REVELATION 16 (PART 1 of 2)

REVELATION 16
PART 1 of 2

SEVEN VIALS

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   1) 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.

   2) 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 worshiped his image.

   3) And the second angel poured out his vial upon the sea; and it became as the blood of a dead man:  and every living soul died in the sea.

   4) And the third angel poured out his vial upon the rivers and fountains of waters; and they became blood.

   5) And I heard the angel of the waters say, Thou are righteous, O Lord, which art, and wast, and shalt be, because thou hast judged thus.

   6) For they have shed the blood of saints and prophets, and thou hast given them blood to drink; for they are worthy. 

   7) And I heard another out of the altar say, Even so, Lord God Almighty, true and righteous are Thy judgments.

   8) And the fourth angel poured out his vial upon the sun; and power was given unto him to scorch men with fire.

   9) And men were scorched with great heat, and blasphemed the Name of God, Which hath power over these plagues:  and they repented not to give Him glory.  King James Version (KJV) Public Domain

COMMENTARY

   The plagues, calamities that have been bombarding the earth since the rapture have been God trying to convict and convert people's hearts.  Some have refused the mark of the beast and have been caught and executed; others have run for their lives.  But commodities are scarce and no one can buy or sell without the mark of the beast.  Now, the final judgments are no longer a call to repentance, but they are a pure expression of the vengeance of a holy God.

     Jesus gives the command to begin the final purge of evil, of human rebellion, from the earth.  Too long He has knocked on the door of our hearts only to be turned aside.  Everyone who received the mark of the beast is affected by the first plague.

   The second trumpet, you remember, affected a third of the sea and a third of sea creatures.  Here, the entire sea will be affected and all it's creatures will die.  The rivers and fountains became blood but it may be that the inhabitants can drink this (see verse 6) even though it will be bitter and repulsive.

   Then we get the real "global warming", in that the sun's heat will intensify.  (See also, Malachi 4:1)  Now, really, can you imagine the stench from all the hot "blood" in all of the waterways?



  Have you accepted the life saving gift of salvation or do you believe in a holy God?  Click on the following link for the "Pathway to Salvation": https://omaswisdom.blogspot.com/p/path-to-salvation.html

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REVELATION 15

REVELATION 15

SEVEN PLAGUES

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   1) And I saw another sign in heaven, great and marvellous, seven angels having the seven last plagues; for in them is filled up the wrath of God.

   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, and over the number of his name, stand on the sea of glass, having the harps of God.

   3) 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.

   4) 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.

   5) And after that I looked, and, behold, the temple of the tabernacle of the testimony in heaven was opened:

   6) And the 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.

   7) And one of the four beasts gave unto the seven angels seven golden vials full of the wrath of God, Who liveth for ever and ever.

   8) And the temple was filled with smoke from the glory of God, and from His power; and no man was to enter into the temple, till the seven plagues of the seven angels were fulfilled.  King James Version (KJV) Public Domain

COMMENTARY

   The sea of glass represents all of the times God has delivered His people from evil:  when Moses led his people out of Egypt, when Noah was saved from destruction when God judged the world by water, and let us not overlook baptism.  The fire represents judgment.

   Verse 5:  the temple of the tabernacle of the testimony in heaven is the place where the original 10 Commandments are, which were written by God Himself and given to Moses to instruct God's chosen people.  This is the law.  Those who deny Christ are living under the law.  However, go back in history to when Jesus was crucified, the vale was rent from top to bottom, (Matthew 27:51) opening the way for all who believe on Him to have full access to The Most High God.  Praise His Holy Name!  That is what John sees here:  the innermost area of the earthly tabernacle, the Holiest of all, was not accessible to the people or the priests....only to the high priest once a year.  Now, it is open to all who believe!  (Hebrews 10: 19 - 22)  Ah, but wait until verse 8.

   And the angels came out of that heavenly temple clothed in pure and white linen, which speaks of righteousness.  The golden girdles speak of riches and beauty.  They emerged with the seven plagues; then one of the four beasts around the throne gives each angel a golden vial FULL of the wrath of God.  This time, God will hold nothing back; those who rejected our God will be hit with the full wrath of our holy and just God!

   In verse 8, we see the "Shekinah" glory of God and His power filling the temple.  God's glory is at stake; His righteousness demands the punishment of iniquity.  He does not apologize for dealing thus with unrighteousness, nor do His servants need to apologize for Him.  Everyone who has heard the message of The Gospel should understand Who God is and what their future is without Him!  Who can withstand the full impact of God's wrath?  Who would elect to place themselves in that position?  I'll tell you "who":  those who reject salvation through the blood of Jesus, that's who!

   Dear friend, please consider all you have read about this tribulation that will soon be visited upon the earth.  Today is the day for salvation.  Click on this link to learn more: https://omaswisdom.blogspot.com/p/path-to-salvation.html.



   You are encouraged to leave a comment if this ministry is a blessing to you and please pray for us, that God will use our efforts of this ministry for His glory.  You are also encouraged to share this post on your favorite social ministry.  Thank you

REVELATION 14 PART 2 of 2

REVELATION 14

PART 2 of 2

VERSES 13 - 20

photo of a sickle

   13) And I heard a voice from heaven saying unto me, Write, Blessed are the dead which die in the Lord from henceforth:  Yea, saith the Spirit, that they may rest from their labours; and their works do follow them.

   14) And I looked, and behold a white cloud, and upon the cloud One sat like unto the Son of man, having on His head a golden crown, and in His hand a sharp sickle.

   15) 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.

   16) And He that sat on the cloud thrust in His sickle on the earth; and the earth was reaped.

   17) And another angel came out of the temple which is in heaven, he also having a sharp sickle.

   18) And another angel came out from the altar, which had power over fire; and cried with a loud cry to him that had the sharp sickle, saying, Thrust in thy sharp sickle, and gather the clusters of the vine of the earth; for her grapes are fully ripe.

   19) And the angel thrust in his sickle into the earth, and gathered the vine of the earth, and cast it into the great winepress of the wrath of God.

20) And the winepress was trodden without the city, and blood came out of the winepress, even unto the horsed bridles, by the space of a thousand and six hundred furlongs.  King James Version (KJV) Public Domain

COMMENTARY

   This is the worst period in history for Christians.  Those who refuse to take the mark of the Beast will be killed....period.  But The Holy Spirit speaks from heaven with a blessing for them.  1 Corinthians 3: 8 states that every man shall receive his own reward according to his own labour  (not the fruit of our labour).

   Then John sees Jesus coming on a cloud, sickle in hand (to judge) and a crown on His head (to reign).  The harvest on the earth is ripe (with wickedness).

   The sickle is used for two "harvestings":  the first is of grain which likely refers to the judgment of all the earth.  This angel (the fourth angel) comes out of the earthly temple asking Jesus to gather the "wheat" (those who have accepted Jesus, even to their death).  Jesus, thus, gathers His children.

   The next angel comes out of the heavenly temple with a sharp sickle.  The last angel comes out of the altar and has power over fire and instructs the fifth angel to gather the clusters of the vine of the earth (those who rejected Jesus).  That cluster is placed in the winepress (at Armageddon).

   Dear friend, now is the time to choose how you will spend eternity.  Please consider this Book of Revelation and choose wisely, choose the gift of salvation.  Please click here:  https://omaswisdom.blogspot.com/p/path-to-salvation.html.

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REVELATION 14 PART 1 of 2

REVELATION 14
VERSES 1 - 12
BABYLON IS FALLEN

   1) And I looked, and, lo, a Lamb stood on the Mount Sion, and with Him an hundred forty and four thousand, having His Father's Name written in their foreheads.

   2) And I heard a voice from heaven, as the voice of many waters, and as the voice of a great thunder:  and I heard the voice of harpers harping with their harps:

   3) And they sung as it were a new song before the throne, and before the four beasts, and the elders:  and no man could learn that song but the hundred and forty and four thousand, which were redeemed from the earth.

   4) These are they which were not defiled with women; for they are virgins.  These are they which follow the Lamb whithersoever He goeth.  These were redeemed from among men, being the firstfruits unto God and to the Lamb.

   5) And in their mouth was found no guile:  for they are without fault before the throne of God.

   6) And I saw another angel fly in the midst of heaven, having the everlasting gospel to preach unto them that dwell on the earth, and to every nation, and kindred, and tongue, and people,

   7) Saying with a loud voice, Fear God, and give glory to Him; for the hour of His judgment is come:  and worship Him that made heaven, and earth, and the sea, and the fountains of waters.

   8) And there followed another angel, saying, Babylon is fallen, is fallen, that great city, because she made all nations drink of the wine of the wrath of her fornication.

   9) And the third angel followed them, saying with a loud voice, If any man worship the beast and his image, and receive his mark in his forehead, or in his hand,

   10) The same shall drink of the wine of the wrath of God, which is poured out without mixture into the cup of His indignation; and he shall be tormented with fire and brimstone in the presence of the holy angels, and in the presence of the Lamb:

   11) And the smoke of their torment ascendeth up for ever and ever:  and they have no rest day nor night, who worship the beast and his image, and whosoever receiveth the mark of his name.

   12) Here is the patience of the saints:  here are they that keep the commandments of God, and the faith of Jesus.   King James Version (KJV) Public Domain

  

COMMENTARY

   We are first given the vision of the 144,000 who had come through the tribulation standing victorious on Mount Zion with Jesus in their midst.  Then, we hear and see the singing of a new song around the throne of God; a new song "uniquely appropriate to the unique experiences of this unique body of 144,000 dedicated Christian witnesses", as Dr. Henry M. Morris worded it.

   These witnesses were not only "sealed" by God, but also prepared; they follow the commands of God, with single-mindedness, being disobedient in NOTHING.

   Now, let us look a little closer to verse 5:  "And in their mouth was found no guile".  When the Apostle Peter talked about Jesus in 1 Peter 2:22, he said, "Who did no sin, neither was guile found in His mouth".  So, in James 3: 2, we read that  "Anyone who is never at fault in what they say (has no guile in their mouth) is perfect, able to keep their whole body in check".  Let me confess right here, I am not perfect.

   Our attention is turned back to the earth, with angels visible to the earth dwellers, witnessing to them in all languages, loudly enough that all can hear, proclaiming the everlasting gospel.  Understand, that these people have had three and a half years listening to the two witnesses.  People know that there is a battle for their souls.  God continues to offer His grace.  The angel wants to first proclaim that God created the earth and all that is in it, as well as the heaven, etc.  Surely since He created all things, He owns it!  Satan, therefore, is doomed!

   The next angel follows the first proclaiming that Babylon is destroyed.  (Babylon has not physically been destroyed yet but it's destruction is imminent, so the angel is stating fact yet to come.  see Revelation 18)

   The third angel warns against fearing Satan's threat of death if they do not take his mark on them, but warns to fear God if they do.

   Verse 12 is encouragement to all who believe on Jesus, all who have been patiently awaiting for God to set things right; to all who have both kept the commandments of God and the faith of Jesus.  Faith without works is dead; and works without faith is dead.  Lamentations 3:  22, 23:  It is of the Lord's mercies that we are not consumed, because His compassions fail not.  They are new every morning:  Great is Thy faithfulness!  (KJV)

    Friend, now is the time to make your eternal decision.  Don't wait until the rapture.  We are not promised tomorrow.  Click on this link to assist you in your decision:    https://omaswisdom.blogspot.com/p/path-to-salvation.html  



You are encouraged to leave a comment with your thoughts or words of encouragement to us if this ministry is a blessing to you.  And please share us on your favorite social media.  Thank you.