Righteous Justice Finished

Revelation 16:17-21 

17 Then the seventh angel poured out his bowl into the air, and a loud voice came out of the temple of heaven, from the throne, saying, “It is done!” 18 And there were noises and thunderings and lightnings; and there was a great earthquake, such a mighty and great earthquake as had not occurred since men were on the earth. 19 Now the great city was divided into three parts, and the cities of the nations fell. And great Babylon was remembered before God, to give her the cup of the wine of the fierceness of His wrath. 20 Then every island fled away, and the mountains were not found. 21 And great hail from heaven fell upon men, each hailstone about the weight of a talent. Men blasphemed God because of the plague of the hail, since that plague was exceedingly great.

The seventh bowl of God’s judgement on the world comes from the obedient hand of the seventh angel into the air.  It is not poured out onto the earth itself as the others, but into the air above all and breathed by all.  It touches everything and everyone.  God’s voice thunders that all is finished from His throne; He is enacting justice and final judgement.  This thundering proclamation will be followed by a great earthquake as never seen before, and cities will literally fall to the ground as they reap sin’s wages (Romans 6:23).  The islands sink, mountains are leveled, and enormous hail will fall on men, yet they will persist in blaspheming God, speaking evil of the only righteous One in their sinful rebellion against their Creator and Sovereign Lord.  The plague of hail which will be far worse that on Pharaoh by Moses’ word will not cause people to repent because of their atheistic hatred and denial.  This is why many do not turn to Him now, because their hatred of a God ruling over them keeps them from humbling themselves to confession and turning from sin to Him.  The end will vindicate God’s Grace and mercy by overdue justice poured out.  May all who read this book not continue in sin, but fall before the Judge and Righteous one before there is no turning back! 

Be Faithful to the End

Revelation 16:12-16 

    12 Then the sixth angel poured out his bowl on the great river Euphrates, and its water was dried up, so that the way of the kings from the east might be prepared. 13 And I saw three unclean spirits like frogs coming out of the mouth of the dragon, out of the mouth of the beast, and out of the mouth of the false prophet. 14 For they are spirits of demons, performing signs, which go out to the kings of the earth and of the whole world, to gather them to the battle of that great day of God Almighty.
    15 “Behold, I am coming as a thief. Blessed is he who watches, and keeps his garments, lest he walk naked and they see his shame.”
    16 And they gathered them together to the place called in Hebrew, Armageddon.

The sixth bowl delivered by the sixth angel of God will be poured out on the Euphrates to dry up its water.  This is to allow the armies of eastern lands to come for God Almighty’s great and final battle of judgement.  Demons will come from a false prophet who does not acknowledge the Son of God, and they will be able to do miracle signs to lure the nations into the war against God’s people and against God Himself.  This final battle will assemble in the valley of Megiddo, known as Armageddon.  What are God’s Chosen to do?  Know first of all that this coming will be quick, so we are to be always ready as we watch, keeping ourselves pure and holy, not being led astray nor deceived into disbelief or disobedience to our holy calling in Christ our Lord, the Lamb slain in sacrifice for us before the world was set in motion.  Trust God’s word and sovereign plan which will absolutely take place as He has determined in advance.  The victory is His; none can stand against Him, and so we stand for and with and in Him to the end.  Amen! 

The Everlasting Gospel and Eternal Judgement

Revelation 16:1-11 

    1 Then I heard a loud voice from the temple saying to the seven angels, “Go and pour out the bowls of the wrath of God on the earth.”
    2 So the first went and poured out his bowl upon the earth, and a foul and loathsome sore came upon the men who had the mark of the beast and those who worshiped his image.
    3 Then the second angel poured out his bowl on the sea, and it became blood as of a dead man; and every living creature in the sea died.
    4 Then the third angel poured out his bowl on the rivers and springs of water, and they became blood. 5 And I heard the angel of the waters saying:

    “You are righteous, O Lord,
    The One who is and who was and who is to be,
    Because You have judged these things.
    6 For they have shed the blood of saints and prophets,
    And You have given them blood to drink.
    For it is their just due.”

    7 And I heard another from the altar saying, “Even so, Lord God Almighty, true and righteous are Your judgments.”
    8 Then the fourth angel poured out his bowl on the sun, and power was given to him to scorch men with fire. 9 And men were scorched with great heat, and they blasphemed the name of God who has power over these plagues; and they did not repent and give Him glory.
    10 Then the fifth angel poured out his bowl on the throne of the beast, and his kingdom became full of darkness; and they gnawed their tongues because of the pain. 11 They blasphemed the God of heaven because of their pains and their sores, and did not repent of their deeds.

Bowls of judgement are now poured out on the earth to drive those still against God and His Christ to repentance.  Though God will be executing judgement, still He allows for and calls to repentance for reconciliation.  Unfortunately, few will turn when His wrath covers the earth and their sin when His grace and Son’s blood could cover the sin with forgiveness instead.  There are judgement bowls of horrible sores because men will choose to worship the enemies of God, bowls that will wipe out everything in the oceans for men to eat, bowls likewise killing the rivers and other sources of fresh water, bowls even stirring up the sun to burn people and to leave men in such darkness that they chew their own tongues in agony.  Yet men will not turn to give God the glory, but will refuse to repent and blaspheme God all the more.  They will blame Him instead and continue in their rebellious sin as He provides a last offer of forgiveness and grace.  These judgements show the eternal and sovereign I AM’s righteousness and judgement as the angel of the waters here proclaims. These unrepentant have killed God’s messengers and followers of the good news of His word through all time, Jesus Christ, and will only get what is justly coming to them in the end.  Such are the haters of God and His Word, and such will be their end.  This is more motivation to tell others the good news of repentance and faith to deliverance from this certain end if not heeded. The everlasting gospel must continue to be told by we His followers!

Wrath and Grace, Worship and Judgment

Revelation 15:1-8 

1 Then I saw another sign in heaven, great and marvelous: seven angels having the seven last plagues, for in them the wrath of God is complete. 2 And I saw something like a sea of glass mingled with fire, and those who have the victory over the beast, over his image and over his mark and over the number of his name, standing on the sea of glass, having harps of God. 3 They sing the song of Moses, the servant of God, and the song of the Lamb, saying:

    “Great and marvelous are Your works,
    Lord God Almighty!
    Just and true are Your ways,
    O King of the saints!
    4 Who shall not fear You, O Lord, and glorify Your name?
    For You alone are holy.
    For all nations shall come and worship before You,
    For Your judgments have been manifested.”

5 After these things I looked, and behold, the temple of the tabernacle of the testimony in heaven was opened. 6 And out of the temple came the seven angels having the seven plagues, clothed in pure bright linen, and having their chests girded with golden bands. 7 Then one of the four living creatures gave to the seven angels seven golden bowls full of the wrath of God who lives forever and ever. 8 The temple was filled with smoke from the glory of God and from His power, and no one was able to enter the temple till the seven plagues of the seven angels were completed.

God’s seven angels with the seven last plagues of judgement on a sinful world in rebellion against God and His Christ will step forward at God’s appointed time.  This future event was a great and marvelous sight for John to witness, and should cause us to pause in wonder as well.  God’s wrath on sin and the unrepentant with the fallen rebellious angels will be finished at last!  There will be singing of God’s victorious work in judgement over the serpent and his beast minions, over the evil of sin’s disobedience and irreverence toward the Creator and Sustainer.  Those victorious in Christ the Lamb of God will sing of His great works as the Almighty and Sovereign one.  We who have found redemption and reconciliation in Christ will all praise Him for His truth and justice, His holiness and justice, knowing He alone is worthy to be praised and feared by all.  After this victory song, the seven pure angels who did not sin with the serpent will bring out the last plagues, taking God’s wrath from a living creature who is continually serving God, and await the order to loose these on the remaining unrepentant.  There will be smoke of God’s glory and power which will keep any from entering the heavenly temple until the last plague is finished, for the awesome glory and power is God’s alone to witness and none can endure His wrath or presence as these things take place.  We have more reasons to bear witness to Christ and the gospel of reconciling grace through repentance and faith when we consider the wrath of God prepared for the devil and his angels which men and women will also suffer if they do not hear, trust, and follow Him.  The time is always short, for when this time comes, it will be unannounced and grievous for all who are not prepared.  There is great wrath to come, but also greater grace available now! 

The Harvest of Judgement

Revelation 14:14-20 

    14 Then I looked, and behold, a white cloud, and on the cloud sat One like 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 who sat on the cloud, “Thrust in Your sickle and reap, for the time has come for You to reap, for the harvest of the earth is ripe.” 16 So He who sat on the cloud thrust in His sickle on the earth, and the earth was reaped.
    17 Then 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, who had power over fire, and he cried with a loud cry to him who had the sharp sickle, saying, “Thrust in your sharp sickle and gather the clusters of the vine of the earth, for her grapes are fully ripe.” 19 So the angel thrust his sickle into the earth and gathered the vine of the earth, and threw it into the great winepress of the wrath of God. 20 And the winepress was trampled outside the city, and blood came out of the winepress, up to the horses’ bridles, for one thousand six hundred furlongs.

After the warnings of worshipping the beast and his image, more angelic messengers are shown to John for us to read and know of God’s judgement in the harvest to come.  The Son of Man is seen on a cloud as the one who ascended into before the apostles and will so return (Acts 1:9, Revelation 1:7), and He wears the crown of ultimate authority.  But He also has a sharp sickle with a blade ready to reap the harvest of men’s souls as another angel urges for God’s will to be accomplished.  This reaping of judgement at this time is ready, for the gospel has been proclaimed and many chances and warnings given to the world.  A second angel with another sickle and one with fire begin the harvest at its fullness of time by God’s reckoning of His wrath on sin in judgement to avenge His saints at last (Revelation 6:10). So much blood will result that it will cover almost 200 miles and will be 5 feet deep; the extent of the wrath of God on sin, and of the sheer number of how many will not have repented is staggering and sobering.  How essential it is for us to be about our Master’s business of the gospel before hearts are so hardened that irreversible judgement catches up with the lost! 

The Gospel Call out of Condemnation

Revelation 14:6-13

    6 Then I saw another angel flying in the midst of heaven, having the everlasting gospel to preach to those who dwell on the earth—to every nation, tribe, tongue, and people— 7 saying with a loud voice, “Fear God and give glory to Him, for the hour of His judgment has come; and worship Him who made heaven and earth, the sea and springs of water.”
    8 And another angel followed, saying, “Babylon is fallen, is fallen, that great city, because she has made all nations drink of the wine of the wrath of her fornication.”
    9 Then a third angel followed them, saying with a loud voice, “If anyone worships the beast and his image, and receives his mark on his forehead or on his hand, 10 he himself shall also drink of the wine of the wrath of God, which is poured out full strength into the cup of His indignation. 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 ascends forever and ever; and they have no rest day or night, who worship the beast and his image, and whoever receives the mark of his name.”
    12 Here is the patience of the saints; here are those who keep the commandments of God and the faith of Jesus.  13 Then I heard a voice from heaven saying to me, “Write: ‘Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord from now on.’ ”. “Yes,” says the Spirit, “that they may rest from their labors, and their works follow them.”

The next scene unfolding after the 144,000 who will constantly worship the Lamb is a series of three angels proclaiming messages.  The first reminds those left on the earth to give all the glory to God and to fear Him; this is not just because of the judgements, but also because of the eternal gospel to all which warns of the judgement but offers good news of grace for deliverance from it.  This gospel is a call to glorify God through faith and obedience to the Lamb.  All things were made through Him, and the call is to acknowledge this by confessing our sinful nature and trusting His only remedy.  The second angel will remind these that the world system and empires will certainly fall for leading people astray from following God’s holy and righteous ways.  The third follows right behind, warning of those rejecting Christ and worshipping the evil one’s minions.  God’s wrath of judgement will torment those following the one set against Himself, and they will be tormented in view of the Lamb of God and the holy (not fallen) angels.  This torment never ends.  Not ever.  The lesson and purpose of showing us these things in advance is given here.  We are to follow the Lamb in willing obedience because of the gospel, as a result and not the source, and this trust of Jesus is based on the certainty of His resurrection and ours in Him to come.  All who hear these words of warning now are promised the same blessings if they know Him in a regenerative birth of transforming grace.  These all will die in the Lord by resting from working their way to the Father, and all they do will follow as a result with them into His eternal presence apart from sin and its consequences of wrath and judgement.  This is the hope of the gospel proclaimed now by His followers and by an angelic last call seen here.  Why wait to accept this and trust Him fully as our Creator and Sovereign King? 

A Foretaste of Glory Divine

Revelation 14:1-5 

1 Then I looked, and behold, a Lamb standing on Mount Zion, and with Him one hundred and forty-four thousand, having His Father's name written on their foreheads. 2 And I heard a voice from heaven, like the voice of many waters, and like the voice of loud thunder. And I heard the sound of harpists playing their harps. 3 They sang as it were a new song before the throne, before the four living creatures, and the elders; and no one could learn that song except the hundred and forty-four thousand who were redeemed from the earth. 4 These are the ones who were not defiled with women, for they are virgins. These are the ones who follow the Lamb wherever He goes. These were redeemed from among men, being firstfruits to God and to the Lamb. 5 And in their mouth was found no deceit, for they are without fault before the throne of God.

After John witnessed the serpent and his beasts to come which will draw worship away from Christ and lead many into unrepentant condemnation, a glimpse into heaven reveals the Lamb Jesus Christ standing on the place of worship, Mount Zion (Jerusalem).  There we see a multitude of 144,000 (12,000 from each tribe) with God the Father’s name marking them as His.  God’s thunderous voice is echoed by harps as the redeemed ones marked as God’s sing a song of praise to worship which only they know or can know.  Their audience included the Lamb on the throne, the four creatures, and the elders.  These redeemed who sing are undefiled, pure to their Lord, and follow Him around with such praise ringing out to their Savior!  These firstfruits of grace and mercy are made faultless to stand before the throne of God.  This consummation in some form awaits all who die in Christ as well, with different roles, but the same worship as consummated to Christ in His perfection of righteousness through enduring faith.  We may not be the firstfruits, but are fruits of His redeeming work, and shall ever worship Him when we all stand before the throne of grace forevermore.  What a foretaste of glory divine! 

Be Willing to Die, Never Worship Another God

Revelation 13:11-18 

11 Then I saw another beast coming up out of the earth, and he had two horns like a lamb and spoke like a dragon. 12 And he exercises all the authority of the first beast in his presence, and causes the earth and those who dwell in it to worship the first beast, whose deadly wound was healed. 13 He performs great signs, so that he even makes fire come down from heaven on the earth in the sight of men. 14 And he deceives those who dwell on the earth by those signs which he was granted to do in the sight of the beast, telling those who dwell on the earth to make an image to the beast who was wounded by the sword and lived. 15 He was granted power to give breath to the image of the beast, that the image of the beast should both speak and cause as many as would not worship the image of the beast to be killed. 16 He causes all, both small and great, rich and poor, free and slave, to receive a mark on their right hand or on their foreheads, 17 and that no one may buy or sell except one who has the mark or the name of the beast, or the number of his name.   18 Here is wisdom. Let him who has understanding calculate the number of the beast, for it is the number of a man: His number is 666.

Another beast from the serpent follows the first one who will mislead many and blaspheme God and all who are His in heaven, but this one looks like a lamb while talking like a dragon.  This one also has temporary authority granted to it so that it can make others bow down to the first blasphemous servant of Satan.  He is able to do signs and wonders to deceive (Matthew 24:24) others into making an idol of the first wounded and healed beast, again keeping people from worshipping God by coming to confession and repentance.  If they do not obey and worship the false god, they are killed by this enforcer of evil.  They are even marked as his or are unable to make a living to survive, forcing a choice of life or death between serving God in heaven through the Lamb, or the evil false idolatrous impersonator.  We know the beast has a number, but nobody knows for certain what this symbolizes or is exactly; the important thing is worship of the one true God and no other, no matter the cost.  We must be willing to die if necessary, but never worship another. 

Our Patience and Faith in Tribulation

Revelation 13:1-10 

1 Then I stood on the sand of the sea. And I saw a beast rising up out of the sea, having seven heads and ten horns, and on his horns ten crowns, and on his heads a blasphemous name. 2 Now the beast which I saw was like a leopard, his feet were like the feet of a bear, and his mouth like the mouth of a lion. The dragon gave him his power, his throne, and great authority. 3 And I saw one of his heads as if it had been mortally wounded, and his deadly wound was healed. And all the world marveled and followed the beast. 4 So they worshiped the dragon who gave authority to the beast; and they worshiped the beast, saying, “Who is like the beast? Who is able to make war with him?” 5 And he was given a mouth speaking great things and blasphemies, and he was given authority to continue for forty-two months. 6 Then he opened his mouth in blasphemy against God, to blaspheme His name, His tabernacle, and those who dwell in heaven. 7 It was granted to him to make war with the saints and to overcome them. And authority was given him over every tribe, tongue, and nation. 8 All who dwell on the earth will worship him, whose names have not been written in the Book of Life of the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world.
9 If anyone has an ear, let him hear. 10 He who leads into captivity shall go into captivity; he who kills with the sword must be killed with the sword. Here is the patience and the faith of the saints.

After John saw the dragon who is the serpent Satan, he watched a great blasphemous beast arise with power and authority given to him.  The devil temporarily provided this wild and dangerous animal with power, a throne to rule from, and worldly authority (John 14:30, John 12:31).  This one will be party wounded, but heal from what looks deadly that it may deceive many who will fear and follow it.  This one will be on his way to blaspheme God along with His temple and other heavenly inhabitants as an outcast of furious evil.  He will even war against God’s people with temporal victories, ruling over and gaining worship from many.  But God’s elect will not fall under the rule or reign because their names have already been recorded in the Lamb’s Book of Life.  This Book of the Lamb was written by the One sacrificed for His people before they or even the world itself was created as part of His planned timeline.  Our sovereign God is in absolute control of all these events, and so warns all in this book of Revelation to turn to Him and to endure in following with complete trust that is patient to endure tribulations for His name’s sake.  We do not fight these things with earthly weapons, but spiritual truth and enabling (2 Corinthians 10:4).  As the battles rage on toward the final judgement, we who are His endure with joy at the outcome of God’s glory and plead with others to repent, to trust Christ’s good news amidst this bad news of condemning judgement, and to turn from sin to Him.  The time is always short.  

Persecution and Protection

Revelation 12:13-17 

13 Now when the dragon saw that he had been cast to the earth, he persecuted the woman who gave birth to the male Child. 14 But the woman was given two wings of a great eagle, that she might fly into the wilderness to her place, where she is nourished for a time and times and half a time, from the presence of the serpent. 15 So the serpent spewed water out of his mouth like a flood after the woman, that he might cause her to be carried away by the flood. 16 But the earth helped the woman, and the earth opened its mouth and swallowed up the flood which the dragon had spewed out of his mouth. 17 And the dragon was enraged with the woman, and he went to make war with the rest of her offspring, who keep the commandments of God and have the testimony of Jesus Christ.

Satan the dragon, the serpent in Eden who deceived us, he was cast out of heaven with his angels and attacked the people of God through whom the Christ was brought into the world.  God’s people were protected and kept from the serpent for a certain amount of time as the evil one tried to kill God’s Chosen ones, but God’s sovereign protection of course prevented that.  Therefore the devil was even more enraged, and ever since has continued to actively harass and persecute His people who are chosen in Christ and follow Him.  We have the testimony of Jesus Christ as our deliverer from the sin which the serpent talked us into and from the lake of judgement’s fire prepared for the serpent and other rebellious fallen angels.  This testimony is the gospel, the good news of deliverance which frees us by grace from the bad news of certain judgement.  Our testimony is not our changed lives or happiness, but the work of Jesus Christ’s justifying righteousness through the cross and resurrection.  We bear witness to Him and must be aware that we are being pursued by those who can never partake, let alone gaze into, this wondrous work of the Lamb of God (1 Peter 1:12, 5:8)! 

The War and Struggle are Real

Revelation 12:7-12 

7 And war broke out in heaven: Michael and his angels fought with the dragon; and the dragon and his angels fought, 8 but they did not prevail, nor was a place found for them in heaven any longer. 9 So the great dragon was cast out, that serpent of old, called the Devil and Satan, who deceives the whole world; he was cast to the earth, and his angels were cast out with him.
10 Then I heard a loud voice saying in heaven, “Now salvation, and strength, and the kingdom of our God, and the power of His Christ have come, for the accuser of our brethren, who accused them before our God day and night, has been cast down. 11 And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony, and they did not love their lives to the death. 12 Therefore rejoice, O heavens, and you who dwell in them! Woe to the inhabitants of the earth and the sea! For the devil has come down to you, having great wrath, because he knows that he has a short time.”

Seemingly after the Messiah went back into heaven, a war in heaven between angels and Satan resulted in losing their ability to remain there before God.  The dragon, the serpent (2 Corinthians 11:3, Genesis 3:1) is the devil who is Satan; this is clearly stated here.  He is the deceiver as his name defines him, and he has been sentenced to this world until the final end puts him away forever for his rebellion against his creator.  We still have the devil and his angels (demons) amongst us until they are shut up for good in the lake of tormenting fire, and so must beware of the attacks against God’s people (1 Peter 5:8).  Right after the deceiver is set loose upon the world, we see hope in God’s deliverance in Christ.  The Lamb died so His blood could pay for our own rebellion, which is not offered nor possible for the angelic fallen (Jude 1:6).  Yes, the salvation, strength, and kingdom of our God in Christ’s power have cast down our accuser, for in Him we overcome - by His redeeming blood and our testimony to that truth which saves us and set us free from the same eternal damnation.  Many more will be killed for that testimony before He returns, those of whom the world is not worthy (Hebrews 11:38).  But this victory is cause for great rejoicing from heaven down to earth, except for those refusing to hear and believe the Lamb and His sacrifice which alone redeems, is to freedom from judgement.  Those without Him are still under the sway of the wicked one, who is ramping up his deception and attacks against God and His Anointed.  The war and struggle are very real. 

God’s Lamb and People Preserved

Revelation 12:1-6 

1 Now a great sign appeared in heaven: a woman clothed with the sun, with the moon under her feet, and on her head a garland of twelve stars. 2 Then being with child, she cried out in labor and in pain to give birth. 3 And another sign appeared in heaven: behold, a great, fiery red dragon having seven heads and ten horns, and seven diadems on his heads. 4 His tail drew a third of the stars of heaven and threw them to the earth. And the dragon stood before the woman who was ready to give birth, to devour her Child as soon as it was born. 5 She bore a male Child who was to rule all nations with a rod of iron. And her Child was caught up to God and His throne. 6 Then the woman fled into the wilderness, where she has a place prepared by God, that they should feed her there one thousand two hundred and sixty days.

After the seventh trumpet sounded God’s judgement, there is this sign in heaven for us to ponder as John did when it was revealed to Him.  There was a woman wearing the sun standing over the moon, and having twelve stars on her head to crown it (Genesis 37:9).  This is as the twelve tribes as God’s people through whom the Messiah, the Lamb of God, would come into the world, as well as the twelve apostles to follow as representatives of the rest of His people who will rule with Him.  But when He was born the dragon of old, full of fire and ruling power over nations (horns), this one took a third of God’s stars out of heaven with him.  These fallen angels back up the evil one who tried to kill or overcome the Son as He was born (Herod killing those two and younger), but of course failed in stopping the sovereign and almighty God.  The Son of man and God would rule over all, and so ascended after resurrecting Himself, sitting on the throne until these last judgements are completed.  God’s people were scattered, yet sustained by God through all these times.  The book of Revelation begins to show what God’s plans are and how some unfold; but we see only the edges of His ways in the limited things He reveals here.  Some are understandable, some remain a mystery, and others unfold to us as they occur.  We have all we need without undue speculation, and should therefore find great hope and comfort as His people, knowing He preserves us to the end as His judgement falls on all. 

Sovereign Justice Served to God’s Glory

Revelation 11:15-19 

15 Then the seventh angel sounded: And there were loud voices in heaven, saying, “The kingdoms of this world have become the kingdoms of our Lord and of His Christ, and He shall reign forever and ever!” 16 And the twenty-four elders who sat before God on their thrones fell on their faces and worshiped God, 17 saying:
    “We give You thanks, O Lord God Almighty,
    The One who is and who was and who is to come,
    Because You have taken Your great power and reigned.
    18 The nations were angry, and Your wrath has come,
    And the time of the dead, that they should be judged,
    And that You should reward Your servants the prophets and the saints,
    And those who fear Your name, small and great,
    And should destroy those who destroy the earth.”
19 Then the temple of God was opened in heaven, and the ark of His covenant was seen in His temple. And there were lightnings, noises, thunderings, an earthquake, and great hail.

After the pause in the trumpets of judgement to show those who are faithful and redeemed servants, after the first two woes, the seventh trumpet sounds.  The heavenly host loudly shout out that Christ’s kingdom takes all others into and under it; He now exercises His divine sovereign authority over all creation as promised.  His reign as King and Lord is eternal and, following the judgement and sentencing on sin and the unrepentant, puts down all rebellion as the time allotted is closed (Hebrews 10:37, 2 Peter 3:9).  The heavenly entourage of elders before the throne of God celebrate the King by falling on their faces in worship, knowing their unworthiness and His great grace.  They praise and thank the Lord God Almighty, the everlasting sovereign One, for His wisdom and power and wrath executed at last on sin and the angrily rebellious sinners opposed to Him and His just rule.  The day of judgement comes near as promised along with rewards for His chosen ones made holy in Christ’s sacrifice.  The ones destroying God’s creation and order will be held accountable at last and forever.  This was emphasized as John witnessed the heavenly temple opened with accompanying thunder, lightning, earthquake, and hail to reveal the ark of His eternal covenant with man which had been violated by man but kept by God.  Justice will be served to God’s great glory and praise. His people will be vindicated. 

Glorify God in Repentance as Judgement Falls

Revelation 11:7-14 

7 When they finish their testimony, the beast that ascends out of the bottomless pit will make war against them, overcome them, and kill them. 8 And their dead bodies will lie in the street of the great city which spiritually is called Sodom and Egypt, where also our Lord was crucified. 9 Then those from the peoples, tribes, tongues, and nations will see their dead bodies three-and-a-half days, and not allow their dead bodies to be put into graves. 10 And those who dwell on the earth will rejoice over them, make merry, and send gifts to one another, because these two prophets tormented those who dwell on the earth.
11 Now after the three-and-a-half days the breath of life from God entered them, and they stood on their feet, and great fear fell on those who saw them. 12 And they heard a loud voice from heaven saying to them, “Come up here.” And they ascended to heaven in a cloud, and their enemies saw them. 13 In the same hour there was a great earthquake, and a tenth of the city fell. In the earthquake seven thousand people were killed, and the rest were afraid and gave glory to the God of heaven.  14 The second woe is past. Behold, the third woe is coming quickly.

God’s two witnesses who preached repentance from sin and trust in the Lamb’s righteousness and work, these two will have their set time to speak and act.  Then they will be killed by the beast from the pit of Hell.  They will be put on display for all the unrepentant to jeer and cheer over in Jerusalem as they mock God and His righteous judgement.  But the rejoicing of their seeming victory over God and holiness will be turned to dread when the two come back to life after three days; then the gospel words of Jesus the Lamb and Son of God resurrected will come to mind.  With their rejection of God complete, their fear of judgement will overwhelm them as the witnesses rise in the clouds as Jesus did (John 6:62: Acts 1:9).  These enemies of God will hear the Father’s voice thunder for the two to come up with Him, then the thunder of His righteous anger will shake the earth and kill many.  Only a few will be left to give God the glory for His word and justice.  This is but the second woe (Revelation 9:12) with a third coming in the seventh blast of the trumpet heralding His kingdom.  How sad that it will take such judgement and destruction before some will glorify God and His work in Christ!  It would be far better to hear and heed the gospel now in conviction of sin, repentance toward God with resulting good works, and trust in His work and justifying righteousness in Christ as the only Way, Truth, and Life forever and ever.  May all who read this book of the final works and judgement of our Lord be so convicted toward repentance.  Amen. 

God’s Predetermined Judgement and Purpose

Revelation 11:1-6 

1 Then I was given a reed like a measuring rod. And the angel stood, saying, “Rise and measure the temple of God, the altar, and those who worship there. 2 But leave out the court which is outside the temple, and do not measure it, for it has been given to the Gentiles. And they will tread the holy city underfoot for forty-two months. 3 And I will give power to my two witnesses, and they will prophesy one thousand two hundred and sixty days, clothed in sackcloth.” 4 These are the two olive trees and the two lampstands standing before the God of the earth. 5 And if anyone wants to harm them, fire proceeds from their mouth and devours their enemies. And if anyone wants to harm them, he must be killed in this manner. 6 These have power to shut heaven, so that no rain falls in the days of their prophecy; and they have power over waters to turn them to blood, and to strike the earth with all plagues, as often as they desire.

John was told to measure God’s temple, as well as the altar and worshipers outside of it.  He was not to measure the outside court of the nations, being told that they would have possession of the court area outside of His place of worship as they walked over Jerusalem for a set number of time.  This seems to indicate that God has predetermined plans for who worships and for how long in His temple and who reigns outside for that time.  He has all things in His plan and timing, for He is a God of a predestined (predetermined) timetable.  This prophecy given to John is a culminating example of God’s sovereign will laid out for us to get a glimpse of, just as prophecies of the Messiah before were given with the details hidden until fulfillment by Christ.  Then John is shown that there will be two witnesses for the Lord who will prophesy further for a set time in sackcloth as mourning prophets of old.  These are now before God in His presence, but will at their appointed time appear on earth to bear witness to God’s wrath and grace, mourning for those to be judged and for their sin against the Almighty and Holy One.  These two will be able to defend themselves with fire from those opposed to God’s judgement through them, and will even be able to keep it from raining as Elijah did (James 5:17-18) in judgement.  They will also be able to turn the water to blood and bring plagues as Moses and Aaron did to Egypt for His people’s freedom from slavery to sin and to judge the unrepentant and unrighteous.  God will certainly judge in His time and in His ways using who He will, all the time offering grace and mercy in the Lamb sacrificed for our hope.

God’s Sweet and Sour Words

Revelation 10:8-11 

8 Then the voice which I heard from heaven spoke to me again and said, “Go, take the little book which is open in the hand of the angel who stands on the sea and on the earth.”  9 So I went to the angel and said to him, “Give me the little book.”
    And he said to me, “Take and eat it; and it will make your stomach bitter, but it will be as sweet as honey in your mouth.”
10 Then I took the little book out of the angel's hand and ate it, and it was as sweet as honey in my mouth. But when I had eaten it, my stomach became bitter. 11 And he said to me, “You must prophesy again about many peoples, nations, tongues, and kings.”

The interlude between the first six trumpets and the final seventh trumpet’s sounding forth God’s judgement now looks at the little book which the large angel had been holding. The voice from heaven (whether another angel or the Lord) commanded John in his vision visit to get the book.  He asked for it and was told that he would have to not only take what was given, but eat the book with all its words inside, words which would taste as sweet as sugary honey, bit afterwards upset his stomach badly.  God’s word and judgement is like that; there are many sweet things about grace and mercy and love, yet the hatred and judgement on sin are also in the prophecies of scripture.  John took and ate all those words.  He was then told that from those he would prophesy further about all the world, from the lowliest citizen to the highest earthly ruler.  God’s words of judgement (Psalm 9:7-10) would come down equally upon all who did not repent of all that offends Him (Revelation 9:20-21) and trust in His forgiveness and mercy in the Son of God, the Lamb who alone takes away sin (John 1:29).  These are both sweet and sour words. 

Ongoing Revelation of God’s Mystery

Revelation 10:1-7 

1 I saw still another mighty angel coming down from heaven, clothed with a cloud. And a rainbow was on his head, his face was like the sun, and his feet like pillars of fire. 2 He had a little book open in his hand. And he set his right foot on the sea and his left foot on the land, 3 and cried with a loud voice, as when a lion roars. When he cried out, seven thunders uttered their voices. 4 Now when the seven thunders uttered their voices, I was about to write; but I heard a voice from heaven saying to me, “Seal up the things which the seven thunders uttered, and do not write them.” 5 The angel whom I saw standing on the sea and on the land raised up his hand to heaven 6 and swore by Him who lives forever and ever, who created heaven and the things that are in it, the earth and the things that are in it, and the sea and the things that are in it, that there should be delay no longer, 7 but in the days of the sounding of the seventh angel, when he is about to sound, the mystery of God would be finished, as He declared to His servants the prophets.

After the sixth angel of the churches of God is done with dispensing the Lord’s judgement on the unrepentant, another angel comes to John with a small book.  This angel was clothed with a cloud, had a rainbow of colors on his head, a face shining like the sun and feet as on fire; He was a formidable and awesome sight of beauty after the previous six angel’s messages of dark judgements.  This angel was so big that he could stand with one foot on the sea and one on land.  His shout was actually seven thunderous messages, but we do not know what they are, as John was commanded not to write them down for us to know what he heard.  This signaled God’s continued judgement to go on without delay that His final work may be unveiled according to His predetermined will.  The mystery of God’s completed work as He had been testifying to through the prophets as His servants (Psalm 104:4, Hebrews 1:7, Colossians 1:26-27, Micah 4:12).  The revealing of the unraveling of God’s plan is to be seen as on the unrolling scroll as it has been written from the beginning towards the end.  John heard and knows, but we know only the shadow of His ways as they are seen and testified to in the scriptures as we see them happen in His timing and will.  He tests the hearts of men to see whose are completely His 2 Chronicles 16:9), for repentance and faith in the Lamb of God.

Hardened Unrepentant Hearts or Salvation in Christ?

Revelation 9:13-21 

13 Then the sixth angel sounded: And I heard a voice from the four horns of the golden altar which is before God, 14 saying to the sixth angel who had the trumpet, “Release the four angels who are bound at the great river Euphrates.” 15 So the four angels, who had been prepared for the hour and day and month and year, were released to kill a third of mankind. 16 Now the number of the army of the horsemen was two hundred million; I heard the number of them. 17 And thus I saw the horses in the vision: those who sat on them had breastplates of fiery red, hyacinth blue, and sulfur yellow; and the heads of the horses were like the heads of lions; and out of their mouths came fire, smoke, and brimstone. 18 By these three plagues a third of mankind was killed—by the fire and the smoke and the brimstone which came out of their mouths. 19 For their power is in their mouth and in their tails; for their tails are like serpents, having heads; and with them they do harm.
20 But the rest of mankind, who were not killed by these plagues, did not repent of the works of their hands, that they should not worship demons, and idols of gold, silver, brass, stone, and wood, which can neither see nor hear nor walk. 21 And they did not repent of their murders or their sorceries or their sexual immorality or their thefts.

The sixth angel’s trumpeting reveals God speaking from the golden altar before His throne to loose four angels waiting for this hour.  They were prepared and destined by God to move at this sixth sounding to go out and kill a third of the people because of this day of judgement they had been warned of for thousands of years.  They released an army of two hundred million, an overwhelming force to accomplish the task.  More fire will consume men who refuse to turn from sin and to Him who made them and whose Son they reject for deliverance from this and other awful judgements.  Fire, smoke and sulfuric brimstone will unleash a taste of eternal hell as if from serpents and ravenous lions mated together.  Those left after this attack who still refuse to turn from sin and toward the Savior, who do not admit or stop their idolatrous and sexually immoral sin, these will go on with unrepentant hardened hearts to their destruction to come in further judgements executed by the Righteous One.  These warnings should move readers and hearers now to stop worshipping other gods, to turn from sexual immorality of all kinds such as adultery and homosexuality, before their hearts are so hardened that they continue as these will in the end to their own destruction.  This book gives warnings with consequences, but also hope of deliverance in Jesus the Christ.  This is good news for the bad news of our fallen sinful nature and its consequences, being revealed to John and to us in these visions of what is and is to come. 

Terrible Woe of the Smoking Abyss

Revelation 9:1-12 

1 Then the fifth angel sounded: And I saw a star fallen from heaven to the earth. To him was given the key to the bottomless pit. 2 And he opened the bottomless pit, and smoke arose out of the pit like the smoke of a great furnace. So the sun and the air were darkened because of the smoke of the pit. 3 Then out of the smoke locusts came upon the earth. And to them was given power, as the scorpions of the earth have power. 4 They were commanded not to harm the grass of the earth, or any green thing, or any tree, but only those men who do not have the seal of God on their foreheads. 5 And they were not given authority to kill them, but to torment them for five months. Their torment was like the torment of a scorpion when it strikes a man. 6 In those days men will seek death and will not find it; they will desire to die, and death will flee from them. 7 The shape of the locusts was like horses prepared for battle. On their heads were crowns of something like gold, and their faces were like the faces of men. 8 They had hair like women's hair, and their teeth were like lions’ teeth. 9 And they had breastplates like breastplates of iron, and the sound of their wings was like the sound of chariots with many horses running into battle. 10 They had tails like scorpions, and there were stings in their tails. Their power was to hurt men five months. 11 And they had as king over them the angel of the bottomless pit, whose name in Hebrew is Abaddon, but in Greek he has the name Apollyon.   12 One woe is past. Behold, still two more woes are coming after these things.

The fifth angel of the seven churches blew his horn, and he gave a fallen star the key to the deepest and darkest abyss.  There is no end to the depth of the abyss from which burned and smoked as we imagine hell to do.  There was so much smoke coming out of that dark hole that it nearly blotted out the sunlight.  Worse yet, John witnessed huge locusts with stinging tails as scorpions come out of that terrifyingly dark hole to hell.  These only hurt people; they did not touch the plants.  This judgement on sin brought extreme pain in the stings, so much that people cried out for it all to end, even by death - but they were not permitted to die that they might feel God’s wrath on their unrepentant rebellion against Him.  Their description by John is formidable and fearful to imagine, but will be much worse for those facing them.  This tortuous attack will go on for almost half a year, making it seem to never end for those repeatedly struck and writhing in inconceivable pain.  The worst part is that this is only the first woe with two more to follow upon those rejecting the gospel of the Lamb of God who alone can take away their sin, but to whom many will still refuse to submit in confession of their sin and repentance to life in Him alone.  The hope here is for the reader and nearer of this book to believe and trust God in Christ, the Lamb of God, before these things come on the world. 

First Four Trumpets of Judgement

Revelation 8:7-13

7 The first angel sounded: And hail and fire followed, mingled with blood, and they were thrown to the earth. And a third of the trees were burned up, and all green grass was burned up.

8 Then the second angel sounded: And something like a great mountain burning with fire was thrown into the sea, and a third of the sea became blood. 9 And a third of the living creatures in the sea died, and a third of the ships were destroyed.

10 Then the third angel sounded: And a great star fell from heaven, burning like a torch, and it fell on a third of the rivers and on the springs of water. 11 The name of the star is Wormwood. A third of the waters became wormwood, and many men died from the water, because it was made bitter.

12 Then the fourth angel sounded: And a third of the sun was struck, a third of the moon, and a third of the stars, so that a third of them were darkened. A third of the day did not shine, and likewise the night.

13 And I looked, and I heard an angel flying through the midst of heaven, saying with a loud voice, “Woe, woe, woe to the inhabitants of the earth, because of the remaining blasts of the trumpet of the three angels who are about to sound!”

The first four of seven trumpets are sounded by four of the seven angels of the churches.  The first brings fire, hail, and blood to burn up the grass and trees.  The second drops a burning mountain sized rock (possibly a meteor) into the ocean, which kills a third of the sea life and ships sailing in the seas, again with blood.  The third brings another celestial object down, this time poisoning the water supply (could be a comet or another meteor).  The fourth angel sounds and the light of the sun, moon, and stars dims by a third, bringing an eerie darkness to all the earth’s inhabitants.  After all these terrible events, another angel flies about heaven proclaiming that the greater woes are still to come with the remaining three soundings of judgement on those left in the earth.  These first four are inconceivable in themselves; how much worse are the ones to come?  These all are told ahead of time as warnings to us before the judgement of God rains down, and are meant to both sober some and harden others further.  God will execute His final judgement, and we must be sober in proclaiming the good news which reconciles others to the Father through the Lamb who alone is worthy and righteous.  The time is always short because we don’t know when He will come back, so we are to be about our Father’s business with the gospel of peace through repentance (Luke 24:47, Acts 20:21) and faith.  The Lamb of God is the only righteous one who takes away our sin, and only through faith in Him and His work for us we are saved from this wrath of judgement which is certain to come.  This is real hope! 

The Righteous Prayers of Sacrifice in Judgement

Revelation 8:1-6 

1 When He opened the seventh seal, there was silence in heaven for about half an hour. 2 And I saw the seven angels who stand before God, and to them were given seven trumpets. 3 Then another angel, having a golden censer, came and stood at the altar. He was given much incense, that he should offer it with the prayers of all the saints upon the golden altar which was before the throne. 4 And the smoke of the incense, with the prayers of the saints, ascended before God from the angel's hand. 5 Then the angel took the censer, filled it with fire from the altar, and threw it to the earth. And there were noises, thunderings, lightnings, and an earthquake. 6 So the seven angels who had the seven trumpets prepared themselves to sound.

The scroll unrolled to the seventh and final seal and the Lamb who alone is worthy unsealed it for John to witness and record for us what would come next.  Unlike the previous six seals removed with immediate reading from the scroll, this time there was an unusual silence for around a half hour.  This silence was in all of heaven, the place where the four creatures, twenty-four elders, and innumerable saints in white robes had just been loudly praising and worshipping their Lord and Maker.  Then the seven angels (of the seven churches) standing before God and His throne took seven trumpets given to them, waiting for the command to begin blowing them in order, much like the seals previously.  As they waited, another angel arrived at God’s golden altar of sacrifice and worship before His throne with incense to accompany the prayers of His saints.  Their prayers mingled with the sweet incense of sacrifice, rising as a pleasing aroma to God in Christ from the saints out of His righteousness.  Suddenly the angel filled the incense holder with the altar’s fire and cast it down in judgement on the earth.  There followed thunder and lightning that shook up the earth with loud noises.  This was the cue for the churches’ seven angels holding the trumpets to get ready to sound out the judgements of God’s wrath on the world. These will now follow one after another as God deals with sin once and for all before the final judgement is passed. 

All Praise be to Our God, Forever and Ever, Amen!

Revelation 7:9-17 

9 After these things I looked, and behold, a great multitude which no one could number, of all nations, tribes, peoples, and tongues, standing before the throne and before the Lamb, clothed with white robes, with palm branches in their hands, 10 and crying out with a loud voice, saying, “Salvation belongs to our God who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb!” 11 All the angels stood around the throne and the elders and the four living creatures, and fell on their faces before the throne and worshiped God, 12 saying:
    “Amen! Blessing and glory and wisdom,
    Thanksgiving and honor and power and might,
    Be to our God forever and ever. Amen.”
13 Then one of the elders answered, saying to me, “Who are these arrayed in white robes, and where did they come from?” 14 And I said to him, “Sir, you know.”  So he said to me, “These are the ones who come out of the great tribulation, and washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb. 15 Therefore they are before the throne of God, and serve Him day and night in His temple. And He who sits on the throne will dwell among them. 16 They shall neither hunger anymore nor thirst anymore; the sun shall not strike them, nor any heat; 17 for the Lamb who is in the midst of the throne will shepherd them and lead them to living fountains of waters. And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes.”

After witnessing the twelve thousand from each tribe of God’s initial chosen ones, John is then shown an innumerable multitude clothed by God in white robes.  They are from every place on earth across all nations and groups of people speaking every language ever uttering words throughout time.  They join in with praises along with the others, waving palm branches as to Christ when He triumphantly entered Jerusalem (John 12:12-13) to be glorified through death (John 12:23-24) to resurrected life for Himself as the first of many brothers called to Him from the whole world throughout all time.  They again shout how salvation is God’s and the Lamb’s, and the angels, four creatures, and elders all fell prostrate in worship with them.  They sang between the amens of what is due to God for all these works for His glory and His chosen children - blessing, glory, wisdom, thanksgiving, honor, power, and might, forever!  These all belong to our Lord and Savior only.  No other deserves these accolades ever.  As to the ones in white, we are told by one of the elders that they are ones who go through the hard times of pressing trouble and adversity and are washed clean by the blood of the Lamb; they are saved and suffer because of and through Christ, the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world in we His children.  His blood sacrifice gives them and us the right to sit before His throne forevermore in service to our great God.  We will join them in always being satisfied and sustained, safe and secure from all alarm.  The Lamb is the great Shepherd leading His chosen to living water and will take away all sadness and feelings of loss, drying every former tear and keeping any new ones from ever forming.  Hallelujah, what a Savior! 

Wrath Restrained for God’s Chosen

Revelation 7:1-8

1 After these things I saw four angels standing at the four corners of the earth, holding the four winds of the earth, that the wind should not blow on the earth, on the sea, or on any tree. 2 Then I saw another angel ascending from the east, having the seal of the living God. And he cried with a loud voice to the four angels to whom it was granted to harm the earth and the sea, 3 saying, “Do not harm the earth, the sea, or the trees till we have sealed the servants of our God on their foreheads.” 4 And I heard the number of those who were sealed. One hundred and forty-four thousand of all the tribes of the children of Israel were sealed: 5
of the tribe of Judah twelve thousand were sealed;
of the tribe of Reuben twelve thousand were sealed;
of the tribe of Gad twelve thousand were sealed;
6 of the tribe of Asher twelve thousand were sealed;
of the tribe of Naphtali twelve thousand were sealed;
of the tribe of Manasseh twelve thousand were sealed;
7 of the tribe of Simeon twelve thousand were sealed;
of the tribe of Levi twelve thousand were sealed;
of the tribe of Issachar twelve thousand were sealed;
8 of the tribe of Zebulun twelve thousand were sealed;
of the tribe of Joseph twelve thousand were sealed;
of the tribe of Benjamin twelve thousand were sealed.

After John was shown the judgement of the six seals, after he witnesses people hiding from God’s wrath on their sin and their inability to stand before the holy and righteous One, then he sees this.  From the four corners of the earth, in every direction of the compass in an angel, that together are holding back further calamity as the next event unfolds.  A fifth angel rises out of the east with God’s seal.  He shouted to the four to hold back their destruction on the earth, sea, or trees for a time, that God’s servants may be sealed as His.  These to be marked as His consist of twelve thousand of each of the twelve tribes of Israel.  They are His chosen children, chosen to bring the gospel to all nations as promised to Abraham.  Then those called out of the nations would be sealed with His Spirit to join these eternally in God’s presence as His people. This is not to say that only hundred and forty-four thousand of Israel are saved, but that these are set apart of all Israel before any others.  The next verses will make this clearer.  For now it is essential to see God chooses who He wills to be His people, and it is not by our natural birthright. Salvation is God’s to bestow on whomever He will, not on whoever chooses apart from His original choice of us.  

Warnings to Repent Before Judgement Falls

Revelation 6:12-17 

12 I looked when He opened the sixth seal, and behold, there was a great earthquake; and the sun became black as sackcloth of hair, and the moon became like blood. 13 And the stars of heaven fell to the earth, as a fig tree drops its late figs when it is shaken by a mighty wind. 14 Then the sky receded as a scroll when it is rolled up, and every mountain and island was moved out of its place. 15 And the kings of the earth, the great men, the rich men, the commanders, the mighty men, every slave and every free man, hid themselves in the caves and in the rocks of the mountains, 16 and said to the mountains and rocks, “Fall on us and hide us from the face of Him who sits on the throne and from the wrath of the Lamb! 17 For the great day of His wrath has come, and who is able to stand?”

The scroll is unrolled by the Lamb of God until the sixth seal is exposed; then He who is alone worthy to open it breaks the seal to reveal the next revelation of what is to come.  Immediately, there is an earthquake off the scale and the sun goes dark while the moon reddens in the dim light.  The stars in the heavens fall like ripened figs falling from the branches when the time for harvest arrives and they are blown off in a storm.  This storm of judgement by God on the world begins in the heavens, then comes to the earth and those on it.  The mountains and islands are moved and the sky appears to be rolled up and taken away as the stars fall and the celestial light grows dim.  All that we rely on in the physical universe will be taken away as judgement comes before all things are made new.  At this time John observed every person from the high to low run and hide from God’s wrath.  People without Christ will be in absolute terror, even wishing everything to bury them in order to hide from God and the impending judgement they finally know all too well is coming.  They know His wrath is due, and they cry out to hide from His face and gaze, knowing nobody can stand in the day of God’s wrath poured out on their sin.  Though many deny their sin and accountability to God in this life, in the end there is no place to hide from Him and from the wages due to them (Romans 3:23, 6:23).  The solution is to repent, to turn from sin and toward the Lamb of God who takes away sin by His righteousness with justifying reconciliation before there is no more choice to be had.  That is what these warnings are for. 

Christ’s Martyrs Wait in White for Judgement

Revelation 6:9-11 

9 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 for the testimony which they held. 10 And they cried with a loud voice, saying, “How long, O Lord, holy and true, until You judge and avenge our blood on those who dwell on the earth?” 11 Then a white robe was given to each of them; and it was said to them that they should rest a little while longer, until both the number of their fellow servants and their brethren, who would be killed as they were, was completed.

When John saw the fifth seal broken and the scroll unfurled a bit more, he witnessed Christ’s witnesses killed for the gospel’s sake.  They were under the altar, fitting for the sacrifices made for His sake in dying for the good news of God’s work on the cross which makes enemies of all opposed to Him and to reconciliation from their sinful state.  Then they shouted to God and for all witnesses of this scene asking the Lord how much longer until the final judgement for His vengeance, not theirs.  This cosmic rebellion of sin leads to witnesses (martyrs) for speaking the truth, and reflects the hatred of the creature for the Creator.  Their punishment is certain and will be swift when His time comes, yet the yearning to see it finished is only equaled by the desire to continue to bear witness as living sacrifices (Romans 12:1) to the gospel of Jesus the Christ.  Yet vengeance will come by God for those opposed to Him and us, and He will avenge the blood spilled in His name.  In the end we also who suffer for Christ will be clothed in white robes of Christ’s righteousness and find eternal rest in Him.  We must be patient until the fullness of the nations (Romans 11:25) is gathered as wheat into His barn (Ephesians 1:10, Luke 3:17).  When God brings all He has called to Himself and all witnesses give their lives for others in their testimony of God’s wrath and grace, then their patient endurance will see justice meted out.  God knows exactly how many must sacrifice themselves before He finishes His work in the end and brings His will to bear against the rebellion of sin forever.  We patiently wait and trust as these clothed in white. 

Four Horses Unsealed for Judgement

Revelation 6:1-8 

1 Now I saw when the Lamb opened one of the seals; and I heard one of the four living creatures saying with a voice like thunder, “Come and see.” 2 And I looked, and behold, a white horse. He who sat on it had a bow; and a crown was given to him, and he went out conquering and to conquer.
3 When He opened the second seal, I heard the second living creature saying, “Come and see.” 4 Another horse, fiery red, went out. And it was granted to the one who sat on it to take peace from the earth, and that people should kill one another; and there was given to him a great sword.
5 When He opened the third seal, I heard the third living creature say, “Come and see.” So I looked, and behold, a black horse, and he who sat on it had a pair of scales in his hand. 6 And I heard a voice in the midst of the four living creatures saying, “A quart of wheat for a denarius, and three quarts of barley for a denarius; and do not harm the oil and the wine.”
7 When He opened the fourth seal, I heard the voice of the fourth living creature saying, “Come and see.” 8 So I looked, and behold, a pale horse. And the name of him who sat on it was Death, and Hades followed with him. And power was given to them over a fourth of the earth, to kill with sword, with hunger, with death, and by the beasts of the earth.

The first four seals removed by the Lamb who alone is worthy to open them are undone as He unrolls the scroll.  These are judgements on those on the earth for sin and rejection of the Christ, for disbelieving God’s word and the gospel through His prophets and apostles.  We see what John saw and recorded for us, beginning with the rider of the white steed going out to wage wars and conquer many.  We see how many wars and empires have risen and fallen over the centuries, and this may very well be the source of all to date.  The second rider on the fiery red mount takes away peace so that hatred drives much killing, living by the sword and dying by it as well.  Now we see lawlessness with murderers, bombings, and many other crimes of hate across the world driven by a lack of peace with God in Christ and therefore with our fellow man.  The third horse, a black one, carries scales to control world prices by a supposed lack of food supplies; the prices escalate with further tragic results such as starvation and the accompanying violence to get food and avoid dying of hunger.  The fourth and final rider sits on a pale horse of death with hell close behind.  This one is given power by God to add to the ones of increasing judgement by killings, starvation, wild animals attacking, and death of other kinds.  This power is inflicted on a quarter of the world’s people.  These four judgements pictured as riders of four horseman of the approaching apocalypse (unveiling or revealing) are of God’s plan of judgement to the end of time and beginning of eternity, for a destiny of all people who will be with or apart from Him.  These first four seals unleash God’s wrath of judgement on an unrepentant and disbelieving world who reject His Son, but are given to drive some to repentance and deliverance from that condemnation; we are to be about our Father’s business of the gospel of repentance and reconciliation in Christ before the final judgement coming on all.  The time has always been short, and we can learn here to make the most of it in troubling times for the souls of men and women that they do not face worse things eternally. 

Hallelujah, What a Savior!

Revelation 5:11-14

11 Then I looked, and I heard the voice of many angels around the throne, the living creatures, and the elders; and the number of them was ten thousand times ten thousand, and thousands of thousands, 12 saying with a loud voice:
“Worthy is the Lamb who was slain
To receive power and riches and wisdom,
And strength and honor and glory and blessing!”

13 And every creature which is in heaven and on the earth and under the earth and such as are in the sea, and all that are in them, I heard saying:
“Blessing and honor and glory and power
Be to Him who sits on the throne,
And to the Lamb, forever and ever!”

14 Then the four living creatures said, “Amen!” And the twenty-four elders fell down and worshiped Him who lives forever and ever.

After the four beings and twenty-four elders bowed and praised, thousands of angels joined in.  Created to serve God and praise Him, they could do no less!  These tens of thousands loudly praised their Lord and Maker as we should also, beginning with acknowledging the Lamb of God, Jesus Christ, and what salvation He has brought by His suffering, death, and resurrection.  Jesus is truly worthy to gain all power, wisdom, and riches of all those given to Him before time by the Father (Matthew 25:34, Ephesians 1:4, Hebrews 4:3).  All blessings are His, and so we all should be praising and worshiping as these in the heavens do.  For even after these near the throne expressed praise in worship, even after the myriads of angels, then every creature under heaven joined in by eternally ascribing all blessing, honor, glory, and power to the Lord God and to the Lamb, the Son of God who takes away the sin of the world.  The scene which John witnessed ended with the Amen, meaning it is so and will always be this way, by the four beings and the elders before His throne.  We are made to worship our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, who reconciled us to the Father by His infinite sacrifice of sin washing love, and cannot but do anything else in eternity when we fall before His throne as all is made new.  Hallelujah, what a Savior!  Amen.

We Will Join in Singing A New Song of Praise

Revelation 5:8-10 

8 Now when He had taken the scroll, the four living creatures and the twenty-four elders fell down before the Lamb, each having a harp, and golden bowls full of incense, which are the prayers of the saints. 9 And they sang a new song, saying:
“You are worthy to take the scroll,
And to open its seals;
For You were slain,
And have redeemed us to God by Your blood
Out of every tribe and tongue and people and nation,
10 And have made us kings and priests to our God;
And we shall reign on the earth.”

The Lamb of God who took away the sin of the world was worthy to take the scroll.  As He did so, the twenty-four elders and the four living beings around God’s throne all fell prostrate before Him in absolute submission and worship.  They bowed before the Lord their Maker (Psalm 95:6), the Lamb of God.  Then they further worshipped with harps for music and the sweet incense of prayer from God’s people who are made holy in Christ.  They worshipped in a song of praise that honored and glorified the Lamb, saying how worthy He is for His sacrifice and therefore alone worthy to take the scroll and open each seal as the owner of the words to come out of it.  He was killed for us to reconcile and buy us back at such a high price!  His blood ran red instead of ours for our deserved and just judgement of God’s wrath on our sin.  He died and arose to call out His people from every kind of person in every country, not just Jews out of Israel anymore, as promised to Abraham to many nations.  Yes, He made us rule and minister with Him in Christ Jesus!  This is reason enough to praise our Lord eternally, as we see here as John was shown in the heavenly realm before God Himself.  This is but a foretaste of our lives to come there, and the privilege to ascribe all glory, honor, and praise to the worthy Lamb of God makes us eagerly yearn for that day.  This is the main lesson of the Revelation for those to know Him.  Amen and amen.