DAILY REMINDER – Today, December 28’s Bible reading is Revelation 9-12.
NEXT DAY REMINDER – Tomorrow, December 29’s Bible reading is Revelation 13-16. May God bless you with the reading of His WORD.
NEXT DAY REMINDER – Tomorrow, December 29’s Bible reading is Revelation 13-16. May God bless you with the reading of His WORD.
Today's Lesson is Bible Lesson 6 from the series "Revelation: Removing the Prophetic Veil" by K L Rich on Amazon.com.
John saw another great angel come down from Heaven. This lets us know that this angel was one from God and not one of the devil’s fallen angels. He was clothed in a cloud with a rainbow above his head. His face was like the sun and his legs like fire. This description represents the presence of God. After the exodus of the Children of Israel from Egypt, they were led by a cloud during the day and a pillar of fire by night. Exodus 13:21 By day the LORD went ahead of them in a pillar of cloud to guide them on their way and by night in a pillar of fire to give them light, so that they could travel by day or night. (NIV) Due to there being no night in Heaven, God’s brightness shows over all who is in His presence. Moses’ face shown of God’s glory when he was given the Ten Commandments upon returning from Mount Sinai.
Exodus 34:29 When Moses came down from Mount Sinai with the two tablets of the covenant law in his hands, he was not aware that his face was radiant because he had spoken with the LORD. (NIV) The rainbow above the angel’s head represents the everlasting covenant that God has with mankind. Not only does this represent God’s promise to never send a flood to destroy the world again, but it is a covenant that if we remain faithful unto Him, we will receive Eternal Life. Genesis 9:16 Whenever the rainbow appears in the clouds, I will see it and remember the everlasting covenant between God and all living creatures of every kind on the earth." (NIV) Therefore, this angel was a representation of who God is and His everlasting covenant with mankind.
The angel had a small scroll in his hand as he had his right foot on the sea and the left foot on the land. The scroll that he was holding was the word of God and the sea represents people, while the land represents the earth itself. God is in control over all the inhabitants of the earth and sea because He created them. Psalm 89:9 You rule over the surging sea; when its waves mount up, you still them. (NIV) Man has often taken credit for having control of the earth and even though God gave dominion to man, he has often abused it in his blatant unwillingness to surrender and submit to the One who created him.
John describes the angel as having the roar of a lion and the voices of seven thunders. We know that the number seven means completeness and thunders means judgment, which seems to be a prelude to the seven bowls of God’s wrath to be discussed in upcoming chapters. 1 Samuel 2:10 Those who oppose the LORD will be broken. The Most High will thunder from heaven; the LORD will judge the ends of the earth. "He will give strength to his king and exalt the horn of his anointed." (NIV)
Once again John was about to write down what he had heard the seven voices of thunder say, but he was told not to do so from a voice from Heaven. Sometimes, God will reveal things to an individual, but for His own reasons, he does not allow it to be revealed to others at that time. This took place with Daniel when he was shown a vision, but was told to seal it up for a future time. Daniel 12:4 But you, Daniel, roll up and seal the words of the scroll until the time of the end. Many will go here and there to increase knowledge." (NIV) There’s a time and season for everything. The time of revelation was not at that moment, but God is revealing more and more to His people during these last days.
The Angel Swears by God
Ezekiel was given the same instructions in the vision that he had. Ezekiel 3:1-3 And he said to me, “Son of man, eat what is before you, eat this scroll; then go and speak to the people of Israel.” (2)So I opened my mouth, and he gave me the scroll to eat. (3)Then he said to me, “Son of man, eat this scroll I am giving you and fill your stomach with it.” So I ate it, and it tasted as sweet as honey in my mouth. (NIV) He too had to deliver an unpopular message for his day. Many people do not want to hear the truth and would rather listen to a lie. However, just as Ezekiel had to do, one must still deliver God’s word when called even if people will not listen.
The Two Witnesses
Revelation: Removing the Prophetic Veil Bible Lessons 1-11 by K L Rich are available on Amazon.
https://www.amazon.com/REVELATION-Removing-Prophetic-Bible-Lesson/dp/1508784833ref=sr_1_2?keywords=Revelation%3A+Removing+the+Prophetic+Veil&qid=1577262044&sr=8-2
REVELATION
John, the
last of the apostles was on the Island of Patmos after having been banished
there. Early Christian writers had recorded that John had been boiled alive in
olive oil, but did not die. He had not been allowed to die as a martyr like the
other disciples because God had a special work for him to do. God wanted the
prophetic book of Revelation to be written in order to encourage, rebuke, warn,
and give hope to the church of that era as well as the church of today.
In this
next lesson, John continues to tell about the events that he saw in his vision.
These events are warnings from the throne room of Heaven about things that will
be taking place during these last days. Much of what John had seen has already
happened throughout history, but darker days are coming. We are living in a
world who would rather worship foreign gods than the God above. These gods come
in the form of money, sex, drugs, alcohol, greed, murder and more. Not only are
these things taking place in the world, but many of these ungodly acts are
taking place in the church as well as the pulpits.
God sent these warnings to John so
that His people would not be unprepared in the last days and as a witness to
those who do not know Christ. Unfortunately, so many people are asleep and they
keep pressing the snooze button on God’s time clock. God is sending sign after
sign to alert people to get ready for the day of the Lord is near. Despite the
ringing of the clock, many are acting as if they never heard it chime. However,
the hitting of the snooze button, does not stop the clock from ticking. Time is
running out!
Quick
Review from Lesson 5
a.) There was
silence in Heaven for half an hour.
b.) There were
seven angels who were given seven trumpets to blow.
c.) Another angel
had a golden censer was given much incense to offer, which were to prayers of
the saints.
d.) At the sound
of the first trumpet, hail and fire mixed with blood came down on the earth.
e.) At the sound
of the second trumpet, something like a mountain all ablaze was thrown into the
sea.
f.) At the sound
of the third trumpet, a great star fell from heaven on a third of the rivers
and water named Wormwood.
g.) At the sound
of the fourth trumpet, a third of the sun, moon, and stars turned dark.
h.) At the sound
of the fifth trumpet, the fallen star was given the key to the Abyss and it was
opened.
i.) At the sound
of the sixth trumpet, the four angels who were bound at the river Euphrates
were loosed.
The
Angel and the Little Scroll
Description of
the angel
Revelation
10:1-4
Then I saw another mighty angel coming down from heaven. He was robed in a
cloud, with a rainbow above his head; his face was like the sun, and his legs
were like fiery pillars. (2)He was holding a little scroll, which
lay open in his hand. He planted his right foot on the sea and his left foot on
the land, (3)and he gave a loud shout like the roar of a lion. When
he shouted, the voices of the seven thunders spoke. (4)And when the
seven thunders spoke, I was about to write; but I heard a voice from heaven
say, “Seal up what the seven thunders have said and do not write it down.”
(NIV)
John saw another great angel come down from Heaven. This lets us know that this angel was one from God and not one of the devil’s fallen angels. He was clothed in a cloud with a rainbow above his head. His face was like the sun and his legs like fire. This description represents the presence of God. After the exodus of the Children of Israel from Egypt, they were led by a cloud during the day and a pillar of fire by night. Exodus 13:21 By day the LORD went ahead of them in a pillar of cloud to guide them on their way and by night in a pillar of fire to give them light, so that they could travel by day or night. (NIV) Due to there being no night in Heaven, God’s brightness shows over all who is in His presence. Moses’ face shown of God’s glory when he was given the Ten Commandments upon returning from Mount Sinai.
Exodus 34:29 When Moses came down from Mount Sinai with the two tablets of the covenant law in his hands, he was not aware that his face was radiant because he had spoken with the LORD. (NIV) The rainbow above the angel’s head represents the everlasting covenant that God has with mankind. Not only does this represent God’s promise to never send a flood to destroy the world again, but it is a covenant that if we remain faithful unto Him, we will receive Eternal Life. Genesis 9:16 Whenever the rainbow appears in the clouds, I will see it and remember the everlasting covenant between God and all living creatures of every kind on the earth." (NIV) Therefore, this angel was a representation of who God is and His everlasting covenant with mankind.
The angel had a small scroll in his hand as he had his right foot on the sea and the left foot on the land. The scroll that he was holding was the word of God and the sea represents people, while the land represents the earth itself. God is in control over all the inhabitants of the earth and sea because He created them. Psalm 89:9 You rule over the surging sea; when its waves mount up, you still them. (NIV) Man has often taken credit for having control of the earth and even though God gave dominion to man, he has often abused it in his blatant unwillingness to surrender and submit to the One who created him.
John describes the angel as having the roar of a lion and the voices of seven thunders. We know that the number seven means completeness and thunders means judgment, which seems to be a prelude to the seven bowls of God’s wrath to be discussed in upcoming chapters. 1 Samuel 2:10 Those who oppose the LORD will be broken. The Most High will thunder from heaven; the LORD will judge the ends of the earth. "He will give strength to his king and exalt the horn of his anointed." (NIV)
Once again John was about to write down what he had heard the seven voices of thunder say, but he was told not to do so from a voice from Heaven. Sometimes, God will reveal things to an individual, but for His own reasons, he does not allow it to be revealed to others at that time. This took place with Daniel when he was shown a vision, but was told to seal it up for a future time. Daniel 12:4 But you, Daniel, roll up and seal the words of the scroll until the time of the end. Many will go here and there to increase knowledge." (NIV) There’s a time and season for everything. The time of revelation was not at that moment, but God is revealing more and more to His people during these last days.
The Angel Swears by God
Revelation
10:5-7
Then the angel I had seen standing on the sea and on the land raised his right
hand to heaven. (6)And he swore by him who lives for ever and ever,
who created the heavens and all that is in them, the earth and all that is in
it, and the sea and all that is in it, and said, “There will be no more delay! (7)But
in the days when the seventh angel is about to sound his trumpet, the mystery
of God will be accomplished, just as he announced to his servants the
prophets.” (NIV)
Then John witnessed the angel as he swore by God who made everything in the world that there would be no more delay. There is no one higher than God to swear by. Therefore, the angel being a representative and messenger of God had the authority to declare an oath from God. This is not the first time that God declared an oath by himself. There is no one higher than God whom He can declare an oath on. Therefore, whenever God makes an oath, it is upon Himself. Hebrews 6:13 When God made his promise to
Abraham, since there was no one greater for him to swear by, he swore by himself. (NIV) When God makes an oath, it is one that will not be broken by Him and this is why the covenant between God and Abraham’s descendants still exist today.
The angel announced that there would be no more delay. He was speaking of the judgments to come. Many in the world today have the ideology that just because God has not yet returned that they can continue in their wicked ways without any consequences or they feel as if time is on their side. However, this is not true. Israel thought the same thing when they had turned away from God and was content in their idolatrous ways. However, God is never in a hurry to administer judgment and punishment upon His children. He gives us every opportunity to get it right, but when He finally render judgment, it is more than well deserved. 2 Peter 3:9 The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. Instead he is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance. (NIV)
John
Eats the Scroll
Revelation
10:8-11 Then the voice that I had heard from heaven spoke to me
once more: “Go, take the scroll that lies open in the hand of the angel who is
standing on the sea and on the land.” (9)So I went to the angel and
asked him to give me the little scroll. He said to me, “Take it and eat it. It
will turn your stomach sour, but ‘in your
mouth it will be as sweet as honey.’ ” (10)I took the little scroll
from the angel’s hand and ate it. It tasted as sweet as honey in my mouth, but
when I had eaten it, my stomach turned sour. (11)Then I was told,
“You must prophesy again about many peoples, nations, languages and kings.”
(NIV)
John
was told to take the scroll and eat it. It would taste like honey, but turn his
stomach sour. He was then told that he must prophecy again about many people,
nations, languages and kings. When God has called a leader to ministry and
speak His truth, it is not always received well by others. It is a good and
necessary word because it come from God himself if that leader is aligning
himself with God. However, it can produce a sourness to those who hear it and
to the one giving it because many do not want to hear the truth.
Ezekiel was given the same instructions in the vision that he had. Ezekiel 3:1-3 And he said to me, “Son of man, eat what is before you, eat this scroll; then go and speak to the people of Israel.” (2)So I opened my mouth, and he gave me the scroll to eat. (3)Then he said to me, “Son of man, eat this scroll I am giving you and fill your stomach with it.” So I ate it, and it tasted as sweet as honey in my mouth. (NIV) He too had to deliver an unpopular message for his day. Many people do not want to hear the truth and would rather listen to a lie. However, just as Ezekiel had to do, one must still deliver God’s word when called even if people will not listen.
2
Timothy 4:3 For the time will come when people will not put up with
sound doctrine. Instead, to suit their own desires, they will gather around
them a great number of teachers to say what their itching ears want to hear.
(NIV) Many
churches are filled today because the pastors are tickling the ears of the
people instead of calling them to repentance, salvation, and warning of end
times. An alarm must be sounded and John was given the prophetic warning to
give to the church, so that people all across the world could understand what
God wants and requires of His people as well as have them prepared for
troublesome times.
The
Measurement of the Temple
Revelation
11:1-2
Then I was given a measuring stick, and I was told, “Go and measure the Temple
of God and the altar, and count the number of worshipers. 2 But do not measure
the outer courtyard, for it has been turned over to the nations. They will
trample the holy city for 42 months. (NLT)
John had been given a measuring rod and was told to measure the temple of God and the altar with its worshipers, but not to measure the outer court for it had been given to the Gentiles. There is an organization called, “The Temple Institute,” whose primary goal is for the rebuilding of the third temple in Jerusalem. During David’s reign as King of Israel, God had given him instructions about the building of the first temple through the prophet Nathan. However, David would not be the one to build it, but his son, Solomon who later became king would do so. Unfortunately, Judah rebelled against God, so He allowed the Babylonian King, Nebuchadnezzar to overtake them. This was when the first temple was destroyed around 587 B.C. 70 years after the first temple was destroyed, it was rebuilt under the reign of King Darius.
In 66 A.D. the Jewish people rebelled against the Roman Empire whose control they were under. However, in 70 A.D. the Romans under the leadership of Titus destroyed the second temple and most of Jerusalem. This leads us to today where there will be a rebuilding of the third temple in accordance to Bible prophecy. Now how does this third temple relate to what John saw in his vision? In the media, there has been talks of a two-state solution with regards to peace between Israel and the Palestinians. The fight for Jerusalem and the annihilation of Israel still continues today. Just as the Jews were despised in the days of old, they are still a bitter taste in the mouths of most Middle Eastern countries.
The United States Government has been in a major push towards this seemingly peace effort. This means that Jerusalem will be divided. However, there is a Bible prophecy that warns against all who have a part in this divide. Joel 3:2 I will gather all nations and bring them down to the Valley of Jehoshaphat. There I will put them on trial for what they did to my inheritance, my people Israel, because they scattered my people among the nations and divided up my land. (NIV)
The Temple Institute is working towards the rebuilding of the third temple. All the pieces including the red heifer is in place for the fulfillment of this prophecy. However, if there is a two-state solution, This may be cause a problem with the Palestinians once the temple is built. They may want rights to the temple and therefore, this would be the part of the prophecy where the Gentiles trample on the holy city for 3 ½ years.
The Two Witnesses
Revelation
11:3-4
And I will appoint my two witnesses, and they will prophesy for 1,260 days,
clothed in sackcloth.” They are “the two olive trees” and the two lampstands,
and “they stand before the Lord of the earth. John described there being two
witnesses who would prophecy or about 3 ½ years clothed in sackcloth. There
were two olive trees and two lampstands who stood before the earth. Let’s
breakdown the meaning of this so that there’s a clear understanding into how
this relates to the end times.
The
world is full of wickedness and there is a total disregard for God. Throughout the
scriptures in the Bible, God constantly sent prophets to warn His people in
regard to upcoming judgments that would take place if they did not turn away
from their wicked ways. God never does anything without there being a warning
given first in order to allow for change to take place. Amos 3:7 Surely the Sovereign
LORD does nothing without revealing his plan to his servants the prophets.
(NIV) There
are various theories as to who these two witnesses. They are to prophesy for
approximately 3 ½ years during a time when the wickedness of man has no
boundaries. That time is quickly approaching. Rather these days are literal or
symbolic, this will be a time of extreme ungodliness. Due to the number 7
representing completeness, 3 ½ means incomplete or being found lacking.
The
two witnesses are believed by many Bible students to be the two olive trees and
lampstands. The olive from which oil is made is a special anointing. Psalm 52:8 But I am like
an olive tree flourishing in the house of God; I trust in God's unfailing love
for ever and ever. (NIV)
This means that the two witnesses will have a special anointing from God to do
that tasks they are called to do on the earth. This coincides with the
lampstands, which in Revelation represents the church. Therefore, these two witnesses
represent the special anointing of the church as well as being a witness to
proclaim God’s message in the last days.
The
two witnesses were dressed in sackcloth. During the Biblical days, people wore
sackcloth made of goat’s hair when they were in mourning. Esther 4:3 In every
province to which the edict and order of the king came, there was great
mourning among the Jews, with fasting, weeping and wailing. Many lay in
sackcloth and ashes. (NIV) This means that the witnesses were dressed in clothes of
sadness because of the sins of the wicked who would not come to repentance.
Revelation
11:5-7
And if anyone wants to harm them, fire proceeds from their mouth and devours
their enemies. And if anyone wants to harm them, he must be killed in this
manner. (6)These have power to shut heaven, so that no rain falls in
the days of their prophecy; and they have power over waters to turn them to
blood, and to strike the earth with all plagues, as often as they desire. (7)When
they finish their testimony, the beast that ascends out of the bottomless pit
will make war against them, overcome them, and kill them. (NKJV)
The
two witnesses, even though they represent things in the spiritual realm could
also in the natural be Elijah and Moses. Why is this? In the previous text, the
two witnesses were able to kill their enemies with fire from their mouths. The
Prophet Elijah cried out to God during a time when Baal worship was prevalent
across the land. He wanted the people to see the mighty hand of God move so
that they would know that no one was greater than God.
1
Kings 18:37-38 Answer me, Lord, answer me, so these people will know that
you, Lord, are God, and that you are turning their hearts back again.” Then the
fire of the Lord fell and burned up the sacrifice, the wood, the stones and the
soil, and also licked up the water in the trench. (NIV) At Elijah’s request, God rained
down fire from Heaven to consume the sacrifice that Elijah had made after the
attempt by the prophets of Baal were unsuccessful.
John
goes on to say that they (the witnesses) had the power to stop it from raining,
while they prophesied during those years. The Prophet Elijah, through the hand
of God had the rain to cease as well due to the idolatry taking place while
Ahab was king. James 5:17 Elijah was a human being, even as we
are. He prayed earnestly that it would not rain, and it did not rain on the
land for three and a half years. (NIV) What is interesting about this 3 ½ year time frame during
Elijah’s day is that once again, there will be a 3 ½ year time in which the
witnesses will prophecy and be able to withhold rain the same way. This is why
one of the witnesses could possibly be Elijah.
The
witnesses will be able to turn the water into blood and pronounce plagues on
the land. During the days of Moses, he went before Pharaoh and instructed by
God in order to deliver God’s message to him. Moses told Pharaoh to let God’s
people go. However, Pharaoh refused, so God sent plagues upon the land of
Egypt. One of those plagues involved Moses turning the river into blood. Exodus 7:20 Moses
and Aaron did just as the LORD had commanded. He raised his staff in the
presence of Pharaoh and his officials and struck the water of the Nile, and all
the water was changed into blood. (NIV) This was the first of ten plagues. Nine other plagues
followed until the Children of Israel were finally released. The heart of
mankind is hardened against God. He does not want to follow the commands of God
and just as with Pharaoh, the last days will prove to be a repeat of that same
demonic spirit that is already running loose in the world.
When
they have completed their mission, the devil will be allowed to attack and kill
them. The enemy is loose on the earth to destroy the body of Christ. He is
against anyone who stands up for Jesus and proclaim the good news of the
Gospel. The witnesses will prophesy for 3 ½ years. What could they prophesy
about for that length of time? It seems that they will be telling about the
judgment that will come to all who have not accepted Christ in their hearts.
Because prophecy means to tell the future, we know what the future of the
wicked will be if they do not change.
Psalm
37:38 But all sinners will be destroyed; there will be no future
for the wicked. (NIV)
Therefore, the wicked will not embrace the rebuke that will come from the
witnesses.
The
wicked will want to shut up the words coming from the two witnesses mouths and
the devil will make sure it happens. As we learned in the previous lesson, he
was the fallen star who was given the key to the Abyss to run loose on the
earth. Revelation
9:1 The fifth angel sounded his trumpet, and I saw a star that
had fallen from the sky to the earth. The star was given the key to the shaft
of the Abyss. (NIV) Therefore,
the beast that John described in this text is the devil who will kill the
witnesses. However, his victory will be very short lived. The devil often uses
man to do his evil deeds so nothing short of demon possessed men will carry out
the devil’s mission.
Revelation
11:8-11
And their dead bodies shall lie in the street of the great city, which
spiritually is called Sodom and Egypt, where also our Lord was crucified. (9)And
they of the people and kindreds and tongues and nations shall see their dead
bodies three days and an half, and shall not suffer their dead bodies to be put
in graves. (10)And they that dwell upon the earth shall rejoice over
them, and make merry, and shall send gifts one to another; because these two
prophets tormented them that dwelt on the earth. (11)And after three
days and an half the spirit of life from God entered into them, and they stood
upon their feet; and great fear fell upon them which saw them. (KJV)
After the
witnesses are killed, they will be on public display in the great city. What is
this great city? It is none other than Jerusalem. Zechariah 8:3 This is what
the Lord says: “I will return to Zion and dwell in Jerusalem. Then Jerusalem
will be called the Faithful City, and the mountain of the Lord Almighty will be
called the Holy Mountain.” (NIV) The city of Jerusalem has always been special to God, but
was described by John as representing Sodom and Egypt as well as where Jesus
was crucified.
Sodom
was wicked in God’ eyes due to the homosexuality and other sins that took place
in the city therefore it was destroyed. Genesis 19:24 Then the LORD
rained down burning sulfur on Sodom and Gomorrah--from the LORD out of the
heavens. (NIV)
This lets us know that there will be a lot of wickedness taking place as we see
that already happening in today’s times. Pharaoh and the Egyptians were also
punished due to the sins that they committed against the Children of Israel
while enslaved and pursuing them after they left Egypt. Exodus 15:4 Pharaoh's
chariots and his army he has hurled into the sea. The best of Pharaoh's
officers are drowned in the Red Sea. (NIV) Pharaoh was given the
opportunity to obey God, but rather than do that, he decided that he would
still try to reclaim them as slaves again. Therefore, with no fear of God in
him, he pursued the Israelites, which led to his own demise. The same will take
place with the wicked. Those who refuse to turn their hearts to God will meet a
similar fate.
John
said that people from the earth celebrated that the witnesses were dead. They
were so happy that they were giving each other gifts as if it were a holiday.
The wickedness in their hearts did not even allow for them to feel for them
because no one cared that they weren’t buried. Now one may ask how is it that
all the earth was able to see this take place. Due to satellite TV, it is quite
possible that news stations will be broadcasting live while all of this in
happening. Those that live in the city may even have cell phones and other
devices that may be able to be uploaded onto various media websites. The main
thing is that there is obviously a coldness in the hearts of man during this
time. Matthew
24:12 Because of the increase of wickedness, the love of most will grow cold.
(NIV)
After
the 3 ½ days, God will breathe into them the breath of life and they will live
again. God breathed into Adam the breath of life and he became a living being. Genesis
2:7 Then the LORD God formed a man from the dust of the ground
and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life, and the man became a living
being. (NIV)
The devil may think that he will have victory, but just as he couldn’t keep
Jesus in the grave, God is the one with the power over death. This should be of
encouragement to every believer that God can restore any dead situation in
one’s life.
Revelation
11:12-14
Then they heard a loud voice from heaven saying to them, “Come up here!” And
they went up to heaven in a cloud, and their enemies watched them. (13)And
at that hour there was a great earthquake, and a tenth of the city fell. Seven
thousand people were killed in the earthquake, and the rest were terrified and
gave glory to the God of heaven. (14)The second woe has passed;
behold, the third woe is soon to come. (ESV)
After
God brought the witnesses back to life, He called them back up to Heaven as
their enemies looked on. The witnesses had done their commission and now it was
time for them to return back to Heaven. The psalmist, David wrote of having his
enemies as his footstool, so God will do the same for the witnesses. Acts 2:34-35 For David did
not ascend to heaven, and yet he said, ‘The Lord said to my Lord: “Sit at my
right hand until I make your enemies a footstool for your feet.” ’ (NIV) Therefore, as the witnesses are
lifted up to Heaven, their enemies will be under their feet as they are taken
away in a cloud. One day all of God’s children will leave this world and go to
meet the Lord.
During
that hour, there was an earthquake and 1/10 of the city collapsed and seven
thousand were killed in the earthquake. Those who survived were fearful from
what they saw and worshiped God. Sometimes it takes tragedy to bring people to
their knees. God will send warning after warning, but then the judgment will
come and those who are not ready will be lost. Job 36:17 But now you
are laden with the judgment due the wicked; judgment and justice have taken
hold of you. (NIV)
The
Seventh Trumpet
Revelation
11:15-19
Then the seventh angel blew his trumpet, and there were loud voices in heaven,
saying, “The kingdom of the world has become the kingdom of our Lord and of his
Christ, and he shall reign forever and ever.” (16)And the
twenty-four elders who sit on their thrones before God fell on their faces and
worshiped God, (17)saying, “We give thanks to you, Lord God
Almighty,who is and who
was, for you have taken your great power and begun to reign. (18)The
nations raged, but your wrath came, and the time for the dead to be judged, and
for rewarding your servants, the prophets and saints, and those who fear your
name, both small and great, and for destroying the destroyers of the earth.”(19)Then
God's temple in heaven was opened, and the ark of his covenant was seen within
his temple. There were flashes of lightning, rumblings, peals of thunder, an
earthquake, and heavy hail. (ESV)
We
now come to the seventh and final trumpet that was blown. This final trumpet is
blown upon the return of Jesus when He comes to take His children home to be
with Him. 1
Thessalonians 4:16-17 For the Lord himself will come down from heaven, with a
loud command, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet call of God,
and the dead in Christ will rise first. After that, we who are still alive and
are left will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in
the air. And so we will be with the Lord forever. (NIV) The twenty-four elders,
representing the saints of God, who were seated on their thrones worshipped God
because of who He is. Jesus had finally come back to reign and had given the
wicked the reward that they deserved. All both great and small received what
was due them.
2
Corinthians 5:10 For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ,
so that each of us may receive what is due us for the things done while in the
body, whether good or bad. (NIV) There will be no escape for God will give the reward
according to what each man has done rather it be good or bad.
We
will be able to come into God’s Temple once we leave this earth. It is the very
presence of the Lord. Habakkuk
2:20 The Lord is in his holy temple; let all the earth be silent
before him. (NIV)
The ark of His covenant will then be seen, which represents the covenant God
made with man that if we obey Him, his face we will see. Jeremiah
31:31-34 “The days are coming,” declares the Lord, “when I will make
a new covenant with the people of Israel and with the people of Judah. (32)It
will not be like the covenant I made with their ancestors when I took them by
the hand to lead them out of Egypt, because they broke my covenant, though I
was a husband to them, declares the Lord. (33)“This is the covenant
I will make with the people of Israel after that time,” declares the Lord. “I
will put my law in their minds and write it on their hearts. I will be their
God, and they will be my people. (34)No longer will they teach their
neighbor, or say to one another, ‘Know the Lord,’ because they will all know
me, from the least of them to the greatest,” declares the Lord. “For I will
forgive their wickedness and will remember their sins no more.” (NIV) What a glorious day it will be
when we see Jesus. We will never have to pass through this sinful life again,
but will reside with the Lord forever and ever. There
was lightening, thunder, earthquake and hail, but these things were for the
ones who made it to Heaven. This is the destruction those who were lost for
continuing in their sins. We need not be worried of the wrath of God if
we are saved.
God’s love is forever constant and will never change.
Let’s
Test Your Knowledge!
Now that you have
completed the lesson, let’s test your knowledge. Read each question below and
fill in the blank. Pay close attention to the *(Hint), so that you can find the
correct answer. You may refer back to the chapters when answering the questions.
One, two, three…here we go!
1.) The angel was
clothed in a ________________ and had
a _____________________ above his head.
* (Hint)
Revelation 10:1
2.) The angel
planted his _____________________ foot on
the _____________ and his left foot on
the _________.
* (Hint) Revelation 10:2
3.) John had to
______________ the scroll. It tasted sweet
as ____________________ but turned
his stomach ___.
*(Hint) Revelation 10:9-10
4.) John had to ________________________
the temple of
_____________ and the altar.
* (Hint) Revelation 11:1
5.) The Gentiles
would trample on the city for __________
months.
* (Hint) Revelation 11:2
6.) They will
_________________ for ____________ days
clothed in ________________________.
* (Hint) Revelation 11:3
7.) These are the
two __________________________ and
the two ____________________.
* (Hint) Revelation 11:4
8.) Their bodies
will lie in the __________________ of the
great _____________.
* (Hint) Revelation 11:8
9.) For
__________________________ days men from
every _________________,
______________________,
___________________, and ________________
will
gaze upon their bodies.
* (Hint) Revelation 11:9
10.) The seventh
angel sounded his trumpet, and there were
loud _________________ in _______________.
* (Hint) Revelation 11:15
Revelation: Removing the Prophetic Veil Bible Lessons 1-11 by K L Rich are available on Amazon.
https://www.amazon.com/REVELATION-Removing-Prophetic-Bible-Lesson/dp/1508784833ref=sr_1_2?keywords=Revelation%3A+Removing+the+Prophetic+Veil&qid=1577262044&sr=8-2
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