REVELATION LESSON 14

REVELATION

LESSON 14

ARE WE LIVING IN THE END TIMES?

REVELATION 9:20-21   ²⁰ And the rest of the men which were not killed by these plagues yet repented not of the works of their hands, that they should not worship devils, and idols of gold, and silver, and brass, and stone, and of wood: which neither can see, nor hear, nor walk:

²¹ Neither repented they of their murders, nor of their sorceries, nor of their fornication, nor of their thefts.

At this point the rest of mankind who were not killed by these plagues were so hard hearted that even the plagues did not drive them to God. Those remaining on earth at this time will persist in their sins, refusing to repent and continuing to reject Jesus.

Two of the six sins that will be prominent during the tribulation period are demon worship (satanism) and Idolatry. The satanic bible will be widely read, and the church of Satan will fill its pews.

Goddess worship and witchcraft will become the new rage of the politically correct. Statues and images of the antichrist will be common. Multitudes will bow before them; those nations will soon learn what happens to those who forget God.

I can’t imagine with todays people with the education of today that they could do such a thing. Lately many turn to witchcraft, satanic worship and other occultisms. As stated in verse 21 above.

They would not repent of their evil and wicked ways. Four more sins of the tribulation period are murder, sorceries, sexual immorality and theft. The unbelievers are determined to trample on the laws of God and kill Gods children without fear or remorse. Abortion, gang warfare and terrorism will most likely go unnoticed. We will see the slaughter of believers that were talked about in the fifth seal. Revelation 6:9-11.

Drug abuse, astrology, signs and omens and theft will be worldwide. The world will move from a tolerance of perversion and sexual immorality to a blatant promotion of these sins. Evil and imposters will grow worse and worse as the tribulation period goes on.

2 Timothy 3:13   ¹³ But evil men and seducers shall wax worse and worse, deceiving, and being deceived.

Most people fail to realize that the problem in Sodom and Gomorrah was not just a few homosexuals, it was public acceptance of this sin by young and old alike.

God has tolerated this sin all the way from Genesis to date. Todays society has turned the corner by re-creating Sodom with the multitudes of people who are not straight. They are allowed to marry and even allowed to adopt children, they are even ordained in some churches to be ministers.

It is a dramatic change and certainly against the word of God. Satan knows it and it will bring him lots of fuel for his fire.

Stealing is always bad, but the looting that occurred, the violence and chaos when the hurricanes hit the United States and Mexico are indications of some of the fearful things to come in the days of the tribulation.

Instead of seeking Gods way and Gods wisdom the new age religions search for spiritual answers from alien beings, fortune tellers and demons. Environmental pagans are now worshiping mother earth, increasingly they are calling on Gaia, the ancient earth goddess who is only a recycled version of Baal the pagan god of biblical history.

This moral chaos in America is tearing apart the very fabric of our society. There seems to be no end in sight. Drug addiction, physical and emotional problems are becoming the enemies of America as well as throughout the world. On the rise also are crime, riots, unemployment, poverty, illiteracy, mental illness and many other social problems.

It is time to stop and think. Acknowledge where you are concerning eternity. There is a real heaven and a real hell. Regardless of what people say or what you might believe to the contrary the rapture is coming and the believers in Christ Jesus will be removed from the planet in the twinkling of an eye. Don’t let this opportunity pass, accept Jesus as your savior now.

Until our next lesson,

Brother Andy.

REVELATION LESSON 13

REVELATION

LESSON 13

ARE WE LIVING IN THE END TIMES?

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

The Euphrates river was close to the garden of Eden. It is also where the flood began, where the Tower of Babel stood, where Babylon was built and where the world government and world religion began. This demonic place was the scene several battles of war on terrorism was fought.

It has long been associated with astrology, idolatry, demon worship, witchcraft and other forbidden sins. Gruesome murders, torturing, and beheading of several people.

The word angels here means, fallen angels or demons. These four unidentified demons will be exceedingly evil and destructive. Note that they do not have the power to release themselves and do their evil work on earth. Instead, they are held back by God and will be released at a specific time, doing only what he allows them to do.

 Who are these four angels? The fact that they are bound indicates that they are fallen angels. We are not told why they fell and are bound. They appear to be very powerful assistants of Satan. The voice coming from the golden alter will tell the sixth angel to release these four angels that are bound.

This is the first introduction of these particular four bound angels. It seems obvious that they are evil angels because they are bound. Evidently, they are anxious to bring havoc upon mankind but have been bound by God the fulfillment of their intent awaits.

We are not told why they hate man so much. Perhaps it is because man is so special to God. There is a day coming when God will permit these four angels to come forth and fulfill His purpose and plan.

The word states that these angels have been prepared to slay the third part of men, which also means women too. Some of the worlds greatest events took place near the Euphrates river.

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

Revelation 6:7-8   ⁷ And when he had opened the fourth seal, I heard the voice of the fourth beast say, Come and see.

⁸ And I looked and behold a pale horse: and his name that sat on him was Death, and Hell followed with him. And power was given unto them over the fourth part of the earth, to kill with sword, and with hunger, and with death, and with the beasts of the earth.

In vs 15 one third of all people are killed. In revelation 6:7-8 one fourth of all people were[GF1]  killed, over one half of the people have been killed because of mankind’s rebellion in these two verses by Gods great judgment. Even more would have been killed if God had not set limits on the destruction.

Some people say all prophecy has been fulfilled. I for one disagree. When the rapture occurs, the earth will lose millions of people. This is why Jesus said unless those days be shortened no flesh will be saved.

Since society has not witnessed such a cataclysmic loss of life, it is safe to say that revelation has not yet been fulfilled.

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

In John’s day this number of mounted troops in an army would have been inconceivable. Today there are countries and alliances that could easily amass this man soldiers. This huge army led by the four angels “or demons” will be sent out to destroy one-third of the world’s population.

But the judgment is still not complete, an army of 200 million men would be an awesome host to confront mankind. This is an evil army of horse like creatures with riders on their backs called horseman, having heads of lion and emitting fire, smoke and brimstone, they have tails like serpents from which their power is sent forth.

Johns description of this evil army is not very clear. Some prophecy that these are not human. They say this is a literal description of unnatural demon like evil spirits that come out of the abyss. Advancing under the leadership of the four bound angels.

Others say this army of mounted troops must be a future army since it numbers 200 million. Today only two nations have the capacity of fielding a two hundred-million-man army. China and India, china seems to be the most likely since she is using the strength of her growing economy to build equip and restructure her military so her troops can be moved around the world.

India however could build an army of that size by making up the difference of adding her troops to her allies. This is why it is so hard to accurately describe this two-hundred-man army.

Regardless of who or what this evil army is made up of, it will kill one third of man-kind in the world. The leaders of this army will be seduced by the four angels that will be released from the Euphrates river.

God will allow these evil angels to convince these army leaders to go on the rampage and kill a third of mankind. Without Gods permission these angels would still be bound at the great river. It is doubtful that John could count a great figure like two hundred million. Someone in heaven told him how large this great army would be. 

These troops and their “possibly machines” will have breastplates that will be fiery red, hyacinth blue and sulfur yellow. The heads of these horses will resemble the heads of lions and out of their mouths will come fire, brimstone and smoke. It could possible be projectiles or missiles. 

You can’t imagine how many hours was spent trying to understand Johns revelation script, especially chapter nine. It is most interesting to note that Chinas flag is red and yellow.  The new uniforms of China are dark blue. China is commonly called the yellow peril, and fire breathing dragons with large heads are a favorite symbol.

Even though God is allowing this to happen some might say it is awful for God to let this happen. Take note that mankind has brought this on themselves by thinking “I have my rights” and they turn rebellious. Then have the audacity to find fault with Gods decisions.

1 Samuel 15:23   ²³ For rebellion is as the sin of witchcraft, and stubbornness is as iniquity and idolatry. Because thou hast rejected the word of the Lord, he hath also rejected thee from being king.

Forget your will and your rights, give your life to the only one who can save you, Christ Jesus, and miss all this war and destruction.

REVELATION LESSON 12

REVELATION

LESSON 12

ARE WE LIVING IN THE END TIMES?

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

⁸ And they had hair as the hair of women, and their teeth were as the teeth of lions.

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

How would you describe these Locusts? Would you say they had a body like a horse, hair like that of a woman, two eyes like a man? That is the description of what John saw.

Personally, I don’t know what john thought he saw, but the word “like” appears eight times in these verses. Obviously, John is using comparisons and symbolic language to describe what these demon-possessed locusts will look like.

They will have bodies shaped like a horse prepared for battle. Something similar to a crown of gold will adorn their heads, and their faces will resemble that of a human. Their manes will be long like a woman’s hair, and their teeth will be small and sharp like a lion’s teeth.

They will have tails like a scorpion of today and their wings will sound like an army of chariots. In Italy and some other foreign countries, locusts are called horses and some of them resemble a horse. Demons and angels can take on an appearance of other than human. This description of these locusts who stung like scorpions does not fit any category of man or beast.

Strange that John would describe them as having breastplates, as it were breastplates of iron. Everything John was seeing in this vision had never been seen in Johns day. The things he saw were far into the future. That is why he used the term to describe them as Like.

Revelation 9: 10-13   ¹⁰ And they had tails like unto scorpions, and there were stings in their tails: and their power was to hurt men five months.

¹¹ And they had a king over them, which is the angel of the bottomless pit, whose name in the Hebrew tongue is Abaddon, but in the Greek tongue hath his name Apollyon.

¹² One woe is past; and, behold, there come two woes more hereafter.

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

They had tails like unto scorpions and stingers in their tails, but they could only hurt people five months, which means someone had complete control over them.

This unnatural army of locust will be under the direction of an angelic king. Some say this angelic king will be Satan. It is more likely he will be one of Satan’s powerful assistants. 

Satan will not be one of the demons confined in the abyss. He is the fallen star who opens the pit to let tis angelic king and his ungodly army loose.

This must be one of Satan’s top demon (fallen angel), his name will be Abaddon, which means destruction, his Greek name Apollyon means destroyer.  Since his name is given in both Hebrews and Greek, he will probably be permitted to attack both Jew and gentile alike. His name is given twice, so it is a double warning of his destructive powers.

Most people including Christians underestimate the power of the devil. To do so is a grievous error. The misery Satan has brought into Gods creation and in mankind should be reason enough to recognize his power and evil mind.

Verse twelve is further proof that Revelation is sequence – oriented. The trumpet woes will not overlap, they will come in sequence. It is obvious why the angel called them woes. Tormented people will lose their minds and beg to die. 

Verse 13 is referring back to chapter eight where the angel mixes the incense with the prayers of the tribulation saints. The mixture rises to God and kindles His wrath. Then the sixth angel will stand up and sound his trumpet, a voice will be heard coming from the horns of the alter that will speak for the martyred saints.

The horns of the golden alter refer to horns like animal horns that were extensions or spires that were placed at the four corners of the alter of burnt offerings. These spires are pointed objects, somewhat like a pointed tower or steeple, however, not that large. 

Sometimes sacrificial animals were tied to the horns, and there are even two instances of men grabbing hold of the horn when they thought there were going to be killed. They hoped to receive mercy by doing this.

When Abraham prepared to offer his only son as a sacrifice, God stopped him and a ram was offered as the sacrifice. The entire story is a picture of Gods mercy. God sent His only begotten son Jesus to die on the cross as a substitute of the sins of the entire world.

I want to let you know these lessons only project what is to come. These things will only get worse for the ones who would not receive Jesus as their Lord and Savior. Even though Jesus does save people, you have to receive His saving ability to be saved.

That is why all these end time tragedies are coming upon these lost souls. Because they are rebelling against God and simply want their own way. Their way is rebellion of Gods way and leads to eternal death.

In case you don’t understand what eternal means, it means that after all these bad things people will go through they will spend forever, never ending torment in the lake of fire called Hell.

Until our next lesson,

Stay in the word,

Brother Andy

REVELATION LESSON 11

REVELATION

LESSON 11

ARE WE LIVING IN THE END TIMES

Interpreting the symbols in the book of Revelation in one reason why it’s considered one of the most difficult books in the bible. John offers very few explanations for what is recorded in chapter 9. The judgments may be more fearsome than once thought.

Now let’s read about the fifth and sixth trumpet judgments that correspond to the first and second “trumpet woes”. We must keep in mind that John said the seven stars in chapter one were symbols of angels.

Revelation 9:1-2   9 And the fifth angel sounded, and I saw a star fall from heaven unto the earth: and to him was given the key of the bottomless pit.

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

This is not a literal star. Not even a star that will fall. This probably is the star that fell from heaven, Satan, because chapter two refers to this star as “he”.

Isaiah 14:12   ¹² How art thou fallen from heaven, O Lucifer, son of the morning! how art thou cut down to the ground, which didst weaken the nations!

He will be cast down, no doubt. The key to the bottomless pit is normally held by Christ Jesus, and it is temporarily given to this other being from heaven.

Whoever this being may be is still under Gods control and authority. He, Satan will be given the key to the place called the bottomless pit. The bottomless pit, or abyss is a place of torment where the worst of his demonic spirits are held and from where they are today, under lock and key.

It is a sobering thought to realize that many of the demons of hell are not free to hurt us in this present age. Satan is already doing a bang-up job of destruction today without his entire demonic force to back him up.

Satan will descend and open the bottom-less pit. When he does a thick black smoke will rush out, covering the earth in darkness. The sky will be blackened and the sun will be dimmed. The open abyss will spew forth pollutants like a gigantic furnace or volcano and make breathing difficult.

Revelation 9:3-5   ³ And there came out of the smoke locusts upon the earth: and unto them was given power, as the scorpions of the earth have power.

⁴ And it was commanded them that they should not hurt the grass of the earth, neither any green thing, neither any tree; but only those men which have not the seal of God in their foreheads.

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

These locusts will come out of the same smoke from the bottomless-pit. They will not be the kind of locust we know today. They will be demon possessed locust and have horrible features. They will be like scorpions and have stingers to stab and poison their victims.

These demonic locusts symbolize an invasion of demons called to torture people who do not believe in God. The limitations placed on the demons is that they could only torture people for five months. This shows that they are under Gods authority.

More than likely these demonic locusts are evil spirits, ruled by Satan who tempt people to sin. They are not created by Satan. God is the creator of all things.

They are fallen angels who joined Satan in his rebellion. God limits them on what they can do. They can do nothing without Gods permission. Their main purpose on earth is to prevent, distort or destroy the people’s relationship with God.

They are corrupt and their appearance reflects the distortion of their spirits. It is important to recognize their evil activity so we can stay away from them. We must avoid any curiosity about or involvement with demonic forces or with the occult.

As intelligent as these demon possessed locusts will most likely be, they will for sure be under Gods authority, and only harm those who do not have the seal of God o their foreheads. The 144,000 Jews of the twelve tribes of Israel.

This evil empire of the world will have to obey, even though God will be angry with the wickedness on earth he will demonstrate His mercy and grace. Even though locust normally eat plants, God commands these locusts to not harm the grass, plants or trees.

We may wonder why but we can only speculate how locusts would not eat their most staple foods. Most likely the Earth is in such an ecological chaos that any further damage by locust would destroy it altogether.

If the plants and trees and grass were gone, the earth could no longer produce oxygen. If there is no oxygen Gods people would not survive.

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

During these five months of the tribulation period people will hurt from the sting of these scorpions so much until they will want to die. Their nervous systems will become infected, parts of their bodies will swell and hurt, and other parts will fail to function altogether.

Some will suffer seizures and convulsions, some will loose consciousness many will take medicines that fail to provide relief. Because of this torture many will try to commit suicide, but God will not let them find death to end their suffering. They will be wise to accept Jesus.

These lessons are to inform you of what to expect if you are left behind and miss what is called the rapture.

Time is running out. It is time to turn to Jesus. The things of Revelation are going to happen whether you believe it or not. The choice is yours.

Until the next lesson,

Brother Andy