1 After these things I heard a loud voice of a great multitude in heaven, saying, "Alleluia! Salvation and glory and honor and power belong to the Lord our God! 2 For true and righteous are His judgments, because He has judged the great harlot who corrupted the earth with her fornication; and He has avenged on her the blood of His servants shed by her." 3 Again they said, "Alleluia! Her smoke rises up forever and ever!" 4 And the twenty-four elders and the four living creatures fell down and worshiped God who sat on the throne, saying, "Amen! Alleluia!" 5 Then a voice came from the throne, saying, "Praise our God, all you His servants and those who fear Him, both small and great!" 6 And I heard, as it were, the voice of a great multitude, as the sound of many waters and as the sound of mighty thunderings, saying, "Alleluia! For the Lord God Omnipotent reigns! 7 Let us be glad and rejoice and give Him glory, for the marriage of the Lamb has come, and His wife has made herself ready." 8 And to her it was granted to be arrayed in fine linen, clean and bright, for the fine linen is the righteous acts of the saints. 9 Then he said to me, "Write: 'Blessed are those who are called to the marriage supper of the Lamb!' " And he said to me, "These are the true sayings of God."
We have seen a great multitude in Heaven shouting before in Revelation, one in Chapter 5, the angels and then in chapter 7, the martyrs. The word Hallelujah or Alleluia means Praise God. The original version of the Bible, Hallelujah only appears here in the Book of Revelation. The multitude are praising God because the woman has been defeated, the religious system, and the city have been judged and destroyed. Judged because she corrupted the world and sins will be judged, all sin will be judged.
The mentioning of the smoke rising up for ever and ever is interesting. For it to continually to produce smoke, would mean it will never have a chance to recuperate. Thus, it will never heal and rebuild, it will never rise up again.
"For ever and ever" is mentioned in Revelation 6 times:
1. The saints reigning.
2. Torment of the wicked! (YIKES)
3. The smoke as mentioned here
4. God and Christ reigning.
5. God living. (We know this)
6. Worship of God and the Lamb.
Notice we have yet not heard about the wedding or the wedding supper of the Lamb until now. This mentioning of the wedding negates the theory that the wedding supper will take place in the air after Christ raptures the saints. Which means the saints will spend the 7 years, during the tribulation, in heaven with Christ immediately after the rapture and before the wedding supper of the Lamb.
The twenty-four elders we had talked about in past blogs as well as the four living creatures. Their singing represents the entire Church and the whole of nature worshiping God. A beautiful picture!
Then there is a call to the servants to praise God. Who are the servants? In Revelation there were two kinds of people who are called servants, the prophets seen in Chapter 10:7 Chapter 11:18 and Chapter 22:6, and the martyrs, seen in Chapter 7:3, and Chapter 19:2. The prophets and the martyrs are those who have witnessed for God. The prophets with their voices, the martyrs with their lives. The small and the great is probably those Christians who are not prophets and/or martyrs, and yet, we are still called.
Then, there is the final shout of praise in verse 6.
Following is the marriage of the Lamb to his bride. The actual union of Jesus Christ and his Church. Why a "marriage"? It has always seemed strange to me to be "married" to Christ but, Barclay in his book, The Revelation of John; volume 2, brings out 5 points and the basis of a marriage which brings better understand to the word.
1. It is a relationship between the Christian and Christ.
2. There is love.
3. There is an intimate communion.
4. There is joy
5. There is fidelity.
Verse 7 mentions the "bride or wife" has made herself ready. Who or what is the bride? The bride is the Holy city or the New Jerusalem. so, if this is the bride then, all who go to New Jerusalem will be the bride.
Specifically:
1. The Old Testiment saints. See Heb 11:10-16
2. The early church. See Heb 13:14
3. All Christians See Rev. 3:12 and Heb. 12:23
4. The 144,000 See Rev chs 7, 12, 14
5. The tribulation saints See Rev chs 6,7,15,20
(these all have been mentioned in the blogs)
It will include all of these to make the bride, not just one group of people. So, by this definition, "the Church" is not the bride completely, it includes all those mentioned in the New Jerusalem, all 5 of those mentioned above. Amen and Hallelujah!
Verse 8 the mention of the fine linen, white as contrasted to the red and gold of the whore. The mention of the righteousness of the saints leads credit to the fact that the bride is made up of the saints of ALL ages from Abel to the very last one in the first resurrection or all who will live in New Jerusalem.
In verse 9, we are all called to the marriage supper, all who are a part of New Jerusalem are to partake. We do not know much about the feast, it is only mentioned here in verse 7 and verse 9.
Matthew 22 and 25 are parables of a marriage feast and is not connected to the feast mentioned in Revelation. These parables are used to teach, using a common event that people can associate with to understand the concept. There is some question concerning Psalms 45 and the queen mentioned there being the bride. But, it is clear that it is an earthly king which is being married there. In addition, the church is never called a queen.
Blessing and Peace be on you all,
Calabash
References:
The Dake's Annotated Reference Bible
The Revelation of John Vol 1&2; Wm Barclay
Lectures on Revelation; Ironside
Wednesday, March 27, 2013
Friday, March 22, 2013
Revelation 18: 8-24
8 Therefore in one day her plagues will overtake her: death, mourning and famine. She will be consumed by fire, for mighty is the Lord God who judges her. 9 "When the kings of the earth who committed adultery with her and shared her luxury see the smoke of her burning, they will weep and mourn over her. 10 Terrified at her torment, they will stand far off and cry: " 'Woe! Woe, O great city, O Babylon, city of power! In one hour your doom has come!' 11 "The merchants of the earth will weep and mourn over her because no one buys their cargoes any more-- 12 cargoes of gold, silver, precious stones and pearls; fine linen, purple, silk and scarlet cloth; every sort of citron wood, and articles of every kind made of ivory, costly wood, bronze, iron and marble; 13 cargoes of cinnamon and spice, of incense, myrrh and frankincense, of wine and olive oil, of fine flour and wheat; cattle and sheep; horses and carriages; and bodies and souls of men. 14 "They will say, 'The fruit you longed for is gone from you. All your riches and splendor have vanished, never to be recovered.' 15 The merchants who sold these things and gained their wealth from her will stand far off, terrified at her torment. They will weep and mourn 16 and cry out: " 'Woe! Woe, O great city, dressed in fine linen, purple and scarlet, and glittering with gold, precious stones and pearls! 17 In one hour such great wealth has been brought to ruin!' "Every sea captain, and all who travel by ship, the sailors, and all who earn their living from the sea, will stand far off. 18 When they see the smoke of her burning, they will exclaim, 'Was there ever a city like this great city?' 19 They will throw dust on their heads, and with weeping and mourning cry out: " 'Woe! Woe, O great city, where all who had ships on the sea became rich through her wealth! In one hour she has been brought to ruin! 20 Rejoice over her, O heaven! Rejoice, saints and apostles and prophets! God has judged her for the way she treated you.' " 21 Then a mighty angel picked up a boulder the size of a large millstone and threw it into the sea, and said: "With such violence the great city of Babylon will be thrown down, never to be found again. 22 The music of harpists and musicians, flute players and trumpeters, will never be heard in you again. No workman of any trade will ever be found in you again. The sound of a millstone will never be heard in you again. 23 The light of a lamp will never shine in you again. The voice of bridegroom and bride will never be heard in you again. Your merchants were the world's great men. By your magic spell all the nations were led astray. 24 In her was found the blood of prophets and of the saints, and of all who have been killed on the earth."
Look what has happened. Here is more proof that there are 2 Babylon, literal and a religious. This is the mystery Babylon they are taking about. What has happened is the religious system as been destroyed by the kings and now, civilization is falling apart. We have seen this before (and will see it again!). Think of the French Revolution. When the church is destructed, the social orders are also affected leaving no social boundaries, violence ensues, and a nation will lie in ruin. What happens then? Well, a new "re-establishing" of a religious order will follow.
The mentioning of all the articles of commerce just proves that this city was a center of great wealth and commercial items.
Why the mention of the ships and the sea? It justifies that they are referring to a falling of a city as well. Sailors do not obtain wealth from a religious system, but from a commercial city that is now falling and they are basically just standing and watching as they too lose a place to trade and become wealthy.
The rest of the chapter is how it reads. Verses 22 and 23 speak to the utter destruction and the great abdomen it will suffer.
There are mentioned through out Revelation so far, 8 reasons Babylon has suffered this.
1. Pride 18:7-8
2. Oppression of Israel: 18:24
3. Sins and luxury 18:3-19
4. Idol worshipping 9:20; 13:14; 14:9&10; 16:2
5. Sexual immorality & fornication 14:8; 18:3-9
6. Spiritual beliefs other than God 18:2
7. Sorcery practice 18:23
8. Martyring of saints 18:6 and now again in 24
Look as verse 24: "and of all who have been killed on the earth" are we blaming all murder that has occurred on Earth on Babylon? Yes, it does appear so. Why? Well, if Babylon is a Religious system other that what God has commanded, it must not be of God. That means it is from Satan, and yes, I can say that murder is of Satan. Any religious system or teaching that does not match up with the word of God is not from Him. If is is not from God, then whom?
This finishes up chapter 18.
Blessings and Grace on all!!!
Calabash
Look what has happened. Here is more proof that there are 2 Babylon, literal and a religious. This is the mystery Babylon they are taking about. What has happened is the religious system as been destroyed by the kings and now, civilization is falling apart. We have seen this before (and will see it again!). Think of the French Revolution. When the church is destructed, the social orders are also affected leaving no social boundaries, violence ensues, and a nation will lie in ruin. What happens then? Well, a new "re-establishing" of a religious order will follow.
The mentioning of all the articles of commerce just proves that this city was a center of great wealth and commercial items.
Why the mention of the ships and the sea? It justifies that they are referring to a falling of a city as well. Sailors do not obtain wealth from a religious system, but from a commercial city that is now falling and they are basically just standing and watching as they too lose a place to trade and become wealthy.
The rest of the chapter is how it reads. Verses 22 and 23 speak to the utter destruction and the great abdomen it will suffer.
There are mentioned through out Revelation so far, 8 reasons Babylon has suffered this.
1. Pride 18:7-8
2. Oppression of Israel: 18:24
3. Sins and luxury 18:3-19
4. Idol worshipping 9:20; 13:14; 14:9&10; 16:2
5. Sexual immorality & fornication 14:8; 18:3-9
6. Spiritual beliefs other than God 18:2
7. Sorcery practice 18:23
8. Martyring of saints 18:6 and now again in 24
Look as verse 24: "and of all who have been killed on the earth" are we blaming all murder that has occurred on Earth on Babylon? Yes, it does appear so. Why? Well, if Babylon is a Religious system other that what God has commanded, it must not be of God. That means it is from Satan, and yes, I can say that murder is of Satan. Any religious system or teaching that does not match up with the word of God is not from Him. If is is not from God, then whom?
This finishes up chapter 18.
Blessings and Grace on all!!!
Calabash
Tuesday, March 19, 2013
Revelation 18 1-8
Revelation 18:1 After this I saw another angel coming down from heaven. He had great authority, and the earth was illuminated by his splendor. 2 With a mighty voice he shouted: "Fallen! Fallen is Babylon the Great! She has become a home for demons and a haunt for every evil spirit, a haunt for every unclean and detestable bird. 3 For all the nations have drunk the maddening wine of her adulteries. The kings of the earth committed adultery with her, and the merchants of the earth grew rich from her excessive luxuries." 4 Then I heard another voice from heaven say: "Come out of her, my people, so that you will not share in her sins, so that you will not receive any of her plagues; 5 for her sins are piled up to heaven, and God has remembered her crimes. 6 Give back to her as she has given; pay her back double for what she has done. Mix her a double portion from her own cup. 7 Give her as much torture and grief as the glory and luxury she gave herself. In her heart she boasts, 'I sit as queen; I am not a widow, and I will never mourn.' 8 Therefore in one day her plagues will overtake her: death, mourning and famine. She will be consumed by fire, for mighty is the Lord God who judges her
We see here that it says "after this", in verse 1, which means we are seeing things in sequence. Remember this is a portion in parenthesis. It is parenthetical, and is the start of the judgment of the seventh vial. Meaning Babylon survives right up to the end of the tribulation period.
Notice we are seeing two Babylons:
One is "Mystery Babylon" the other is literal Babylon, the one here.
The Mystery Babylon is in Revelation 17:7, and it is explained. The Babylon here is clear that nothing needs to be explained. The literal Babylon was first seen in 16:17-21 an then again here in 18:1-24. Notice that with the mystery Babylon, John "wondered"at it, it was something new. However, not with this literal Babylon. The Mystery Babylon is our "woman or the Great whore", this one is not.
Notice that the woman or great whore is destroyed by man. The city or literal Babylon is destroyed by God. Remember what we said about the mystery Babylon, it was a religious system. This regular Babylon is a place I have called it "New Rome" in these writings.
In verse 2 we find that it is fallen, and that it has become a place for the wicked and evil, it will be the hub or the center city for all demon operations.
In Verse 3 they mention spiritual fornication, "committed adultery with her". In the Old testament this was usually idolatry. However it has been suggested that in the New Testament it is more of the "union of the church and the world." (p 306, Lecture on the Revelation by Ironside) I like that description, we all need to take a good look around. What are we allowing in this current age, what would Christ want us doing and what is God displeased with? It really isn't hard to spot, which is really unfortunate but, must be cast to produce the future of our Lord's return.
Verse 4 we find yet another calling to those who believe in Christ. When will people understand HE loves us so much that He will give us every opportunity to repent and be called one of His own. Did you catch the part where it is saying "my people" in verse 4? Who would be saying that? That would be the actual voice of Christ calling them out. Praise be to God!
Verse 6 -8 we find that some of Gods kids may have partook in some of the sinful ways. Here we find that they will be punished as well. Why? Because Gods word is true, we have had warning upon warning upon warning to keep Gods word and to do what is right, if we do not we will receive the same punishment. Verse 6-8 are the terms of the punishment for all who have gone to the demonic ways. We are reading instructions given to the Angel. Vengeance will belong to God. The plagues that take over are clear. The destruction will be complete and fast!
Blessing on all!!!
May God's grace, wisdom and understanding be on those who are reading and taking heed to the warning of this blessed book.
Calabash
We see here that it says "after this", in verse 1, which means we are seeing things in sequence. Remember this is a portion in parenthesis. It is parenthetical, and is the start of the judgment of the seventh vial. Meaning Babylon survives right up to the end of the tribulation period.
Notice we are seeing two Babylons:
One is "Mystery Babylon" the other is literal Babylon, the one here.
The Mystery Babylon is in Revelation 17:7, and it is explained. The Babylon here is clear that nothing needs to be explained. The literal Babylon was first seen in 16:17-21 an then again here in 18:1-24. Notice that with the mystery Babylon, John "wondered"at it, it was something new. However, not with this literal Babylon. The Mystery Babylon is our "woman or the Great whore", this one is not.
Notice that the woman or great whore is destroyed by man. The city or literal Babylon is destroyed by God. Remember what we said about the mystery Babylon, it was a religious system. This regular Babylon is a place I have called it "New Rome" in these writings.
In verse 2 we find that it is fallen, and that it has become a place for the wicked and evil, it will be the hub or the center city for all demon operations.
In Verse 3 they mention spiritual fornication, "committed adultery with her". In the Old testament this was usually idolatry. However it has been suggested that in the New Testament it is more of the "union of the church and the world." (p 306, Lecture on the Revelation by Ironside) I like that description, we all need to take a good look around. What are we allowing in this current age, what would Christ want us doing and what is God displeased with? It really isn't hard to spot, which is really unfortunate but, must be cast to produce the future of our Lord's return.
Verse 4 we find yet another calling to those who believe in Christ. When will people understand HE loves us so much that He will give us every opportunity to repent and be called one of His own. Did you catch the part where it is saying "my people" in verse 4? Who would be saying that? That would be the actual voice of Christ calling them out. Praise be to God!
Verse 6 -8 we find that some of Gods kids may have partook in some of the sinful ways. Here we find that they will be punished as well. Why? Because Gods word is true, we have had warning upon warning upon warning to keep Gods word and to do what is right, if we do not we will receive the same punishment. Verse 6-8 are the terms of the punishment for all who have gone to the demonic ways. We are reading instructions given to the Angel. Vengeance will belong to God. The plagues that take over are clear. The destruction will be complete and fast!
Blessing on all!!!
May God's grace, wisdom and understanding be on those who are reading and taking heed to the warning of this blessed book.
Calabash
Tuesday, March 12, 2013
Revelation 17:12-18
12 "The ten horns you saw are ten kings who have not yet received a kingdom, but who for one hour will receive authority as kings along with the beast. 13 They have one purpose and will give their power and authority to the beast. 14 They will make war against the Lamb, but the Lamb will overcome them because he is Lord of lords and King of kings--and with him will be his called, chosen and faithful followers."15 Then the angel said to me, "The waters you saw, where the prostitute sits, are peoples, multitudes, nations and languages. 16 The beast and the ten horns you saw will hate the prostitute. They will bring her to ruin and leave her naked; they will eat her flesh and burn her with fire. 17 For God has put it into their hearts to accomplish his purpose by agreeing to give the beast their power to rule, until God's words are fulfilled. 18 The woman you saw is the great city that rules over the kings of the earth."
The 10 horns are the ten kings, just as we have been saying. Now it says here that the kings have not yet received their kingdoms, this was in John's day. The kings will receive their kingdoms when the 10 kingdoms are formed inside the "New Rome" territory. This will be a time after the church dispensation is over but, may be forming right now! We need to "Be always on the watch." Luke 21:14. God will give us signs and warnings but, it is best to pick your side now.
The new kingdom will be formed by all those who denied Gods existence, the scientist, the atheist, those "left behind" and still refusing to see.
Because verse 12 says it is of kings who have not yet received a kingdom, we can rule out the theory of any past history occurring in John's time. This includes the emperors that existed when John did, they could not be the kings mentioned.
It mentions here that they will have power for a "day" Remember, one hour can be a very long time in the Biblical sense of time. Here it may mean that they will rule for 31/2 years then give their power to the beast for 31/2 years. I am thinking this because of past Revelation 13:5 where the mouth was given for blasphemies and then power was given to the beast. In addition, The Book of Daniel suggest this period will break down in the 3/12 years mentioned above.
Verse 13 writes it out, the kings will relinquish their power to the Beast. Verse 14 is just a plain: they will make war against the Lamb, Jesus Christ. However, just as plain is the entire verse....The Lamb WILL overcome. You have all the answers you need right there! Praise God he has already told us who the winner is and which side to place your bet on to be the winner!....
Verse 15 tells us what we already know as well, that would be what the waters are. Verse 16 tells us that the kings will end up hating the new religion that is ruling over them currently. We read on to find that the kings will ruin her and expose her for the false religion we know she is. This is when the power of the kings and kingdoms are given to The Beast.
Chaper 18 starts the next blog!
Blessings & VICTORY in Christ to all!!
Calabash
The 10 horns are the ten kings, just as we have been saying. Now it says here that the kings have not yet received their kingdoms, this was in John's day. The kings will receive their kingdoms when the 10 kingdoms are formed inside the "New Rome" territory. This will be a time after the church dispensation is over but, may be forming right now! We need to "Be always on the watch." Luke 21:14. God will give us signs and warnings but, it is best to pick your side now.
The new kingdom will be formed by all those who denied Gods existence, the scientist, the atheist, those "left behind" and still refusing to see.
Because verse 12 says it is of kings who have not yet received a kingdom, we can rule out the theory of any past history occurring in John's time. This includes the emperors that existed when John did, they could not be the kings mentioned.
It mentions here that they will have power for a "day" Remember, one hour can be a very long time in the Biblical sense of time. Here it may mean that they will rule for 31/2 years then give their power to the beast for 31/2 years. I am thinking this because of past Revelation 13:5 where the mouth was given for blasphemies and then power was given to the beast. In addition, The Book of Daniel suggest this period will break down in the 3/12 years mentioned above.
Verse 13 writes it out, the kings will relinquish their power to the Beast. Verse 14 is just a plain: they will make war against the Lamb, Jesus Christ. However, just as plain is the entire verse....The Lamb WILL overcome. You have all the answers you need right there! Praise God he has already told us who the winner is and which side to place your bet on to be the winner!....
Verse 15 tells us what we already know as well, that would be what the waters are. Verse 16 tells us that the kings will end up hating the new religion that is ruling over them currently. We read on to find that the kings will ruin her and expose her for the false religion we know she is. This is when the power of the kings and kingdoms are given to The Beast.
Chaper 18 starts the next blog!
Blessings & VICTORY in Christ to all!!
Calabash
Wednesday, March 6, 2013
Revelation 17:8-11 More on the Beast
We just mentioned 3 significant things about the beast in the last blog:
1. Supernatural Angel- Lets head back to Rev 11:7And when they have finished their testimony, the beast that rises from the bottomless pit will make war on them and conquer them and kill them,
We saw here that the beast came from the bottomless pit or the abyss, waged war on the 2 witnesses and finally killed them. Now in this verse 17:8The beast that you saw was, and is not, and is about to rise from the bottomless pit and go to destruction. And the dwellers on earth whose names have not been written in the book of life from the foundation of the world will marvel to see the beast, because it was and is not and is to come.
1. Supernatural Angel- Lets head back to Rev 11:7And when they have finished their testimony, the beast that rises from the bottomless pit will make war on them and conquer them and kill them,
We saw here that the beast came from the bottomless pit or the abyss, waged war on the 2 witnesses and finally killed them. Now in this verse 17:8The beast that you saw was, and is not, and is about to rise from the bottomless pit and go to destruction. And the dwellers on earth whose names have not been written in the book of life from the foundation of the world will marvel to see the beast, because it was and is not and is to come.
This is the same beast from the abyss, and will now return to enter into perdition (go to destruction).
2. A mortal man- We have discussed this before: See Revelation 13:1 and 18. in Revelation 13:2 he received his power from Satan. Sounding familiar? If not, just go back to that blog.
3. A kingdom- This is something that we are getting ready to discuss. One past thing to remember:
One of the heads is killed in Rev 13:3, and made alive again Rev.13:3-14.
Back to verse 8. Those persons who are not written in the book of life will sit back in amazement! They will be in awe of the evil one and what he can do. So many people today are that way. In wonder and awe of our free will and the destruction and mindless pain it can cause. Praise God that He is here for us and that all we need to is keep our eyes and mind on Him. He will keep our paths straight.
9This calls for a mind with wisdom: the seven heads are seven mountains on which the woman is seated;
We are told here that the 7 heads are 7 mountains. The 7 mountains are the 7 kings or kingdoms living along with Israel up to the forming of the 8th kingdom starting here.
10they are also seven kings, five of whom have fallen, one is, the other has not yet come, and when he does come he must remain only a little while11As for the beast that was and is not, it is an eighth but it belongs to the seven, and it goes to destruction.
We are then told that 5 have fallen. In my research there are 2 ideas. One explanation follows as this:
The 5 that have fallen are persons:
Agustus, Tiberius, Caligula, Claudis, Nero
The one who is: Vespasian
The one who is to last for a little while: Titus
The final one, the one who has not yet come will be Nero again, from the dead.
I find this hard to accept, that the whore riding the beast is not a real person but the 7 heads are? It is not likely for there to be cross symbolism like that.
Possible but, I am more inclined to think they are as follows:
5 Fallen are , Egypt, Assyria, Babylon, Meso-Persia, and Greece.
The one that is would be Roman Empire (remember John's time) and the one is not yet come is the 7th kingdom, made from the 10 kingdoms that are yet formed....lets call it the "new" Roman Empire. that makes the seven. All of the first 6 have oppressed Israel, and all in "the time of the Gentiles" The "new Rome will be the next empire oppressing Israel.
The "new Rome" Will be made up of 10 kingdoms inside the Roman territory. Daniel calls this 10 toes (Ch 2) and then 10 horns (ch 7) and we will see they could be the 10 horns mentioned here in Revelation.
This is quite allot to ponder so, I will finish here for now.
Blessing on all!
Calabash
More proofs of Whore being Symbolic religious system and Rev 17:7 & 8
Reason number 7: (From the Dake's Annotated Bible)
There was a cult started Nimrod that spread all along the nations. Who's was Nimrod?:he is a Mesopotamian monarch mentioned in the Book of Genesis, who also figures in many legends and folktales. He is depicted in the Bible as a mighty ruler and nation builder who founded many cities including the great Babel or Babylon. (from www.greatdreams.com)
In this cult, the focus of worship was the Supreme Father, the Incarnate Female or Queen of Heaven, and her Son. This cult claimed to know the highest wisdom and the most divine secrets. This cult had confessions made to priest and many different rites to preform. Many Emperors held the position of head of the cult until emperor Gratian. Gratian refused to due to Christian reasons and saw that Babylonianism was idolatrous. In 378 A.D. Demasus held the position of bishop of the Christian church in Rome and was elected as the head of the cult, Babylonianism. Since then, the two became as one and the rites of Babylonianism were introduced into the Christian church. It was at this time that many Heathen temples were restored, and participation was encouraged. "Worship and veneration of images, saints, relics,private confessions, penances, scourging, pilgrimages, sign of the cross, Christmas, Lady Day, Easter, Lent and other pagan rites and festivals, little by little became a part of Christian worship." (from Dake's Annotated Bible pg 536 Book of Revelation notes)
8. The name "Mother of Harlots" is an identifying name as many branches have came off this religion. These religions that sprang up after the rapture end up being linked together to the dominate church at that time. The one mentioned here as the Whore.
9. The Mother of Abominations of the Earth. She will be this Mother in God's site, she will be exceeding in her wickedness.
10. Drunkenness with the blood of the martyrs are the martyrs of our Lord Jesus. It was pointed out that only religions have killed martyrs of Christ, the Governments have carried out the request of the religious leaders doing the killings but the request has come from the leaders.
11. Destruction of the whore by 10 kings inside the Roman Empire further lead her to be a religious system.
12.We will see in 17:18 there is a description of of here having a kingdom over the kings of the earth. She has a kingdom within the kingdom. Or rather she is a system (religious) operating withing a organization. This is like today, a Christian religion within the United States, religion within a political realm. However, hers is a huge influence and dictation over the political arena.
Rev 17:7 Then the angel said to me: "Why are you astonished? I will explain to you the mystery of the woman and of the beast she rides, which has the seven heads and ten horns.
This is actually the last question asked in Revelation. I am right there with John, I do not believe I could have taken my eyes of the spectacle before me.
Notice it says the beast she rides has 7 heads and 10 horns. The beast is not any one of the heads or horns, the beast symbolizes something and the head and horns symbolizes something else.
Rev 17:8 The beast, which you saw, once was, now is not, and will come up out of the Abyss and go to his destruction. The inhabitants of the earth whose names have not been written in the book of life from the creation of the world will be astonished when they see the beast, because he once was, now is not, and yet will come.
This verse (concerning the inhabitants of the earth and the book of life) was seen before in Revelation 13:8
The horns, the heads and the beast are all three together and yet they must be looked at separately to fully understand. The beast is a symbol of three things:
1. a supernatural angel coming out of the Abyss (see above).
2. A mortal man
3. A Kingdom.
The next blog we will look at those three points in further detail.
Blessing on all!
Calabash
There was a cult started Nimrod that spread all along the nations. Who's was Nimrod?:he is a Mesopotamian monarch mentioned in the Book of Genesis, who also figures in many legends and folktales. He is depicted in the Bible as a mighty ruler and nation builder who founded many cities including the great Babel or Babylon. (from www.greatdreams.com)
In this cult, the focus of worship was the Supreme Father, the Incarnate Female or Queen of Heaven, and her Son. This cult claimed to know the highest wisdom and the most divine secrets. This cult had confessions made to priest and many different rites to preform. Many Emperors held the position of head of the cult until emperor Gratian. Gratian refused to due to Christian reasons and saw that Babylonianism was idolatrous. In 378 A.D. Demasus held the position of bishop of the Christian church in Rome and was elected as the head of the cult, Babylonianism. Since then, the two became as one and the rites of Babylonianism were introduced into the Christian church. It was at this time that many Heathen temples were restored, and participation was encouraged. "Worship and veneration of images, saints, relics,private confessions, penances, scourging, pilgrimages, sign of the cross, Christmas, Lady Day, Easter, Lent and other pagan rites and festivals, little by little became a part of Christian worship." (from Dake's Annotated Bible pg 536 Book of Revelation notes)
8. The name "Mother of Harlots" is an identifying name as many branches have came off this religion. These religions that sprang up after the rapture end up being linked together to the dominate church at that time. The one mentioned here as the Whore.
9. The Mother of Abominations of the Earth. She will be this Mother in God's site, she will be exceeding in her wickedness.
10. Drunkenness with the blood of the martyrs are the martyrs of our Lord Jesus. It was pointed out that only religions have killed martyrs of Christ, the Governments have carried out the request of the religious leaders doing the killings but the request has come from the leaders.
11. Destruction of the whore by 10 kings inside the Roman Empire further lead her to be a religious system.
12.We will see in 17:18 there is a description of of here having a kingdom over the kings of the earth. She has a kingdom within the kingdom. Or rather she is a system (religious) operating withing a organization. This is like today, a Christian religion within the United States, religion within a political realm. However, hers is a huge influence and dictation over the political arena.
Rev 17:7 Then the angel said to me: "Why are you astonished? I will explain to you the mystery of the woman and of the beast she rides, which has the seven heads and ten horns.
This is actually the last question asked in Revelation. I am right there with John, I do not believe I could have taken my eyes of the spectacle before me.
Notice it says the beast she rides has 7 heads and 10 horns. The beast is not any one of the heads or horns, the beast symbolizes something and the head and horns symbolizes something else.
Rev 17:8 The beast, which you saw, once was, now is not, and will come up out of the Abyss and go to his destruction. The inhabitants of the earth whose names have not been written in the book of life from the creation of the world will be astonished when they see the beast, because he once was, now is not, and yet will come.
This verse (concerning the inhabitants of the earth and the book of life) was seen before in Revelation 13:8
The horns, the heads and the beast are all three together and yet they must be looked at separately to fully understand. The beast is a symbol of three things:
1. a supernatural angel coming out of the Abyss (see above).
2. A mortal man
3. A Kingdom.
The next blog we will look at those three points in further detail.
Blessing on all!
Calabash
Tuesday, March 5, 2013
Revelation 17:4-6
Notice we have a sequence going on here with The Harlot in chapter 17:
Verse 1 is the announcement of her judgement (the Harlot).
Verse 2 is Her sins and her lovers.
Verse 3 is Her Dominion.
Verse 4 is Her clothing and her sins.
Verse 5 is Her name.
Verse 6 is Her Drunkenness
We have already covered verses 1-3 lets turn to verse 4:
4The woman was arrayed in purple and scarlet, and adorned with gold and jewels and pearls, holding in her hand a golden cup full of abominations and the impurities of her sexual immorality.
Well here we have a description of the harlot. She has purple and scarlet for her colors. These are the colors of royalty. These are the colors of someone who spends their live in luxury and plenty. Her jewelry even speak of extravagance. There is a golden cup which she is having her lovers drink from. It says in this verse the cup is full of abomination and impurities of sexual immorality. The woman has inticed her audience to do what she is wanting them to do. Possibly by lies, peer pressure, false teacher, promises of wealth etc. You know, the same tools the Devil utilizes today!
5And on her forehead was written a name of mystery: "Babylon the great, mother of prostitutes and of earth's abominations."
Notice here we actually know she is a prostitute. She is wearing the title on her forehead, there is a font let with her name on it. The name is a mystery, in Greek the work mystery is mustērion the word is meaningful to only those who actually gave it to her. Similar to a child calling a specific item their "bobble" . Only the child and a few close friends and relatives know what it really is.
6And I saw the woman, drunk with the blood of the saints, the blood of the martyrs of Jesus. When I saw her, I marveled greatly.
Remember John is seeing all this and trying to relay it to....well to us for the future warning and knowledge. So we have to look at it like John was seeing it. Think of Nero and the persecution that came for that horrible leader. They did not just simply persecute Christians but they ENJOYED it and the wickedness that went with it. The people at that time were drunk with the blood lust. Mutilation and slaughter everywhere, and people enjoying it!
Next verses gives an explanation. However until then lets look at what the Dake's Bible says. there is an interesting section concerning the Mystery Babylon. The Dake's Bible offers 13 Proofs the Whore is a Religious System:
1. It has been seen before where a playing a whore is symbolic to religious fornication and idolatry. See Isa 23:17; 57, Jer 3:2-9 Hos 4:12-19 just to name a few.
2. The implication that many nations will be caused to have sex with her could be a religious practice.
3. There is no political power here. She is not spoken with as "one of the kings" but does have influence over them.
4. She is riding a beast, which is the 8th kingdom. Since the beast is a kingdom, the woman cannot be a true woman, but a religion dominating it. We mentioned it in the last blog. Seems more plausible now? Maybe, again, we will not know for sure until it happens.
5. Her outfit is one of royalty and wealth of the system. (I find this a little weak but see where it is going)
6. The golden cup is full of abominations and impurities. Again, a religious system and not something like wine, something from idol worship.
7. Number 7 is one I would like to spend a little more time on so, we will stop here for right now.
5. Her outfit is one of royalty and wealth of the system. (I find this a little weak but see where it is going)
6. The golden cup is full of abominations and impurities. Again, a religious system and not something like wine, something from idol worship.
7. Number 7 is one I would like to spend a little more time on so, we will stop here for right now.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)