144,000
[1] After this I saw four angels standing at the four corners of the earth,holding back the four winds of the earth to prevent any wind from blowingon the land or on the sea or on any tree. [2] Then I saw another angel comingup from the east, having the seal of the living God. He called out in a loud voice to the four angels who had been given power to harm the land and the sea. [3] "Do not harm the land or the sea or the trees until we puta seal on the foreheads of the servants of our God." [4] Then I heard the number of those who were sealed: 144,000 from all the tribes of Israel.
[5] From the tribe of Judah 12,000 were sealed, from the tribe of Reuben 12,000, from the tribe of Gad 12,000, [6] from the tribe of Asher 12,000, from the tribe of Naphtali 12,000, from the tribe of Manasseh 12,000, [7] from the tribe of Simeon 12,000, from the tribe of Levi 12,000, from the tribe of Issachar 12,000, [8] from the tribe of Zebulun 12,000, from the tribe of Joseph 12,000, from the tribe of Benjamin 12,000.
THE GREAT MULTITUDE IN WHITE ROBES:
[9] After this I looked and there before me was a great multitudethat no one could count, from every nation, tribe, people and language, standing before the throne and in front of the Lamb. They were wearing white robes and were holding palm branches in their hands. [10] And they cried out in a loud voice: "Salvation belongs to our God, who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb."[11] All the angles were standing around the throne and around the elders and the four living creatures. They fell down on their faces beforethe throne and worshiped God, [12] saying: "Amen! Praise and glory and wisdom and thanks and honor and power and strength be to our God for ever and ever. Amen!"
[13] Then one of the elders asked me, "These in white robes-who are they and where did they come from?" [14] I answered, "Sir, you know." And he said, "These are they who have come out of the greattribulation; they have washed their robes and made them white in theblood of the Lamb. [15] Therefore,
"they are before the throne of God and serve him day and night in his temple; and he who sits on the throne will spread his tent over them. [16] Never again will they hunger; never again will they thirst. The sun will not beat upon them, nor any scorching heat. [17]For the Lamb at the center of the throne will be their shepherd; he will lead them to springs of living water. And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes."
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Verses 1-8 are about the Jews that are protected during the last half, the worst and hardest half of the tribulation. 12,000 from each of the old tribes (blood line).
Verses 9-10 are the fruit of the 144,000, the people they help bring to Christ.
Verses 10-17 is worshiping the Lord.
Showing posts with label revelation. Show all posts
Showing posts with label revelation. Show all posts
Saturday, March 17, 2007
Friday, March 16, 2007
An Overview of Revelation Part 5
THE SEALS
[1] I watched as the Lamb opened the first of the seven seals. Then I heard one of the four living creatures say in a voice like thunder, "Come!" [2] I looked, and there before me was a white horse! Its rider held a bow, and he was given a crown, and he rode out as a conqueror bent on conquest.
[3] When the Lamb opened the second seal, I heard the second living creature say, "Come!" [4] Then another horse came out, a fiery red one. Its rider was given power to take peace from the earth and to make men slay each other. To him was given a large sword.
[5] When the Lamb opened the third seal, I heard the third living creature say, "Come!" I looked, and there before me was a black horse! Its rider was holding a pair of scales in his hand. [6]Then I heard what sounded like a voice among the four living creatures, saying, "A quart of wheat for a day's wages, and three quarts of barley for a day's wages, and do not damage the oil and the wine!
[7] When the Lamb opened the fourth seal I heard the voice of the fourth living creature say, "Come!" [8] I looked and there before me was a pale horse! Its rider was named Death, and Hades was following close behind him. They were given power over a fourth of the earth to kill by sword, famine and plague, and by the wild beasts of the earth.
[9]When he opened the fifth seal, I saw under the alter the souls of those who had been slain because of the word of God and the testimony they had maintained. [10]They called out in a loud voice, "How long, Sovereign Lord, holy and true, until you judge the inhabitants of the earth and avenge our blood?" [11]Then each of them was given a white robe, and they were told to wait a little longer, until the number of their fellow servants and brothers who were to be killed as they had been was completed.
[12]I watched as he opened the sixth seal. There was a great earthquake. The sun turned black like sackcloth made of goat hair, the whole moon turned blood red, [13]and the stars in the sky fell to earth, as late figs drop from a fig tree when shaken by a strong wind. [14]The sky receded like a scroll, rolling up, and every mountain and island was removed from its place.
[15]Then the kings of the earth, the princes, the generals, the rich, the mighty, and every slave and every free man hid in caves and among the rocks of the mountains. [16]They called to the mountains and the rocks, "Fall onus and hide us from the face of him who sits on the throne and from the wrath of the Lamb! [17]For the great day of their wrath has come, and who can stand?"
************************************************
Verses 1 and 2 are about the Antichrist. He will be given power in a time when there are wars, and he will promis peace for 7 years. It's important to note that it says "...he rode out as a conqueror bent on conquest." Though he speaks of peace, he is really about conquest.
Verses 3 and 4 are about the red horse..which signifies war. Which is why it says, "...was given a large sword."
Verses 5 and 6 are about famine. A whole day's wages ($90.00 or more) for a quart of wheat, three quarts of barley. That's way too high.
Verses 7 and 8 are about death and hades. Many people will die during this seal judgement. By war, famine, and plagues, and by the wild beasts.
Verses 9-11 are about the martyrs.
Verses 12-14 are about the book of Joel.
Verses 15-17 are about fear. People will die from fear, their hearts will give out.
[1] I watched as the Lamb opened the first of the seven seals. Then I heard one of the four living creatures say in a voice like thunder, "Come!" [2] I looked, and there before me was a white horse! Its rider held a bow, and he was given a crown, and he rode out as a conqueror bent on conquest.
[3] When the Lamb opened the second seal, I heard the second living creature say, "Come!" [4] Then another horse came out, a fiery red one. Its rider was given power to take peace from the earth and to make men slay each other. To him was given a large sword.
[5] When the Lamb opened the third seal, I heard the third living creature say, "Come!" I looked, and there before me was a black horse! Its rider was holding a pair of scales in his hand. [6]Then I heard what sounded like a voice among the four living creatures, saying, "A quart of wheat for a day's wages, and three quarts of barley for a day's wages, and do not damage the oil and the wine!
[7] When the Lamb opened the fourth seal I heard the voice of the fourth living creature say, "Come!" [8] I looked and there before me was a pale horse! Its rider was named Death, and Hades was following close behind him. They were given power over a fourth of the earth to kill by sword, famine and plague, and by the wild beasts of the earth.
[9]When he opened the fifth seal, I saw under the alter the souls of those who had been slain because of the word of God and the testimony they had maintained. [10]They called out in a loud voice, "How long, Sovereign Lord, holy and true, until you judge the inhabitants of the earth and avenge our blood?" [11]Then each of them was given a white robe, and they were told to wait a little longer, until the number of their fellow servants and brothers who were to be killed as they had been was completed.
[12]I watched as he opened the sixth seal. There was a great earthquake. The sun turned black like sackcloth made of goat hair, the whole moon turned blood red, [13]and the stars in the sky fell to earth, as late figs drop from a fig tree when shaken by a strong wind. [14]The sky receded like a scroll, rolling up, and every mountain and island was removed from its place.
[15]Then the kings of the earth, the princes, the generals, the rich, the mighty, and every slave and every free man hid in caves and among the rocks of the mountains. [16]They called to the mountains and the rocks, "Fall onus and hide us from the face of him who sits on the throne and from the wrath of the Lamb! [17]For the great day of their wrath has come, and who can stand?"
************************************************
Verses 1 and 2 are about the Antichrist. He will be given power in a time when there are wars, and he will promis peace for 7 years. It's important to note that it says "...he rode out as a conqueror bent on conquest." Though he speaks of peace, he is really about conquest.
Verses 3 and 4 are about the red horse..which signifies war. Which is why it says, "...was given a large sword."
Verses 5 and 6 are about famine. A whole day's wages ($90.00 or more) for a quart of wheat, three quarts of barley. That's way too high.
Verses 7 and 8 are about death and hades. Many people will die during this seal judgement. By war, famine, and plagues, and by the wild beasts.
Verses 9-11 are about the martyrs.
Verses 12-14 are about the book of Joel.
Verses 15-17 are about fear. People will die from fear, their hearts will give out.
Tuesday, March 13, 2007
An Overview of Revelation Part 2
The point of all this (I actually didn't figure this out until a friend wrote me a message asking what I was looking for in this book) is to teach that though this book is filled with the most horrible "visions", it's also a book of promise, and that's what we as Christians should focus on. This is the second installment in a series of blogs dedicated to the book of Revelation. If you haven't read the first click here.
Let's get started..
TO THE CHURCH IN EPHESUS
[1] "To the angel of the church in Ephesus write:
These are the works of him who holds the seven stars in his right handand walks among the seven golden lampstands: [2] I know your deeds, yourhard work and perseverance. I know that you cannot tolerate wicked men,that you have tested those who claim to be apostles but are not, and have found them false. [3] You have persevered and have endured hardships for my name, and have not grown weary.
[4] Yet I hold this against you: You have forsaken your first love. [5] Rememberthe height from which you have fallen! Repent and do the things you didat first. If you do not repent, I will come to you and remove your lampstand from its place. [6] But you have this in your favor: You hate thepractices of the Nicolaitans, which I also hate.
[7] He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To him who overcomes, I will give the right to eat from the tree of life, which is in the paradise of God.
TO THE CHURCHES IN SMYRNA[8] To the angel of the church in Smyrna write:
These are the words of him who is the First and the Last, who died andcame to life again. [9] I know your afflictions and your poverty--yet youare rich! I know the slander of those who say they are Jews and are not, but are a synagogue of Satan.
[10] Do not be afraid of what you are about to suffer. I tell you, the devil will put some of you in prison to test you, and you will suffer persecution ten days. Be faithful, even to the point of death, and I will give youthe crown of life.
[11] He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. He who overcomes will not be hurt at all by the second death.
TO THE CHURCH IN PERGAMUM[12] To the angel of the church in Pergamum write:
These are the words of him who has the sharp, double-edged sword. [13] I know where you live--where Satan has his throne. Yet you remain true to my name. You did not renounce your faith in me, even in the days of Antipas,my faithful witness, who was put to death in your city--where Satan lives.
[14] Nevertheless, I have a few things against you: You have people there who hold to the teaching of Balaam, who taught Balak to entice the Israelites tosin by eating food sacrificed to idols and by committing sexual immorality.[15] Likewise you also have those who hold to the teaching of the Nicolaitans.[16] Repent therefore! Otherwise, I will soon come to you and will fightagainst them with the sword of my mouth.
[17] He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.To him who overcomes, I will give some of the hidden manna. I will alsogive him a white stone with a new name written on it, known only to himwho receives it.
TO THE CHURCH IN THYATIRA[18] To the angel of the church in Thyatira write:
These are the words of the Son of God, whose eyes are like blazing fireand whose feet are like burnished bronze. [19] I know your deeds, your love and faith, your service and perseverance, and that you are now doing more than you did at first.
[20] Nevertheless, I have this against you: You tolerate that woman Jezebel, who calls herself a prophetess. By her teaching she misleads my servants into sexual immorality and the eating of food sacrificed to idols. [21] I havegiven her time to repent of her immorality but she is unwilling. [22] So I willcast her on a bed of suffering, and I will make those who commit adultery with her suffer intensely, unless they repent of her ways. [23] I will strikeher children dead. Then all the churches will know that I am he who searches hearts and minds, and I will repay each of you according to yourdeeds. [24] Now I say to the rest of you in Thyatira, to you who do not holdto her teaching and have not learned Satan's so-called deep secrets(I will not impose any other burden on you): [25] Only hold on to what you have until I come.
[26] To him who overcomes and does my will to the end, I will give authorityover the nations--
[27] He will rule them with an iron scepter; he will dash them to pieces like pottery (27 Psalm 2:9)
just as I have received authority from my Father. [28] I will also give himthe morning star. [29] He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.
************************************************************
The first 7 verses are to the cold and orthodox churches.
Verses 8-11 are to the pure church that will suffer persecution (tribulationsaints??) Note that it says to not be afraid...Also the ten days isn't ten days technically, it's just a short period of time..(again..Tribulation saints??)
Verses 12-17 are directed at the worldly churches..it's the church that Christ fights against.
Verses 18-29 are directed at the church that tolerates sin..as pointed out by the name Jezebel.
If anyone has anything to add, please feel free. Thanks for reading everyone.
*Note to reader, if there are any errors, they are mine.
Let's get started..
TO THE CHURCH IN EPHESUS
[1] "To the angel of the church in Ephesus write:
These are the works of him who holds the seven stars in his right handand walks among the seven golden lampstands: [2] I know your deeds, yourhard work and perseverance. I know that you cannot tolerate wicked men,that you have tested those who claim to be apostles but are not, and have found them false. [3] You have persevered and have endured hardships for my name, and have not grown weary.
[4] Yet I hold this against you: You have forsaken your first love. [5] Rememberthe height from which you have fallen! Repent and do the things you didat first. If you do not repent, I will come to you and remove your lampstand from its place. [6] But you have this in your favor: You hate thepractices of the Nicolaitans, which I also hate.
[7] He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To him who overcomes, I will give the right to eat from the tree of life, which is in the paradise of God.
TO THE CHURCHES IN SMYRNA[8] To the angel of the church in Smyrna write:
These are the words of him who is the First and the Last, who died andcame to life again. [9] I know your afflictions and your poverty--yet youare rich! I know the slander of those who say they are Jews and are not, but are a synagogue of Satan.
[10] Do not be afraid of what you are about to suffer. I tell you, the devil will put some of you in prison to test you, and you will suffer persecution ten days. Be faithful, even to the point of death, and I will give youthe crown of life.
[11] He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. He who overcomes will not be hurt at all by the second death.
TO THE CHURCH IN PERGAMUM[12] To the angel of the church in Pergamum write:
These are the words of him who has the sharp, double-edged sword. [13] I know where you live--where Satan has his throne. Yet you remain true to my name. You did not renounce your faith in me, even in the days of Antipas,my faithful witness, who was put to death in your city--where Satan lives.
[14] Nevertheless, I have a few things against you: You have people there who hold to the teaching of Balaam, who taught Balak to entice the Israelites tosin by eating food sacrificed to idols and by committing sexual immorality.[15] Likewise you also have those who hold to the teaching of the Nicolaitans.[16] Repent therefore! Otherwise, I will soon come to you and will fightagainst them with the sword of my mouth.
[17] He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.To him who overcomes, I will give some of the hidden manna. I will alsogive him a white stone with a new name written on it, known only to himwho receives it.
TO THE CHURCH IN THYATIRA[18] To the angel of the church in Thyatira write:
These are the words of the Son of God, whose eyes are like blazing fireand whose feet are like burnished bronze. [19] I know your deeds, your love and faith, your service and perseverance, and that you are now doing more than you did at first.
[20] Nevertheless, I have this against you: You tolerate that woman Jezebel, who calls herself a prophetess. By her teaching she misleads my servants into sexual immorality and the eating of food sacrificed to idols. [21] I havegiven her time to repent of her immorality but she is unwilling. [22] So I willcast her on a bed of suffering, and I will make those who commit adultery with her suffer intensely, unless they repent of her ways. [23] I will strikeher children dead. Then all the churches will know that I am he who searches hearts and minds, and I will repay each of you according to yourdeeds. [24] Now I say to the rest of you in Thyatira, to you who do not holdto her teaching and have not learned Satan's so-called deep secrets(I will not impose any other burden on you): [25] Only hold on to what you have until I come.
[26] To him who overcomes and does my will to the end, I will give authorityover the nations--
[27] He will rule them with an iron scepter; he will dash them to pieces like pottery (27 Psalm 2:9)
just as I have received authority from my Father. [28] I will also give himthe morning star. [29] He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.
************************************************************
The first 7 verses are to the cold and orthodox churches.
Verses 8-11 are to the pure church that will suffer persecution (tribulationsaints??) Note that it says to not be afraid...Also the ten days isn't ten days technically, it's just a short period of time..(again..Tribulation saints??)
Verses 12-17 are directed at the worldly churches..it's the church that Christ fights against.
Verses 18-29 are directed at the church that tolerates sin..as pointed out by the name Jezebel.
If anyone has anything to add, please feel free. Thanks for reading everyone.
*Note to reader, if there are any errors, they are mine.
An Overview of Revelation Part 1
If you don't know it by now, I'll let you in on a little secret of mine... I'm obsessed with the book of Revelation. I don't know why, or what good it'll do me, but there it is.
So, I feel the need to spread my neuroses to the rest of mankind. I decided since it's been my favorite for so long, why not do a series on it here on myspace. This book is important, especially now. I believe (though I could be wrong) that it contains more prophecy than any other book in the bible.
So, let's get started. I'm going to go chapter by chapter, with a summary at the end.
Rev. 1:1-20
[1] The revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave him to show his servants what must soon take place. He made it known by sending his angel to his servant John, [2] who testifies to everything he saw--that is, the word of God and the testimony of Jesus Christ. [3] Blessed is the one who reads the words of this prophecy, and blessed are those who hear it and take to heart what is written in it, because the time is near."
Greetings and Doxology
[4] John,
To the seven churches in the province in Asia:
Grace and peace to you from him who is, and who was, and who is to come, and from the seven spirits before his throne, [5] and from Jesus Christ, who is the faithful witness, the firstborn from the dead, and the ruler of the kings of the earth.
To him who loves us and has freed us from our sins by his blood, [6] and has made us to be a kingdom and priests to serve his God and Father--to him be glory and power for ever and ever! Amen.
[7]Look, he is coming with the clouds, and every eye will see him., even those who pierced him; and all the peoples of the earth will mourn because of him.
So shall it be! Amen.
[8] "I am the Alpha and the Omega," says the Lord God, "who is, and who was, and who is to come, the Almighty."
One Like a Son of Man
[9] I John, your brother and companion in the suffering and kingdom and patient endurance that are ours in Jesus, was on the island of Patmos because of the word of God and the testimony of Jesus. [10] On the Lord's Day I was in the Spirit, and I heard behind me a loud voice like a trumpet, [11] which said: "Write on a scroll what you see and send it to the seven churches: to Ephesus, Smyrna, Pergamum, Thyatira, Sardis, Philadelphia and Laodicea."
[12] I turned around to see the voice that was speaking to me. And when I turned, I saw seven golden lampstands, [13] and among the lampstands was someone "like a son of man," dressed in a robe reaching down to his feet and with a golden sash around his chest. [14] His head and hair were white like wool, as white as snow, and his eyes were like blazing fire. His feet were like bronze glowing in a furnace, and his voice was like the sound of rushing waters. [16] In his right hand he held seven stars, and out of his mouth came a sharp double-edged sword. His face was like the sun shining in all its brilliance.
[17] When I saw him, I fell at his feet as though dead. Then he placed his right hand on me and said: "Do not be afraid. I am the First and the Last. [18] I am the Living One; I was dead, and behold I am alive for ever and ever! And I hold the keys of death and Hades.
[19]Write, therefore, what you have seen, what is now and what will take place later. [20] The mystery of the seven stars that you saw in my right hand and of the seven golden lampstands is this: The seven stars are the angels of the seven churches, and the seven lampstands are the seven churches.
*************************************************
Whew! Still with me? This is what I've been able to sort out with all the reference books I've read so far.
The first 8 verses are about the second coming. And verse 7 is a prophesy for the future. (This one has not been fulfilled.)
Verses 9-20 are about the 1st vision given to John. *Verse 10 "...on the Lord's Day..." What day is that? Sunday or Pentecost?*
In verse 12 when it mentions the seven golden lampstands, we later learn in verse 20 that they represent the seven churches.
The seven churches are real churches in Asia...I often wondered if they had been moved, destroyed, or abandoned after all this time. (click here for a map.)
The rest of this chapter is fairly easy to read. So, if there's anything anyone wants to add or correct me on, please feel free. Teach me, so I can understand this better. I think it just might come in handy pretty soon.
Thanks for reading!
So, I feel the need to spread my neuroses to the rest of mankind. I decided since it's been my favorite for so long, why not do a series on it here on myspace. This book is important, especially now. I believe (though I could be wrong) that it contains more prophecy than any other book in the bible.
So, let's get started. I'm going to go chapter by chapter, with a summary at the end.
Rev. 1:1-20
[1] The revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave him to show his servants what must soon take place. He made it known by sending his angel to his servant John, [2] who testifies to everything he saw--that is, the word of God and the testimony of Jesus Christ. [3] Blessed is the one who reads the words of this prophecy, and blessed are those who hear it and take to heart what is written in it, because the time is near."
Greetings and Doxology
[4] John,
To the seven churches in the province in Asia:
Grace and peace to you from him who is, and who was, and who is to come, and from the seven spirits before his throne, [5] and from Jesus Christ, who is the faithful witness, the firstborn from the dead, and the ruler of the kings of the earth.
To him who loves us and has freed us from our sins by his blood, [6] and has made us to be a kingdom and priests to serve his God and Father--to him be glory and power for ever and ever! Amen.
[7]Look, he is coming with the clouds, and every eye will see him., even those who pierced him; and all the peoples of the earth will mourn because of him.
So shall it be! Amen.
[8] "I am the Alpha and the Omega," says the Lord God, "who is, and who was, and who is to come, the Almighty."
One Like a Son of Man
[9] I John, your brother and companion in the suffering and kingdom and patient endurance that are ours in Jesus, was on the island of Patmos because of the word of God and the testimony of Jesus. [10] On the Lord's Day I was in the Spirit, and I heard behind me a loud voice like a trumpet, [11] which said: "Write on a scroll what you see and send it to the seven churches: to Ephesus, Smyrna, Pergamum, Thyatira, Sardis, Philadelphia and Laodicea."
[12] I turned around to see the voice that was speaking to me. And when I turned, I saw seven golden lampstands, [13] and among the lampstands was someone "like a son of man," dressed in a robe reaching down to his feet and with a golden sash around his chest. [14] His head and hair were white like wool, as white as snow, and his eyes were like blazing fire. His feet were like bronze glowing in a furnace, and his voice was like the sound of rushing waters. [16] In his right hand he held seven stars, and out of his mouth came a sharp double-edged sword. His face was like the sun shining in all its brilliance.
[17] When I saw him, I fell at his feet as though dead. Then he placed his right hand on me and said: "Do not be afraid. I am the First and the Last. [18] I am the Living One; I was dead, and behold I am alive for ever and ever! And I hold the keys of death and Hades.
[19]Write, therefore, what you have seen, what is now and what will take place later. [20] The mystery of the seven stars that you saw in my right hand and of the seven golden lampstands is this: The seven stars are the angels of the seven churches, and the seven lampstands are the seven churches.
*************************************************
Whew! Still with me? This is what I've been able to sort out with all the reference books I've read so far.
The first 8 verses are about the second coming. And verse 7 is a prophesy for the future. (This one has not been fulfilled.)
Verses 9-20 are about the 1st vision given to John. *Verse 10 "...on the Lord's Day..." What day is that? Sunday or Pentecost?*
In verse 12 when it mentions the seven golden lampstands, we later learn in verse 20 that they represent the seven churches.
The seven churches are real churches in Asia...I often wondered if they had been moved, destroyed, or abandoned after all this time. (click here for a map.)
The rest of this chapter is fairly easy to read. So, if there's anything anyone wants to add or correct me on, please feel free. Teach me, so I can understand this better. I think it just might come in handy pretty soon.
Thanks for reading!
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