HEAVEN'S THRONE ROOM

John's Vision of Heaven's Throne room.    Rev. 4:2-11

John, in his Vision in Revelation, uses the language of Isaiah 6:1-6 and Ezekiel 1:5-10. 

 “In the year that King Uzziah died, I saw the Lord sitting on a throne, high and lifted up, and the train of His robe filled the temple. ² Above it stood seraphim; each one had six wings: with two he covered his face, with two he covered his feet, and with two he flew. ³ And one cried to another and said: "Holy, holy, holy is the Lord of hosts; The whole earth is full of His glory!" ⁴ And the posts of the door were shaken by the voice of him who cried out, and the house was filled with smoke. ⁵ So I said: "Woe is me, for I am undone! Because I am a man of unclean lips, And I dwell in the midst of a people of unclean lips; For my eyes have seen the King, The Lord of hosts." ⁶ Then one of the seraphim flew to me, having in his hand a live coal which he had taken with the tongs from the altar. ⁷ And he touched my mouth with it, and said: "Behold, this has touched your lips; Your iniquity is taken away, And your sin purged."  Isaiah 6:1-7 (NKJV)

 “Then I looked, and behold, a whirlwind was coming out of the north, a great cloud with raging fire engulfing itself; and brightness was all around it and radiating out of its midst like the color of amber, out of the midst of the fire. ⁵ Also from within it came the likeness of four living creatures. And this was their appearance: they had the likeness of a man. ⁶ Each one had four faces, and each one had four wings. ⁷ Their legs were straight, and the soles of their feet were like the soles of calves' feet. They sparkled like the color of burnished bronze. ⁸ The hands of a man were under their wings on their four sides; and each of the four had faces and wings. ⁹ Their wings touched one another. The creatures did not turn when they went, but each one went straight forward. ¹⁰ As for the likeness of their faces, each had the face of a man; each of the four had the face of a lion on the right side, each of the four had the face of an ox on the left side, and each of the four had the face of an eagle.”  Ezek 1:4-10 (NKJV)

The Throne Room of Heaven is the Command Center for all the events and action which proceed from there.  John is saying that the events happening are not out of God's hands, as they may appear to be to those who are suffering.  All that exists and all that occurs is subject to Christ on His heavenly throne.  That is why the 24 elders worship Christ saying, "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." 

    “Whenever the living creatures give glory and honor and thanks to Him who sits on the throne, who lives forever and ever, ¹⁰ 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, saying: ¹¹ "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."  Rev 4:9-11 (NKJV)

     “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. ² He was in the beginning with God. ³ All things were made through Him, and without Him nothing was made that was made. ⁴ In Him was life, and the life was the light of men.”  John 1:1-4 (NKJV)

     “That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we have looked upon, and our hands have handled, concerning the Word of life-- ² the life was manifested, and we have seen, and bear witness, and declare to you that eternal life which was with the Father and was manifested to us-- ³ that which we have seen and heard we declare to you, that you also may have fellowship with us; and truly our fellowship is with the Father and with His Son Jesus Christ. ⁴ And these things we write to you that your joy may be full.”  1 John 1:1-4 (NKJV)

     “For we did not follow cunningly devised fables when we made known to you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but were eyewitnesses of His majesty. ¹⁷ For He received from God the Father honor and glory when such a voice came to Him from the Excellent Glory: "This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased." ¹⁸ And we heard this voice which came from heaven when we were with Him on the holy mountain.”  2 Peter 1:16-18 (NKJV)

The glory and grandeur of John's Vision

    I was caught up at once in deep worship

and, oh! — a Throne set in Heaven

with One Seated on the Throne,

shining in gem hues of amber and flame

with a rainbow of emerald.

Twenty-four thrones circled the Throne,

with Twenty-four Elders seated,

white-robed, gold-crowned.

Lightning flash and thunder crash

pulsed from the Throne.

Seven fire-blazing torches fronted the Throne

(these are the Sevenfold Spirit of God).

Before the Throne it was like a clear crystal sea.

    Prowling around the Throne were Four Creatures,

who were full of eyes.

Eyes to look ahead, eyes to look behind.

The first Creature like a lion,

the second like an ox,

the third with a human face,

the fourth like an eagle in flight.

The Four Creatures were winged, each with six wings.

They were all eyes, seeing around and within.

And they chanted night and day, never taking a break:

        Holy, holy, holy

        Lord God Almighty, Sovereign-Strong,

         Who Was, Who Is, Who is Coming.

 Every time the Creatures gave glory and honor and thanks

 to the One Seated on the Throne—

the age-after-age Living One—

the Twenty-four Elders would fall prostrate

before the One Seated on the Throne.

They worshipped the age-after-age Living One.

They cast their crowns at the foot of the Throne, chanting,

        Worthy, O Master!  Yes, our God!

        Take the glory! the honor! the power!

        For You created it all;

        It was created because You wanted it so.

BEATITUDES IN REVELATION

BEATITUDES IN REVELATION       

    The Book of Revelation is one of God’s great gifts to His  church.   God is the Power and He loves us with a tough- love.  This Book reveals in a "poetic” way the things which were, the things which are, and the things which will be  [Rev. 1:19].

    Revelation unveils our world and gives Hope! Beyond  the rise and fall of empires, the afflictions of the righteous, and the turmoil of life in general, God’s Purpose must and does prevail.   We live in God's Universe, not in a mad chaos.   Beyond Space and Time, there is the perfect fellowship of the People of God with Him!  Blessed be!   Christ is Coming!

    Revelation shows us that the battle between the church and the devil is not determined on earth.  It has already been settled in heaven!  The Act of God in Christ meant the downfall of Satan, and every act of Christian sacrifice confirms it.  John's "vision" shows us that the devil, driven from the presence of God, becomes the enemy of all who seek to do God's will, using every weapon he can find to try to defeat the purpose of the Creator.  The old covenant passed into the New Covenant , and with the triumph of Christ Jesus the sovereignty of God over the whole world has been assured forever (Rev. 11:14-19)!

 

    Rev. 1:3  “Blessed is he who reads and those who hear..”      Blessing to:  reader; hearer; keeper.  Compare Col. 4:16;  Hebrews 2:10; Eph. 1:20-21.

         

    Rev. 14:13   “Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord..”

    In The Lord - those who resist sin; those who serve Christ.

 

    Rev. 16:15   “Blessed is he who watches...”

    Watch!  compare Matt. 22:11-13

        

    Rev. 19:9  “Blessed are those who are called  to the marriage supper of the Lamb.” 

    Marriage Supper.  Note the wedding garment in Matt. 22:1-7.

 

    Rev. 20:6  “Blessed and holy is he who has part in the first resurrection."

    A side view of the martyrs, independent of verses 1-3,7-10.

    First resurrection from earth to paradise (heaven before the Judgment).  Souls - verse 4.  1000 years = Gospel Age (the Cross to Second Coming).

        

    Rev. 22:7  "Blessed is he who keeps the words of this prophecy."

    Those who are faithful - who receive the Message of Revelation.

            1 John 5:5

                Rev. 2:10

                1 Cor. 13:12

                Rev. 22:1-5

        

      Rev. 22:14   "Blessed are those who do His commandments..."

    "HIS" - note verse 13.  He is the Lord!

                The Commandments:

                 Love God

                 Love neighbor

     The right and the authority to enter The City - Heaven!

                Come Quickly Lord Jesus!  verses 20-21.

"Yes!  I'm on my way!  I'll be there soon!"

 

FOUR HORSEMEN VISION

Four Horsemen of Revelation
The language of Revelation would be familiar to a First Century Jew. John is instructed to draw on familiar forms to speak of our world and all that is taking place. Principalities and powers are spiritual forces allowed by God to test us and to refine us as gold is refined in fire. "Be thou faithful unto death" is the rallying cry. We claim the "Joy unspeakable and full of glory" even though we do not understand. "How long Oh Lord?" Until the Purpose is completed.
In chapters 6 & 7, the Lamb who took the sealed scroll (Rev. 5:7), now begins to open the seals and to disclose a sequence of events.

1. Then I saw. The Lamb breaks open the first of the seals. Come. The four living creatures (cherubim) take turns introducing a horseman.

2. There was a whlte horse. The Rider on the white horse symbolizes Christ [ this is still a vision.] The bow, the crown, and the white horse, are symbolic of conquest and victory. As a conqueror to conquer. Christ is a conqueror (Rev. 3.9-10). He has already conquered death and the world of the dead (Acts 2:24; Rev. 1:18). Compare the Rider in Rev. 19:11. Christ stands among his gold lampstands (Rev. 1:12-13), and this can be taken as symbolic of his conquest through his church. It is the church (the messianic community) which is commanded to: "Go!" Matt. 28:19-20).

3-4. Another horse came out. This horse is red - symbolic of violent death. As the Good News of Jesus is preached, persecution and sacrifice follow. Read what Jesus said in Matt. 10:34-39. The red horse refers to religious persecution stirred up by preaching Christ. The sword here is the sacrificial knife which was used to kill the animal on the Jewish altar (compare Heb. 9:12-15). "Kill" as used here means to "slaughter as a sacrifice. " The world slaughters the people of God as a sacrifice [they don’t intend it that way] to God, which he accepts as praise to him (Rev. 13:9-10; 14:13).

5-6. There was a black horse. Symbolic of great economic hardship. The scales are symbolic of famine (Ezek. 4:10-17), and the prices given for wheat and barley are famine prices. But it is not famine, since plenty of wheat and barley are available if you can paythe price! Oil and wine symbolize luxury here, but these people can barely buy the cheapest food. Who are they? - The Christians. See note on Rev. 2:20; 13:17. The second and third Riders belong together. As soon as the Good News of Christ is preached, the world will persecute the church in every way. The two forms mentioned here: slaughter and economic hardship - are symbolic of every form of persecution.

7-8. There was a pale-colored horse. This horse is a very sickly gruesome color, symbolic of disease and death. Its Rider is Death, and Hades (the world of the dead) comes trotting along behind. War, famine, disease and wild animals come on believer and unbeliever alike. Death cuts down, and Hades [symbolizing disembodied spirits of the dead (see notes on Luke 16:22-23)] seizes them. To the believer, this punishment is helpful (Heb. 12:5-11); but to the nonbeliever, it is a curse, because they do not turn from their sins (Rev. 9:20-21).

9. Then the Lamb broke open the flfth seal. This is still a vision. I saw . . . the souls. He sees an altar, and under it the SOULS (not bodies) of those who were being slaughtered under the second seal. Their lives were both a sacrifice and a testimony to Christ.

10. How long? These souls shout in a loud voice, asking for vengeance. But did not Jesus ask God to forgive those who killed him? We answer, these souls do not ask for revenge, but they ask God’s vengeance for God’s sake. By slaughtering them, the world repudiates God! See Jude 1:14-15.

11. They were told to rest. A white, flowing robe is given to each of them (symbolic of being free from guilt, of being holy, and of great happiness). God hears their prayers, but his purpose is not yet fulfilled. God knows the exact number of martyrs to his cause, and not until this many are sacrificed to him, will our world come to an end.

12-14. And I saw the Lamb break open the sixth seal. The sixth seal introduces the Judgment, and shows us something of the terror of the wicked at that time. The events of verses 12, 13, 14 are to be lumped together around the central idea of God’s wrath and power unleashed [at Christ’s Second Coming against the world of wicked people. Compare EzekieI 38;19; Amos 8:8; Joel 2:10.

15-16. and the kings of the earth, etc. Under the symbolism of six groups of men, John sees [in his vision] the total godless world in terror as they will attempt to escape from God’s wrath. As the very earth shakes to pieces beneath their feet, even death itself seems less to be feared than the wrath of the Lamb who comes in Judgment (Rev. 1:7). Suffering Christian, you have no reason to be afraid of all this! THE LAMB IS YOUR KING and YOUR FRIEND!

17. The great day of their wrath is here. Chapter 6 closes with Judgment Day, but the seventh seal is not yet opened! God sends punishment on the world in our day [or at least allows it to come] because wicked persecute his people. But God will not execute his complete vengeance, nor close the door of grace, until his Plan is fulfilled and Jesus returns to begin his work of Judgment (see Acts 17:31).

7:1. Judgment halted for the sealing of God's people. 144,000 is symbolic of God’s people in both the Old and New Testaments.

The Wise Shall Shine

Those who are wise shall shine

"Those who are wise shall shine Like the brightness of the firmament, And those who turn many to righteousness Like the stars forever and ever." Dan 12:3

"At that time Jesus prayed this prayer: "O Father, Lord of heaven and earth, thank you for hiding these things from those who think themselves wise and clever, and for revealing them to the childlike. Yes, Father, it pleased you to do it this way! "My Father has entrusted everything to me. No one truly knows the Son except the Father, and no one truly knows the Father except the Son and those to whom the Son chooses to reveal him." Then Jesus said, "Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you. Let me teach you, because I am humble and gentle at heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy to bear, and the burden I give you is light."Matt 11:25-30(NLT)

1. Then a great mysterious sight appeared in the sky.

"Now a great sign appeared in heaven: a woman clothed with the sun, with the moon under her feet, and on her head a garland of twelve stars." Rev 12:1

In this vision, the woman is symbolic of God’s people in both the Old and New testaments. (Church in the wilderness. Acts 8:37) At the right time, Jesus was born of a human mother and lived under the Jewish Law (Gal. 4.4). There is a continuity between the Jewish church and the church of Christ (see Heb. 9:15).

In Rev. 12, verses 1-6 form one central idea - God‘s act in history! The sun: the New Testament [the Christian system]. The moon: The Old Testament [the Law]. Twelve stars: the twelve apostles. To give birth: The Incarnation [Christ taking human form]. Another mysterious sight appeared in the sky. In this vision, the huge red dragon is Satan, The seven heads, ten horns, and the crowns are a lot like those of the beast in Rev. 17. These can be understood as symbolic of the Roman Empire, but Satan uses all the governments of the world against Christ and His church.

"For we have to struggle not with blood and flesh but with the angelic Rulers, the angelic Authorities, the potentates of the dark present, the spirit-forces of evil in the heavenly sphere. So take God's armour, that you may be able to make a stand upon the evil day and hold your ground by overcoming all the foe."  Eph 6:12-13 (MOFF)

2. Yet God is in control. Satan’s plans are frustrated by God. Even before Creation God had planned for the Eternal Word to come in flesh & blood among the sons and daughters of Adam.

"Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ, just as He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before Him in love..." Eph 1:3-4

a) Satan cast out of heaven.

"Then I heard a loud voice saying in heaven, "Now salvation, and strength, and the kingdom of our God, and the power of His Christ have come, for the accuser of our brethren, who accused them before our God day and night, has been cast down. And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony, and they did not love their lives to the death." Rev 12:10-12

b) The woman is protected.

"But the woman was given two wings of a great eagle, that she might fly into the wilderness to her place, where she is nourished for a time and times and half a time, from the presence of the serpent." Rev 12:14

"You have seen what I did to the Egyptians, and how I bore you on eagles' wings and brought you to Myself." Exodus 19:4

"The church needs to know that its present struggles and sufferings are not a sign that God has gone to sleep on the job. They are the sign that a great, cosmic drama is being staged, in which they are being given a vital though terrible role to play."  Wright

c) Satan desperately tries but fails.

"So the serpent spewed water out of his mouth like a flood after the woman, that he might cause her to be carried away by the flood. But the earth helped the woman, and the earth opened its mouth and swallowed up the flood which the dragon had spewed out of his mouth." Rev 12:15-16

"The decisive battle has been won, and the devil knows it; but his basic nature of ‘accuser’ is now driving him, more and more frantically, to the attack, to accuse where it’s justified and where it isn’t, to drag down, to slander, to vilify, to deny the truth of what the creator God and His Son, the Lamb, have accomplished and are accomplishing. This is the ongoing battle in which all Christians are engaged, whether they know it or not." Wright

THE CHURCH SINGS PRAISE

Note: I borrowed this from John Mark Hicks.  I think it is valuable in studying the Book of Revelation.  The First Century Church sang the praises of the One God who is Jehovah the Father, Jehovah the Son, Jehovah the Holy Spirit.  R.D.Ice

New Testament Hymns

February 5, 2012

The early church, even as its Scripture was being written, expanded the Hebrew Psalter to include their own faith-hymns. Some (like Luke’s Canticles) are squarely rooted in the Hebrew traditions though with a Christological application and others reflect the new situation of the people of God in the church as the story of Israel is extended through Jesus (many of the hymns Paul utilizes).

Whatever their origin, they reflect a usage in the church that gives evidence of deep theology in their praise of God and mutual edification. This is a list for your own reference in the future. Remember, however, some are disputed (are they really hymns chanted by the early church?) but all of the below have their advocates and rationale. I don’t think it improbable that what the church sang helped shape what the church wrote because what they sang is what they professed in their assemblies.

NON-PSALTER HYMNS IN THE NEW TESTAMENT*

A. Luke’s Canticles

1. Luke 1:46-55, Hymn to God in third person, “My soul glorifies.”
2. Luke 1:68-79, Hymn to God, “Praise be to the Lord.”
3. Luke 2:14, Hymn to God, “Glory to God.”
4. Luke 2:29-32, Hymn to God, “Sovereign Lord.”

B. Christological Hymns.

1. 1 Timothy 3:16
2. Philippians 2:6-11
3. Colossians 1:15-20
3. John 1:14-18
4. 1 Peter 1:18-21
5. 1 Peter 2:21-25
6. 1 Peter 3:18-21
7. Hebrews 1:3

C. Confessional Hymns

1. 1 Timothy 6:11-16
2. 2 Timothy 2:11-13

D. Sacramental Hymns

1. Ephesians 5:14
2. Titus 3:4-7

E. Meditative Hymns

1. Ephesians 1:3-14
2. Romans 8:31-39
3. 1 Corinthians 13

F. Hymns of the Apocalypse (Revelation)

1. 4:8, Hymn to God, “Holy, holy, holy.”
2. 4:11, Hymn to God, “You are worthy, our Lord and God.”
3. 5:9-10, Hymn to Christ, “You are worthy.”
4. 5:12, Hymn to Christ, “Worthy is the Lamb.”
5. 5:13, Hymn to God and Christ, “Praise.”
6. 7:10, Hymn to God and Christ, “Salvation belongs to…”
7. 7:12, Hymn to God, “Praise.”
8. 7:15-17, Hymn about God’s Promises.
9. 11:15, Hymn about God’s Victory.
10. 11:17-18, Hymn to God, “We give thanks.”
11. 12:10-12, Hymn about God’s Victory and Satan’s Woes.
12. 15:3-4, The Song of the Lamb to God, “Great.”
13. 16:5-7, Hymn to God, “Your are just.”
14. 18:2-3, Hymn about the fall of Babylon.
15. 18:4-8, Hymn of Invitation, “Come out of her, my people.”
16. 18:10,16-17,19-20,21-24, Hymns of Woe on Babylon.
17. 19:1-8, Hallelujah Hymns (5 of them).

*I put this list together many years ago. I do not have notes of how I did it or what resources I used. If you discover this is too much like another list or see dependence, please let me know so I can give credit.  Hicks

 

Seven Reasons Why I Read Revelation

Seven Reasons Why I Read The Book Of Revelation

        [with quotations from Matt Proctor]

        “The Revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave Him to show His servants--things which must shortly take place. And He sent and signified it by His angel to His servant John, who bore witness to the word of God, and to the testimony of Jesus Christ, to all things that he saw.  Blessed is he who reads and those who hear the words of this prophecy, and keep those things which are written in it; for the time is near.”  Rev 1:1-3 (NKJV)

        a) The Written Word includes the Book of Revelation.  John is a preacher writing to ordinary Christians.  When we read Revelation through eyes of devotion to Christ Jesus, we strengthen our obedience and deepen our faith.  John uses as many as 500 familiar images from the Old Testament to communicate the Mind of God.

        b) "When you read Revelation, don't ask, 'How does this help me figure out the calendar?' Rather, ask, 'How does this help me follow Christ?'"  Matt Proctor

        c) "It is only when I see evil as clearly as I should that I pray as fervently as I should.  That is why I need the Book of Revelation."  Matt Proctor

        1. When I read the Book of Revelation:

        I approach Jesus more humbly (chapter 1).  The Gospels show us the human Jesus.  The Human One (Son of Man) is one of us and knows our weaknesses and strengths.  John leans on His breast at the Last Supper.  [John 13:23-25]

        But Rev. ch 1 shows a towering, terrifying vision of The Risen Christ huge and blazing in His Holiness!  Not only is Jesus fully Man - He is fully God!  He is The Boss over the Universe!  Compare Col. 1:15-20.

        “There’s seven halogen floodlights, solid gold.  Right in the middle is the Human One, dressed like a High Priest with a gold belt around His waist.  His face and hair are brilliant white, His eyes are on fire, His feet are glowing furnace-bronze, His voice is like a wild white-water river.  His right hand’s holding seven stars and His words are like a samurai sword - razor sharp both sides.  Looking into His face is like looking into the sun at noon.”  Lacey

       

        This vision seen through Jewish eyes: Jesus the Son of Man is wearing the robe of the High Priest with the gold band of a king around His chest.  His hair is white, not with age, but with heavenly glory.  The fire-blaze of His eyes, the feet of polished brass, and the voice of command, show great power and authority.  He has authority over even death and Hades the world of the dead.  “That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of those in heaven, and of those on earth, and of those under the earth, and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.”  Phil. 2:10-11

        2. I love the church more honestly (chapter 2&3).

        The Lord added me to His church.  I have been adopted into His Family.  Compare Eph. 2:18-22.

        All (local) churches fall short of the glory of God (Romans 3:23).  (Gasp).  This is clear in Rev. 2&3.  We have our feet of clay.  BUT - Jesus still loves these churches!  He loves them (and us) just as they are, commending each one (except Laodicea) for the good that is mixed in with the bad.  Jesus accepts each just as they are - but He loves them too much to leave them unchanged.  While the Bride of Christ has her "warts & wrinkles," the Bridegroom treats Her with tough and tender love and will not give up on Her.

        "Are your ears awake?  Listen to the Voice of the Holy Spirit speaking to the churches.  Christ-conquerors are safe from devil-death."  Compare Gal. 3:3; 5:22-23.

        3. I enter worship more completely (chapters 4&5). 

        "Wow!  That's really all you can say when you enter the Throne-room of Heaven.  You shield your eyes from dazzling light!  You drop to your knees in fear and wonder!  Incense fills your nostrils!  A vast angelic host shakes the very foundation of the sky with their praise!  The countless thundering voices reverberate in your chest!  Amid all this, you are drawn irresistibly to the Figure on the Throne.  HE is more glorious, more holy, more powerful, more beautiful than you ever imagined!  [compare 1 Cor. 2:9-10]

        "They sang a new song!  Worthy!  Yes worthy!  Our God!  The slain Lamb is worthy!  Take the power, the wealth, the wisdom, the strength!  Take the honor, the glory, the blessing!  You created it all!  Because You wanted it to be!  Paying in the Blood of Your death You bought men and women from all over the earth!  You bought them for God!"

        "It's not the big deceptions, but all the little lies we buy that eventually bring us down.  That's why we must call sin of every size by its true name."  Matt Proctor

        "The world will reject, but God will reward (Rev. 11:17-19)."  Note Jesus in John 16:33.  “But take heart, because I have overcome the world.”

        “But cowards who turn away from Me, and unbelievers, and the corrupt, and murderers, and the [sexually] immoral, and those who practice witchcraft, and idol worshipers, and all liars - their doom is in the lake that burns with fire and sulfur.  This is the second death.”  Rev. 21:8  The Book Version

        God wants us to trust who He is, what He’s done for us in Jesus, and what He promises to finish doing. Along the way, He has some good advice and specific commands, but not many answers to the mysteries of life that torment us.

        4. I endure suffering more confidently (chapters 6-9).

        "A genuinely Christian life should feed the soul as well as the mind; should offer a vision of men and women made whole by the love of God, the knowledge of creation, and the reality of things unseen; should enable us to see the beauty of the world in the light of eternity; and should help us recapture the nobility of the human story and the dignity of the human person. This is the kind of witness that sets fire to the human heart."  Chaput

        When the going gets tough, what do we do???  Tornadoes, sickness, floods, cancer, car wrecks - the effects of sin affect us all (Romans 8:18-21).  The Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse ride across the world.  “Flash image of a tyrant riding on a white horse, invasion in his manic eyes.  War.  Raging famine.  Death.  Yes, but.”  Lacey

        When we rethink John’s vision, we note the White Horse leads the way.  “But to the Son He says: "Your throne, O God, is forever and ever; A scepter of righteousness is the scepter of Your Kingdom.”  Heb 1:8 The Gospel of Christ conquers the world!  But at the same time Satan uses tyrants to send war, famine, pestilence, death - and lies.  Jesus predicted this in Matt. 24.  “But the end is not yet.”

        Note what Paul said.  “Some indeed preach Christ even from envy and strife, and some also from good will: The former preach Christ from selfish ambition, not sincerely, supposing to add affliction to my chains; but the latter out of love, knowing that I am appointed for the defense of the gospel.  What then? Only that in every way, whether in pretense or in truth, Christ is preached; and in this I rejoice, yes, and will rejoice.”  Phil 1:15-18

        "How long, Strong God, how long, Holy and True?”  “Sit back and wait, until the full number of martyrs is filled from among your fellow-servant brothers and sisters."

        In chapter 7 we see and hear a vast crowd - too many to count - of believers singing praise to God!  God does remember us and will save us!  When the going gets tough, I can sing along with the song of the "Sealed and Saved."

        "They were shouting and singing heartily!  Salvation comes from our God, who sits on the throne, and from The Lamb!  Amen!  Praise, glory, wisdom, thanksgiving, honor, power, and might belong to our God forever and ever!  Amen!"

        In chapter 8 the angel adds incense to the prayers of God’s people.  Peals of thunder, lightning and an earthquake show that God did hear the prayers and has acted on them.

        5. I speak God's truth more courageously (chapters 10&11).

        "Then I was told, Once again you must proclaim God's gospel-message about many nations, races, languages, and kings.  God will complete His secret plan, as He announced to His servants, the prophets."  Compare Acts 4:29-31.

    Preaching is not all congratulations and conversions.  Gospel is Good News!  But when John "swallows" God's message, it's bitter.  Persecution follows.  When the witnesses finish speaking their testimony, they are killed!  What does this all teach us - tell God's truth about Jesus no matter the consequences.  John doesn't write as much to instruct us in how to tell others, as to inspire us so we do tell the Good News of Jesus Christ with courage and boldness!

        6. I see evil more clearly (chapters 12-18). 

        Satan is so sly that I often don't recognize his fingertips.  John throws back the curtain of the visible world to show us reality.  Materialism and pleasure-mad ways are not harmless.  What sometimes looks harmless is really hellish.  This world is not a playground but a battleground.  And the battle is for our souls!  John warns in 1 John 2:15-17, "Do not love the world. . .what the sinful self desires [lust of the flesh], what people see and want [lust of the eyes], and everything in this world that people are so proud of [the pride of life] - none of this comes from the Father."  (GNT)

        When John wrote, the Empire of Rome was “Babylon,” the evil Empire.  “How terrible, how terrible for Babylon, that great city!  In one single moment God’s judgment came on her.  The merchants of the world will weep and mourn for her, for there is no one left to buy their goods.  She bought great quantities of gold, silver, jewels, pearls, fine linen, purple dye, silk, scarlet cloth, every kind of perfumed wood, ivory goods, objects made of expensive wood, bronze, iron, and marble.  She also bought cinnamon, spice, incense, myrrh, frankincense, wine, olive oil, fine flour, wheat, cattle, sheep, horses, chariots, and slaves - yes, she even traded in human lives [the souls of men].”  Rev. 18:10-13  The Book

    REVELATION shows us the final Victory of God’s People!  Jesus is coming soon!  We will be raised from the dead!

    Life is a succession of mysteries - some joyful, some sorrowful.  But the Lord has promised us a peace and joy that no one can take from us.  It will take us all eternity - the time of the glorious mysteries - to give Him thanks and praise!  [Romans 5:1-6] 

        Persecution began very quickly.  Acts 8:1  “A great wave of persecution began that day, sweeping over the church at Jerusalem, and all the believers except the apostles fled into Judea and Samaria.”  The Book Version

        Smyrna was the persecuted church.  Note Rev. 2:10.  “The devil is about to throw some of you into prison, that you may be tested...”

        The Church in Pergamos had a faithful martyr, Antipas (Rev. 2:13) who was killed for his faith.

        “Beloved, do not think it strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened to you . . .”  (1 Peter 4:12-13).

        “These present days of martyrdom are as brutal as any endured during the early and dark ages of the Church.”  Knowles

        Would you be a Christian if it cost you your job, your house, perhaps even your family???  Many did obey in faith!

Faith of our Fathers!  living still

In spite of dungeon, fire, and sword;

O how our hearts beat high with joy

When-e’er we hear that glorious word

Faith of our Fathers, holy faith!

We will be true to Thee till death!

        John wrote: “They overcame him (Satan) by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony, and they did not love their lives to the death” (Revelation 12:11).

        7. I love Christ's Second Coming more deeply (chapters 19-22). 

        When the world I look out upon seems to be hopeless - what do I pray?  I pray the prayer that John the Apostle taught: "Come, Lord Jesus! (Rev. 22:20)."  The world is a place marred by sin.  We are tired of famine, abortion, murder, deceit, natural disasters, cancer, death, sin, and Satan running wild through this world.  Jesus is tired of it too!

        Jesus will come crashing through the clouds, the angelic hosts behind Him.  Time will screech to a Halt!  In an instant (not some drawn out Armageddon battle), Satan and sin and death will be defeated!  They will be thrown into the Lake of Fire, and New Heavens and a New Earth will be ours!  And best of all, we will see our Lord - the Triune God - face to face!  [1 Cor. 13:12; 2 Peter 3:11-13; Isaiah 65:17; 66:22]

        On my darkest days, I turn and read the Book of Revelation and that keeps me going.  And God promises you that you will be blessed (Rev. 1:3).  "Blessed is he who reads and those who hear the words of this prophecy, and keep those things which are written in it; for the time is near."

        "Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the old heaven and the old earth had disappeared.  And the sea was gone also.  And I saw the holy city, the new Jerusalem, coming down from God out of heaven like a beautiful bride prepared for her husband.  I heard a loud shout from the throne, saying, 'Look, the home of God is now among His people!  He will live with them, and they will be His people.  God Himself will be with them.  He will remove all of their sorrows, and there will be no more death or sorrow or crying or pain.  For the old world and its evils are gone forever.'"  Rev. 21:1-4  The Book Version

        "Look, I am coming soon, and My reward is with Me, to repay all according to their deeds.  I am the Alpha and the Omega, the First and the Last, the Beginning and the End.  Blessed are those who wash their robes so they can enter through the gates of the city and eat the fruit from the tree of life.  . . The [Holy] Spirit and the bride say, Come.  Let each one who hears them say, Come.  Let the thirsty ones come - anyone who wants to.  Let them come and drink the water of life without charge."  Rev. 22:12-13,17  The Book Version

TIMES OF TESTING

Mean Times of Testing - the Four Horsemen of Revelation

Rev. 6. The Lamb opens the Seals. The deafening sound of millions of angels! Jesus is worth it! However much you give Him! It could never be too much! HE is LORD!

He takes the Scroll (the Script Book of the Plan) and begins opening the Seals.

First Seal: flash image of a tyrant riding on a white horse (but the real Conqueror is Christ!). Governments serve both God and the devil. Much more is taking place than we see. Kings and kingdoms rise and fall. But God has already decided in heaven. Things must take place in real time. History is marching steadily toward the Climax God has put into place. God’s Purpose is being fulfilled.

Second Seal: war images up on the screen. From the beginning, small kings have warred against each other. War is a fact of life. The human race is convulsed in continual struggle. Paul spoke of the "present distress" (1 Cor. 7:26-31).

Third Seal: raging famine. A quart of wheat for a whole day's wages. Starvation! People running for their lives cannot raise crops. And economic collapse creates calamity.

Fourth Seal: death for a quarter of earth's population. What is God allowing to happen?

Times of Testing for the whole earth! Note Rev. 3:10. Lacey understands this: "Since you've gone with My instructions to hang in there, I'll be your Minder come the Global Crunch Time. It's soon, and it'll push everyone way past their limits." [British. Minder: to attend to closely. Note Daniel 4:13; Psalm 103:19-21.]

Fifth Seal: picture of martyrs crying out to God for justice. White robes signify victory. They will not lose their reward. But first many more will become martyrs to the Cause of Christ. Even though Christ has already won the Victory, each of us much march through our allotted time here on earth as a good soldier of our King Jesus.

Sixth Seal: mass evacuations from the cities to the country bunkers. God's on the loose and The Lamb is seething mad! Compare Rev. 16:21. "And great hail from heaven fell upon men, each hailstone about the weight of a talent [100 lbs]. Men blasphemed God because of the plague of the hail, since that plague was exceedingly great."

Rev. 11:13. "In the same hour there was a great earthquake, and a tenth of the city fell. In the earthquake seven thousand people were killed, and the rest were afraid and gave glory to the God of heaven."

But to build suspense, four angels hold back God's hurricanes while another sprays the foreheads (Seals them) of 144,000 Jews (symbolic of those faithful) who stay loyal to God through the Mean Time (tribulation). Rev. 7:1-4. Note all the Saved, an enormous crowd of people who are too many to count. Rev. 7:9-17.

The rest of the story.

God hates sin - but He loves the sinner. From Adam & Eve to the End of Time, God holds out His offer to forgive and redeem everyone who will come to Him.

John 3:16-17. "Because God's so passionately in love with the planet, that He donated His one & only begotten Son. Whoever invests their life in His Son doesn't die, but gets this limitless eternal life. Do you think God sent His Son to slam people down? No! He sent His Son to liberate people." (Lacey)

Compare Jesus in Luke 4:16-21. "God's Spirit is on Me; He's chosen Me to preach the Message of good news to the poor, Sent Me to announce pardon to prisoners and recovery of sight to the blind, To set the burdened and battered free, to announce, 'This is God's year to act!'" (Peterson MsgB)

And to Paul in Acts 26: 18. " 'I'm sending you off to open the eyes of the outsiders so they can see the difference between dark and light, and choose light, see the difference between Satan and God, and choose God. I'm sending you off to present My offer of sins forgiven, and a place in the Family, inviting them into the company of those who begin real living by believing in Me." (Peterson MsgB)

Jesus said: "Do you now believe? Indeed the hour is coming, yes, has now come, that you will be scattered, each to his own, and will leave Me alone. And yet I am not alone, because the Father is with Me. These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world." John 16:31-33

Lump of clay mud, comb of honey.
Put them on a rock in the hot sun.
The very same sun hardens one
but the sun's heat melts the other.
And just so these tribulations of life
will cause some to curse God,
and yet cause others to praise Him!
Praise God from whom all blessings flow!
Job said: "Though He slay me,
yet will I trust Him." (Job 13:15)

Locating the Power of the Church.

a) 1 Cor. 1:22-26 “But we preach Christ crucified, to the Jews a stumbling block and to the Greeks foolishness, but to those who are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God.”

b) 1 Cor. 6:2-3 “Do you not know that the saints will judge the world? And if the world will be judged by you, are you unworthy to judge the smallest matters? Do you not know that we shall judge angels? How much more, things that pertain to this life?”

Compare Daniel 7:27. "Then the kingdom and dominion, And the greatness of the kingdoms under the whole heaven, Shall be given to the people, the saints of the Most High. His kingdom is an everlasting kingdom, And all dominions shall serve and obey Him.'"

c) The influence of the church has varied through the centuries. Compare Rev. 2:9-10 “I know your works, tribulation, and poverty (but you are rich); and I know the blasphemy of those who say they are Jews and are not, but are a synagogue of Satan. Do not fear any of those things which you are about to suffer. Indeed, the devil is about to throw some of you into prison, that you may be tested, and you will have tribulation ten days. Be faithful until death, and I will give you the crown of life.”

d) The Power always remains. 1 Thess 1:5-7 “For our gospel did not come to you in word only, but also in power, and in the Holy Spirit and in much assurance, as you know what kind of men we were among you for your sake. And you became followers of us and of the Lord, having received the word in much affliction, with joy of the Holy Spirit, so that you became examples to all in Macedonia and Achaia who believe.”

e). The law of Christian love is greater than the law of the anointing" See 1 Cor. 13:12-13. "For now we see in a mirror, dimly, but then face to face. Now I know in part, but then I shall know just as I also am known. And now abide faith, hope, love, these three; but the greatest of these is love."

Compare Romans 15:30. "Now I beg you, brethren, through the Lord Jesus Christ, and through the love of the Spirit, that you strive together with me in prayers to God for me . ."

Col. 1:8. "who also declared to us your love in the Spirit." (also Col. 3:12-14)

Jude 1:20-25. "But you, beloved, building yourselves up on your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Spirit, keep yourselves in the love of God, looking for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ unto eternal life."