THE THREE ANGELS

PROCLAMATION

“… 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 ... They will be tormented with burning sulfur in the presence of the holy angels and The Lamb.”  Revelation 14:9-10 (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 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 Jewish virgins were with Him. (Revelation 14:1)  They sang, and it sounded like the playing of harps.  They sang a new song which only they could sing based upon what only they had been through. (Revelation 14:2-5)  Then John saw an angel flying in midair proclaiming the gospel and saying, “Fear God, and give Him glory …” (Revelation 14:6-7)  A second angel followed saying, “Babylon is fallen …” (Revelation 14:8)  A third angel followed them and said, “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 John was told to write: “Blessed are the dead who die in The Lord from now on.” (Revelation 14:13)  Then 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 their blood in mankind’s judgment. (Revelation 14:17-20)  There will be some souls saved during the Great Tribulation period but most of them 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.  Resistance will require patient endurance on the part of believers. (Revelation 14:12)

THINGS WHICH MUST SOON TAKE PLACE

PROCLAMATION

“The revelation from 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, who testifies to everything he saw …”  Revelation 1:1-2 (NIV)

 

EXPLANATION

These are the words of the prophecy which was revealed to, and written by, the Apostle John, under the influence of The Holy Spirit of God.  In this, the last Bible Book of The New Testament, John records the revelation of the things which are to come according to the vision that he saw in his old age when he was taken up in the spirit while he was on the island of Patmos. (Revelation 1:9-10)  John was told by Christ to write down the things were revealed to him in the vision. (Revelation 1:19)

 

APPLICATION

The Bible Book of Revelation is a very special Book.  This New Testament Bible Book of prophecy is so special that everyone who reads it aloud will be blessed. (Revelation 1:3)  There is also a blessing in store for those who hear the words of this prophecy and take them to heart. (Revelation 1:3)  The Book was addressed to the church, specifically the seven churches in the province of Asia. (Revelation 1:4)  Christ is coming back again, and when He does every eye will see Him. (Revelation 1:7)  When He left this earth, He ascended to heaven on a cloud. (Acts 1:9)  When He returns, He will come back on a cloud as it was predicted. (Daniel 7:13-14, 1 Thessalonians 4:16-17, and Revelation 1:7)  His physical appearance will be a surprise to a lot of people.  The hair on His head will be like wool, curly, and white as snow.  His skin will look like fine brass, bronze in color as if burned. (Revelation 1:14-15)  Read The Bible Book of Revelation and pray for understanding.  Take this to heart because the end of time is near.

 

THE RAPTURE

PROCLAMATION

“According to The Lord’s word, we tell you that we who are still alive, who are left until the coming of The Lord, will not certainly precede those who have fallen asleep.  For The Lord Himself will come down from heaven, with a loud command, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet call of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first.  After that, we who are still alive and are left will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet The Lord in the air.  And so we will be with The Lord forever.”  1 Thessalonians 4:15-17 (NIV)

 

EXPLANATION

These words were written by the apostle Paul, under the influence of The Holy Spirit of God, to the believers in the church at Thessalonica.  Paul begins this fourth chapter by urging them to live in order to please God, more than they were already doing.  He told them that it was God’s will for them to avoid sexual immorality, to exercise control over their own body and live holy and honorably. (1 Thessalonians 4:1-5)  He acknowledged that they had already demonstrated love for one another, but he encouraged them to mind their own business so that their daily lives would win the respect of non-believers. (Thessalonians 4:9-12)  Then he addressed the rapture, and he made it clear that the dead in Christ would rise first, and after that those who were still alive would meet them and The Lord in the air.  We will all be taken away to be with The Lord forever.  (1 Thessalonians 4:13-18)

 

APPLICATION

It is a comforting thought, for those of us who have lost loved ones, to know that we will see them again.  Although they are now asleep in death, we will meet them again when The Lord Jesus, The Christ, returns to rapture all believers.  Unfortunately, there will be some people who will be left behind after the rapture occurs and removes all of the believers from the earth. (Matthew 24:40-42)  In the twinkling of an eye, all believers will be changed from corruptible mortals to spiritual beings of incorruptible immortality. (1 Corinthians 15:51-54)  Woe be unto those who are left behind.

 

THE SECOND COMING OF CHRIST

PROCLAMATION

“At that time people will see The Son of Man coming in clouds with great power and glory.  And He will send His angels and gather His elect from the four winds, from the ends of the earth to the ends of the heavens.”  Mark 13:26-27 (NIV)

 

EXPLANATION

These words are from the gospel, the good news regarding Jesus, The Christ, which were spoken by Christ according to Mark, a companion Simon Peter.  After teaching in the synagogue, Jesus left the temple and went up to the Mount of Olives and sat on the side of the mountain facing the temple. (Mark 13:1-3)  Peter, James, John, and Andrew were with Him and asked Him about the destruction of Jerusalem and the end of the world.  Jesus answered them with a very lengthy discourse regarding signs of the end times. (Mark 13:5-37)  He included information on the second coming of Christ and the post tribulation gathering of the saints. (Mark 13:26-27)  He ended His talk by telling them that no one knows the day or the hour when this will happen, and He advised them to “Watch!” and be ready. (Mark 13:32-37)

 

APPLICATION

The first coming of Christ was to offer salvation to the lost souls.  The second coming of Christ will be to gather His saints and to offer judgement.  No one knows exactly when this will occur, so we are advised to be ready for it.  We need to get ready now so that we will be ready when the time comes. 

 

  

THE SECOND COMING OF CHRIST

PROCLAMATION

“Arise, shine, for Your light has come, and the glory of The Lord rises upon You.  See, darkness covers the earth and thick darkness is over the peoples, but The Lord rises upon You and His glory appears over You.”  Isaiah 60:1-2 (NIV)

EXPLANATION

These are the words of The Lord God which were spoken to the people of Israel through the prophet Isaiah.  Chapter sixty presents the full manifestation of the Millennium and the coming of Christ to Zion. (Isaiah 60:1-2)  Jesus, The Christ, The Light of the world, (John 9:5) will now be The Light both literally and figuratively. (Isaiah 60:2-3)  All will come to Him and all will serve Him. (Isaiah 45:23, Isaiah 60:3-9, and Romans 14:11)  Any nation that will not serve Him will be destroyed. (Isaiah 60:12)

APPLICATION

On His first coming, Jesus, The Christ, was The Light of the world figuratively.  On His second coming, Christ will be The Light of the world both literally and figuratively.  This light will never set, it will be everlasting. (Isaiah 60:20)  All of God’s sons and daughters will be gathered there with Him. (Isaiah 60:4)  Where will your soul be?