THE PUNISHMENT FOR THE ORIGINAL SIN

PROCLAMATION

“In the sweat of thy face shalt thou eat bread, till thou return unto the ground;  for out of it wast thou taken; for dust thou art, and unto dust shalt thou return.”  Genesis 3:19 (KJV)

 

EXPLANATION

These are the words of God which were revealed to and written by Moses under the influence of The Holy Spirit of God.  In this third chapter of Genesis, Moses describes the first sin of man, his fall from grace, and the punishment that he received for it.  The serpent is a crafty, cunning, and deceiving beast. (Genesis 3:1)  Eve was tempted by Satan, who appeared in the form of a serpent, and she did eat the fruit of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil (Genesis 2:16-17) which The Lord God had commanded them not to eat. (Genesis 3:1-6)  She offered some of this fruit to Adam and he also ate it. (Genesis 3:6)  After eating the fruit they immediately became aware of their nakedness and tried to hide from God. (Genesis 3:7-10)  When God questioned Adam about his action, he blamed Eve, and she blamed the serpent. (Genesis 3:9-13)  For their part in this, the original sin, God cursed the serpent, (Genesis 3:14-15) He also cursed Eve, (Genesis 3:16) and He cursed Adam. (Genesis 3:17-20)  Even though He punished them, God still provided garments for Adam and Eve. (Genesis 3:21)  The Lord God banished them from the Garden of Eden, and He protected them by placing a cherubim with a flaming sword at the east end of the garden of Eden to prevent their access to the tree of life. (Genesis 3:22-24)

 

APPLICATION

Even though he was blessed with abundance, man still sinned and disobeyed God.  Man had an easy life in the garden of Eden with all of God’s provisions.  Now, after the sinful fall from God’s grace, we have to work and sweat to eat and survive.  Even though we will be punished for our sinful choices, The Lord God still blesses us.  When we sin today, it is not out of necessity for our survival; it is because of our selfish desire for personal gain, greed, or lustful pleasure.  There was a price to be paid for our sins. (Romans 6:23)  Jesus, The Christ, paid the price for our sins on Calvary and offered us the way to salvation and eternal life.  When we die, all believers must still give an account for our behavior, and our stewardship, (Luke 16:2 and Revelation 20:12) and for every idle word that we speak. (Matthew 12:36)  Our physical death will be the separation of our spiritual soul from our physical body.  Our body will return to the dust of the earth.  However, our souls are eternal and where they will spend eternity depends upon our acceptance or rejection of Jesus, The Christ. (Ephesians 12:7 and Revelation 20:15)

 

MAN AND WIFE ARE TO BE ONE FLESH

PROCLAMATION

“And The Lord God caused a deep sleep to fall upon Adam, and he slept; and He took one of his ribs, and closed up the flesh instead thereof; and the rib, which The Lord God had taken from man, made He a woman, and brought her unto the man.  And Adam said, ‘This is now bone of my bones, and flesh of my flesh; she shall be called woman because she was taken out of man.’ ”  Genesis 2:21-23 (KJV)

 

EXPLANATION

These are the words of God which were revealed to and written by Moses under the influence of The Holy Spirit of God.  Chapter two begins after God had created the heavens and the earth, and all things therein, in six days. With all of that completed, on the seventh day God rested and He blessed that day. (Genesis 2:1-3)  This second chapter also provides some additional information regarding how the things that were presented in the first chapter were actually created. (Genesis 2:7 and 2:21-23)  The Lord God had planted a garden in the east, in Eden, and He made all kinds of trees to grow.  This was where He placed man. (Genesis 2:8-9)  Man was put in the Garden of Eden to work it and to take care of it.  Man was told that he could eat the fruit from any tree in the garden except for the tree in the center of the garden which was the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. (Genesis 2:15-17)  Then The Lord God said, “It is not good that man should be alone …” (Genesis 2:18) and He made man a suitable helper.  God made woman from one of man’s ribs. (Genesis 2:21-23)

 

APPLICATION

Woman was formed from one of man’s ribs.  She was taken from his side.  She was created to be a helpmate for man. (Genesis 2:20)  She was not created to be his slave, or his servant, or his punching bag.  She should be at his side, not behind him or in front of him.  A man and a woman are to be a team, working together as a unit, so close together that they are to be as one flesh. (Genesis 2:24)  Once married, a person should leave their father and mother and be united with their spouse. (Genesis 2:24 and Ephesians 5:31)  The husband is to love his wife as he loves his own body (Ephesians 5:28) and as he loves himself. (Ephesians 5:33)  He is to love her as Christ loves the church. (Ephesians 5:25)  The wife is to submit to the husband. (Ephesians 5:22-23)  If both the man and the woman would do as The Bible says, there would be many more happy marriages and no need for divorces.

 

GOD CREATED HEAVEN EARTH AND MAN

PROCLAMATION

“And God said, ‘Let Us make man in Our image, after Our likeness; and let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over the cattle, and over all the earth, and over every creeping thing that creepeth upon the earth.’  So God created man in His own image, in the image of God created He him; male and female created He them.”  Genesis 1:26-27 (KJV)

 

EXPLANATION

These are the words of God which were written by Moses under the influence of The Holy Spirit of God.  This is the first Book of The Bible, and this first chapter is all about the beginning of everything.  This includes the creation of the heavens, and the earth, and everything therein. (Genesis 1:1-31)  When God said, “Let Us … in Our …”, He was referring to The Holy Trinity, God The Father, God The Son, and God The Holy Spirit.  Collectively these three are different aspects of one God. (John 1:1 and 1 John 5:7)  God created something, the earth, and man, and everything in the universe, out of nothing.  He spoke and things came into existence. (Genesis 1:3, 1:6, 1:9, 1:11, 1:14, 1:20, 1:24, and 1:26-27)  Everything was created in six days, however, a day to God is like one thousand years to man. (2 Peter 3:8)   

 

APPLICATION

God created the earth out of nothing.  He spoke and it came into existence.  Man was created in the very image and likeness of God.  As different as we all look today, who is to say which one of us looks more like God, our heavenly Father.  We should be very careful when we make references about someone’s physical appearance.  We are all made from the same chemicals that are in the dust of the earth, and basically we all have the same body parts.  As similar as we are, there is a uniqueness in each of us which makes us just a little bit different from one another.  We all are the marvelous works of God and we are wonderfully made. (Psalm 139:13-16)  Our souls are completely different, special, and unique.  They are from the breath of God (Genesis 2:7) and they are eternal.  Our bodies, however, are from the dust of the earth and to the dust they shall return. (Job 34:15, Psalm 104:29, Ecclesiastes 3:20, and Ecclesiastes 12:7)  Jesus taught us to pray to our heavenly Father, (Matthew 6:9) but then He also said, “I and My Father are one.” (John 10:30)  God is omnipotent, all powerful. (Matthew 28:18)  He alone can make something out of nothing by speaking things into existence.  With God, all things are possible. (Matthew 19:26 and Mark 10:27)    We ought to praise God for His mighty acts and for His excellent greatness. (Psalm 150:2)

 

JESUS THE CHRIST IS COMING AGAIN SOON

PROCLAMATION

“He which testifieth these things saith, ‘Surely I come quickly.’  Amen.  Even so, come, Lord Jesus.”  Revelation 22:20 (KJV)

 

EXPLANATION

These are the words of prophecy which were revealed to, and written by, the Apostle John, under the influence of The Holy Spirit of God.  This is the twenty-second and final chapter of Revelation, the last Book of The Bible.  John was still in the spirit and the angel, who was one of the seven angels that had one of the seven bowls full of the wrath of God, showed him the river of the water of life.  This river flowed from the throne of God and The Lamb down the middle of the street.  On each side of the river stood the tree of life.  The tree yielded its fruit every month and each month it yielded a different fruit so there were twelve different crops of fruit. (Revelation 22:1-2)  There will be no more night.  Neither will there be a need for the sun or lamps.  The Lord God will give them light. (Revelation 22:5)  Christ said to John, “Look, I am coming soon!” (Revelation 22:7)  This He repeated two more times. (Revelation 22:12 and 22:20)  John was told not to seal up the words of this prophecy. (Revelation 22:10)  Christ said that He is coming soon, and His reward was coming with Him.  He will give rewards to each person according to what they have done. (Revelation 22:12)  Then The Holy Spirit says let the one who is thirsty for The Word come; and let the one who wants the eternal life giving water come. (Revelation 22:17)  The Bible Book of Revelation ends with a warning to everyone not to add anything to, or take anything away from, this Word of God. (Revelation 22:18-19)  “… Amen … Come, Lord Jesus.” (Revelation 22:20)

 

APPLICATION

Jesus, The Christ, will come again soon. (Revelation 22:7, 22:12, and 22:20)  However, soon is a relative term.  To Christ, one day is as one thousand years is to us. (2 Peter 3:8)  So, from His point of view, He has only been gone from earth for two days.  No one knows the hour or the day when He will return. (Matthew 25:13)  Therefore we should get ready, and stay ready, so that we will be ready when He comes. (Matthew 24:44 and Luke 12:40)  Repent, Christ is coming back, and the kingdom of God is at hand. (Matthew 3:2, Matthew 4:7, and Mark 1:15)  “… Come, Lord Jesus.” (Revelation 22:20)

 

 

A NEW HEAVEN AND A NEW EARTH

PROCLAMATION

“And I saw a new heaven and a new earth; for the first heaven and the first earth were passed away; and there was no more sea.  And I John saw the Holy City, New Jerusalem, coming down from God out of heaven, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband.”  Revelation 21:1-2 (KJV)

 

EXPLANATION

These are the words of prophecy which were revealed to, and written by, the Apostle John, under the influence of The Holy Spirit of God.  In this twenty-first chapter of Revelation, while he was still in the spirit, John saw the new heaven and the new earth.  He also saw the Holy City, the new Jerusalem, coming down from heaven. (Revelation 21:1-2)  Then John heard a loud voice from the throne saying, “Look!  God’s dwelling place is now among the people …”  It said He will be their God.  There will be no crying, dying, mourning, or pain there for that has all passed away. (Revelation 21:3-4)  Then John was carried away in the spirit by one of the seven angels, one who had one of the seven bowls full of the wrath of God, to a high mountain.  There he saw the new Jerusalem shining brilliantly like a precious jewel. (Revelation 21:9-11)  Then John gave a detailed description of the city including its gates, walls, foundation, and its contents. (Revelation 21:12-26)  Nothing impure will ever enter it. (Revelation 21:27)

 

APPLICATION

After the present heaven and earth pass away, God will replace them with a new heaven and a new earth as it was predicted. (Isaiah 65:17, 2 Peter 3:13, and Revelation 21:1)  It will be a beautiful place (Revelation 21:18-21) and a peaceful place with no crying, dying, sorrow, or pain there. (Revelation 20:4)  The only people that will be there will be those whose names are written in The Lamb’s book of life. (Revelation 21:27)  Everyone else will have been cast in the lake of fire. (Revelation 20:15)

 

THE BOOK OF LIFE AND THE LAKE OF FIRE

PROCLAMATION

“And whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire.”  Revelation 20:15 (KJV)

 

EXPLANATION

These are the words of prophecy which were revealed to, and written by, the Apostle John, under the influence of The Holy Spirit of God.  In this twentieth chapter of Revelation, while he was still in the spirit, John saw another angel coming down from heaven with the key to the Abyss in his hand.  The angel seized the dragon, who is the devil or Satan, and bound him for a thousand years.  He threw him into the Abyss and sealed it. (Revelation 20:1-3)  Then John saw the souls of those who would reign with Christ for a thousand years.  (Revelation 20:4-6)  When the thousand years are over, Satan will be released for a short while and will again go out and deceive the nations.  He will gather the nations to do battle against God’s people, but fire will come down from heaven and devour them.  Then the devil will be thrown into the lake of fire and brimstone where the beast and the false prophet were thrown.  They will be tormented there day and night forever. (Revelation 20:7-10)  Then John saw a great white throne and he saw the dead, great and small, standing before the throne.  Books were open from which the dead were judged.  Anyone whose name was not found in the book of life was thrown into the lake of fire.  Death and Hades were also thrown into the lake of fire.  This is called the second death. (Revelation 20:11-15)

 

APPLICATION

All of the dead unbelievers, the great and small, the young and old, the free and slave, stood before the great white throne.  Each of them was judged according to what they had done as written in the books. (Revelation 20:12)  Their life was reviewed to reveal that they had the opportunity to accept Christ, but they rejected Him.  Therefore their name was not written in The Lamb’s book of life.  Anyone whose name was not found written in the book of life was thrown into the lake of fire. (Revelation 20:15)  Repent, the kingdom of God is coming. Believers will not stand before the great white throne for judgment.  We will be come before the mercy seat to be judged and all that we have done after accepting Christ as the foundation of our lives will be judged.  We will be rewarded for all that we have done which gives God glory. (1 Corinthians 3:11-15)

 

KING OF KINGS AND LORD OF LORDS

PROCLAMATION

“And He hath on His vesture and on His thigh a name written, ‘KING OF KINGS, AND LORD OF LORDS.’ ”  Revelation 19:16 (KJV)

 

EXPLANATION

These are the words of prophecy which were revealed to, and written by, the Apostle John, under the influence of The Holy Spirit of God.  In this nineteenth chapter of Revelation, while he was still in the spirit, John heard what sounded like a roar of a great multitude in heaven shouting: “Hallelujah …”  because the great prostitute, Babylon, had been condemned. (Revelation 19:1-3)  The twenty-four elders and the four living creatures fell down and worshiped God and they cried: “Amen, Hallelujah!” (Revelation 19:4)  Then an angel said to John, “Write this: Blessed are those who are invited to the wedding supper of The Lamb.” (Revelation 19:9)  Then John saw heaven opened and there before him was a white horse whose rider is called Faithful and True, who with justice He judges and wages war.  “His name is called The Word of God.” (Revelation 19:11-13)  The armies of heaven followed Him, riding on white horses and dressed in fine white linen.  Coming out of His mouth is a sharp sword with which to strike down the nations.  On His robe and on His thigh He has this name written: “KING OF KINGS AND LORD OF LORDS.” (Revelation 19:14-16)  John then saw the beast and the kings of the earth and their armies gathered together to wage war against the rider on the white horse and His army.  The beast and the false prophet were captured and both of them were thrown alive into a lake of fire burning with brimstone.  The rest of them were killed with the sword which came out of the mouth of the rider on the white horse. (Revelation 19:19-21)

 

APPLICATION

“His name is called The Word of God.” (Revelation 19:13)  This is an affirmation of what the Apostle John had written earlier: “In the beginning was The Word, and The Word was with God, and The Word was God.” (John 1:1)  “And The Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us …” (John 1:14)  He has a name which is written on Him that no one knows but He Himself. (Revelation 19:12)  What is known is that He is The King of Kings and The Lord of Lords. (Revelation 19:16)  What is incredible is that in light of all the signs that had occurred, mankind refused to repent, and gathered together to wage war against Him. (Revelation 19:19)  It was a war which they lost, and they died in their stubbornness. (Revelation 19:20-21)  Repent, the kingdom of God is coming.

 

COME OUT FROM AMONG THE EVIL DOERS

PROCLAMATION

“And I heard another voice from heaven, saying, ‘Come out of her, My people, that ye be not partakers of her sins, and that ye receive not of her plagues.  For her sins have reached unto heaven, and God hath remembered her iniquities.’ ”  Revelation 18:4-5 (KJV)

 

EXPLANATION

These are the words of prophecy which were revealed to, and written by, the Apostle John, under the influence of The Holy Spirit of God.  In this eighteenth chapter of Revelation, while he was still in the spirit, John was carried away into a wilderness by one of the seven angels who had one of the seven bowl full of the wrath of God.  There he saw a woman sitting on a scarlet beast.  The woman, the great prostitute, represented the city of Rome, the spiritual Babylon, the seat of idolatry, immorality, deception, and persecution. (Revelation 17:1-3)  After this John saw another angel coming down from heaven, who illuminated the earth with his splendor, shouting: “Babylon the great is fallen …”  Babylon had become a dwelling place for demons and a habitat for impure spirits. (Revelation 18:1-2)  Then John heard a voice from heaven saying, “Come out of her, My people …”  Do not partake of her sins and you will not share in her punishment. (Revelation 18:4-5)  Babylon will be destroyed in one day. And the kings, merchants, and sailors who profited greatly from her will mourn her demise as well as their loss of future revenue. (Revelation 18:9-20)  He ends the chapter by revealing the things that will cease to occur after the destruction of Babylon. (Revelation 18:21-24)

 

APPLICATION

This text describes ancient Babylon, or Rome, but it can be applied to a number of sin-sick cities of today. (Ezekiel 22:1-13)  The take home lesson here is that those who gain by deceit will lose in the end.  We were taught not to be envious of evil doers who prosper and enjoy dishonest gain because The Lord God is against them and they will be cut down in the end. (Psalm 37:1-2 and Psalm 37:16)  We were also taught not to associate with evil doers because only birds of the same feather will flock together. (Amos 3:3)  If we participate with them in their sins, then we will share in their punishment. (Revelation 18:4)  The Lord God has called us, His people, out of sinful darkness into His marvelous light. (1 Peter 2:9 and Revelation 18:4)  If we come out of our sinful existence and desire to go back to it, then we are not fit for the kingdom of heaven. (Luke 9:62)  Remember what happened to Lot’s wife as they left Sodom and Gomorrah.  Her longing for the past sinful life she left behind cause her demise. (Genesis 19:26)  Just as Christ was, we are in this world but not of it. (John 8:23)  We are just passing through it on our way home.

 

THE PROSTITUTE AND THE SCARLET BEAST

PROCLAMATION

“So he carried me away in the spirit into a wilderness; and I saw a woman sit upon a scarlet colored beast, full of names of blasphemy, having seven heads and ten horns.”  Revelation 17:3 (KJV)

 

EXPLANATION

These are the words of prophecy which were revealed to, and written by, the Apostle John, under the influence of The Holy Spirit of God.  In this seventeenth chapter of Revelation, while he was still in the spirit, John was carried away into a wilderness by one of the seven angels who had one of the seven bowl full of the wrath of God.  There he saw a woman sitting on a scarlet beast. (Revelation 17:1-3)  The woman, the great prostitute, represented the city of Rome, the spiritual Babylon.  She is a sinful lady in a world without Christ or Christians.  Upon her forehead was written: “Babylon, The Great, The Mother of Harlots and Abominations of The Earth.” (Revelation 17:5)  The scarlet beast upon which she sat is the seat of idolatry and persecution, a deceiver of mankind.  The seven heads represent the seven hills upon which Rome stands.  The ten horns represent the ten kings which have yet to reign.  The chapter ends by describing their destruction. (Revelation 17:15-18)

 

APPLICATION

It is thought by some Bible scholars that The Antichrist will establish a “false church” through a covenant with the papacy.  He will come to hate this false church, break the covenant, and destroy this apostate church clearing the way for worship of the Antichrist.  The real church will have been raptured and will not be available to help guide the unbelievers during this period.  Today, and in the future, let us not get so caught up in the sinful pleasures of this world and the “worship” of things that we put them ahead of, or in place of, worshiping The Lord God.  That path is well-travelled, and many have followed it, but it leads to destruction. (Matthew 7:13)

 

THE SEVEN BOWLS OF THE WRATH OF GOD

PROCLAMATION

“And I heard a great voice out of the temple saying to the seven angels, ‘Go your ways, and  pour out the vials of the wrath of God upon the earth.’ ”  Revelation 16:1 (KJV)

 

EXPLANATION

These are the words of prophecy which were revealed to, and written by, the Apostle John, under the influence of The Holy Spirit of God.  In this sixteenth chapter of Revelation, while he was still in the spirit (Revelation 4:2), John continued to see vision after vision and to hear voices from heaven.  He heard a loud voice coming from the temple telling the seven angels to pour their bowls of the wrath of God onto the earth. (Revelation 16:1)  The first bowl caused ugly, festering sores to break out on the people who had the mark of the beast and who worshiped its image.  The second bowl caused the sea to turn into blood like that of a dead person and it killed every living thing in the sea.  The third bowl caused the rivers and streams and springs to turn into blood.  The fourth bowl caused sun to scorch the people as if they were burned with fire.  The fifth bowl plunged the earth into darkness.  The people gnawed at their own tongues in agony.  They cursed God and they refused to repent. (Revelation 16:2-11)  The sixth bowl caused the great river Euphrates to dry up to prepare the way for the kings of the east.  Then John saw three impure spirits, that looked like frogs, come out of the mouths of the dragon, the beast, and the false prophet.  These demonic spirits went out to gather the kings of the world for the battle of Armageddon. (Revelation 16:12-16)  The seventh bowl caused lightning and thunder and a great earthquake.  Islands and mountains disappeared, and one hundred pound hailstones fell from the sky onto the people. (Revelation 16:17-21)

 

APPLICATION

The Great Tribulation period will begin with thunder and lightning (Revelation 4:5) and it will end with thunder and lightning. (Revelation 16:18)  The church will not suffer through this, nor will any believers.  The wrath of God will be felt by the unbelievers who have the mark of the beast on their foreheads, or their right hand, and who worship its image. (Revelation 16:2) Those who refuse to repent will suffer the consequences.  

 

THE PEOPLE VICTORIOUS OVER THE BEAST

PROCLAMATION

“And I saw what looked like a sea of glass glowing with fire and, standing beside the sea, those who had been victorious over the beast and its image and over the number of its name.  They held harps given them by God and sang …”  Revelation 15:2-3 (NIV)

 

EXPLANATION

These are the words of prophecy which were revealed to, and written by, the Apostle John, under the influence of The Holy Spirit of God.  In this fifteenth chapter of Revelation, while he was still in the spirit (Revelation 4:2), John continued to see vision after vision.  Now He saw another great and marvelous sign in heaven, and he saw what he described as a sea of glass glowing with fire.  Standing besides the sea he saw those who had been victorious over the beast and its image and they were singing. (Revelation 15:1-3)  After this he looked and he saw in heaven the tabernacle of the covenant, and it was open.  Out of the temple came seven angels with seven plagues.  Each angel was given a bowl filled with the wrath of God which, along with the plague they had been given, would soon be unleashed on the earth. (Revelation 15:5-8)  The seven seals, the seven trumpets, and the seven angels were precursors to the seven bowls of wrath, the wrath of God, which will be the last and worst of all. (Revelation 15:1)  This is the preparation for the destruction of the Antichrist.

 

APPLICATION

After the rapture of the church from the earth, (1 Thessalonians 4:17) the 144,000 Jewish male virgins will be sealed and protected during the Great Tribulation period, and they will be God’s witnesses on earth. (Revelation 7:9-10)  They will proclaim the gospel and many souls will be saved.  Those saved people are the ones that John saw in his vision standing by the sea of glass glowing like fire. (Revelation 15:2-3)  They did not defeat the beast, they survived him by their belief in God.  They were brought into heaven during that first harvest. (Revelation 14:14-16)  Believers will be watching what the unsaved will be going through next from someplace safe in heaven.  The Bible Book of Revelation is a book of prophecy.  It provides us with a warning of things which must take place in the future. (Revelation 4:1)  Repent or suffer.

THE THREE ANGELS

PROCLAMATION

“And the third angel followed them, saying with a loud voice, ‘If any man worship the beast and his image, and receive his mark in his forehead, or in his hand, the same shall drink the wine of the wrath of God ... he shall be tormented with fire and brimstone in the presence of the holy angels, and in the presence of The Lamb.’ ”  Revelation 14:9-10 (KJV)

 

EXPLANATION

These are the words of prophecy which were revealed to, and written by, the Apostle John, under the influence of The Holy Spirit of God.  In this fourteenth chapter of Revelation, while he was still in the spirit (Revelation 4:2), John was shown a vision.  He saw The Lamb standing on Mount Zion and the 144,000 sealed male virgins were with Him. (Revelation 14:1)  Then John heard a voice from heaven which sounded like rushing water, and a loud thunder, and like the playing of harps. (Revelation 14:2)  Then the 144,000 men sang a new song which only they could sing based upon what only they had been through. (Revelation 14:3-5)  John saw an angel flying in midair proclaiming the gospel and saying with a loud voice, “Fear God, and give Him glory …” (Revelation 14:6-7)  A second angel followed the first saying, “Babylon is fallen …” (Revelation 14:8)  A third angel followed them and said with a loud voice, “If anyone worships the beast and its image and receives its mark on their forehead or their hand, they too will drink the wine of God’s fury.” (Revelation 14:9-11)  Then a voice from heaven told John to write: “Blessed are the dead who die in The Lord from now on.” (Revelation 14:13)  John saw The Son of Man sitting on a cloud wearing a crown of gold.  An angel appeared and said “… the time is come for Thee to reap; for the harvest of the earth is ripe.”  There were the two great harvests, the wheat and the grapes, the good men and the evil men. (Revelation 14:14-20)

 

APPLICATION

The first time that Christ came to earth was to shed His blood for mankind’s salvation.  His second coming will be to shed the blood of mankind in judgment. (Revelation 14:17-20)  There will be some souls saved during the Great Tribulation period but most people will be lost.  Take heed, Christ is coming back.  This time when He comes, He is not coming to suffer but to inflict the suffering on those who reject Him.  People get ready.  Those who give in and worship the dragon and the beast and its image, and accept its mark on their forehead or hand, will suffer.  Those few who are saved will require patient endurance on the part of the believers, faith in Christ Jesus, and obedience of His commandments. (Revelation 14:12)

 

THE MARK OF THE BEAST

PROCLAMATION

“And I stood upon the sand of the sea, and saw a beast rise up out of the sea, having seven heads and ten horns, and upon his horns ten crowns, and upon his heads the name of blasphemy. … And I beheld another beast coming up out of the earth; and he had two horns like a lamb, and he spoke as a dragon. … And he caused all, both small and great, rich and poor, free and bond, to receive a mark in their right hand, or on their foreheads; And that no man might buy or sell, save he that had the mark …”  Revelation 13:1-18 (KJV)

 

EXPLANATION

These are the words of prophecy which were revealed to, and written by, the Apostle John, under the influence of The Holy Spirit of God.  In this eleventh chapter of Revelation, while he was still in the spirit (Revelation 4:2), John was shown a vision. (Revelation 5:1, 6:1-17, 7:1, 8:1-2, 9:1, 10:1, and 12:1-3)  After the dragon had harassed the woman, he stood on the shore of the sea.  Then John saw a seven-headed beast with ten horns coming out of the sea. (Revelation 13:1-2)  The beast could speak and it uttered blasphemies against God.  It slandered the name of God, His dwelling place, and all those who live in heaven. (Revelation 13:5-6)  The beast was given the power to wage war against God’s holy people.  All of the people whose name was not written in The Lamb’s book of life worshipped the beast. (Revelation 13:7-8)  Then John saw a second beast, this one coming out of the earth.  It made people worship the first beast.  It had the power to perform signs and wonders and it deceived the people. (Revelation 13:11-15)  It forced the people to receive a mark on their right hand or on their forehead in order to buy or sell goods. (Revelation 13:16-18)  The number of the beast is 666.

 

APPLICATION

A lot has been said about the advances in technology with microchips containing information turning up in some unusual places.  Credit cards with microchips are now commonplace.  Some businesses now require credit card transactions exclusively.  Not only are microchips being placed in pets, but some employers require their employees to have microchips placed under their skin rather than using time-cards and identification badges.  It sounds to me like the world is being preconditioned to receiving the mark of the beast in order to transact business.  People used to brand cattle, horses, and other animals to denote ownership.  The mark of the beast, or the microchip, could also denote ownership by the beast.  Those of us whose names are written in The Lamb’s book of life will not worship the dragon or the beast, and we will not wear his mark or microchip anywhere on our bodies.

 

THE WOMAN AND THE DRAGON

PROCLAMATION

“And there appeared a great wonder in heaven; a woman clothed with the sun, and the moon under her feet, and upon her head a crown of twelve stars; And she being with child cried, travailing in birth, and pained to be delivered.  And there appeared another wonder in heaven; and behold a great red dragon, with seven heads and ten horns, and seven crowns upon his heads … The dragon stood before the woman … to devour her child as soon as it was born.”  Revelation 12:1-5 (KJV)

 

EXPLANATION

These are the words of prophecy which were revealed to, and written by, the Apostle John, under the influence of The Holy Spirit of God.  In this twelfth chapter of Revelation, while he was still in the spirit (Revelation 4:2), John was shown a vision. (Revelation 5:1, 6:1-17, 7:1, 8:1-2, 9:1, and 10:1)  Shortly after the seventh trumpet was sounded, there appeared two signs in heaven: one was a pregnant woman, who was about to give birth, dressed in the sun, and the other was a large red dragon with seven heads. (Revelation 12:1-3)  As the woman gave birth, her child was snatched up unto God before the dragon could get it. (Revelation 12:5-6)  The woman is symbolic for Israel and the child is symbolic for Christ.  The dragon is symbolic for Satan.  A war broke out in heaven and the dragon and his angels were defeated, kicked out of heaven, and hurled to the earth. (Revelation 12:7-9)  Enraged, the dragon pursued the woman and waged war against the rest of her offspring. (Revelation 12:13-17)

 

APPLICATION

The way I see this, the devil is mad because he was not able to stop Christianity at the very beginning and now he is attacking everything that has grown out of it.  He is attacking the woman, Israel, and all of her other offspring, all Christians.  That is why we need God’s protection.  Satan is roaming about the earth seeking whom he may devour. (Job 1:7 and 1 Peter 5:8)  We need to put on the whole armor of God in order to withstand his attacks. (Ephesians 6:10-18)  He will not attack Christ; he has already lost that fight.

 

THE TWO WITNESSES

PROCLAMATION

“And I will give power unto My two witnesses, and they shall prophesy a thousand two hundred and three score days, clothed in sackcloth … And if any man will hurt them, fire proceedeth out of their mouth, and devoureth their enemies …”  Revelation 11:3-5 (KJV)

 

EXPLANATION 

These are the words of prophecy which were revealed to, and written by, the Apostle John, under the influence of The Holy Spirit of God.  In this eleventh chapter of Revelation, while he was still in the spirit (Revelation 4:2), John was shown a vision. (Revelation 5:1, 6:1-17, 7:1, 8:1-2, 9:1, and 10:1)  After he ate the little scroll, John was given a measuring rod type of reed and told to go measure the temple of God and the altar. (Revelation 11:1)  Then the voice of God told him that He would appoint two witnesses to prophesy to the people.  The witnesses, their names not specified, would have the power to breathe fire out of their mouths and devour anyone who tried to harm them.  They would also have the power to stop the rain, to turn water to blood, and to strike the earth with plagues. (Revelation 11:3-6)  When they had finished their testimony the beast from the Abyss would attack them, overpower them, and kill them.  Their bodies will lie in the public square for three and a half days.  Then the breath of life would return to them and they would rise to their feet, striking terror in all who saw them.  They would ascend to heaven in a cloud while their enemies watched. (Revelation 11:7-12)  After this there would be a severe earthquake which will destroy a tenth of the city and kill seven thousand people.  The survivors would be terrified and give glory to God.  This is the end of the second woe.  Then the seventh angel would sound his trumpet, and the Millennial reign of Christ begins. (Revelation 11:15-17)  This would be the time for the judging of the dead and the rewarding of the saints. (Revelation 11:18-19)

 

APPLICATION

It is very reassuring to know that no matter what happens, as the witnesses for The Lord God that we will be kept, preserved, and protected until we have done all that He has assigned for us to do before we are called home.  The “great commission” to “Go ye therefore and teach all nations …” (Matthew 28:19) was given to the apostles.  While all of us cannot preach, teach, or baptize people, all of us can be witnesses and tell our personal story.   Here the two witnesses are killed, and then they are brought back to life. (Revelation 11:7-12)  It is not over until The Lord God says that it is over.  If something bad happens to us while we are witnessing for The Lord, rejoice and be exceedingly glad for great will be our reward in heaven. (Matthew 5:11-12)

 

THE ANGEL AND THE LITTLE SCROLL

PROCLAMATION

“And I saw another mighty angel come down from heaven, clothed with a cloud; and a rainbow was upon his head, and his face was as it were the sun, and his feet as pillars of fire; And he had in his hand a little book open; and he set his right foot upon the sea, and his left foot on the earth, and cried with a loud voice, as when a lion roareth; and when he cried, seven thunders uttered their voices.”  Revelation 10:1-3 (KJV)

 

EXPLANATION

These are the words of prophecy which were revealed to, and written by, the Apostle John, under the influence of The Holy Spirit of God.  In this tenth chapter of Revelation, while he was still in the spirit (Revelation 4:2), John was shown a vision. (Revelation 5:1, 6:1-17, 7:1, 8:1-2, and 9:1)  After the smoke John saw a mighty angel coming down from heaven holding a little scroll in his hand. (Revelation 10:1-2)  When this angel spoke, the voices of seven thunders spoke and John was told not to write what was said. (Revelation 10:3-4)  John was told to take the little scroll from the angel’s hand and eat it.  He said that it tasted sweet as honey in his mouth but it was bitter in his stomach.  After he had eaten it, he was told to go and prophesy again. (Revelations 10:8-11)

 

APPLICATION

When we ingest The Word of God, it is sweet and good. (Psalm 34:8 and Revelation 10:9-10)  After we digest it and internalize it, The Word of God should burn at our insides, like “…  fire shut up in my bones …” (Jeremiah 20:9) and we are to go and share it with others.  This experience was given to the Apostle John, a preacher of the gospel, and he was told to prophesy and share it. (Revelation 10:11)  All believers are not preachers, but all believers know something about the gospel, and all of us have had a unique set of experiences that The Lord has brought us through which can be shared with others.  We all have kingdom building work to do before it is too late.  Tell someone about Jesus, The Christ, about the gospel, the crucifixion, the resurrection, or the things that He brought you through.  Your story may make the difference in someone’s life.

 

TORTURE OUT OF THE ABYSS AND THE SIXTH TRUMPET

PROCLAMATION

“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.  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 on their foreheads.  And to them it was given that they should not kill them, but that they should be tormented five months …”  Revelation 9:3-5 (KJV)

 

EXPLANATION

These are the words of prophecy which were revealed to, and written by, the Apostle John, under the influence of The Holy Spirit of God.  In this ninth chapter of Revelation, while he was still in the spirit (Revelation 4:2), John was shown a vision. (Revelation 5:1, 6:1-17, 7:1, and 8:1-2)  After the fifth angel sounded the trumpet, John saw a star, an agent of the devil, which had fallen from the sky.  The star was given the key to the Abyss, the bottomless pit.  When he opened the Abyss, smoke rose from it and darkened the sun and sky.  Out of the smoke came locusts which were like scorpions of the earth.  These locusts were ordered not harm the plants; they were to torture the people who did not have the seal of God on their foreheads. (Revelation 9:1-5)  The torture was so bad that the people wished that they could die, but they were not allowed to die to end their suffering. (Revelation 9:6)  This was the first of the three woes mentioned previously. (Revelation 8:13)  When the sixth angel sounded the trumpet, John heard a voice saying: ‘Release the four angels …’ and a mounted army of twice ten thousand times ten thousand was released and killed one third of the remaining people. (Revelation 9:13-19) The rest of mankind who were not killed still did not repent.  They continued to worship idols and perform sexual immorality and murder. (Revelation 9:20-21)

 

APPLICATION

Throughout The Bible we have been told many times to repent.  From John, The Baptizer, (Matthew 3:1-2) to the early sermons of Jesus, The Christ. (Matthew 4:17)  Unfortunately, most of mankind is hardhearted and is in love with their sinful ways.  Some have repented and then shortly afterwards some of them returned to their previous sinful ways.  However, there are some people who are so committed to their sinful ways that even all of the death and destruction of the Great Tribulation period could not change their minds or their hearts. (Revelation 9:20-21)  These hardhearted men would not change or accept Christ.  Please do not associate with these individuals.  Hell is real, and eternity is a very long time.  Repent people, while there is time.  The torment and torture is coming for those that do not repent.

 

THE SEVENTH SEAL AND THE SEVEN TRUMPETS

PROCLAMATION

“And when He had opened the seventh seal, there was silence in heaven about the space of half an hour.  And I saw the seven angels which stood before God; and to them were given seven trumpets.”  Revelation 8:1-2 (KJV)

 

EXPLANATION

These are the words of prophecy which were revealed to, and written by, the Apostle John, under the influence of The Holy Spirit of God.  In this eighth chapter of Revelation, while he was still in the spirit (Revelation 4:2), John was shown a vision. (Revelation 5:1 and 6:1-17)  And after seeing the 144,000, the martyrs, the Jews and the Gentiles in heaven, John saw The Lamb of God open the seventh seal.  Then he saw seven angels who were each given a trumpet. (Revelation 8:1-2)  Then another angel came and stood before the altar who had a golden bowl.  To this angel was given incense to offer along with the prayers of the saints before the throne. (Revelation 8:3)  The first angel sounded the trumpet and there came hail and fire and blood down upon the earth.  One third of the grass and trees on earth were burned. (Revelation 8:7)  The second angel sounded the trumpet, and a huge burning mountain was thrown into the sea.  The sea turned to blood and one third of the creatures in the sea died. (Revelation 8:8-9)  The third angel sounded the trumpet, and a great burning star fell from heaven and landed on one third of the rivers and springs causing them to turn bitter. (Revelation 8:10-11)  The fourth angel sounded the trumpet and one third of the sun, the moon, and the stars went dark. (Revelation 8:12)

 

APPLICATION

After the wrath of God has begun in the Great Tribulation period and one fourth of the people on earth have been killed, there is more death and destruction coming.  Initially only people were killed, (Revelation 6:8) but after the trumpets sound, plants, and animals along with more people will be destroyed. (Revelation 8:7-11)  These are things which have yet to happen but must take place. (Revelation 4:1)  The good news for the church is that the rapture will have already occurred before these things begin.  Do not be alarmed by the destruction of the earth.  The Lord has promised us a new heaven and a new earth (2 Peter 3:13) and the Apostle John was given a glimpse of this in his vision. (Revelation 21:1)  This new earth which is coming is something that only believers will see.

 

THE 144,000 SAINTS

PROCLAMATION

“And I heard the number of them which were sealed; and there were sealed an hundred and forty and four thousand (144,000) of all the tribes of the children of Israel.”  Revelation 7:4 (KJV)

 

EXPLANATION

These are the words of prophecy which were revealed to, and written by, the Apostle John, under the influence of The Holy Spirit of God.  In this seventh chapter of The Bible Book of Revelation, while he was still in the spirit (Revelation 4:2), John was shown a vision. (Revelation 5:1 and 6:1-17)  After his vision of The Lamb opening the seals, John saw four angels holding back the four winds to prevent them from harming the earth. (Revelation 7:1)  Then another angel appeared and told the four angels not to release the winds until seals had been placed on the foreheads of the servants of God. (Revelation 7:2-3)  These servants are the 144,000 male servants of God who were sealed and preserved during the Tribulation. (Revelation 7:4-8)  After this John saw a great multitude of believers, too many to count, from every nation and tribe and language wearing white robes and carrying palms in their hands and standing before the throne.  These are the Gentile believers, the elect of God, the saints who were saved during the Great Tribulation. (Revelation 7:9-10)

 

APPLICATION

The 144,000 saints are virgin men (Revelation 14:4) who are the remnants of Israel who are sealed to preserve them as they witness for Christ during the Great Tribulation.  There are 12,000 from twelve of the thirteen tribes of Israel.  The tribes of Dan and Ephraim were omitted from the list.  These are not the only Jews in heaven.  The Old Testament saints will be there as well as the martyrs who died prior to the Tribulation, the souls that John saw under the alter. (Revelation 6:9-11)  The church, believers from all walks of life, (Revelation 7:9) will have been raptured before the wrath of God is unleased on the earth.  There are some Bible scholars who believe that these 144,000 saints will translated without dying because they were sealed and protected during the Great Tribulation.  We will not be in that 144,000, we will be the raptured church. (1 Thessalonians 4:17)  That is, only those of us that are in the number with their name recorded in The Lamb’s Book of Life. (Revelation 20:12 and 20:15)