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
Monday, December 31, 2012
Friday, December 28, 2012
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
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
Friday, December 21, 2012
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
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
Tuesday, December 11, 2012
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
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
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