Then He says , “He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches” (Rev. 3:20-22).  And all the way through that’s what He said to all of the churches.

Now let’s come to chapter 4, because let’s ask the question… is there coming a time when the work and the harvest of the Church will be over?  And the answer is, yes.  And that ends right here.  Whenever the fulfillment of this is going to take place with the seven churches.  Notice what happens then.  When it comes right to the time that it’s about ready to come to an end, chapter 4:1 it says, “After this…” So we find a sequence of time from chapter 1 through chapter 2, and chapter 3.

Now the beginning of chapter 4:1, “After this I looked, and, behold, a door was opened in heaven: and the first voice which I heard was as it were of a trumpet talking with me; which said, Come up hither, and I will shew thee things which must be hereafter [the time sequence].”  So what it does, it shows us before the beginning of the seven seals it shows that God is actively involved in carrying out His plan from heaven above from His throne.  And it shows the throne of God, shows Christ before the throne of God.  It shows the 24 elders, it shows the great innumerable multitude, and it shows that Christ is worthy to open the seven seals and loose them.

Now let’s come to Revelation 6.  Revelation 6 is the beginning of the opening of the seals.  And these are going to be major swift moving events in this earth.  We’ll see why.  Verse 1, “And I saw when the Lamb opened one of the seals [or that is the first seal], and I heard, as it were the noise of thunder, one of the four [living creatures] beasts saying, come and see.  And I saw, and behold a white house…” Now we know this is not Christ because Christ has not returned with the saints until Revelation 19.  This is a false christ.  This is a false religion.  This is a false savior, and it’s on a horse.  Now why a horse?  A horse is to show that these things happen suddenly.  Just like He opened the seal and –Bam- here comes a horse real quickly.  And I think this is showing the false world religion, which is about ready to take place.  Now let’s understand something about misinterpretation in the past before.  Some have read this and said, “Well all the seals were opened except the sixth seal, all during the time of the apostles.”  Not so.  However, Matthew 24 can give us an interpretation as to what these are.  False prophet, war, famine, starvation, persecution, and martyrdom.  That is true.  But these are going to happen, and when they happen it is going to be sudden.  It is going to be breathtaking.  It is going to be so swift, and it’s going to be so convincing.

Now notice what He does.  “…And he that sat on him had a bow; and a crown was given unto him: and he went forth conquering, and to conquer.  And when He opened the second seal, I heard the second beast say, Come and see.  And there went out another horse that was red: and power was given to him that sat thereon to take peace from the earth, and that they should kill one another: and there was given unto him a great sword” (Rev. 6:1-4).

Now, let’s stop right here and understand the time frame in which the second seal, or the red horse takes place.  This coordinates with events in Revelation 12.  Let’s turn there and then we’ll come back.  Let’s put this all together. When Satan knows he has but a short time he is cast back down to the earth and he knows he has but a short time.  Notice what he does when he is cast down.  Revelation 12:12, “Therefore rejoice, ye heavens, and ye that dwell in them.  Woe to the inhabiters of the earth and of the sea! for the devil is come unto you, having great wrath…”  Now that is the beginning of the tribulation.  That is the beginning of where the great sword is taken out.  Not quite.  Before the sword comes something else is going to take place in a very short period of time.  And it’s going to be a persecution.

“…He knows that he has a short time.  And when the dragon saw that he was cast unto the earth, he persecuted the woman which brought forth the man child.”  Now there’s going to be a persecution against the Churches of God.  And when it comes it is going to be universal and all of them will be involved.  Now notice what takes place.  “And to the woman were given two wings of a great eagle, that she might fly into the wilderness into her place [the place of hers]…” Yes, there is a specific place of safety and yes, God is going to take those who go there who are going to go.  No man is going to plan it.  No passport is going to be required.  No plane tickets are going to be required.  No boat tickets are going to be required.  God is going to send His angels, just like He did when He took Lot and his family out of Sodom.  That’s what Jesus said in Luke 17, that they are going to be taken.  God is going to make that decision.  So if you find anyone who is saying, “Oh get your passport together brethren, because we’re going to go to Jordan have the place of safety.  I already cut a deal with King Hussein.”  Don’t believe them, you’re headed for a destruction.  Or another man will say, “Move down here to Texas, because down in Texas that’s going to be the place of safety.  Because after all, Texas is going to succeed from the Union.”  Don’t you believe him, because everyone of those things are saving your own neck.  And if you try and do that you’re going to lose it.

And there “…she is nourished…”, it’s in the wilderness.  Now let me ask you a question.  Is Texas a wilderness?  No, all these people they live in cities down there, don’t they?  Now some place in Texas may be a wilderness, but some places of Arizona are, and so are Utah, and so is Idaho, and Montana.  And so is the Sahara desert and so is Petra and so are other places on the earth a wilderness, you see.  Now one thing else that is important too.  If you don’t know where the place of safety is and you get there, you’ll find out when you arrive.  But if you know where it is and you don’t get there, that knowledge doesn’t do you any good, because it’s a spiritual character and choice that God is going to make based upon that spiritual character.  Not the one who runs the race.  Not the one who is fighting.  Not the one who thinks he knows, because those who think they know don’t know.  Now, “…she is nourished [there] for a time, and times, and half a time, from the face of the serpent” (vs. 12-14).

Now notice what happens, and this is when the sword comes down.  “And the serpent cast out of his mouth water as a flood after the woman, that he might cause her to be carried away of the flood.  And the earth helped the woman, and the earth opened her mouth, and swallowed up the flood which the dragon cast out of his mouth.”  Now notice what happens.  “And the dragon was wroth…” WROTH.  “…was wroth with the woman, and went to make war with the remnant of her seed…”  Now remnant means “the others” with no limitation as to the numbers.  Remnant in English means “a small remaining”.  But this means merely the others, who what?  The others “…of her seed which keep the commandments of God, and have the testimony of Jesus Christ” (vs. 15-16).  This then becomes the beginning of the martyrdom.

Now let’s tie that in with chapter 13 so we have all of these parallel events taking place.  And if you don’t have the two tapes, “The Outline of Revelation, #1 and #2” and the chart that goes with it, write back and we’ll send it to you.  If you have it, go back and review it.

Now after the beast receives the deadly wound and is brought back to life, now then it says all the world worshipped him.  They worshipped the dragon saying, “Who is able to make war with the beast?”  Because he has a great sword, which [it] says in Revelation 6.  “And there was given unto him a mouth speaking great things and blasphemies; and power was given unto him to continue forty and two months.  And he opened his mouth in blasphemy against God, to blaspheme His name, and His tabernacle [or dwelling place], and them that dwell in heaven.  And it was given unto him to make war with the saints, and to overcome them: and power was given him over all kindreds, and tongues, and nations.  And all that dwell upon the earth…whose names are not written in the book of life of the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world”… shall worship him. (Rev. 13:5-8).

Now then let’s go back to Revelation 6 because these events tie in, in parallel, because Revelation 6 when the big sword is given, that’s when he starts coming against the Church.  It’s going to be a general war against many people but then it’s going to narrow down and come against the Church, those who remain that were not taken to a place of safety.  Now notice Revelation 6:4, “And there went out another horse that was red: and power was given to him…” Notice “power”, same thing as Revelation 13.  Power was given to him.  Authority was given to him. “…To take peace from the earth, and that they should kill one another: and there was given unto him a great sword.”  Great, GREAT war making capacity.  Who’s able to make war against the beast?

“And when He had opened the third seal, I heard the third beast say, Come and see.  And I beheld, and lo a black horse; and he that sat on him had a pair of balances in his hand” (vs. 5).  And this is a rationing of food. Famine and starvation follow.  Immediately when war comes food supplies are disrupted, and today when they are disrupted you only have a few short days and starvation starts setting in.

Verse 7, “And when He had opened the fourth seal, I heard the voice of the fourth beast say, Come and see.  And I looked, and behold a pale horse: and his name that sat on him was Death, and Hell [or the grave] followed with him.  And power was given unto them over the fourth part of the earth, to kill with sword, and with hunger, and with death, and with the beasts of the earth” (vs. 7-8).

Now notice verse 9.  Here’s when the war is against the saints.  Now it’s going to take a period of time.  But what’s going to happen is this:  you’re going to have two groups of Christians.  You’re going to have those who are in a place of safety that Satan cannot touch.  So they’re not going to be martyred.  You have all the rest who don’t go to a place of safety and Satan comes after them.  Now he’s going to get every single one because they won’t have the mark of the beast and they will be easy to find and detect.  And so when the fifth seal is opened that’s when it begins.

“…I saw under the altar the souls of them that were slain for the word of God, and for the testimony which they held: and they cried with a loud voice…”  These are all the past martyrs now, in symbolism crying out.  They’re not yet resurrected, that’s why this is in symbolism.  “How long, O Lord, holy and true, dost Thou not judge and avenge our blood on them that dwell on the earth?  And white robes were given unto every one of them; and it was said unto them, that they should rest yet…”, that is they’re going to remain in their graves.  That’s what rest means.  “…for a little season, until their fellowservants also and their brethren, that should be killed as they were, should be fulfilled” (vs. 9-11).  He’s going to kill every one.

Now at that time what do we have?  We have the completion of the work of the Church, do we not?  When all those have been killed and been martyred for the word of Christ we no longer have the work of the Church going on do we?  The harvest of the Church is complete.  It has come to an end.  That is pictured by the seven churches, the seven weeks of harvest, but for Pentecost there is yet, what, one more day.  And there’s going to be a day of harvest, which is going to be God’s and God’s alone as we will see.

Let’s come down here to Revelation 6:12.  And I beheld when He had opened the sixth seal, and, lo, there was a great earthquake…” Now I want you to tie this in with what we read back in Acts 2, that Peter quoted of the prophet Joel.  Notice, the same thing.  “…Great earthquake; and the sun became black as sackcloth of hair, and the moon became as blood; and the stars of heaven fell unto the earth, even as a fig tree casteth her untimely figs, when she is shaken of a mighty wind.”  Remember God said He’s going to shake the heavens, He’s going to shake the earth.  And this is going to be a tremendous and fantastic event.  “And the heaven departed as a scroll…”, just rolled back and there’s going to be a tremendous thing that takes place at that time.  And they’re going to see the sign of the Son of man in heaven.  And it’s going to be like, all of a sudden there’s something they have never seen in the heavens before.  A brand new star.  And the world is going to be all prepared for the invasion from outer space.  So they’re going to look at that and they’re going to say, “Oh what is happening?”  Great event.  So much so that “…when it is rolled together; and every mountain and island were moved out of their places” (vs. 12-14).  So if you think you’re going to find a place of safety in a cave in a mountain, guess what?  It won’t be there.  If you’re in the cave when this takes place you’re part of the rock.  You’re mincemeat.  You’re ground up.  You are dead.  See because if you seek to save your own life you’re going to lose it.  So if you say, “Ok, I’m going to buy an island out here in the sea and I’m going to hide away.”  It’s going to sink.  Now what are you going to do?  You know, how long can you tread water?

“And the kings of the earth, and the great men, and the rich men [this affects everybody], and the chief captains, and the mighty men, and every bondman, and every free man, hid themselves in the dens and in the rocks of the mountains; and said to the mountains and rocks, Fall on us, and hide us from the face of Him that sitteth on the throne, and from the wrath of the Lamb: for the great day of His wrath is come…” (vs. 15-17).  Now we’re dealing with the day of the Lord, and His wrath is coming.  Who shall be able to stand?

Now then, when God intervenes directly, then He’s going to do something else very important.  And I think that this fits right in with the Feast of Pentecost, which is this: the harvest of the 50^th day begins on the next to the last Pentecost and there is that one day, that 50^th day, that one year of harvest that God is going to do.  And it starts out right here chapter 7.  And it is the 144,000.  Now if you haven’t received the tape “Who are the 144,000?” you need to write back and request it because we go through and explain it.  Now each one of these are of the 144,000 here, are of the 12 tribes of Israel being 12,000 from each tribe.  We have no account in the Bible what so ever as to why Dan is not among the 144,000 at this point.  So we’ll have to find out why that is when Christ returns. This is a harvest of God.  Let’s notice something particular about this.

Here’s the message, verse 3 chapter 7, “Saying [to the angels which held back the wind], Hurt not the earth, neither the sea, nor the trees, till we have sealed he servants of our God in their foreheads.”  Now let’s understand something very importantly.  2 Corinthians 1:22 says that you are sealed with the Spirit of promise, the earnest of the Spirit.  Everyone today who has the Holy Spirit today cannot be any one of the144,000 nor the great innumerable multitude here, as we find in Revelation 7, because we have already been sealed.  These are people who are converted right in that last year. From next to the last Pentecost until the last Pentecost.  And then we’ll see what takes place from Pentecost till Trumpets.  Just like everywhere else in the scriptures we have, to the Jew first or to the Israelites first, and then to the Gentiles.  We have the 144,000 of the children of Israel, and then verse 9, “…a great multitude, which no man could number…”  No limit to this, no one numbers.  Of what?  “…Of all nations, and kindreds, and people, and tongues, stood before the throne, and before the Lamb, clothed with white robes, and palms in their hands; and cried with a loud voice, saying, Salvation to our God which sitteth upon the throne, and unto the Lamb.”  So it shows that they’re going to be in the resurrection.  It also shows, verse 14, “…These are they which came out of great tribulation, and have washed their robes, and made them white in the blood of the Lamb.”  So there we have right there the harvest of God.

Now let’s get a time frame as to when this is going to occur in relationship to the last 3 ½ years.  And we can understand that from the 144,000 of Israel.  They are of the children of Israel.  Now let’s go back to the book of Hosea.  I covered this in quite detail when I gave the study on “Who Are the 144,000”.  Let’s go back to the book of Hosea, chapter 5, the very last verse, and we will see how this fits in and it will give us a time frame at that particular point that we can take back and understand what occurs here.

Hosea 5:15 it says of Israel, it says of God in relationship to Israel.  God says as He corrects them, He says, “I will go and return to My place, till they acknowledge their offense, and seek My face: in their affliction they will seek Me early.”  And they will.  It’s not going to be at the end of the 3 ½ years.  As we are going to see this is going to be at the end of two full years of the tribulation against Israel.

Now let’s continue on chapter 6:1 where Israel says, “Come, and let us return unto the LORD: for He hath torn, and He will heal us; He hath smitten, and He will bind us up.  After two days will He revive us: in the third day He will raise us up, and we shall live in His sight.”  Now that’s an absolutely perfect description of what is going to happen to the 144,000 of Revelation 7 of the children of Israel.  Thy are as good as dead, but they repent and return to God and He will raise them up.  He will heal them and they will live.  Not only will they live, He gives them His Holy Spirit so that when Christ returns at the end of that year then they are going to be resurrected and be in the Kingdom of God.

Now let’s look at this time frame again.  “After two days.”  How long is a day in prophecy?  It is a year.  So this is after two years and in the “third day.”  So this is the beginning of the third year.  So that means there is one year and six months left, approximately, until Christ puts His feet on the earth.  So this gives us the time frame.

Now then, this is a special harvest of God.  This is His 50^th day harvest.  And brethren, I think that the harvest of God, His harvest alone for that one year with the 144,000 and the great innumerable multitude, may very well be more than all the Churches have done down through history.  And after all, why not.  It is God Who is doing it directly.

Now then, after they are sealed, then we have the flow of events continue.  Notice it’s a continuous flow of events from chapter 1, chapter 2, chapter 3, through 4, 5, 6, 7.  It continues the flow of events in chapter 8 where we have the trumpet plagues.  And the trumpet plagues then, come after a space of time.  So I believe that when this next to the last Pentecost takes place and all of them are sealed with the Holy Spirit, a great and tremendous event, repeating in a greater way what happened on the first Pentecost at the temple with the Church.  That there’s going to be that space of time between Pentecost and the Feast of Trumpets when there is not going to be too much activity going on in relationship to the events of prophecy.  But after that then, I believe that beginning with the next to the last Feast of Trumpets, then the first trumpet is blown.  And we have that space of time from that Trumpets on down to the next Pentecost when the resurrection takes place, when the seven trumpets will be blown.  Each one of them gives a space of time.  Each one of them gives an event, which is going to take place.  Each one of them progressively gets worse and worse and worse, and worse.  Then we have the 5^th seal, we have the 6^th seal, and all of those show a space of time and activities to take place.

Then we come to chapter 10.  All of this now, right up through chapter 9, beginning in chapter 10.  Then right at chapter 10 something happens in chapter 10 with the seven thunders.  We don’t know what the seven thunders are.  God told John, “Don’t write what the seven thunders are.”  No one knows.  Nor do we know what was written in the little book that John was told to eat, except that he had to go preach.  He had to go out.  So at that time is there going to be a time of preaching just again before the seventh angel sounds?  However little bit of time there’s going to be, and will the 144,000 be involved in that?  It’s possible.  Will those who were in a place of safety, will there be those who leave that and go preach again?  That’s possible.  I do not know so therefore we’ll just have to say, let’s hold that judgment in abeyance until we understand it a little bit more.  And I don’t think we’ll understand it until we’re able to look back and see how the events occurred.

Now let’s come to chapter 10:7.  “But in the days of the voice of the seventh angel, when he [is about] shall begin to sound...” That’s what it means.  “…the mystery of God should be finished, as He hath declared to His servants the prophets.”  Now then when the seventh trumpet sounds…now we skip by the inset chapter of chapter 11 and the two witnesses, but the two witnesses come down here to a point don’t they.  They shall prophesy for a thousand two hundred sixty days.  They will be killed, their dead bodies shall lie in the street of Jerusalem for 3 ½ days.  Then notice what happens, chapter 11:11. “And after three days and an half the Spirit of life from God entered into them, and they stood upon their feet; and great fear fell upon them which saw them.  And they heard a great voice from heaven saying unto them, Come up hither.”  Now that’s going to be quite an event, isn’t it?  And right when they’re watching “…they ascended up to heaven in a cloud’ and their enemies beheld them” (Rev. 11:11-12).

Now where are they going to go?  “And the same hour was there a great earthquake [again], and the tenth part of the city fell, and in the earthquake were slain of men seven thousand: and the remnant were affrighted, and gave glory to the God of heaven.  The second woe is past; and behold, the third woe cometh quickly” (vs. 13-14). The seventh trumpet ends, the second woe, it’s over with.  The seventh trumpet begins the third woe but it comes quickly after the trumpet is blown.

Verse 15, “And the seventh angel sounded; and there were great voices in heaven, saying, The kingdoms of this world are become the kingdoms of our Lord, and of His Christ; and He shall reign for ever and ever.  And the four and twenty elders, which sat before God on their [thrones] seats, fell upon their faces, and worshipped God, saying, We give Thee thanks, O Lord God Almighty, which art, and wast, and art to come; because Thou hast taken to Thee Thy great power, and hast reigned” (vs. 15-17).  That’s when God starts reigning on the earth.  That’s when He is directly doing all of this.  Now before it was, Christ opened the seals and men did it.  The trumpet plagues then came and it was angels that did it.  And then it was demons working with men to bring them to fight and battle and war.  Now then we have Christ is going to do it.  What happens from now on is what Christ is going to do, not what men are going to do.

Verse 18, “And the nations were angry, and Thy wrath is come, and the time of the dead, that they should be judged, and that Thou shouldest give reward unto Thy servants the prophets…”, because the resurrection takes place at what?  At the last trump.  Not trumpets.  At the last trump, “For the trumpet shall sound and the dead shall be raised incorruptible and we shall be changed.”  That’s what it’s talking about right here.  That’s what it takes place.  And the very two last to be martyred, the two witnesses are the very first to be resurrected.  So again we have fulfilled to the very letter – the first shall be last and the last shall be first.  And that You “…shouldest destroy them which destroy the earth.”  So that was a tremendous thing that’s going to take place here.  Now I believe that the resurrection is going to take place on that last Pentecost.

Now let’s go back and look at these events as they’re described in Matthew 24.  Let’s come to Matthew 24:29 where it says, “Immediately after the tribulation of those days shall the sun be darkened, and the moon shall not give her light, and the stars shall fall from heaven, and the powers of the heavens shall be shaken.  And then shall appear the sign of the Son of man in heaven: and then shall all the tribes of the earth mourn, and they shall see the Son of man coming in the clouds of heaven with power and great glory.  And He shall send His angels with a great sound of a trumpet [not trumpets]…”  Remember the Feast of Trumpets is a memorial of blowing of trumpets, and we will see what that will be when we get to Revelation 19.  “…And they shall gather together His elect from the four winds, from one end of heaven to the other” (Matt. 24:20-31).

Now let’s go to 1 Thessalonians 4 and let’s understand something here which I think is really very important.  We are going to meet Christ in the air.  Now what’s going to happen, and what are we going to do when we meet Him in the air?  Are we going to be resurrected and go woop, “Hi Lord, let’s go back”?  Or are there some things that have to happen?  And if there’s some things that have to happen, how long are we going to be in the air in the clouds?

Let’s go to 1 Thessalonians 4:16 where it says, “For the Lord Himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God…” The last trump, which is the seventh trump.  “…And the dead in Christ shall rise first…”, that is after the two witnesses.  Paul didn’t know about the two witnesses or the book of Revelation at that time.  Then the dead in Christ shall rise first.  “Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds…” Now notice “caught up”.  We will be taken up.  The angels are going to take us there.  “…To meet the Lord in the air…” Now actually in the Greek it means this: for the meeting with the Lord in the air.  So there’s going to be a meeting.  What kind of meeting?  How long is it going to be?  Where is it going…it says in the air.  And it says, “…and so shall we ever be with the Lord” (1 Thess. 4:16-17).  That doesn’t mean we’re going to be in the air all the time cause other verses show that we come back down out of that.  So what I believe is this:  I believe when the heavens are rolled back as a scroll, they see the sign of the Son of man coming and it’s like a big sun that gets closer and closer and closer to the earth.  And it will look like just like the sun as it shines from east to west as the earth is turning.  And as it gets closer and closer and closer to the earth, getting down toward the last Pentecost, it’s going to come down into a position in the clouds and then it’s going to lock into orbit right over Jerusalem, and there is going to be there the sea of glass.

Now let’s go back to Exodus 24 because we need to understand something that when God came down and talked to Moses and the elders there in Exodus 24, it talks about a sea of glass.  Just like we saw in Revelation 4, that there was a sea of glass where the throne of God is.  So God is going to have a sea of glass on which, when we are resurrected, as we will see, we’re going to stand.

Let’s come here to Exodus 24:9.  After they were there, received the Ten Commandments, received all the words of the Lord then the day afterwards they went on up there.  Verse 9, “Then went up Moses, and Aaron, Nadab, and Abihu, and seventy of the elders of Israel: and they saw the God of Israel: and there was under His feet as it were a paved work of a sapphire stone, and as it were the body of heaven in his clearness” (Ex. 24:9-10). So this is describing a sea of glass.  Now we know from the book of Ezekiel that there are other Cherabim that God uses to transport Himself from one place to another, and here we find, here’s a sea of glass.

Now let’s go back to the book of Revelation and let’s see that also all of those who are resurrected are going to be on the sea of glass.  Let’s come to Revelation 14 and let’s see again the harvest.  This time the harvest is likened unto the grapes and the vine that are ready.  Let’s pick it up here in verse 14, “And I looked, and behold a white cloud, and upon the cloud One sat like unto the Son of man…” So Christ comes right down into the clouds.  That’s what all the other scriptures say.  “…Having on His head a golden crown, and in His hand a sharp sickle.  And another angel came out of the temple, crying with a loud voice to Him that sat on the cloud, Thrust in Thy sickle, and reap: for the time is come for Thee to reap; for the harvest of the earth is ripe.  And He that sat on the cloud thrust in His sickle on the earth; and the earth was reaped” (Rev. 14:14-16). That’s the first resurrection.  Are we all not like a vine?  Are we all not likened unto a harvest?  Are we not the firstfruits?  And I believe that this takes place on the Feast of Pentecost, and we will see by the flow of events that it has to.

And let’s see what happens…and this is showing those who are resurrected, who are going to meet Christ in the air, in the clouds, and were they will be.  Chapter 15:1, “And I saw another sign in heaven, great and marvelous, seven angels having the seven last plagues; for in them is filled up the wrath of God.”  Now we know that Christ and the saints do not return to the earth until after the seven last plagues are competed, however notice this, verse 2.  “And I saw as it were a sea of glass mingled with fire: and them that had gotten the victory over the beast, and over his image, and over his mark…”  Question – how long is the beast been around?  Well the true beast is Satan, isn’t it?  Yes.  Revelation 12 shows that Satan the devil depicted as the dragon with seven heads and ten horns has been the beast that’s always been around.  And this is the system, which is called also in the prophets of the book of Revelation, Babylon.  Babylon the great.  And it’s always had its system, which it has tried to impose upon the people of God.  And everyone of them has to get the victory over it.  Did not Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-nego get the victory over the image of the idol of the beast of Nebuchadnezzar commanded them to bow down to?  Yes they did.  So you see it goes all the way back.  “…Gotten the victory over the beast, and over his image, and over his mark…” And that’s going to come in our day.  “…And over the number of his name…”  That’s going to come in our day.  “…Stand on the sea of glass…” There’s a place to stand.  “…Having the harps of God” (Rev. 15:1-2).

Now how long are we going to be on the sea of glass, and what is going to take place on the sea of glass?  And why do we have to be resurrected to meet Christ in the air and be on the sea of glass?  Well, we’ll answer that in just a minute.  But first of all we’re going to see… “And they sing the song of Moses the servant of God, and the song of the Lamb, saying, Great and marvellous are Thy works, Lord God Almighty; just and true are Thy ways, Thou King of saints.”  And that can be none other than Christ.  “Who shall not fear thee, O Lord, and glorify Thy name? for Thou only art holy: for all nations shall come and worship before Thee; for Thy judgments are made manifest” (vs. 3-4).

Now let’s continue on here in Revelation 15:5, “And after that I looked, and, behold, the temple of the tabernacle of the testimony in heaven was opened…”, right into the holy of holies, as it were.  Now who is there in the holy of holies but God the Father, correct?  “And seven angels came out of the temple, having the seven plagues, clothed in pure and white linen, and having their breasts girded with golden girdles.  And one of the four [living creatures] beasts gave unto the seven angels seven golden vials full of the wrath of God, who liveth forever and ever.  And the temple was filled with smoke from the glory of God, and from His power; and no man was able to enter into the temple, till the seven plagues of the seven angels were fulfilled” (vs. 4-8).

Now one of the reasons why we are on the sea of glass there at this time when the seven last plagues are poured out is this, let’s go back to Psalm 58:10 where it tells us here’s a promise that God has given to every one of the saints.  He said vengeance is Mine, vengeance belongs to the Lord, give place to wrath, don’t take vengeance into your hands He will do it for us.  Now notice Psalm 58:10, “The righeous shall rejoice when he seeth the vengeance: he shall wash his feet in the blood of the wicked.”  Now that’s describing the end time brethren.  We’re going to see the vengeance of God.

Now let’s go to Psalm 149, because I think this is going to take place right on the sea of glass when we are resurrected there.  We’re going to sing the new songs.  We’re going to sing the song of Moses, the song of the Lamb.  Now Psalm 149:1, “Praise ye the LORD.  Sing unto the LORD a new song, and His praise in the congregation of saints.”  That’s all of us together.  And wasn’t it said of Jesus that He is not ashamed to call them brethren.  He will declare His name in the great congregation.  What is the great congregation?  That is only when we are all resurrected and on the sea of glass with Jesus Christ.

“Let Israel [that is spiritual Israel] rejoice in Him that made him [we are the creation of God]: let the children of Zion…”, who are us, who come to the living Mt. Zion, which is in heaven above.  “…Be joyful in their King.  Let them praise His name in the dance…” So we’re going to dance on the sea of glass.  Now I don’t know what that’s going to be like.  That’s going to be something.  “…Let them sing praises unto Him with the timbrel and harp.  For the LORD taketh pleasure in His people…” God is going to be happy.  God is going to be glad and so are we.  Resurrected there and on the sea of glass with Christ.  “…He will beautify the meek with salvation.”  That is giving out the rewards and giving us our clothes and giving us all the things that we need.  “Let the saints be joyful in glory…”  Because that’s when we will have glory.  “…Let them sing aloud upon their beds. Let the high praises of God be in their mouth, and a twoedged sword in their hand…”, because we then are going to come down and fight.  To what?  “To execute vengeance upon the heathen, and punishments upon the people; to bind their kings with chains, and their nobles with fetters of iron; To execute upon them the judgment written: this honour have all His saints.  Praise you the LORD” (Psa. 149:1-9).

Now let’s go back to Revelation 16.  “And I heard a great voice out of the temple saying to the seven angels, Go your ways, and pour out the vials of the wrath of God upon the earth.”  So the went one after the other.  “And the first went, and poured out his vial upon the earth; and there fell a noisome and grievous sore upon the men which had the mark of the beast, and upon them which worshipped his image” (Rev. 16:1-2).  And then the second angel, and this time now every living thing in the oceans die because it were turned to blood.  The third angel, all the rivers turned to blood.

And then is proclaimed that these are the righteous and holy and true judgments of the Lord because He has judged this.  Verse 6, “For they have shed the blood of saints and prophets, and Thou hast given them blood to drink; for they are worthy.  …Even so, Lord God Almighty, true and righteous are Thy judgments” (vs. 6-7).  And the fourth angel poured out his vial and the sun became very intense with heat and burned the men, and yet they repented not nor gave glory to God.  The fifth angel sounded and the seat of the beast and his kingdom was filled with darkness, just like in Egypt, full of darkness.  “And [they] blasphemed the God of heaven because of their pains and their sores, and repented not of their deeds.”  Then the sixth angel poured out his vial and then the spirits like frogs came out of the mouth of the beast and the false prophet, and Satan, and then went out to all the kings of the earth to gather them together to the great battle of God Almighty, then which is the seventh vial that is poured out, which then is then a great and tremendous thing that happens here.  And the earthquake took place.  All the cities of the nations fell.  Great Babylon came into remembrance before God for judgment against it.  And then out of heaven came a hail weighing 180 pounds, which killed all those men.

Now the events that are going to take place on the sea of glass.  We’re going to be resurrected, number 1, and meet Christ in the air there.  We are going to have great and marvelous fellowship up there.  It’s going to be something.  We are going to receive our new name, number 2.  Number 3, we are going to receive our reward.  Number 4, the marriage of the Lamb is going to take place.  And brethren I believe that God the Father Himself is going to come down to that sea of glass and He is going to perform the wedding vows between those of the first resurrection and Jesus Christ our Lord.  And what a time that is going to be.  Whatever the ceremony is going to be, and God the Father looks down upon us and says, “Do you faithfully promise…”, and we all look back at Him and say, “We do.”  And Christ looks at the Father and says, “I do.”  Then we have the marriage supper of the Lamb next, that’s number 5.  Then we have the giving of our assignments so we know what we’re going to do, number 6.  Then number 7, we’re going to come back to the earth with Jesus Christ.

Let’s go to Revelation 19 and we will see where this takes place.  Great and tremendous thing is going to take place brethren.  The heavens again are going to open up, we’re going to be mount up on our horses, we’re going to follow Christ,Who’s name is called Faithful and True, and in righteousness does He judge and make war to come back to the earth, and this brethren will be on the last Feast of Trumpets, because we’re going to be on the sea of glass between Pentecost and Trumpets.  And then when the Feast of Trumpets comes and all the trumpets are blown, great and fantastic time.  Then the earth is going to look up and see the armies of God coming and that’s us coming back to the earth with Jesus Christ.  And God is going to execute His judgment, and execute His vengeance in this and great all consuming war.

So brethren this is why we have the Feast of Pentecost, the harvest of the firstfruits, and we are harvest, and we are raised, and we are given eternal life.  And then we are going to be there with the wedding of the Lamb.  All of these events are going to take place and then we’re going to have the great and marvelous thing to be able to see God the Father, to be married to Christ, and then to come back to this earth and begin the Kingdom of God on earth for a thousand years.  And when we come back, we’re going to destroy every enemy that there ever has been of God.  And then we get on into the time when Satan the devil is bound.

So that’s the meaning of the Feast of Pentecost.  So always keep these things in mind brethren, we are the firstfruits of the creation of God.