Tag Archives: Revelation

Revelation

Revelation 9

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In chapter 8, we read about the blowings of the first four trumpets of God, in which each signal and announce the next stage of the end times. We are then told that there are three woes about to come. In chapter 9, we will see the ushering-in of these first two woes, which will be a time of troubles and tribulation never before seen on earth.

(Revelation 9:1) 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.

As the fifth trumpet is blown, a star will from from heaven, which is the spiritual influence of satan on earth, and this will be stronger at this time than ever before. He will also be given the key to the bottomless pit, which is where his fallen angels, those who made the decision to attempt to thwart God’s plan and come to earth to wreak havoc for Him on two separate occasions in the past, are currently held. With satan being given the key to this holding place, he is being given partial and temporary control once again over them for the ultimate good of God’s purpose. Later in Revelation, we will learn what this ultimate good is.

This 5th trumpet announces the first half of the tribulation.

(Revelation 9:2) And he opened the bottomless pit; and there arose a smoke out of the pit, as the smoke of a great furnace; and the sun and the air were darkened by reason of the smoke of the pit.

With this key, satan opens up the bottomless pit to release these demonic beings physically. Up until now, since they have been under lock and key as we are told in Jude, they have only been able to have a mild spiritual presence and influence on earth, but now they will be free to roam. However, they will not come to earth immediately upon their escape. They will first begin a war in heaven against God’s angels for the first half of the tribulation, which in totality is known as the hour of temptation.

(Rev 12:6) And the woman fled into the wilderness, where she hath a place prepared of God, that they should feed her there a thousand two hundred and threescore days.

(Rev 12:7) And there was war in heaven: Michael and his angels fought against the dragon; and the dragon fought and his angels,

(Rev 12:8) And prevailed not; neither was their place found any more in heaven.

(Rev 12:9) And the great dragon was cast out, that old serpent, called the Devil, and Satan, which deceiveth the whole world: he was cast out into the earth, and his angels were cast out with him.

(Rev 12:10) And I heard a loud voice saying in heaven, Now is come salvation, and strength, and the kingdom of our God, and the power of his Christ: for the accuser of our brethren is cast down, which accused them before our God day and night.

(Rev 12:11) And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb, and by the word of their testimony; and they loved not their lives unto the death.

(Rev 12:12) Therefore rejoice, ye heavens, and ye that dwell in them. Woe to the inhabiters of the earth and of the sea! for the devil is come down unto you, having great wrath, because he knoweth that he hath but a short time.

This woman in verse 12:6 represents God’s elect, the children of Israel (not to be confused with the nation of Israel in the Middle East), and they are about to head into the wilderness (which brings to mind the story of Moses and his people), in which God will take care of His elect and make sure they stay safe. This wondering in the wilderness of the second half of the tribulation was originally told to be 1230 days (3 1/2 years), before the timespan was shortened per Jesus, and this 1230 days corresponds to satan’s time on earth as antichrist, and is written there to remind us of this time period. Once the fallen angels are released, there will be war in Heaven, in which they will battle God’s angelic army, but they will not be able to defeat God, and Michael, one of God’s archangels, will cast satan and his cronies down to earth for the final half of the tribulation as part of God’s plan to test those on earth. This casting down will happen after the 6th trumpet, as we will find out in the next couple chapters.

Satan will be given a short time here on earth to deceive the world into leaving God and worshiping him instead. He will claim to be God and perform many miracles, but only those who truly know Jesus and His Word will be able to overcome satan’s deception.

(Rev 8:1) And when he had opened the seventh seal, there was silence in heaven about the space of half an hour.

In this verse of chapter 8, the seven seals have just finished being opened, signaling the vision of the seven trumpets to start for John. This can be confusing because the seals, like everything else in the Bible, have different levels of meaning. This does not mean that the trumpets start being blown after the 7th seal is opened because that would be mixing the levels of understanding. For our purposes here, we are talking about the actual chronological events of the trumpets. The seals, in the sense that they represent understanding of the end times, mean understanding of the last generation, and the 7th seal is the understanding of the events of the tribulation, including the trumpets.

When the 7th seal was opened in chapter 7, leading into verse 8:1, there was finally silence in Heaven for one half hour, half of the tribulation, because after the war between the angels in Heaven, satan and the fallen angels are to be cast down to earth for the second half hour of the tribulation. Once this happens, Heaven will finally be silent for that second half, as we are going to enter a period of testing no one has ever experienced.

(Revelation 9:3) 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.

Out of this pit, first comes smoke, which is the deception of satan that attempts to obscure and cover the light of God’s truth, just as smoke can extinguish the daylight. This smoke, in the first half of the tribulation, really begins to cover the earth, as the deception of the tribulation is begun. While these demons are physically still in Heaven, their spiritual influence will be all over the earth with satan’s, and this influence brings about the one world political system. This will prepare the world for the next step of the plan so the people are ready to accept him as their savior instead of Jesus.

This is one of the locust armies forecast by Joel the prophet in the Old Testament. The first is the “gnawer” stage, which is the kenites gnawing away at our freedoms. Second is the “swarmer” stage, the arab muslims swarming the world to attempt to attain world dominance. The third is the “devourer,” which are the fallen angels devouring men from the inside out. And the Fourth, and final stage, is the “consumer,” in which satan and his fallen angels are on earth physically in person. With this 5th Trump, we are at the “devourer” stage.

They will be like scorpions, which devour their prey by stinging and first digesting their victims from the inside, before sucking and consuming those digested innards. These demons will be preparing man by turning his mind into mush before they arrive in person to spiritually consume those they have deceived. This smoke of deception will be their sting.

(Revelation 9:4) 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.

The grass here emphasizes the frailty of flesh mankind and the green things are those who are spiritually healthy, the bride of Christ, and those trees are people. The demons are commanded by God not to hurt anyone on earth until those chosen by God are sealed with understanding the Holy Spirit would give them to lock away in their minds.

(Rev 7:1) And after these things I saw four angels standing on the four corners of the earth, holding the four winds of the earth, that the wind should not blow on the earth, nor on the sea, nor on any tree.

(Rev 7:2) 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,

(Rev 7:3) Saying, Hurt not the earth, neither the sea, nor the trees, till we have sealed the servants of our God in their foreheads.

(Rev 7:4) 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.

Chapter 7, the 6th seal, details the sealing of God’s chosen before the arrival of antichrist, who is satan, on earth. The sealing will protect those sealed from falling to satan’s deception and worshiping him, which would have otherwise caused them to receive the mark of the beast. Everyone on earth will have either the Seal of God or the Mark of the Beast in their minds.

(Revelation 9:5) And to them it was given that they should not kill them, but that they should be tormented five months: and their torment was as the torment of a scorpion, when he striketh a man.

Those without the Seal of God will be tormented during this time by the full-strength lies of satan. Not only that, but in a few chapters, we will see the fate of those who receive the Mark of the Beast as the 7 angles pour out their vials.

(Revelation 9:6) And in those days shall men seek death, and shall not find it; and shall desire to die, and death shall flee from them.

This is twofold in the sense that those who are deceived will believe satan is God, and they will want to leave they earth and be with him in a spirit form, but when they receive the initial punishment for their transgressions, they will be suffering as they never have before, but yet they will still not repent. They will believe they are doing what God wants them to and will not understand why they are suffering. They have chosen to ignore God’s Word, which is why they are so easily deceived.

(Revelation 9:7) And the shapes of the locusts were like unto horses prepared unto battle; and on their heads were as it were crowns like gold, and their faces were as the faces of men.

These locusts are doing battle here on earth, but they will soon be here in person and will battle like they’ve never done before. They will assume the role of spiritual leaders peddling a false doctrine, that only appears to be the doctrine of God to most in the world. But it is not really the pure gold from Jesus, and those who study His Word thoroughly will know the difference. They will seem to be people, and will appear not only harmless, but benevolent.

(Revelation 9:8) And they had hair as the hair of women, and their teeth were as the teeth of lions.

They will appear to be beautiful and angelic and good to those that are unlearned, but they are actually ferociously evil and ready to destroy souls. These demons will fool you with their gentleness and kill you with kindness.

(Revelation 9:9) And they had breastplates, as it were breastplates of iron; and the sound of their wings was as the sound of chariots of many horses running to battle.

Breastplates were the attire of the Levitical priesthood of the Old Testament, meaning that these fallen angels will pretend to serve God, but the breastplates that they would wear are not of gold, they are of iron. This iron construction calls to mind the iron used in the idol made by Nebuchadnezzar in Daniel 3, in which the iron represents the demonic fallen angels that will intermix with the men, which are the clay. The wings they have here are the protection of satan, which is only superficial because God allows them all to do what they’re doing to accomplish His plan. He could wipe them out at any time if He wanted to, yet He uses their evil for the benefit of us all in the end.

(Revelation 9:10) And they had tails like unto scorpions, and there were stings in their tails: and their power was to hurt men five months.

As we are told by Jesus, He shortened the time of the tribulation, both the first and second halves. Originally the tribulation was told to be 7 years, meaning spiritual completion, and was in two 3 1/2 month halves. But the length of the shortening we are given is 10 months, the same as the length of the flood in Noah’s time, with two 5-month halves. This is the first half, and people are being prepared by the scorpions by being turned to mush, as preparation from the second half, when the evil ones are here to take control of the world, de facto.

(Revelation 9:11) 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.

Of course, as we now know, their leader is satan, the destroyer (Apollyon). He is given the key and is the one who releases them from the pit at the right time.

(Revelation 9:12) One woe is past; and, behold, there come two woes more hereafter.

The 5th trump has been the first of the three woes about which we foretold about in chapter 8. We are about to enter into the Second Woe, which will be worse than the first.

(Revelation 9:13) And the sixth angel sounded, and I heard a voice from the four horns of the golden altar which is before God,

Those four horns of the altar of God are those who have power under God. They are the four archangels, who are like God’s main generals.

(Revelation 9:14) Saying to the sixth angel which had the trumpet, Loose the four angels which are bound in the great river Euphrates.

As the 6th trumpet is blown, satan’s counterparts to God’s archangels are released in the middle east, at the Euphrates, the symbolic boundary between the ways of the heathens in Babylon and the ways of God’s people. The ways of Babylon are about to spread completely to the remaining part of the world as the religion of Mystery Babylon, the one world religious system of satan.

(Revelation 9:15) And the four angels were loosed, which were prepared for an hour, and a day, and a month, and a year, for to slay the third part of men.

Satan’s four generals have been held in place for this very prophetic time. They are coming, hoping to deceive the rest of the world which has held out its allegiance, including God’s elect which have not faltered. Of course, since God’s elect have been sealed, they will continue to hold strong.

(Revelation 9:16) And the number of the army of the horsemen were two hundred thousand thousand: and I heard the number of them.

This is an idiom meaning they will be innumerable.

(Rev 9:17) And thus I saw the horses in the vision, and them that sat on them, having breastplates of fire, and of jacinth, and brimstone: and the heads of the horses were as the heads of lions; and out of their mouths issued fire and smoke and brimstone.

Again, these beings are ready to tear people’s souls to pieces. They will have a false gospel, and their deception will cover up the light of God’s truth.

(Rev 9:18) By these three was the third part of men killed, by the fire, and by the smoke, and by the brimstone, which issued out of their mouths.

Those who have not yet submitted to this world system, but do not have God’s Seal, will finally whore after satan and receive the Mark of the Beast, as satan’s deception convinces them.

(Rev 9:19) For their power is in their mouth, and in their tails: for their tails were like unto serpents, and had heads, and with them they do hurt.

The authority they are given for deception is by their words, and is able to poison the minds of those who would allow themselves to be stung. They are just as evil as the old serpent, satan, and will do whatever is necessary to accomplish their objectives.

(Rev 9:20) 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:

(Rev 9:21) Neither repented they of their murders, nor of their sorceries, nor of their fornication, nor of their thefts.

Those who are not physically harmed in this time, yet who don’t have eyes to see and ears to hear God’s truth, and are victims of this deception, will not repent: They don’t even know enough to realize how wrong they are.

This is the reason we study God’s Word. We don’t want to fall victim to satan. Though these people will be satan’s victims, they will still be held accountable for their inadequacy. Study and prepare so that you will be one that will please God.

God bless.

 

Revelation

Revelation 3

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In the last chapter, Revelation 2, we discussed the first four churches that Jesus told John to address, and now we will look at the final three. Jesus didn’t address these seven churches for His own health, it was for our health individually, our spiritual health. Pay attention as He spells out what He is looking for in a Christian.

 

(Revelation 3:1) And unto the angel of the church in Sardis write; These things saith He (Christ) that hath the seven Spirits of God, and the seven stars; I know thy works, that thou hast a name that thou livest, and art dead.

Jesus is not happy with these people and does not even like their works. These people are physically alive, and call themselves Christians, but are spiritually dead. If they do not make some serious changes and overcome, before Jesus Christ returns, they will be in danger of dying the second death, the death of their soul at the end of the Millennium period, the period in which Jesus will be here on earth ruling for one thousand years before the Great White Throne Judgment. They will have this Millennium period to correct their ways, but they will be on thin ice.

 

(Revelation 3:2) Be watchful, and strengthen the things which remain, that are ready to die: for I have not found thy works perfect before God.

Jesus is telling them that their works are not good in the eyes of God. He warns them to be mindful of what is written here and the rest of the Bible and to heed the words and warnings. He is telling them to strengthen what little dedication to Him they have left or else their soul will be close to death. They will face the Great White Throne Judgment at the end of the Millennium and if they fall short, they will have never even existed. This isn’t to say that not all true Christians are saved, but if someone truly accepts Christ and their acts don’t support that they are saved Christians, and Jesus determines they have fallen short, they will have to wait until the end of the Millennium to pass the last test and receive their eternal spiritual bodies.

 

(Revelation 3:3) Remember therefore how thou hast received and heard, and hold fast, and repent. If therefore thou shalt not watch, I will come on thee as a thief, and thou shalt not know what hour I will come upon thee.

These people are Christians and they need to remember that they are Christians and they need to turn back to serving our Lord and repent for all of the things they have do and not done that offend the Lord. If these people (or anyone else) do not study the Bible and know the signs of the times, Jesus will return like a thief in the night and they will not be expecting Him. If they do watch the signs they will know what to look for and when His time draws near and they will even know 3 and a half days prior, exactly when He will return. If they do not watch, not only will Jesus come on them as a thief, but the thief himself (satan) who will have already come as antichrist will have stolen their loyalty through his deception. Pray that this does not happen. One way to ensure that this does not happen is to study the Word and know the signs to look for and not only that, but study the rest of the Bible to put on your spiritual armor to protect yourself from satan’s deception.

 

(Revelation 3:4) Thou hast a few names even in Sardis which have not defiled their garments; and they shall walk with me in white: for they are worthy.

There are a few of these people that will in fact overcome before the 7th trump and serve Christ during the Millennium. Because they have loved Jesus enough to spend time with Him by studying His Word, they will not fall to the deception of satan during the tribulation.

 

(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.

These people who do overcome, will be justified and not be liable to die the second death. We will all be clothed in white garments made up of our righteous acts. However, if you have no righteous acts, then you will have no white garments and everyone will be able to see your shame. These white garments mean that all their sins have been wiped clean, as they will have already earned their eternal lives by the time Jesus returns.

 

(Revelation 3:6) He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches.

If any of this makes sense to you then heed this warning.

 

(Revelation 3:7) And to the angel of the church in Philadelphia write; These things saith he that is holy, He that is true, He that hath the key of David, He that openeth, and no man shutteth; and shutteth, and no man openeth;

The Key of David is a key that gives understanding to all of the mysteries in the Bible that Paul speaks about. It is the key that links all of our history in the Bible together with the teachings and prophecy of Jesus. Without this key, one cannot truly understand what is written in the Bible at its deepest levels. With this key, one can never be deceived by the confusion that comes from satan or his angels. When this door to understanding is opened with the Key of David, it can never be shut. And when a door is shut and locked with the Key of David, it can never be opened. Only God opens and shuts these doors to understanding with the key of David. This is a great mystery to most and Romans 11 is a good place to start, if you want to know the reasoning behind this. One cannot have this key without first accepting Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior. (God came in the flesh to us as Jesus Christ)

 

(Revelation 3:8) I know thy works: behold, I have set before thee an open door, and no man can shut it: for thou hast a little strength, and hast kept my word, and hast not denied my name.

The Church of Philadelphia is made up of God’s elect, as well as is the Church of Smyrna. We now are in the age of grace and anyone can choose salvation through Jesus Christ because of their faith in Christ, for which we are given grace by God. However, some were chosen before birth by their works they had done before that time (Romans 9) during the rebellion of satan against God in the first earth age. The door of understanding for those who are predestinated elect are automatically opened by God with the Key to David and no man can shut it meaning that these cannot be deceived about the truth. This is emphasized in Matt 24 and Mark 13. Those of the Church of Philadelphia will never deny Christ and will always teach truth about His Word. And they will always serve and do the works of God.

 

(Revelation 3:9) Behold, I will make them of the synagogue of Satan, which say they are Jews, and are not, but do lie; behold, I will make them to come and worship before thy feet, and to know that I have loved thee.

Jesus is very pleased with the Church of Philadelphia (as well as He is with the Church of Smyrna). These elect who always keep the truth of God, will in the Millennium Age, serve as kings, priests, teachers and judges under Christ (Ezekiel 44 and Rev 20). Those who are the deceivers that say they are Jews (that they are of the tribe of Judah) but are liars, do satan’s work and they will not be allowed access to Christ in the Millennium. They, as well as all those who have not overcome before the return of Christ, will be forced to worship Christ in front of God’s elect (the Zadok Levites) during the Millennium. They will not be allowed direct contact with Jesus Christ (Ezekiel 44) until after the Millennium if they are then granted eternal life (Revelation 20-22).

 

(Revelation 3:10) Because thou hast kept the word of my patience, I also will keep thee from the hour of temptation, which shall come upon all the world, to try them that dwell upon the earth.

Because these of Philadelphia have remained faithful always, even during satan’s rebellion, they will be protected (kept) by God from the temptation that will occur during the Tribulation (the hour of temptation). The entire world will fall to the temptation, except God’s elect. This is a trial to see what everyone will do with their free will when given this temptation. God’s predestinated elect will not be tried during this time because they have already passed the test during satan’s rebellion (per Romans 8 and 11).

 

(Revelation 3:11) Behold, I come quickly: hold that fast which thou hast, that no man take thy crown.

Jesus is encouraging those of Philadelphia here to persist and remain steady in what they do until He returns at the 7th trumpet.

 

(Revelation 3:12) Him that overcometh will I make a pillar in the temple of my God, and he shall go no more out: and I will write upon him the name of my God, and the name of the city of my God, which is new Jerusalem, which cometh down out of heaven from my God: and I will write upon him my new name.

If you overcome in this in this age, you will be made a pillar in the Millennium Temple of God described in Ezekiel 40-43. This means that these people will uphold this temple and the principles of God and will never be in danger of falling from this and suffering the second death. The name of Christ will be written in their minds for all eternity. And they will be guaranteed to be part of New Jerusalem when it descends to earth from heaven at the beginning of the eternity after the last day of the Millennium.

 

(Revelation 3:13) He that hat him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches.

Anyone who understands what is written should listen to what is said here.

 

(Revelation 3:14) And unto the angel of the church of the Laodiceans write; These things saith the Amen, the faithful and true witness, the beginning of the creation of God (Jesus);

Jesus is establishing His credentials as to Who is dictating this letter.

 

(Revelation 3:15) I know thy works, that thou art neither cold nor hot: I would thou wert cold or hot.

Jesus is not pleased with these people. They don’t really care one way or another about following Christ. They are not dedicated to serving God (hot), nor do they make a stand against Him (cold). They just live in the world and focus on themselves .

 

(Revelation 3:16) So then because thou art lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spue thee out of my mouth.

When these people come to Jesus at His return at the 7th trump and call His name, He will tell them to get away because He never knew them, and they never really knew Him.

 

(Revelation 3:17) Because thou sayest, I am rich, and increased with goods, and have need of nothing; and knowest not that thou art wretched, and miserable, and poor, and blind, and naked:

They are focused solely on success in the world and doing what makes them feel good. Though, on the surface, they appear to have it all together, inside, their real selves are in bad shape. They have no righteous acts, which are the linens that would clothe them in the Millennium. Instead they will be naked and bear their shame in the open. They have no eyes to see the spiritual things in the world–the things of God. They are both spiritually blind and spiritually dead.

 

(Revelation 3:18) I counsel thee to buy of me gold tried in the fire, that thou mayest be rich; and white raiment, that thou mayest be clothed, and that the shame of thy nakedness do not appear; and anoint thine eyes with eyesalve, that thou mayest see.

Jesus is telling these people to forget the gold that they strive for in the world and buy His gold which is more valuable than anything in this world. It is the truth and purity and is worth much more than its weight in earthly gold. And He is telling them to perform righteous acts so that they will be clothed in white linen that is made up of that righteousness in the Millennium, rather than being naked and shamed. He wants them to clear their eyes of the things of the world and see the things of the spirit, the things that truly matter. If you overcome before the return of Christ at the 7th trump, you will receive an inheritance from Him that will put anything else to shame. You will inherit Him and he owns everything. You will inherit eternal life from that moment.

 

(Revelation 3:19) As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten: be zealous therefore, and repent.

God loves all of His children and only rebukes them because He loves them and it is His wish that all would come to Him in repentance.

 

(Revelation 3:20) Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me.

Jesus is knocking on your door, and is calling your name. Will you open the door and invite Him in? Will you be part of the Supper of the Lamb?

 

(Revelation 3:21) To him that overcometh will I grant to sit with me in my throne, even as I also overcame, and am set down with my Father in his throne.

Those who overcome this in the flesh age will sit with Christ in the Millennium Kingdom and will be with Him forever.

 

(Revelation 3:22) He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches.

If you are able to understand the things said here, then heed this warning.

 

After these last two chapters of Revelation, to which church would you choose to belong? Take a good long look at what Jesus has said and think very sincerely about the path you are taking. I hope you will make the right choice and be with Jesus when He returns.

God bless

Revelation

Revelation 1

The Book of Revelation was the last glimpse we were given by Jesus into the events that will lead up to His return, and beyond. Through John, Jesus revealed many secrets that had never been divulged to that date, and in many ways, this is our guide through the Tribulation. As with every book of the entire Bible, Jesus intended us to read it and understand it completely, as each book is one component of the whole story. Just as with a jigsaw puzzle, it cannot be complete without every piece. Let’s take a look at one of the most controversial books of the Bible.

(Revelation 1:1) The Revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave unto him, to shew unto his servants things which must shortly come to pass; and he sent and signified it by his angel unto his servant John:

These things are revealed by our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, to John, to warn His dedicated servants of what will happen over a relatively short period of time at the end of days and leading into the Millennium. These servants are those who are His ambassadors of the Gospel, especially God’s elect, who will understand the deeper meaning of what Jesus would reveal in this book.

(Revelation 1:2) Who bare record of the word of God, and of the testimony of Jesus Christ, and of all things that he saw.

John was shown these things to reveal them to anyone who would read this book. The purpose of the book of Revelation is to reveal or uncover what is written in its pages. These are not meant to be hidden or kept secret, except from those who wouldn’t care enough to study them.

(Revelation 1:3) Blessed is he that readeth, and they that hear the words of this prophecy, and keep those things which are written therein: for the time is at hand.

Those who study what is written in Revelation will be blessed, or rather well-off and happy, because the things that will be happening in the near future will not come as a surprise. Those who decide it isn’t important to know what is written here will be taken as if by a thief in the night because they will not know the signs of the times.

(1Th 5:1) But of the times and the seasons, brethren, ye have no need that I write unto you.

(1Th 5:2) For yourselves know perfectly that the day of the Lord so cometh as a thief in the night.

(1Th 5:3) For when they shall say, Peace and safety; then sudden destruction cometh upon them, as travail upon a woman with child; and they shall not escape.

(1Th 5:4) But ye, brethren, are not in darkness, that that day should overtake you as a thief.

(1Th 5:5) Ye are all the children of light, and the children of the day: we are not of the night, nor of darkness.

(1Th 5:6) Therefore let us not sleep, as do others; but let us watch and be sober.

(Rev 3:3) Remember therefore how thou hast received and heard, and hold fast, and repent. If therefore thou shalt not watch, I will come on thee as a thief, and thou shalt not know what hour I will come upon thee.

If we do not watch, He will come on us as a thief in the night. However, if we do what He tells us, and watch, He will not. We are to be children of the light (truth). Those who do not study, are children of the darkness—both because darkness represents lies, and they will not be able to tell the truth from the lies if they have no studied the truth, and because when you don’t know the truth, you are said to be “in the dark.” We are supposed to look for these signs given in Revelation and in prophecy throughout the Bible.

(Mat 16:2) He answered and said unto them, When it is evening, ye say, It will be fair weather: for the sky is red.

(Mat 16:3) And in the morning, It will be foul weather to day: for the sky is red and lowring. O ye hypocrites, ye can discern the face of the sky; but can ye not discern the signs of the times?

(Revelation 1:4) John to the seven churches which are in Asia: Grace be unto you, and peace, from him which is, and which was, and which is to come; and from the seven Spirits which are before his throne;

These seven churches would represent the seven types of Christians in the end times. Only two of these seven are acceptable to Jesus Christ. We will find out the details of these seven churches in the next two chapters, where Jesus will dictate a letter to each church.

(Revelation 1:5) And from Jesus Christ, who is the faithful witness, and the first begotten of the dead, and the prince of the kings of the earth. Unto him that loved us, and washed us from our sins in his own blood,

(Revelation 1:6) And hath made us kings and priests unto God and his Father; to him be glory and dominion for ever and ever. Amen.

These verses are clarifying the credentials of who is dictating the letters that we are about to read—it is Jesus Christ, the One and Only.

(Revelation 1:7) Behold, he cometh with clouds; and every eye shall see him, and they also which pierced him: and all kindreds of the earth shall wail because of him. Even so, Amen.

When Jesus returns, He will come exactly as He left, “in the clouds.” This is a euphemism for something else we will discuss at another time. Every eye will see Him and know that He has returned instantly. There will be no guessing and we won’t be seeing news reports on tv or hearing rumors when Jesus has truly returned. At that moment, every knee shall bow, even satan. We will, at that same time, be transformed into our spiritual bodies, as the flesh will be done away with.

(Act 1:9) And when he had spoken these things, while they beheld, he was taken up; and a cloud received him out of their sight.

(Act 1:10) And while they looked stedfastly toward heaven as he went up, behold, two men stood by them in white apparel;

(Act 1:11) Which also said, Ye men of Galilee, why stand ye gazing up into heaven? this same Jesus, which is taken up from you into heaven, shall so come in like manner as ye have seen him go into heaven.

(Isa 19:1) The burden of Egypt. Behold, the LORD rideth upon a swift cloud, and shall come into Egypt: and the idols of Egypt shall be moved at his presence, and the heart of Egypt shall melt in the midst of it.

(Mat 24:26) Wherefore if they shall say unto you, Behold, he is in the desert; go not forth: behold, he is in the secret chambers; believe it not.

(Mat 24:27) For as the lightning cometh out of the east, and shineth even unto the west; so shall also the coming of the Son of man be.

(Mat 24:28) For wheresoever the carcase is, there will the eagles be gathered together.

(Mat 24:29) Immediately after the tribulation of those days shall the sun be darkened, and the moon shall not give her light, and the stars shall fall from heaven, and the powers of the heavens shall be shaken:

(Mat 24:30) And then shall appear the sign of the Son of man in heaven: and then shall all the tribes of the earth mourn, and they shall see the Son of man coming in the clouds of heaven with power and great glory.

(Mat 24:31) And he shall send his angels with a great sound of a trumpet, and they shall gather together his elect from the four winds, from one end of heaven to the other.

(Php 2:9) Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name:

(Php 2:10) That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth;

(Php 2:11) And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

(Revelation 1:8) I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the ending, saith the Lord, which is, and which was, and which is to come, the Almighty.

Jesus has always existed and has always been part of God. Jesus is one part of the Godhead, which illustrates the three roles of our one God, the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit. He is God Almighty.

(Joh 1:1) In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.

(Joh 1:2) The same was in the beginning with God.

(Revelation 1:9) I John, who also am your brother, and companion in tribulation, and in the kingdom and patience of Jesus Christ, was in the isle that is called Patmos, for the word of God, and for the testimony of Jesus Christ.

John is our brother in Christ, and he is a companion to us in the Tribulation because he has written all these things that teach us what to expect and help us keep our faith as we enter into it and go through it. At the time he was given and wrote Revelation, he was in a prison colony for his Christian faith, but Jesus’ words live on through his writings until the end of this flesh age.

(Revelation 1:10) I was in the Spirit on the Lord’s day, and heard behind me a great voice, as of a trumpet,

John was taken to the Lord’s Day, the future time at the end of days, all the way to the return of Jesus and beyond. In order to be taken out of this third dimension, a person may not be in the flesh, because flesh exists only in the physical dimensions. John was taken in the spirit through the fourth dimension, which is independent of time, to be able to move through time. This is why flesh and blood cannot inherit the Kingdom of God. The Kingdom of God is eternal and therefore is not dependent upon time as it exists in those higher dimensions. In order to enter into (or back into) His Kingdom, we must take on a different form than what we currently have.

(1Co 15:50) Now this I say, brethren, that flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God; neither doth corruption inherit incorruption.

(1Co 15:51) Behold, I shew you a mystery; We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed,

(1Co 15:52) In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed.

(Revelation 1:11) Saying, I am Alpha and Omega, the first and the last: and, What thou seest, write in a book, and send it unto the seven churches which are in Asia; unto Ephesus, and unto Smyrna, and unto Pergamos, and unto Thyatira, and unto Sardis, and unto Philadelphia, and unto Laodicea.

Jesus is about to begin His dictation for John to write to these seven churches.

(Revelation 1:12) And I turned to see the voice that spake with me. And being turned, I saw seven golden candlesticks;

These seven golden candlesticks are the seven churches. The fact that they are golden represents that they have the truth of the Gospel, however, they also can determine what they will do with this Gospel and the responsibility they have with it in Christ.

(Revelation 1:13) And in the midst of the seven candlesticks one like unto the Son of man, clothed with a garment down to the foot, and girt about the paps with a golden girdle.

In the center of this arrangement of candlesticks was the Son of man, Jesus Christ. He is the center of the seven churches, as they are all members of the body of Christ, however, they are not all very good at following His instructions. This garment with which He is clothed is made up of His righteous acts, which are far more righteous than any other soul that has ever lived, so His garments are far more white and pure and beautiful.

This golden girdle is the belt of truth mentioned in Ephesians 6 and is part of the Gospel Armor we are all supposed to put on. Also this belt or girdle covers His chest, “paps”, and this represent His righteousness. The breastplate of righteousness is another part of the Gospel Armor.

(Revelation 1:14) His head and his hairs were white like wool, as white as snow; and his eyes were as a flame of fire;

His hair is representing the helmet (or hair) of salvation, because He is the author of salvation, and this hair is white with His purity. His eyes were as flames of fire because God is the Consuming Fire and no iniquity can exist in His presence—it will all burn up—and the eyes are the windows to the soul.

(Revelation 1:15) And his feet like unto fine brass, as if they burned in a furnace; and his voice as the sound of many waters.

Fine brass represents a something that is hardened and won’t be misshapen because it is so hard and this fine brass is highly polished. This means that He is firmly rooted in His Gospel of peace, therefore He has no need to be further prepared by having His feet shod with the Gospel of peace mentioned in Ephesians 6:15. He is the Gospel and is always in His truth. His voice is like the sound of many waters because it is a loud authoritative voice when He is speaking to John. Jesus means business.

(Revelation 1:16) And he had in his right hand seven stars: and out of his mouth went a sharp twoedged sword: and his countenance was as the sun shineth in his strength.

These seven stars in Jesus’ right hand represent the seven angels of the seven churches to whom these letters will be addressed. They are in the right hand because the right hand signifies power and action. These seven angels are under the direction of Jesus Himself.

The twoedged sword is the Word of God which comes from the mouth of Jesus and is another part of the Gospel Armor, and this item can be used for offense and defense. Jesus Shines like the sun (only brighter) because He is made up of the truth of God and it is brighter than any other thing, especially the darkness of the lies and deception of satan.

(Revelation 1:17) And when I saw him, I fell at his feet as dead. And he laid his right hand upon me, saying unto me, Fear not; I am the first and the last:

When John saw Him, he had no other desire or inclination than to bow down and worship Him because that is how we react when we see Jesus as we don’t feel worthy to be in His presence. But, Jesus reassured him—John was there for a reason, and under His authority.

(Revelation 1:18) I am he that liveth, and was dead; and, behold, I am alive for evermore, Amen; and have the keys of hell and of death.

Again Jesus is giving His credentials so there is no question from John, or from us, who He is. Jesus is the key to eternal life, and to the Book of Life. Those not found in this book, will end up in the Lake of Fire at the end of the Millennium—they will receive the second (spiritual) death and will cease to exist.

(Revelation 1:19) Write the things which thou hast seen, and the things which are, and the things which shall be hereafter;

Jesus is about to give John, and us, 21 chapters of prophecy that will suffice until His return…and beyond.

(Revelation 1:20) The mystery of the seven stars which thou sawest in my right hand, and the seven golden candlesticks. The seven stars are the angels of the seven churches: and the seven candlesticks which thou sawest are the seven churches.

Beginning with the next chapter, and on to the third, we will learn about what Jesus thinks of each of these seven churches and what their fate will be. Pay attention because the uncovering of these truths has just begun.