Reviews and Views

…in my opinion.

Book of Revelation – Chapter 4

The future lies ahead for John and us who believe in the Lord Jesus Christ. What comes next is an incredible view of heaven and the events that soon occur on earth’s inhabitants. 

Chapters 2 and 3 covered the letters to the seven churches that span the present age of grace in which we now reside. You will notice that the Church is not mentioned again in Revelation until the end of the book. That is because the Church is in heaven and not on earth.

After completing the history of the seven churches, John sees a door open in heaven. The door only opens twice in the book of Revelation. Verse 1 allows the saints into heaven as Jesus leads us home, also known as the Rapture. A second time, toward the end of Revelation, the Lord Jesus Christ leads the armies of heaven to earth to set up His millennium kingdom.

One may ask, “What is the Rapture?” It is the literal, visible, bodily coming of Jesus Christ to call out of this world, literally and bodily, every born-again believer; first the dead, then the living. Remember that no man can know the date or the time of this event. Do take notice that the dead in Christ shall rise first as told to us in 1 Thessalonians 4:16-17. Then all of us who are alive will be caught up into the sky to meet the Lord Jesus Christ in the twinkling of an eye.

There is a difference between the Rapture and the Revelation of Christ. This truth needs to be fully understood because it is the basis for understanding the Book of Revelation, prophetic truth, and the placement of signs. There are two aspects, or stages, in the process of Christ’s second coming. The first phase is the Rapture of the Church (described in chapter 4), which removes the believer from the Judgments of chapters 6 to 18. The second phase is called the Revelation (described in chapter 19), which restores the believer to earth as he returns with Christ to planet earth. The intervening chapters 6 through 18 will cover seven years called the Tribulation (or the time of Jacob’s trouble).

Earth’s inhabitants experience seven years of incomparable judgments immediately following the Rapture. These judgments end with the Battle of Armageddon when heaven’s door swings open a second time (chapter 19, verses 11-16) so that the believer may exit heaven with Christ for the return trip to earth. Wars stop, peace reigns, and the millennium kingdom of the Lord Jesus Christ operate from Jerusalem.

What is meant by “the time of Jacob’s trouble?” The Church will not be on earth during the Tribulation hour. The Tribulation is Israel’s time of suffering. See Jeremiah 30:7 and Daniel 12:1. In Daniel 9:24, we read, “seventy weeks are determined upon thy people (Israelites) and upon thy holy city (Jerusalem).” The seven years of Tribulation is the final of the 70th week of Daniel 9. The Church, the bride of Christ, elected to be His sweetheart and wife for all eternity, is not in view during the Tribulation.

The future begins in Chapter 4 and Chapter 5. The starting point focuses on events in heaven, followed by what occurs on earth during the Tribulation in Chapters 6 through 18.

John focuses on the throne as he looks around now that he is in heaven. The throne is a throne of God’s governance. John uses jasper and sardine stone to describe what he saw. “Jasper emphasizes the hardness connected with the government of God. His laws are fixed and firm, unyielding and unrelenting” (John Phillips commentary, page 82). When Christ rules the earth, it will be with a rod of iron, symbolically hardness and unyieldedness. “The sardine stone suggests the holiness connected with the government of God, for Sardis is a deep, fiery, flashing red. It reminds us that ‘our God is a consuming fire’ (John Phillips commentary, page 82).

A rainbow encircles the throne that John describes like an emerald. The color has to do with the earth. The circle symbolizes perfection. God’s judgment will be flawless and also formal. Notice the 24 seats or thrones around God’s throne. We are witnessing a court in session. All things will be done orderly and decently. Coming is a fearful judgment with all the lightning and thundering and voices coming out of the throne. A sea of glass like a crystal was before the throne. God’s final judgment will be transparent and fixed. Peace and calmness surround the throne of God. The Church is at rest in heaven before the storm hits the earth. 

In describing the four beasts, John uses the words “like a” and “as a,” meaning that the descriptions are all symbolic and not literal. Most of Revelation is literal, but the symbolic will use these similar words for symbolic meaning. Chapter 4 ends in a glorious moment in heaven. The crowned saints lay their rewards at the feet of Jesus. They lay aside their rewarded glory to add to His glory. 

Next is Chapter 5 – the book with the seven seals.

January 11, 2024 Posted by | Culture, Last Days, Religion | , , , , | Leave a comment

Book of Revelation – Chapter 2

The letters that John wrote to the seven individual churches apply to all churches of all ages, for these seven churches represent seven stages of church history. Let us see what the Lord had to say.

Ephesus church covers the approximate period of 33 A.D. to 100 A.D. Christ commends that local assembly before scolding them for their sins. Notice that it is not wrong to judge someone when that individual’s doctrine is heretical, or wickedness fills a person’s life. We are to “Try the spirits whether they are of God because many false prophets are gone out into the world.” (1 John 4:1). The church at Ephesus was strong when it started but slipped from its original moorings and was on the way down. Though busy and outwardly sound, it shifted away from its love for Christ. Ephesus lost its first love. They may have been too busy serving and not taking time to fellowship with Jesus. When one is so active that they have no time for Bible study and prayer, they are too busy. Been there and done that! Let us not lose our first love. Remember, repent, and do the first works. 

Smyrna church covered 100 A.D. to 312 A.D. when the most significant persecution in all Christianity took place. This church had works of faith that brought great tribulation and material poverty. Yet, they spread the Word of God to the entire Roman Empire. They experienced martyrdom with an estimate of nearly 5 million killed. Death was commonplace. Regardless, the church flourished and grew during the Smyrna period. However, the church developed ritualism or a deliberate Judaizing of Christianity. False professors of religion brought much heartache. We should beware of those who claim to be Christians but deny the deity of Christ (1 John 4:3). Also true of those who mix law and grace in their teachings. Smyrna was experiencing persecution from within and without. When our hour of trial comes, we are not to fear but to keep our eyes on Jesus and the eternal rewards He promised (James 1:12).

Pergamos was the faltering church, extending from 312 A.D. to 606 A.D. Materialism, self-indulgence, and worldliness described the church in Pergamos. You might say that it was adrift or had backslid; a marriage of the church and the world. Of necessity, the believer in Christ is in the world. They must constantly guard against becoming involved in the world’s ungodliness. There appeared to be two false creeds in the church:
(1) the doctrine of Balaam – “Let’s be more relaxed in our loyalties.”
(2) the doctrine of the Nicolaitanes – “Let’s be more restricted in our leadership.” An example is when the ministry or leader says, “I am the head, and you have no choice in the matter,” allowing laymen no voice in the church’s affairs.

Christ’s call is always to the individual believer in these churches. Let’s keep ourselves from immorality and refuse to partake in the loose living around us. Be an overcomer. The white stone represents the changeless purity of Christ. 

 Thyatira church covers the years of 606 A.D. to 1520 A.D. It started with a commendation from the Lord. She was known for her good works, love, service, faith, patience, and last works, loaded with excellent service and unusual deeds. This church outdid itself. Many scholars believe that this church is still found in the world today until the revived Roman Empire destroys it in Revelation chapters 17 and 18. The church resisted doing what was right and expected. Judgment always comes. The Lord Jesus Christ searches the minds and hearts and will give every one according to their works. Consider that we don’t lose those rewards we have earned (2 John 8). Even here at Thyatira, a remnant remained faithful despite the deterioration of their local church. In verse 28: Christ has promised faithful believers three rewards upon His return to the earth:

  1. Rulership over the nations during the Millennium (chapter 20, verse 4),
  2. Sharing in this glorious time of perfect righteousness resulting from Christ’s enforcement and order (Psalm 2:8,9), and
  3. The abiding presence of the blessed Savior throughout time and eternity as Christ himself, the bright and morning star, reigns (chapter 22, verses 14, 16).

Next, we will continue with the other churches.

January 3, 2024 Posted by | Culture, Last Days, Life, Religion | , , , , , | Leave a comment

Book of Revelation – Chapter 1

The word revelation means unveiling or uncovering. The Roman government exiled the apostle John on a rocky island in the Meditteranean Sea. During his time there, John had a vision given directly by God to write what he saw. John gave details to everything he heard or witnessed. This book is about the unveiling of Jesus Christ and to show His servants things that “must shortly come to pass.” Here we learn that “shortly” means rapid action once there is a beginning. So we enter into a study of signs as we proceed.

Christ has bestowed upon all believers the majesty of a prince and the ministry of a priest. Reading the book of Revelation is a blessing. But there is a blessing to be received for just hearing Revelation read. Don’t put aside this book because it deals with future events. John Phillips, in his commentary, says, “The events it predicts can happen at any moment; not immediate, but imminent.” Let us not forget how short time is and how long eternity lasts.

The number seven (7) will come up again and again. Remember that seven is God’s number of perfection and completeness. Christ holds seven stars, walks among seven candlestands, and instructs John to write what he hears and witnesses to the seven churches in Asia Minor, which are Ephesus, Smyrna, Pergamos, Thyatira, Sardis, Philadelphia, and Laodicea.

We understand Christ as the beginning and ending of all things. He was, is, and always will be. While believers are in this world, they will have tribulation (see John 16:33), but in verse 9, this does not include the Tribulation hour. Kept out of this hour are the saints. It is “the time of Jacob’s trouble.” as stated in Jeremiah 30:7.

Clothed in the garment of an Old Testament high priest, Christ is about to enter into judgment with the world. Swayed by neither pity nor passion, He executes justice that will come swiftly. Bright whiteness speaks of His righteousness. The fire in His eyes reflects the righteous anger concerning the sins of the churches. Christ’s feet picture judgment and relate to the events when He returns to earth.

The seven stars are the seven messengers to the seven churches. Christ “has complete control over all forces, known and unknown, natural and supernatural, seen and unseen, that shape the destinies of men.” (John Phillips commentary). The two-edged sword is the Word of God.

Hades, Sheol, and Hell – what are they?
Sheol (an Old Testament term) and Hades (a New Testament term) are the same. Hades was a place where all humans’ souls and spirits went until the cross of Christ. There existed two compartments; one for the wicked and the other (known as Paradise) for the righteous. Paradise is where Christ went upon His death (Acts 2:27, 31). He ministered there to His people and led captivity captive (Ephesians 4:8-10). This act released them to enter the third heaven of 2 Corinthians 12:2. Presently, the comfort side of Hades (Paradise) is empty. Fully occupied is the torment side of Hades. On the White Throne Judgment day, God will open Hades’ torment side as told in Revelation 20:13, when death and hell (or Hades) must deliver up the dead. Judgment awaits the wicked.

Written chronologically, the Book of Revelation presents past (were), present (are), and future (shall be) events. Chapter 1 (past), Chapter 2 and 3 (present), and Chapter 4 through 22 (future).

Now we proceed to the seven churches of chapter 2 and chapter 3.

January 3, 2024 Posted by | Bible, Culture, Last Days, Religion | , , , | Leave a comment

    Next Entries »