King James Bible Study – [Mark 8:34 And when he had called the people unto him with his disciples also, he said unto them, Whosoever will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me.]
Date: Tuesday, December 28, 2021
Chapters: Revelation 4-9
Message: Watch And Pray
Hello My Friend,
As I was reading through the chapters for today, I started to wonder how Jesus would feel when He finally stands head to head with Satan and gives him his judgment, taking vengeance upon him for what he did to bring death to the entire earth. I first thought that Jesus would be like, “Ah Ha!” as He casts him into the lake of fire. Then again, this is Jesus, He did not want this to happen to the earth, He did not want any soul to be cast into hell, and He will probably be like the rest of us who have a heart and read about what is to come, sad and a bit angry because of their disbelief. This is why Jesus tells us that we need to be always watching and praying.
[Luke 21:32-36 Verily I say unto you, This generation shall not pass away, till all be fulfilled. 33 Heaven and earth shall pass away: but my words shall not pass away. 34 And take heed to yourselves, lest at any time your hearts be overcharged with surfeiting, and drunkenness, and cares of this life, and so that day come upon you unawares. 35 For as a snare shall it come on all them that dwell on the face of the whole earth. 36 Watch ye therefore, and pray always, that ye may be accounted worthy to escape all these things that shall come to pass, and to stand before the Son of man.]
When God told Adam, [Genesis 2:16b-17 Of every tree of the garden thou mayest freely eat: 17 But of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, thou shalt not eat of it: for in the day that thou eatest thereof thou shalt surely die.], that curse of death was not just upon man, it was upon the earth as well, [Genesis 3:17 And unto Adam he said, Because thou hast hearkened unto the voice of thy wife, and hast eaten of the tree, of which I commanded thee, saying, Thou shalt not eat of it: cursed is the ground for thy sake; in sorrow shalt thou eat of it all the days of thy life;] There will come a day when death will come upon the earth, we may think that it is no big deal right now, but we need to, it is not the earth being destroyed that we need to be worried about at this point, it is the tribulation, which could happen at any moment. As we continue in the reading of Revelation, Jesus gives John a vision similar to what He gave Ezekiel [Ezekiel 11], He took John up in His Spirit, it was a throne room, and right in the center of twenty-four seats, God Himself sits on His throne.
[Revelation 4:1-4 After this I looked, and, behold, a door was opened in heaven: and the first voice which I heard was as it were of a trumpet talking with me; which said, Come up hither, and I will shew thee things which must be hereafter. 2 And immediately I was in the spirit: and, behold, a throne was set in heaven, and one sat on the throne. 3 And he that sat was to look upon like a jasper and a sardine stone: and there was a rainbow round about the throne, in sight like unto an emerald. 4 And round about the throne were four and twenty seats: and upon the seats I saw four and twenty elders sitting, clothed in white raiment; and they had on their heads crowns of gold.]
[And he that sat was to look upon like a jasper] This is not Jesus, this entire picture is the amazing Godhead, all three persons of God, the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit being revealed in all His omnipotence, omniscience, and omnipresence, as we will see Jesus appear in the next chapter. [and there was a rainbow round about the throne,] Remember, God’s promise to not destroy the earth with a flood, this was a reminder of that covenant of promise which God has made with Christ, as the Head of the church, and with all his people in him. [I saw four and twenty elders sitting,] These men are of the twelve tribes Israel and the twelve apostles, [Matthew 8:10-13]. And as John continues to tell of the vision, he also describes four beasts, similar to what Ezekiel describes, [Ezekiel 1:5-28].
[Revelation 4:6-8,10-11 And before the throne there was a sea of glass like unto crystal: and in the midst of the throne, and round about the throne, were four beasts full of eyes before and behind. 7 And the first beast was like a lion, and the second beast like a calf, and the third beast had a face as a man, and the fourth beast was like a flying eagle. 8 And the four beasts had each of them six wings about him; and they were full of eyes within: and they rest not day and night, saying, Holy, holy, holy, Lord God Almighty, which was, and is, and is to come. 10 The four and twenty elders fall down before him that sat on the throne, and worship him that liveth for ever and ever, and cast their crowns before the throne, saying, 11 Thou art worthy, O Lord, to receive glory and honour and power: for thou hast created all things, and for thy pleasure they are and were created.]
[were four beasts full of eyes before and behind.] The four beasts or living creatures, represent the characteristics of the ministers of the Gospel as a whole, which are courage, industry, wisdom, and aspiration, [Isaiah 40:29-31]. [and cast their crowns before the throne,] We too will be a part of these elders who take off our crowns and cast them at Jesus’ feet. Why? We are standing at the throne of God, by His mercies and grace, through our faith in His Son alone, Jesus Himself said, [Mark 10:18b Why callest thou me good? there is none good but one, that is, God.]
God, in all His omnipotence, omniscience, and omnipresence, as the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, yet still three individual persons, sitting on His throne, where we too will stand before the throne of God, and see Jesus at His right hand, [Luke 22:69]. As John continues to see the vision he sees God with a book in His right hand.
[Revelation 5:1-6 And I saw in the right hand of him that sat on the throne a book written within and on the backside, sealed with seven seals. 2 And I saw a strong angel proclaiming with a loud voice, Who is worthy to open the book, and to loose the seals thereof? 3 And no man in heaven, nor in earth, neither under the earth, was able to open the book, neither to look thereon. 4 And I wept much, because no man was found worthy to open and to read the book, neither to look thereon. 5 And one of the elders saith unto me, Weep not: behold, the Lion of the tribe of Juda, the Root of David, hath prevailed to open the book, and to loose the seven seals thereof. 6 And I beheld, and, lo, in the midst of the throne and of the four beasts, and in the midst of the elders, stood a Lamb as it had been slain, having seven horns and seven eyes, which are the seven Spirits of God sent forth into all the earth.]
[stood a Lamb as it had been slain,] Wow! What a sight! The very Lamb of God, standing beside His Father with the reminder that He died for all mankind, but only those who believed in Him will survive what is to come to the entire earth. Jesus is the only one capable of opening the book that would pour out the very wrath of God down upon the earth. That angel knew that no person or angel was righteous enough to open that book. For in that book was not just some words written on a page, it was literally about to come to life as it poured out the vengeance of God upon the earth. Now, as Jesus took the book from His Father, some amazing happened, everyone, the elders, the beasts, the angels, and the saints also starting singing.
[Revelation 5:8-12 And when he had taken the book, the four beasts and four and twenty elders fell down before the Lamb, having every one of them harps, and golden vials full of odours, which are the prayers of saints. 9 And they sung a new song, saying, Thou art worthy to take the book, and to open the seals thereof: for thou wast slain, and hast redeemed us to God by thy blood out of every kindred, and tongue, and people, and nation; 10 And hast made us unto our God kings and priests: and we shall reign on the earth. 11 And I beheld, and I heard the voice of many angels round about the throne and the beasts and the elders: and the number of them was ten thousand times ten thousand, and thousands of thousands; 12 Saying with a loud voice, Worthy is the Lamb that was slain to receive power, and riches, and wisdom, and strength, and honour, and glory, and blessing.]
[which are the prayers of saints.] These are the prayers of each and every person who received Christ as their Saviour. [and hast redeemed us to God by thy blood] Christ has redeemed His people from the bondage of sin, guilt, and Satan, He has redeemed them to God, the Father, and set them at liberty to serve Him and enjoy Him. [and we shall reign on the earth.] And yes, all of Christ’s saints will reign with Him when He returns. That book with the seals contained the very instructions of an army that would come to bring massive destruction upon the earth and this would only be the tribulation. One by one, each of the seven seals are broken revealing a more devastating catastrophe.
[Revelation 6:2,4,6 And I saw, and behold a white horse: and he that sat on him had a bow; and a crown was given unto him: and he went forth conquering, and to conquer. 4 And there went out another horse that was red: and power was given to him that sat thereon to take peace from the earth, and that they should kill one another: and there was given unto him a great sword. 6 And I heard a voice in the midst of the four beasts say, A measure of wheat for a penny, and three measures of barley for a penny; and see thou hurt not the oil and the wine.]
[and see thou hurt not the oil and the wine.] This was to be a famine of the necessities needed to sustain their lives as wheat and barley were used to make bread, it represents the spiritual food that God will deprive them of. The oil and the wine represent the food of religious knowledge, by which souls are sustained unto everlasting life. One judgment seldom comes alone, and those who will not humble themselves under one must expect another and yet greater. And now we come to the forth and fifth seal.
[Revelation 6:8–9,11-12 And I looked, and behold a pale horse: and his name that sat on him was Death, and Hell followed with him. And power was given unto them over the fourth part of the earth, to kill with sword, and with hunger, and with death, and with the beasts of the earth. 9 And when he had opened the fifth seal, I saw under the altar the souls of them that were slain for the word of God, and for the testimony which they held: 11 And white robes were given unto every one of them; and it was said unto them, that they should rest yet for a little season, until their fellowservants also and their brethren, that should be killed as they were, should be fulfilled. 12 And I beheld when he had opened the sixth seal, and, lo, there was a great earthquake; and the sun became black as sackcloth of hair, and the moon became as blood;]
[Death, and Hell followed with him.] Unless we are saved, hell will always follow death and it will destroy every soul that does not have the blood of Christ upon it. [that should be killed as they were, should be fulfilled.] These are the ones who were martyred for their faith, sadly, there will be many more, in fact, during the tribulation anyone who gets saved will be put to death instantly. This is described in the next chapter. There is another seal within this seal, and this is the seal of the living God, and it is the only way we are able to escape this judgment and will be able to stand before God.
[Revelation 7:2-4,9,13-14 And I saw another angel ascending from the east, having the seal of the living God: and he cried with a loud voice to the four angels, to whom it was given to hurt the earth and the sea, 3 Saying, Hurt not the earth, neither the sea, nor the trees, till we have sealed the servants of our God in their foreheads. 4 And I heard the number of them which were sealed: and there were sealed an hundred and forty and four thousand of all the tribes of the children of Israel. 9 After this I beheld, and, lo, a great multitude, which no man could number, of all nations, and kindreds, and people, and tongues, stood before the throne, and before the Lamb, clothed with white robes, and palms in their hands; 13 And one of the elders answered, saying unto me, What are these which are arrayed in white robes? and whence came they? 14 And I said unto him, Sir, thou knowest. And he said to me, These are they which came out of great tribulation, and have washed their robes, and made them white in the blood of the Lamb.]
[having the seal of the living God:] Anyone who accepted Christ as their Saviour has the seal of the living God upon their foreheads, [2 Timothy 2:19 Nevertheless the foundation of God standeth sure, having this seal, The Lord knoweth them that are his. And, Let every one that nameth the name of Christ depart from iniquity.]
[sealed an hundred and forty and four thousand] These are the of the twelve tribes of Israel who were saved during the tribulation, and if you notice, there is actually one tribe missing, Dan. The tribe of Levi took their place, who were the ministers of God, because it was of the tribe of Dan that Jeroboam brought idol worship when he had the two golden calves made. [clothed with white robes, and palms in their hands;] These are the multitude from every nation who died for their faith during the tribulation. If you wonder where we are in with all this, we are the saints in heaven, clothed in our own white robes, waiting for all of this to end, [Revelation 3:5 He that overcometh, the same shall be clothed in white raiment; and I will not blot out his name out of the book of life, but I will confess his name before my Father, and before his angels.]
We read about six of the seven seals that were on the book that only Jesus could open, revealing the devastation that will take place as each seal is broken, each one becoming more devastating than the last. And not we come to the seventh seal.
[Revelation 8:1-6 And when he had opened the seventh seal, there was silence in heaven about the space of half an hour. 2 And I saw the seven angels which stood before God; and to them were given seven trumpets. 3 And another angel came and stood at the altar, having a golden censer; and there was given unto him much incense, that he should offer it with the prayers of all saints upon the golden altar which was before the throne. 4 And the smoke of the incense, which came with the prayers of the saints, ascended up before God out of the angel’s hand. 5 And the angel took the censer, and filled it with fire of the altar, and cast it into the earth: and there were voices, and thunderings, and lightnings, and an earthquake. 6 And the seven angels which had the seven trumpets prepared themselves to sound.]
[there was silence in heaven about the space of half an hour.] For thirty minutes there was complete silence, not a voice was uttered, not a prayer was spoken. For thirty minutes, not a pin drop could be heard, nothing was seen, and the angels just stood there awaiting their orders. For thirty minutes all was silent, and I believe it was in those thirty minutes that God waited for that very last soul to receive His Son before that first trumpet was blown. [which came with the prayers of the saints,] And these were the very last souls to be saved I believe during that half hour. God’s saints are not those who seem to be perfect and have made such a great impression upon man that they were declared saints by some man after they died, they are those whom have accepted Christ as their Saviour. And we are going to be glad that we did when those trumpets are blown. Jesus reveals the total devastation of the earth as the angels blow their trumpets.
[Revelation 8:7-8,10,12-13 The first angel sounded, and there followed hail and fire mingled with blood, and they were cast upon the earth: and the third part of trees was burnt up, and all green grass was burnt up. 8 And the second angel sounded, and as it were a great mountain burning with fire was cast into the sea: and the third part of the sea became blood; 10 And the third angel sounded, and there fell a great star from heaven, burning as it were a lamp, and it fell upon the third part of the rivers, and upon the fountains of waters; 12 And the fourth angel sounded, and the third part of the sun was smitten, and the third part of the moon, and the third part of the stars; so as the third part of them was darkened, and the day shone not for a third part of it, and the night likewise. 13 And I beheld, and heard an angel flying through the midst of heaven, saying with a loud voice, Woe, woe, woe, to the inhabiters of the earth by reason of the other voices of the trumpet of the three angels, which are yet to sound!]
[Woe, woe, woe, to the inhabiters of the earth] This is what we should all be saying right now and why we need to tell everyone who is not saved how they can be saved from all this. Now, when the fifth angel sounded his trumpet, hell literally breaks loose as the bottomless pit is opened.
[Revelation 9:1,3–4,6,11,20 And the fifth angel sounded, and I saw a star fall from heaven unto the earth: and to him was given the key of the bottomless pit. 3 And there came out of the smoke locusts upon the earth: and unto them was given power, as the scorpions of the earth have power. 4 And it was commanded them that they should not hurt the grass of the earth, neither any green thing, neither any tree; but only those men which have not the seal of God in their foreheads. 6 And in those days shall men seek death, and shall not find it; and shall desire to die, and death shall flee from them. 11 And they had a king over them, which is the angel of the bottomless pit, whose name in the Hebrew tongue is Abaddon, but in the Greek tongue hath his name Apollyon. 20 And the rest of the men which were not killed by these plagues yet repented not of the works of their hands, that they should not worship devils, and idols of gold, and silver, and brass, and stone, and of wood: which neither can see, nor hear, nor walk:]
[whose name in the Hebrew tongue is Abaddon,] Abaddon or Apollyon means destroyer. Imagine a torment so severe that you would want to die, and even that it is forbidden? That is what hell is like right now. It is the wonderful, and amazing gifts of God’s mercy and grace that keeps the destroyer from taking a single soul that has the seal of God, no matter how many stupid things they do after being saved. Amen! [Luke 16:23-24 And in hell he lift up his eyes, being in torments, and seeth Abraham afar off, and Lazarus in his bosom. 24 And he cried and said, Father Abraham, have mercy on me, and send Lazarus, that he may dip the tip of his finger in water, and cool my tongue; for I am tormented in this flame.]
[were not killed by these plagues yet repented not of the works] These are the fools, the reprobates who refuse to receive Christ as their Saviour. They do not care how bad it gets they will never confess their sin and be saved, and they will join Satan because he too is too proud to admit that, even though he too must obey God, [Revelation 20:10,12-14 And the devil that deceived them was cast into the lake of fire and brimstone, where the beast and the false prophet are, and shall be tormented day and night for ever and ever. 12 And I saw the dead, small and great, stand before God; and the books were opened: and another book was opened, which is the book of life: and the dead were judged out of those things which were written in the books, according to their works. 13 And the sea gave up the dead which were in it; and death and hell delivered up the dead which were in them: and they were judged every man according to their works. 14 And death and hell were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death.]
Let Us Pray: Jesus, The love that You have for us is just astounding, You were born to die for us, but You conquered death in victory and because of that, we who receive You as our Saviour will too. When we consider the depth of Your love, let us be more determined to be faithful to You in reaching the lost with the Gospel. Help us to be watchful and praying always, knowing that we have eternal life with You and will never have to be in the midst of the great tribulation. In pray this in your name, Jesus. Amen.
God Bless You, I am praying for you,
Christina
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