REVELATION
The Lamb Opens the Seals

The Time of Divine Wrath:

The main action of the book of Revelation begins here at chapter six. From this point on, as the seals of the book of destiny are opened, the judgment period for the earth is depicted. Our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ is the Lion-Lamb, who holds the title deed to the earth by right of creation and redemption, is about to take over the earth. Chapters four and five are scenes in Heaven. Believer Priests have been raptured (our promised hope) and have received their crowns or rewards [Ref. Rev. 4:10]. The giving of the crown belongs to that period after the rapture of the Church [Ref. 2 Tim. 4:8]. After the redeemed have received their rewards, earth’s official representative (Jesus Christ) takes command. In Heaven He has been proclaimed “worthy.” Now the earth must receive Him, but first the righteous judgment of God the Father must be meted out to the inhabitants of the earth who have rejected Him.

The judgment period takes place in Revelations 6:1-19:4, the judgment being executed in three series: the seals [ref. 6:1-8:5]; the trumpets [ref. 8:6-19:21]; the vials [ref. 16:1-19:21].

Actually we see from scripture that the seven seals cover the entire judgment period, with the trumpet judgments issuing forth out of the seals, and the vial judgments issuing forth out of the trumpets.

All judgments are future; they have not been fulfilled yet. “The day of vengeance of our God” [ref. Isa. 61:2] has not yet come upon the earth, but is drawing near. Up to the present hour God the Father’s throne has not been one of judgment but of Grace.

The First Seal:

Revelations 6:1-2~Judgment is about to fall. All acts described under the seven seals are acts of judgment. The scene is a judgment scene. The throne is a judgment throne.

As each seal is opened, God’s judicial action is disclosed, one stage at a time. The seventieth week of Daniel’s prophecy is about to begin [ref. Dan. 9:27]. One of the four beasts is the spokesman. We note from scripture here that when the subject concerns Heaven, the elders speak, and when it concerns the earth, one of the four beasts speaks.

As our Lord and Savior broke open the first seal, the sound John heard was “as it were the noise of thunder.” The thundering voice out of the beast (living creature) speaks of coming judgment. The first mention of thunder in the bible is in connection with God’s judgment upon Egypt [ref. Exd. 9:23]. This voice as a clap of thunder sounds the beginning of the tribulation period, the time of Jacobs trouble [ref. Jer. 30:7]. The thunder of divine judgment upon the earth rolls with increasing magnitude for seven years until the lightening of Christ’s Second Coming to the earth strikes [ref. Mt. 24:27; Rev. 19:11].

John say’s I heard and I looked as the living creature spoke concerning what is about to take place upon the earth. The voice is not speaking to John to come but John is to record what is taking place. The voice is speaking to the rider on the white horse. Literally he is telling the rider, “Be going.” The command is literally obeyed. This rider appears at the beginning of Daniel’s seventieth week, this rider is the Antichrist, the prince of Daniels prophecy. He is the counterfeit Christ, the wicked one to appear after the church is translated [ref. 2Thes. 2:8]. The rider is given a crown, but his is the Stephanas, and not the Diadema crown worn by our Lord and Savior when He rides forth [ref. Rev. 19:12]. This rider is Satan’s man. His weapon is a bow; Christ’s weapon is a sword.

He the rider of chapter 6:2 comes imitating Christ and offering peace, but he is as false as is the peace he offers. When this wicked one appears, “God shall send them (those who have rejected His Son) strong delusion, that they should believe a lie” [ref. 2Thes. 2:11]. When this rider appears he shall deceive many [ref. Mt. 24:5], and have all in subjection to himself [ref. Rev. 13], but it will not be for long. He is but acting under the divine mandate. The authority he displays “was given unto him” [ref. Rev. 6:2, 4]. It is by the permissive will of God that he comes forth “conquering.” “For God hath put in their hearts to fulfill His will, and to agree, and give their kingdom unto the beast (Antichrist) until the words of God shall be fulfilled as per Scripture,” [ref. Rev. 17:17].

This rider on the white horse sheds no blood. His is a bloodless conquest for we see from verse chapter 6:2. He has a bow but no arrows. He corresponds to the false Christ of Mathew 24:5. His method is deception; he comes with a promise of peace to offer.

The world that rejected God’s son Jesus Christ is ready to receive the devil’s Christ [ref. John 5:43]. After the church has been translated, this political leader and military strategist will put in his appearance and deceive the entire world. Appearing as a great ruler of men, he will be but a servant of God to carry out the divine purpose in the earth as all previous world leaders have been.

He will be the last man to attempt to bring peace, but his efforts will only prove that there can be no peace without the presence of the Prince of Peace our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ!

The Second Seal:
Revelations 6:3-4~Our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ broke open the second seal, delegates’ authority to the second living creature (beast) to send forth a red horse and its rider. The red horse represents a bloody warfare. The effort to bring universal peace apart from Christ will fail, and this failure will result in strife, violence, and bloodshed.

The devil is called the “great red dragon” [ref. Rev. 12:3], and “He was a murderer from the beginning” [ref. John 8:44]. The rider on the red horse has a sword. He proceeds to take peace from the earth and to kill. At first the Antichrist seems to be a man of peace, but “When they shall say, Peace and Safety; then comes sudden destruction upon them [ref. 1Thess. 5:3]. We must keep in mind that the restrainer, The Holy Spirit, is at the time taken from the earth, so that the slaughter is infused into men by Satanic power [ref. 2 Thess. 2:7].

Our Lord and Savior said, “And ye shall here of wars and rumors of wars-for nation shall rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom” [ref. Mt. 24:6-7]. Peace pacts will be meaningless for those last perilous days men will be “trucebreakers” [ref. 2 Tim. 3:3). The phrase, “that should slay one another” inclines war within each nation, class wars, religious wars, race wars. “Every man’s sword shall be against his brothers” [ref. Ezk.38:21].

These scriptures depict scenes prophetic, not yet having been fulfilled. The rider on the red horse, most likely the same person astride the white horse, now reveals him self at the end of vs. 6:4, his true identity. He is not the Prince of Peace, but Satan’s counterfeit, and imposter.

The Third Seal:

Revelations 7:5-6~and when our Lord and Savior broke the third seal the third living creature said to the black horse, “come”. The same rider appears upon a black horse, this time he holds no weapon of warfare in his hands, but a pair of scales. This balance, like the black horse, inclines scarcity to the extent of famine. Scriptures relate that, “They that be slain with the sword are better than they that be slain with hunger” [ref. Lam. 4:9]. Black follows Red; Famine follows war; Famine is symbolized in Scripture by the color black. “Our skin was black like an oven because of the terrible famine” [ref. Lam 5:10]. John tells us of the extent of the famine in vs. 6:6 for the cost of a meal or three meals will be a day’s wages “a denarius.” A man will work a full day’s labor for just enough to feed himself for that day, with needing to divide the same with his family and most will have one. This condition exists while the war lords enjoy plenty for verse 6:6 say’s, “the oil and wine” are not to be harmed. These are the possessions of the few rich who hold the masses in slavery, and therefore they are not to be measured out to the famine-stricken. The rider with the balances speaks of food conservation. That black day is coming.

The day of famine will appear upon the earth. Now we know why this period is called “The Tribulation.”

The Fourth Seal:

Revelation 6:7-8~and when our Lord and Savior broke open the fourth seal, the fourth living creature said, “Come.” John looked and beheld another horse and the same rider was sent forth to the earth. The rider is called Death; and Hades was following him. This horse is pale or ashen, meaning livid and corpselike, being still more terrible in its symbolic meaning.

Under the three previous seals, a false peace was followed by war and then famine on the earth. Now death dealing plagues its fury is depicted in its wide spread effects, killing one fourth of the earths population. This is a result of the foregoing judgments, which God calls, “My four sore judgments” [ref. Ezk.14:21].

Death the final claimant and custodian of the body with Hell (or Hades) followed after him to gather the souls of the victims. Hades, the abode of the unregenerate souls that leave the body at death, is a path to death. Hades is the abode of departed spirits between death and resurrection. It is temporary, in contrast to the lake of fire which is forever [ref. Rev. 20:13-14].

The believer priest can take courage. Because he is in Christ he need not fear. Our Lord said, “I am He that liveth, and was dead; and, behold, I am alive forevermore Amen; and have the keys of hell and death” [ref. Rev. 1:18]. After all unredeemed men have heard the final word of judgment, “Death and hell were cast into the lake of fire” [ref. Rev. 20:14].

The Fifth Seal:

Revelation 6:9-11~Our Lord and Savior breaks the fifth seal, and John tells us he saw underneath the alter he was being shown the souls of those who had been slain because of the word of God. This reveals to us that there will be many saved during the tribulation period. These will also pay with their lives. Our Lord says, “Then shall they deliver you up to be afflicted, and they shall kill you and you shall be hated of all nations for my name’s sake: [ref. Mt. 24:9]. These are the martyrs of the tribulation days. Having heard the gospel of the kingdom, thousands will believe and receive it, but they will be persecuted by the beast (Antichrist). We are not told precisely of what means God effects this work of faith in them. We do know the Holy Spirit is the effectors of conviction to salvation. The Holy Spirit has been removed as the restrainer of evil for the time, but is ever at work for the completion to salvation.

The tribulation martyrs “were slain for the Word of God, and for the testimony which they held.” The Scriptures always exalt Christ. He is their theme throughout. Thus in the tribulation there will be a continuing testimony to Him. This will provoke the Antichrist and his followers to hatred, to the extent that they will kill these who hold to the Scriptures and to the Christ of whom they testify.

We see here in verse 6:10 the martyrs are actually calling for vengeance against their persecutors. The attitude of the tribulation marks the change of Age.

The Tribulation saints will be living in the Age of Judgment, thus they pray according to the ruling principle of that period of time in which they live and died. The cry, “How long?” is the familiar Jewish cry during the time of Jacob’s trouble [ref. Psa. 74:9-10; 79:5; 80:46; 94; 3-4]. The persecuted Jew in that day will seek vengeance upon their murderers without any sense of guilt for doing so. It is the time of judgment. The judgment throne is set.

In response to their prayers, “White robes were given unto every one of them.” The robe is an assurance that they are God’s redeemed ones and that God will care for His own. Then they are told to wait patiently until the rest of the number of their brethren and fellow servants are slain for their faith. There can be no response to their cry until the martyred band is complete.


The Sixth Seal:

Revelations 6:12-17~As John was watching our Lord and Savior brake the sixth seal, the result is catastrophe on a world-wide scale. This is not the final judgment; it is not the end of the world.

There are three great earthquakes mentioned in Revelation (6:12; 11:13; 16:18-19). This is the first of three. The judgments of the first four seals were at the hands of the Antichrist, but with the opening of the sixth seal, the judgments are supernatural and come from Heaven.

The disturbances under this sixth seal judgment were foretold by our Lord when He said, “And there shall be signs in the sun, and in the moon, and in the stars; and upon the earth distress of nations, with perplexity; the sea and the waves roaring; Men’s hearts failing them for fear, and for looking after those things which are coming on the earth: for the powers of heaven will be shaken” [ref. Lk.21:25-26].

The words of our blessed Lord mean precisely what they say. The people who will be living on the earth at that time will actually see the fulfillment of the astronomical signs in connecting with the heavenly bodies. Christ then tells the time element of these happenings, “and then shall ye see the Son of man coming in a cloud with power and great glory” [ref. Lk. 21:27].

That dreadful day will reveal that God is no respecter of persons. All men:
Kings….great men….rich men….chief captains….mighty men, and every bondsman, and every free man, hid themselves in the dens and in the rocks of the mountains.

All are gripped with one common terror. All are helpless before “the wrath of the Lamb.” The Lord alone shall be exalted in that day. The very earth rulers, rulers that
Frightened the people with persecution and death under the fifth seal are now themselves frightened into helplessness and despair. O, you who still reject Him, turn to Christ at once. Receive Him while there is yet time, for the day of His judgment must surely come.

Already there are signs indicating that the end might be near. Your only hope is a right relation to the Lamb, the Lord Jesus Christ. Accept Him at once, and you can rejoice with the redeemed that ye shall be taken out of the earth before that great and dreadful day of the Lord. May God awaken us all to see the horror of the coming tribulation and thereby quicken us to prayer, giving, and a renewed effort to reach the lost with the gospel?

END TIMES REVEALED

Revelation 5 -part 2
The Seven-Sealed Books


The Singers:

Rev. 5:8-9 When the Lamb with the death wounds in His body stands up, turned to the throne of Him who held the book in His right hand, and takes the book, every redeemed person will burst into singing the new song.

This act of the Lion-Lamb guarantees the subjection of this wicked earth to include Babylon, Antichrist, the dragon, and the host of others who spurned the love of god as it was Christ. Because He died the death of the Cross to pay the debt of sin, Our Lord has every right to take the book and then complete the work of redemption of rescuing this forfeited earth from the dominion of the devil.

The praise and worship of the singers is pure. In that day we shall all be perfect, like Him whose praises we shall sing. This song celebrates the glorious work of redemption. It is a worship service unprecedented in all history.

Rev. 5:10 Every redeemed soul becomes a part of God’s kingdom in a royal and reigning way. In that day we will not be subjects of the kingdom, but reigning ones with the King of King [Ref. Rev. 1:6; 2:26-27; 31:21; 20:4-6]. Jesus promised His own that they would share with Him in the day of His rule over the earth [Ref. Mt. 19:28; Luke 22:28-29]. Paul also said that those who persevere with Christ “shall reign with Him” [Ref. 2 Tim. 2:12].

The role of the redeemed during the millennium is a regal one. Then, too, we are made “priests.” The Apostle Peter said that we are “an holy priesthood” [Ref. 1 Pet. 2:5), “a royal priesthood” [Ref. 1 Pet. 2:9]. All true believers are holy and royal priests, not that we are going to be such, but that we are holy and royal priests. This is what Christ has “made us.” As holy priests we draw nigh to god in the blessed occupation of praising Him continually; as royal priests we go forth with Him to show forth His virtues.

Angels Exalt the Lamb:

Rev. 5:11-12 The elders were joined by the hosts of angels in heaven who added their words of praise in a loud voice. The words they sang are literally “they said Greek word (legontes) spoken. This is in contrast to verse 9 where the twenty and four elders “sang” (adousin) singing. In the angels praise they ascribe – power and wealth and wisdom and strength and honor and glory and praise to God.

Universal Adoration of the Lamb as King:

Rev. 5: 13-14 Every creature in heaven and on earth and under the earth and on the sea and all that is in them joined the heavenly throng in words of praise to God. In this final act of praise the four living creatures said “Amen (so be it), and the 24 elders fell prostrate in worship.

John in the spirit seeing this heavenly vision of chapters 4 & 5, now the stage is set for the dramatic events to follow, the opening of the seven seals.

It is clear from this revelation that heaven is real, not imagined. These two chapters reveal the indescribable glory and infinite majesty of the Godhead in heaven.

The following chapters reveal this sovereign power of god expressed in judgment on a wicked world sunk in unprecedented depths of sin and blasphemy. Though we believers of today do not have the privilege of sharing John’s vision or a similar one granted Paul [Ref. 2 Cor. 12;1-3], every believer can take these word pictures of scripture here and anticipate the glory and the wonder of the heavenly scene that we will someday “see” with our own eyes.

END TIMES REVEALED

Revelation 5 -part 1
The Seven-Sealed Books


The importance of this chapter in the book of Revelations cannot be overemphasized. It contains the key to the right understanding of the rest of the book. If we error here we will be wrong the rest of the way.

The scroll in the right hand of Our Lord that sat upon the throne is the official document which determines the great crisis and climax of human history. The nations of the world hold no document in their possession as significant and accurate as this scroll.

Daniel 12:8-9 has reference here: Daniel said “I heard, but understood not: then said Daniel, “O my Lord, what shall be the end of these things? Gabriel said, “go thy way, Daniel: for the words are closed up and sealed till the time of the end.”

The book, “closed up and sealed” by Daniel, has since been in the possession of Our Lord who gave the message contained in it. What is contained in the book (scroll) will come before us now as the seals are broken in succession and its message disclosed.

John is still in the Spirit before our Lord and seeing Christ open the book in this scene.

Rev. 5:1 The subject of the sealed book (scroll) is judgment. He who opens the book (scroll) is the “Lamb,” still bearing the scars of the crucifixion. His death was the “one sacrifice for sins forever” [Ref. Heb. 10:12], the wounds of which still bear witness to the substitutionary feature of that death [Ref. Zech. 13: 1, 6].

The church, the Bride of Christ, when caught up in the Rapture will be fully redeemed, having received our resurrection bodies. But the earth and the creatures in the earth, both vegetable and animal, will still be under the curse. These also must be redeemed, for Christ is the perfect Redeemer, and every realm which came under the curse of Adam’s sin must also be delivered by the redemption of the Last Adam.

The book that John saw in the hand of our Lord that sat upon the throne is the book of judgment to redeem the earth. The earth and the atmosphere around it have been in the hands of an invader. The cruel usurper is Satan. He wrested it from Adam, whom God had given dominion over it [Ref. Gen.1:26-28], so that day the earth went to Satan’s power. When Satan offered to give the earth to Christ if He would bow down and worship him, our Lord did not repudiate his claim [Ref. Mt. 4:8-9]. Three times our Lord called Satan “the prince of the world” [Ref. John 12:31; 14:30; 16:11]. Paul calls Satan “the god of this world” [Ref. 2Cor. 4:4], and “the prince of the power of the air”] Ref. Eph. 2:2]. John wrote, “The whole world lieth in wickedness” (or the wicked one). [Ref.1Jn 5:19].

The Book (scroll) that John saw is the book of judgment to redeem the earth, once committed to man to rule for God, but now in the hands of Satan, not the title deed but the ruling of the earth.




Who is Worthy:


Rev. 5:2-3 The strong angel’s voice was heard in every place where angels and the souls of men could be found. Who is morally worthy to open this book of justice and destiny? Who qualifies to break the seals and lay claim to the earth? Who has furnished the price of redemption? Who is the rightful heir? Who is worthy to take possession of the earth and govern it in righteousness?

Neither man nor angels stirred, because none had the right. Not a creature in the celestial and terrestrial universe could claim fitness to execute the designs of God in the earth. Michael, the guardian angel of the nation Israel, was there [Ref. Dan. 12:1], but he could not qualify. Gabriel, the evangelist, prophet and chronologist among the angels was there [Ref. Dan. 9:21-27; Luke 1:26-37], but he could not qualify. In addition to these were myriads of angels of various ranks, but there is no kinsman-redeemer among the angelic hosts. Someone greater than angels must be found, someone to whom these created beings must bow to in subjection. Man cannot rescue himself from his own predicament and pit of sin, thus he stands mute at the challenge to take the scroll.

The Sobbing Seer:

Rev. 5:4 John wept because no man was found worthy to open the scroll. The unlifted and unopened scroll brought forth tears from God’s servant, out of concern and compassion over the inheritance unredeemed.

Present day Christianity seems to show little concern over the very thing which caused John to weep. John knew that the finding of a redeemer and the opening of the scroll was necessary before many of the Old Testament could be fulfilled. There remained to be fulfilled the retribution of the wicked, the restoration of Israel to Palestine, and the reign of Christ over all the earth. These and other prophecies could not be fulfilled as long as the scroll remained sealed.

The Slain Lamb:

Rev. 5:5-7 Once again the central figure of the book is brought into view. John is consoled by one of the elders who assure him that One is present to open the sealed scroll and carry out the divine counsels in the earth. He is the triumphant Christ. The hour of Christ’s triumph had come.

There He stood in the courts of Heaven ready to fulfill the remaining unfulfilled prophecies pertaining to the earth. “Our Lord sprang out of Judah” [Ref. Heb. 7:14], and now as Judah’s Lion, which speaks to us of Christ’s kingly character. He now rises from His throne to rule and reign over the earth. He has every right to open the sealed scroll. Christ is further described as “the root of David.” This identifies, strengthens His claims to be heir. John turned to see the Lion, but instead he saw a Lamb as it had been slain. The Lamb that speaks of meekness and sacrifice is He who is about to go forth as the mighty conqueror of all the earth.

After the sealed judgments are poured out upon the earth and Christ comes back with his redeemed ones to reign, Israel shall recognize Him by those same wounds [Ref. Zech. 13:6], and worship Him as the Lamb of Isaiah’s prophecy [Ref. Isa. 53].

These two symbols, the Lion and the Lamb, do not conflict, but rather complement each other, Christ is about to present Himself as both the redeemer of the earth and the atmosphere around it. (Lamb), and the King Reigning One (Lion) over the earth.

In the day he shall rise to return to the earth which rejected Him. He Christ, yes, is standing, alive, upon His feet, in a body recognizable to those who saw Him when he came to earth the first time.

When John saw Him He had “seven horns and seven eyes, which are the seven Spirits of God sent forth into all the earth.” The number seven denoting fullness, completion, and perfection. The horn stands for authority and imperial power [Ref. Deut. 33:17; 1 Sam. 2:10; Psa. 75:10; Zech. 1:18-19]. Christ possesses it [Ref. Mt. 28:18], and now He steps forth to exercise it, perfectly equipped to put down any opposition to His Kingdom.

The eyes stand for perception. Christ possesses the essential attributes of deity: power and perception; omnipotence and omniscience. When He exercises His kingly right over the nations of the earth, He shall do so with full authority and full knowledge. He will have the total filling of the Holy Spirit in the complete competence of His power and perception. Three absolute qualities, then, are brought before us here. Qualities of the Kinsman-Redeemer are first, perfection in the Lamb without spot or blemish; secondly, power in the Lion of the Tribe of Judah; thirdly, perception in the Lord of all knowledge and wisdom.

END TIMES REVEALED

Revelation 4-part 2
The Portrayal “Before the Throne”


The number seven has been used characteristically of the Holy Spirit [ref. Rev. 1:4; 3:1; 5:6]. There are not seven different spirits, but we see that there is the sevenfold fullness and completeness of the Holy Spirit’s omniscience and omnipotence. Here the Holy Spirit takes on His judicial character, fire being a symbol of divine judgment at the second coming of Christ to the earth with His saints [Ref. 2 Thes 1:7-8]. This is far different from the divine fire in the present power and activity of the Holy Spirit in the Church [Ref. Acts 2:3]. The Holy Spirit descended upon Jesus as a dove, but here He is “the Spirit of Judgment, and the Spirit of burning’ [Ref. Isa. 4:4]. Each member of the Holy Trinity is viewed in connection with the righteous character of the throne. Each is prepared to execute judgment, do you want to be friend or foe.

Rev. 4:6 John tells us that before the throne was like “a sea of glass like crystal.” The laver in the tabernacle [Ref. Ex. 30:18-21), and the sea in Solomon’s temple [Ref. 1 Kings 7:23-27] were for priestly purification. But here in Heaven the sea is solidified. In Heaven, where there is a fixed state of holiness and purity, there is no need for cleansing. Heaven is the place of perfection. There the saints will have entered into perfect sanctification. The backslidings of the heart and the failures of the flesh are forever past.

Praise in the midst of the Throne:

John tells us there were in the center and around the throne, four living creatures full of eyes in front and behind. The Greek word for “beast” is “zoon” and is translated “living creatures.” These living creatures are created beings. They are full of eyes before and behind, which able them to see all things with accuracy.

Rev. 4:8 John shows us here that the praise is increasing, Holy, Holy, Holy. It reveals the nature of the trinity of the Holy Godhead: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. This same expression of praise was offered by the seraphim in the Temple [Ref. Isa. 6:3].

These glorified beings are intimately connected with the holiness and justice of God. In the prophecy of Isaiah they sound God’s praise and execute His judgment by taking the coals of fire to purge the lips of the prophet. Here in Revelation they are doing the same. Before the fury of God’s wrath is poured out, His holiness is magnified.

It is because of His holiness, deity, and eternalness. The names “Lord God Almighty” (Jehovah, Elohim, and Saddai) suggest that God is getting ready to resume His relationship with Israel. These names were first given in connection with His chosen people, the nation Israel.

Rev. 4:9-11 At the sound of “Holy, Holy, Holy” coming from the four living creatures, the twenty-four elders rise from their thrones and fall before the triune God to join the worship of praise. “Worship” in the scriptures has several meanings, such as; obeisance, reverence, homage, honor, and service. The first and fundamental claims of God upon His redeemed ones are that they worship Him [Ref. Mt. 4:9-11].
How it must grieve our Heavenly Father when we become weak in our worship! Here on earth we have a tendency to rob Him of the honor, homage, and service that is due Him. But in Heaven we shall worship Him as we ought.

As part of their worship they “cast their crowns before the throne.” They, as we will lay aside their given glory to add to His glory, thereby ascribing all glory to Him. They, as we will realize that they owe their victory to Him who sits upon the central throne, and that He alone is worthy to receive their crowns.

Here on earth we generally want to get credit for what we do, and while it is true that crowns of reward will be given for faithfulness in service, in heaven we will recognize that we are not worthy of them. We will lay them at the feet of Him who saved us by His matchless grace. At that day we shall admit that we were unprofitable servants, not even worthy to serve Him.

As a believer do you praise God that He created you? In Heaven we will know the joy of having been created. Our Savior is the origin and source of all creation [Ref. John 1:3; Col. 1:16]. Our Lord caused all things and all creatures to exist. This is the reason the elders worship Him. They acknowledge God as the Source and Sustainer of the universe and of all life.

These were the scenes which John saw in Heaven. Our blessed Lord is worshiped as the Creator of the earth upon which He is about to pour out divine judgment. His enemies have raged against Him, but He is unmoved.

END TIMES REVEALED

Revelation 4-part 1


Rev. 4:1 John saw a door open in heaven: What is the significance of the door opened in heaven? The Holy Spirit tells us in the bible that there is only one door into Heaven. Our Lord Jesus said, “I am the door: by Me if any man enter in, he shall be saved, and shall go in and out, and find pasture” [ref. John 10:9). Jesus is the only way of access to God.

John writes what he heard through the open door: We see here a clear statement that represents the Rapture of the church: come up; here, and I will show you things which must take place after this.”

Our Lord demonstrates the fulfillment of the believer’s “blessed hope.” Calling His bride to heaven. Our Lord promised that He would keep His own from the hour of trial that is to come upon the whole world [Ref. Rev. 3:10.

John said the voice of the Lord “was as it were of a trumpet.” Paul described this in his divinely inspired prediction of the Rapture [Ref. 1Cor. 15:51-52]. This will be the trumpet sound of the present age of grace calling up both those who have died in Christ and those in Him who are alive at the time[Ref. 1Thess. 4:13-18]. This will not be the last trumpet in point of time. Seven more trumpets are to be sounded after the Church is caught up to Heaven, but these are trumpets of judgment sounded by Angels [Ref. Rev. 8:7, 8, 10, 12; 9:1, 13; 11:15]. As the trumpet voice summoned John to Heaven, so we await its sound calling us to the last meeting in the air that will end the Age of Grace the “Church Age.”

Heaven is the vantage point of all true and accurate prophecy, the only safe place of vision. If we are to see future things we must know the plans and counsels of god, and these are laid in Heaven. When John saw as we will be able to see things from God’s view point we will see that God’s revelation of truth is vivid and clear. John saw that the true church was caught up to Heaven. God is on His eternal throne, and manifestations of the divine wrath are in store for the earth dwellers, which have rejected His Son.

The words “after this” “meta tauts” Greek words meaning “after these things,” make it clear that what follows is to take place on the earth after the church Age has run its course.


Rev. 4:2-3 John tells us he was immediately in the Spirit. The translation of John from earth to heaven was “immediately’ (at once). Even so will be the Rapture of the Church that will take place at once, “in a moment, in a twinkling of an eye” [Ref. 1Cor. 15:52].

There were other men before John who had gone into Heaven. There was Enoch [Ref. Gen. 5:24], Elijah [Ref. 2 Kings 2:11], and Paul [Ref. 2Cor. 12:1-5], but they tell us nothing of what they saw. But with John all is different. What he heard and saw he is told to write for the blessing of the whole Church.

In Heaven John saw a great throne with One sitting on it. The sitter upon the throne is not named, but described as His appearance was “like a jasper and a sardius stone,” not as a shape, for deity does not take on any particular shape, but in the brilliance and glory of the splendor of God. Both stones are found on the breast plate of the Jewish high priest [Ref. Ex. 28:17-20], and in the New Jerusalem which descends from God out of Heaven [Ref. Rev. 21:10, 11, 19:20]. The throne’s overall appearance was one of great beauty and color, enhanced by a rainbow, resembling an emerald, which encircled the throne.

Rev. 4:4 Around the principle throne were 24 lesser thrones on which were seated 24 elders. They were dressed in white and were wearing crowns of gold on their head. Who are these favored ones occupying the regal seats in Heaven? They are a royal and priestly company. We know they are not angels, but human beings, for the song they sing show them to be redeemed ones. [Ref. Rev. 5:9]. But why are there 24? We find a representation in 1Chron. 24. Twenty-four elders were appointed by King David to represent the entire Levitical priesthood. The elders in Haven represent the whole heavenly priesthood that is, all the redeemed who have died in the past, or who shall be living at the Lord’s return. There were twelve patriarchs in Israel, and twelve apostles introducing the new Age. The two together would give the complete four and twenty.

The dazzling white garments speak of perfect righteousness, “the righteousness of saints” [Ref. Rev 19:8]. The redeemed and the raptured are now with Jesus, and like Jesus {Ref. 1John 3:2], fashioned like unto Him [Ref. Phil. 3:20, 21], saved from the presence and possibility of sin.

The crowns on their heads disclose this royal dignity. Having been washed from their sins in Christ’s blood, they have been made both “kings and priests” [Ref. Rev. 1:5-6]. They are overcomers, thus all are crowned with the royal authority common to all saints in Heaven. There have been no rewards given out yet. John’s vision here is of that which takes place after the Church is caught up into Heaven. No saints will be crowned until “that day.” [Ref. 2 Tim. 4:7-8]. The expression “at that day” refers to the day of Christ’s coming for His own [Ref. Rev. 22:12].

Rev. 4:5 We must bear in mind that the throne of Deity here is the throne of judgment. There is no throne of grace because the day of grace is already past. The reason God does not judge the world today, in spite of the prevailing wickedness, is because He is seated upon the throne of grace. John tells us that a dreadful storm is about to burst on the earth beneath. Lightning’s, thundering, and voices are symbols of judgments. So we see this is judgment day for the earth, for justice means judgments.

END TIMES REVEALED

Revelation 3-part 3


[Ref. John 8:12]. Spiritual perception is greatly needed in our day, and be certain the natural man does not have it [Ref. 1Cor. 2:14-16]. Our Lord has “eye salve” for us. Let Him anoint us with the Holy Spirit and we will see a world of which we have never seen [Ref. 1John 2:20-21]. We must be conscious of our blindness. Our Lord possesses all that the church so sorely lacks, and until men turn to Him they can never be cured of their distorted vision.

Rev. 3:19 Our Lord of grace asserts His love for all in the congregation, the unfaithful as well as the faithful. But we must know that divine love will never overlook wrong. Our Lord will never force His recommendations upon us, but our disobedience will bring chastening. He will not tolerate this condition of the world indefinitely. In every dispensation, (age) the Lord has rebuked and chastened those whom He loves [Ref. Pro. 3:11-12; Heb. 12:5-6]. Our Lord’s love is never so complacent that it condones sin in our lives. We see Him yearning over Jerusalem just prior to the time when the axe was laid to the root of the tree [Ref. Mt. 23; 37-38]. If He did not love the church He would not have bothered to appeal to her and counsel her. But her members must repent at once and completely, without mental reservations. The church must get hot and stay hot or else He will spew them out.

Rev. 3:20 Our Lord of patience appeals to the individual. Observe this; the gospel is addressed to “whosoever will,” to “any man.” His true followers never were in the majority. He called them His “little flock” [Ref. Luke 12:32]. But, thank God, many individuals will open to Him as He stands at the door and appeals to “any man who will respond.” Our Lord is the risen savior, the exalted Christ, ever seeking men and appealing to them one by one. Christ both knocks and speaks, as He has been doing for 19 centuries, and His voice is clear to al who will hear. Our Lord will continue to deal with individuals until this Age of Grace has run its course.
While Christ appears in the midst of the seven lamps stands (churches) [Ref. Rev. 1:12-13]. We dare not conclude that Christendom is God’s habitation through His Spirit. He indwells any assembly only as He indwells individuals in that assembly in this age [Ref. 1Cor. 3:16; 6:19-20]. “Now if any man has not the spirit of Christ, he is none of His [Ref. Rom. 8:9]. For the most part this last church of the last days does not claim Christ. Its leaders are taken up with their own importance and self-sufficiency. Our Lord described a true assembly when He said, “for where two or three are gathered together in My name, there am I in the midst of them” [Ref. Mt. 18:20]. We see Him in the midst of His little flock after Hi resurrection [Ref. John 20:19]. But, disturbingly, this is not what our Lord tells us of the church of the last days. Instead of being “in the midst,” He is seen on the outside, appealing for admittance.


Rev. 3:21 Our Lord’s promise here in one respect exceeds all the rest for the over comer. A throne is the symbol of authority and conquest. The promise Christ gave to the twelve in Mathew 19:28 now becomes a blessed reality to all the redeemed. As Christ shared the Fathers throne, both before His incarnation in eternity past [Ref. John 17:5], and after His ascension [Ref. Rev. 3:21], Christians will share Christ’s throne in the coming manifestation of His kingdom. All Believer Priests are made kings unto God [Ref. Rev. 1:6; 5:10], and will therefore reign with Christ when He establishes His throne [Ref. Rev. 20:6]. When Christ sits on the throne of His glory [Ref. Mt. 25:31], then shall we sit on thrones and rule with Him [Ref. Luke 22:29-30]. Our rights to that throne are blood rights [Ref. Rev. 1:5-6].
These promises to the overcomers of all the churches in chapters two and three form the fullest description to be found in all the Word of God of those things which God has prepared for His redeemed ones. They open to us the bright prospects of the life to come for all the saved. “He that over cometh shall inherit all things” [Ref. Rev. 21:7], In contrast with the “unbelieving,” who “shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone. This is the second death [Ref. Rev. 21:8]. Let all who read these words and who have not yielded to Jesus Christ, receive Him at once. This age of grace is coming to a close. Do not delay your decision to believe on the Lord Jesus Christ and be saved.

Rev. 3:22 This is a special message from the Lord Jesus to all of us for which we need to hear. This is the reason that you and I must be very careful in our study of the Word of God, that we not run ahead of the Spirit of God, but that we let Him be our teacher. Only, the Spirit of God can make the Word of God real to you.
These are “the things which are,” and they have been very important because they relate to the period in which we live. If we are a member of His Church, we are a member of His Body, a part of that great company, beginning with the Day of Pentecost and coming down to the present hour as we await our hope in Christ the day He comes for His bride at the rapture.

END TIMES REVEALED

Revelation 3-part 2


Rev. 3:11 Our Lord expresses for the third time, and we find it clearly stated that our Lord is coming again [ref. Rev. 1:7; 2:25]. His Scriptures of His coming is associated with the rewards He will give to His faithful servants. “and behold, I come quickly; and my reward is with Me, to give every man according as his work shall be” [Ref. Rev. 22:12]. Our Lord is “a rewarder of them that diligently seek Him” [ref. Heb. 11:6]. Satan would use those of his synagogue to steal our rewards from us. We have Christ’s appeal, “hold that fast which you have”, and why? “That no man takes your crown.” The crown is not our salvation. Neither man nor demon nor angel, in time present nor in time to come, can separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord [ref. Rom. 8:38-39]. We are saved by faith and not by works, but we are saved to work, and for our works we shall be rewarded [ref. Eph. 2:8-10]. There are various forms of evil to steal our crowns. A cold heart overcame the saints in Ephesus. In Smyrna the saints were tempted by discouragement through enduring suffering and poverty. In Pergamun there were the opposing doctrines (false teaching of Balaam and the Nicolaitanes. In Thyatira Jezebel held undisputed sway. Sardis had a name to live by and was dead. In Philadelphia there were tares among “us” wheat. These choke the Word so that the believer becomes unfruitful. Our Lord says, “Be thou faithful unto death, and I will give thee a crown of life [Ref. Rev. 2:10]. When our Lord comes again to take us to the home He has prepared for us in heaven, we shall cast our crowns before His throne, and say, “thou art worthy O Lord, to receive glory and honor and power; for Thou hast created all things, and for thy pleasure they are and were created” [Ref. Rev. 4:10-11].

Rev. 3:12 Our Lord promises to the over comer (believer) that the Lord Himself will make us a pillar in the temple of God. A symbol telling us that Christ has come before us and made a permanent dwelling place for us in Heaven. Our Lord promises us that God the Father and, “the city,” of God the Father and the Son Jesus Christ, will know by the new names upon us, which will enable us a citizen of heaven, to freely do the work of our Lord upon this earth. His new names upon us, is a personal relationship we have with Him now and forever.

Rev. 3:13 Our Lord expresses again to the believer priest, we are to hear what the Holy spirit here has to say to the church. The Lord has left His message with us, allows the Holy Spirit to indwell and accomplish the work through us.

Rev. 3:14 Our Lord and Redeemer addresses the church at Laodicea as “the Amen, the faithful and true Witness, the Beginning of the creation of God.” Christ the Sovereign God which is behind all human events [Ref. 2Cor. 1:20; Rev. 1:6) is the “Amen” as we have seen previously means “so be it” the mighty hand behind all human events. Christ reaffirms to us what He has said earlier [Ref. Rev. 1:5; 3:7] speaking of Himself “the faithful and true Witness.” Christ among man is the affirmation and confirmation of the mind of God. Our Lord is God’s last Word; there is no improving upon Him. “For in Him dwelled all the fullness of the God head bodily,” [Ref. Col. 2:19]. Christ’s ministry of words and works fulfills every promise of God, “For all the promises of God in Him are yea, and in Him Amen’ [Ref. 2Cor. 1:20]. Christ is the ruler of God’s creation and is sovereign over it [Ref. Col.1:15, 18; Rev. 21:6]. This description or address is preparation for the stern word of rebuke which our Lord gives the church in Laodicea.

Rev. 3:15-16 seeing nothing in this church our Lord can approve, the Lord proceeds to admonish the church. The church was pictured as utterly abhorrent to Christ because the church is lukewarm. The people are straddlers, fence-sitters, and middle-of-road people. Any attitude is better than that of being tepid. A church that is neither enthusiastic nor antagonistic is most difficult to deal with. Half heartedness will paralyze any effort. But why should the Lord desire that they be cold rather than lukewarm? This had a background and local meaning for the people in that day. The ice cold water of the mountains traveled to Laodicea by aqueduct and was lukewarm by the time it reached them. Luke warm water is not very good for drinking. A cold church actually means a church that has denied every cardinal doctrine of the faith. The church has given over to formality and is carrying on in active opposition to the Word of God and the gospel of Christ. We see in liberalism that the individuals are in active opposition to the gospel of Jesus Christ. We can see the picture of many churches today falling into this category and full of the individual in opposition. These people do not want to come out flatfooted standing fast for the Word of god and for the great doctrines of the Christian faith. Why Hot? Hot speaks of those with real spiritual fervor and passion like the Christians in Ephesus, although they were even getting away from their best love. The Laodicean church new what our Lord meant of Hot for there were hot springs in the valley. These steaming springs were routed to Laodicea and as well would up being lukewarm by the time it got to them. The church and its people do not want to be known as a liberal church. So they play and mingle with both the middle-of –the-road and the passionate spiritually fevered Christian those cold and hot, and makes for a condition in the church that is impossible for our Lord to stomach. Our Lord says very frankly that He will spew them out of His mouth. Thank God that there are many who do not come under this classification. This is a heart searching message for this hour because we are living in the time of the Laodicean church and the Philadelphian church. Both of them are side by side, and there is a great division of Christianity today. This division is not in denominations of churches, but consists of those who believe the word of God and follow it, love it, obey it, and those who reject it. That is the line of division today in our society.

Rev. 3:17 Our Lord summed up this in two phrases “thou sayest….and knowest not.” They said they were rich and had need of nothing, and all the while they were wretched, miserable, poor, blind, and naked. This was their estimation of themselves compared to Christ’s declaration of their true condition. It is pitiable when a church cannot stand together and say from their hearts, with a loud voice, “worthy is the lamb that was slain to receive power, and riches, and wisdom, and strength, and honor, and glory, and blessing” [Ref. Rev. 5:12] Our Lord said “thou art wretched,” this means “distressed,” groaning under the burden of indwelling sin. Our Lord further describes the church as being “miserable.” The Greek word “Eleeinos” meaning “pitiable.” Our Lord tells them that they are “poor” they are rich in material things, but have no spiritual blessings stored up in heaven. No wonder our Lord pitied them.

Rev. 3:18 Our Lord of grace here appeals to them to buy of Him. Our Lord is using the language appropriate to those merchandising- minded men. Our Lord would have them turn from the fool’s gold of the world to the One who said, “Ho! everyone that thirsts, come ye to the waters, and he that hath no money; come ye, buy, and eat; yea, come, buy wine and milk without money and without price” [Ref. Isa. 551]. Total Grace, is there anything in the entire world more wonderful than this? Christ is appealing to the church as He sees her, not as she thinks she is. The gold of our Lord is divine righteousness that will stand every test and never decrease in value even in the worst depression. In the New Testament the righteous deeds of the believer priest, that shall have God’s approval in the Day of Judgment, are compared to gold [Ref. 1Cor. 3:12-13]. For we can see that our Lord here is offering the people His righteousness, that will enrich their lives on earth and in eternity.






Our Lord tells the people that they can never cover their moral nakedness. All mans righteous deeds are as filthy rags in God’s sight [Ref. Isa. 64:6]. Christ says, “Buy of Me…white raiment,” this is the divine righteousness which God imputes to every believing sinner who comes to Christ [Ref. 1Cor. 1:30]. Our gracious Lord can only clothe the sinner’s nakedness with clean white linen of His righteousness [Ref. Rev. 19; 8], without which no man can see the Lord. For their blindness Christ says: Anoint thine eyes with eye salve that thou may see. Christ only could open their eyes to perceive a spiritual world they had never known.

Our Lord opened many blind eyes during His earthly ministry, and He still makes men to see. Our Lord say’s the eye ointment of liberalism and neo-orthodoxy leaves men blind. Only the Great Physician can show men the true light.