Revelation Chapter 6‏

Hello Friends!

Welcome back! During this week’s fellowship time, we’ll continue our study of Revelation.

Revelation Chapter 6

This week we will investigate chapter 6 in which is the prophecy of the first six of the Seven Seal Judgments that will come upon the earth and its inhabitants during the Seven Year period of judgment upon the earth and sinful, unbelieving mankind known as the Tribulation Period.

Throughout the entire time of the Tribulation Period there are twenty-one judgments – "three sets of seven" – that unfold. These twenty-one judgments get progressively worse and will intensify as the Tribulation Period unfolds. These initial six judgments in Revelation 6 are the beginning of the terrible time to come upon the earth.

A brief overview of the first six judgments reveal how the seals are broken on the "sealed scroll" by the "Lamb":

Now I saw when the Lamb opened one of the seals; and I heard one of the four living creatures saying with a voice like thunder, “Come and see” – Revelation 6:1

When He opened the second seal, I heard the second living creature saying, “Come and see” – Revelation 6:3

When He opened the third seal, I heard the third living creature say, “Come and see.” So I looked, and behold, a black horse, and he who sat on it had a pair of scales in his hand – Revelation 6:5

When He opened the fourth seal, I heard the voice of the fourth living creature saying, “Come and see” – Revelation 6:7

When He opened the fifth seal, I saw under the altar the souls of those who had been slain for the word of God and for the testimony which they held – Revelation 6:9

I looked when He opened the sixth seal, and behold, there was a great earthquake; and the sun became black as sackcloth of hair, and the moon became like blood – Revelation 6:12

The "Lamb" of course is the person of Jesus Christ, who will bring these judgments upon the earth in the seven year Tribulation Period. These judgments are released upon humankind on the earth – after the Rapture of the Church. All six of these judgments happen in the first three and a half years of the seven-year long judgment period.

The First Seal reveals a man on a "white horse", who is the future world leader known as "Antichrist" in the Bible:

And I looked, and behold, a white horse. He who sat on it had a bow; and a crown was given to him, and he went out conquering and to conquer – Revelation 6:2

This satanically energized person is the one who will deceive the world into believing that he is the long awaited Messiah.

The Second Seal reveals a man on a "fiery red" horse who comes to take peace from the earth, it's the judgment of "war" released upon humankind:

Another horse, fiery red, went out. And it was granted to the one who sat on it to take peace from the earth, and that people should kill one another; and there was given to him a great sword – Revelation 6:4

The Third Seal reveals a man on a “black horse” who is the judgment of famine:

When He opened the third seal, I heard the third living creature say, “Come and see.” So I looked, and behold, a black horse, and he who sat on it had a pair of scales in his hand. And I heard a voice in the midst of the four living creatures saying, “A quart of wheat for a denarius, and three quarts of barley for a denarius; and do not harm the oil and the wine” – Revelation 6:5-6

When it calls for a "quart of wheat" for a "denarius" that is referring to enough wheat to make bread for a family of four for one day at the cost of a day’s wages – a "denarius" in the times of the writing of Revelation.

The Fourth Seal is depicted as a man on a "pale horse" of death:

So I looked, and behold, a pale horse. And the name of him who sat on it was Death, and Hades followed with him. And power was given to them over a fourth of the earth, to kill with sword, with hunger, with death, and by the beasts of the earth – Revelation 6:8

When this judgment is released "over a fourth of the earth" is killed which in today’s numbers will mean over 1.5 billion people will be killed as a result of this judgment. A very sobering prophecy indeed.

The Fifth Seal describes those who will be "slain" or "martyred" for their testimony:

 And when he had opened the fifth seal, I saw under the altar the souls of them that were slain for the word of God, and for the testimony which they held: And they cried with a loud voice, saying, How long, O Lord, holy and true, dost thou not judge and avenge our blood on them that dwell on the earth? And white robes were given unto every one of them; and it was said unto them, that they should rest yet for a little season, until their fellow servants also and their brethren, that should be killed as they were, should be fulfilled –Revelation 6:9-11

These martyrs are not Christians, they are Jews and Gentiles who will come to faith in Jesus Christ after the Rapture – during the Tribulation Period. These believers are know as "Tribulation Saints" in the Bible.

The Sixth Seal will be "ecological" judgments upon the earth and in the heavens:

I looked when He opened the sixth seal, and behold, there was a great earthquake; and the sun became black as sackcloth of hair, and the moon became like blood. And the stars of heaven fell to the earth, as a fig tree drops its late figs when it is shaken by a mighty wind. Then the sky receded as a scroll when it is rolled up, and every mountain and island was moved out of its place – Revelation 6:12-14

The Seventh Seal will be opened by Jesus Christ in the beginning of chapter 8 and will be the “inauguration” of the second “set of seven” judgments of the Lord’s wrath – The Seven Trumpet Judgments.

These seal judgments that will take place early in the Tribulation Period are events that are seemingly in the process of coming about very soon. Jesus said when we see these “birth pangs” happening…

And Jesus answered and said to them: “Take heed that no one deceives you.  For many will come in My name, saying, ‘I am the Christ,’ and will deceive many. And you will hear of wars and rumors of wars. See that you are not troubled; for all these things must come to pass, but the end is not yet. For nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. And there will be famines, pestilences, and earthquakes in various places – Matthew 24:4-7

Now learn this parable from the fig tree: When its branch has already become tender and puts forth leaves, you know that summer is near. So you also, when you see all these things, know that it is near - at the doors! Assuredly, I say to you, this generation will by no means pass away till all these things take place – Matthew 24:32-34

…we can recognize that this is the time of His soon return to the earth – Halleluiah!

The fact that we can see the stage being set for these seal judgments to take place, indicates that the Rapture could too happen at any moment – perhaps today... Maranatha Lord Jesus!

With this information as a foundation for your studies, please read through Chapter 6 of Revelation.

Thank you for reading! Don’t miss next week’s edition as we investigate chapter 7 of Revelation…

Keep looking up and sharing the Gospel while there is still time… Hallelujah and Maranatha – come quickly Lord Jesus!

We are not guaranteed tomorrow – tomorrow may be too late! If you haven't yet made that most important decision of your life, won't you make Jesus Christ your personal Lord and Savior today - before it's too late? Today is the day of Salvation!

If you have been blessed by this message or have a specific question, prayer request or testimony, please send me a note to: encouragingconcepts@live.com

I love hearing from you. Keep reading Encouraging Concepts!

Blessings!
Shane K. Morin <><

Encouraging Concepts

Truth for Today

"Living Life From a Biblical Worldview"

Lighthouse Publications <><
"Dedicated to the Never Ending Search for the Creator's calling within You" (TM)

Revelation Chapter 5‏

Hello Friends!

Welcome back! During this week’s fellowship time, we’ll continue our study of Revelation.

Revelation Chapter 5

This week we will investigate chapter 5 in where the Lamb – Jesus Christ – receives the future "Seven Seal Judgments"…

The scene picks up from chapter 4 with the throne room in the "third heaven" where the Apostle John sees God the Father on His throne with His Son Jesus Christ at His right side. As John observes from the “sidelines” he sees that in the right hand of God there is a scroll – or "book" – sealed with "seven seals" and this scroll has writing within and on the backside. 

In ancient times, legal binding contracts and deeds were written on scrolls consisting of leather-type parchment with the general title of the article written on the outside – or backside, while all specific details were contained on the front side – or within. The scroll was then typically sealed with three wax “seals” to rend the contract secure and binding. The more important a document was considered, the number of seals were increased. Seven seals were considered of most importance – and most difficult to breech.  

What a scene! As John stands there in absolute awe, a "strong angel" proclaims:

Who is worthy to open the scroll and to loose its seals? – Revelation 5:2

This sealed “scroll” contains the "Seven Seal Judgments" as described in stunning detail in Revelation chapter 6, with the final seal being opened by Jesus Christ in Revelation 8:1 which begins the second set of woes known as the "Seven Trumpet Judgments". The "Seven Seal Judgments" will be the first of twenty-one progressively worse judgments that will be released upon the earth during the coming Tribulation Period. However, this scroll also represents the "title deed" to the earth itself that God the Father will give to Jesus Christ the Son. 

All twenty-one of these terrible judgments will take place during the Seven Year Tribulation and will be contained within three separate interval groups referred to as:

The Seven Seals

The Seven Trumpets

The Seven Bowls

These fierce judgments are for the purpose of preparing the Jews and the Earth for the "1,000 Year Millennial Kingdom" that the Father will give to His Son – Jesus Christ. This physical Kingdom is yet to come in the future, seven years after the incidents found here in Revelation 5. Think about this for a moment – We who are Gentile believers have been grafted onto the vine of Jesus Christ – a place of honor intended by God for the Jewish people – Praise the Lord! So what will it take for Israel to be saved? Repentance before God through faith in Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of sin – plain and simple. It is this Tribulation period that will “get their attention” as the Lord unleashes His fierce and just wrath on a wicked and unbelieving world.

As the "strong angel" inquires of who is worthy to open the sealed scroll, the Apostle John looks on from the sidelines and he begins to weep. Then, all of a sudden, one of the twenty-four elders says "Jesus is worthy to open the sealed scroll."

But one of the elders said to me, “Do not weep. Behold, the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the Root of David, has prevailed to open the scroll and to loose its seven seals – Revelation 5:5

Just then Jesus Christ steps to the throne of God, takes the sealed scroll from His Father and all of the "twenty-four elders" and the "four living creatures" fell down to worship the "Lamb" – Jesus Christ – who now holds the "sealed scroll" or "title deed" to not only to the Earth but all of Creation.

Then John observes the Lord as a "Lamb as though it had been slain" – the figure of Jesus Christ’s sacrifice on the cross to give His shed blood as a ransom from our sin and unrighteousness:

And I looked, and behold, in the midst of the throne and of the four living creatures, and in the midst of the elders, stood a Lamb as though it had been slain, having seven horns and seven eyes, which are the seven Spirits of God sent out into all the earth. Then He came and took the scroll out of the right hand of Him who sat on the throne – Revelation 5:6-7

The "seven Spirits of God" represents the Holy Spirit – the third member of the Triune God head – as found in Isaiah 11:1-2, John 16:13-15 and Zechariah 4:2, 6, 8-10 ~ They are:

 

The Spirit of the Lord

The Spirit of Wisdom

The Spirit of Understanding

The Spirit of Counsel

The Spirit of Power

The Spirit of Knowledge

The Spirit of the fear of the Lord 

Next, the scene concerning the "four living creatures" and “24 elders” changes slightly in that they: 

 

All fall down before the Lamb

All had a harp

All were holding bowls full of incense – prayers of the saints (see Psalms 141:1-2)

Now when He had taken the scroll, the four living creatures and the twenty-four elders fell down before the Lamb, each having a harp, and golden bowls full of incense, which are the prayers of the saints. And they sang a new song, saying: “You are worthy to take the scroll, and to open its seals; for You were slain, and have redeemed us to God by Your blood out of every tribe and tongue and people and nation, and have made us kings and priests to our God; and we shall reign on the earth – Revelation 8-10

Then there was singing in the third heaven with the heavenly harmonies of the "twenty-four elders" and the four "living creatures." The sound was expanded when over one hundred million angels joined in – “ten thousand times ten thousand, and thousands of thousands”:

Then I looked, and I heard the voice of many angels around the throne, the living creatures, and the elders; and the number of them was ten thousand times ten thousand, and thousands of thousands – Revelation 5:11

This scene is very similar to what was reported by Daniel when he viewed the throne area. Daniel’s account is quite congruent with what the Apostle John wrote. Daniel saw a court being seated before the throne of God and the books of judgment were opened:

I watched till thrones were put in place, and the Ancient of Days was seated; His garment was white as snow, and the hair of His head was like pure wool. His throne was a fiery flame, its wheels a burning fire; a fiery stream issued and came forth from before Him. A thousand thousands ministered to Him; ten thousand times ten thousand stood before Him. The court was seated, and the books were opened. I watched then because of the sound of the pompous words which the horn was speaking; I watched till the beast was slain, and its body destroyed and given to the burning flame. As for the rest of the beasts, they had their dominion taken away, yet their lives were prolonged for a season and a time. I was watching in the night visions, and behold, One like the Son of Man, coming with the clouds of heaven! He came to the Ancient of Days, and they brought Him near before Him. Then to Him was given dominion and glory and a kingdom, that all peoples, nations, and languages should serve Him. His dominion is an everlasting dominion, which shall not pass away, and His kingdom the one which shall not be destroyed – Daniel 7:9-14

As John listened he heard all of the saints continue in their praise to God, loudly shouting “Worthy is the Lamb who was slain”:

"Worthy is the Lamb who was slain to receive power and riches and wisdom and strength and honor and glory and blessing!" – Revelation 5:12

Notice that there are seven elements in this praise to the Lord in that He was slain to recieve:

"power"

"riches"

"wisdom"

"strength"

"honor"

"glory"

"blessing"

Also notice that these seven elements represent the Number of Completion!

In further praise, every creature in "heaven", on "earth" and "under the earth" and "in the sea" also sang their chorus with some of the same elements as the saints praise. However, they also add the recognition of Jesus Christ’s position in that they direct their praise to the Father who "sits on the throne" and to the "Lamb" who is Jesus Christ:

And every creature which is in heaven and on the earth and under the earth and such as are in the sea, and all that are in them, I heard saying: “Blessing and honor and glory and power be to Him who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb, forever and ever! – Revelation 5:13

The final response is by the "living creatures" saying "Amen!" as well as the "twenty-four elders" in whom John sees falling down and worshiping God:

Then the four living creatures said, “Amen!” And the twenty-four elders fell down and worshiped Him who lives forever and ever – Revelation 5:14

Just think, we as Christians will be a part of that "heavenly choir" because the "twenty-four elders" represent the eternal Church who will be there at this time. This is due to the Rapture of the Church having already taken place in our previous study of Revelation chapter 4.

Looking ahead to Revelation chapter 6, we will see that the "Lamb" – Jesus Christ – opens the Seven Seal Judgments to begin the judgment period that will eventually bring Him to rule and reign from the promised throne in the Temple, which is located on the Temple Mount in Jerusalem – and the establishment of His "1,000 Year Millennial Kingdom " on Earth.

There are “mixed emotions” within me as I prepare these words for our discussion time together. There's "great joy" as I think of that time with Jesus Christ and our praise to Him. However, there is also "deep sadness" as I think of the people – perhaps even personal friends and loved ones – who are alive at that terrible time in the future and will have to face that seven years of judgment because they have refused to receive Jesus Christ as their personal Lord and Savior. We must allow these "mixed emotions" to cause each of us to do whatever it takes to win our friends, family and loved ones to Jesus Christ. 

IMPORTANT NOTE: Maybe you should sit down at your computer and send those lost souls that are close to you an e-mail with the Gospel presented in it or maybe make a quick telephone call to them right now… We all need to do this before it's eternally too late!

With this information as a foundation for your studies, please read through Chapter 5 of Revelation.

Thank you for reading! Don’t miss next week’s edition as we investigate chapter 6 of Revelation…

Keep looking up and sharing the Gospel while there is still time… Hallelujah and Maranatha – come quickly Lord Jesus!

We are not guaranteed tomorrow – tomorrow may be too late! If you haven't yet made that most important decision of your life, won't you make Jesus Christ your personal Lord and Savior today - before it's too late? Today is the day of Salvation!

If you have been blessed by this message or have a specific question, prayer request or testimony, please send me a note to: encouragingconcepts@live.com

I love hearing from you. Keep reading Encouraging Concepts!

Blessings!
Shane K. Morin <><

Encouraging Concepts

Truth for Today

"Living Life From a Biblical Worldview"

Lighthouse Publications <><
"Dedicated to the Never Ending Search for the Creator's calling within You" (TM)

Revelation Chapter 4‏

Hello Friends!

Welcome back! During this week’s fellowship time, we’ll continue our study of Revelation.

Revelation Chapter 4

This week we will investigate chapter 4 in what Jesus Christ has specifically in store for His "church body" of believers. In the fourth chapter we see John, first on the "earth":

After these things I looked, and behold, a door standing open in heaven. And the first voice which I heard was like a trumpet speaking with me, saying, “Come up here, and I will show you things which must take place after this” – Revelation 4:1

And then John is instantly translated to the "throne room" – into the very presence of God the Father – in heaven:

Immediately I was in the Spirit; and behold, a throne set in heaven, and One sat on the throne – Revelation 4:2

With this Scripture text in mind, we thus picture what could be interpreted as the "Rapture of the Church" – "the first voice which I heard was like a trumpet speaking with me, saying, “Come up here”" This text would seem to indeed be referring to the greatly anticipated event known as the Rapture, as the very next verse depicts John in heaven. Some scholars believe this to be a “vision” that John experiences. However, I believe we can interpret this event literally. The phrase "come up here" may very well be the actual words Jesus Christ will shout at the Rapture, as He calls Christians to join Him in the heavenlies.

As we take our guided tour of the awesome "throne set in heaven" described in chapter 4, there are many wonderful facets to notice and enjoy:

And He who sat there was like a jasper and a sardius stone in appearance; and there was a rainbow around the throne, in appearance like an emerald. Around the throne were twenty-four thrones, and on the thrones I saw twenty-four elders sitting, clothed in white robes; and they had crowns of gold on their heads. And from the throne proceeded lightnings, thunderings, and voices. Seven lamps of fire were burning before the throne, which are the seven Spirits of God. Before the throne there was a sea of glass, like crystal. And in the midst of the throne, and around the throne, were four living creatures full of eyes in front and in back. The first living creature was like a lion, the second living creature like a calf, the third living creature had a face like a man, and the fourth living creature was like a flying eagle – Revelation 4:3-7

The "rainbow" over the throne reminding us of God's promise that He would never again destroy the earth with water. Then there are the "twenty-four elders" seated around the throne. Notice they are clothed in "white robes" and they have "crowns of gold on their heads". These 24 elders represent the "Church" and the number "twenty-four" is the number of "representation". Only Christians will wear "white robes" and will be the only ones who receive "crowns" at the Judgment Seat of Christ.

We also see the "four living creatures" – the four beasts which are actually "angels". They are different than cherubim and seraphim

The four living creatures, each having six wings, were full of eyes around and within. And they do not rest day or night, saying: “Holy, holy, holy, Lord God Almighty, Who was and is and is to come!” – Revelation 4:3-8

These four "living creatures" sing "holy, holy, holy" 24x7 at the throne of God the Father. What an awesome scene with God – the Father – on the throne and Jesus Christ – the Son – seated at His right hand! John the Revelator has given us a personal tour of the "throne set in heaven"... Awesome! 

Notice what the "twenty-four elders" do with the "crowns" that they will have received at the Judgment Seat of Christ:

…the twenty-four elders fall down before Him who sits on the throne and worship Him who lives forever and ever, and cast their crowns before the throne – Revelation 4:10

They "cast their crowns" at the feet of Jesus Christ to honor Him and thank Him for what He has done for each of us as Christians!

“You are worthy, O Lord, to receive glory and honor and power; for You created all things, and by Your will they exist and were created.” – Revelation 4:11

For the Christian, our works will be judged at the "judgment seat of Christ" to determine the Christian’s future blessings:

Now if anyone builds on this foundation with gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, straw, each one’s work will become clear; for the Day will declare it, because it will be revealed by fire; and the fire will test each one’s work, of what sort it is. If anyone’s work which he has built on it endures, he will receive a reward. If anyone’s work is burned, he will suffer loss; but he himself will be saved, yet so as through fire – 1 Corinthians 3:12-15

IMPORTANT: This is not judgement to determine ones salvation, as that will have already been decided in this life with the acceptance of Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord for the payment of sin.

For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, that each one may receive the things done in the body, according to what he has done, whether good or bad – 2 Corinthians 5:10

But why do you judge your brother? Or why do you show contempt for your brother? For we shall all stand before the judgment seat of Christ – Romans 14:10

We receive these "rewards" and "crowns" in which we then cast at His feet in thanksgiving for the wonderful things that our Lord has done for us. These good "works" are works we've done in His power and for His glory. We will suffer loss for those works we do in our own power and for our own glory.

Jesus Christ will be the judge of the Christian's works - whether they are "good" deeds or "worthless" stubble.

Let me remind you, the Word of God is very clear - we're not saved by good works, but "saved through faith" However, we were created "for good works" which the Lord has ordained in advance for us to walk in and accomplish for Him:

For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast. For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them – Ephesians 2:8-10

It is the “works” that we have done for the Lord Jesus Christ in which He will judge us as Christians.

By the way, the Scriptures declare there are "five crowns" found in the Scriptures that are possible for each Christian to receive at the Judgment Seat of Christ:

"Crown Incorruptible" 
  For bringing our bodies under subjection to the Word of God – 1 Corinthians 9:25-27
 
"Crown of Rejoicing" 
  For being a soul-winner with the Gospel of Jesus Christ – 1 Thessalonians 2:19
 
"Crown of Life" 
  For enduring the temptation of the enemy – James 1:12
 
"Crown of Glory"
  For building up the body of Jesus Christ – 1 Peter 5:1-4
 
"Crown of Righteousness" 
  For eagerly looking for Jesus Christ appearing in these last days – 2 Timothy 4:8

What an awesome day that will be for us as believers in Jesus Christ! Therefore, we must be diligent to receive as many "crowns" as we possibly can so that we may cast them at His feet for His glory and honor! 

All our works – good or worthless – will be brought into judgment. King Solomon even wrote an entire Old Testament book to describe just how vain the pursuits of personal pleasure and fulfillment are – in which he sums up in one verse:

"Vanity of vanities” says the Preacher; “Vanity of vanities, all is vanity – Ecclesiastes 1:2

This truth will be very real to each of us at the Judgment Seat of Christ…

NOTE: As we have also discussed, it is my personal belief the Scriptures teach that the Lord Jesus Christ promises those of us who have been saved and are alive prior to the Rapture that He will take us up to be with Him before the time of terrible judgment begins – the last 3 ½ years of the Tribulation period known in the Scriptures as “The time of Jacob’s Trouble” or The Great Tribulation. Although we cannot be dogmatic about this view point, the Rapture is indeed an important doctrine to consider. 

For a more comprehensive overview of this controversial Biblical subject matter, please refer to our EC study outline titled “The Rapture: What is it and is it Biblical?”

 

With this information as a foundation for your studies, please read through Chapter 4 of Revelation.

Thank you for reading! Don’t miss next week’s edition as we investigate chapter 5 of Revelation…


Keep looking up and sharing the Gospel while there is still time… Hallelujah and Maranatha – come quickly Lord Jesus!

 

We are not guaranteed tomorrow – tomorrow may be too late! If you haven't yet made that most important decision of your life, won't you make Jesus Christ your personal Lord and Savior today - before it's too late? Today is the day of Salvation!

If you have been blessed by this message or have a specific question, prayer request or testimony, please send me a note to: encouragingconcepts@live.com

I love hearing from you. Keep reading Encouraging Concepts!

Blessings!
Shane K. Morin <><

Encouraging Concepts

Truth for Today

"Living Life From a Biblical Worldview"

Lighthouse Publications <><
"Dedicated to the Never Ending Search for the Creator's calling within You" (TM)