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Ask Roger

Why Are the Egyptian Plagues and the Tribulation Plagues Alike?

by Roger Barrier
written by Roger Barrier

Why Are the Egyptian Plagues and the Tribulation Plagues so Similar?

 

The ten plagues of Exodus and the Tribulation are eerily alike. Consider the parallels between the two. Why would God send such terrible judgments upon the earth?

 

  • We can learn three things about God’s nature from these accounts:

 

  1. God uses suffering and judgment to bring men back to Himself. A father punishing his child may say, “Son, this hurts me more than it does you.” Executing judgment on mankind grieves God’s heart. God is holy, righteous, and just. Wickedness cannot go unpunished.

 

  1. We can’t view God as a doddering old grandpa who chuckles at the antics of his grandson. God spoke the world into being with a word. He can speak a word and decimate it into oblivion. He is more powerful than we can ever imagine.

 

  1. God is not capricious. He doesn’t fly off the handle like an abusive father. He is patient. He warned godless men specifically and often. Moses warned Pharoah about every plague. John the apostle gave us an ongoing description of God’s end time plan. God’s people have been able to read John’s tribulation warnings for over 2000 years. As a loving Father he warns us to be prepared for what’s to come.

 

Let’s compare these descriptions from Exodus and Revelation!

 

  • Plague #1-Blood.

The Egyptian plagues were targeted at the entire pantheon of Egyptian gods. For example, the bloody Nile demonstrated God’s power against Khnum, Guardian of Nile” and Osiris– guardian of the underworld (the Nile was his blood stream).

“So, Moses lifted the staff and struck the water that was in the Nile, in the sight of Pharaoh and in the sight of his servants, and all the water that was in the Nile was turned to blood. (Exodus 7:20)” KJV

Revelation 8:8 – In the Second Trumpet judgment, one third of the sea became blood and in Revelation 11:6 – The two Witnesses bring blood to the waters. Revelation 16:3-6 states that the second and third angel turned all waters to blood in the bowl judgments. Why?

“Holy One, You judged these things; for they poured out the blood of saints and prophets, and You have given them blood to drink. They deserve it. (Revelation 16:3-6)”

Just as blood and water brought judgment and death, the blood of Jesus brings cleansing and life.

 

  • Plague #2: Frogs

 

Frogs cover the land of Egypt everywhere-inside and out.

Heqt was the Fertility god with the head of a frog and body of a woman. The Egyptians thought frogs were sacred and should not be killed or eaten.

“So Aaron stretched out his hand over the waters of Egypt, and the frogs came up and covered the land of Egypt.” (Exodus 8:6) NIV

Revelation 16:13 speaks of the release of frog-like demons. (frogs are often associated with demons or demonic activity).

13 And I saw, coming out of the mouth of the dragon and out of the mouth of the beast and out of the mouth of the false prophet, three unclean spirits like frogs. 16 The frog-demons gathered the kings together at the place called in Hebrew Armageddon.” ESV

‘After the thousand-year reign of Christ: these “frogs” meet their judgment.

  • Plague #3: Lice

Some believe that the third plague, lice, could not be found in Revelation. The plague of gnats, was a judgment on Set, the god of the desert.

Unlike the previous plagues, the magicians were unable to duplicate this one and declared to Pharaoh, “This is the finger of God” (Exodus 8:19).

“Aaron stretched out his hand with his rod, and smote the dust of the earth: and lice came upon man and upon all men and beasts (Exodus 8:17 Geneva

Revelation 11:6 – Swarms of plagues are released by the two Witnesses. Swarms can also be applied as swarms of judgments. Many believe that the Revelation passage indicates a swarm of beasts.

 

As judgments intensify, God waits for increased pressure on mankind to bring them to repentance.

 

  • Plague #4: Flies

 

Flies (Dogflies) invade the land and because they are blood-sucking biting flies they infect both animal and human. This type of fly could have been responsible for blindness that was recorded at record highs in Egyptian men at this time)

Egyptian god that was targeted is Baalzebub: Lord of the flies (representative of Satan)

“For if you do not let my people go, behold, I will send swarms of flies on you and on your servants and on your people and into your houses; and the houses of the Egyptians will be full of swarms of flies.” (Exodus 8:21) NIV

Baalzebub is a common name for Satan in the Bible.

But when the Pharisees heard it, they said, “It is only by Beelzebul, the prince of demons, that this man casts out demons.” (Matthew 12:24) ESV

An ashen horse had the name Death; and Hades followed. Authority was given to them over a fourth of the earth, to kill with sword and with famine and with pestilence and by the swarms of wild beasts of the earth. (Revelation 6:8) KJV

Chaos, deception and rebellion are often characteristic of demonic activity.

 

  • Plague #5: Pestilence

 

Pestilence invaded animals outside in the fields, except for the Hebrews’ animals (some believe this is the anthrax bacteria which is deadly to animals). Hathor was the Cow goddess and Knom: the Ram-like god were targeted.

 

Moses said, “Let My people go, that they may serve Me. The LORD will come with a very severe pestilence on you…. your livestock out in the fields—horses, donkeys, camels, cattle, sheep—striking them with a severe disease. ” (Exodus 9:1-3) RSV

“I saw an ashen horse; and he who sat on it had the name Death; and Hades was following with him. Authority was given to them over a fourth of the earth, to kill with famine, pestilence and by the wild beasts of the earth.” (Revelation 6:8)

The pestilence on animals not only affects food supply, but many of the deadliest plagues are transmitted to humans by bats, rats, birds, and monkeys: bubonic plague, ebola, avian flu, and COVID-19, just to name a few.

  • Plague #6: Boils

 

Boils infected all Egyptians. Some believe these were “Nile Blisters” similar to those caused by Scarlet Fever. Sekhmet: (body of a woman, head of a lioness) was to protect the Egyptian people from epidemics.

“Moses took soot from a kiln, and stood before Pharaoh; and he threw it toward the sky, and it became boils breaking out with sores on man and beast”. (Exodus 9:10) NIV

“So the first angel poured out his bowl on the earth; and it became a loathsome and malignant sore on the people who had the mark of the beast and who worshiped his image.” (Revelation 16:2) NIV

Leprosy is an infectious disease that causes severe, disfiguring skin sores and nerve damage. In Bible times, leprosy was often used as a symbol for sin.

  • Plague #7: Hail

 

Hail rained down on the land destroying all that was in the fields: Crops, animals and humans.The principal Egyptian god targeted was Isis: agricultural goddess.

Now the LORD said to Moses, “Stretch out your hand toward the sky, that hail may fall on all the land of Egypt, on man and on beast and on every plant of the field, throughout the land of Egypt. (Exodus 9:22-24)

Two tribulation judgments mention hail: Revelation 8:7 and 16:17-21, the First Trumpet Judgment, and seventh bowl judgment – hailstones, thunder and lightning occur.

“The first trumpet sounded, and there came hail and fire, mixed with blood, and they were thrown to the earth; and a third of the earth was burned up, and a third of the trees were burned up, and all the green grass was burned up.” (Revelation 8:7)

Job experienced hail and fire that Satan rained upon his family, but instead of rejecting God, Job blessed and surrendered his life to Him.

  • Plague #8: Locusts

Locust swarmed and destroyed everything that the hail left behind, but not in the land of Goshen where the Hebrews lived.

 

The Egyptian god defeated was Seth: an agricultural god in the image of a locust.

 

“I will cover the entire nation with a thick layer of locusts so that you won’t even be able to see the ground, and they will destroy everything not destroyed by hail.  They will fill your palace, and your homes.” Exodus 10:6 KJV The Hebrews were untouched because God protected them.

 

The fifth trumpet judgment teaches us that the locusts come up from the pit of hell and delivered excruciating suffering:

 

“The angel opened the bottomless pit, and out of the smoke came locusts upon the earth, and power was given them, as the scorpions of the earth have power. They were told not to hurt the grass of the earth, nor any green thing, nor any tree, but only the men who do not have the seal of God on their foreheads. And they were not permitted to kill anyone, but to torment for five months; and their torment was like the torment of a scorpion when it stings a man. And in those days men will seek death and will not find it; they will long to die, and death flees from them.” (Revelation 9:3-4)

The locusts came out of the bottomless pit. The demonic door swings open for demons to come forth. Tribulation saints were untouched because they had the seal of God. Satan’s goal is to kill and torment us. Jesus came to give us victory over him.

  • Plague #9: Darkness 

 

Darkness covered the land and its thickness could be “felt” by the people and they could do nothing for three days, but light covered the land of Goshen where the Hebrews lived. The most notable god targeted was  Ra: the sun god and king of the gods.

 

Then the LORD said to Moses, “Stretch out your hand toward the sky, that there may be darkness over the land of Egypt, even a darkness which may be felt.” (Exodus 10:21)

 

The fifth angel poured out his bowl on the throne of the beast, and his kingdom became darkened; and they gnawed their tongues because of pain, and they blasphemed the God of heaven because of their pains and their sores; and they did not repent of their deeds. (Revelation 16:10-11)

Satan is called the “Prince of Darkness.” But Jesus promises us: “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness but will have the light of life.” John 8;12 MSG

  • Plague #10: Death of the Firstborn

 

This plague is directed toward Pharaoh himself and any final hope that the gods of Egypt transcended the God of Israel. Pharaoh himself was a god to the Egyptians. If the Hebrews if followed God’s direction to place the blood of the lamb on the doorposts, the Angel of death would “pass over”.

 

Moses said, “Thus says the LORD, ‘About midnight I am going out into the midst of Egypt, and all the firstborn in the land of Egypt shall die, from the firstborn of the Pharaoh who sits on his throne, even to the firstborn of the slave girl who is behind the millstones; all the firstborn of the cattle as well.” (Exodus 11:4-5)

The beast and kings of the earth and their armies assembled to make war against [Yeshua] and against His army. And the Antichrist and false prophet were thrown alive into the lake of fire. And those who took the mark of the beast were slain with the sword which came from the mouth of Him who sat on the horse, and all the birds were filled with their flesh. (Revelation 19:19-21)

 

“He (God) is restraining himself on account of you, holding back the End because he doesn’t want anyone lost. He’s giving everyone space and time to change.”2 Peter 3:9 MSG

 

But can we know exactly why God judged so harshly.  Author Jeff Elkins writes in “Wrestling with the Violence of God:”

 

“My problem is, I want more. I want to know why God would do such a thing, but the scripture does not give it to me. In the absence of that information, I am forced to ask myself what I know about God.  And what I know is that God is love. And I chose to translate all things through that lens. I don’t think passages like these should be ignored. I think there are in the Bible for us to wrestle with. I hope that in wrestling, like Jacob, I will come out broken and changed, carrying the name Israel, “the one who wrestles with God.”

My wife Julie collaborated on this article.

 

 

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Ask Roger

The Beast and Dragon of Revelation 13: What Do They Mean?

by Roger Barrier
written by Roger Barrier

 

Dear Roger,

 

As I study the book of Revelation, I feel that I have a good handle on understanding the four Horsemen of the Apocalypse, the Seals, the Trumpets and the Bowls of God’s wrath. But I’m struggling to understand chapters 12 and 13 with beasts and dragons and pregnant women and a “male child.” It’s obvious to me that there is much symbolism here; but I am having trouble sorting it all out. Can you help me?

 

Sincerely, Luther

 

Dear Luther,

 

I think I can help.

 

In Revelation 12-13 we meet the major characters who now play out the rest of the Book of Revelation.

 

Pregnant woman – 12:1-2

Dragon – 12:3

Male child – 12:5

Michael – 12:7

The rest of the woman’s offspring – 12:17

The Beast coming out of the sea – 13:1

The Beast coming out of the earth – 13:11

 

 

HIGHLIGHTS OF SATAN, THE PREGNANT WOMAN AND THE MALE CHILD IN CHAPTER 12

 

The pregnant woman is Israel! The male child is Jesus.

 

  • Satan crouches between the woman’s legs ready to devour the Male Child at the moment of His birth. Satan knows Scripture and therefore knows that the Messiah will come through Israel’s seed. If Satan can destroy the Male Child, there will be no Christianity

 

  • However, the woman gives birth to the Male Child who survives the unfulfilled Satanic attack. Satan is furious and instigates waves of anti-Semitism that encircle the globe. God takes Israel to safety and protects her during the last three and a half years of the Great Tribulation.

 

The Male Child is caught up to the throne of God.

 

“The dragon stood in front of the woman who was about to give birth, so that it might devour her child the moment he was born. 5 She gave birth to a son, a male child, who “will rule all the nations with an iron scepter.”[a] And her child was snatched up to God and to his throne. “Revelation 12:4-5 NIV

 

This “catching up” may refer to Christ’s resurrection and ascension. It may also refer to the “rapture.”

 

“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 4:17 NIV

 

After the rapture there will be no Christians on earth. However, many will come to know Jesus as their personal Savior. These are they who will be intensely persecuted.

 

Where will Israel go?

 

Petra and Jordan are likely candidates. The Antichrist invades Middle East. But Edom (southwestern Jordan), Moab (west-central Jordan), and Ammon (east of the Jordan River) will be secure (Daniel 11: 41).

 

“He will also invade the Beautiful Land. Many countries will fall, but Edom, Moab and the leaders of Ammon will be delivered from his hand.”

Daniel 11:41 NIV

 

But these areas are surely too small to house the number of Jews who are seeking refuge from the Antichrist. Perhaps, these are representatives of a remnant known as the “10 lost tribes of Israel”. Most Jews are now scattered all over the globe.

 

“The woman was given the two wings of a great eagle, so that she might fly to the place prepared for her in the wilderness, where she would be taken care of for a time, times and half a time, out of the serpent’s reach.” Revelation 12:14 NIV

 

Since the symbol of the United States is an eagle, some have suggested that the United States will come to Israel’s rescue during the last half of the tribulation.

 

God preserves Israel supernaturally.

 

  • Since Genesis 3:15, in the Garden, Satan has attempted to kill Jesus and thus stymie God’s plan for salvation.

 

Satan does not know when the Antichrist will arrive. Therefore, he always has an Antichrist-type person for him to indwell.

 

  • Here is a list of some of the attempts by the Red Dragon to incapacitate God’s plan:

 

*Murders Abel (Genesis 4:8)

*Kills the baby boys in Egypt (Exodus 1:22)

*Jezebel’s daughter, Athaliah, sets out to destroy every living descendant in the royal line of David. She killed all but one. A man named Joseph survived (2 Kings 11:1-3).

*Haaman’s decree to kill Jews in the time of Queen Esther (Esther 3:6)

Satan was only one death away from wiping out Jesus before He was even born.

*Herod’s decree to kill the Bethlehem babies (Matthew 2:16-18)

*Satan tried to keep Jesus off the cross numerous times Matthew 16:21-23)

“From that time on Jesus began to explain to his disciples that he must go to Jerusalem and suffer many things at the hands of the elders, the chief priests and the teachers of the law, and that he must be killed and on the third day be raised to life. Peter took him aside and began to rebuke him. “Never, Lord!” he said. “This shall never happen to you!” Jesus turned and said to Peter, “Get behind me, Satan! You are a stumbling block to me; you do not have in mind the concerns of God, but merely human concerns.” Matthew 16:21-23 NIV

Finally, Satan got his wish when Jesus was crucified. However, the joke was on him. Through his death on the cross, Jesus opened the door of salvation for multiplied millions.

 

HIGHLIGHTS OF SATAN, THE FIRST BEAST (ANTICHRIST) AND THE SECOND BEAST (THE FALSE PROPHET) IN CHAPTER 13

 

The Dragon is Satan who accomplishes most of his work through the human antichrist.

 

  • The Antichrist (Satan, The Red Dragon) subdues 10 nations and uses them as the foundational base from which to launch his war against Israel. These nations occupy the territory which was commandeered by Rome in the first century.

 

This confederation of nations is the agency through which the dragon-inspired Antichrist will work during the time of the Great Tribulation.

 

Job 1-2 tells us that presently Satan has access to Heaven where he and God discuss all types of matters!

 

  • In the middle of the great tribulation an intense war commences between Satan and the Archangel Michael. Satan is not strong enough to win. Jesus threw him out of heaven. Simultaneously, the Antichrist is indwelt by Satan and begins his dastardly work.

 

(By the way, except for Judas, this is the only time in Scripture that Satan is ever said to inhabit the body of anyone).

 

  • As he falls, he sweeps one third of his demons down to earth to wreak havoc upon mankind. The work of these demons is seen throughout the Great Tribulation.

 

The Revelation Interlude” now occurs. In the midst of all the horrible terrors, come words of glory and praise!

“Then I heard a loud voice in heaven say:

“Now have come the salvation and the power
and the kingdom of our God . . . 

“ For the accuser of our brothers and sisters has been cast down.”

11 They triumphed over him . . .
by the blood of the Lamb
and by the word of their testimony;
they did not love their lives so much love and in the
as to shrink from death.
12 Therefore, rejoice you heavens
and you who dwell in them!

He is filled with fury and because he knows that his time is short” (Revelation 12:10-12). NIV

 

Verse eleven describes how our Tribulation brothers and sisters will defeat Satan – and how we can daily defeat him as he torments us.

 

HIGHLIGHTS OF THE CAREER OF THE DRAGON—THE ANTICHRIST

 

  • He is a Gentile who comes up from the sea.

 

  • He achieves full political and military authority over a ten-nation confederacy situated in the territories of Western Europe (Daniel 7:7-8). Ultimately, he will have control over the entire world!

 

The 10 Horns refers to the 10 nations of a revived Roman Empire! This is not the old Roman Empire revived. This refers to the nations occupying that area (Revelation 17:12). During the height of its power the Roman Empire stretched from England to France, Spain, Italy, Austria and finally Germany. While these countries are identifiable today, they may not be in existence when the Second Coming finally arrives, it will be that territory that will be significant.

 

This confederation of nations is the agency through which the dragon-inspired Antichrist will work during the time of the Great Tribulation.

 

  • He comes with great fury against Israel.

 

  • He will have authority to wage war against the followers of Jesus and to conquer them.

 

  • He will be a human monster as represented by a leopard, a bear and lion. Read Daniel chapters 7 and 8 to get better insight into these animals. You will see prophecies of an unidentifiable creature– -an animal with multiple heads and horns that attack the Confederacy. We have seen antichrist- type rulers commit genocide by murdering millions of their own people. Think about evil rulers like Hitler, Stalin, Mao, Idi Amin, Putin and others. This list only contains wicked despots from the last hundred years. The destruction caused by the Dragon will be exponentially more devastating.

 

  • His authority and power will come directly from Satan.

 

  • He receives a fatal wound but lives. This is a false resurrection. By way, the Greek word for “wound” describes someone whose throat is slit.

 

  • The entire world is amazed and begins to worship the Antichrist-devil. The Devil finally achieves his goal be worshiped. One of the onslaughts engineered by Satan against Jesus was to tempt Jesus into worshiping Satan as the king of the world (Isaiah 14; Matthew 4; Luke 4).

 

  • He is given authority to open his mouth and blaspheme heaven, Almighty God and the name of Jesus!

 

HIGHLIGHTS OF THE CAREER OF THE SECOND BEAST – the False Prophet

 

  • The second beast comes out of the earth. The earth is a reference to the Promised Land. He will be Jewish.

 

  • He will have a gentle side like a lamb; but will speak the words of Satan like a dragon.

 

  • His job is to glorify both Satan as well as the first beast, the Antichrist.

 

  • He compels those who live on the earth to worship the first beast.

 

  • He will heal the mortal wound of the Antichrist thus counterfeiting the Holy Spirit’s work of raising Christ from the dead.

 

  • He will be a miracle worker who deceives many because of his miracles.

 

  • He pours power into the inanimate statute of the Antichrist that is sitting in the temple in Jerusalem. The statue now comes alive and speaks blasphemous things against Christians and against Jesus Christ.

 

  • He forces everyone to receive a mark on his right hand on the forehead to signify his or her allegiance to the Antichrist. Those who refuse to take the mark will be forbidden to buy or sell anything, which of course, will lead to certain death. (For example, Christians can’t buy food).

 

  • The mark will be the number “666”. It could possibly be a chip, tattoo or some other marker the likes of which we have yet to see. In the Bible, the 6 represents the number of man, so the three sixes may refer to the unholy Trinity of the Devil, the Antichrist and the False Prophet.

 

Perhaps the number refers to the ancient practice of gematria. Every Greek letter has a numerical value. Add up the Greek letter values in a name and you will get a number. For example, the letters in the name Nero add up to a value of 666. Add up the number of the letters in the name Jesus. They add up to 888. Seven is the perfect number in the Bible. Man is consistently falling short of perfection. Jesus is consistently better than perfection.

 

Only by the grace of God will Christians be able to navigate successfully during these difficult waters of persecution.

 

Well, Luther, I hope this helps.

 

Love, Roger

 

 

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Ask Roger

Spiritual Signs of the End Times

by Roger Barrier
written by Roger Barrier

Dear Roger,

 

When I think of the signs of the End Times, I usually focus on the outward, visible signs. I’m familiar with what the Bible says about what will happen in nature, like oceans turning to blood, earthquakes, nuclear holocaust, and the battle of Armageddon. But too often, I think we all neglect the fact that there are spiritual signs as well, maybe because they’re not taught or discussed nearly as often. Could you please help me understand the spiritual signs leading up to the End Times?

 

Sincerely,

 

Peter

 

Dear Peter,

I’d be most happy to do that.

 

Many today are preaching about the signs of the times.  Yet, the world continues to scoff at the message of Christ. They don’t want to hear the truth, and they certainly don’t want to change their behavior for anything.

 

You must understand this, that scoffers will come in the last days with scoffing, following their own passions … Thank you. (2 Peter 3:3, 8)

 

The prophet Jeremiah also tells us that the heart of man is desperately wicked! The result is that mankind usually ignores the signs of God.

 

For example, Noah’s preaching fell on deaf ears! The testimony and miracles of Christ fell on deaf ears!

 

Even when people watch in horror as a sign is fulfilled before their eyes, many refuse to believe the signs and repent. Instead, they curse God.

 

The fourth angel poured his bowl on the sun, and it was allowed to scorch men with fire; … yet, they cursed the name of God who had power over these plagues, and they did not repent. (Revelation 16:8-9)

 

As followers of Christ, the Bible encourages us to watch the signs of the times in preparation for Christ’s return.

 

Jesus will come like a “Thief in night. … But you aren’t in darkness for that day to surprise you like a thief!” (1 Thessalonians 5:2-4)

 

So, read the signs and be ready. Jesus is coming like a thief!

 

FOUR NEGATIVE SPIRITUAL SIGNS WILL HERALD THE LORD’S RETURN.

 

First, notice that these spiritual end time signs involve the perversion of the gospel of Jesus Christ.

 

  1. FALSE PROPHETS WILL LEAD MANY ASTRAY.

 

 

“And many false prophets will arise and lead many astray” (Matthew 24:11).

 

“For false Christs and prophets will arise and show great signs and wonders, so as to lead many astray, if possible, even the elect” Matthew 24:24).

 

Sure enough, the landscape today is polluted with false prophets, both inside and outside of the Christian faith.

 

For example, outside the Christian faith, we find Hindus, Buddhists, Taoists, and thousands of other non-Christians religions that pervert, replace, or contradict God’s Word. This isn’t a statement of “intolerance” as our culture would claim. It’s simply the truth, according to the Bible and the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

 

We have little trouble seeing these for what they are. But the real danger is when they are within the church!

 

These false prophets use Christian language and Christian symbols, but they do not know or profess the Jesus Christ who said, “I am the only way to God.”

 

Witness some of the things taught in the name of Christ that are not true.

 

Jehovah Witnesses preach Jesus as the “Archangel Michael.” The Church of Christ Scientists and Unity Churches proclaim a Jesus who is a Spirit only. Both have very little to do with the real Jesus Christ who was both God and man.

 

But without a physical body there was no way for Jesus to resurrect from the dead! He must be fully God and fully man to pay the price for our sin and give us eternal life.

 

Mormons erroneously teach that Jesus and Adam are brothers who have grown and matured into being higher planes of god. In fact, Mormons proclaim that Jesus is just one of a thousand gods. They teach that anyone can become a god.

 

Unitarians speak of Jesus as nothing more than a good moral man.

 

We are besieged on every side by these false prophets, so let me encourage you to keep constantly in mind the warnings of the Apostle Paul:

 

Preach the word, be urgent in season and out of season, convince, rebuke, and exhort, be unfailing in patience and in teaching. For the time is coming when people will not endure sound teaching, but having itching ears they will accumulate for themselves teachers to suit their own likings, and will turn away from listening to the truth and wander in the myths.” (1 Timothy 4:1-3)

 

  1. A WORLDWIDE REVIVAL OF SATANISM WILL OCCUR!

 

Satan has ruled the world through deception since the Fall, and his rule will intensify as during the End Times.

 

But I am afraid that just as Eve was deceived by the serpent’s cunning, your minds may somehow be led astray from your sincere and pure devotion to Christ. (2 Corinthians 11:3)

 

For false messiahs and false prophets will appear and perform great signs and wonders to deceive, if possible, even the elect. (Mark 13:22)

 

Think carefully about Satan’s deceptive powers in the Garden. If he could deceive perfect Eve, think what he can do with us!

 

Evildoers and impostors will go from bad to worse, deceiving and being deceived. (2 Timothy 3:13)

 

Don’t let anyone deceive you in any way, for that day will not come until the rebellion occurs and the man of lawlessness is revealed, the man doomed to destruction. (2 Thessalonians 2:3)

 

You may notice that we hear of overt demonic battles in Third World countries. Spiritual warfare is obviously engaged there. You may wonder why we don’t see the same manifestations in America.

 

The answer is simple. Satan doesn’t need to bring out his big guns against American Christians. He already has us trapped in materialism.

 

And don’t miss this; Satan is also reading the signs of the times.  He’s launching his last great ego trip which Revelation says will reach its high point during his rule of the earth through his possessed puppet, the Antichrist.

 

Satan is bold and brazen in his deceptions. He thinks he can win the final battle. He cannot.

 

  1. MANY WILL FALL AWAY FROM JESUS CHRIST AND COMMIT APOSTASY.

 

Those on the rocky ground are the ones who receive the word with joy when they hear it, but they have no root. They believe for a while, but in the time of testing they fall away. (Luke 8:13)

 

Jesus also said, “Those who endure to the end shall be saved” (See Revelation 3:10). In other words, Jesus was saying that those who navigate the end days well will make it through the End Times.

 

Placed in historical context, Revelation 3:14-19 Jesus shows us the state of the Christian church during the End Times. It is not a very pretty picture.

 

Jesus said that the church at Laodicea was lukewarm. It was neither hot nor cold. He was about to spit it out of his mouth:

 

You say, “I am rich; I have acquired wealth and do not need a thing.” But you do not realize that you are wretched, pitiful, poor, blind and naked. …

 

Those whom I love, I rebuke and discipline. So be earnest and repent. Here I am I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with that person and they with me. (Revelation 3:17, 19-20)

 

This church is wretched, poor, blind, and naked, yet it thinks it is rich! This church is so apostate that Christ is on the outside looking in! And this is the type of church that will be in existence when Jesus Christ returns!

 

In fact, we are in the End Times. This is the state of the Christian Church today. It is not unusual to find Christian ministers and organizations condoning abortion, extramarital sex, and defending homosexuality.

 

The Roman Catholic Church is shot through with corruption, superstition, pedophiles, and unbelief. Mainstream Protestantism is rushing toward a renunciation of the fundamental truths of Christianity. The World Council of Churches have rejected the Gospel of the Lord Jesus for the rankest form of liberal humanism!

 

In Revelation, the apostle John also says this attitude of apostasy will result in a church which will unite politically with the revived Roman Empire and the Antichrist. He also illustrates it as the great harlot, drunk on the blood of saints, with which kings of earth commit fornication.

 

  1. MANY FALSE “CHRISTS” WILL ARISE.

 

In the New Age Movement, we are all Christ. What a damaging, dangerous claim! And how this deception perverts the truth that we are sinners and Jesus alone is our Savior.

 

In Matthew 24, Jesus says, “For many will come in my name, claiming, ‘I am the Messiah,’ and will deceive many. … False messiahs and false prophets will appear and perform great signs and wonders to deceive, if possible, even the elect.”

 

Be wary. Be ready. Be wise.

 

THREE POSITIVE SPIRITUAL SIGNS WILL HERALD THE LORD’S RETURN.

 

Peter, not only are we used to looking at natural, earthly signs of the End Times, we are also likely to catch onto the negative ones. But there will be several positive spiritual signs … ones that we can be inspired and encouraged by as we wait for Christ’s return.

 

  1. THE TRUE CHURCH WILL MAKE HERSELF PURE AND HOLY AS THE BRIDE OF CHRIST.

 

Let us rejoice and be glad and give him glory!
For the wedding of the Lamb has come, and his bride has made herself ready.” (Revelation 19:7)

 

In this unparalleled season of persecution during the End Times, those who are alive shall realize a level of holiness and blamelessness of the quality in which Jesus Himself walked. Persecution and suffering always make the church grow stronger!

 

  1. THERE WILL BE A SPECIAL OUTPOURING OF THE HOLY SPIRIT.

 

Spiritual renewal will thrive throughout our world. We will see a sweet aroma of love and unity among Christians. I look forward to the day the prophet Joel described;

 

I will pour out my Spirit on all people.

           Your sons and daughters will prophesy,

                      your old men will dream dreams,

                      your young men will see visions.

                  Even on my servants, both men and women,

                      I will pour out my Spirit in those days.

                  I will show wonders in the heavens

                      and on the earth,

                      blood and fire and billows of smoke.

                  The sun will be turned to darkness

                      and the moon to blood

                      before the coming of the great and dreadful day of the Lord.

                  And everyone who calls

                      on the name of the Lord will be saved (Joel 2:28-32)

 

  1. “THE GOSPEL WILL BE PREACHED TO ALL NATIONS, THEN THE END WILL COME!”

 

The Good News of the Gospel is going out around the world in ways that have never before been possible, thanks to the advent of the internet and other technology. The Bible has been translated into 75% of the languages on earth, with more translation happening every day. Missionaries are on the field in nearly every nation. The number of “unreached people groups” is decreasing fast.

 

 

And this gospel of the kingdom will be preached in the whole world as a testimony to all nations, and then the end will come. (Matthew 24:14)

 

Our God is a God of great mercy and incredible love. And it is out of His mercy that Christ has yet to return … to give as many people as possible the opportunity to hear the Gospel and respond.

 

Peter, let me leave you with this.

 

We are blessed to be living in most exciting times of the Lord’s return in triumph!  But these days are a blessing only to those who know the Lord.

 

Without knowing Jesus and the eternal hope we have in Him, these must be terrible days as we are confronted daily with wars and rumors of wars and natural catastrophes and famines and inhumanity and breakdown of values and morals and collapse of the economy.

 

Therefore, as we watch for signs of the End Times, may we seek to share His love far and wide. May we never be discouraged by the negative spiritual signs we encounter, because they point directly to Christ’s return. And may we be encouraged that eternal life with Him is near!

 

Love,

 

Roger

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Ask Roger

Who Are the Beasts in Revelation 13?

by Roger Barrier
written by Roger Barrier

Dear Roger,
I’m trying to understand just who the beasts of Revelation 13 are and how they might apply to us today. Can you help?
Sincerely, Mackenzie

Dear MacKenzie,

Let me give you a quick review of the movements and battles among the nations as they move toward Armageddon (See Revelation 11-12).

Sometime before the beginning of the seven-year tribulation which leads to the Second Coming of Christ, the King of the South (an African-Arab coalition described in Daniel 11) moves to invade Israel. The coalition is ultimately defeated by the King of the North (who comes from the area of modern-day Russia).

After a short time of peace, Gog and Magog (“Russia” and its leader) proceed with their own attempted invasion of Israel (see Ezekiel 38-39).

The Antichrist intercepts both coalitions and defeats them. As a result, Israel agrees to a seven-year peace treaty with the Antichrist to protect them from other invasions.

After three and half years, the Antichrist breaks the peace treaty. God brings down seven seals, seven trumpets, and seven bowls of God’s wrath.

God brings the armies of the Antichrist, Russia, the Middle East, the Arab-African coalition, and China all together in the Valley of Megiddo for the Battle of Armageddon. The nations thought they were preparing to fight each other; but that never happens. They all end up fighting Christ.

Jesus returns and laughs at the destruction of his enemies (see Psalm 2).

 

The Two Beasts and the Dragon (Revelation 13)

The “beast that comes up from the Abyss” (Revelation 11:7) is the Antichrist who institutes the economic, political, and religious structures which are designed to control the people of the world. Please note that the “beasts and dragon” in Revelation 13 are different from the “four beasts” who appear in Revelation 17 and following.

The Sea Gives Insight about Satan and the Beast (Revelation 13:1)

“The dragon stood on the shore of the sea. And I saw a beast coming out of the sea” (Revelation 13:1).

John sees a nightmarish vision of a dragon and a beast. The beast comes out of the sea and receives power from the dragon. The beast is the Antichrist. The dragon is Satan.

The sea is most likely a symbol of the evil encompassing the Gentile nations in general.

Ten Horns and Seven Heads Describe the Power Base of the Antichrist (Revelation 13:1-2)

“And I saw a beast rising out of the sea, with ten horns and seven heads, with ten crowns upon its horns and a blasphemous name on each head. The dragon gave the beast his power and his throne and great authority” (Revelation 13:1-2).

The prophet Daniel describes a coalition of ten nations that become unified in the geographic area of the old Roman Empire. As prophesied in the book of Daniel, chapter 8, a little horn, the Antichrist, grows up and defeats three of the nations, leaving seven. The Antichrist now has the foundation to capture Israel and bring great terror upon the earth.

There is much discussion about the identity of the heads and horns. Some believe that the book of Revelation is completely historical. They refer to the beast as the Roman Empire, concluding that the seven horns represent the seven Roman emperors: Tiberius, Caligula, Claudius, Nero, Vespasian, Titus, and Domitian. Three more emperors followed and were crowned and assassinated over the next 18 months, bringing the total to 10 heads.

I see here a prophetical principle called a “double fulfillment.” This occurs when a prophecy is doubly fulfilled in the future.

About 500 B.C. Daniel prophesied that a coming Antichrist would set up an abomination of desolation in the temple and proceed to kill thousands of Jews. Antiochus IV (Epiphanes), the king of Syria, captured Jerusalem in 167 BC and desecrated the Temple by offering the sacrifice of a pig on an altar to Zeus (the Abomination of Desolation). Ultimately, he was defeated by the Maccabees. Jews celebrate this victory every year.

The second fulfillment of Daniel’s prophecies will occur in accordance with the book of Revelation.

Personally, I believe that the seven heads and ten horns will be a coalition of nations that rises to power in order to subdue the earth under the control of Satan and his Antichrist minion. Their crowns are a reflection of their attempt to be God. The heads are speaking blasphemies against the holy God.

One Head of the Beast Receives a Mortal Wound and Lives (Revelation 13:3)

“One of the heads of the beast seemed to have had a fatal wound, but the fatal wound had been healed. The whole world was filled with wonder and followed the beast” (Revelation 13:3).

The Greek words mean “slit the throat with a knife.” This assassination will be as if the president of the United States (or another nation) has his throat slit and dies. But then, during the funeral, he sits up in the casket and comes back to life.

This resurrection is Satan’s counterfeit of Christ’s resurrection.

The Career of the Beast/Antichrist Has Worldwide Impact (Revelation 13:4-9)

People worshiped the dragon because he had given authority to the beast, and they also worshiped the beast … The beast was given a mouth to utter proud words and blasphemies and to exercise its authority for forty-two months (this is the last three and half years of the Great Tribulation). It opened its mouth to blaspheme God … and to slander his name and … All inhabitants of the earth will worship the beast—all whose names have not been written in the Lamb’s book of life … Whoever has ears to hear, let them hear” (Revelation 13:4-9).

How could anyone be duped into accepting the Antichrist? Remember how the Antichrist comes into power. Revelation 6:2 says, “The rider on a white horse comes in peace!” Peace is attractive.

See if you can tell me who said this:

“The secrets of our country are in turmoil; the universities are filled with students reveling and rioting. Communists are seeking to destroy our country, and the Republic is in danger—Yes, danger from within and from without. Without law and order, our Nation cannot survive!”

Adolf Hitler said that in 1932! Seven years before he invaded Poland!

In 1930. Germany was in desperate financial straits. Riots, unrest, and communism were splitting the nation down the middle. Then Hitler appeared on the scene; a voice of authority arose. Great promises of peace, prosperity, and hope for Germany! People proclaimed, “Heil Hitler.”

It’s said that 80% of the Evangelical Christians in Germany in the 1930s voted for Hitler because they really believed that he could bring peace, law, order, and prosperity to Germany.

In a time of great economic turmoil, the Antichrist will appear as a smooth-talking peacemaker! The world will embrace him as a savior and solver of its problems.

Next, he will gain control of the Western Power Bloc: Russia, the nations of the Middle East, the Arab-African coalition, and the ten-nation confederacy of central Europe. He will make a seven-year mutual security pact with Israel. Israel signs out of fear of “Rosh” (Russian) from the uttermost north.

After three and half years, he breaks the treaty and erects the “Abomination of Desolation” in the temple in Jerusalem. Thus begins a great wave of Anti-Semitism. He exterminates every Jew that he can get his hands on. Two-thirds of all remaining Israelis are put to death (Revelation 12).

Then, he brings war against the saints of God (Revelation 13:5, Daniel 7:25). He gains absolute control over Palestine after the invasion of Rosh from the North and her cohorts fail.

He proclaims himself to be God (Daniel 11:36-37; 2 Thessalonians 2:4-11; Revelation 13:5), destroying all of the world’s false religious systems so that he may rule unhindered … and he demands to be worshipped.

There is hope! Ultimately, the Antichrist is completely crushed by the Lord Jesus Christ at the battle of Armageddon (Revelation 19). He is the first to be thrown into the Lake of Fire (Revelation 19:20; 20:10; Daniel 7:11).

The Worship of the Lamb-Beast (Revelation 13:11-18)

“Then I saw a second beast, coming out of the earth. It had two horns like a lamb, but it spoke like a dragon. It exercised all the authority of the first beast on its behalf, and made the earth and its inhabitants worship the first beast, whose fatal wound had been healed” (Revelation 13:11-12).

The role of the second beast is to enforce the worship of Antichrist and to confront Christians with the choice of either proclaiming, “Antichrist is Lord” or facing death.

We know that Jesus is the true Lamb (John 1:29), “Behold the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the earth.” And how like Satan it is to have a counterfeit! He looks like a lamb, but when he opens his mouth, he speaks like a Dragon.

The mild, lamb-like preacher who denies the deity of Christ speaks with the voice of hell. The meek, gentle preacher who denies the Virgin Birth is a wolf in sheep’s clothing. The one who denies Christ as God in human flesh; the one who says that Jesus is not 100% God; the one who denies the blood atonement and sacrificial death of Christ on the cross; or the one who denies the Resurrection may look like a lamb, but he is speaking with the mouth of a dragon.

As Satan lays his plans for a strategic final attack to dominate the earth, he attacks on three major fronts: Political/Economic/Religious.

Religion Is Simple: Worship the First Beast or Else (Revelation 13:13-15)

“And it performed great signs, even causing fire to come down from heaven to the earth in full view of the people … Because of the signs it was given power to perform on behalf of the first beast, it deceived the inhabitants of the earth. It ordered them to set up an image in honor of the beast who was wounded by the sword and yet lived. The second beast was given power to give breath to the image of the first beast, so that the image could speak and cause all who refused to worship the image to be killed” (Revelation 13:13-15).

This image is the Abomination of Desolation foretold by Daniel (Daniel 9:27; 11:36); Jesus (Matthew 24:15); and Paul (2 Thessalonians 2:4). Some kind of demonic control enters into this inanimate object, and it begins to act as if it’s alive.

Since Satan can’t command worship from heaven, he does it in the Jewish temple in the Holy City (Daniel 8:9-16).

The Worship Is Enforced by Economic Sanctions: The Infamous Mark of the Beast (Revelation 13:16-18)

“It also forced all people, great and small, rich and poor, free and slave, to receive a mark on their right hands or on their foreheads, so that they could not buy or sell unless they had the mark, which is the name of the beast or the number of its name.” (Revelation 13:16-17).

All beast worshipers are compelled to receive a mark.

How could this happen? Consider the technology and governmental control that already exists in the U.S. and much of the world today:

  • Invent a system to house all the computerized economic data
  • Remove all currency and substitute controlled credit
  • Have central control on everyone’s financial status and credit rating
  • Do all major economic work at institutional level
  • Give government complete control of finance … We are moving in that direction! The Federal government controls the economy, inflation, and recession by limiting or increasing the money supply.

So why then bother to have credit cards? Why don’t we get one number for economic and social needs and tattoo it on the forehead or insert a chip into the back of the right hand?

A man from communist Bulgaria said that the most terrible instrument ever devised by man is the ration card. You can’t buy or sell anything except according to that little ration card. “If they please, they can starve you to death … dispossess you of everything you have, for you can’t trade nor buy nor sell without that little card.”

The Beast will control a centralized economy. Watch closely for the mark; “This calls for wisdom. Let the person who has insight calculate the number of the beast, for it is the number of a man. That number is 666” (Revelation 13:18).

Now, if we just find a man who signs his name with three sixes, we’ll know who the Antichrist is. Of course, it’s not that easy. There are at least several possible explanations of 666.

1. A symbol of humankind. “Six” is the number of humanity in the Bible. 666 may be taken to mean an individual who is trying to imitate the Trinity of God (three sixes in one person).

2. Gematria—the ancient practice of adding the sum total of the numerical equivalent of letters of a person’s name.

In Greek and Hebrew, the letters of the alphabet had definite numerical equivalents: the letters were in fact used as numbers, ABC=1+2+3=6.

Gematria was a popular game among the Greeks. A piece of graffiti found in the ruins of Pompeii reads, “I love the girl whose number is 545.”

John thought that number was self-evident, but while it’s easy to turn a name into a number, it’s much harder to turn a number back into a name. Incidentally, both Caesar Nero and Bartholomew = 666. Hitler = 656; Roger Barrier = 596, and so on.

3. A symbol of imperfection. The number “7” is the number of perfection in Scripture. Jesus’ name adds up to 888 (one more than perfection). 666 is consistently one less than perfection, and it could stand for the personification of evil.

What Does Revelation 13 Mean for Me?

Let me share just a few applications that we can all consider as we ponder Revelation 13 and the events of the End Times.

1. Be certain that you have received Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior. You don’t want to miss the Rapture when Jesus takes his people out of the earth and home to glory. You don’t want to be anywhere nearby when the angels pour out the bowls of God’s wrath.

2. Beware, Christians alive during those days will be persecuted, and the persecution will intensify. I recently had to vote against a bill that would allow the government to control how many Christians can meet together at any time. That is just the beginning.

3. Don’t sell your soul for the world’s goods. Today’s culture tempts us continually to sell out at any price.

4. The cost of following in the days ahead is really going to be high … but may I also add that cost of not following Jesus is going to be higher yet.

I hope you find my answer helpful.

Love, Roger

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Ask Roger

What Are God’s 7 Bowls of Wrath?

by Roger Barrier
written by Roger Barrier

Dear Roger,

I’ve been studying the book of Revelation, and I think I have a pretty good handle on what the seals and the trumpets mean. However, the bowls of God’s wrath are spread over many verses all the way to the end of the book. Could you please give me a simplified version of the bowls of God’s wrath?

Sincerely, Darcy

Dear Darcy,

God felt really good about His creation when He first finished.

When God made man, he said, “This is very good.” “I did a really good job!” (See Genesis 2). He walked with Adam in the Garden. He created woman, the perfect companion for man. Again and again, He said “It is good.”

Unfortunately, it did not take long for God’s thoughts to change.

In Genesis 6:5-8, we read, “The LORD saw how great man’s wickedness on the earth had become … the LORD was grieved that he had made man. … So the LORD said, “I will wipe mankind, whom I have created, from the face of the earth. … For I am grieved that I have made them.”

So, God decided to start over. He sent a flood! Faithful Noah and his family were saved, and evil was wiped off the face of the earth … except for the sin still in the heart of humankind.

Wickedness has overtaken the world once more. In Revelation, God reveals that he is going to again wipe the slate clean.

Looking at the Book of Revelation, the Seven Seals, Trumpets, and Bowls encompass all seven years of the Tribulation, or the time of suffering that will precede the Second Coming of Christ. When the last Bowl is poured out Armageddon will begin.

Let me share a short review of the Seven Seals and the Seven Trumpets, and then we will look more closely at the Seven Bowls of God’s wrath.

The Antichrist Is revealed.

War, famine, and death encompass the earth.

The martyrs under the altar in heaven plead with God to avenge their deaths.

A nuclear holocaust brings about incredible suffering.

The Seven Trumpets of God’s Wrath Are Destructions That Satan Brings upon Humankind (Revelation 8-11)

Fire mixed with blood is hurled onto the earth.

One-third of vegetation, freshwater, and seawater are destroyed.

Man’s food supply is devastated.

Commerce uproots supply lines all over the world.

Meteors, missiles, and radioactivity are slaughtering everything.

The sun, moon, and stars are darkened.

The keys to the prison-house abyss are given to Satan so that demonic hordes may be released against humankind.

The voice of Christ thunders forth from the golden altar.

The Euphrates River is bound, awaiting the call for Armageddon.

The Seven Bowls of God’s Wrath Are Destructions That God Himself Brings upon Humankind (Revelation 15-16)

The seven bowls are like the seven seals on steroids!

John begins, “Then I heard a loud voice from the temple telling the seven angels, ‘Go and pour out on the earth the seven bowls of the wrath of God’” (Revelation 16:1).

The First Bowl of God’s Wrath

“So the first angel went and poured his bowl on the earth, and a foul and loathsome sore came upon the men who had the mark of the beast and those who worshiped its image” (Revelation 16:2).

This rash of malignant sores could easily be caused by the tremendous radioactive pollution in the atmosphere. After atomic bombs decimated Hiroshima and Nagasaki, thousands of people died, while others developed hideous sores because of radioactivity.

Consider the sweeping plagues throughout human history which have killed millions: smallpox; typhus; bubonic plague; polio, whooping cough; mustard gas; tuberculosis, and now, COVID-19. Now, imagine all these coming together at the same time all over the earth!

Turnabout is fair play. Satan had the number of his name as 666. This satanic symbol brought death to all those Christians who didn’t have this mark branded on their forehead or on their hand.

We see here the flipside. God seals his people with a mark as well. Whoever fails to have this mark is destroyed by God. By the way, the number of Jesus’ name is 777. This is perfection.

The Second Bowl of God’s Wrath

“The second angel poured out his bowl on the sea, and it turned into blood like that of a dead man, and every living thing in the sea died” (Revelation 16:3).

When all living creatures in the seas die, they will float to the top, their decaying bodies discharging an unbearable stench and inaugurating potential disease.

Once again, our food supply is severely damaged.

The Third Bowl of God’s Wrath

“The third angel poured out his bowl on the rivers and springs of water, and they became blood. And I heard the angel of the water say, “’You are just in your judgment. Since they have shed the blood of saints and prophets you have given them blood to drink. It is their just due!’” (Revelation 16:4-7).

This plague on freshwater is God’s earthly vindication of the suffering martyrs from earliest times to the present. He is answering the prayers of the martyrs to avenge their deaths.

The Fourth Bowl of God’s Wrath

“Then fourth angel poured out his bowl on the sun, and power was given to him to scorch people with fire. They were seared by the intense heat, and they cursed the name of God, who had control over these plagues, but they refused to repent and glorify him” (Revelation 16:8-9).

This plague describes men and women tasting the torments of hell as described by Jesus in Luke 16.

The thirst will be incredible. Humans can live without food for 40 days. But we can only live without water for three to four days.

This plague may be caused by the greenhouse effect of global warming and/or ozone depletion. Of course, as the ozone is depleted, ultraviolet rays ravage mankind.

Perhaps, with all the shaking, the earth will actually tilt on its axis in such a way that the sun’s heat is increased. Of course, this plague may simply be one of the earth’s periodic cycles between hot and cold.

Here is where they begin to curse the name of God. But the most startling thing is that men and women will still not repent!

The Fifth Bowl of God’s Wrath

“The fifth angel poured out his bowl on the throne of the beast, and his kingdom was plunged into darkness. Men gnawed their tongues in agony and cursed the God of heaven because of their pains and their sores, but they refused to repent of what they had done” (Revelation 16:10-11).

Christ’s own prediction was: “In those days, after that tribulation, the sun shall be darkened, and the moon shall not give its light” (Mark 13:24).

It may well be that the darkness causes a nuclear winter as massive amounts of dirt and dust overwhelm our atmosphere. Once again, lack of sunshine means poorly growing crops. Once again, famine threatens all existence.

Still, humankind refuses to repent. These judgments are clearly supernatural. But instead of falling down before Him to become the recipients of His mercy, they not only blaspheme God, but refuse to change their ways.

The Sixth Bowl of God’s Wrath

“The sixth angel poured out his bowl on the great river Euphrates, and its water was dried up to prepare the way for the kings from the East. Then I saw three evil spirits that looked like frogs; … They are spirits of demons, and they go out to the kings of the whole world, to gather them for the battle on the great day of God Almighty. …Then they gathered the kings together to the place that in Hebrew is called Armageddon” (Revelation 16:12-16).

The sixth bowl reveals a horde of 200 million people from the East poised on the banks of the Euphrates. In the book of Ezekiel, God says that he will place fishhooks into the mouths of Kings to pull them to Armageddon.

Their way is cleared for a rapid forced march into Israel. This drying up is now possible because of the recent Russian construction of a dam near the headwaters of the Euphrates.

The horrible carnage of Armageddon commences.

Zechariah 14:12 predicts the astounding course of the battle: “Their flesh will be consumed from their bones, their eyes burned out of their sockets, and their tongues consumed out of their mouths while they stand upon their feet.” It will take seven years to cleanse the land.

For hundreds of years, students of Bible prophecy have wondered what kind of plague could produce such instant ravaging of humans while still on their feet. Until the advent of the atomic bomb, such a thing was not humanly possible. But now everything Zechariah predicted could come true instantly in a thermonuclear exchange!

The Seventh Bowl of God’s Wrath

“The seventh angel poured out his bowl into the air, and out of the temple came a loud voice from the throne, saying, ‘It is done!’ Then there came flashes of lightning, rumblings, peals of thunder and a severe earthquake. The great city split into three parts, and the cities of the nations collapsed. Every island fled away, and the mountains could not be found. And they cursed God.” (Revelation 16:17-21)

While this great battle is raging, every city in the world is going to be leveled. This will take place by what is called an “earthquake” (Greek “seismos”). The word itself means, “a great shaking of the earth.” The earth could be shaken either by a literal earthquake or by a full-scale nuclear exchange of all remaining missiles.

Thus begins the horrible carnage of Armageddon.

What Does This Mean to Me?

We are not in the tribulation yet, but we face difficult times every day. Let’s learn from them. I want to draw a few lessons from the book of Hebrews. His readers were suffering great turmoil. Read the book. The writer has a lot to say to us.

1. Submit to God no matter the circumstances: “Besides this, we have had earthly fathers to discipline us and we respected them for it. How much more should we submit to the father of spirits and live?” (Hebrews 12:9).

2. While we may not face the terror of the bowls, we will experience difficult things in life.

3. Remember that difficult things can produce good things as well: “For the moment all discipline seems painful rather than pleasant; later on, however, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it” (Hebrews 12:11).

4. Don’t quit: “Consider him who endured from sinners such hostility against himself, so that you may not grow weary or fainthearted” (Hebrews 12:3).

5. Don’t become bitter: “See to it that no one fails to obtain the grace of God and that no root of bitterness spring up and cause trouble” (Hebrews 12:15).

6. God is committed to the process of restoration. He will move heaven and earth if that’s what it takes to bring us to Christ. He will never stop reaching out to everyone.

Darcy, I hope that my answer is clear and simple.

Love, Roger

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Ask Roger

What is Happening in Heaven Before the Tribulation?

by Roger Barrier
written by Roger Barrier

Dear Roger,

There is so much talk and discussion these days about the antichrist, the Second Coming, the mark of the beast, and so many other end times subjects. I’ve never read or heard anyone talk about what’s going on in Heaven before the beginning of the Great Tribulation. Can you help me here?

Sincerely, Susie

Dear Susie,

When thoughts about Heaven flood your mind, what do you think of?

Most of us imagine that Heaven is someplace even more comfortable than Earth. We think that if we have $1000 here, we’ll have $10 million there. If our pillow is soft here, it will be really fluffy up there. If the music is soul-stirring here, it will be unimaginably beautiful there.

We are so earth-bound that without realizing it, we think that everything in Heaven must somehow be compared to the way we have it now—except that heaven will just be a whole lot better.

When Julie and I were in Hawaii, we’d say, “Is this Heaven? It doesn’t get any better than this.” But Hawaii is nothing like Heaven.

When Julie and I were in Switzerland, we’d say, “Is this Heaven? It doesn’t get any better than this.” But Switzerland is nothing like Heaven.

We could spend our lives dreaming about Heaven, but we would be wasting our time.

Why? Because moving from the realm of the seen to the unseen—moving from the creature comforts and tangible benefits we have on this earth—it is impossible for us to grasp a world without 24-hour cycles of day and night. No gravity. No sun. No moon. No stars. No night.

Nothing that we call the familiar will be in that unfamiliar, resplendent, glorious place. So with that truth in mind, let’s try to get a feel for what’s going on in heaven right now, even before the Great Tribulation takes place on earth.

Join me to look at Revelation 4:1-11, verse by verse.

Suddenly, the apostle John—who is isolated in a penal colony on the Mediterranean island of Patmos—is transported to a glorious non-Earth setting where he is told to write about things revealed to him. We can only imagine his frustration as he tried to put into words the indescribable scenes that unfolded before him.

Revelation 4:1

After this I looked, and there before me was a door standing open in heaven. And the voice I had first heard speaking to me like a trumpet said, “Come up here, and I will show you what must take place after this.”

You’re thinking of a door, aren’t you?

Everyone has doors in their houses. But this is not a normal door with a knob and keys and hinges. It’s a moving entrance from earth to Heaven. The only way John can describe it is with a term we’re familiar with; a door. This entrance is available for those times when spiritual creatures, like angels, need to move up and down from earth to heaven.

In chapter one of Revelation, we learn that the One who speaks like a trumpet is the Lord Jesus Christ. That means the beginning of chapter four may well describe the Rapture described in First Thessalonians 4:16, “For the Lord himself will come down from heaven with a loud command, the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet call of God and the dead in Christ will rise first.”

So, the Lord Jesus Christ is serving as an escort throughout Heaven to show John into the portals beyond.

No one knows what Jesus will shout at the Rapture. Personally, I think that he will shout something like “Come up here!”

Revelation 4:2

At once I was in the Spirit, and there before me was a throne in heaven with someone sitting on it.

Stop! You’re thinking of a piece of furniture. I understand. Because the only throne we have ever seen is a big, elegant seat—an enormous golden chair with stuff all over it and people sitting on it with stuff all over them. And it’s all about stuff.

But this is not about stuff. This is about the ethereal, invisible, ineffable world of the unseen where the Living God is enthroned. John is trying desperately to describe the awesome majesty of our God.

Revelation 4:3

And the one who sat there had the appearance of jasper and carnelian. A rainbow, resembling an emerald, encircled the throne.

Jasper is a diamond; Carnelian is a red stone. Rainbow “like” an emerald – green – halo extended over all that he saw.

Notice that John makes no attempt to give us clear-cut anthropomorphic details.

God is often described as Light (Psalm 104:2). John sees Him as light; brilliant light shining from an awesome, nearly indescribable presence here in the throne room of Heaven.

Revelation 4:4

Surrounding the throne were twenty-four other thrones, and seated on them were twenty-four elders. They were dressed in white and had crowns of gold on their heads.

The metaphor, “dressed in white” is used throughout Scripture as a picture of Christ’s righteousness and forgiveness of sins.

Next, there are two types of crowns mentioned in the original Greek.

The first is a “diadema.” This is the crown of the king, encrusted with a multitude of precious stones.

“Stephanos” is the laurel wreath crown that comes from accomplishment, victory, and reward. It is usually made of plated leaves and ivy—you’ve seen pictures of them on coins. It is usually given out at athletic events, like the ancient Olympics.

These elders wear “stephanos” crowns.

Immediately, then, the question is, “Who are they?”

Frankly, no one knows. Pages of commentaries have been written, but everyone’s just guessing.

Some say they are the twelve apostles and twelve tribes of Israel. Others say they are the Old Testament Jews as well as the New Testament believers. Perhaps these 24 represent rewarded believers, chosen by the Almighty to reign alongside of Him in positions of authority.

If this is true, they could include any of us.

Revelation 4:5

From the throne came flashes of lightning, rumblings and peals of thunder. Before the throne, seven lamps were blazing. These are the seven spirits of God.

Thunder and lightning can be scary! Think about a mom and dad as they put their five-year-old to bed. Later that evening, a ferocious thunderstorm begins. They thought their child would be terrified with all the light and sound.

But when they ran to her bedroom, they found their daughter standing on the windowsill, arms stretched out, smiling into the face of the storm. “Look,” she said, God is taking my picture!”

Perhaps the lightning and thunder described all of Heaven announcing God’s presence!

Revelation 4:6a

Also, before the throne there was what looked like a sea of glass, clear as crystal.

This sea is often pictured as glass, or crystals, or ice, or water.

This is one of my favorite passages in all the Bible because it reminds me of God’s deep love and concern for us.

In Psalm 56:8, David describes how God puts all of our tears into His bottle. I picture the sea surrounding God’s throne as the bottle which contains all the tears that we have shed throughout our lifetime.

Revelation 4:6b-7

In the center, around the throne, were four living creatures, and they were covered with eyes, in front and in back. The first living creature was like a lion, the second was like an ox, the third had a face like a man, the fourth was like a flying eagle.

The gospel, the story of the life of Christ, is a singular message—yet we have four records of it from four different points of view, Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John.

The animals John describes here are highly symbolic. They typify a decidedly different aspect of the character of Jesus Christ as delineated in each gospel.

Matthew presents Jesus as a king. He is the Lion of the tribe of Judah.

Mark is portrayed as an ox because Mark presents Jesus as a slave.

Luke pictures Jesus as a man, portraying the human side of Jesus.

John presents Jesus as an eagle because eagle stands for deity.

Revelation 4:8

Each of the four living creatures had six wings and was covered with eyes all around, even under his wings. Day and night, they never stop saying: “Holy, holy, holy is the Lord God Almighty, who was, and is, and is to come.”

What’s going on in heaven?

The four living creatures never stop saying, “Holy, holy, holy is the Lord God Almighty, who was, and is, and is to come.”

This is describing an antiphonal sound. Have you ever sung in a large choir? Sometimes one side sings a part and the other answers. Then they sing together. That “ask and answer” is antiphonal voice.

Think of the contrast. They pray ceaselessly while we fiddle around on earth worried about our plans and our disappointments and our future and our money and our homes and our dreams.

Do you think that John right now is worried about supper on Patmos? Is he asking, “Did I close the door to my cave when I left, or did I leave it open?”

None of that matters!

It’s all about the heavenly Almighty! And the elders seated beside Him! And the angels shouting and praising in antiphonal voice! All are giving glory and thanks and honor to Him who sits on the throne.

Revelation 4:9-10

Whenever the living creatures give glory, honor and thanks to him who sits on the throne and who lives for ever and ever, the twenty-four elders fall down before him who sits on the throne, and worship him who lives forever and ever. They lay their crowns before the throne and say:

There is a lot of activity in heaven!

Some are speaking ceaselessly. Some are kneeling. But when this sound comes, they’re caught up in it. They fall down before our awesome God, and they cast their stephanos crowns before the throne.

And best of all, everyone in heaven will realize that this is “not about me.”

What a magnificent moment it will be, as we who may be rewarded with a crown or two realize, this is not about me. This is not remembering my work. This is all about my God who gave me breath in my lungs, and a voice to speak, and thoughts to think and a direction to go. It’s all about my God.

And we all join in the praising.

Revelation 4:11

[The elders say] “You are worthy, our Lord and God, to receive glory and honor and power, for you created all things, and by your will they were created and have their being.”

Amen! That’s exactly the way it is.

It’s all for His glory, for His purpose. That’s why we were created. That’s why we’ve been made. That’s why we live. That’s why we exist at this very moment. That is all part of His plan. It is all for Him—our birth and death, our disappointments and achievements, our marriages, our failures, our every moment of life.

It is all about the One who is worthy to receive glory and honor and praise.

So, Susie, you may be asking, “What does this mean to me?”

I’ve often found that when we get hold of prophetic truth, it’s amazing how our everyday worries become less significant. Life looks very different from the perspective of the throne room.

Love, Roger

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Ask Roger

What John Saw in Revelation!

by Roger Barrier
written by Roger Barrier

Dear Roger,

Give me the best! I need to preach Revelation, simply and thoroughly. Can you help?

A Young Pastor

 

Dear Pastor,

Here are my notes on Revelation 1:9-20. I hope it helps!

Revelation was basically written to Christians under persecution to encourage them to persevere. Don’t give up! Things are not as they appear on the surface. Jesus Christ is going to win!

Bob Weiland, standing over six feet tall and weighing 200 pounds, went to Vietnam in 1969. In less than a year, he came back only three-and-a-half feet tall, weighing only 87 pounds after a land mine exploded at his feet, blowing away both of his legs. 

It was a devastating trauma, but he did not let himself get destroyed. He said jokingly to his parents, “I used to have at least a hundred options and now I am down to more like, five, but I am going to concentrate on what is left and not on what I have lost.”

Do you know what? Twenty years after those terrible injuries, Bob Weiland completed the twenty-six+ mile New York marathon. Do you know how he did it? He had learned to run on his hands; moving leapfrog fashion. He did not set a record time-wise, but a newspaper reporter wrote, “There was not a dry eye in the crowd watching, when that fraction of a human body came leaping exuberantly across the finish line, four days and 17 hours later.

 

What impossible problems are you facing?

 

John wrote Revelation at a time when both he and the early church faced impossible problems.

 

The Roman Emperor Domitian was on the throne when John wrote the Revelation in 95 AD. History records him as one of the most cruel and wicked of all Roman emperors. He declared himself to be God and sentenced those to death who refused to worship him. 

The Roman government was not always so horrible. 

30 AD – Jesus said: “Give to Caesar what is Caesar’s and give to God what is God’s.”

55 AD – Romans – Pax Romana – “Government is ordained by God” – “Obey the government.”

60 AD – 1 & 2 Peter – Good government like Romans – Brings peace – “Submit to leaders.”

95 AD – John writes Revelation. Rome had gone sour. John calls Rome “Babylon, the great whore…” All knew who he meant. God needed to destroy this government.

This is apocalyptic. Prophecy says, we can fix the government. Apocalyptic says: we need new government.

 

Caesar Nero came along in 65 AD. Nero was insane. He murdered his friend when he was a teenager.  Nero callously watched him bleed. He murdered his brothers…poisoned his mother. Nero began to believe that he was god.

 

He developed an Empire-wide system of priests: “Caesar is Lord.” Citizens must offer a pinch of incense and then have their own gods.

 

Christians could not swear allegiance to Caesar. They followed another as Lord.

“Jesus is Lord.”

 

Caesar Nero = The Antichrist =666

 

John writes about another Beast, the Whore: we are talking about Roman Emperor Domitian.

 

The early Christians refused to worship him and were sentenced to die by the thousands. Some were thrown to the lions in the Coliseum; some were burned at the stake. Others were wrapped in the skins of wild animals and fed to the dogs; some were dipped in tar, crucified and then ignited as torches for the emperor’s night-time gardens. Some mothers were crucified with their murdered babies draped around their necks.

 

It may bother you that I said the Antichrist, 666, has already come. Is Revelation only history? I thought 666 was still to come. 666 is past. But 666 is the future.

 

Revelation had a context in the first century and it has a context still in the future. Both the Double Fulfillment and Mountain Peak Principles of Prophecy are important.

 

The mountain peak effect has to do with the distance between two prophetical events. For example, you may look at a mountain range and see one up close and one at a distance; however, it’s impossible to tell from that vantage point how far those two mountains are apart. In the same way, in Bible prophecy, many events that seem back-to-back are really separated by many years.

 

The Double Fulfillment of Prophecy refers to an event that happens in the present and then the same event occurs in the future. For example, Antioches Epiphanes slaughtered a pig on the altar in Jerusalem about 250 A.D. One day, during the final days on earth, the prophecy regarding the Antichrist, 666, will be fulfilled.

 

Revelation is apocalyptic more than prophetic. 

Most of the symbols are really not hard to understand. 

Revelation is an open book: not the hiding of information. God intends for us to understand it.  

Revelation 1:9, John, your brother and companion in the suffering and kingdom and patient endurance that are ours in Jesus, was on the island of Patmos because of the word of God and the testimony of Jesus.

 

Who is this John? There was some discussion as to author: It is a different kind of Greek from the gospel, etc, after all is said and done, Revelation was penned by John the Apostle—one of the 12 disciples of Jesus Christ.

 

John was the Brother of James, the first martyr for Christ.

This Son of Thunder was transformed into the Apostle of Love.

He was asked by Jesus on the cross to look after his mother Mary in her old age.

John moved to Ephesus with Mary. Mary died there.

 

When Revelation was written, John is 95 years old. He was increasingly aware of the aging process. Think of his challenges; the physical toll on the human body.

He probably knew the pain of arthritis, insomnia, dullness of hearing, sight and weakness that comes with old age.

 

Revelation 1:9, “John, your brother and companion…”

 

There is something disarmingly simple about his opening lines. “I am your brother.”

Here is a man who could have said, “I walked three years with the Lord Jesus. I was one of the three closest apostle friends he had. I witnessed the transfiguration. I am the one who cared for his mother when He died. None of that.  He simply says, “I am John. I am your brother.”

 

And companion (Greek: Sun koinonia: idea of a fellow sharer..) I am one with you in three areas.

 

First, in tribulation. Thlipsis. The pressure of life. This describes a boulder falling and crushing whatever is underneath.

 

Domitian demanded that everyone call him Lord. And John called another Lord.

He was exiled to the tiny 6×10 mile island named Patmos, 38 miles off the coast of present-day Turkey.

Several early church fathers tell us that Patmos was a Roman penal colony. John was forced to labor in the mines.  Some relate that he was burned with oil just after sentencing.

 

Hopefully that banishment would silence him forever! He just left us with the Gospel of John, three letters, and the book of revelation. Not bad for a little time on an island.

He gave us the Gospel to give us tell us what to believe (John 20:31).

He gave us the three letters to help us be certain of our faith (1 John 5:13).

He gave us the Revelation to make us ready for his return (Revelation 22:20).

 

That ought to encourage some of you who are up in years, bodies hurting, that life is never over until it is over.

 

John was exiled to Patmos. What impresses me, he is not writing a word of complaint, not a word of bickering. He didn’t say:

“What kind of treatment is this, Lord? I walked with you, I served with you, I took care of your mother when you died. I was closest to you with James and Peter….”

 

First, he is a co-sharer in the persecution. He was on the island because of his unequivocal, uncompromising commitment to the Word of God and to the testimony of Jesus Christ.

 

Second, he is also a co-sharer in the kingdom. The same king who rules over his life, rules over your life.  We bow before the same Lord, anticipate the same coming.

 

Third, he is also a co-sharer in endurance.

Hupomone (Under, abide = to abide under) Used of a beast you load up before a long trip and the beast because he does not buckle at the knees is said to be a hupomone beast. He abides under the load.

 

What is your Patmos? A hospital bed, a workplace where you are the only Christians? A small house full of small children? A rest home for elderly? A new city or new job? There are different kinds of Patmos.

 

Revelation 1:10: On the Lord’s Day I was in the Spirit, and I heard behind me a loud voice like a trumpet,

 

It’s not Sunday – but refers to the Day of the Lord.

“I Was In The Spirit….” I take it he was caught up in a vision inspired by the Holy Spirit.

“I was in the Spirit and he transported me to see the Day of the Lord!”

 

The trumpet got his attention. It was not a trumpet. It was like a trumpet.

 

Revelation 1:11: which said: “Write on a scroll what you see and send it to the seven churches: to Ephesus, Smyrna, Pergamum, Thyatira, Sardis, Philadelphia and Laodicea.”

 

Why only these seven? There were many more churches in Asia Minor than these seven. Read the list and be intrigued: Where is Colossae? Where is Corinth?

These are representative of the ages—same struggles of churches in every generation.

 

It was like a postal route (Patmos and the seven cities where churches were)

 

Revelation 1:12: “I turned around to see the voice that was speaking to me. And when I turned I saw seven golden lampstands,”

 

What are the lampstands? READ REVELATION 1:20: “the seven lampstands are the seven churches.”

What great symbolism! “You are the light of the world.” The church is to radiate God’s light in a world of darkness. Every church that’s true is a lampstand in the midst of darkness. A golden lampstand! Not tin.

 

Revelation 1:13: “…and among the lampstands was someone ‘like a son of man,’ dressed in a robe reaching down to his feet and with a golden sash around his chest.”

 

John did not yet recognize Him as Jesus.

“…robe reaching down to His feet” is the description of the high priest of the Old Testament.  A priest ministering in the temple.

 

Keeping the lamps lit – no church has light of its own. He pours in the oil.

In John’s day the churches were experiencing great problems of pain, persecution, and pressure. John sees Jesus in the midst of the lampstands. Do you know that Jesus draws near to those who are suffering?

 

Revelation 1:14: His head and hair were white like wool, as white as snow, and his eyes were like blazing fire.

 

“White hair” reveals His wisdom.

 

“Eyes of Blazing fire” represents anger. It is easy to see he is angry with sin. But there is more.  He was angry with the suffering of believers in the early church, as well as with John’s own suffering.

 

Zechariah 2:8: “We are the apple of God’s eye.” The apple of the eye is the pupil. When someone or something hurts you it is as though someone has tried to stick a finger in God’s eye!

 

Revelation 1:15: His feet were like bronze glowing in a furnace, and his voice was like the sound of rushing waters.

 

The feet of King stand for judgment. A King is always elevated. A subject was brought beneath His feet – symbol of authority and judgment.

 

This is the same little voice that whimpered in the manger. Now, it is the sound of mighty waters.

 

Revelation 1:16: In his right hand he held seven stars, and out of his mouth came a sharp double-edged sword. His face was like the sun shining in all its brilliance.

 

What are the seven stars? Read verse 20, jump ahead: the “angelos” of the seven churches.

The word means messenger. Probably not angels, these are the pastors of the seven churches.

 

Our world has its stars. Tell you where the real stars are. Right in the hand of Jesus.

Our world doesn’t know what the true stars are.

“I’d like to be a star” You can be. READ DANIEL 12:3 – turns many to faith and be a star.

 

Double-Edged Sword

Rhomphia a battle sword- Held with two hands used for whacking off heads. This is judgment.

Another sword, makaira, – dagger get close and cut off head and wouldn’t know it until you sneezed. Hebrews 4:12 – Word of God. Sharp and piercing like a scalpel: It means “convicts.”

 

Face Like Shining Sun: It’s a picture of unveiled glory.

 

Revelation 1:17: “When I saw him, I fell at his feet as though dead.”

 

John fell like a sack of sand. He was overwhelmed. He has witnessed unveiled Deity.

 

If Revelation teaches us nothing else, it teaches us to place in the highest regard the person of Jesus Christ—in His glory.

 

Jesus Christ isn’t a great big pal upstairs. Don’t go there ever again. He is the risen, magnificent matchless sovereign Savior of the world—who when He speaks, we are muted, we have nothing to say. And when we see Him, as we will someday see Him we will fall at his feet.

 

When we see Him for who he really is it is like the nursery rhyme, we all fall down.

 

What does it mean to fall prostrate before Christ as though you were dead?

 

A person who falls prostrate is silent. I never heard a dead man speak. To fall at the feet of Jesus means that there is no more discussion about what you think He should do or not do—no more argument about His will—no more rationalization about your behavior—no more excuses for your sin.

 

Falling prostrate means that you are silent before Christ, dead silent.

 

A person who falls prostrate is still. I never saw a dead man move. To fall at the feet of Jesus means there is no more wrestling with Him for the will of your life, no more pursuit of your own plans, walking off in your own directions.

Falling prostrate means that you are dead, dead still.

 

John is experiencing Galatians 2:20: “I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.”

 

It is at this point that fullness of life with Christ begins. His glory becomes personal.

 

Falling prostrate means that you surrendered, dead surrendered.

 

Revelation 1:17: “Then he placed his right hand on me…”

 

Christ in judgment still has time to stop and touch the one He loves.

 

Revelation 1:17b-18: “I am the First and the Last. I am the Living One; I was dead, and behold I am alive forever and ever! And I hold the keys of death and Hades.”

 

Listen to the identification: Alpha and Omega!

 

Christ is there in moment of our birth and our death.

Death has gates. (Psalm 9:13; 107:18; Isaiah 38:10). And Christ has the keys.

 

What does this mean to me?.

 

1. Our faith must rest in the person of the resurrected Jesus Christ—not the teachings or the things we can or cannot understand.

 

Faith is in the person of Christ, not figuring out all the answers in John 6.

 

There comes a time in our spiritual growth when we transition into faith in the Person of Christ. I have more questions now than ever!

 

2. The deeper our commitment to the person of Christ, the deeper will be the truths He reveals.

 

Look at Revelation 1:12: “I turned to see” = blepo = John at the vision.

The Greek word means to glance—like scenery as you drive by. It is not that significant, see that tree, sign, turn off. You just see it.

 

Travel back to the empty tomb at the resurrection. John and Peter had a foot race to the tomb.

John 20:5: John looked in = blepo. He glanced in but did not go in.

 

John 20:6: Peter goes in and saw the mummy like wrapping and the napkins. The word “saw” is a different word = theoreo.  We get our word theorize from it. Peter is trying to theorize what happened. Where did He go?

 

John 20:8: John went in and he “saw and believed.” Another Greek word = arao.

It means, I got it! I perceived the reality of what occurred. John immediately perceived the reality and truth of the resurrected Christ.

 

Look back at Revelation 1:17: When I saw him, I fell at His feet though dead.” It is arao.

When I perceived the truth of Who He is, I fell at his feet. I was floored.

 

I want that for us in all its beauty and reality. When we come to this place in our lives where the vision of the living Christ becomes that real and we leave humbled and submissive, we haven’t arrived but you are well on your way.

 

Join me in praying.

 

Close your eyes, in darkness get a good look at yourself—all your dreams, hopes, disappointments, addictions, areas of sin, there you are.

See the risen living Lord in your mind’s eye and he is touching you and saying to you, “I love you, I forgive you, I am here for you.” You are the reason that I came and I was dead and I came back to life—and if you have never before turned your heart and soul over to him this is the moment.

Submission begins at the foot of the cross:

By faith alone you and I come to Christ—alone—and when we do we are forgiven and enter into a relationship with the living God which is in no other way possible. He is the way, the truth and the light.

 

This is an invitation offered to you to come by faith to Christ, right where you are sitting, to fall at his feet in trust.

 

 

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Ask Roger

Jehovah’s Witnesses and the 144,000?

by Roger Barrier
written by Roger Barrier

Dear Roger,

So, I have some tough (or not so tough) questions that I think you might be able to help me with. It’s about the 144,000 who are sealed. The Jehovah’s Witness say that Bible passage applies to them. First off, I have seen translations where some read the seal is ‘on’ their foreheads and some where it says ‘in’. I guess it would be kind of both in a way – but clearly the person who is sealed would know it, but do you think that others would be able to see this seal on those people as well? If not, then this would of course prove the supernatural aspect of God to the person sealed, but it really wouldn’t help others see what is coming. But if it was noticeable by others, then it would help spread the Gospel in a way never seen before since Jesus and the original twelve. Let me just say it is something that is close to my heart and been on my mind ( so to speak) for quite a while and if you could pray about it and just let me know whatever God speaks to you I would really appreciate it….

 

Sincerely, Daniel

 

Dear Daniel,

Jehovah’s witnesses claim the number 144,000 applies to them. Many of us have direct contact with them every time they ring the door bells of our homes and try to invite themselves inside to discuss their doctrines for the purpose of evangelizing others to join their group. The Society was established in the nineteenth century by Charles Taze Russell. A schism occurred after Russell’s death and after decades of theological development, the society has reached its present form.

 

The central beliefs of Jehovah’s Witness revolve around the return of Christ to establish His Kingdom on earth thus solving the problems of mankind. The name “Jehovah’s Witnesses,” which is based on Isaiah 43:10–12, was adopted in 1931. In 1914 the group announced that the Second Coming of Christ was imminent. When Jesus failed to appear that year the projected date was changed to 1925. When that year came and went they reconsidered and again changed the date to 1975. As far as I know, no future dates are predicted at this time.

 

Russell’s original teachings identified his followers to be the 144,000 mentioned in the book of Revelation. Only Jehovah’s Witnesses had any hope of surviving the impending doom. Problems arose when the number of society followers exceeded 144,000 (The society now claims some 18 million members.) In order to handle the problem, Witness’ doctrine was adjusted so that God would ultimately decide those who were in the 144,000 and who were not. Those chosen will be resurrected to live forever in an earthly paradise ruled by Christ and the 144,000.

You are referring to the Book of Revelation where God seals 144,000 (12,000 from each of the twelve tribes of Israel).

 

Then I saw another angel coming up from the east, having the seal of the living God. He called out in a loud voice to the four angels who had been given power to harm the land and the sea: “Do not harm the land or the sea or the trees until we put a seal on the foreheads of the servants of our God.” Then I heard the number of those who were sealed: 144,000 from all the tribes of Israel (Revelation 7:2-4).

 

Let’s start with the seal. What is it and will others be able to see it? The best interpretation of Scripture is Scripture. Paul refers to the seal of the Holy Spirit which identifies, preserves and protects Christians from the moment of salvation out into eternity. This seal is the guarantee that we as Christians are God’s children: “And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, with whom you were sealed for the day of redemption” (Ephesians 4:30-31). This seal is obviously an internal-spiritual one. Christians today do not walk around with any sort of visible seal.

 

In the same way, it is safe to say that the sealing mentioned in Revelation Seven is an internal, spiritual seal which encourages and comforts the 144,000.

 

There is, however, the mark of the Beast, which appears to be an outside marker of the followers of the Anti-Christ. John tells us in Revelation 13:11-18 that the mark (“666”) is placed on their hands or forehead. John tells us that true Christians will refuse the mark and thus will endure economic sanctions, physical persecutions and martyrdom. Anyone who receives the mark will be excluded from the Kingdom and eternal life.

 

Regarding evangelism during the end times, God has several groups of evangelizers. First are these 144,000. Note that these are Jewish converts to Christ. We might say that these are 144,000 Jews for Jesus! Note that immediately following their conversion and sealing mighty rejoicing occurs in Heaven because of the many on earth who are saved through their testimonies.

 

Second, the martyrs mentioned in Revelation 6:9-11 are put to death precisely because they were sharing their faith in Christ.

 

Next, Jesus sends two witnesses who evangelize with mighty signs and wonders for 1260 days. They are then killed in the streets of Jerusalem to the rejoicing and relief of the Anti-Christ and his followers. Three and one-half days after their martyrdom they are miraculously resurrected. The Second Coming occurs moments later (Revelation 11:1-13). Many believe that these two witnesses are Moses and Elijah. God Himself had access to their bodies and many feel that they were once again clothed in their earthy bodies and sent back to earth for a season of evangelistic endeavor.

 

Finally, three angels supernaturally share the Gospel with every living creature on earth (Revelation 14:6-13). In the Olivet Discourse Jesus said: “And this gospel of the kingdom will be preached in the whole world as a testimony to all nations, and then the end will come” (Matthew 24:14).

 

By the way, there is another group of 144,000 mentioned in Revelation 14:1-5. Many feel that this is the same as the 144,000 Jews for Jesus. Since these are pictured in Heaven giving honor and praise to the Lamb of God, we may well be glimpsing the praise and worship of the 144,000 after they enter Heaven’s glory! I love the irony that God has written His name on their foreheads.

 

On the other hand, the group in Revelation 14 are specifically described as those who “did not defile themselves with women, for they kept themselves pure. They follow the Lamb wherever he goes. They were purchased from among men and offered as firstfruits to God and the Lamb. No lie was found in their mouths; they are blameless” (Revelation 14:4-5). Perhaps these descriptive monikers identify a different group of 144,000—perhaps not.

 

Daniel, I hope my answer gives some insight to your questions. Ask me another sometime.

 

Love, Roger

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