REVELATION LESSON 20

REVELATION

LESSON 20

ARE WE LIVING IN THE END TIMES?

Revelation 11:11-12   ¹¹ And after three days and an half the spirit of life from God entered into them, and they stood upon their feet; and great fear fell upon them which saw them.

¹² And they heard a great voice from heaven saying unto them, Come up hither. And they ascended up to heaven in a cloud; and their enemies beheld them.

At the end of chapter ten, people throughout the world were enjoying a Christmas like celebration, giving and receiving gifts, because these two witnesses, preachers, of righteousness and holiness are now dead.

Vs. 11   Then suddenly the spirit of life from God entered into them and they stood upon their feet. A great fear fell upon them who saw this. Then when God called to them the people saw the cloud receive them out of sight in the face of their enemies. The resurrection of these men will be the final confirmation that they were men of God. Another illustration that God does not forget his own.

This is really an incredible scene that goes beyond human comprehension. These two witnesses are killed, lay in the street for three and a half days

television cameras or something similar will broadcast pictures around the world. No one will dare to interfere with the cameras that are focused on the bodies while the whole world celebrates.

The party of celebration continues for three days and when God steps in the party will stop.  The whole world will watch in terror as the two witnesses stand to their feet.

Vs. 13   ¹³ And the same hour was there a great earthquake, and the tenth part of the city fell, and in the earthquake were slain of men seven thousand: and the remnant were affrighted, and gave glory to the God of heaven.

When these two witnesses stand to their feet world wide panic will spread. They will still be staring at the sky as the two witness’s ascent toward heaven when the ground starts to shake. Ten percent of the buildings in Jerusalem will collapse. Killing seven thousand people, the fear of God will enter the hearts of the survivors, there will be a large earthquake.

Many will change their minds about what the two witnesses were teaching, notice how things like and earthquake can turn things to good. Many Jews will start praising God right before the antichrist desecrates the temple. This cataclysmic judgment of God upon the city of Jerusalem could be the event which triggers the revival that will sweep across Israel during the later half of the tribulation.

As the word says; this remnant was terrified and gave glory to the God of heaven. All these events take place before the third woe is sounded. This third woe sets the stage for the events of the latter half of the tribulation period.

This comes at a time when the world was given to the worship of the world leader or ruler. Even though God is allowing the terrible events of the great tribulation to take place, including the catastrophes that will overtake most of the human race, it is also evident that God is still in control and can provide a ministry of testimony to the world even under these circumstances.

Revelation 11:14-15   ¹⁴ The second woe is past; and, behold, the third woe cometh quickly.

¹⁵ And the seventh angel sounded; and there were great voices in heaven, saying, the kingdoms of this world are become the kingdoms of our Lord, and of his Christ; and he shall reign for ever and ever.

The earthquake in Jerusalem will mark the end of the second woe or the sixth trumpet. The seventh trumpet will sound soon and bring the third woe. The blowing of the seventh trumpet which brings us to the third woe does not initiate anything on earth. It is much like the breaking of the seventh seal of Revelation 8:1- it merely introduces the next series of Judgments, the seven bowls, occurring exclusively in Heaven. This scene introduces activities that project a meaning to the earth to be disclosed later. In order to understand the chronological events of this passage of scripture one should understand that immediately after this heavenly introduction to the seventh bowl, there is another lengthy passage which extends from Revelation 12:1 to 15:4.

This heavenly setting is announcing the great events that will come upon the earth. This will be awesome beyond description. It is called the “great tribulation” because it reveals the most fantastic events the world has ever known.

Revelation 11:15   ¹⁵ And the seventh angel sounded; and there were great voices in heaven, saying, the kingdoms of this world are become the kingdoms of our Lord, and of his Christ; and he shall reign for ever and ever.

At the time of the seventh trumpet the announcement from heaven is made. The kingdom our Lord and of Christ Jesus and he will reign forever and ever. The reaction in heaven describes preparation for the tremendous catastrophes which will be a part of the bowls of the wrath of God.

The seventh trumpet is close to the time of the second coming of Christ Jesus. the bowls of wrath of revelation lead immediately to the coming of Jesus. a lot of things will happen before revelation chapter 22. The world will still have a way to go.

Satan is the head of the rulers, authorities and powers prior to the seven bowls. They were organized to influence the nations to do evil. Before the tribulation period ends God and His Son Jesus will do away with them. God will take over and transform this world into a better place.

Until our next lesson,

Stay in the word, stay ready,

Brother Andy

REVELATION LESSON 19

REVELATION

LESSON 19

ARE WE LIVING IN THE END TIMES?

Revelation 11:4    ⁴ These are the two olive trees, and the two candlesticks standing before the God of the earth.

The reference to the two witnesses as being symbolized by the two olive trees and the two lampstands probably has reference of being empowered by the Holy Spirit.

Because the last seven years leading up to the second coming of Christ will be divided into two periods of 1,260 days each. There is some debate which of these two periods is in view here. The situation as described, however clearly corresponds to the great tribulation, when the holy place in the temple will be desecrated and the Jews will be under persecution.

In that time in the great tribulation where thousands have died as martyrs the two witnesses will emerge. They will not be able to kill the two witnesses, that will cause a new problem to immerge for those who are operating the world new government.

These two witnesses, obviously have unusual power, it will be comparable to the power of Elijah and some of the other prophets. They will be able to inflict plagues much as Moses did in Egypt. Because of the unusual character of these two witnesses a lot of speculation will arise as to just who they are.

The time will come when God is going to permit the witnesses to be overcome, but not before they have finished their testimony. They will be invincible. They will have supernatural powers from the word of God in their mouths. When their enemies try to harm them, their words will consume their enemies.

Their power will have unlimited power. They will be able to stop the rain from falling, turn water into blood, and smite the Earth with many different kinds of plagues. When the water turns to blood it will be unfit to drink and uninhabitable for the fish. There is no way of knowing what the other plagues they will do, but one thing is for sure this will not be the same Earth as we know it today.

Even though they will be supernaturally protected and nothing will harm them, they will be killed, the anti-Christ will hate these two witnesses. He will fail to cope with their condemnation of the world government, religion, social principles and the economic system. He will be infuriated when he hears them preaching about Jesus.

The Anti-Christ will be jealous of their number of converts. He will throw all his satanic governmental power at them. The witnesses will be overpowered and killed, but only because God allows it.

For three and one-half days their bodies will lay in the street, people from every tribe, language and nation will gaze on their dead bodies, these two prophets who had tormented them. They will refuse to bury them. The evil inhabitants of Earth will gloat over them and will celebrate by sending each other gifts.

Because of the medium of television people all over the earth will be able to see their dead bodies. Many can see things all over the world because of the satellites the media uses in real time.

This is one more indication that we are coming closes to the end of the age.  Without the satellites it would not have been possible for the entire world to witness what happens. The word tells us that all wi8ll witness it.

According to verse 10, people throughout the world will enjoy a Christmas like celebration giving and receiving gifts because these preachers of righteousness and holiness are now dead.

After three and a half days, God will put the spirit of life into them and they will stand up on their feet. Just as our Lord was crucified, died, and in three days rose from the dead so will these witnesses. The world saw these men slain, knew they laid in the street decaying for three days, they will see them resurrected hear the voice of God then a cloud will receive them out of sight.

It is no wonder that great fear fell upon them that saw the resurrection. It will be the final confirmation that they were men of God. This is yet another illustration that God does not forget his own.

Until our next lesson,

Stay ready, stay in the word,

Brother Andy

REVELATION LESSON 18

REVELATION

LESSON 18

ARE WE LIVING IN THE END TIMES?

Some people say that we all worship the same God. These people need to get their heads out of the sand. Let me give a little insight on this subject.

Muslims worship the moon god of Mecca, called Allah.

Muslims say Allah is not love, but Christians say Jehovah is love.

Muslims say Allah is not a father, Christians call Jehovah their father.

Muslims say Allah cannot be known in a personal way, but Christians say that Jehovah can be known personally.

Muslims say Allah made a covenant with Abraham to give the promise land to Ishmael’s descendants, Christians and the Jewish people say Jehovah made a covenant with Abraham to give the promise land to Isaac and his descendants.

Muslims say Jesus was created from the dust like Adam, but Christians say Jesus was born of a virgin.

Muslims say Jesus was a messenger of God, Christians say Jesus is the son of God.

Muslims say Judas Iscariot died on the cross, Christians say Jesus died on the cross.

Muslims say their sins can be forgiven but they have to kill an infidel, (non-Muslim). Christians say Jesus’ blood washed away all of our sins.

Muslims believe in a messiah called the Mahdi, Christians the messiah is Jesus.

Muslims say the messiah will be a descendant of Mohammed, Christians and the Jewish people say the messiah will be a descendant of King David.

Muslims say the messiah will reign on earth for seven years and die, Christians say the real messiah will reign on earth for one thousand years and never die.

Muslims say their messiah will conquer Israel, Christians and Jewish believe he will rescue Israel.

Muslims believe in a great war at the end of the age called the mother of all battles, Christians call it the battle of Armageddon, the Jewish people call it the battle of all battles.

Jerusalem is considered the Holy City by Christians and Jews and Muslims alike. Jews consider it Holy because their temple was located there. Muslims consider it Holy because they believe Mohammed ascended into heaven from there.

Muslims worship on Friday, Jews worship on Saturday, and Christians worship on Sunday.

The militant Muslims chant that once they get rid of the Saturday people (Jews), we will get rid of the Sunday people (Christians).

This is just a few differences of what the Muslims believe, and what the Christians, and Jews believe.

Revelation 11:2 ½    ² But the court which is without the temple leave out, and measure it not; for it is given unto the Gentiles: and the holy city shall they tread under foot forty and two months.

Revelation 11:3   ³ And I will give power unto my two witnesses, and they shall prophesy a thousand two hundred and threescore days, clothed in sackcloth.

In the old testament the mosaic Law required two witnesses to validate matters pertaining to Jewish religion. In that same way God will send two witnesses to prophesy and validate the worlds sin and blasphemy during the first half of the tribulation period.

The identities of these witnesses are unknown. The only two that I can think of that God raptured to heaven alive were Enoch and Elijah. Some think it will be Moses, but Moses died and God buried him.

Malachi 4:4   ⁴ Remember ye the law of Moses my servant, which I commanded unto him in Horeb for all Israel, with the statutes and judgments.

Elijah is in heaven, but he will return to earth as one of the two witnesses. He and the second witness will stay and prophesy for the first three and a half years of the tribulation period.

Each witness is represented by one olive tree and one lampstand. It takes these two symbols to represent one person.

To understand this passage, we need to know what these symbols mean the answer to the olive trees is found in Zechariah 4:11-14.

Zechariah 4:11-14    ¹¹ Then answered I, and said unto him, What are these two olive trees upon the right side of the candlestick and upon the left side thereof?

¹² And I answered again, and said unto him, What be these two olive branches which through the two golden pipes empty the golden oil out of themselves?

¹³ And he answered me and said, Knowest thou not what these be? And I said, No, my lord.

¹⁴ Then said he, These are the two anointed ones, that stand by the Lord of the whole earth.

The lampstands hold pots of burning oil that provide light. The two witnesses will be lampstands because they will provide light to a dark world. If you combine these two symbols each witness will be one olive tree filled with the Holy Spirit, and one lampstand giving off the light of God.

They will be two witnesses filled with the Holy spirit. Counteracting the forces of darkness in the world. This continue to show the grace of God during the tribulation period. God will go to great length to reach out to the Lost. To offer them blessings and to be their God.

Until our next lesson, 

Stay ready and stay in the word.

Brother Andy