if in the ninth chapter, the writer intended us to understand that the “seventy sevens” are composed of days, why did he not use the same form of expression adopted in chapter ten? The quote obvious answer is that Daniel used the Hebrew “shabua” alone when referring to the well known “week” of years ….. but in chapter ten, when he speaks of the “three weeks” of fasting, he definitely specifes them as “weeks of days” in order to distinguish them from the “weeks” of years in chapter nine.

B. Interesting substantiating evidence is found in Genesis 29:27 where it is said, “Fulfill her week, and we will give thee this also for the service which thou serve with me yet seven other years.” Here, the “week” is specified to be a week of years, or seven years. It is also necessary, in this consideration, to observe that the year in prophetic Scriptures is a year composed of 360 days. The same author states”

….. there is conclusive evidence to show that the prophetic year of Scripture is composed of 360 days, or twelve months of 30 days.

1. The first argument is “historical.” According to the Genesis record, the Flood began on the seventeenth day of the second month (7:11), and came to an end on the seventeenth day of the seventh month (8:4). Now this is a period of exactly five months, and fortunately the length of the same period is given in terms of days – “an hundred and fifty days” (7:24; 8:3). Thus, the earliest known month used in Biblical history was evidently thirty days in length, and twelve such months would give us a 360-day year.

2. The second argument is “prophetical”…..Dan 9:27 mentions a period of Jewish persecution ….. Since this persecution begins in the “midst” of the Seventieth Week and continues to the “end” of the Week, the period is obviously three and one-half years. Dan 7:24-25 speaks of the same Roman Prince and the same persecution, fixing the duration as “a time and times and the dividing of time” – in the Aramaic, three and a half times. Rev 13:4-7 speaks of the same great political Ruler and his persecution of the Jewish “saints” lasting “forty and two months.” Rev 12:13-14 refers to the same persecution, stating the duration in the exact terms of Dan 7:25 as “a time and times and half a time”. and this period is further defined in Rev 12:6 as “a thousand two hundred and three score days.” Thus, we have the same period of time variously stated as 3 1/2 years, 42 months, or 1260 days. Therefore, it is clear that the length of the year in the Seventy Weeks prophecy is fixed by Scripture itself as exactly 360 days.

III. Additional Discussion.

 A. This highly complex and startlingly accurate prophecy answers Daniel’s prayer, not with reference to near history, but by giving the future of Israel in the final end of the age. God promises 2 sets of 3 accomplishments each. First, those related to sin are: 1) finish the transgression, i.e., restrain sin and Israel’s in particular in its long trend of apostasy, as in v. 11; 2) make an end of sins, i.e., to judge it with finality (cf. Heb. 9:26); and 3) make reconciliation for iniquity, signifies to furnish the actual basis of covering sin by full atonement, the blood of the crucified Messiah who is “cut off” (v. 26), which affects the first two realities (cf. the fountain, Zech. 13:1).

B. Second, those accomplishments related to righteousness are: 1) bring in . . . righteousness, the eternal righteousness of Daniel’s people in their great change from centuries of apostasy; 2) seal up vision . . . , i.e., no more revelation is needed, and God will bring these anticipations to completion by their fulfillment in Israel’s blessing as a nation; and 3) anoint the Most Holy, consecrate the Holy Place in a temple of the future that will be the center of worship in the millennial kingdom (cf. Ezek. 40–48). Clearly this must be understood to sweep to the end of Gentile power and the time of Antichrist right before Christ’s return. Summing up, the first 3 are fulfilled in principle at Christ’s first coming, in full at His return. The last 3 complete the plan at His Second Advent.

C. This period of 490 years concerns “your people,” (the Jews) “and your holy city” (Jerusalem).

IV. References.

A. Paragraph I. The verse is from the English Standard Version, and is cut and pasted from Bible Gateway.

B. Paragraph II. Things To Come, Zondervan, 1958, J. Dwight Pentecost, Th. D., pp. 242-244.

C. Paragraph III. A. MacArthur Study Bible, cut and pasted from Bible Gateway.

D. Paragraph III. B. MacArthur Study Bible, cut and pasted from Bible Gateway.

E. Paragraph III. C. Ryrie Study Bible.

The Coming Kingdom 3

Video Details

Andy WoodsAndy Woods44.9K subscribersSUBSCRIBEDDavidic Covenant. God’s covenant promises to Abraham in relation to His kingdom plan continue through David and his offspring. [1 hour 6 minutes]. In this series, we are going through Andy’s book, “The Coming Kingdom: How Kingdom Now Theology is Changing the Focus of the Church.” © Andy Woods Ministries. All rights Reserved. Power points, transcripts, and audio can be downloaded from https://slbc.org/sermon/the-coming-ki… For videos on other topics please visit Andy Woods Ministries YouTube Channel or visit the Andy Woods Ministries website: http://andywoodsministries.org/ PLEASE SHARE AND COMMENT Comments *with a URL attachment or are *longer than 2-3 sentences or have *a disrespectful tone (Colossians 4:6) may be removed.

Additional Information

  • In these, “The Coming Kingdom,” videos Andy Woods provides great insight into the literal kingdom that will come (Matt 6:10), in the depth and clarity that will cause most readers to come to an appreciation of the subject that they may have never had. I encourage you to watch these videos with great interest, and with a desire for learning God’s plan for the kingdom that will be a physical existence on earth for 1,000 years. If you have not done so, please view videos 1 and 2. This is an 84 video series of teaching sermons and lessons.
  • This video is one of a series of lessons that are provided by Dr. Andy Woods. The teaching that Dr. Woods provides will cover the whole Bible. The purpose is to show a plumb line that goes from Genesis 1:1 to Revelation 22:21. Andy has stated that the Bible is about a garden and a city, with a cross in between. Other teaching and preaching videos of Andy Woods can be obtained through FaceBook (Sugar Land Bible Church), YouTube (Andy Woods, Dr. Andy Woods Ministries, ), the link https://slbc.org/ (Sugar Land Bible Church) and Twitter. Andy’s sermons are provided each Sunday morning for people who like Sugar Land Bible Church on FaceBook, and at other times each week. Volunteers monitor comments that are made on the YouTube videos.
  • Dr. Woods has written a book that is a parallel to this teaching series. The title of the book is, “The Coming Kingdom,” by Dr. Andrew M. Woods. I encourage everyone to obtain a copy of the book.
  • Dr. Woods has an amazing resume, as he was a lawyer before entering seminary. The church of which Andy is the Senior Pastor is Sugar Land Bible Church, which is located west of Houston, Texas, in Sugar Land Texas.

Revelation 4:1-11 – Our Worship of God in Heaven.

I. Introduction.

A. Consider what it will be like for us to be in the Presence of God.

B. Have you ever wondered what you will do in Heaven? Of course, many people have no idea of the details of Heaven, e.g., where it will be, when it will be, and who will be there. Chapters 4 and 5 of the Book of Revelation, especially discuss who will be in Heaven. An understanding of Heaven, and those who will occupy it, will help us to understand who will be in Heaven during the time of Revelation, Chapters 6 through 19. As we learn more about Heaven, we will learn more about who will occupy “the eternal state of the new Heaven, new Earth, and new Jerusalem, of Revelation, Chapters 21 and 22, as the eternal state is introduced in Revelation 21:1-2.

C. In this article we will discuss the events that are recorded in Revelation 4:1-11, as to timing, events, and participants. Through this study of the Throne Room of God, we should gain an increased desire to be in constant worship of God. We should also come to understand that the primary purpose of mankind is not to lead souls to saving faith in Christ, but to glorify God, whether, inside or outside of a Church sanctuary. If we do not glorify God, soul winning can become an academic exercise, based on “how many people” may have led “how many other people” to Christ. However, whenever a soul is saved, God is glorified.

B. Overview. Revelation Chapters 4-5.

1. Chapters 4 and 5 of the Book of Revelation show the events in Heaven, preceding and during the Godly judgments of the Tribulation (Seal, Trumpet, Bowl), which will be released on earth, “by God,” through the Lamb (the Risen and Glorified Christ) and the angels of God.

(a) Rev 6:1 “Then I saw when the Lamb broke one of the seven seals.”

(b) Rev 8:6-7. “6 And the seven angels who had the seven trumpets prepared themselves to sound them. 7 The first sounded, and there came hail and fire, mixed with blood, and they were thrown to the earth; and a third of the earth was burned up, and a third of the trees were burned up, and all the green grass was burned up.”

(c) Rev 16:1, “Then I heard a loud voice from the temple, saying to the seven angels, “Go and pour out on the earth the seven bowls of the wrath of God.”…

2. We will go into greater detail of the judgments of God (Seal, Trumpet, Bowl), that will be poured out on the earth, which will affect all whom will be left behind from the “catching up” of the born again believers in Christ (Rev 3:10,”…the hour of testing, that hour which is about to come upon the whole world, to test those who dwell on the earth.” Born again believers in Christ have no need to be tested; “we” have passed the test by knowing Christ as our Lord and Savior.) The catching up of the believers in Christ is known as the rapture (English), harpazo (Greek), rapio (Latin); (John 14:2-6, 1 Corinthians 15:50-54, 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18).

C. Scripture Disussion.

1. Rev 4:1 shows John at the “door standing open in Heaven.” John could only have had access to Heaven by having been born again (John 3:3, “you must be born again”). We, also, will be caught up to Heaven (after also having been born again). This view of Heaven is the same one that is described in John 14:1-6. Consider the following verses that relate to Heaven, and to a special place “in My Father’s house” in heaven, where Christ will be taking “His” bride (the born again believers in Christ), at the time of the rapture. Think! Christ will take His bride to a place in His Father’s house that will be specially made for His redeemed of the Old and New Testament times. Let me add this thought. On the way to that specially built place in the Father’s house, the Bride will not be “brow beat” at the Judgment Seat of Christ, and will not be subjected to the Godly judgments of the Tribulation. Additionally, Scripture has no such promise for anyone, other than the redeemed in Christ, to being taken to “a specially prepared place” in “My Father’s house.” The promise is not made to the Tribulation saints; the promise is made only to those whom will be caught up in the resurrection and rapture of believers in Christ (John 14:2-6; 1 Cor 15:50-54; 1 Thes 4:13-18). The Old Testament redeemed will have already been taken to Heaven, per Ephesians 4:8.

2. John 14:2 “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.” (Christ told the disciples that He was going to prepare a place in Heaven.)

3. John 14:3 “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.” (Christ will prepare such a place in Heaven where He will His take born again believers.)

4. John 14:6 Jesus *said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father but through Me. (This verse is often related to faith in Christ as being the only way to heaven, which is true. But, the words in the verse show this to be an event of action, where Christ will take His born again believers to Heaven, and that He is the only one who can take His believers to Heaven.)

5 The Heaven that Christ describes in John 14:2-6, is the place where all raptured saints will be taken after they have been caught up by Christ. On the way to Heaven (John 14:2-3), these born again saints will be taken to the Judgment Seat of Christ where they will receive spiritual rewards (2 Cor 5:10). I like the wording of the HCSB, which also capitalizes pronouns that refer to God. This is also the place where the Old Testament saints have been taken by Christ (Ephesians 4:8).

a. 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.

b. From the Judgment Seat of Christ, we are on our way to an eternity with our Lord. On our way to Heaven (as is described in John 14:2,3), as we are taken by Christ (John 14:6), we and Christ are present at the Marriage of the Lamb.

(1) Revelation 19:7-8 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.

(2) The born again believers in Christ are the Bride of Christ, and are clothed in righteousness (no need to go through the Tribulation).

(3) 2 Corinthians 11:2 New American Standard Bible (NASB)
2 For I am jealous for you with a godly jealousy; for I betrothed you to one husband, so that to Christ I might present you as a pure virgin.

c. While the righteous Bride of Christ is present in Heaven with Christ, the following events will take place.

Revelation, Chapters 4-5 will precede the Tribulation. The “One” sitting on the throne (Rev 4:2) is God, the Father. The twenty-four elders (Rev 4:4) are the redeemed of the New Testament and Old Testament times. Tribulation Jews will not be redeemed until they call on Christ to save them at the end of the Tribulation (Psalm 118:26/Matt 23:39/Zech 12:10). The seven Spirits of God (Rev 4:5) represent the fullness of God (John 4:24, “God is Spirit;” not, “God is a spirit,” which would make Him “one of many spirits.”). The four living creatures (Rev 4:6) are angels, probably Cherubim (Ezek 10:15-20). The redeemed saints (body of Christ) will worship God (the Father), and cast “their” crowns at the feet of God (the Father), in Rev 4:9-11.

d. We will now discuss the crowns that we will “throw, or cast” at the feet of God.

(1) Will we throw “our” crowns at the feet of God, and “leave them there” or, will we pick them up, and cast them at the feet of God again? Will we have only one occurrence of such worship (Rev 4:9-11) during the seven years of tribulation, when we are in heaven, when we will “fall down before God” (vs 10), and “cast our crowns before God,” (vs 10), and say, ““Worthy are You, our Lord and our God, to receive glory and honor and power; for You created all things, and because of Your will they existed, and were created” (vs 11)? I think not.

(2) Let’s consider the crowns.

(a) 2 Cor 5:10 a, “For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, so that each one may be recompensed for his deeds in the body”

1. The Imperishable Crown – (1 Corinthians 9:24-25)
2. The Crown of Rejoicing – (1 Thessalonians 2:19)
3. The Crown of Righteousness – (2 Timothy 4:8)
4. The Crown of Glory – (1 Peter 5:4)
5. The Crown of Life – (Revelation 2:10)

(b) The crowns that we cast at the feet of God are “our crowns.” I believe that we will continue in our worship of God in Heaven throughout the entire seven year period of time of the Tribulation, and that we will repeatedly cast our crowns at the feet of God. Scripture shows that the crowns are our crowns, as follows.

(c) Rev 2:10, “I will give you the crown of life.”

(d) Rev 3:11, “hold fast what you have, so that no one will take your crown.” (Salvation can not be lost, but a crown can be (lost), 2 John 8, “Watch yourselves, that you do not lose what we have accomplished, but that you may receive a full reward.”

e. The events of Revelation, Chapters 4 and 5, take place after the rapture of the church and before the time of the Tribulation.

f. The events, that follow Revelation Chapter 5, take place during Revelation Chapters 6 through 19, which are the Tribulation’s seven years.

(1) In Matt 24:3, “the disciples came to Christ “privately,” saying, “Tell us, when will these things happen, and what will be the sign of Your coming, and of the end of the age?” (Notice that the conversation is only among Christ and His disciples; no Gentiles are present.)

(2) The events of Matthew, Chapters, 24:3-25:46, take place during Revelation, Chapters 6-19. The Ryrie Study Bible states that Matt 24:29-31 speaks of the sign of “Christ’s coming.” (second coming, mine) 25:4-28 speaks of the sign of the end of the age. Verses 4-14 list characteristics of the first half of the Tribulation period, whereas verses 15-28 deal with the second half (of the Tribulation, mine). This passage is called the Olivet discourse, which was given by Christ (a Jew), to His disciples (also Jews), about Jews in the Tribulation. For example, are we concerned about, “fleeing Judea to the mountains, and if our flight will happen on a Sabbath?” (Matt 24:16-18). Such things will be of significance to the Jews that will have been left behind from the rapture, and who will be experiencing the persecutions and judgments that will be taking place during the Tribulation.

(3) During Rev 6-19, the redeemed of the Old Testament and New Testament times will be in Heaven worshiping God. At the call of Israel to Christ to save them, (at the end of the Tribulation, Zech 12:10), Christ, His redeemed and angels, will descend to earth for the Battle of Armageddon (Rev 19:11-21), where He will stand on the Mount of Olives, and defeat the forces of the world that are attacking Israel (Zech 14:1-15) (Consider China in Rev 16:12.) The battle victory will come quickly (Rev 19:15).

(4) Christ and His believers of all times will rule and reign for 1,000 years (Rev 20:4, Tribulation resurrected martyrs); (Dan 12:1-3 and Matt 19:28, Old Testament resurrected saints); (1 Cor 6:2, Church age saints).

(5) At the end of the 1,000 years (millennium/Kingdom Age), those whom have not been born again, from all of the ages, will be cast into the lake of fire (Rev 20:15). The born again believers of all ages will enter the Eternal State of the New Heaven, New Earth and New Jerusalem (Rev 21:1-2). At this time the New Jerusalem, which has been hovering above the earth, will begin its descent to our present earth, which will have been destroyed by God.

g. A New Heaven And Earth.

2 Peter 3:10 New American Standard Bible (NASB)

10 But the day of the Lord will come like a thief, in which the heavens will pass away with a roar and the elements will be destroyed with intense heat, and the earth and its works will be burned up.

h. Considering Heaven.

(1) Three heavens are described in 1 Cor 15:40: the first heaven, “terrestrial,” is where the birds fly; the second heaven, “celestial,” is where the astronauts fly; and the third heaven, being the Presence of God, is where God “doesn’t need to fly.”

(2) The Apostle Paul described his trip to the Presence of God. In the following passage; Paul is the man.

i. Paul’s Vision Of Heaven

2 Corinthians 12:1-4 New American Standard Bible (NASB)

1 Boasting is necessary, though it is not profitable; but I will go on to visions and revelations of the Lord. 2 I know a man in Christ who fourteen years ago—whether in the body I do not know, or out of the body I do not know, God knows—such a man was caught up to the third heaven. 3 And I know how such a man—whether in the body or apart from the body I do not know, God knows— 4 was caught up into Paradise and heard inexpressible words, which a man is not permitted to speak.

j. We must not forget the place, in “my Father’s house,” that Christ promised to His bride, His born again believers.

(a) John 14:2-3 New American Standard Bible (NASB)


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.

(b) As stated above, it is in “The Father’s House” that Christ has been preparing a place for His Bride, whom are the born again believers in Christ. No such promise has been made to any other group of people in all of history. A bride is the joy of every bride groom. No loving bride groom is going to subject his bride to the persecution and judgments, as those which will take place during the Tribulation. Neither will a bride groom “stop off on the way to the wedding alter” to treat his bride with great disrespect, such as has been the teaching of many about the Judgment Seat of Christ.

k. The New Heaven will exist in the eternal state of the New Heaven, New Earth, and New Jerusalem (Rev 21:1-2).

D. Encouragement for Believers In Christ.

1. Church! We are “the Bride!” We are special! Don’t let anybody tell you anything less about your place in Christ! If we are not raptured, we can not be taken to the Marriage of the Lamb in Heaven. If we are not “raptured and taken to Heaven,” we can not return with Christ from Heaven for the Battle of Armageddon. If the church is not raptured, we will be left on earth to go through the tribulation.

2. There are many people who are saying that we are in the Tribulation, because of COVID-19. I must add this thought. During 1918-1920, an estimated 500 million people from the South Seas to the North Pole fell victim to Spanish Flu. The deaths that we are experiencing now, are minuscule, in relation to the number of deaths that occurred during the Spanish Flu.
https://www.livescience.com/worst-epidemics-and-pandemics-in-history.html

3. The Tribulation can come only after a peace treaty is made between the anti-Christ and Israel.

(a) Jeremiah 30:7, “Jacob’s distress.” The coming days of Tribulation that will come upon all Israel (Jacob) [Ryrie Study Bible].

(b) Daniel 9:24:27, vs 27, “And he will make a firm covenant with the many for one week, but in the middle of the week he will put a stop to sacrifice and grain offering; and on the wing of abominations will come one who makes desolate, even until a complete destruction, one that is decreed, is poured out on the one who makes desolate.” “he”. the anti-Christ, will make a pact with many (of the Jewish people) at the beginning of the Tribulation period. But “in the middle of the week” (i.e., 3 1/2 years later) anti-Christ will break his covenant and desecrate the Temple by demanding worship of himself in it. At Christ’s second coming, anti-Christ and his false prophet will be cast into the lake of fire (Rev 19:20). [Ryrie Study Bible]. {mine. No such pact has been made. No such temple exists.}

II. Conclusion.

A. The events of Revelation, Chapters 4 and 5, will occur after the rapture of the church occurs (Jn 14:2-6, 1 Cor 15:50-54, 1 Thes 4:13-18). The raptured church will not be on earth while the tribulation is taking place, but will be in Heaven worshiping God. We are not in the tribulation now. The anti-Christ has not made a peace treaty with Israel, which will mark the beginning of the Tribulation. Israel is not now living in peace.

B. What is necessary for a person to be present during the worship of God, as explained in Revelation, Chapter 4?

1. We must be born again. John 3:3, “unless one is born again he cannot see the kingdom of God.”

2. We must have an intimate relationship with God the Father, through God the Son, being empowered by God the Holy Spirit. John 17:3,

“This is eternal life, that they may know You, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom You have sent.”

Tribulation Prophecies And Doctrine 10 – Key Factors In Daniel’s Prophecy 2.

I. Introduction.

It is necessary to observe the major emphases in the prophecy given through Daniel. In the book, “Daniel’s Prophecy of the Seventy Weeks,” McClain summarizes the prophecy of Daniel, and is provided following paragraph, III. (Alva J. McClain, “Daniel’s Prophecy of the Seventy Weeks.”Ryrie and Rydelnik comments are also provided in this article.)

II. Scripture Text. Daniel 9:27. Christian Standard Bible.

He will make a firm covenant
with many for one week,
but in the middle of the week
he will put a stop to sacrifice and offering.
And the abomination of desolation
will be on a wing of the temple
until the decreed destruction
is poured out on the desolator.”

III. Pentecost Comments.

A. The entire prophecy has to do with Daniel’s “people,” and Daniel’s “city,” that is, the Nation of “Israel” and the city of “Jerusalem.

B. Two different princes are mentioned, who should not be confused: the first is named Messiah the Prince; and the second is described as “the prince that shall come.”

C. The entire time-period involved is exactly specified as “Seventy Weeks;” and these Seventy Weeks are further divided into three lesser periods: first, a period of “seven weeks;” after that a period of “three-score and two weeks;” and finally, a period of “one week.”

D. The beginning of the whole period of Seventy Weeks is definitely fixed at “the going forth of the commandment to restore and build Jerusalem.”

E. The end of the “seven weeks and threescore and two weeks (69 weeks) will be marked by the “appearance of Messiah as the Prince of Israel.”

F. At a later time, “after the threescore and two weeks” which follows the first seven weeks (that is, after 69 weeks), “Messiah the Prince will be cut off,” and Jerusalem will again be destroyed” by the people of another “prince” who is yet to come.

G. After these two important events, we come to the last, or Seventieth Week, the beginning of which will be marked by the establishment of a “firm covenant” or treaty between the Coming Price and the Jewish nation for a period of “one week.”

H. In the “midst” of this Seventieth Week, evidently breaking his treaty, the coming prince will suddenly “cause the Jewish” sacrifice to cease and precipitate upon this people a time of wrath and desolation lasting to the “full end” of the week.

I. With the full completion of the whole period of the Seventy Weeks, there will be ushered in a time “of great and unparalleled blessings for the nation of Israel.”

J. These blessings are: (1) finish up the transgression, (2) make an end of sins, “(3) make reconciliation for iniquity, (4) bring in everlasting righteousness, (5) seal up the vision and prophecy, and (6) anoint the most holy.

K. The six promised blessings are related to the two works of the Messiah: His death and His reign. The first thee have special reference to the sacrifice of the Messiah, which anticipates the removal of sin from the nation. The second three have special reference to the sovereignty of the Messiah, which anticipate the establishment of His reign. The “everlasting righteousness” can only refer to the millennial kingdom promised to Israel. This was the goal and expectation of all the covenants and promises given to Israel, and in its institution prophecy will be fulfilled. This kingdom can only be established when the Holy One or the Holy Place in the millennial temple is anointed. The millennium will witness the reception of the Messiah by Israel and will also witness the return of the Shekinah to the Holy of Holies. Thus, we see that the prophecy anticipates the whole work of the Messiah for Israel: He will redeem and he will reign at the expiration of time stipulated in the prophecy.

IV. Ryrie Comments.

Re: Daniel 9:27. “he.” The prince of verse 26, the Anti-Christ, previously introduced in 7:8, 24-26, who will make a pact with “many” (of the Jewish people) at the beginning of the tribulation period. But “in the middle of the week” (i.e., 3 1/2 years later), Antichrist will break the covenant and desecrate the Temple by demanding worship of himself in it. See notes on Matt 24:15 and 2 Thes 2:4. At Christ’s second coming, Antichrist and his false prophet will be cast into the lake of fire (Rev 19:20).

V. Rydelnik Comments.

Re: Daniel 9:27, “weeks.” Re: Daniel 9:24. “Seventy weeks” probably refers to 70 periods of seven years, or 490 years.

VI. References.

A. Paragraph I. “Things To Come, ” 1958, Zondervan, J. Dwight Penteost, Th. D., p. 240.

B. Paragraph II. Scripture cut and pasted from Bible Hub.

C. Paragraph III. “Things To Come, ” 1958, Zondervan, J. Dwight Penteost, Th. D., p. 240-242.

D. Paragraph IV. Ryrie Study Bible, 1986, Moody Publishers, Charles C. Ryrie, Th. D., Ph. D.

E. Paragraph V. Holman Christian Standard Bible, 2010, Holman Bible Publishers, Michael J. Rydelnik, Th. M., D. Miss.

The Coming Kingdom 2

Video Details

Andy Woods44.6K subscribersSUBSCRIBEDAn understanding of God’s covenant promises to Abraham is foundational to understanding the kingdom of God. [1 hour 4 minutes]. In this series, we are going through Andy’s book, “The Coming Kingdom: How Kingdom Now Theology is Changing the Focus of the Church.” © Andy Woods Ministries. All rights Reserved. Power points, transcripts, and audio can be downloaded from https://slbc.org/sermon/the-coming-ki… For videos on other topics please visit Andy Woods Ministries YouTube Channel or visit the Andy Woods Ministries website: http://andywoodsministries.org/ PLEASE SHARE AND COMMENT Comments *with a URL attachment or are *longer than 2-3 sentences or have *a disrespectful tone (Colossians 4:6) may be removed.

Additional Information

  • This video is the beginning of a series of lessons that are provided by Dr. Andy Woods. The teaching that Dr. Woods provides will cover the whole Bible. The purpose is to show a plumb line that goes from Genesis 1:1 to Revelation 22:21. Andy has stated that the Bible is about a garden and a city, with a cross in between. Other teaching and preaching videos of Andy Woods can be obtained through FaceBook (Sugar Land Bible Church), YouTube (Andy Woods, Dr. Andy Woods Ministries, ), the link https://slbc.org/ (Sugar Land Bible Church) and Twitter. Andy’s sermons are provided each Sunday morning for people who like Sugar Land Bible Church on FaceBook, and at other times each week. Volunteers monitor comments that are made on the YouTube videos.
  • Dr. Woods has written a book that is a parallel to this teaching series. The title of the book is, “The Coming Kingdom,” by Dr. Andrew M. Woods. I encourage everyone to obtain a copy of the book.
  • Dr. Woods has an amazing resume, as he was a lawyer before entering seminary. The church of which Andy is the Senior Pastor is Sugar Land Bible Church, which is located west of Houston, Texas, in Sugar Land Texas.

Honoring The Lord’s Sabbath

To honor the Sabbath, as being of God’s handiwork.

We met together as believers in Christ to honor the Sabbath. It was five o’clock on the evening of a Friday. I began reading God’s Holy Word.

Genesis 1:5, “Evening came and then morning: the first day.”
Genesis 1:8, “Evening came and then morning: the second day.”
Genesis 1:13, “Evening came and then morning: the third day.”
Genesis 1:19, “Evening came and then morning: the fourth day.”
Genesis 1:23, “Evening came and then morning: the fifth day.”
Genesis 1:31, “Evening came and then morning: the sixth day.”
Genesis 2:1-3, “1 So the heavens and the earth and everything in them were completed. 2 By the seventh day God completed His work that He had done, and He rested on the seventh day from all His work that He had done. 3 God blessed the seventh day and declared it holy, for on it He rested from His work of creation.”

At the beginning of this darkened Friday morning, just as it occurs each day, darkness began turning into dawn. Then, dawn turned into daylight; daylight turned into dusk; and, as we were reading God’s Holy Word, dusk began turning into darkness. In our presence, Sabbath began to grace us, and everybody else in our community. Sabbath would continue until sundown on Saturday. In our group we were experiencing a true “Shabbat Shalom,” which means in Hebrew, “sabbath of peace.”

During our time of honoring the Sabbath, we participated in a Passover meal, as described in Matthew 26:17-30. We continued with a discussion of Matthew 5:17, as our Lord said, “Do not think that I came to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I did not come to abolish but to fulfill.” The Law was fulfilled in Christ: “It is finished” (John 19:30). In Galatians 3:24, we see the purpose of the Law: “Therefore the Law has become our tutor to lead us to Christ, so that we may be justified by faith.”

During this time of of honoring the Sabbath, we discussed true worship. Our scripture text was taken from John’s Gospel, Chapter 4. We discussed the encounter of the Samaritan woman with Christ, verses 19-24., The topic was worship. The woman pointed out the differences of worship between Jews and Samaritans; she said that Jews worshiped at the temple in Jerusalem, but Samaritans worshiped elsewhere (John 4:20). So, the woman was saying, “what gives?” (mine). Our Lord gave a simple answer to the woman. The Samaritan woman had addressed times, days, and places of worship. Plain and simple, Christ said in verse 24, “God is Spirit, and those who worship Him must worship in spirit and truth.” In AD 70, the temple in Jerusalem would be destroyed, so that would take care of the “time, day, and place situation.” Christ added that true worship is that of “spirit and truth.” It is a worship that includes, “all that we are,” for “all that God is.” Note that “God is Spirit,” and not “a spirit.” If God were, “a spirit,” He would be one of many spirits, of which God is not.

Remember the words,”God blessed the seventh day, and sanctified it.” God made the seventh day. God made the seventh day holy. I choose to honor the seventh day. I try to keep every Friday free of mental conflict, and try to keep my mind on the “sure to arrive” weekly Sabbath. I cherish the time of the arrival of Friday’s sunset, as I know that a “God moment” is in the making. I consider the things of Elohim/Theos and His creation week (Genesis 1:1; Matthew 1:23; John 1:1).

https://biblehub.com/lexicon/genesis/1-1.htm
https://biblehub.com/lexicon/matthew/1-23.htm
https://biblehub.com/greek/2316.htm
https://biblehub.com/lexicon/john/1-1.htm)

I worship God for all that He has done to give us the world that we are blessed to inhabit. I thank God for Christ, Who is “God with us,” (Isaiah 7:14; Matthew 1:23). Maybe you will find your own way of honoring the Sabbath.

Revelation 4:1-4 – The Vision Of The Heavenly Throne.

I. Scripture Text.

Revelation 4:1-4New English Translation

The Amazing Scene in Heaven

1 After these things I looked, and there was a door standing open in heaven! And the first voice I had heard speaking to me like a trumpet said: “Come up here so that I can show you what must happen after these things.” 2 Immediately I was in the Spirit, and a throne was standing in heaven with someone seated on it! 3 And the one seated on it was like jasper and carnelian in appearance, and a rainbow looking like it was made of emerald encircled the throne. 4 In a circle around the throne were twenty-four other thrones, and seated on those thrones were twenty-four elders. They were dressed in white clothing and had golden crowns on their heads.

II. Discussion. The Bible Knowledge Commentary.

A. Revelation 4:1.

1. The Invitation.

a. John saw the vision of the heavenly throne after he heard the revelation of the messages to the churches. The time sequence is indicated by the expression “after this (meta tauta, in the NASB, “after these things”).

b. John saw “a door…open in heaven” and heard a voice inviting him, “Come up here, and I will show you what must take place after this.” The words, “what must take place after this,” are similar to those in 1:19, “what will take place later.” Whereas 1:19 indicates that the events will take place later, in 4:1b the Greek word “dei” is used, which means that the events “must” occur. This points not only to the future but also the sovereign purpose of God. The similarity of the two expresssions confirms the threefold chronological outline given in 1:19. Both the revelation and its fulfillment are chronologically subsequent to chapters 1-3.

B. Revelation 4:2-3.

The Heavenly Throne.

John stated that immediately “he was in the Spirit” (or “in [my] spirit”; cf. 1:10; 17:3) meaning that experientially he was taken up to heaven though his body was actually still on the island of Patmos. “In Heaven” he saw a gret “throne” with One “sitting on it” who “had the appearance of jasper and carnelian.” This jasper (cf. 21:18) is a clear stone in contrast to the opaque jasper stones known today; it may have resembled a diamond. The carnelian, also known as ruby (the NIV trans. it “ruby” in the OT), and sardius, were a ruby-red color. The jasper and the carnelian were the first and last of the 12 gemstones worn on the high priest’s breast (cf. Ex 28:17-21). Jasper and sardius were used in relation to the king of Tyre (Ezek. 28:13) and will be the foundation of the New Jerusalem (Rev. 21:19-20). The throne’s overall appearance was one of great beauty and color, enhanced by “a rainbow, resembling an emerald,” which “encircled the throne.” The green color of the emerald added further beauty to the scene.

C. Revelation 4:4.

The 24 Elders.

1. Around the principal “throne” were “24” lesser “thrones” on which were “seated … 24 elders.” “They were dressed in white” and were wearing “crowns of gold on their heads.” The crowns were similar to those given victors in Greek games (“stephanos”), in contrast with the crown of a sovereign ruler (diadema,”diadem”). The crowns seem to indicate that the elders had been judged and rewarded.

2. There has been much speculation on the identify of the elders. The two major views are (1) that they represent the church raptured prior to this time and rewarded in heaven, or (2) that they are angels who have been given large responsibilities. The number 24 is the number of representation, illustrated by in the fact that in the Law of Moses there were 24 orders of the priesthood. (For further discussion of the identity of the 24 elders, see the comments on 5:8-10, as follows: While scholars differ on this point, it would seem that since the elders are on thrones and are crowned as victors, they represent the church and Old Testament saints (Eph 48) rather than angels. Angels have not been judged and rewarded at this point in the program of God. But, angels soon join the creatures and the elders in praising the Lamb (5:11-12)).

III. Added Comments.

A. Ryrie Study Bible.

4:4. “twenty-four elders.” Some understand these to be angelic beings, though it is likely that the 24 elders represent redeemed people who are glorified, crowned, and enthroned. Angels are never said to be given crowns, though believers are (2 Tim 4:8; James 1:12; 1 Peter 5:4; Rev 2:10).

B. Scofield Study Bible.

4:4. The appearance of these elders, already glorified, crowned, and enthroned before the opening of the sealed book of judgment (ch.5) and before the end-time judgments are loosed upon the world (chs. 6-18), reaffirms that the Church is not to be subjected to the judicial wrath and judgments of that time (compare Jn. 5:24; Rom 5:9; 1 Thes 1:10; 5:1-11; Rv 3:10).

The Coming Kingdom 1

Video Details.


Andy Woods44.5K subscribersSUBSCRIBEDIntroduction to the study with examples of modern-day confusion concerning the kingdom of God. [1 hour 4 minutes]. In this series, we are going through Andy’s book, “The Coming Kingdom: How Kingdom Now Theology is Changing the Focus of the Church.” © Andy Woods Ministries. All rights Reserved. Power points, transcripts, and audio can be downloaded from https://slbc.org/sermon/the-coming-ki… For videos on other topics please visit Andy Woods Ministries YouTube Channel or visit the Andy Woods Ministries website: http://andywoodsministries.org/ PLEASE SHARE AND COMMENT Comments *with a URL attachment or are *longer than 2-3 sentences or have *a disrespectful tone (Colossians 4:6) may be removed.

Additional Information

  • This video is the beginning of a series of lessons that are provided by Dr. Andy Woods. The teaching that Dr. Woods provides will cover the whole Bible. The purpose is to show a plumb line that goes from Genesis 1:1 to Revelation 22:21. Andy has stated that the Bible is about a garden and a city, with a cross in between. Other teaching and preaching videos of Andy Woods can be obtained through FaceBook (Sugar Land Bible Church), YouTube (Andy Woods, Dr. Andy Woods Ministries, ), the link https://slbc.org/ (Sugar Land Bible Church) and Twitter. Andy’s sermons are provided each Sunday morning for people who like Sugar Land Bible Church on FaceBook, and at other times each week. Volunteers monitor comments that are made on the YouTube videos.
  • Dr. Woods has written a book that is a parallel to this teaching series. The title of the book is, “The Coming Kingdom,” by Dr. Andrew M. Woods. I encourage everyone to obtain a copy of the book.
  • Dr. Woods has an amazing resume, as he was a lawyer before entering seminary. The church of which Andy is the Senior Pastor is Sugar Land Bible Church, which is located west of Houston, Texas, in Sugar Land Texas.

Tribulation Prophecies And Doctrine 9 – The Time Of The Tribulation 1.

I. Introduction.

A. In order for us to understand the time elements of the tribulation period, it is necessary to refer to the prophecy of Daniel, where the chronology of Israel’s future history is outlined in the great prophecy of the seventy weeks (Daniel 9:24-27).

B. Notice that in the New International Version, “Seventy sevens,” is used to describe the prophetic time period of Daniel.” The New Living Translation uses “seventy sets of seven.”

Daniel 9:24-27New International Version

24 “Seventy ‘sevens’ are decreed for your people and your holy city to finish transgression, to put an end to sin, to atone for wickedness, to bring in everlasting righteousness, to seal up vision and prophecy and to anoint the Most Holy Place.

25 “Know and understand this: From the time the word goes out to restore and rebuild Jerusalem until the Anointed One, the ruler, comes, there will be seven ‘sevens,’ and sixty-two ‘sevens.’ It will be rebuilt with streets and a trench, but in times of trouble. 26 After the sixty-two ‘sevens,’ the Anointed One will be put to death and will have nothing. The people of the ruler who will come will destroy the city and the sanctuary. The end will come like a flood: War will continue until the end, and desolations have been decreed. 27 He will confirm a covenant with many for one ‘seven.’ In the middle of the ‘seven’ he will put an end to sacrifice and offering. And at the temple he will set up an abomination that causes desolation, until the end that is decreed is poured out on him.”

II. The Importance Of Daniel’s Prophecy Of The Seventy Weeks.

A. Many importances may be attached to this prophecy.

B. The literal method of interpretation of prophecy, as is provided by the following authors, provides a concrete foundation on this subject.

1. Properly interpreted, the prophecy of Daniel furnishes an excellent example of the principle that prophecy is subject to literal interpretation. Practically all expositors, however opposed to prophecy “per se,” agree that at least part of the seventy weeks of Daniel is to be interpreted literally….if the first sixty-nine weeks of Daniel were subject to liberal fulfillment, it is a powerful argument that the final seventieth week will have a similar fulfilment (John F. Woolvoord, Th. D., “Is Daniel’s Seventieth Week Future?,” January 1944).

2. The prophecy of the Seventy Weeks has an immense evidential value as a witness to the truth of Scripture. That part of the prophecy relating to the first sixty-nine weeks has already been accurately fulfilled…only an omniscent God could have foretold over five hundred years in advance the very day on which the Messiah would ride into Jerusalem and present Himself as the “Prince” of Israel (Alva J. McClain, B.D., Th. M., LL. D., D.D., Daniel’s Prophecy Of The Seventy Weeks).

3. The prophecy supports the view that the church is a mystery that was not revealed in the Old Testament.

a. The seventy weeks of Daniel, properly interpreted, demonstrates the distinct place of the Christian church and Israel in the purposes of God. The seventy weeks of Daniel are totally in reference to Israel and her relation to Gentile powers and the rejection of Israel’s Messiah. The peculiar purposes of God in calling out a people from every nation to form the church and the program of the present age are nowhere in view of this prophecy.” (John F. Woolvoord, Th. D., “Is Daniel’s Seventieth Week Future?,” January 1944).

b. Walvoord’s above statement gives supporting evidence that the church is not in Revelation four through nineteen, but must have been raptued before Israel’s program began.

c. Daniel’s prophecy gives us the divine chronology of prophecy. In the predictions of the Seventy Weeks, we have the indespensable chronological key to all New Testament prophecy. Our Lord’s great prophetical discourse recorded in Matthew and Mark fixes the time of Israel’s final and greatest trouble definitely within the days of the Seventieth Week of Daniel’s prophecy (Dan 9:27; Mt 24:15-22; Mk 13:14-20). And the greater part of the Book of Revelation is simply an expansion of Daniel’s prophecy within the chronological framework as outlined by the same Seventieth Week, which is divided into two two equal periods, each extending for 1260 days, or 42 months, or 3 1/2 years (Rev 11:2-3; 12:6, 14; 13:5). Therefore, apart from an understanding of the details of the Seventy Weeks of Daniel, all attempts to interpret New Testament prophecy, must fail in large measure (Alva J. McClain, B.D., Th. M., LL. D., D.D., Daniel’s Prophecy Of The Seventy Weeks).

III. References.

A. Scripture of Daniel 9:24-27 was pasted from Bible Gateway.

B. Paragraph I.A. Commentary, “Things To Come,” 1958, Zonderan, J. Dwight Pentecost, Th. D., pp 239.

C. Paragraph II. Commentary, “Things To Come,” 1958, Zonderan, J. Dwight Pentecost, Th. D., pp 239 240.

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