Revelation 16: 1-21 (quick snap shot)

Before we get going on chapter 16, lets figure out where we are in the time line.  There have been parenthetical verses and chapter which may have caused us to "lose our way". 
So,The wrath of God in contained in the 6th seal.  (Rev 6:12-17).  This continues the 7 trumpets of the first 3 1/2 years of Daniel's 70th week.  The judgments are mentioned in the Old Testament, see Dt. 30:1-10 and mentioned in Isa. 51:23. These are the plagues that are predicted on Israel's enemies in the last days.  There have been similar plagues...the ones placed on Egypt when Moses was trying to get Gods people out of there. 

There are two things the plagues are connected to; 
One the ten plagues in Egypt and
Two, the events that followed the sounding of the seven trumpets in Rev 8:11.

The Revelation of John Vol 2 by Barclay lists these three events in order.  I would like to do the same thing here:

10 Plagues of Egypt:
1.  Water to blood
2.  Frogs
3.  Lice
4.  Flies
5.  Plague on cattle
6.  Boiles and sores
7.  Hail and thunder
8.  Locusts
9. Darkness
10.  Death of first born.

Events following the seven trumpets:
1.  Hail, fire and blood.
2.  Turning the sea blood
3.  Wormwood star falling poisoning the waters
4.  Sun and moon darkened by 1/3
5. demonic locusts from the unlocked pit
6. four angels loosed and the demonic cavalry
7.  rebellious nations and God's victory.

This Chapter: the Vials or Bowls:
1.  Ulcerous sores on men (v 2)
2.  Sea like blood (v 3)
3.  rivers and fountains becoming blood (v 4)
4.  Sun searchingly hot (v 8)
5. Darkness over the kingdom of the beast (v 10)
6.  Euphrates dries up (v 12)
7.  Horrible air pollution, thunder, earthquake, lightning and hail. (v 17-21)

The previous times, the Egypt plagues, and the post trumpet events are done to a specific area or only 1/3 destructive, some form of limitation.  The pouring out of the bowls is a complete form of destruction on God's enemies.

God is about tho save His people, this time will be the last time it happens.
What can we learn from this?  We can assume the plagues are literal, that what is described here is what is really happening.   How long they last is unknown.  The purpose is to punish the persons who are worshiping or who have taken the mark of the beast.

There is something else that came up interesting in the research.  The angles mentioned here appear to be men!.  We will see in the next chapter that John fell to the angels feet, the angel told John that he was just an "ordinary man", one of the prophets, see 19:9&10 and 22:8-9.  He is called a man again in Rev 21:17!

In addition, this is the second time the temple in Heaven is opened in Revelation.  The first time was 11:19.

We will stop here, the next blog will continue discussing chapter 16, a little more in-depth the next time!


Blessing on all,





Calabash

Revelation 15 5-8

" 5 After this I looked and in heaven the temple, that is, the tabernacle of the Testimony, was opened.

The temple or tabernacle of Testimony is mentioned several times in the book of Numbers the Old Testament.  So, it would not be the temple in Jerusalem but the ancient tabernacle.

6 Out of the temple came the seven angels with the seven plagues. They were dressed in clean, shining linen and wore golden sashes around their chests.

The angels are coming out of the tabernacle.  These are to deal out the Wrath of God.  Theses plagues are the final judgment on the remaining Earth.
The angels are in clean shining linen with golden sashes around the chest.
These are priestly dressings, the breast sash is of a High Priest.  Not only is it Priestly dress but it is royal as well. 

7 Then one of the four living creatures gave to the seven angels seven golden bowls filled with the wrath of God, who lives for ever and ever.

We first saw these living creatures in Rev 4:7.  Recall they symbolize strength, bravery, wisdom and swiftness in nature.  Considering the wrath will bring disaster to nature itself, isn't it fitting that a representative from nature would hand the bowl to a representative of God to have his purposes completed.

8 And the temple was filled with smoke from the glory of God and from his power, and no one could enter the temple until the seven plagues of the seven angels were completed.

Haven't we seen God as "smoke" before?  Yes, Isaiah 6:4, in addition, look at Exodus 40:34&5 and 1Kings 8:10&11.  When the smoke form the glory of God and from his power was in these verses, no one could enter there as well. 
? could the actual purpose of the Almighty God be invisible or fogged out for men not to see?  Or is the holiness and the glory just to much for us and our minds to comprehend?
Notice something else mentioned, that NO ONE can enter until the plagues are complete....so then we get to go in?  YEAH....why?  We really won't know that until we are at that point.  Maybe no one in prior to that point so that nothing is interfered with?...can't say.  What I do know is that time is running out.  Notice all the meanness and hatred in this world at present day.  We also see the prophecies being fulfilled right before our eyes.  The Glorious Day of His Return is getting closer and closer.  Praise God and if there is anyone you are not sure of , I urge you to be bold and step out in love, try to talk to them or get them to someone who can help!   Remember, your spirit is forever....where do you want to be when this is occurring?


Blessings on all!



Calabash

Revelation 15:1-4

1 I saw in heaven another great and marvelous sign: seven angels with the seven last plagues--last, because with them God's wrath is completed.

The seven last plagues mentioned is the final judgement and will fall upon Earth, now know as the Kingdom of the Beast.  They are the final horrors.  They will be discussed in detail in Chapter 16.

Interesting note:  The word seven is used 54 times in Revelation:

Here are the Kinds of sevens mentioned:
Churches
Spirits
Golden candlesticks
Lamps
Stars
Eyes
Horns
Thousand men
Thunders
Trumpets
Angels
Mountains
Golden vials
Last plagues
Crowns
Heads
Kingdoms (or Kings)
Seals.

http://www.biblestudy.org/bibleref/meaning-of-numbers-in-bible/7.html  This is an interesting article concerning the number 7 and some of the relevance to our Heavenly Father that you may want to glance at.   Let's just say that the number 7 is a number of "spiritual perfection" and the number 6 is the number of man.

2 And I saw what looked like a sea of glass mixed with fire and, standing beside the sea, those who had been victorious over the beast and his image and over the number of his name. They held harps given them by God 3 and sang the song of Moses the servant of God and the song of the Lamb: "Great and marvelous are your deeds, Lord God Almighty. Just and true are your ways, King of the ages.4 Who will not fear you, O Lord, and bring glory to your name? For you alone are holy. All nations will come and worship before you, for your righteous acts have been revealed."

We are going into the 6th parenthetical passage in the book of Revelation. (vs 2-4).  What we are viewing is a scene in Heaven.  The sea of glass was in chapter 4:6, this time there is fire mixed in.  Fire in Scripture is often a symbol of judgement.  In this case the judgement that will put upon the Earth.

But, who are these saints with the harps singing?  The songs may give us a clue.  The Song of Moses is one of triumph over Pharaoh and his armies from Exodus.  The song of the Lamb is a song of redemption.  These are those who have been raised from the dead and ruptured in the tribulation.  They were faithful to God on the Earth, and because of their faithfulness and the witness bearing, they were martyred.  They are singing the Glory To God and to our Lord. 

Now, look at the song.  Notice it is composed of quotations from the old Testament. In addition, the song is only about God, not anything the martyrs did...Only God!





Blessing on all!


Calabash









Ref:

The Dakes Annotated Reference Bible
Lectures on the Revelation; Ironside
The Revelation of John Vol 1 & 2 Barclay

Revelation 14:19 & 20

 Rev 14:19 The angel swung his sickle on the earth, gathered its grapes and threw them into the great wine press of God's wrath. 20 They were trampled in the wine press outside the city, and blood flowed out of the press, rising as high as the horses' bridles for a distance of 1,600 stadia.


As I had mentioned the last blog, we find Christ and an angel swinging a sickle, a long blade, what the "Grim Reaper" uses.  It is utilized to cut long shafts of wheat, long sweeping strokes to cut down several at a time.  Then when the wheat is down, you separate the wheat (good product) from the chaff or the shell (bad portion)  The chaff is usually left behind or burned.

Christ is had a sharp sickle and went first.  This is a picture of judgment.  Christ is releasing his harvest from the current circumstances.  We are seeing a separation of good and evil.  This was the final end of the age that Christ declared.  Everything that God has seem worthy will be claimed for God.  Notice it is Christ on the cloud directing the angels to do the work but it is Christ who will be the judge.  He will judge the world that crucified Him.  Those who turned their lives over to Christ and followed Him will be gathered, those who did not, will be judged.

The wine press here is God's Wrath.  The good grapes were off the vine of Christ. The rest was trampled and placed in the press.  It is said the vine of Christ will be replanted in Palestine.  That the Jews are going back to their own land.  This is the fulfillment of Scripture.  But if they remain the "vine of the Earth" and not of Christ, they will face judgement.  The amount of the 1,600 stadis equals about 184 miles.  This may actually be the length of the new land of Palestine.  The visual here is that the blood will drench the land up the height of a horses bridle.  Possible?  ALL THINGS ARE POSSIBLE WITH GOD!!!

I need to take a minute and remind us all that the Jews (and non believers of Christ) are bringing judgement on themselves.

Do not let your spirit be unchanged.  Don't do it for the "fear factor" do it for the promises of God and the love, protection,hope and joy that can be found on a daily basis with Christ in your life.

Chapter 15 next!


Blessings on all till next time,

Calabash

Revelation 14:13-18

Before we go on I feel I need to mention that there is controversy with the third angel.  The Seventh-Day Adventist have a different interpretation about the message of the third angel.  They believe that the message from the angel is the Sabbath message and the we should worship the Beast and receive the mark in recognition of the holiness of the first day of the week. (vs 9) However in verse 10 & 11 there is talk of the torment that will ensue with the taking the mark and worshipping of the Beast.  It appears they think that this is the judgment will come to an end.  But when you read on, it appears to be different. NEVER does the reading of the Holy Bible refer to our Heavenly Father with such a word as Beast.  Please feel free to dive into this and reach your own conclusion but as for me, I will continue on with the line of thought that it is a pronouncement of what is going to happen if you do worship the Beast and take the mark.  And taking that mark will NOT be to glorify God.



Rev14:13And I heard a voice from heaven saying, "Write this: Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord from now on." "Blessed indeed," says the Spirit, "that they may rest from their labors, for their deeds follow them!" 

  From here on out, the times will continue to be really tough, the darkest part is yet to come.  Especially for those who are believers in Christ.  What this verse is saying is that it would be better for you to die now while your faith is strong than to  live through this and enter the Earthly kingdom after the Great Tribulation is done.  If you were to die now, in this time of the Tribulation, strong in your faith in Christ, you would go to your place in the Heavenly Kingdom and get a much needed rest!

What does the angel mean by labors, and deeds?  If we cannot enter the Kingdom of Heaven by works alone, then why mention works here?  The word deeds used here is a word meaning, character.   When you pass, your character is all you will have, just your true "self".

Rev 14:14Then I looked, and behold, a white cloud, and seated on the cloud one like a son of man, with a golden crown on his head, and a sharp sickle in his hand.

Here is the words of the final judgment.  Here is the Son of Man raping and he will direct the next angels to reap as well.  All judgment is for the Son who died on the cross on Calvary for us.

Rev 14:15And another angel came out of the temple, calling with a loud voice to him who sat on the cloud, "Put in your sickle, and reap, for the hour to reap has come, for the harvest of the earth is fully ripe."

The sickle reaping in verse 15 is a symbolic picture of the battle of Armageddon.

We are reading about the just being gathered, and leaving the wicked, see below.

Rev 14:16So he who sat on the cloud swung his sickle across the earth, and the earth was reaped. 17Then another angel came out of the temple in heaven, and he too had a sharp sickle. 18And another angel came out from the altar, the angel who has authority over the fire, and he called with a loud voice to the one who had the sharp sickle, "Put in your sickle and gather the clusters from the vine of the earth, for its grapes are ripe."

The angel coming out from the alter may be Moses alter built for the tabernacle and the fire may be of the altar to minister at in Rev 8:3-5.

The final words in verse 18 are a second picture of the battle of Armageddon.

Lets stop here, the next blog we will discuss the actuial reaping of the Son of Man verses the reaping the angels are doing.

Blessing on all till next time,

Calabash

Revelation 14:8-12

Rev 14:8Another angel, a second, followed, saying, "Fallen, fallen is Babylon the great, she who made all nations drink the wine of the passion of her sexual immorality." 9And another angel, a third, followed them, saying with a loud voice, "If anyone worships the beast and its image and receives a mark on his forehead or on his hand, 10he also will drink the wine of God's wrath, poured full strength into the cup of his anger, and he will be tormented with fire and sulfur in the presence of the holy angels and in the presence of the Lamb. 11And the smoke of their torment goes up forever and ever, and they have no rest, day or night, these worshipers of the beast and its image, and whoever receives the mark of its name." 12Here is a call for the endurance of the saints, those who keep the commandments of God and their faith in Jesus.

Remember last blog, the first angel, he preached the everlasting gospel.  He is close enough to earth to be seen and heard by the remaining people.  This is occurring during the last 3 1/2 years.  The message is the same as what we have now with one exception...the hour of God's judgment will be announced at this time.

Now here is the second of three angels.  His job is to announce the falling of Babylon.  Barclay in his book, The Revelation of John vol 2, says that Babylon is actually Rome, and Rome was the seat of all things immoral that a man could do, purchase, or act on.  My honest opinion, I believe it is the lifestyle of our country today.  Stop, look around, be nervous of what you may find, how far we have fallen and consider what God may think of our lifestyles we allow.  Some of the immorality (sexual or otherwise) comes right into our homes through our computers, televisions, & our radios.  We talk about it at our work places and we see it on the streets.  We need to stand fast in our faith and endure, we need to testify and help as many as we can, before it's the second angel himself, in person warning them.

The third angel in verse 9, well, what can I say, it pretty much is in a plain enough language.  It is straight forward and honest.  Those who take the mark or worship the beast will feel God's full wrath!  It is telling those who believe in God, Christ and the Holy Ghost MUST endure, stand firm, do not sway, keep those commandments!

As we start this holiday season, make it your mission to testify to someone, to show Christ in your everyday life, to stop thinking of yourself.  Put Christ and others first!  Make this our motto and LIVE it!

Blessings on all till next time,

Calabash

Revelation 14:2-7

Rev 14:2 And I heard a sound from heaven like the roar of rushing waters and like a loud peal of thunder. The sound I heard was like that of harpists playing their harps. 3 And they sang a new song before the throne and before the four living creatures and the elders. No one could learn the song except the 144,000 who had been redeemed from the earth. 4 These are those who did not defile themselves with women, for they kept themselves pure. They follow the Lamb wherever he goes. They were purchased from among men and offered as first fruits to God and the Lamb. 5 No lie was found in their mouths; they are blameless. 6 Then I saw another angel flying in midair, and he had the eternal gospel to proclaim to those who live on the earth--to every nation, tribe, language and people. 7 He said in a loud voice, "Fear God and give him glory, because the hour of his judgment has come. Worship him who made the heavens, the earth, the sea and the springs of water."





The sound descried here is the voice of God.  Read it, "roar of rushing waters"; loud thunder; harpist playing their harps.  Description of power, of  a sound like no other, and gentleness.

Verse 3:  When your in a certain "club" or you have a certain profession, there are things only you know.  As a woman, I know things my husband will never experience and the same for him.  There are things I will never know about being a male.  As a nurse, there are things I can do and learn that would not make sense to a cashier.  This is how it was for the 144,000, they were an elite group that experienced many things.  One if which was this song because they had passed through experiences we have not, and will not because we are already God's kids!  Remember, they were not.  They went through some suffering and had stayed loyal.

Verse 4:  We are being taught who and what these people represent.  This first part of the statement describes the purity of the people who are with Christ.  They are pure.  It does not mean they abstained from sex, it says they are virgins, meaning they have never experienced sex.
look back in the Old Testament  where there is talk of the Israelites.  I t speaks of them "a whoring after other gods".  Now look at this passage, it is not written metaphorically, so it is not meaning spiritually.
Those days after the Church was taken was so horrible, so defiled, so deviant.  There was uncleanness, sexual immorally, killing, swearing, filthiness, stealing, etc. if you can imagine it, it happened, and many things I hope you cannot imagine...sin abounding.  And these people abstained from it all.  These people followed the Lamb of God.  these were to be the first fruits of the new kingdom age.


THE THREE ANGELS

Verse 6 tells of John seeing an angel.  This angel is preaching the gospel to everyone on Earth.  In Mathew 24:14 And this gospel of the kingdom will be preached in the whole world as a testimony to all nations, and then the end will come.   This is the fulfillment of this prophecy.
Notice the word "eternal", some versions use the word "everlasting".  This is saying that even in these conditions, the Word is still true, still valid. 
In Romans 16:25 Now to him who is able to establish you by my gospel and the proclamation of Jesus Christ, according to the revelation of the mystery hidden for long ages past,.   This could be the "mystery hidden", that the Gospel is the eternal, everlasting purpose of our God for man?  We will find out, someday.



We will save the next two angels for the next blogg.

Blessings on all till next time,

Calabash

Revelation 13:18.....666 and Rev 14:1

Rev 13:18This calls for wisdom: let the one who has understanding calculate the number of the beast, for it is the number of a man, and his number is 666. 14:1Then I looked, and behold, on Mount Zion stood the Lamb, and with him 144,000 who had his name and his Father's name written on their foreheads.



Let's talk about 666, and marks:

Those who had chosen to worship Caesar, there was a mark placed on their right hand or forehead, so the concept is not unfamiliar.  

We also know that when the Jews prayed they wore phylacteries on their foreheads or left arm.  These are leather pieces with little scrolls of paper inside them which have Bible passages on them.

Soldiers branded themselves with the name of their general to show their allegiance to him.

Slaves were sometimes (usually in a runaway, caught situation) branded with a mark of their owner.

We even see it today with persons tattooing names of their loved ones on their own body.

What we know:
Charagma is the word for the mark of the beast.  It would mean that a person would get this mark only at the cost of denying Christ.

We get from the passage that it will be a literal mark on the right hand or forehead.

It is not stated what the name will be but, there have been many attempts to figure it out.  Most have been chooses solely on the idea that the Greek translation would cause the name to equal 666.  I.e.: Hitler, Stalin, Mussolini...etc.  The idea is that in the Greek and Hebrew alphabets there is not a separation of letters and numbers.  the alphabets stand for numbers.  Therefore, add the letters and 666 appear on some of the names.  This is truly human speculation and have no Biblical backing.

Remember, he will not appear until after the church is ruptured and there is the formation of the 10 kingdoms.

Interesting fact is that six is the number of man, and  the number three is of manifestation.   So, three sixes  is the full manifestation of man....His last attempt at to be a God?

There is a significance to taking a mark, it could mean:
1.  Ownership, whom would you want to belong to?
2.  Loyalty, as in the slave or the general mentioned above.
3.  Security or Safety, in pas times, a mark could mean you are related to someone of importance and to mess with you would mean to mess with that person as well.  Again I ask, who would you want security from?
4.  Dependence, total and complete, for food , water, shelter, money etc.  Arabic culture did this to show who was responsible for whom.  We today do this to a lesser degree with our pets, we put a chip under their skin to inform the person who found them where the animal lives and who is responsible for it.

There have been many many guesses to who this man of 666 may be but, I myself will not be around to see it! I pray that you will not be either!  Wisdom is to turn your life over to Christ and don't sweat the numbers!


Another post soon,

Until next time,

Blessings on all!


Calabash

Revelation 13 :11-18

Rev 13: 11 Then I saw another beast, coming out of the earth. He had two horns like a lamb, but he spoke like a dragon. 12 He exercised all the authority of the first beast on his behalf, and made the earth and its inhabitants worship the first beast, whose fatal wound had been healed. 13 And he performed great and miraculous signs, even causing fire to come down from heaven to earth in full view of men. 14 Because of the signs he was given power to do on behalf of the first beast, he deceived the inhabitants of the earth. He ordered them to set up an image in honor of the beast who was wounded by the sword and yet lived. 15 He was given power to give breath to the image of the first beast, so that it could speak and cause all who refused to worship the image to be killed. 16 He also forced everyone, small and great, rich and poor, free and slave, to receive a mark on his right hand or on his forehead, 17 so that no one could buy or sell unless he had the mark, which is the name of the beast or the number of his name. 18 This calls for wisdom. If anyone has insight, let him calculate the number of the beast, for it is man's number. His number is 666.

Last blog we mentioned there might be an "un-holy or satanic trinity".  If this is the cast, the Dragon, the Beast and the False Prophet would be our three players.
The Dragon we mentioned was thrown down from Heaven and is Satan (the Anti-God).  The Beast, the son of the Dragon, who appears on earth, dies (remember, it may not be a physical death), is resurrected, and given power by Satan. and the False Prophet (will speak of in chapters to come). 
Turn to Daniel 11:36-45.  Here we find a really good description of the Anti-Christ. We read he will arise in Jerusalem, be an atheist ("he shall not regard the God of his fathers" (God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob), and become a Jew.  He would have to become a Jew or he would have no claim to Israel.  This guy will not honor God or any supernatural god, until eventually the man to come. (come into power, the first beast).
If this Beast is the son of the Dragon, it would make him the Anti-Christ.  This would mean it would be similar things that would coincide with our Holy Christ:
1.  It would also be a man.  Personal pronouns are used, like "he", to describe this beast.
2.  "Coming up out of the earth." Both of the last two beast mentioned will be natural men born in the last days.  This will fulfill prophesy of Dan. 7:11, Isa 11:4 and 2 The 2:8.
3.  This Beast will arrive after the first beast mentioned and will act as the first beast prophet. (Rev 13:13; 19:20; 20:10)
4.  The mentioning of the "like a lamb".  Now think here.  Whom else do we refer to as "a lamb".   That's right!  This beast will have some Christ like appearance or mannerisms. Be meek and have strength.  But, he will be known by his words..."Spoke like a dragon"!
5.  This guy has all the authority of the first beast.  He is the first beasts' cheer section, his promotion posse, his PR firm and will convince people to worship the first beast.
6.  Verse 13 says he can do miracles, this will help in the deception of men.
7.  With all the signs and miracles, it will be easy to convince men to make idols of the first beast. (verse 14)
8.  He will be able to convince men to make a image of the first beast and then give it live and cause it to speak and to bring death to those who do not worship this Antichrist.
9.  There will be a mark that will be forced upon those who belong to the kingdom of the Antichrist. Either on the forehead or the hand.  The mark will be the number of his name.  This is where the 666 comes from.
10.  People who do not get the mark, will not be able to buy, trade or sell.

This is much information that will be talked about further as we read more of the Book of Revelation.  I will stop here for now.
Remember this will happen AFTER the church is taken.  You do not have to go through this, you can live a better life NOW.  Contact me or a church to turn your life over to Christ.  He loves you and wants the best for you, not this, not what is described here.  It is truly as easy as ABC !...Admit you need Christ, Believe He died and rose again and Confess Him to be your personal Savior!  DONE !  Hang with people who believe in The Holy Bible and strengthen one another with God, Christ and the Holy Spirit in your new life to guide you.


Blessings on all till next time,


Calabash

Revelation 13:7-10

Rev 13:7 He was given power to make war against the saints and to conquer them. And he was given authority over every tribe, people, language and nation. 8 All inhabitants of the earth will worship the beast--all whose names have not been written in the book of life belonging to the Lamb that was slain from the creation of the world. 9 He who has an ear, let him hear. 10 If anyone is to go into captivity, into captivity he will go. If anyone is to be killed with the sword, with the sword he will be killed. This calls for patient endurance and faithfulness on the part of the saints.


We see here that the Book of Life is mentioned and it is mentioned several times in Revelation, Chapters 3, 13,17,20(x2) and 21.  This many mentions, it must be important!!  In addition, it is mentioned in Psalm 69 and Philip 4.   Those names that are in the book are a register of who belongs to God!   Is your name there?  I pray so!  Those that are written in, the Lord will watch over them but, they will be in with a huge group of heathen persons, there will be little to no retreat or sanctuary for them they will most likely be martyred.  Those belonging to God will have to endure, it will take great faithfulness to get through this.  Remember, there will be no Holy Spirit to be with us THEM in this time. 

You see friend, the book of Revelation is our warning, it is not meant to scare us, it is there to encourage us  to keep the faith, to know the promises of God are YES and AMEN for those who believe in Christ Jesus.  There is a new Kingdom coming, one of our King and Saviour!  He is there for us and will prevent us from going through any of this!

Verse 10 refers to those who are in the Book of Life, there will be no escape of God's wrath.  This passage has a connection in the Old Testament, see Jeremiah 15:2.  This was a warning from Jeremiah to tell his people what will be happening.  Here, we see, if being a Christian means dying by the sword, we will, if it means prison, we will be there, if it means following Christ, we will do it!

Being a Christian we, have our weapons.  Steadfastness means hupomone which translates to, not just passively accepting, but courageously accepting what is happening.  Loyalty means pistis translated meaning is never wavering in devotion!  Praise God he gives us such strength!


The next chapter introduces us to yet another beast so, I will end here and pray for wisdom to all who are reading this that you may glean what is necessary!  Please remember, this is a public blog, feel free to write to me if you need assistance.  Plus, you are free to share this with someone who you may have concerns about, we want as many with us as possible to enter God's coming Kingdom!  Amen!


Till next blog,


Calabash

Revelation 13:3-6

3One of its heads seemed to have a mortal wound, but its mortal wound was healed, and the whole earth marveled as they followed the beast.4And they worshiped the dragon, for he had given his authority to the beast, and they worshiped the beast, saying, "Who is like the beast, and who can fight against it?" 5And the beast was given a mouth uttering haughty and blasphemous words, and it was allowed to exercise authority for forty-two months. 6It opened its mouth to utter blasphemies against God, blaspheming his name and his dwelling, that is, those who dwell in heaven.

There is a book that is out of circulation called, "The Greatest Book on Dispensational Truth in the World", it is by Clarence Larkin.  Mr. Larkin describes a "satanic trinity" where he reminds us that Satan is the god of this world, 2Cor 4:4.  Many times Satan tries to mimic or ape the actions of God.  

So, as God sent his son Jesus; Satan send a Antichrist into this world. 
As God is part of Christ;  Satan will be part of his Antichrist. 
See 1 Tim 3:16 God in the "flesh";  Now see 2 Thess.2:7, Satan will manifest in the "flesh".
Christ has a Church;  Now remember in Revelation 2:9 and 3:9 where it mentions "Synagogue of Satan", that will be his church.
Christ has a bride, The Church;  Satan will have a bride too, see Rev 17:1-16.

We take Communion with Christ with the cup, 1 Cor. 10:16:  Now see 1 Cor 10:21 The cup of the Antichrist, "Cup of Devils"

Christ's earthly ministry lasted 3.5 yrs; Satan's will last the same.

Christ was placed on the cross at 33 years old;  Antichrist will fe smitten at 33.      

The Holy Trinity:

God The Father

Christ the Son

and The Holy Spirit (with us now)

Satanic Trinity:

The Dragon- The Anti-god Recall Rev. 12:7-17 where the dragon was cast out.

The Beast- The Anti-Christ

The False Prophet- The Anti-Spirit.

This is all on page 123 of the book mentioned above.  I found my copy on line, Amazon,  if your interested.  (Good book, highly recommend for Revelation studies.)  

Here we are talking about the Beast, the Anti-Christ.  Notice one of the heads have a mortal wound, and the wound was healed.  The entire beast didn't die and was resurrected, one of the heads was.  Theory here, is that Rome had 5 distinct forms of government before John's time.  In John's time there was a sixth, it was the Imperial style.  This form was completely destroyed or, the "heads seem to have a mortal wound,".  It may be restored but, in a different condition, making it a 7th head.  There will be 10 nations banding together and will have one of the heads as the leader, this man will be "The Beast.  This man will exercise his authority so completely that people will be amazed and  and thrilled and accepting of this ruler.  Feeling that he has their best intentions in mind.  In a word, he was worshiped...It is difficult here, they will worship the Beast but know it is the Dragon that gives the Beast his power.

This man, beast, will be attractive, charismatic, intelligent, he will have great ability and will have the final say on so many issues, including religion.  Read above, verse 5 and 6, he will blaspheme God and say things against God.   He will be given this power for 42 months.

I hope this is not to difficult to follow, it is a difficult point in the book.  This should be enough for tonight!

Blessings on All!

Calabash

                         

Revelation 13:1 & 2

1And I saw a beast rising out of the sea, with ten horns and seven heads, with ten diadems on its horns and blasphemous names on its heads. 2And the beast that I saw was like a leopard; its feet were like a bears, and its mouth was like a lion's mouth. And to it the dragon gave his power and his throne and great authority. 

Notice we are brought back to the realization of who is telling the story- "I" saw- reminds us that John is receiving this vision from God.

Chapter 13 talks about what happens when Satan is thrown out of Heaven.  He is aware that time is short and that he needs to do the most damage he can in the time he has.  So, he enlist some assistance from his minions.  We will find the mention of two beast in chapter 13.  

Verse one talks of a beast rising out of the sea.  The sea here is the sea of Humanity.  We will find the proof of that in Daniel 7: "24As for the ten horns, out of this kingdom ten kings shall arise, and another shall arise after them; he shall be different from the former ones, and shall put down three kings." 

One theory of the horns and heads:
The 7 horns and the ten heads are the rulers and the emperors of Rome since the first emperor, Augustus:

1.  Tiberius

2.  Caligula

3.  Claudius

4.  Nero

5.  Vespasian

6. Titus

7.  Domitian

The 10 horns:  after the death of Nero, there was chaos.  There were 3 rulers for a short period of time: Galba, Otho, and Vitellius.

The scripture says the names on its heads are blasphemous.  The titles the emperors took are called divus or sebastos meaning divine.  On Nero's coins was actually written "The Saviour of the World".

 Later emperors took titles as dominos or kurios which means lord.

The 10 horns could also be symbolic of the 10 kingdoms which are not yet formed but, will be formed inside the Old Roman Empire.  See Dan.7:23-24

 Daniel's fourth beast was compared to this beast and found that it was the fourth kingdom upon the earth, the Roman Empire.  John's beast represents the revived Roman Empire which will embody all the characteristics of all four of the world empires.  

Lets look at the description:

John's Beast:                    Daniel's Fourth Beast:

Out of the sea                   Out of sea                                  (our of the sea of humanity-from the nations)

Leopard body                    Dreadful and terrible

feat of Bear                      Exceedingly strong

Mouth of Lion                   Great Iron Teeth and nails of brass

Note: The Book of Daniel also mentions "three wild beasts" prior to this one.  That is of the Lion (Bablyon) Dan 7:1-4, the Bear (Medo-Persia) Dan 7:5, and the Leopard (Greece)Dan 7:6.

Back to the beasts:

Both beasts have 10 horns.  In both situations, the 10 horns stand for the 10 kings.  We will see in chapter 17 that the Roman Empire will be divided into 10 separate kingdoms, each will have a Head or King.

More about this first beast in Revelation:

He will become the ruler of the territory of the 7 kingdoms.

The majority of the literature out there agrees that this beast will become the ruler of the 10 kingdoms that have not yet been formed.  

The beast is also a man, in the verse it refers to the beast as "his".

He will have power and authority given to him by the dragon.  So, Satan is giving this beast power.

We will find out what this beast is going to accomplish as we go on through Revelation...don't want to jump to far ahead. 

This is a great place to stop!!  

Next time we will discuss the Wounded head.