REVELATION IN UNCERTAIN TIMES

REVELATION IN UNCERTAIN TIMES

Most of the struggles of attempting to interpret the book of revelation stems from a failure to understand that the Book of Revelation is a book of Prophecy.

And that prophecy has a chronological order. This is the key to unlocking the Book of Revelation.

First to what was, that is, the experience of John seeing Jesus in his glory.

What is now, the messages to the seven churches which refer to the present age, as the seven churches represent churches in this present age.

And then what will take place later, referring to that which is future.

Confusion in the interpretation of Revelation stems almost entirely from the failure to observe this divine outline.

The opening of chapter four, with the phrase “after this” is referring to the churches, makes it clear that from chapter four on the book of Revelation is dealing with future events.

After chapter four, it describes the unfolding of the future with the Revelation of Christ Jesus at the second coming, as its main theme.

One of the important conclusions in Prophecy is the concept that the church that’s saves of the present age will be in heaven.

While the great events of the seven-year tribulation and the end time takes place.

Revelation 4:1-2 King James Version (KJV)

4 After this I looked, and, behold, a door was opened in heaven: and the first voice which I heard was as it were of a trumpet talking with me; which said, Come up hither, and I will shew thee things which must be hereafter.

² And immediately I was in the spirit: and, behold, a throne was set in heaven, and one sat on the throne.

Actually, John was on the Isle of Patmos when the revelation was given to him.

John stated at once, or immediately, I was in the Spirit.

I really don’t know whether John was physically caught up to heaven or whether simply in His vision that he was caught up to heaven.

In either case he saw the scene as he would if he had been present in heaven.

What John is seeing is a setting for events in heaven, which will take place in heaven and earth and in the period of time after the rapture.

The word church in chapters two and three does not re-occur until revelation 22: 16.

Revelation 22:16 King James Version (KJV)

¹⁶ I Jesus have sent mine angel to testify unto you these things in the churches. I am the root and the offspring of David, and the bright and morning star.

Revelation 19:7King James Version (KJV)

⁷ Let us be glad and rejoice, and give honour to him: for the marriage of the Lamb is come, and his wife hath made herself ready.

Here it is talking about the church being the bride.

After chapter four it is highly doubtful that the church could actually be here. It would put the church in the center of the activities of the seven years of tribulation.

The events of the end times follow the rapture of the church.

After the rapture of the church, there will be a time period which may be called a period of preparation.

Then will emerge a ten-nation group forming a political unit in the Middle East.

A leader will emerge who will gain control first of three nations, then all ten.

Daniel 9:27King James Version (KJV)

²⁷ And he shall confirm the covenant with many for one week: and in the midst of the week he shall cause the sacrifice and the oblation to cease, and for the overspreading of abominations he shall make it desolate, even until the consummation, and that determined shall be poured upon the desolate.

This event starts the seven-year countdown towards the second coming of Christ Jesus.

The first half of the seven years will be a time of peace for Israel. At midpoint of the seven years the covenant will be broken and this political leader will assume the position of ruler over the entire world.

Stay in the word

Brother Andy

OF DEMONS, DEVILS AND FALSE TEACHERS

OF DEMONS, DEVILS AND FALSE TEACHERS

The King James Bible speaks of the devil sixty-two times, devils fifty-four time and Satan fifty-two times

1 Timothy 4:1   Now the Spirit speaketh expressly, (in direct terms) that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines (or teachings) of devils;

Paul is saying here the Holy Spirit tells us clearly that in the last days some will turn away from what we believe.

They will follow lying spirits and teachings that came from the doctrines of devils. False teachers were and are still a threat to the church.

Even today it is not enough that a teacher, minister or evangelist appears to know what they are talking about or says she or he is speaking for God.

If their words contradict what the bible says they are teaching false. These hypocrites, false teachers are lying spirits that are teaching what come from demons.

We are guided by Demonic spirits, or we are guided by the Holy Spirit.

The devil deceives people by offering a clever imitation of the real things of God. Don’t be impressed with a teacher’s style or credentials, his teaching must line up with the word of God.

Because we still live in the flesh we sometimes get weak in our thinking and that is very fertile ground. It leaves room for the devil to work on our minds.

Eph 4:23-27   ²³ And be renewed in the spirit of your mind;

²⁴ And that ye put on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness.

²⁵ Wherefore putting away lying, speak every man truth with his neighbour: for we are members one of another.

²⁶ Be ye angry, and sin not: let not the sun go down upon your wrath:

²⁷ Neither give place to the devil.

Your mind is what you think with, 

Your will is what you want,

Your emotions are what you act on.

We need to be careful about what we think, what we want, and what we act on.

Our old way of life before we got saved should be completely in the past. We must put on the new nature, go in a new direction and have a new way of thinking that the Holy Spirit gives us.

Don’t give place to the devil. Why, because it is his goal to deceive you. It is so important to avoid the worthless deeds of evil and darkness and stay away from evil influences. 

When things don’t work out the way we think they should or the way we want them to, that is when wrong thoughts start coming into our minds. That is when we start thinking of things. Satan fights with lies and sometimes his lies sound like truth.

Satan often attacks our heart, the very center of our emotions… self worth… and trust. He wants us to think the good news of the gospel is worthless and hopeless.

Satan wants to make us doubt God. Never doubt in the enduring power of the heavenly realm.

Did you ever have a bad habit that you actually hated, and know in your heart that it is wrong? Sinfully wrong. In your heart you would say, I am never going to do that again.

But as sure as we declare it, this nagging thought would drive you crazy, and without thinking you would do it again. The temptation was so strong that you could not stop yourself.

You are not alone, that probably describes a lot of the population. Bad thoughts lustful thoughts and thoughts of wrong desires only come from one source, the flesh way of thinking.

We all have areas where temptation is strong and habits are hard to conquer. These weaknesses give the devil a foothold. We must deal with our areas of vulnerability.

We still live in the flesh; most people struggle with a particular sin. The sin is bad enough but the big problem is when we try to justify it. 

1 Peter 5:8    ⁸ Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour:

Your adversary, the devil, is always on the prowl, seeking someone to devour. Just like a real lion who seeks out the young and feeble (the young of spirit and the weak of spirit) to attack.

John 10:10   The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly.

Who is the thief? The one who comes to kill, steal and destroy. How does he kill steal and destroy? He does it by deception, getting you to doubt yourself and God. He may not physically kill your body, but he does want to kill your spirit, your connection with God.

This deception does have a good ending, Jesus says I am come that you might have life and that they might have life more abundantly.

Yes, you will be tempted, Jesus was tempted, yes there will be thoughts that come to your mind, some not so good, some worse.

You need to consider the source; you know these thoughts are not of God so they must be from the adversary the devil. Or wrong thinking on your part.

James 4:7   Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.

Resist the devil and he will run from you. Tell him as Jesus did to get behind you.

Stay in the word,

Brother Andy