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Now, we’ll see in a minute, God is the one who’s going to make the
choice. And we’ll see that the angels are the ones who are going to take
them to a place of safety. Now this here is talking about those in Judea.
What about those in the rest of the world? Ok. We’ll see that in just a
little bit.
“And woe unto them that are with child, and to them that give suck in
those days! But pray ye that your flight be not in the winter..” (Mat.
24:19-20) So we know it’s not going to happen in the wintertime. “..Neither
on the sabbath day..” (Mat. 24:20) You’re not to break the Sabbath by
fleeing that way. “For then” (when you see the Abomination of
Desolation stand in the Holy Place) “then shall be great tribulation, such
as was not since the beginning of the world to this time, no, nor ever shall
be. And except those days should be shortened..” (Mat. 24:21-22) Now it
actually means in the Greek: limited. And shortened
here has led to people believing that God is going to cut the time short. So
therefore events are speeding up, because God is going to cut it short.
Nonsense! It means limited. Limited to what time we saw-42 months!
Otherwise, “there should no flesh be saved: but for the elect's sake those
days shall be shortened…” (Mat. 24:22)
Now, let’s come back to the book of Revelation. Let’s come back to
Revelation 12. And let’s see how that brings in the place of safety and so
forth. And then we’ll go to Luke 17, and we’ll tie that together. Revelation
12. Just turn the page back here. Let’s pick it up here beginning in verse
9.
Now there has to be war in Heaven. Ok? That’s also going to precipitate
it. So first you have the war in Heaven. You have the Beast cast down with
Satan possessing him. You have him going into the temple, saying that he is
God, after the assassination attempt on him and he is revived.
And then, now let’s pick it up here in verse 7. “And there was war in
heaven: Michael and his angels fought against the dragon; and the dragon
fought and his angels…” (Rev. 12:7) So that’s why the Feast of Trumpets is
the feast of war, because at the time of the destruction of all this
human society.
“And prevailed not; neither was their place found any more in heaven. And
the great dragon was cast out, that old serpent, called the Devil, and
Satan, which deceiveth the whole world…” (Rev. 12:8-9) That’s what he’s
doing right now. He’s deceiving the whole world through every means
possible; infiltrating even into the very churches of God. “…he was cast out
into the earth, and his angels were cast out with him. And I heard a loud
voice saying in heaven, Now is come salvation, and strength, and the kingdom
of our God, and the power of his Christ: for the accuser of our brethren is
cast down, which accused them before our God day and night...” (Rev.
12:9-10) But Christ is right there to intervene for us. Now this shows the
job that we have to do.
Verse 11. “And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb…” (Rev. 12:11)
That is through the protection of Christ, repentance of sin, yielding to God
through the redemption that He gives. “…and by the word of their testimony…”
(Rev. 12:11) And we are going to be called upon to bring a testimony.
You can just put in your notes there, Matthew the 10th
chapter, where we will be hauled up before councils. And we are to have the
Word of God in our mind. And the Father is going to inspire us what we
should speak and what we should say. We’re going to be brought before kings
and governors and rulers. And that’s because they will have a world court
set up and they’re going to drag us up there and we will give them the word
of God. So you have to have a testimony. “…and they loved not
their lives unto death” (Rev. 12:11, AT) Now for any of you who
are political, and you sort of want to mince around and sort of work around
things, and you don’t want to offend anybody. “Oh, we shouldn’t speak
about the Sabbath unless someone is offended.” Then you love your
life, and you’re going to lose it. Now I have learned it’s better to
offend someone temporarily that they may have a chance to repent when the
truth comes, than to placate and back down and play politics. And if
it cost us our life it cost us our life. Sooner or later it’s going to
cost you your life because you made a covenant with Christ at baptism and
gave your life to Him, and He gave His life to you. We are not to love
our lives unto death.
Verse 12, “Because of this the heavens and those who dwell therein rejoice.
Woe to those who inhabit the earth and the sea, because the devil has come
down to you, having great wrath, because he knows that he has a short
time. And when the dragon saw that he was cast out into the
earth, he persecuted the woman which brought forth the man child.”
Now that’s the Church. “And to the woman was given two wings of a
great eagle, so that she might fly into the wilderness, into her place,
where she is nourished there for a time, and times, and half a time
[3 ½ years], from the
face of the serpent. And the serpent cast water out of his mouth as a
river that he might cause her to be carried away by the flood.
But the earth helped the woman, and the earth opened it mouth, and swallowed
up the river which the dragon cast out of his mouth.” So God is even
going to let the earth help us. “And the dragon was wroth with the
woman and went to make war with the rest of her seed, who keep the
commandments of God and have the testimony of Jesus Christ” (vs. 12-17,
AT).
Now let’s understand something. The King James version says “remnant
of her seed”, and a remnant is not a proper translation. A remnant is
a small remainder that’s left, giving the indication that the greatest
majority of those have gone to a place of safety. But this gives no
indication in the Greek as to a remnant being a small number. It just
says “the others or the rest”, which could be a greater number.
Undoubtedly will be.
Now let’s go to Luke 17 and see how you’re going to get to a place of
safety if you’re going to go. God is the one Who’s going to make the
selection. It says here we’re going to be on the wings of a great
eagle, which is a type of God’s protection for us. And also that means
that the angels, as we will see here in Luke 17, will take us there.
Now let’s begin in Luke 17:22. “And He said unto the disciples, The
days will come, when ye shall desire to see one of the days of the
Son of man…” Like I explained, the days of the Son of man at the end,
the Day of the Lord is the 3 ½ years, the day of wrath is the last 18
months, the day of the Lord includes the whole 3 ½ years. “…And shall
not see it. And they shall say to you, See here; or, see there:
go not after them, nor follow them. For as the
lightning, that lighteneth out of the one part under heaven, shineth
unto the other part under heaven…” Now we’re going to see in
Matthew 24, that is the sun. It’s just like a sun. Not the sun,
but it’s like a sun. “…So shall also the Son of man be in His day.
But first must He suffer many things, and be rejected of this generation.
And as it was in the days of Noe, so shall it be also in the days of the Son
of man. They did eat, they drank, they married wives, they were given
in marriage, until the day that Noe entered into the ark, and the flood
came, and destroyed them all. Likewise also as it was in the days of
Lot; they did eat, they drank, they bought, they sold, they planted, they
builded…” Sounds like I just gave the economic report on the
economic news, right? Yes. “But the same day that Lot went out
of Sodom it rained fire and brimstone from heaven, and destroyed them
all. Even thus [that means “exactly in the same way”] shall it be in
the day when the Son of man is revealed” (Luke 17:22-30).
Now then we have this. This shows what’s going to happen to the rest
who are not in Judea and they go to a place of safety. “In that day,
he which shall be upon the housetop, and his stuff in the house, let him not
come down to take it away: and he that is in the field, let him likewise not
return back. Remember Lot’s wife” (vs. 31-32). Now that takes
care of all of those who were in Judea. Remember Lot’s wife. She
did not believe. She thought that she could look back and she was
turned into a pillar of salt.
Verse 33, “Whosoever shall seek to save his life shall lose it…”
That’s why if you’re preparing a Petra box it isn’t going to do you any
good. Even if you had it you wouldn’t have time to go get it.
And even if it were right there you wouldn’t be able to take it because when
the angels take those to go to a place of safety, as we will see, you’re not
going to have time to get it. “…And whosoever shall lose his life
shall preserve it.” You’re to lose your life in Christ and in His way,
then you’ll preserve it.
“I tell you…” Now I want you to understand. Let’s look at the
timeframe that’s here and we are going to see that this is like looking down
on the earth from heaven. When you look down on the earth half of it
is night, and half of it is day all the time as it turns. Now notice
the phenomena that we have hear. “I tell you, in that night [yet it’s
talking about the day
of the Lord, because certain places in the day of the Lord it’s going to be
night] there shall be two … in one bed: the one shall be taken, and the
other shall be left. Two … shall be grinding together; the one shall
be taken, and the other left.” Now it says taken. Those in Judea
are to get up and run. Here these are taken. Taken by whom?
Taken where? Well, how did Lot leave Sodom? The angels came and
took him, right. So to go to a place of safety, which Lot was taken to
wasn’t he? Yes. The angels will take us. That’s what it’s
talking about. One shall be taken the other left. “Two … shall
be in the field; the one shall be taken, and the other left.” Now in
the field, this is on the day portion of the earth where it’s daytime.
And normally grinding would take place early in the morning. So we’ve
got night, early morning, and daytime. And Christ told them exactly
where it would be. “And they answered and said unto Him, Where, Lord?
And He said unto them, Wheresoever the body is, thither will the
eagles be gathered together” (vs. 34-37). That doesn’t tell us where
it is. I was being a little fictitious there.
Please understand this. If you know where the place of safety is and
you don’t get there, the knowledge doesn’t do you any good. If you
don’t know where it is and you do get there then you’ll find out where it is
when you arrive. Now there are even some people going over trying to
get space in Petra hotel. They’re trying to work out their own
salvation. That’s not faith in Christ. It isn’t going to happen
that way.
Now then, let’s come back to Revelation 6 and let’s put this together a
little bit more. Let’s understand there will be a place of safety.
Let’s understand that some people are going to go, some people are going to
be left behind. And those that are left behind are going to have to
give their lives. That’s just the way it’s going to have to be.
Now we cannot choose. We’re not capable. We always thought the
ministers would pick up the phone and call you, say, “Ok, time to go.”
But God looks at the heart, and men do not know. And just think of the
political mess it would be. And besides, stop and think about all of
the different leaders who would…the various churches of God…would get there.
And do you think that Gerald Flurry would give up being in charge? Or,
you know, can you imagine the fight that would take place between Rod
Meredith and Gerald Flurry, and Les McCullough, and whoever else would be
over there. Who’s going to be in charge? Listen: when we get to
a place of safety, if we get there, we’re all going to trust in
Christ and we’re all going to be yielded to God.
Now if it is in the area of Petra please understand that God can put a
cloud cover over just like He did the children of Israel when they were in
the wilderness. Please understand that God can also put a magnetic
shield over so no weapons of destruction can get in there. So we have
to have faith in God. Just like the children of Israel, have to
realize even though we see the impossible like it was when they were
standing alongside the Red Sea, God parted the Red Sea and they walked on
dry ground. Now God will do the same miracle for us if we have the
same kind of faith.
Now let’s come to Revelation 6. Let’s understand something here very
important. In the fifth chapter it says Christ was found worthy to
open the seals. So this begins The Day of the Lord. So the Day
of the Lord begins when the Lord opens the seals.
Now verse 1, “And I looked when the Lamb opened one of the seals, and I
heard one of the four living creatures saying, as a voice of thunder, “Come
and see!” And I looked, and behold, a white horse, and the one who was
sitting on it had a bow, and a crown was given him, and he went out
conquering and to conquer” (Rev. 6:1-2,
AT). And I think this is the great false religious movement,
which is already out there and moving, and moving, and moving, and
generating. And I think that it’s going to be crowned with a one world
bible, and that’s when this will be fulfilled.
Verse 3, “And when He opened the second seal I heard the second living
creature saying, “Come and see!” And a horse went out that was
red: and to the one sitting on it was given to him to take peace from the
earth, and that they should kill one another: and there was given to him a
great sword” (vs. 3-4). Now that ties in with Revelation 13 that we
already read, where the Beast is going to have power to make war against the
saints for forth and two months. That’s when it takes place.
This is when the last 3 ½ years begin. Right here. This is the
beginning of the Great Tribulation.
“And when opened the third seal I heard the third living creature saying,
“Come and see!” And I looked, and behold, a black horse and the one
sitting on it had a balance in his hand. And I heard the voice in
the midst of the four living creatures, saying, “A measure of wheat for
a [coin] denarius, and three measures of barley for a [coin] denarius: and
see that you do not damage the oil and the wine.” And when He
opened the fourth seal, I heard the voice of the fourth living
creature saying, “Come and see!” and I looked, and behold, a pale
horse, and the one sitting on it, and
his name was Death, and the grave followed him; and the authority was
given to them to kill over the fourth of the earth with the sword and
with famine and with death, and by the beasts of the earth” (vs. 5-8).
Once the war starts all of these things follow, and it will follow very
quickly. Famine will be very quick because everybody lives from week
to week out of the supermarket. And that’s all going to come to an
end.
Now verse 9. “And when He opened the fifth seal…” Now this is
when Satan is wroth, which we read back in Revelation 12 where he’s wroth
and went to make war against the remnant of her seed. So you can tie
in Revelation 12. You can tie in Revelation 13. Here is when the
actual war and the killing of the saints begins in earnest. And it’s
going to make Auschwitz and Dachau, and all of those places look like
kindergarten. “…When He opened the fifth seal I saw under the altar
the souls of those who had been slain for the Word of God, and because of
the testimony which they held;” And there were many, beginning with
Stephen the very first martyr who stood right up before the Sanhedrin and
said, “You stiffnecked and uncircumcised in heart. You always resist
the Holy Spirit.” And that’s the kind of message that we’re going to
have to give.
Verse 10, “And they were crying out with a loud voice, saying, “How long O
Lord, holy and true, do You not judge and avenge our blood on those who are
dwelling on the earth?” And white robes were given to each one of
them; and it was said to them that they should rest yet for a short time,
until it shall be fulfilled that
both their fellow servants and their brethren should be killed as they also
were killed” (vs. 10-11). Now when that happens it will come down
and it will be the only ones who will be alive in the flesh as Christians at
that time will be those in the place of safety. When it comes down and
they kill the very last one that Satan makes war against. And that
they will. And Satan will think, boy he’s really got it now.
Then Christ is going to intervene. Then is going to happen one of the
greatest events that’s going to take place. The opening of the sixth
seal.
Let’s read it. “And when He opened the sixth seal, I looked and
behold, there was a great earthquake, and the sun became black as the
hair of sackcloth, and the moon became as blood, and the stars of
heaven fell unto the earth, as a fig tree casts its untimely fig, when
being shaken by a mighty wind. Then the heaven departed as a scroll
that is being rolled up, and every mountain and island were moved out of
their places” (vs. 12-14).
Now let’s go to Matthew 24 and see that that is the sign of the Son of man.
This is really something. It’s going to look like, and it will be
true, the earth will be about to be invaded from outer space. And
hasn’t the world been programmed for that? Hasn’t the world had all of
these things just all lined up? Aren’t we looking for aliens from
outer space? And truly Christ is an alien to this earth, isn’t He, to
the people of the world, isn’t He? So when the heavens are rolled back
like a scroll…
Let’s pick it up here in Matthew 24:26. “Wherefore if they shall say
unto you, Behold, he is in the desert; go not forth: behold, he is in
the secret chambers; believe
it not. For as the lightning cometh out of the east…” Now
this means the light of day. It’s going to be as the light of day.
“…Cometh out of the east, and shineth even unto the west…” So there is
going to be a brand new sun, as it were, in the heaven that they never saw
before. That is the sign of the Son of man. The heavens depart
like a scroll. “…So shall also the coming of the Son of man be” (vs.
26-27).
Now notice verse 29. “Immediately after the tribulation of those
days…” Now this is not the full 3 ½ years. This is the
tribulation leading up to the sign of the Son of man. “…Shall the sun
be darkened, and the moon shall not give her light [just as we read], 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 the tribes of the earth mourn, and they shall see the Son of
man coming in the clods of heaven with power and great glory” (vs.
29-30).
Now let’s go back in Revelation 6 and see that. And let’s pick it up
here in verse 14. “Then the heaven departed as a scroll that is being
rolled up…” And then there is the sign of the Son of man. “…and
every mountain and island were moved out of their places. And the
kings of the earth, and the great men and the rich men, and the chief
captains, and the powerful men, and every bondman, and every free man hid
themselves in the caves and in the rocks of the mountains; and they said to
the mountains and to the rocks, “Fall on us, and hide us from the
face of Him Who sits on the throne, and from the wrath of the Lamb;
because the great day of His wrath has come and who has the power to stand?”
(Rev. 6:14-17, AT). Great and awesome time that’s going to be
brethren. And the very first thing Christ is going to do is He is
going to save the 144,000 and the great innumerable multitude.
Now we come to Revelation 7 and we find that the 144,000 of Israel are
saved and the great innumerable multitude are saved. And these have
come out of great tribulation. Now then when we come to chapter 8 we
begin the trumpet plagues. And this is what the Feast of Trumpets
pictures. Because after the sealing of the 144,000 and the great
innumerable multitude, on what I believe to be the next to the last
Pentecost during the last 3 ½ years, then beginning on Trumpets, that’s when
the trumpet plagues start. So you have that time from Pentecost unto
Trumpets where then 144,000 are sealed, the great innumerable multitude are
sealed, and so forth.
Now then we have the seventh seal that is opened. Revelation 8:1,
“And when He opened the seventh seal, there
was silence in heaven about half-an-hour. Then I saw the seven angels,
who stand before God, and to them were given seven trumpets. And
another angel came and stood at the altar, having a golden censer; and much
incense was given to him, so that he might offer it with the prayers
of all the saints upon the golden altar which was before the throne.
And the smoke of the incense ascended up with the prayers of the saints, out
of the
hand of the angel, before God. And the angel took the censer and filled
it with the fire of the altar, and cast it into the earth; and there
were voices, and thunders and lighnings and an earthquake.” You go
through the book of Revelation, there are many, many, many earthquakes.
“Then the seven angels who had the seven trumpets prepared themselves so
that they might sound their trumpets” (Rev. 8:1-6, AT).
“And the first angel sounded his trumpet;…” Now notice all of these
are the weapons of God, and there is no modern weapon that can beat the
weapons of God, and these are the same that God used against Egypt.
“…And there was hail and fire mingled with blood, and it was cast upon the
earth: and the third part
of the trees were burnt up, and all the green grass was burnt up.” That
is worldwide. When we’re talking about these events, these are
worldwide events. “And the second angel sounded his trumpet;
and as it were a great mountain burning with fire was cast into the
sea and the third part of the sea became blood; then a third of the
creatures which were in the sea that had life, died; and the third of
the ships were destroyed” (vs. 7-9).
“And the third angel sounded his
trumpet; and there fell out of heaven a great star, burning as a lamp, and it
fell upon the third of the rivers, and upon the fountains of waters.
And the name of the star is called “Wormwood”; and a third of the waters
became wormwood, and many men died from the waters, because they were made
bitter. And the fourth angel sounded his trumpet; and the third
of the sun was smitten, and the third of the moon, and the third of the
stars; so that the third of them were darkened, and the third part of the
day did not shine, and the night likewise.” Great upheavals.
That’s why back in the book of Haggai 2, it says that God will arise yet
once more and He will shake the earth. He will shake the heavens.
He will shake the dry land. He will shake the seas. Then Christ
will come. We’re seeing it right here. “Then I looked, and heard one
angel flying in mid-heaven, saying with a loud voice, “Woe, woe, woe, to
those who are dwelling on the earth, because of the voices of the remaining
trumpets of the three angels who are about to sound their
trumpets.” (vs. 10-13).
Then we have the fifth angel sound his trumpet. And this is a
tremendous time where this takes place. The sixth angel sounds his
trumpet, which then is the second woe. Now let’s read that one and let’s see
the army that is there.
Revelation 9:13, “And the sixth angel sounded his trumpet; and I
heard one voice from the four horns of the golden altar which is before God,
saying to the sixth angel who had the trumpet, “Loose the four angels who
are bound in the great river Euphrates.” Then the four angels were
loosed [obviously these are evil angels], who had been prepared for the hour
and day and month and year, so that they might kill the third part of men;”
Now you see it’s all done according to time. There’s no speeding up of
anything here. “And the number of the armies of the horsemen was
two hundred thousand thousand…” That’s 200,000,000. The greatest
army that has ever been. “…And I heard the number of them” (Rev.
9:13-16, AT). They come with great power and great fury.
Then we come over here to chapter 11 where the seventh trumpet is sounded.
Let’s pick that up, Revelation 11. Now I covered the two witnesses and
their resurrection on Pentecost so let’s go beyond. Let’s pick it up
here in verse 14.
“The second woe is past: Behold the third woe comes immediately. Then
the seventh angel sounded his
trumpet; and there were great voices in heaven, saying, “the kingdoms of this
world have become the kingdoms of our Lord’s and His Christ’s, and He
shall reign into the ages of eternity.” And the twenty-four elders,
who sit before God on their thrones, fell upon their faces and worshipped
God, saying, “We give You thanks, O Lord God Almighty, Who is, and Who was,
and Who is coming, that You have taken to Yourself
Your great power and have reigned.” That is the beginning of His reign.
“Then the nations were angry, and Your wrath has come, and the time for the
dead to be judged [that’s the first resurrection at the seventh trump – the
last trump], and to give the reward to your servants the prophets, and to
the saints, and those who fear Your name, the small and the great; and to
destroy those who destroy the earth.” So that’s really quite a type.
“And the temple of God in heaven was opened, and the ark of His covenant was
seen in His temple: then there were lightnings and voices and thunders
and an earthquake and great hail” (Rev. 11:14-19, AT). I mean
these are great an momentous events. That’s why it says back in the
book of Zephaniah: What is the day of the LORD to you? There are a lot
of people, “Hurry up, let’s bring the Day of the LORD. Hurry up, let’s
bring the Day of the LORD. What is it to you but to merchandise and
gain from the brethren? No. The day is going to come when it
comes, how it’s going to come, the way that God has determined it. And
it’s right on time according to the schedule of the book of Revelation and
it isn’t going to come any other way.
Now let’s come to Revelation 15 because we have that with Pentecost so
let’s pick up where we left off with Pentecost and let’s see what is going
to happen because part of the things that are going to take place with the
great destruction is going to take place in chapter 16. And God is
going to have all the saints see His vengeance and His wrath. And it’s
going to be awesome. And this earth is going go through some the worst
times it has ever been, as Christ said since the beginning of the creation
until this time, and no nor ever shall be after that.
Now, all the saints are resurrected, meet Christ in the air and go to the
sea of glass. Verse 2, “Then I saw a sea of glass mingled with fire,
and those who had gotten the victory over the beast, and over his image, and
over his mark and over the number of his name, standing upon the sea
of glass, having the harps of God. And they sing the song of Moses,
the servant of God, and the song of the Lamb, saying, “Great and awesome
are Your works, O Lord God Almighty; righteous and true are Your
ways, King of the saints. Who shall not fear You, O Lord, and glorify
Your name? For
You only are holy; for all the nations shall come and worship
before You; for Your judgments are revealed.” (Rev. 15:2-4). They’re
all going to come and worship God. Now He’s going to have to convince
them of it. He is going to have to send these plagues upon them.
And as we will see when the millenium begins there’s still war that
continues for a short time. We’ll see that a little later.
Now verse 5. “And after these things, I looked, and behold the temple
of the tabernacle of the testimony in heaven was opened; and the seven
angels, having the seven last
plagues, came out of the temple clothed in linen—pure and bright—and gird
about the chest with a golden chestplate. And one of the four living
creatures gave to the seven angels seven golden vials, full of the wrath of
God, Who lives into the ages of eternity. And the temple was filled
with smoke from the glory of God, and from His power; and no one was able to
enter into the temple, until the seven plagues of the seven angels were
fulfilled” (vs. 5-8).
Now this is leading up, now beginning the first trumpet on the Feast of
Trumpets, we come down through the seven trumpets. The seventh trump
sounds on Pentecost. The saints are all resurrected, meet Christ in
the air on the sea of glass. Now we go from Pentecost down through to
the next trumpets and that’s when Christ literally comes on the earth and
all of us with Him. But first, between Pentecost and Trumpets there
are going to be these seven last plagues. And this is all a part of
the events leading up to the return of Christ. And these are so
powerful, and these are so mighty, and these are so great, and so awesome
that we need to realize and understand this. And who is it that is not
going to fear God? That is not going to love God because of this?
And we’re going to see what the angels say of God for bringing these
things. Now in the world, Satan will say, “Well how can this be a God
of love? How can this be a God of compassion and concern? Look
at all the destruction He is bringing.” While God is a God of love and
compassion and concern He’s also judge. And because of sin He must
judge. And these are His judgments because of the sin of the whole
world. Now let’s read it.
“Then I heard a loud voice from out of the temple, saying, to the seven
angels, “Go, and pour out the vials of the wrath of God upon the earth.”
And the first angel went and poured out his vial upon the earth; and
an evil grievous sore fell upon the men who had the mark of the beast, and
those who were worshipping his image. And the second angel went
and poured out his vial upon the sea; and it became blood…” Now notice
how the trumpet plagues only was a third of it. Now we come back for a
repeat performance and its all
of it. “…upon the sea; and it became blood, as of the blood
ofadead
man; and every living soul in the sea died” (Rev. 16:1-3, AT). Now
this is talking about the whole oceans worldwide.
“And the third angel poured out his vial upon the rivers, and upon the
fountains of waters; and they became blood. Then I heard the angel of
the waters saying, “You are righteous, O Lord, Who are and Who was—even the
Holy One—because You have judged this way. For they have poured
out the blood of the saints and the blood of the prophets, and you
gave blood to them to drink! For they are worthy!” (vs. 4-6). Now
doesn’t that show you what you are worth in God’s sight? God is going
to avenge it. God is going to take care of it. Christ is going
to execute this. He’s going to send His angels out with the seven last
plagues to carry them out.
“And I heard another voice
out of the altar saying, “Yes, O Lord God Almighty, true and righteous are
Your judgments.” Absolutely true. Absolutely righteous.
“And the fourth angel poured out his vial upon the sun; and
power was given to the sun to scorch men with fire. Then
men were scorched with great heat, and they blasphemed the name of God, Who
has authority over these plagues, and did not repent to give Him glory” (vs.
7-9). See, in each one of these cases God is giving a space of
repentance. But just like at the end of chapter 9, they refused to
repent of their murders and idolatries, and sorceries, and the worship of
idols of gold and idols of silver. They refused to repent and give Him
glory.
“And the fifth angel poured out his vial upon the throne of the beast; and
his kingdom became full of darkness [just like it was in Egypt, darkness so
thick they could feel it]; and they were gnashing their tongues from the
pain.” So apparently this darkness brings pain and agony. “And
they blasphemed the God of heaven because of their pains and their sores,
and yet they did not repent of their works” (vs. 10-11).
Now then, God is going to give just a little bit of respite. And just
like Pharaoh, who hardened his heart and refused to let the children of
Israel go, now God is going to give a little respite to all of this and
there is going to be an interlude where it looks like that maybe men can get
together and defeat God. Of course they will think it’s invasion from
outer space. Let’s read it.
“And the sixth angel poured out his vial upon the great river Euphrates;
and its waters were dried up so that the way of the kings [of the east] from
the rising of the sun might be prepared. Then I saw three
unclean spirits like frogs come out of the mouth of the dragon, and out of
the mouth of the beast, and out of the mouth of the false prophet; for they
are spirits of demons working miracles…” Just like the miracles that
the sorcerers of Pharaoh were able to perform. They go out and
convince men that they can come and win this battle. But no, God is
letting them think that they are going to succeed. In spite of all the
destruction, in spite of all the things that come along, because you see the
hard-heartedness of men, and the stubbornness of Satan, and the evil of them
combined together is going to make them fall for this trap. “…Working
miracles, which go forth to the kings of the earth and of the whole
world, to gather them together unto the battle of that great day of God
Almighty” (vs. 12-14).
“Behold, I come as a thief.” Now here is a warning for us.
“Blessed is the one who is watching and is keeping his garments so that he
may not walk naked and they see his shame” (vs. 15).
“And He gathered them together into the place that is called in Hebrew,
Armageddon” (vs. 16). Now Armageddon is not the last war between human
beings and great powers on the earth. Armageddon is the last war
before Christ puts His feet on the earth between God and men who are
inspired by Satan the devil and the false prophet and the beast. They
are gathered together for the battle. And I imagine they are all
there. Just like on “Independence Day” {the movie}. All the
armies got together, they were all happy. Now let’s understand, you
can’t get all the armies of all the world in one place. That’s why it
says in Isaiah 2 that He’s going to have to rebuke large nations afar off
until they beat their spears into pruning hooks and their swords into
plowshares. So there’s still more to take place. But all those
armies that could get there.
Now verse 17, “Then the seventh angel poured out his vial into the air; and
a loud voice came out from the temple of heaven, from the throne, saying “IT
IS DONE!” ” This is the day. Brethren this is the day that
we are looking for. This is the day when it is finished. This is
the day when the end of Satan is going to come. The end of man’s rule
is going to come. The end of all the hellishness that has been down
through the whole history of the whole world, and God is judging great
Babylon, as we read in Revelation 17 and 18. All the judgment of
Babylon there in Revelation 18. Great is that judgment. You read
it.
Verse 18, “And there were voices and thunders and lightnings; and there was
a great earthquake, such as was not since men were on the earth, so mighty
an earthquake—so great!” Remember Isaiah 40. Every valley shall
be exalted. Every hill and mountain shall be made low. That’s
when it’s going to happen. “And the great city was divided into three
parts; and the cities of the nations fell…” Just collapsed. All
the buildings coming down. And I can’t help but think of that double
huge twin tower down in Malaysia, the two biggest tower buildings in the
world. And how they are so proud. And they even said it’s just
like the tower of Babel reaching unto heaven. God is going to smash
it. It’s going to come down flat to the ground. “…Then Babylon
the great was remembered before God, to give to her the cup of the wine of
the fury of His wrath. And every island disappeared and no mountains
were found; then [fell] great hail, each stone the weight of a talent
[that’s 180 pounds], fell down from heaven upon men; and men blasphemed God,
because of the plague of the hail, for the plague was exceedingly great!”
(vs. 18-21).
Now then, let’s come to Revelation 19. Ok, this is something.
When we come back down to the earth, boy it’s going to really be a
spectacular thing. Now let’s pick this up in verse 9. Again,
this backs us up to Pentecost and carries us forward to Trumpets. You
see how all the holy days are connected together. There’s a plan.
There is rhyme. There is reason. But the only way you can
understand these things is to stick close to the word of God. And some
of the things we know for sure. Some of the things we know a little
bit about. Other things we can guess and give our opinion, and when we
do we need to make it clear that we are doing that.
Now verse 9, “and he said to me, “Write! Blessed are those who are
called to the marriage supper of the Lamb.” And he said to me, “these
are the true word of God.” He inspired every bit of it. “Then I
fell at his feet to worship him. And he said to me, “See, that you
do it not! I am your fellowservant and of your brethren who have
the testimony of Jesus. Worship God! For the testimony of Jesus
is the spirit of prophecy.” Not only prophesying events to happen, but
also the spirit of prophesying in a testimony by the word of God. “And
I saw heaven opened [it’s going to open again], and behold, a white horse,
and He who sat upon it is
called Faithful and True, and in righteousness does He judge and make war.
And His eyes were as a flame of fire, and upon His head were
many crowns, having a name written on it which no one knows except He
Himself. And He was clothed with a garment dipped in blood; and His
name is called, The Word of God. And the armies which were in
heaven were following Him upon white horses, and they were clothed in
fine linen [that’s us]--white and pure. And out of His mouth goes a
sharp sword, that with it He should smite that nations [and all He has to do
is speak the word and it happens]; and He shall shepherd them with a rod of
iron; and He treads out the wine press of the fury and the wrath of the
Almighty God” (Rev. 19:9-15).
“And He has upon His
garment and upon His thigh a name written, King of kings and Lord of lords.”
Boy, I can just hear the Handle’s Messiah where that is sung. That is
awesome. “Then I saw an angel standing in the sun; and he cried out
with a loud voice, saying to all the birds which fly in the midst of heaven,
“Come and gather yourselves together unto the supper of the Great God, so
that you may eat the flesh of mighty men, and the flesh of
horses and those who sit on them, and the flesh of all, free and bond, and
small and great. And I saw the beast, and kings of the earth and their
armies gathered together to make war with Him Who sits on the horse, and
with His army” (vs. 16-19).
Here is the great thing that is going to take place on this Feast of
Trumpets. Verse 20, “Then the beast was taken, and with him the false
prophet, who worked the miracles in his presence, by which he deceived those
who received the mark of the beast and those who worshipped his image.
Those two were cast alive into the lake of fire which burns with brimstone;
and the rest were killed with the sword of Him Who sits on the horse,
even the sword which goes out of His mouth; and all the birds were
filled with their flesh” (vs. 20-21). What a great day of Feast of
Trumpets this is going to be. And on that day He puts His feet
on the Mount of Olives. And it splits in two, and He has all the
saints with Him.
So brethren, this is a great and fantastic feast day. A day of war
and vengeance to bring the final complete war from God.
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