Revelation Chapter 10‏‏‏‏‏

Hello Friends!

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

Revelation Chapter 10
 
This week we will investigate chapter 10 in our journey of the end times.
Chapter 10 represents another parenthetical chapter. Here we take another “break” from the terrible turmoil as the Lord pauses again to give His true believers hope, assurance and comfort in the midst of the seven-year “hell on earth” that is by this time, well under way. He has everything under His perfect, sovereign control.

As we will discover, chapter 10 also represents a “parenthesis” between the Sixth Trumpet Judgment from chapter 9 and the Seventh Trumpet Judgment to come in chapter 11 – which will usher in the Seven Bowl Judgments of chapter 16. Although this is a short chapter, it reflects the enormity of the emotional impact the passages in the first part of this book have had on the Apostle John. One could argue that this pause is quite necessary for John to regain himself, in preparation for all the pending judgment that is yet to be revealed!

 

This is also a very interesting chapter and can be difficult to “put one’s arms around” – so to speak. Expositors are all over the map in attempting to provide insight concerning three main issues:

• Who is this mighty angel? Some scholars believe this is Jesus Christ, while others do not
  

• Who are the seven thunders and what do they say? Some scholars have attempted to infer what was said, others leave it alone.
  

• What is the little book John is given to eat? Some scholars believe this to be the Seven Sealed scroll that was already open by Jesus Christ, others believe it to be the title deed to the earth.

More questions than answers are often spawned by this challenging chapter! With that background in place, let’s continue in our studies…
In verse 1, the Apostle John observers a “mighty angel” as this chapter begins:

I saw still another mighty angel coming down from heaven, clothed with a cloud. And a rainbow was on his head, his face was like the sun, and his feet like pillars of fire – Revelation 10:1

There was a previous occasion when “a mighty” angel was made known to John. We will remember that this first appearance was seen in heaven, before the throne of God, as this “mighty angel” asked who is worthy to open the scroll and loose its seals:

And I saw in the right hand of Him who sat on the throne a scroll written inside and on the back, sealed with seven seals. Then I saw a mighty angel proclaiming with a loud voice, “Who is worthy to open the scroll and to loose its seals? – Revelation 5:1-2

Unlike the occasion depicted in chapter 5, the events recorded here in chapter 10 occur on earth rather than in heaven. There is also no indication that the “mighty angel” mentioned in this chapter is the same as the one that John observed in chapter 5. However, one aspect of the “mighty angel” of this chapter is his physical appearance. His physical characteristics are similar to those described of Jesus Christ and the Throne of God, which may indicate that this angel’s position in heaven may be very close to the Throne and represent the Lord’s Sovereign power and glory. This “mighty angel” does not seem to be the Lord Jesus Christ for two reasons. First, this verse clearly states that this is “another” mighty angel. The Greek word here is translated to mean “like” or “created” and we know that Jesus Christ is not a created being but is God Himself! Second, John does not fall on his face before this “mighty angel” as he did in chapter one.

Interestingly, there are two other occasions in the Scriptures when someone physically close to the Lord had their bodily characteristics reflect that encounter. In the Old Testament, Moses' face was radiant after coming down from Mount Sinai with the two tablets of the Testimony:

Now it was so, when Moses came down from Mount Sinai (and the two tablets of the Testimony were in Moses’ hand when he came down from the mountain), that Moses did not know that the skin of his face shone while he talked with Him. So when Aaron and all the children of Israel saw Moses, behold, the skin of his face shone, and they were afraid to come near him – Exodus 34:29-30

Also, in the New Testament at the mount of transfiguration, Moses and Elijah appeared with Jesus Christ and all were surrounded by a bright cloud. They also possessed physical, bodily forms in which Peter, James & John could readily recognize:

Now after six days Jesus took Peter, James, and John his brother, led them up on a high mountain by themselves; and He was transfigured before them. His face shone like the sun, and His clothes became as white as the light. And behold, Moses and Elijah appeared to them, talking with Him. Then Peter answered and said to Jesus, “Lord, it is good for us to be here; if You wish, let us make here three tabernacles: one for You, one for Moses, and one for Elijah.” While he was still speaking, behold, a bright cloud overshadowed them; and suddenly a voice came out of the cloud, saying, “This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased. Hear Him! – Matthew 17:1-5

The physical characteristics of this “mighty angel” are likened to Jesus Christ throughout the Scriptures showing his Christ-likeness:

• Robed in a cloud – Acts 1:9 & Revelation 1:7

• A rainbow above his head – Ezekiel 1:28 & Revelation 4:3

• His Face shown like the sun – Exodus 34:29, Luke 24:4 & Revelation 1:16

• His legs were like fiery pillars – Revelation 1:15

 
In verse 2, John also observes that the “mighty angel” is holding a little scroll that is laid open in his hand:

He had a little book open in his hand. And he set his right foot on the sea and his left foot on the land – Revelation 10:2

Some scholars believe the scroll opened earlier by the Lord Jesus Christ – which included the seven seals – is the same as this one. However, there is no indication given that this little scroll is related to any other known document. The physical size of the scroll is described as “little” and its contents are not revealed. There is no effort made in Scripture to associate the two documents. This scroll represents the “title deed” to the earth. We also see that the right foot of this “mighty angel” is on the sea, and his left foot on the land. This “mighty angel” does indeed appear to be Jesus Christ’s “representative” due to the physical characteristics given of him in the previous verse. As Christ’s ambassador, he may be given the right and authority over all that is part of the terrestrial and maritime environments – the land and the sea.

In verse 3, John then hears this “mighty angel” shout with a voice sounding like the roar of a lion:

…and cried with a loud voice, as when a lion roars. When he cried out, seven thunders uttered their voices – Revelation 10:3

Again, this reflects another characteristic of Jesus Christ, as the Lion of Judah. Interestingly, John does not provide the content or word(s) that the “mighty angel” shouted. John also hears a response given to the “mighty angel’s” shout by voices of the seven thunders. The identification of the seven thunders is not given, but since there are seven spirits of God before the throne, it is often assumed that the response is from the Holy Spirit. However, the main objective of the Holy Spirit is to bring glory to the Son, but we don’t see that represented here in this context. Also, throughout the Scriptures, thundering always denotes judgment and power.

In verse 4, John is told by the voice from heaven to seal up the words of the seven thunders and not to write them down.

Now when the seven thunders uttered their voices, I was about to write; but I heard a voice from heaven saying to me, “Seal up the things which the seven thunders uttered, and do not write them – Revelation 10:4

The voice John hears is similar to the One he heard in chapter four. Also, John’s instruction from the Lord Jesus Christ here is different from the direction Daniel received when he was told to seal his book. Daniel was told to “shut up” what he saw and heard for a later time. The sealing of Daniel’s book meant that he was to “officially” preserve the book he wrote for a later time:

But you, Daniel, shut up the words, and seal the book until the time of the end; many shall run to and fro, and knowledge shall increase – Daniel 12:4

It is important to note that this is the only time in the book of Revelation that the Apostle John is told to seal up the words without writing them down. All other times he is told to write down the things he witnesses. The words between the “mighty angel” and the Holy Spirit were intelligible as reported by John, who was about to write them down. Why is this important? As I noted above, this is a parenthetical chapter and may have been intended for John’s personal benefit to prepare him – as well as the tribulation saints – for the final events that he will have to witness and record to assure them of God’s sovereignty over His creation and that He has everything under complete, Sovereign control.

In verses 5 - 7, John observes the “mighty angel” lifting his hands toward heaven and swearing by the name of the Lord Jesus.

The angel whom I saw standing on the sea and on the land raised up his hand to heaven and swore by Him who lives forever and ever, who created heaven and the things that are in it, the earth and the things that are in it, and the sea and the things that are in it, that there should be delay no longer, but in the days of the sounding of the seventh angel, when he is about to sound, the mystery of God would be finished, as He declared to His servants the prophets –  Revelation 10:5-7

The Apostle Mark also notes that there will be no more delay in the judgments – just as we also see noted in the Gospel of Mark:

For in those days there will be tribulation, such as has not been since the beginning of the creation which God created until this time, nor ever shall be. And unless the Lord had shortened those days, no flesh would be saved; but for the elect’s sake, whom He chose, He shortened the days – Mark 13:19-20

Remember, at this point in the Tribulation, there remains the Seventh Trumpet Judgment of chapter 11 that is yet to sound, as well as the Seven Bowl Judgments of chapter 16 yet to be poured out on the earth's inhabitants! It is declared that the seventh angel will sound to indicate when the mystery of God should be finished. This is the mystery that the Lord had revealed to His servants – the Old Testament Prophets. This scenario may be pointing to the beginning of the mystery revealed by a dream to King Nebuchadnezzar, which God revealed the dream and interpretation to Daniel in chapter two of his book:

Then the secret was revealed to Daniel in a night vision. So Daniel blessed the God of heaven… Then King Nebuchadnezzar fell on his face, prostrate before Daniel, and commanded that they should present an offering and incense to him. The king answered Daniel, and said, “Truly your God is the God of gods, the Lord of kings, and a revealer of secrets, since you could reveal this secret – Daniel 2:19 & 46-47

In verse 8, John hears the voice from heaven and records and is told to take the scroll from the “mighty angel’s” hand:

Then the voice which I heard from heaven spoke to me again and said, “Go, take the little book which is open in the hand of the angel who stands on the sea and on the earth – Revelation 10:8

In verses 9 & 10, John asks for the scroll from the “mighty angel” who warns John that his stomach will become sour and his mouth will taste sweet as honey:

So I went to the angel and said to him, “Give me the little book.” And he said to me, “Take and eat it; and it will make your stomach bitter, but it will be as sweet as honey in your mouth.” Then I took the little book out of the angel’s hand and ate it, and it was as sweet as honey in my mouth. But when I had eaten it, my stomach became bitter – Revelation 10:9-10

Bitter and Sweet? What could this mean? Sweet are the Words of the Lord Jesus Christ and are a delight as “honey in your mouth” which satisfies the Apostle John’s soul. Bitter in that the horrors and carnage in which John witnesses and records will make him incredibly nauseous!

This scenario is parallel to the experiences of the Old Testament Prophet Ezekiel when he was commissioned by the Lord Jesus Christ to prophecy to the exiled Israelites:

And He said to me, “Son of man, stand on your feet, and I will speak to you.” Then the Spirit entered me when He spoke to me, and set me on my feet; and I heard Him who spoke to me. And He said to me: “Son of man, I am sending you to the children of Israel, to a rebellious nation that has rebelled against Me; they and their fathers have transgressed against Me to this very day. For they are impudent and stubborn children. I am sending you to them, and you shall say to them, ‘Thus says the Lord God.’ As for them, whether they hear or whether they refuse—for they are a rebellious house—yet they will know that a prophet has been among them – Ezekiel 2:1-5

But you, son of man, hear what I say to you. Do not be rebellious like that rebellious house; open your mouth and eat what I give you.” Now when I looked, there was a hand stretched out to me; and behold, a scroll of a book was in it. Then He spread it before me; and there was writing on the inside and on the outside, and written on it were lamentations and mourning and woe – Ezekiel 2:8-10

Moreover He said to me, “Son of man, eat what you find; eat this scroll, and go, speak to the house of Israel.” So I opened my mouth, and He caused me to eat that scroll. And He said to me, “Son of man, feed your belly, and fill your stomach with this scroll that I give you.” So I ate, and it was in my mouth like honey in sweetness. Then He said to me: “Son of man, go to the house of Israel and speak with My words to them – Ezekiel 3:1-4

Finally, in verse 11, John is told to prophesy again concerning the entire world:

And he said to me, “You must prophesy again about many peoples, nations, tongues, and kings – Revelation 10:11

Some misguided scholars argue that the events in Revelation regarding the tribulation are limited to the near east region or the areas surrounding the Mediterranean Sea. However, this text clearly indicates that it is the entire world that is being judged!

With this information as a foundation for your studies, please read through Chapter 10 of Revelation.

Thank you for reading! Don’t miss next week’s edition as we investigate chapter 11 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 9‏‏‏‏

Hello Friends!

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

Revelation Chapter 9
 
This week we will investigate chapter 9 in our journey of the end times.

As we come to our next chapter in the book of Revelation, we find the increasing intensity of the prophetic Trumpet Judgments which will befall planet earth as part of the Seven Year Tribulation. Looking back at our last study in chapter eight, you’ll remember that the first four Trumpet Judgments were released upon planet earth and its inhabitants. We will now continue with the “woes” to follow found in chapter nine.
 
The next two judgments are often difficult to understand due to the "apocalyptic" literature that is being used in the passages. The Apostle John writes down what is revealed to him about these seemingly very strange judgments and the associated killing of one third of the earth’s population at that time in history – a very somber thought indeed.
 
There is obviously a lot going on here in these frightening passages! Let’s see if we can “unpack” them a bit to perhaps assist us in an understanding of what the Lord Jesus may want us to know about these particular judgments…
 
The 5^th Trumpet Judgment:

Then the fifth angel sounded: And I saw a star fallen from heaven to the earth. To him was given the key to the bottomless pit. And he opened the bottomless pit, and smoke arose out of the pit like the smoke of a great furnace. So the sun and the air were darkened because of the smoke of the pit. Then out of the smoke locusts came upon the earth. And to them was given power, as the scorpions of the earth have power. They were commanded not to harm the grass of the earth, or any green thing, or any tree, but only those men who do not have the seal of God on their foreheads. And they were not given authority to kill them, but to torment them for five months. Their torment was like the torment of a scorpion when it strikes a man. In those days men will seek death and will not find it; they will desire to die, and death will flee from them. The shape of the locusts was like horses prepared for battle. On their heads were crowns of something like gold, and their faces were like the faces of men. They had hair like women’s hair, and their teeth were like lions’ teeth. And they had breastplates like breastplates of iron, and the sound of their wings was like the sound of chariots with many horses running into battle. They had tails like scorpions, and there were stings in their tails. Their power was to hurt men five months. And they had as king over them the angel of the bottomless pit, whose name in Hebrew is Abaddon, but in Greek he has the name Apollyon. One woe is past. Behold, still two more woes are coming after these things – Revelation 9:1-12

Satan will be allowed to open the shaft and let all the demons out and sin is going to run its final course. The key doesn't belong to Satan. Who does it belong to? Jesus Christ says, "I am the One who lives forevermore and I have the keys of death and Hades" But Jesus will give this fallen angel, Satan, temporary authority to open the pit and let all the demons loose.
 
Imagine what the world would be like if we were to open the doors of all the penitentiaries of earth and set free the world's most vicious and violent criminals, giving them full reign to practice their infamies upon mankind. Something worse than that lies in store for the world. Satan cast out of heaven is now permitted to summon to his aid the most diabolical fiends in the abyss to act as his agents in bringing mankind to the footstool of the beast. That's why we refer to chapter 9 as hell on earth!
 
The appearance on the earth of "locusts" described here gives us this vivid description of them as follows:

The shape of the locusts was like horses prepared for battle. On their heads were crowns of something like gold, and their faces were like the faces of men. They had hair like women’s hair, and their teeth were like lions’ teeth. And they had breastplates like breastplates of iron, and the sound of their wings was like the sound of chariots with many horses running into battle. They had tails like scorpions, and there were stings in their tails. Their power was to hurt men five months – Revelation 9:7-10

This passage may indeed be describing an actual locust infestation as taught by some Bible scholars. Or perhaps they represent war machines – such as Apache attack helicopters – that would be used during a future world war… These “locusts” will indeed be a destructive force of judgment.
 
Here’s a thought – Insect locusts feed on green things, but these are demons! They leave the grass alone and the two thirds of the trees that are left and they only go after the men who do not have the seal of God on their foreheads. And whatever they do to them is horrifyingly painful, the torment is terrorizing. Interestingly, Five months is the normal life of a locust – they live from May to September. They can devastate a land in minutes. These demon locusts are going to have the career duration of insect locusts – five months, 150 days. By the way, that's the very duration of the rising flood waters in the day of Noah. God is going to give the unbelieving suffering individuals five months to repent. But they can't touch people who have the seal of God on their foreheads who are marked out as His.
 
The 6^th Trumpet Judgment:

Then the sixth angel sounded: And I heard a voice from the four horns of the golden altar which is before God,  saying to the sixth angel who had the trumpet, “Release the four angels who are bound at the great river Euphrates.” So the four angels, who had been prepared for the hour and day and month and year, were released to kill a third of mankind. Now the number of the army of the horsemen was two hundred million; I heard the number of them. And thus I saw the horses in the vision: those who sat on them had breastplates of fiery red, hyacinth blue, and sulfur yellow; and the heads of the horses were like the heads of lions; and out of their mouths came fire, smoke, and brimstone. By these three plagues a third of mankind was killed—by the fire and the smoke and the brimstone which came out of their mouths. For their power is in their mouth and in their tails; for their tails are like serpents, having heads; and with them they do harm. But the rest of mankind, who were not killed by these plagues, did not repent of the works of their hands, that they should not worship demons, and idols of gold, silver, brass, stone, and wood, which can neither see nor hear nor walk. And they did not repent of their murders or their sorceries or their sexual immorality or their thefts – Revelation 9:13-21

During this terrible time of the Tribulation period, the Lord Jesus Christ will allow ”four angels who are bound at the great river Euphrates” to release ”two hundred million horseman” to usher in judgment on the inhabitants of the earth for the purpose of bringing them under subjection:

Now the number of the army of the horsemen was two hundred million; I heard the number of them – Revelation 9:16

Perhaps this reference to the ”two hundred million” represents the actual physical human armies of the world and their great war machines which will make their way across the “dried up” Euphrates River to challenge the Most High God at the battle of Armageddon. Or perhaps these horseman are supernatural – unlike any living horses we’ve ever seen before:

And thus I saw the horses in the vision: those who sat on them had breastplates of fiery red, hyacinth blue, and sulfur yellow; and the heads of the horses were like the heads of lions; and out of their mouths came fire, smoke, and brimstone – Revelation 9:17

Although these challenging passages could indeed be speaking of actual nuclear war which will inevitably take place, it would seem this multitude is neither from the east nor human. To summarize why it appears these ”two hundred million” are demons and not the Chinese army as some scholars believe, four points can be noted: 

• They are led by four fallen angels
• The location of the army is stated to be the Euphrates, where Babylon is located – which will be the future headquarters of the counterfeit trinit
• The description given in the text seems to rule out this army as being human
• The kings of the east in chapter 16 are not connected with this event

 
Finally, we find the startling horrific deaths of one third of the earth’s population:

By these three plagues a third of mankind was killed—by the fire and the smoke and the brimstone which came out of their mouths – Revelation 9:18

In utilizing simple mathematics…
 
This means that with the one fourth of the recorded deaths as a result of the fourth Seal Judgment of chapter 6 combined with the recorded death of one third in verse 18 of chapter 9, we see that equates to approximately ONE HALF of the earth’s total population being killed up to this time during the Tribulation period! Think of this – using our present population statistics, that would equate to three and one half billion people left dead! And there are still several more judgments to follow – which will increase in their intensity!
 
This will indeed be a terrible time of judgment for the earth and its inhabitants!  The devastating destruction is unthinkable! But this is what awaits man who rejects Jesus Christ. However, from out of this “hell on earth” carnage, there is hope to come…
 
The 7^th Trumpet Judgment and is found later in chapter 11:

Then the seventh angel sounded: And there were loud voices in heaven, saying, “The kingdoms of this world have become the kingdoms of our Lord and of His Christ, and He shall reign forever and ever!” – Revelation 11:15

This terrible time of judgment represent the prophetic Word of God as ”profitable” for the Christian by warning us of these pending judgments:

All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work – 2 Timothy 3:16-17

It is also "practical" in that it presses us to reach out to our lost friends and love-ones so that they might consider doing what is necessary to escape these literal judgments to come – by trusting on Jesus Christ ALONE for salvation – before it is eternally too late!

With this information as a foundation for your studies, please read through Chapter 9 of Revelation.

Thank you for reading! Don’t miss next week’s edition as we investigate chapter 10 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 8‏‏‏

Hello Friends!

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

Revelation Chapter 8
 
This week we will investigate chapter 8 in our journey of the end times.

As we come to our next chapter in the book of Revelation, we move into the second set of seven judgments, the seven Trumpet Judgments. As we have discussed, the last of the seven Seal Judgments is found also in Chapter 8:

When He opened the seventh seal, there was silence in heaven for about half an hour – Revelation 8:1

The seven Trumpet Judgments come out of the last Seal Judgment as is the case with the seven Bowl Judgments coming out of the seventh Trumpet Judgment.

Notice, that the seventh Seal Judgment is "silence in heaven about the space of half an hour". The reason for the "silence", I believe, is because the "cloud of witnesses" spoken of in the book of Hebrews is "awestruck" by the six previous Seal Judgments and the seven Trumpet Judgments to follow:

Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us – Hebrews 12:1

It is important for us to notice what has been termed "ecological judgment" of our day – the judgments which will be released on the earth in these first four Trumpet Judgments. The fact is, we hear a lot about "global warming" and "climate change" in the media these days. I believe "global warming" is impossible because Jesus Christ created the heavens, the earth and all that is in them and He holds it all together:

 For by Him all things were created that are in heaven and that are on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or principalities or powers. All things were created through Him and for Him. And He is before all things, and in Him all things consist – Colossians 1:16-17

God is in charge and is sovereign over all things. Therefore, nothing can happen to this earth unless He allows it! No act of man can overrule God's perfect sovereign plan and will. However, as our Scriptures tells us, there will be severe "ecological judgments" upon the earth during the time of the seven year Tribulation Period to take place in the future.

The first Trumpet Judgment is a "third" part of the "trees" and all the "grass" on earth "burned up":

 The first angel sounded: And hail and fire followed, mingled with blood, and they were thrown to the earth. And a third of the trees were burned up, and all green grass was burned up – Revelation 8:7

The second Trumpet Judgment is a "third" of the "sea became blood," a "third" of the "living creatures in the sea" dying and a "third" of the "ships" upon the seas being destroyed:

Then the second angel sounded: And something like a great mountain burning with fire was thrown into the sea, and a third of the sea became blood. And a third of the living creatures in the sea died, and a third of the ships were destroyed – Revelation 8:8

The third Trumpet Judgment is a "third" of the rivers, ponds, lakes and fountains of water becoming bitter, so much so that many on the earth will die from drinking this water:

Then the third angel sounded: And a great star fell from heaven, burning like a torch, and it fell on a third of the rivers and on the springs of water. The name of the star is Wormwood. A third of the waters became wormwood, and many men died from the water, because it was made bitter – Revelation 8:10-11

The fourth Trumpet Judgment now shift to the heavens – the sun, moon and stars lose one-third of their light and there is more darkness than usual upon the earth:

Then the fourth angel sounded: And a third of the sun was struck, a third of the moon, and a third of the stars, so that a third of them were darkened. A third of the day did not shine, and likewise the night – Revelation 8:12

The last verse of chapter 8 then reveals that continuing into the Tribulation Period will get much worse for its inhabitants:

And I looked, and I heard an angel flying through the midst of heaven, saying with a loud voice, “Woe, woe, woe to the inhabitants of the earth, because of the remaining blasts of the trumpet of the three angels who are about to sound! – Revelation 8:13

The last three Trumpet Judgments that are to follow will be investigated next time – Lord willing – in chapter 9 of our Revelation studies.

In studying the Word of God, one might wonder – "Why study all of these terrible judgments, if at the Rapture, we as Christians leave this earth and will not take part in them?" There are several answers to that inquisitive question. The most important one being that we may warn our non-Christian friends – and loved ones – about this coming judgment and how they can escape the terrible time to come!

NOTE: In June of 2013 – the citizens of Israel celebrated the 46th anniversary of the "reunification" of Jerusalem. This reunification of Jerusalem was the result of the Israeli Defense Force capturing the Old City of Jerusalem including the Temple Mount after nearly 2,000 years! This miraculous victory took place at the end of a "six-day war" which was conducted from June 5th until June 10th 1967 with Israel under attack on three sides – Syria from the north, Jordan from the east and Egypt from the south. These wicked enemies of Israel were all defeated in six days – which also included the victory in Jerusalem!

Here are a few excellent sources that outline the supernatural events, miracles and protective hand of God during this incredible prophetic time in history:

http://www.knesset.gov.il/lexicon/eng/six_days_eng.htm

http://www.zionism-israel.com/his/six_day_war_timeline.htm

http://unitedwithisrael.org/6-day-war-day-by-day

This incredible historical victory for Israel – against all natural odds – will again one day be demonstrated by the Lord’s power, supernatural protection and final destruction of His enemies – just as the Scriptures promise!

Another key Biblical event recorded in 2 Samuel chapter 5 which took place 3,000 years ago is very significant as it relates to Jerusalem – both politically and prophetically. The men of the tribe of Judah had come to David to appoint the grown-up shepherd boy of Bethlehem as king of their tribe, one of the tribes of the twelve in Israel:

Then the men of Judah came, and there they anointed David king over the house of Judah. And they told David, saying, “The men of Jabesh Gilead were the ones who buried Saul” – 2 Samuel 2:4

King David would serve as King of Judah for 7 ½ years before all the tribal leaders of Israel would come to him where he served in Hebron, to make him the King of all twelve tribes. King David made a league with them before the Lord and they anointed David King over all of Israel. Now David must find a neutral location to headquarter his kingdom – some location other than Hebron. David's search took him to a Jebusite stronghold between the tribal locations of Benjamin and Judah – known as Jerusalem.

After capturing the city, King David makes Jerusalem – and in particular the Temple Mount – the political capital of the Jewish people. Remember, that was done some 3,000 years ago – before the Islamic faith even came into existence!

The Jews were occupying the Temple Mount over 1,000 years before the Muslims were ever in existence – especially before the “prophet” of the Islamic faith ever thought of riding a horse from the stone under the Dome of the Rock into heaven to meet with Allah! The truth be known, the Islamic book “The Generous Quran” (actual title) never even mentions Jerusalem. In fact, most Islamic scholars debate whether Mohammad was ever in Jerusalem!

God also made King David a prophetic promise known as the Davidic Covenant in where there would be a Jewish temple on the Temple Mount in Jerusalem and one of his descendants would be there to serve as co-regent or “administrator” of the Temple Mount. King David has a historical, Biblical and prophetic connection to the Temple Mount – Mohammad does not!

The Lord used King David – this shepherd boy, giant killer and natural-born leader – to lead the Jewish people in ancient times. The Lord will also raise King David to serve alongside the Messiah Jesus Christ during His literal 1,000-year Kingdom that is one day coming to Jerusalem – a kingdom that will reign forever! However, before that promised time arrives, there will be a "terrible time of judgment" known as the "Seven Year Tribulation" – in which we are in the midst of investigating during our current Revelation study.

The future will reveal God's prophetic provision and protection for the Jewish people, because He has a plan for His people – yet to be fulfilled. Bible prophecy will be fulfilled for Israel and her people – the Jews. It has been said that Bible Prophecy is indeed an excellent evangelism tool – I totally agree!

PERSONAL CHALLENGE: We as Christians must make it a point to share the Gospel of Jesus Christ to the lost at every opportunity the Lord provides. After all, the Rapture could happen at any time… even today – Halleluiah!

With this information as a foundation for your studies, please read through Chapter 8 of Revelation.

Thank you for reading! Don’t miss next week’s edition as we investigate chapter 9 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 <><

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