REVELATION Lesson 22

REVELATION

Lesson 22

Are We Living in the End Times?

Revelation 12:4   ⁴ And his tail drew the third part of the stars of heaven, and did cast them to the earth: and the dragon stood before the woman which was ready to be delivered, for to devour her child as soon as it was born.

Stars are symbols of Angels. The fact that Satan swept a third of the stars out of the sky means that he caused one third of the angels to fall. Satan’s mutiny was a tremendous rebellion involving millions of angels.

Satan has tried to destroy Jesus, or at least Jesus’ mission of dying on the cross many times. When Jesus was on the earth Satan waited for the birth of Jesus because he wanted to destroy Jesus. When Jesus was born Satan stirred the wrath of Herod, the king of Judea to have all male babies in and around Bethlehem killed.

God sent an angel to warn Jesus’ earthly father Joseph to take Mary and Jesus and flee to Egypt. At the beginning of Jesus’ ministry Satan offered Jesus the kingdom of the world if he would bow down and worship him.

Matthew 4:9-10   ⁹ And saith unto him, All these things will I give thee, if thou wilt fall down and worship me.

¹⁰ Then saith Jesus unto him, Get thee hence, Satan: for it is written, Thou shalt worship the Lord thy God, and him only shalt thou serve.

Later when Jesus told his disciples he would die, peter disagreed and Jesus answered saying to Peter, “get behind me Satan”, Satan was working through Peter to tempt Jesus to not go to the cross. This is an example of just how easy it is for Satan to deceive the flesh.

Before Jesus was crucified on the cross, he went to the garden to pray. Satan came against Jesus there with such power that God sent an angel to strengthen Jesus. Satan put Jesus under such pressure that it caused Jesus to suffer such agony and temptation that he sweat great drops of blood. Jesus loved his heavenly father so much and wanted to obey the Father and go ahead with the plan that was laid out in order to save the people of Earth. Jesus prevailed against everything the Devil threw at him.

John predicted that the tail of the beast will throw a third part of the stars “angles” to the earth. This is probably referring to the time of his power in the end time. He will eventually conquer the world at the beginning of the great tribulation.

Revelation 12:5   ⁵ And she brought forth a man child, who was to rule all nations with a rod of iron: and her child was caught up unto God, and to his throne.

The dragon is pictured as awaiting the birth of the man child to devour it as soon as it is born. This of course refers to the birth of Christ. John then recorded, she gave birth to a son, a male child, who will rule all the nations with an iron rod.

And her child was caught up to God and to His throne. Notice that Jesus will not rule the nations with love, but with a rod of iron. The world at this point is full of people who are in rebellion against God. Because they are following false teachings or religions Christ will crush this rebellion when he returns with a iron rod.

Revelation 12:6   ⁶ And the woman fled into the wilderness, where she hath a place prepared of God, that they should feed her there a thousand two hundred and threescore days.

The statement, “the woman fled into the desert to a place prepared for her by God where she might be taken care of for 1260 days” is a reference to Israel being preserved through the great tribulation.

1,260 days is the exact length of the great tribulation which will usher in the second coming of Jesus. Israel as a nation will be preserved and rescued by Christ when he comes.

Romans 11:26-27   ²⁶ And so all Israel shall be saved: as it is written, There shall come out of Si-on the Deliverer, and shall turn away ungodliness from Jacob:

²⁷ For this is my covenant unto them, when I shall take away their sins.

Revelation 12:7-8   ⁷ And there was war in heaven: Michael and his angels fought against the dragon; and the dragon fought and his angels,

⁸ And prevailed not; neither was their place found any more in heaven.

In the beginning of the great tribulation, which is the last half of the seven-year period, is Israel’s special time of trouble. It is also marked by war in Heaven. John wrote and there was a war in Heaven, Michael and his angels fought against the dragon, and the dragon (which is Satan) and his angels fought back, but the dragon was not strong enough and they lost their place in heaven.

Revelation 12:9-10   ⁹ And the great dragon was cast out, that old serpent, called the Devil, and Satan, which deceiveth the whole world: he was cast out into the earth, and his angels were cast out with him.

¹⁰ And I heard a loud voice saying in heaven, Now is come salvation, and strength, and the kingdom of our God, and the power of his Christ: for the accuser of our brethren is cast down, which accused them before our God day and night. 

The great dragon was cast down, that old serpent called the devil or Satan who leads the world astray. He was hurled to the earth from the second heaven. He and his fallen angels with him.

After being cast to Earth he controls the world government in the time period right before the second coming of Christ Jesus.

The casting of Satan to the earth also marks the beginning of the most awful period in human history. The great tribulation. John recorded the voice from heaven speaking of this event, now has come the salvation and the power and the Kingdom of our God, and the authority of His Son, Christ Jesus.

For the accuser who accuses them before our God day and night has been hurled down, and they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony. Woe to the earth and the sea because the devil has gone down to you. He is filled with his fury because he knows that his time is short.

Until the next lesson,

Stay in the word.

Brother Andy.

REVELATION LESSON 21

REVELATION
Lesson 21

ARE WE LIVING IN THE END TIMES?

Revelation 11:16-17   ¹⁶ And the four and twenty elders, which sat before God on their seats, fell upon their faces, and worshipped God,

¹⁷ Saying, We give thee thanks, O Lord God Almighty, which art, and wast, and art to come; because thou hast taken to thee thy great power, and hast reigned.

The announcement that God and Jesus will be taking over caused a tremendous reaction in heaven. From this point on Satan’s days will be drawing quickly to a close. Jesus will begin to exercise the authority over the nations that became his when he died on the cross. He will go forth to conquer the forces of evil and usher in the millennium. The twenty-four elders represent the church from Pentecost to the rapture.

Revelation 11:18   ¹⁸ And the nations were angry, and thy wrath is come, and the time of the dead, that they should be judged, and that thou shouldest give reward unto thy servants the prophets, and to the saints, and them that fear thy name, small and great; and shouldest destroy them which destroy the earth.

Satan will know his day will soon come to an end. He will stir up anger in the nations and at the same time he stirs up anger, Gods wrath will burn brighter. This will put Satan and Jesus on a collision course, Satan will unite the nations against Jesus. This conflict is referred to as the battle of Armageddon.

The nations were angry and Gods wrath has come. The time has come for judging the dead, and for rewarding your servants, the prophets and your saints: all those who reverence your name, both small and great, he will destroy those who are causing destruction on the earth.

Everyone is accountable to God. No one will escape His judgement. Even the dead will be judged, but the righteous will be rewarded before the judgement seat of Christ for reverencing the name of Jesus. The wicked will be destroyed for their unrepented sin.

Revelation 11:19   ¹⁹ And the temple of God was opened in heaven, and there was seen in his temple the ark of his testament: and there were lightnings, and voices, and thunderings, and an earthquake, and great hail.

The lightening, voices, thundering, earthquake, and great hail indicate that the scene in heaven is over and events that have to do with the affairs of men are about to be disclosed. These will be catastrophes and mounting confusion and terror that will come upon the earth. There is one thing left to discuss, how to avoid this awful period in our worlds future, it is by receiving Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior by his own personal invitation. He is waiting with open arms for you to receive Him as Lord and Savior.

Revelation 12:1-2   12 And there appeared a great wonder in heaven; a woman clothed with the sun, and the moon under her feet, and upon her head a crown of twelve stars:

² And she being with child cried, travailing in birth, and pained to be delivered.

Chapter eleven began this prophet which now continues into chapter twelve. Now we will be learning more about Israel, Jesus, Satan, the Archangel Michael and the inhabitants of the earth. Most of the bad things that happen do so because the world is caught up in a great spiritual battle between good and evil, which is sometimes referred to as the conflict of the ages.

It is a spiritual struggle between God and Satan that will intensify on earth at the end of the age of grace. Jesus clearly taught that it will be worse than anything that has happened on the earth ever before. This great struggle involves a woman, (Israel), a dragon (Satan), a child (Jesus) and the remainder of the woman’s offspring (Christians). The woman is referred to as a great wonder in Heaven. The word “wonder” literally translated from the Greed is “sign” and appearing for the first time in the book of Revelation it indicates that the woman is not to be taken literally as woman, but as a symbolic representation of something.

The woman, clothed with the sun, with the moon under her feet and a crown of twelve stars on her head says she was pregnant and cried out in pain as she was about to give birth. Seven things are presented in revelation: the woman representing Israel the dragon or Satan, the man child Jesus, Michael representing the angels. The remnant of Israel represented by the 144,000: the beast of the sea, the world dictator of the end time: the beast of the earth, a religious leader who is a false prophet and supports the world dictator.

If the predictions of this portion of Revelation are to be properly interpreted it is necessary to give close attention to the details concerning each person.

Revelation 12:3   ³ And there appeared another wonder in heaven; and behold a great red dragon, having seven heads and ten horns, and seven crowns upon his heads.

John recorded, then another sign appeared in Heaven. And enormous Red dragon with seven heads and ten horns and seven crowns on his head. This sign is called a wonder but the word wonder is not used here. Rather it is a sign in the enormous red dragon with seven heads and ten horns and seven crowns on his heads refers to the Roman Empire.

Just because Rome has sunk beneath the sands of time does not mean that the Roman Government is not in force today. In fact, Roman government today covers a vast amount of the earth’s population. Power in the hands of evil men in the form of government has given license to murders, war, famine, heartache and suffering beyond human comprehension.

This can be attributed to Satan who is using world dictators and key leaders to manipulate the affairs of mankind. the culmination of such practices will reach a climax during the tribulation period.

The dragon spoken of in the bible will have seven heads symbolizing the seven gentile world governments. It will have ten horns symbolizing the ten that will reign with him during the tribulation period. The bible teaches that these ten kings will rise to power and the antichrist will come on the scene in a unified Europe called the European nation.

This must not be taken lightly. A one world government empowered and controlled by Satan is a terrible thought. Some feel that it will make world war two look like a Sunday picnic.

A good example of how this could happen is a proposal that came before the U.N. It called for the nations to surrender their sovereignty to the U.N. The world will be divided into ten regions, the number of permanent members of the security council of U.N. will be increased to ten. One permanent member will be put over each region.

 This is the kind of thing Christians need to be on the watch for.

# 1 one world divided into ten regions with ten leaders called kings, 10 horns,10 crowns.

# 2 The antichrist takes over three regions, leaving ten kings or horns but only seven regions, or seven crowns. Assyria, Egypt, Babylon.

# 3 Antichrist takes over the whole world. He will control ten kings and seven crowns or regions. This will be the kingdom of leaders that will rule with the Antichrist at the end of the age.

Christians don’t worry. As I have said before, we will have been raptured out before most of this happens, however you need to know this. It may help you lead someone to Christ. The word promises a blessing for those who read and study the book of Revelation.

Until the next lesson,

Stay in the word.

Brother Andy.

REVELATION LESSON 20

REVELATION

LESSON 20

ARE WE LIVING IN THE END TIMES?

Revelation 11:11-12   ¹¹ And after three days and an half the spirit of life from God entered into them, and they stood upon their feet; and great fear fell upon them which saw them.

¹² And they heard a great voice from heaven saying unto them, Come up hither. And they ascended up to heaven in a cloud; and their enemies beheld them.

At the end of chapter ten, people throughout the world were enjoying a Christmas like celebration, giving and receiving gifts, because these two witnesses, preachers, of righteousness and holiness are now dead.

Vs. 11   Then suddenly the spirit of life from God entered into them and they stood upon their feet. A great fear fell upon them who saw this. Then when God called to them the people saw the cloud receive them out of sight in the face of their enemies. The resurrection of these men will be the final confirmation that they were men of God. Another illustration that God does not forget his own.

This is really an incredible scene that goes beyond human comprehension. These two witnesses are killed, lay in the street for three and a half days

television cameras or something similar will broadcast pictures around the world. No one will dare to interfere with the cameras that are focused on the bodies while the whole world celebrates.

The party of celebration continues for three days and when God steps in the party will stop.  The whole world will watch in terror as the two witnesses stand to their feet.

Vs. 13   ¹³ And the same hour was there a great earthquake, and the tenth part of the city fell, and in the earthquake were slain of men seven thousand: and the remnant were affrighted, and gave glory to the God of heaven.

When these two witnesses stand to their feet world wide panic will spread. They will still be staring at the sky as the two witness’s ascent toward heaven when the ground starts to shake. Ten percent of the buildings in Jerusalem will collapse. Killing seven thousand people, the fear of God will enter the hearts of the survivors, there will be a large earthquake.

Many will change their minds about what the two witnesses were teaching, notice how things like and earthquake can turn things to good. Many Jews will start praising God right before the antichrist desecrates the temple. This cataclysmic judgment of God upon the city of Jerusalem could be the event which triggers the revival that will sweep across Israel during the later half of the tribulation.

As the word says; this remnant was terrified and gave glory to the God of heaven. All these events take place before the third woe is sounded. This third woe sets the stage for the events of the latter half of the tribulation period.

This comes at a time when the world was given to the worship of the world leader or ruler. Even though God is allowing the terrible events of the great tribulation to take place, including the catastrophes that will overtake most of the human race, it is also evident that God is still in control and can provide a ministry of testimony to the world even under these circumstances.

Revelation 11:14-15   ¹⁴ The second woe is past; and, behold, the third woe cometh quickly.

¹⁵ And the seventh angel sounded; and there were great voices in heaven, saying, the kingdoms of this world are become the kingdoms of our Lord, and of his Christ; and he shall reign for ever and ever.

The earthquake in Jerusalem will mark the end of the second woe or the sixth trumpet. The seventh trumpet will sound soon and bring the third woe. The blowing of the seventh trumpet which brings us to the third woe does not initiate anything on earth. It is much like the breaking of the seventh seal of Revelation 8:1- it merely introduces the next series of Judgments, the seven bowls, occurring exclusively in Heaven. This scene introduces activities that project a meaning to the earth to be disclosed later. In order to understand the chronological events of this passage of scripture one should understand that immediately after this heavenly introduction to the seventh bowl, there is another lengthy passage which extends from Revelation 12:1 to 15:4.

This heavenly setting is announcing the great events that will come upon the earth. This will be awesome beyond description. It is called the “great tribulation” because it reveals the most fantastic events the world has ever known.

Revelation 11:15   ¹⁵ And the seventh angel sounded; and there were great voices in heaven, saying, the kingdoms of this world are become the kingdoms of our Lord, and of his Christ; and he shall reign for ever and ever.

At the time of the seventh trumpet the announcement from heaven is made. The kingdom our Lord and of Christ Jesus and he will reign forever and ever. The reaction in heaven describes preparation for the tremendous catastrophes which will be a part of the bowls of the wrath of God.

The seventh trumpet is close to the time of the second coming of Christ Jesus. the bowls of wrath of revelation lead immediately to the coming of Jesus. a lot of things will happen before revelation chapter 22. The world will still have a way to go.

Satan is the head of the rulers, authorities and powers prior to the seven bowls. They were organized to influence the nations to do evil. Before the tribulation period ends God and His Son Jesus will do away with them. God will take over and transform this world into a better place.

Until our next lesson,

Stay in the word, stay ready,

Brother Andy

REVELATION LESSON 19

REVELATION

LESSON 19

ARE WE LIVING IN THE END TIMES?

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

The reference to the two witnesses as being symbolized by the two olive trees and the two lampstands probably has reference of being empowered by the Holy Spirit.

Because the last seven years leading up to the second coming of Christ will be divided into two periods of 1,260 days each. There is some debate which of these two periods is in view here. The situation as described, however clearly corresponds to the great tribulation, when the holy place in the temple will be desecrated and the Jews will be under persecution.

In that time in the great tribulation where thousands have died as martyrs the two witnesses will emerge. They will not be able to kill the two witnesses, that will cause a new problem to immerge for those who are operating the world new government.

These two witnesses, obviously have unusual power, it will be comparable to the power of Elijah and some of the other prophets. They will be able to inflict plagues much as Moses did in Egypt. Because of the unusual character of these two witnesses a lot of speculation will arise as to just who they are.

The time will come when God is going to permit the witnesses to be overcome, but not before they have finished their testimony. They will be invincible. They will have supernatural powers from the word of God in their mouths. When their enemies try to harm them, their words will consume their enemies.

Their power will have unlimited power. They will be able to stop the rain from falling, turn water into blood, and smite the Earth with many different kinds of plagues. When the water turns to blood it will be unfit to drink and uninhabitable for the fish. There is no way of knowing what the other plagues they will do, but one thing is for sure this will not be the same Earth as we know it today.

Even though they will be supernaturally protected and nothing will harm them, they will be killed, the anti-Christ will hate these two witnesses. He will fail to cope with their condemnation of the world government, religion, social principles and the economic system. He will be infuriated when he hears them preaching about Jesus.

The Anti-Christ will be jealous of their number of converts. He will throw all his satanic governmental power at them. The witnesses will be overpowered and killed, but only because God allows it.

For three and one-half days their bodies will lay in the street, people from every tribe, language and nation will gaze on their dead bodies, these two prophets who had tormented them. They will refuse to bury them. The evil inhabitants of Earth will gloat over them and will celebrate by sending each other gifts.

Because of the medium of television people all over the earth will be able to see their dead bodies. Many can see things all over the world because of the satellites the media uses in real time.

This is one more indication that we are coming closes to the end of the age.  Without the satellites it would not have been possible for the entire world to witness what happens. The word tells us that all wi8ll witness it.

According to verse 10, people throughout the world will enjoy a Christmas like celebration giving and receiving gifts because these preachers of righteousness and holiness are now dead.

After three and a half days, God will put the spirit of life into them and they will stand up on their feet. Just as our Lord was crucified, died, and in three days rose from the dead so will these witnesses. The world saw these men slain, knew they laid in the street decaying for three days, they will see them resurrected hear the voice of God then a cloud will receive them out of sight.

It is no wonder that great fear fell upon them that saw the resurrection. It will be the final confirmation that they were men of God. This is yet another illustration that God does not forget his own.

Until our next lesson,

Stay ready, stay in the word,

Brother Andy

REVELATION LESSON 18

REVELATION

LESSON 18

ARE WE LIVING IN THE END TIMES?

Some people say that we all worship the same God. These people need to get their heads out of the sand. Let me give a little insight on this subject.

Muslims worship the moon god of Mecca, called Allah.

Muslims say Allah is not love, but Christians say Jehovah is love.

Muslims say Allah is not a father, Christians call Jehovah their father.

Muslims say Allah cannot be known in a personal way, but Christians say that Jehovah can be known personally.

Muslims say Allah made a covenant with Abraham to give the promise land to Ishmael’s descendants, Christians and the Jewish people say Jehovah made a covenant with Abraham to give the promise land to Isaac and his descendants.

Muslims say Jesus was created from the dust like Adam, but Christians say Jesus was born of a virgin.

Muslims say Jesus was a messenger of God, Christians say Jesus is the son of God.

Muslims say Judas Iscariot died on the cross, Christians say Jesus died on the cross.

Muslims say their sins can be forgiven but they have to kill an infidel, (non-Muslim). Christians say Jesus’ blood washed away all of our sins.

Muslims believe in a messiah called the Mahdi, Christians the messiah is Jesus.

Muslims say the messiah will be a descendant of Mohammed, Christians and the Jewish people say the messiah will be a descendant of King David.

Muslims say the messiah will reign on earth for seven years and die, Christians say the real messiah will reign on earth for one thousand years and never die.

Muslims say their messiah will conquer Israel, Christians and Jewish believe he will rescue Israel.

Muslims believe in a great war at the end of the age called the mother of all battles, Christians call it the battle of Armageddon, the Jewish people call it the battle of all battles.

Jerusalem is considered the Holy City by Christians and Jews and Muslims alike. Jews consider it Holy because their temple was located there. Muslims consider it Holy because they believe Mohammed ascended into heaven from there.

Muslims worship on Friday, Jews worship on Saturday, and Christians worship on Sunday.

The militant Muslims chant that once they get rid of the Saturday people (Jews), we will get rid of the Sunday people (Christians).

This is just a few differences of what the Muslims believe, and what the Christians, and Jews believe.

Revelation 11:2 ½    ² But the court which is without the temple leave out, and measure it not; for it is given unto the Gentiles: and the holy city shall they tread under foot forty and two months.

Revelation 11:3   ³ And I will give power unto my two witnesses, and they shall prophesy a thousand two hundred and threescore days, clothed in sackcloth.

In the old testament the mosaic Law required two witnesses to validate matters pertaining to Jewish religion. In that same way God will send two witnesses to prophesy and validate the worlds sin and blasphemy during the first half of the tribulation period.

The identities of these witnesses are unknown. The only two that I can think of that God raptured to heaven alive were Enoch and Elijah. Some think it will be Moses, but Moses died and God buried him.

Malachi 4:4   ⁴ Remember ye the law of Moses my servant, which I commanded unto him in Horeb for all Israel, with the statutes and judgments.

Elijah is in heaven, but he will return to earth as one of the two witnesses. He and the second witness will stay and prophesy for the first three and a half years of the tribulation period.

Each witness is represented by one olive tree and one lampstand. It takes these two symbols to represent one person.

To understand this passage, we need to know what these symbols mean the answer to the olive trees is found in Zechariah 4:11-14.

Zechariah 4:11-14    ¹¹ Then answered I, and said unto him, What are these two olive trees upon the right side of the candlestick and upon the left side thereof?

¹² And I answered again, and said unto him, What be these two olive branches which through the two golden pipes empty the golden oil out of themselves?

¹³ And he answered me and said, Knowest thou not what these be? And I said, No, my lord.

¹⁴ Then said he, These are the two anointed ones, that stand by the Lord of the whole earth.

The lampstands hold pots of burning oil that provide light. The two witnesses will be lampstands because they will provide light to a dark world. If you combine these two symbols each witness will be one olive tree filled with the Holy Spirit, and one lampstand giving off the light of God.

They will be two witnesses filled with the Holy spirit. Counteracting the forces of darkness in the world. This continue to show the grace of God during the tribulation period. God will go to great length to reach out to the Lost. To offer them blessings and to be their God.

Until our next lesson, 

Stay ready and stay in the word.

Brother Andy

REVELATION LESS0N 17

REVELATION

LESS0N 17

ARE WE LIVING IN THE END TIMES?

Revelation 11:1-2   11 And there was given me a reed like unto a rod: and the angel stood, saying, Rise, and measure the temple of God, and the altar, and them that worship therein.

² But the court which is without the temple leave out, and measure it not; for it is given unto the Gentiles: and the holy city shall they tread under foot forty and two months.

At the close of Chapter 10, john was commissioned to prophesy about many people, nations, tongues and kings; About the events, about the gentiles and about two particular people, called the two witnesses. More is given about the king who rules nations and the residents of heaven.

The bible speaks of four temples in Jerusalem. The first two temples, Solomon’s and Herod’s, have already been built and destroyed. The final two temples, the tribulation temple and the millennial temple are yet to be built. They are spoken of in great detail in biblical prophecy.

When God begins to close out the age, he will focus his attention on Israel and the temple. As we go over this it is good to recall the old testament prophecies, there are several passages of scripture referring to the temple in the end time.

Jesus spoke of the abomination of desolation that Daniel the prophet spoke of. Indicating that at the end of time in the middle of the tribulation period a temple would be desecrated by the anti-Christ. In order for this to be fulfilled it must first be rebuilt. Paul predicted that the anti-Christ in the middle of the tribulation would defy God by sitting in the temple of God and presenting himself to the world as God.

In order for him to do this the temple has to be rebuilt. From this we learn that Israel will become the storm center of the world during the tribulation period. The nations of the earth will gather against Jerusalem. She will be captured and half of the Jewish people will flee to exile.

This struggle over Jerusalem and the temple will trigger the second coming of Jesus Christ and the battle of Armageddon. Israel is Gods weapon of battle and he will use her to break the nations in pieces.

The struggle over Jerusalem is already underway. The Palestinian authority says Jerusalem will be the capital of their new Palestinian state. However, Israel is moving to make Jerusalem their capital.

The Jews want to build their new temple on the same site two old testament temples were built. Solomon’s and Herod’s. The preparation plans and building plans, the garments, musical instruments, the menorah and more are all prepared and ready to go.

The problem is the Palestinians want to keep this same site for their existing Al-Aqsa mosque and dome of the Rock Mosque. They indicate that moving or tearing one or both of these religious buildings down will trigger world war three.

The anti-Christ will work out a temporary peace plan. The tribulation temple will be rebuilt, but Jerusalem and the tribulation temple will be in the line of fire until the second coming of Christ Jesus.

This temple must be rebuilt before the tribulation period midpoint, because that is when the anti-Christ will defile it. So it seems somewhat clear that the temple will be rebuilt during the first half of the tribulation period.

If the Muslims could stop the Jews from rebuilding the temple on the temple mount they would. The world leaders at this time will designate it as an international site to be shared by everyone.

John was given a reed and told to measure the tribulation temple. Measure the alter and count the worshipers. This is significant because in the last days the temple and one of its two original alters will be rebuilt. The rebuilt alter was called the alter of Gold or the alter of incense.

The alter was located inside the temple. The alter that will not be rebuilt was called the bronze alter. It will not be rebuilt because it was located outside in the outer court. The gentiles will rule the outer court.

Well until the next lesson, stay in the word, be ready for what God has planned for our lives.

Brother Andy.

REVELATION LESSON 16

REVELATION

LESSON 16

ARE WE LIVING IN THE END TIMES?

Revelation 10: 5-6   ⁵ And the angel which I saw stand upon the sea and upon the earth lifted up his hand to heaven,

⁶ And sware by him that liveth for ever and ever, who created heaven, and the things that therein are, and the earth, and the things that therein are, and the sea, and the things which are therein, that there should be time no longer:

This angel will raise his hand toward heaven to swear to tell Gods truth. The angel is making an oath by the only sure guarantee, God himself because he could swear by nothing greater. God swore by himself. This angel swore by someone greater than his self.

The angel was swearing or giving oath on the authority of the Lord Jesus Christ that there should be no delay any longer. The Greek word Kronos has two meanings. Time and delay, it is obvious that time is not the exact meaning for there is time after this event. In fact, the last three and a half years of the seven-year tribulation period that follows, plus one thousand years of the millennial kingdom.

The word translated “delay” where they will be delayed no longer. We have been living under the time of Gods delay for centuries. This angel is warning mankind that God is about to conclude his patience in the face of mans rebellion against His will and that soon the final conclusion will take place.

In Revelation 6:10-11 it said, “How long O Lord, holy and true until you judge and avenge our blood on those who dwell on the earth”. Each of them was given a white robe to delay a little longer. Here in Revelation chapter ten the mighty angel will say its time to stop the delay. When the time comes for the seventh angel to sound the seventh trumpet for the third trumpet woe. It will release seven bowl judgments. This is where God will complete his plan.

It will be the answer the martyred tribulation saints have been waiting for. God will no longer delay his vengeance for their persecution and death. To the believers still on earth who have been hiding and waiting these words will mean they will no longer have to wait for God to move against the wicked. To the unbelievers on earth this will mean God is now going to fulfill his wrath with no more delay.

This message should be a word of consolation to the saved and a word of terror to the lost. In a moment the awesome final judgments of God will start falling and nothing will stop them.

Revelation 10:7   ⁷ But in the days of the voice of the seventh angel, when he shall begin to sound, the mystery of God should be finished, as he hath declared to his servants the prophets.

When Gods plan for human history is completely revealed all prophecy will be fulfilled. The mystery of God should be finished as he has declared to his servants and prophets. A mystery of God means that God is going to disclose a truth that is only possible to know in the word of God.

Jesus has now opened all seven seals and six of the angel have sounded their trumpets. The last trumpet will be seven bowl judgments. Before the seventh angel blows his trumpet, a voice from heaven will declare the mystery of God will be accomplished, just as he announced to his servants and prophets. One of Gods great secrets will unfold during the seventh trumpet judgment exactly as the prophets predicted.

The bible identifies several mysteries. One is the mystery of salvation.

Colossians 1:25-26   ²⁵ Whereof I am made a minister, according to the dispensation of God which is given to me for you, to fulfil the word of God;

²⁶ Even the mystery which hath been hid from ages and from generations, but now is made manifest to his saints:

1 Corinthians 15:51   ⁵¹ Behold, I shew you a mystery; We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed,

All of these mysteries are coming to a close. It is apparent by the fact that 42 months of the tribulation have expired when the statement is given. At this point there are only 1,260 days of mans known history left, apart from the kingdom age.

Revelation 10:8-9   ⁸ And the voice which I heard from heaven spake unto me again, and said, Go and take the little book which is open in the hand of the angel which standeth upon the sea and upon the earth.

⁹ And I went unto the angel, and said unto him, Give me the little book. And he said unto me, Take it, and eat it up; and it shall make thy belly bitter, but it shall be in thy mouth sweet as honey.

Now at this point John is more than just a hearer and writer, he must be a doer. The same voice of the seven thunders tells John to go and take the open book out of the mighty angel’s hand. This is also true for believers, serving God requires doing, not just hearing.

Since the mighty angel is pictured as standing with one foot in the sea and one foot on the land, John must no longer be in heaven. He has apparently returned to earth to take the little book. It is possible that there was no longer need for this book. It must have to do with the events that are to come upon the earth.

After John took the book, he was told to take it and eat it. Although he was warned that it would be sweet to the taste and bitter to the belly. This is a form of receiving a commission or special task from God. At this point in Johns life he was switched from being a spectator of these amazing things to being a participant in them.

Before Jesus ascended to heaven he instructed his disciples to go and preach the gospel to everyone. Christians are not saved to be waited on, they are saved to serve.

The angel tells John to take the book and eat it. This may sound strange but it is not new to the bible. Jeremiah ate the words of God and Ezekiel ate a scroll from God. The idea is that the word of God must be received into the heart. The bible will profit us little unless it becomes part of us, we must digest it, it must be brought inside of one’s self.

The instruction to eat the little book will come as the word of God is sweet to the believer but bitter to the unbeliever.

Isn’t it sweet to know that final victory is assured to the believer, but bitter to consider the plagues, pain, loss of life and eternal destiny of the lost.

It was pleasant for John to receive the message from God but painful for him to focus on the steps toward fulfillment.

Perhaps the full impact of what John experienced is a reminder to all who proclaim Gods wonderful word and speak of his coming judgement and wrath. We must speak it with a measure of sorrow and bitterness with a broken heart of the judgment and his wrath on lost souls.

Please believe this script as I write it. At the same time, I’m praying for lost souls they have no Idea what is ahead of them.

Choices have to be made, choose Jesus.

Stay in the word,

Brother Andy