Now, if you have read all of God's Word, then you are already familiar with "whores" and "harlots" and how their actions are used to describe "idolatry".
You see, idolatry is a far greater sin than being a whore, for the latter is of the flesh but the former is of the spirit. And while most whores know they are "whoring around" most idolaters of religion think they serve God, yet they violate the very 1st Commandment of God.
For those, however, who are not familiar with God's Word, for perhaps they are just beginning to study His Word, then it would serve them well, if they wish to understand this great chapter 17 of Revelation, to first read and understand the Book of Hosea in the Old Testament. Hosea means "salvation" which is what the Book of Hosea is about! That's right, the book titled "Salvation" is in the Old Testament. Then perhaps they will SEE how our Father feels about and looks upon "idolatry"/false religion. As the apostle Paul documents in 2 Thes. 2:3, there's a Great Apostasy about to be born and this Great Whore in Rev. 17 will be its mother and give it birth.
Hosea 1:2
The beginning of the word of the LORD by Hosea. And the LORD said to Hosea, Go, take unto thee a wife of whoredoms and children of whoredoms: for the land hath committed great whoredom, departing from the LORD.Live Link to->>> Hosea
Hosea 2:2
Plead with your mother, plead: for she is not my wife, neither am I her husband: let her therefore put away her whoredoms out of her sight, and her adulteries from between her breasts;
[3] Lest I strip her naked, and set her as in the day that she was born, and make her as a wilderness, and set her like a dry land, and slay her with thirst.[4] And I will not have mercy upon her children; for they be the children of whoredoms.
[5] For their mother hath played the harlot: she that conceived them hath done shamefully: for she said, I will go after my lovers, that give me my bread and my water, my wool and my flax, mine oil and my drink.
Hosea 4:6
My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge: because thou hast rejected knowledge...
Rev. 17:1
And there came one of the seven angels which had the seven vials, and talked with me, saying unto me, Come hither; I will shew unto thee the judgment of the great whore that sitteth upon many waters:
By the way, here's Strong's definition of "whore". It is from where we get the English word "porno".
porne, por'-nay, Greek 4204; feminine of Greek 4205 (pornos); a strumpet; figurative an idolater :- harlot, whore.
[2] With whom the kings of the earth have committed fornication, and the inhabitants of the earth have been made drunk with the wine of her fornication.
[3] So he carried me away in the spirit into the wilderness: and I saw a woman sit upon a scarlet coloured beast, full of names of blasphemy, having seven heads and ten horns.
Rev. 17:18 And the woman which thou sawest is that great city, which reigneth over the kings of the earth.
Rev. 11:8
And their dead bodies shall lie in the street of the great city, which spiritually is called Sodom and Egypt, where also our Lord was crucified.
Rev. 17:4 And the woman was arrayed in purple and scarlet colour, and decked with gold and precious stones and pearls, having a golden cup in her hand full of abominations and filthiness of her fornication:
Ooooh! Did you see what was in that cup? I don't even want to describe it! Yeeeech!
You know what? We've seen this "golden cup" before. Not only that we've read of the "earth being made drunk with her wine", too! Have you read the entire Bible! Imagine how little we'd know if just ran around with half the book, like just the New Testament, and said "Just believe, little ones, and you'll be safe. Why don't you know, you're going to fly away into a place of safety (the ushers will now pass the collection plate as we listen to the beautiful special music, now turn to song (Live Link to-)>>#666)."
Jeremiah 51:6
Flee out of the midst of Babylon, and deliver every man his soul: be not cut off in her iniquity; for this is the time of the LORD'S vengeance; He will render unto her a recompence.
[7] Babylon hath been a golden cup in the LORD'S hand, that made all the earth drunken: the nations have drunken of her wine; therefore the nations are mad.
Again, "confusion" is what Babylon means. Here's Strong's definition of Babylon:
Babel, baw-bel', Hebrew 894; from Hebrew 1101 (balal); confusion; Babel (i.e. Babylon), including Babylonia and the Babylonian empire :- Babel, Babylon.
MYSTERY, BABYLON, MOTHER OF WHORES, ABOMINATIONS!Rev. 17:5 And upon her forehead was a name written, MYSTERY, BABYLON THE GREAT, THE MOTHER OF HARLOTS AND ABOMINATIONS OF THE EARTH.
Next we'll document the simplicity of the meaning of this name written upon the woman's forehead!
Have you ever read the book "Sargon the Magnificent" by Mrs. Sidney Bristowe? It is a remarkable work revealing and tracing Cain in secular history as Sargon of Akkad. It begins with his ousting from the presence of God and his journey into the land of Nod, Sumer, and the founding of Babylon from whence originates the "golden cup" full of abominations. He is reported to have lived 730 years and founded many religions of the earth in his travels including sun worship, dragon worship, etc.,etc.)
So, while the majority of Christianity today teaches that Jesus Christ can return at any moment, both Jesus Christ and the apostle Paul WARNED about being deceived concerning His return. Jesus said repeatedly that many would come claiming to represent Him, i.e. as Christian ministers, and would deceive MANY, the multitudes, not just a few! Take a look at what the majority of our Christian churches teach concerning our gathering back to Christ, but please read and understand what Paul says in 2 Thes. 2, especially in verses 3 & 4.
Here it is:
The subject is the 7th Trump, the return of Christ, and our gathering back to Him.2 Thes. 2:1
Now we beseech you, brethren, by the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, and by our gathering together unto him,
2 Thes. 2:2
That ye be not soon shaken in mind, or be troubled, neither by spirit, nor by word, nor ny letter as from us, as that the day of Christ is at hand.
2 Thes. 2:3
Let no man deceive you by any means: for that day shall not come, except there come a falling away first, and that man of sin(Satan) be revealed, the son of perdition;
[4] Who opposeth and exalteth himself above all that is called God, or that is worshipped; so that he as God sitteth in the temple of God, shewing himself that he is God.
Satan will be revealed as Jesus Christ! It is a mystery to most. Hang on a few verses!
Paul says "Don't you remember I told you all of this?"[5] Remember ye not, that, when I was yet with you, I told you these things?
"You know what Satan's status is now."[6] And now ye know what withholdeth that he might be revealed in his time.
What is this "mystery"? Let's look up the Greek word in Strong's:[7] For the mystery of iniquity doth already work: only he who now letteth will let, until he be taken out of the way.
musterion, moos-tay'-ree-on, Greek 3466; from a derivative of muo (to shut the mouth); a secret or "mystery" (through the idea of silence imposed by initiation into religious rites) :- mystery.
The subject being discussed is when will the "man of sin" be revealed? The answer is when Michael let's him go in Rev. 12:7-9. Michael is holding him back!
Here's verse 7 from the Living Bible translation:
2 Thes. 2:7 As for the work this man of rebellion and hell will do when he comes, it is already going on, but he himself will not come until the one who is holding him back steps out of the way. (Living Bible)
Back to the KJV and continuing in 2 Thes.:
2 Thes. 2:8 And then shall that Wicked be revealed, whom the Lord shall consume with the spirit of his mouth, and shall destroy with the brightness of his coming:
[9] Even him, whose coming is after the working of Satan with all power and signs and lying wonders,
[10] And with all deceivableness of unrighteousness in them that perish; because they received not the love of the truth, that they might be saved.
[11] And for this cause God shall send them strong delusion, that they should believe a lie:
Rev. 17:5 And upon her forehead was a name written, MYSTERY, BABYLON THE GREAT, THE MOTHER OF HARLOTS AND ABOMINATIONS OF THE EARTH.Here's the link again, PLEASE READ IT!
Live Link to- Mystery BabylonWe know what every word in this verse means:
Forehead = Brain location
Mystery is "musterion" = Hidden Religion
Babylon = Confusion
Mother = One who gives birth, brings forth
Harlots & Whores (same Greek word) = Idolaters
Abominations = Idolatries
Earth = World
Rev. 17:6 And I saw the woman drunken with the blood of the saints, and with the blood of the martyrs of Jesus: and when I saw her, I wondered with great admiration.
Note: Did you know that our Father chose Jerusalem to become the Headquarters of the Universe? You can read of it in Ezekiel 16 where He "took to wife" that location, and in Rev. 21 we see the New Jerusalem coming down out of heaven to that location. Is it any wonder that Satan has so attacked this great city and has chosen it for his headquarters when he comes here with an "in your face" attitude?
Rev. 11:7
And when they shall have finished their testimony, the beast that ascendeth out of the bottomless pit shall make war against them, and shall overcome them, and kill them.[8] And their dead bodies shall lie in the street of the great city, which spiritually is called Sodom and Egypt, where also our Lord was crucified.
[10] And they that dwell upon the earth shall rejoice over them, and make merry, and shall send gifts one to another; because these two prophets tormented them that dwelt on the earth.
Rev. 17:7 And the angel said unto me, Wherefore didst thou marvel? I will tell thee the mystery of the woman, and of the beast that carrieth her, which hath the seven heads and ten horns.
[8] The beast that thou sawest was, and is not; and shall ascend out of the bottomless pit, and go into perdition: and they that dwell on the earth shall wonder, whose names were not written in the book of life from the foundation of the world, when they behold the beast that was, and is not, and yet is.
And in verse 8 we also read for the "umpteenth time" that if you are not one of God's elect, if your name is not written in the book of life from the foundation of the world, then you are going to love this beast! (For a further explanation of "from the foundation of the world" as also spoken of by the apostle Paul, visit Live Link to->Ephesians here on this site.
Rev. 17:9 And here is the mind which hath wisdom. The seven heads are seven mountains, on which the woman sitteth.
[10] And there are seven kings: five are fallen, and one is, and the other is not yet come; and when he cometh, he must continue a short space.
[11] And the beast that was, and is not, even he is the eighth, and is of the seven, and goeth into perdition.
Now, verse 11 makes it really simple. Again, what is the subject? We are talking about the beast that was and is not. The beast is who? Satan! In as much as he will also have an 8th role at the end of the Millennium, he is of the seven, ALL SEVEN, because he was #1-5 and is now #6 and shall be #7, i.e. he is all seven kings. So just as the 8th is of the 7, the 7th is of the 6, and the 6th is of the 5. The 7 kings are the same king, Satan, in series of reigns not 7 contemporary kings.
[12] And the ten horns which thou sawest are ten kings, which have received no kingdom as yet; but receive power as kings one hour with the beast.
[13] These have one mind, and shall give their power and strength unto the beast.[14] These shall make war with the Lamb, and the Lamb shall overcome them: for he is Lord of lords, and King of kings: and they that are with him are called, and chosen, and faithful.
Rev. 17:15 And he saith unto me, The waters which thou sawest, where the whore sitteth, are peoples, and multitudes, and nations, and tongues.
[16] And the ten horns which thou sawest upon the beast, these shall hate the whore, and shall make her desolate and naked, and shall eat her flesh, and burn her with fire.
[17] For God hath put in their hearts to fulfil his will, and to agree, and give their kingdom unto the beast, until the words of God shall be fulfilled.
[18] And the woman which thou sawest is that great city, which reigneth over the kings of the earth.
Next we will get an even closer view of the Great Fall of the Great Babylon of the end times. It is most fascinating indeed!
In chapter 17 we learned that the great whore who "sitteth upon many waters (peoples of the world)", is not a woman at all, but is in fact that Great City, (Mystery Babylon) which will reign over the kings of the earth, the city where the beast, Satan, sits atop the one world political and religious systems, the city in which the son of perdition sits in the temple and claims he is Jesus Christ. The woman is that great city, Jerusalem, where also our Lord was crucified.
Rev. 17:18
And the woman which thou sawest is that great city, which reigneth over the kings of the earth.
And so we see and understand why people are confused! They believe their religion, their church, is right and holy and pure and good! They cannot see that they have already been led astray from the TRUTH by the traditions of men, perpetuated by Biblically illiterate pastors and ministers, though many are well meaning, who follow the doctrines of their church and NOT "THE BIBLE" , "HIS WORD", which means they lead our people astray from the God's Word and let them wander the hills of confusion!
Is something new?
Not a chance! It's been going on since ancient Babylon who "hath been a golden cup in the LORD'S hand, that made all the earth drunken: the nations have drunken of her wine; therefore the nations are mad (Jeremiah 51:7)."
1 Cor. 10:11
Now all these things happened unto them for ensamples: and they are written for our admonition, upon whom the ends of the world are come.
It will not be "Jesus in Jerusalem" when the false-christ arrives. It will be "Satan in Babylon"!
Satan is coming as Jesus Christ and the whole world will believe him! It is that simple, but the world doesn't see it. The waters (people, even church attending pro-claiming Christians) are confused because they have sipped from the filthy, muddy, golden cup of Babylon. And if they don't wake up they will get to share the whore's name, which is the same as the beast's mark! Why? Because they'll be a little HARLOT!
You remember the "Scarlet Letter"
by Nathaniel Hawthorne?
Well, you'll get to wear (not literally, of course) the "Scarlet
Number"
by Satan the Beast, which is "666".
(Live Link) to-> "666" !
Jeremiah 50:6
My people hath been lost sheep: their shepherds have caused them to go astray, they have turned them away on the mountains: they have gone from mountain to hill, they have forgotten their resting place.
Let's begin.
Rev. 18:1
And after these things I saw another angel come down from heaven, having great power; and the earth was lightened with his glory.
[2] And he cried mightily with a strong voice, saying, Babylon the great is fallen, is fallen, and is become the habitation of devils, and the hold of every foul spirit, and a cage of every unclean and hateful bird.
[3] For all nations have drunk of the wine of the wrath of her fornication, and the kings of the earth have committed fornication with her, and the merchants of the earth are waxed rich through the abundance of her delicacies.
abundance
dunamis, doo'-nam-is, Greek 1411; from Greek 1410 (dunamai); force (literal or figurative); specially miraculous power (usually by implication a miracle itself) :- ability, abundance, meaning, might (-ily, -y, -y deed), (worker of) miracle (-s), power, strength, violence, might (wonderful) work.delicacies
strenos, stray'-nos, Greek 4764; akin to Greek 4731 (stereos); a "straining", "strenuousness" or "strength", i.e. (figurative) luxury (voluptuousness) :- delicacy.
[4] And I heard another voice from heaven, saying, Come out of her, my people, that ye be not partakers of her sins, and that ye receive not of her plagues.
Jeremiah 51:6
Flee out of the midst of Babylon, and deliver every man his soul: be not cut off in her iniquity; for this is the time of the LORD'S vengeance; he will render unto her a recompence.[7] Babylon hath been a golden cup in the LORD'S hand, that made all the earth drunken: the nations have drunken of her wine; therefore the nations are mad.
[5] For her sins have reached unto heaven, and God hath remembered her iniquities.
[6] Reward her even as she rewarded you, and double unto her double according to her works: in the cup which she hath filled fill to her double.
[7] How much she hath glorified herself, and lived deliciously, so much torment and sorrow give her: for she saith in her heart, I sit a queen, and am no widow, and shall see no sorrow.
And she claims she's a Queen! She says she is not a widow, which means she has a HUSBAND (she doesn't even know he's Satan!). Did she wait until the great wedding feast of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, to wed Him?
[8] Therefore shall her plagues come in one day, death, and mourning, and famine; and she shall be utterly burned with fire: for strong is the Lord God who judgeth her.
[9] And the kings of the earth, who have committed fornication and lived deliciously with her, shall bewail her, and lament for her, when they shall see the smoke of her burning,
[10] Standing afar off for the fear of her torment, saying, Alas, alas, that great city Babylon, that mighty city! for in one hour is thy judgment come.
[11] And the merchants of the earth shall weep and mourn over her; for no man buyeth their merchandise any more:
[12] The merchandise of gold, and silver, and precious stones, and of pearls, and fine linen, and purple, and silk, and scarlet, and all thyine wood, and all manner vessels of ivory, and all manner vessels of most precious wood, and of brass, and iron, and marble,[13] And cinnamon, and odours, and ointments, and frankincense, and wine, and oil, and fine flour, and wheat, and beasts, and sheep, and horses, and chariots, and slaves, and souls of men.
Live Link to- Ezekiel 28
Live Link to- Lucifer's Flood
Ezekiel 28:2
Son of man, say unto the prince of Tyrus, Thus saith the Lord GOD; Because thine heart is lifted up, and thou hast said, I am a God, I sit in the seat of God, in the midst of the seas; yet thou art a man, and not God, though thou set thine heart as the heart of God:
[3] Behold, thou art wiser than Daniel; there is no secret that they can hide from thee: [4] With thy wisdom and with thine understanding thou hast gotten thee riches, and hast gotten gold and silver into thy treasures:
[5] By thy great wisdom and by thy traffick hast thou increased thy riches, and thine heart is lifted up because of thy riches:
Written by the hands of Jeremiah and John, are the words from the Lord our God, "Flee out of the midst of Babylon", "Come out of her my people!" Babylon the great is fallen, is fallen. The end of all religious confusion has come, for Jesus Christ has returned.
Rev. 18:14
And the fruits that thy soul lusted after are departed from thee, and all things which were dainty and goodly are departed from thee, and thou shalt find them no more at all.
[15] The merchants of these things, which were made rich by her, shall stand afar off for the fear of her torment, weeping and wailing,
[16] And saying, Alas, alas, that great city, that was clothed in fine linen, and purple, and scarlet, and decked with gold, and precious stones, and pearls!
You should check out the word "hour" used here. It is translated "season" in 2 Cor. 2:7, "short time" in 1 Thes. 2:17, as well as "hour", both literally and figuratively which can be determined by the context wherein it is used. In this case it means "instantly" or as we say "in an instant" or "just like that".[17] For in one hour so great riches is come to nought. And every shipmaster, and all the company in ships, and sailors, and as many as trade by sea, stood afar off,
hora, ho'-rah, Greek 5610; apparently a primary word; an "hour" (literal or figurative):- day, hour, instant, season, × short, [even-] tide, (high) time.
[18] And cried when they saw the smoke of her burning, saying, What city is like unto this great city!
[19] And they cast dust on their heads, and cried, weeping and wailing, saying, Alas, alas, that great city, wherein were made rich all that had ships in the sea by reason of her costliness! for in one hour is she made desolate.
[20] Rejoice over her, thou heaven, and ye holy apostles and prophets; for God hath avenged you on her.
[21] And a mighty angel took up a stone like a great millstone, and cast it into the sea, saying, Thus with violence shall that great city Babylon be thrown down, and shall be found no more at all.
[22] And the voice of harpers, and musicians, and of pipers, and trumpeters, shall be heard no more at all in thee; and no craftsman, of whatsoever craft he be, shall be found any more in thee; and the sound of a millstone shall be heard no more at all in thee;
Daniel 3:7
Therefore at that time, when all the people heard the sound of the cornet, flute, harp, sackbut, psaltery, and all kinds of musick, all the people, the nations, and the languages, fell down and worshipped the golden image that Nebuchadnezzar the king had set up.
We have studied in this Book of Revelation that the beast, Satan, "sets up" his image, i.e. that he is Jesus, and the people who go to church regularly, but are never taught any of the meat of our "Lord's Word" will believe he is God when they will hear the sound of the music and they will sing praises to Satan, the one sitting in the temple claiming to be God.
(They know not that he is the son of perdition). Yes, they will kneel to and worship Satan, who will appear in the image of Christ.
[23] And the light of a candle shall shine no more at all in thee; and the voice of the bridegroom and of the bride shall be heard no more at all in thee: for thy merchants were the great men of the earth; for by thy sorceries were all nations deceived.
pharmakeia, far-mak-i'-ah, Greek 5331; from Greek 5332 (pharmakeus); medication ("pharmacy"), i.e. (by extension) magic (literal or figurative) :- sorcery, witchcraft.pharmakeus, far-mak-yoos', Greek 5332; from pharmakon (a drug, i.e. spell-giving potion); a druggist ("pharmacist") or poisoner, i.e. (by extension) a magician :- sorcerer
[24] And in her was found the blood of prophets, and of saints, and of all that were slain upon the earth.
Matthew 24:4
And Jesus answered and said unto them, Take heed that no man deceive you.[5] For many shall come in my name, saying, I am Christ; and shall deceive many.
So next time, before you take a sip, look in the golden cup and see if what's in it is from the "Word of God". Of course you'll have to know what the Word of God says to make that determination, won't you?
vs. 2 The great whorevs. 4 The four and twenty elders and the four beasts (living beings)
vs. 6 The voice of many waters
vs. 8,14 Fine linen, clean and white
vs. 11 A white horse
vs. 12 "Eyes as a flame of fire"
vs. 15 Sharp sword proceeding from Christ's mouth
vs. 15 the winepress of God's wrath
Therefore the rest of the words and phrases in in this study, such as Lamb, Word of God, Kings of kings and Lord of lords, etc., are to be found previously in God's Word.
Chapter 19 verse 1:
Rev. 19:1
And after these things I heard a great voice of much people in heaven, saying, Alleluia; Salvation, and glory, and honour, and power, unto the Lord our God:
Psalm 104:35
Let the sinners be consumed out of the earth, and let the wicked be no more. Bless thou the LORD, O my soul. Praise ye the LORD.
[2] For true and righteous are his judgments: for he hath judged the great whore, which did corrupt the earth with her fornication, and hath avenged the blood of his servants at her hand.
[3] And again they said, Alleluia. And her smoke rose up for ever and ever.
[4] And the four and twenty elders and the four beasts fell down and worshipped God that sat on the throne, saying, Amen; Alleluia.
[5] And a voice came out of the throne, saying, Praise our God, all ye his servants, and ye that fear him, both small and great.
[6] And I heard as it were the voice of a great multitude, and as the voice of many waters, and as the voice of mighty thunderings, saying, Alleluia: for the Lord God omnipotent reigneth.
[7] Let us be glad and rejoice, and give honour to Him: for the marriage of the Lamb is come, and his wife hath made herself ready.
Rev. 19:8 And to her was granted that she should be arrayed in fine linen, clean and white: for the fine linen is the righteousness of saints.
Rev. 16:15
Behold, I come as a thief. Blessed is he that watcheth, and keepeth his garments, lest he walk naked, and they see his shame.
Rev. 19:9 And he saith unto me, Write, Blessed are they which are called unto the marriage supper of the Lamb. And he saith unto me, These are the true sayings of God.
[10] And I fell at his feet to worship him. And he said unto me, See thou do it not: I am thy fellowservant, and of thy brethren that have the testimony of Jesus: worship God: for the testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy.
[11] And I saw heaven opened, and behold a white horse; and he that sat upon him was called Faithful and True, and in righteousness he doth judge and make war.
[12] His eyes were as a flame of fire, and on His head were many crowns; and He had a name written, that no man knew, but He himself.
Yes, He will have many crowns on His head for all the crowns of the earth will have been surrendered to Him.
[13] And he was clothed with a vesture dipped in blood: and his name is called The Word of God.
John 1:1
In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.Rev. 19:14 And the armies which were in heaven followed him upon white horses, clothed in fine linen, white and clean.
[15] And out of His mouth goeth a sharp sword, that with it he should smite the nations: and he shall rule them with a rod of iron: and he treadeth the winepress of the fierceness and wrath of Almighty God.
[16] And he hath on his vesture and on his thigh a name written, KING OF KINGS, AND LORD OF LORDS.
1 Tim. 6:11-16
But thou, O man of God, flee these things; and follow after righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, meekness.[12] Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life, whereunto thou art also called, and hast professed a good profession before many witnesses.
[13] I give thee charge in the sight of God, who quickeneth all things, and before Christ Jesus, who before Pontius Pilate witnessed a good confession;
[14] That thou keep this commandment without spot, unrebukeable, until the appearing of our Lord Jesus Christ:
[15] Which in his times he shall shew, who is the blessed and only Potentate, the King of kings, and Lord of lords;
[16] Who only hath immortality, dwelling in the light which no man can approach unto; whom no man hath seen, nor can see: to whom be honour and power everlasting. Amen.
Christ is coming to make war (Rev. 19:14-15) and to subdue all nations, taking all their "crowns", and placing them all under His rod of correction. We observed Him returning with His armies, who rode upon white horses, and were clothed with fine white linen, meaning their righteous acts.
2 Kings 6:17
And Elisha prayed, and said, LORD, I pray thee, open his eyes, that he may see. And the LORD opened the eyes of the young man; and he saw: and, behold, the mountain was full of horses and chariots of fire round about Elisha.
In any event, when Christ returns to make war at the sound of the 7th Trump, we read that His armies will follow Him. It is at this time that His Kingdom will be ushered in, which is to say that His Millennial reign will begin. This is one statement to which most everyone agrees. But there is something which happens at Christ's return which is a "mystery" to most.
"Plus, if you've studied, i.e. read with understanding, the entire Bible from the beginning, from Genesis on, line by line then you will completely understand this chapter, for as we said from the opening study, there is nothing really new in the Book of Revelation that hasn't been discussed before in God's Word. It's just that in this Book of the Unveiling, this PICTURE BOOK, prophecy is all tied together and simplified for our understanding."
1 Cor. 15:44
It is sown a natural body; it is raised a spiritual body. There is a natural body, and there is a spiritual body.
1 Cor. 15:50 Now this I say, brethren, that flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God; neither doth corruption inherit incorruption.
[51] Behold, I shew you a mystery; We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed,
[52] In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed.
Now don't let the phrase "the dead shall be raised incorruptible" cause you to switch subjects in the middle of a sentence.
The subject is the change of bodies from flesh to spirit. We read in verse 51 that it is ALL who are changed and here in verse 52 Paul breaks it down into two categories. (1) The "dead", who are the "spiritually dead", i.e. the figuratively dead, as in still liable to die the second death (the death of their soul) (see appendix 139 in the Companion Bible regarding the different use of the word nekros translated "dead" in the NT). They too will be elevated, or raised to incorruptible bodies, and (2) we Christians also!
[53] For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality.
And so there is much confusion in the ranks of Christianity concerning the subject of "resurrection" because of the lack of understanding of the use of the word "nekros" and the failing to understand the simplicity of the "mystery" that Paul explains in 1 Cor. 15.
So we have learned from the apostle Paul that ALL flesh will be changed when Christ returns, and it is at that point to which we have arrived in Rev. 19.
Here then is the PICTURE of the end of all flesh at the sound of the 7th Trump:
Rev. 19:17
And I saw an angel standing in the sun; and he cried with a loud voice, saying to all the fowls that fly in the midst of heaven, Come and gather yourselves together unto the supper of the great God;
The original texts read "to the great supper of God". The word "supper" used is here is the Greek word "deipnon" which comes from "dapane", dap-an'-ay, Greek #1160; from dapto (to devour); expense (as consuming) :- cost.
[8] That ye may eat the flesh of kings, and the flesh of captains, and the flesh of mighty men, and the flesh of horses, and of them that sit on them, and the flesh of all men, both free and bond, both small and great.
[19] And I saw the beast, and the kings of the earth, and their armies, gathered together to make war against him that sat on the horse, and against his army.
Zech. 14:12
And this shall be the plague wherewith the LORD will smite all the people that have fought against Jerusalem; Their flesh shall consume away while they stand upon their feet, and their eyes shall consume away in their holes, and their tongue shall consume away in their mouth.
Rev. 19:20 And the beast was taken, and with him the false prophet that wrought miracles before him, with which he deceived them that had received the mark of the beast, and them that worshipped his image. These both were cast alive into a lake of fire burning with brimstone.
Jeremiah 50:6
My people hath been lost sheep: their shepherds have caused them to go astray, they have turned them away on the mountains: they have gone from mountain to hill, they have forgotten their resting place.
Let's begin.
Rev. 18:1
And after these things I saw another angel come down from heaven, having great power; and the earth was lightened with his glory.
[2] And he cried mightily with a strong voice, saying, Babylon the great is fallen, is fallen, and is become the habitation of devils, and the hold of every foul spirit, and a cage of every unclean and hateful bird.
[3] For all nations have drunk of the wine of the wrath of her fornication, and the kings of the earth have committed fornication with her, and the merchants of the earth are waxed rich through the abundance of her delicacies.
abundance
dunamis, doo'-nam-is, Greek 1411; from Greek 1410 (dunamai); force (literal or figurative); specially miraculous power (usually by implication a miracle itself) :- ability, abundance, meaning, might (-ily, -y, -y deed), (worker of) miracle (-s), power, strength, violence, might (wonderful) work.delicacies
strenos, stray'-nos, Greek 4764; akin to Greek 4731 (stereos); a "straining", "strenuousness" or "strength", i.e. (figurative) luxury (voluptuousness) :- delicacy.
[4] And I heard another voice from heaven, saying, Come out of her, my people, that ye be not partakers of her sins, and that ye receive not of her plagues.
Jeremiah 51:6
Flee out of the midst of Babylon, and deliver every man his soul: be not cut off in her iniquity; for this is the time of the LORD'S vengeance; he will render unto her a recompence.[7] Babylon hath been a golden cup in the LORD'S hand, that made all the earth drunken: the nations have drunken of her wine; therefore the nations are mad.
[5] For her sins have reached unto heaven, and God hath remembered her iniquities.
[6] Reward her even as she rewarded you, and double unto her double according to her works: in the cup which she hath filled fill to her double.
[7] How much she hath glorified herself, and lived deliciously, so much torment and sorrow give her: for she saith in her heart, I sit a queen, and am no widow, and shall see no sorrow.
And she claims she's a Queen! She says she is not a widow, which means she has a HUSBAND (she doesn't even know he's Satan!). Did she wait until the great wedding feast of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, to wed Him?
[8] Therefore shall her plagues come in one day, death, and mourning, and famine; and she shall be utterly burned with fire: for strong is the Lord God who judgeth her.
[9] And the kings of the earth, who have committed fornication and lived deliciously with her, shall bewail her, and lament for her, when they shall see the smoke of her burning,
[10] Standing afar off for the fear of her torment, saying, Alas, alas, that great city Babylon, that mighty city! for in one hour is thy judgment come.
[11] And the merchants of the earth shall weep and mourn over her; for no man buyeth their merchandise any more:
[12] The merchandise of gold, and silver, and precious stones, and of pearls, and fine linen, and purple, and silk, and scarlet, and all thyine wood, and all manner vessels of ivory, and all manner vessels of most precious wood, and of brass, and iron, and marble,[13] And cinnamon, and odours, and ointments, and frankincense, and wine, and oil, and fine flour, and wheat, and beasts, and sheep, and horses, and chariots, and slaves, and souls of men.
Live Link to- Ezekiel 28
Live Link to- Lucifer's Flood
Ezekiel 28:2
Son of man, say unto the prince of Tyrus, Thus saith the Lord GOD; Because thine heart is lifted up, and thou hast said, I am a God, I sit in the seat of God, in the midst of the seas; yet thou art a man, and not God, though thou set thine heart as the heart of God:
[3] Behold, thou art wiser than Daniel; there is no secret that they can hide from thee: [4] With thy wisdom and with thine understanding thou hast gotten thee riches, and hast gotten gold and silver into thy treasures:
[5] By thy great wisdom and by thy traffick hast thou increased thy riches, and thine heart is lifted up because of thy riches:
Written by the hands of Jeremiah and John, are the words from the Lord our God, "Flee out of the midst of Babylon", "Come out of her my people!" Babylon the great is fallen, is fallen. The end of all religious confusion has come, for Jesus Christ has returned.
Rev. 18:14
And the fruits that thy soul lusted after are departed from thee, and all things which were dainty and goodly are departed from thee, and thou shalt find them no more at all.
[15] The merchants of these things, which were made rich by her, shall stand afar off for the fear of her torment, weeping and wailing,
[16] And saying, Alas, alas, that great city, that was clothed in fine linen, and purple, and scarlet, and decked with gold, and precious stones, and pearls!
You should check out the word "hour" used here. It is translated "season" in 2 Cor. 2:7, "short time" in 1 Thes. 2:17, as well as "hour", both literally and figuratively which can be determined by the context wherein it is used. In this case it means "instantly" or as we say "in an instant" or "just like that".[17] For in one hour so great riches is come to nought. And every shipmaster, and all the company in ships, and sailors, and as many as trade by sea, stood afar off,
hora, ho'-rah, Greek 5610; apparently a primary word; an "hour" (literal or figurative):- day, hour, instant, season, × short, [even-] tide, (high) time.
[18] And cried when they saw the smoke of her burning, saying, What city is like unto this great city!
[19] And they cast dust on their heads, and cried, weeping and wailing, saying, Alas, alas, that great city, wherein were made rich all that had ships in the sea by reason of her costliness! for in one hour is she made desolate.
[20] Rejoice over her, thou heaven, and ye holy apostles and prophets; for God hath avenged you on her.
[21] And a mighty angel took up a stone like a great millstone, and cast it into the sea, saying, Thus with violence shall that great city Babylon be thrown down, and shall be found no more at all.
[22] And the voice of harpers, and musicians, and of pipers, and trumpeters, shall be heard no more at all in thee; and no craftsman, of whatsoever craft he be, shall be found any more in thee; and the sound of a millstone shall be heard no more at all in thee;
Daniel 3:7
Therefore at that time, when all the people heard the sound of the cornet, flute, harp, sackbut, psaltery, and all kinds of musick, all the people, the nations, and the languages, fell down and worshipped the golden image that Nebuchadnezzar the king had set up.
We have studied in this Book of Revelation that the beast, Satan, "sets up" his image, i.e. that he is Jesus, and the people who go to church regularly, but are never taught any of the meat of our "Lord's Word" will believe he is God when they will hear the sound of the music and they will sing praises to Satan, the one sitting in the temple claiming to be God.
(They know not that he is the son of perdition). Yes, they will kneel to and worship Satan, who will appear in the image of Christ.
[23] And the light of a candle shall shine no more at all in thee; and the voice of the bridegroom and of the bride shall be heard no more at all in thee: for thy merchants were the great men of the earth; for by thy sorceries were all nations deceived.
pharmakeia, far-mak-i'-ah, Greek 5331; from Greek 5332 (pharmakeus); medication ("pharmacy"), i.e. (by extension) magic (literal or figurative) :- sorcery, witchcraft.pharmakeus, far-mak-yoos', Greek 5332; from pharmakon (a drug, i.e. spell-giving potion); a druggist ("pharmacist") or poisoner, i.e. (by extension) a magician :- sorcerer
[24] And in her was found the blood of prophets, and of saints, and of all that were slain upon the earth.
Matthew 24:4
And Jesus answered and said unto them, Take heed that no man deceive you.[5] For many shall come in my name, saying, I am Christ; and shall deceive many.
So next time, before you take a sip, look in the golden cup and see if what's in it is from the "Word of God". Of course you'll have to know what the Word of God says to make that determination, won't you?
vs. 2 The great whorevs. 4 The four and twenty elders and the four beasts (living beings)
vs. 6 The voice of many waters
vs. 8,14 Fine linen, clean and white
vs. 11 A white horse
vs. 12 "Eyes as a flame of fire"
vs. 15 Sharp sword proceeding from Christ's mouth
vs. 15 the winepress of God's wrath
Therefore the rest of the words and phrases in in this study, such as Lamb, Word of God, Kings of kings and Lord of lords, etc., are to be found previously in God's Word.
Chapter 19 verse 1:
Rev. 19:1
And after these things I heard a great voice of much people in heaven, saying, Alleluia; Salvation, and glory, and honour, and power, unto the Lord our God:
Psalm 104:35
Let the sinners be consumed out of the earth, and let the wicked be no more. Bless thou the LORD, O my soul. Praise ye the LORD.
[2] For true and righteous are his judgments: for he hath judged the great whore, which did corrupt the earth with her fornication, and hath avenged the blood of his servants at her hand.
[3] And again they said, Alleluia. And her smoke rose up for ever and ever.
[4] And the four and twenty elders and the four beasts fell down and worshipped God that sat on the throne, saying, Amen; Alleluia.
[5] And a voice came out of the throne, saying, Praise our God, all ye his servants, and ye that fear him, both small and great.
[6] And I heard as it were the voice of a great multitude, and as the voice of many waters, and as the voice of mighty thunderings, saying, Alleluia: for the Lord God omnipotent reigneth.
[7] Let us be glad and rejoice, and give honour to Him: for the marriage of the Lamb is come, and his wife hath made herself ready.
Rev. 19:8 And to her was granted that she should be arrayed in fine linen, clean and white: for the fine linen is the righteousness of saints.
Rev. 16:15
Behold, I come as a thief. Blessed is he that watcheth, and keepeth his garments, lest he walk naked, and they see his shame.
Rev. 19:9 And he saith unto me, Write, Blessed are they which are called unto the marriage supper of the Lamb. And he saith unto me, These are the true sayings of God.
[10] And I fell at his feet to worship him. And he said unto me, See thou do it not: I am thy fellowservant, and of thy brethren that have the testimony of Jesus: worship God: for the testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy.
[11] And I saw heaven opened, and behold a white horse; and he that sat upon him was called Faithful and True, and in righteousness he doth judge and make war.
[12] His eyes were as a flame of fire, and on His head were many crowns; and He had a name written, that no man knew, but He himself.
Yes, He will have many crowns on His head for all the crowns of the earth will have been surrendered to Him.
[13] And he was clothed with a vesture dipped in blood: and his name is called The Word of God.
John 1:1
In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.Rev. 19:14 And the armies which were in heaven followed him upon white horses, clothed in fine linen, white and clean.
[15] And out of His mouth goeth a sharp sword, that with it he should smite the nations: and he shall rule them with a rod of iron: and he treadeth the winepress of the fierceness and wrath of Almighty God.
[16] And he hath on his vesture and on his thigh a name written, KING OF KINGS, AND LORD OF LORDS.
1 Tim. 6:11-16
But thou, O man of God, flee these things; and follow after righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, meekness.[12] Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life, whereunto thou art also called, and hast professed a good profession before many witnesses.
[13] I give thee charge in the sight of God, who quickeneth all things, and before Christ Jesus, who before Pontius Pilate witnessed a good confession;
[14] That thou keep this commandment without spot, unrebukeable, until the appearing of our Lord Jesus Christ:
[15] Which in his times he shall shew, who is the blessed and only Potentate, the King of kings, and Lord of lords;
[16] Who only hath immortality, dwelling in the light which no man can approach unto; whom no man hath seen, nor can see: to whom be honour and power everlasting. Amen.
Christ is coming to make war (Rev. 19:14-15) and to subdue all nations, taking all their "crowns", and placing them all under His rod of correction. We observed Him returning with His armies, who rode upon white horses, and were clothed with fine white linen, meaning their righteous acts.
2 Kings 6:17
And Elisha prayed, and said, LORD, I pray thee, open his eyes, that he may see. And the LORD opened the eyes of the young man; and he saw: and, behold, the mountain was full of horses and chariots of fire round about Elisha.
In any event, when Christ returns to make war at the sound of the 7th Trump, we read that His armies will follow Him. It is at this time that His Kingdom will be ushered in, which is to say that His Millennial reign will begin. This is one statement to which most everyone agrees. But there is something which happens at Christ's return which is a "mystery" to most.
"Plus, if you've studied, i.e. read with understanding, the entire Bible from the beginning, from Genesis on, line by line then you will completely understand this chapter, for as we said from the opening study, there is nothing really new in the Book of Revelation that hasn't been discussed before in God's Word. It's just that in this Book of the Unveiling, this PICTURE BOOK, prophecy is all tied together and simplified for our understanding."
1 Cor. 15:44
It is sown a natural body; it is raised a spiritual body. There is a natural body, and there is a spiritual body.
1 Cor. 15:50 Now this I say, brethren, that flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God; neither doth corruption inherit incorruption.
[51] Behold, I shew you a mystery; We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed,
[52] In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed.
Now don't let the phrase "the dead shall be raised incorruptible" cause you to switch subjects in the middle of a sentence.
The subject is the change of bodies from flesh to spirit. We read in verse 51 that it is ALL who are changed and here in verse 52 Paul breaks it down into two categories. (1) The "dead", who are the "spiritually dead", i.e. the figuratively dead, as in still liable to die the second death (the death of their soul) (see appendix 139 in the Companion Bible regarding the different use of the word nekros translated "dead" in the NT). They too will be elevated, or raised to incorruptible bodies, and (2) we Christians also!
[53] For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality.
And so there is much confusion in the ranks of Christianity concerning the subject of "resurrection" because of the lack of understanding of the use of the word "nekros" and the failing to understand the simplicity of the "mystery" that Paul explains in 1 Cor. 15.
So we have learned from the apostle Paul that ALL flesh will be changed when Christ returns, and it is at that point to which we have arrived in Rev. 19.
Here then is the PICTURE of the end of all flesh at the sound of the 7th Trump:
Rev. 19:17
And I saw an angel standing in the sun; and he cried with a loud voice, saying to all the fowls that fly in the midst of heaven, Come and gather yourselves together unto the supper of the great God;
The original texts read "to the great supper of God". The word "supper" used is here is the Greek word "deipnon" which comes from "dapane", dap-an'-ay, Greek #1160; from dapto (to devour); expense (as consuming) :- cost.
[8] That ye may eat the flesh of kings, and the flesh of captains, and the flesh of mighty men, and the flesh of horses, and of them that sit on them, and the flesh of all men, both free and bond, both small and great.
[19] And I saw the beast, and the kings of the earth, and their armies, gathered together to make war against him that sat on the horse, and against his army.
Zech. 14:12
And this shall be the plague wherewith the LORD will smite all the people that have fought against Jerusalem; Their flesh shall consume away while they stand upon their feet, and their eyes shall consume away in their holes, and their tongue shall consume away in their mouth.
Rev. 19:20 And the beast was taken, and with him the false prophet that wrought miracles before him, with which he deceived them that had received the mark of the beast, and them that worshipped his image. These both were cast alive into a lake of fire burning with brimstone.
Jeremiah 50:6
My people hath been lost sheep: their shepherds have caused them to go astray, they have turned them away on the mountains: they have gone from mountain to hill, they have forgotten their resting place.
Let's begin.
Rev. 18:1
And after these things I saw another angel come down from heaven, having great power; and the earth was lightened with his glory.
[2] And he cried mightily with a strong voice, saying, Babylon the great is fallen, is fallen, and is become the habitation of devils, and the hold of every foul spirit, and a cage of every unclean and hateful bird.
[3] For all nations have drunk of the wine of the wrath of her fornication, and the kings of the earth have committed fornication with her, and the merchants of the earth are waxed rich through the abundance of her delicacies.
abundance
dunamis, doo'-nam-is, Greek 1411; from Greek 1410 (dunamai); force (literal or figurative); specially miraculous power (usually by implication a miracle itself) :- ability, abundance, meaning, might (-ily, -y, -y deed), (worker of) miracle (-s), power, strength, violence, might (wonderful) work.delicacies
strenos, stray'-nos, Greek 4764; akin to Greek 4731 (stereos); a "straining", "strenuousness" or "strength", i.e. (figurative) luxury (voluptuousness) :- delicacy.
[4] And I heard another voice from heaven, saying, Come out of her, my people, that ye be not partakers of her sins, and that ye receive not of her plagues.
Jeremiah 51:6
Flee out of the midst of Babylon, and deliver every man his soul: be not cut off in her iniquity; for this is the time of the LORD'S vengeance; he will render unto her a recompence.[7] Babylon hath been a golden cup in the LORD'S hand, that made all the earth drunken: the nations have drunken of her wine; therefore the nations are mad.
[5] For her sins have reached unto heaven, and God hath remembered her iniquities.
[6] Reward her even as she rewarded you, and double unto her double according to her works: in the cup which she hath filled fill to her double.
[7] How much she hath glorified herself, and lived deliciously, so much torment and sorrow give her: for she saith in her heart, I sit a queen, and am no widow, and shall see no sorrow.
And she claims she's a Queen! She says she is not a widow, which means she has a HUSBAND (she doesn't even know he's Satan!). Did she wait until the great wedding feast of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, to wed Him?
[8] Therefore shall her plagues come in one day, death, and mourning, and famine; and she shall be utterly burned with fire: for strong is the Lord God who judgeth her.
[9] And the kings of the earth, who have committed fornication and lived deliciously with her, shall bewail her, and lament for her, when they shall see the smoke of her burning,
[10] Standing afar off for the fear of her torment, saying, Alas, alas, that great city Babylon, that mighty city! for in one hour is thy judgment come.
[11] And the merchants of the earth shall weep and mourn over her; for no man buyeth their merchandise any more:
[12] The merchandise of gold, and silver, and precious stones, and of pearls, and fine linen, and purple, and silk, and scarlet, and all thyine wood, and all manner vessels of ivory, and all manner vessels of most precious wood, and of brass, and iron, and marble,[13] And cinnamon, and odours, and ointments, and frankincense, and wine, and oil, and fine flour, and wheat, and beasts, and sheep, and horses, and chariots, and slaves, and souls of men.
Live Link to- Ezekiel 28
Live Link to- Lucifer's Flood
Ezekiel 28:2
Son of man, say unto the prince of Tyrus, Thus saith the Lord GOD; Because thine heart is lifted up, and thou hast said, I am a God, I sit in the seat of God, in the midst of the seas; yet thou art a man, and not God, though thou set thine heart as the heart of God:
[3] Behold, thou art wiser than Daniel; there is no secret that they can hide from thee: [4] With thy wisdom and with thine understanding thou hast gotten thee riches, and hast gotten gold and silver into thy treasures:
[5] By thy great wisdom and by thy traffick hast thou increased thy riches, and thine heart is lifted up because of thy riches:
Written by the hands of Jeremiah and John, are the words from the Lord our God, "Flee out of the midst of Babylon", "Come out of her my people!" Babylon the great is fallen, is fallen. The end of all religious confusion has come, for Jesus Christ has returned.
Rev. 18:14
And the fruits that thy soul lusted after are departed from thee, and all things which were dainty and goodly are departed from thee, and thou shalt find them no more at all.
[15] The merchants of these things, which were made rich by her, shall stand afar off for the fear of her torment, weeping and wailing,
[16] And saying, Alas, alas, that great city, that was clothed in fine linen, and purple, and scarlet, and decked with gold, and precious stones, and pearls!
You should check out the word "hour" used here. It is translated "season" in 2 Cor. 2:7, "short time" in 1 Thes. 2:17, as well as "hour", both literally and figuratively which can be determined by the context wherein it is used. In this case it means "instantly" or as we say "in an instant" or "just like that".[17] For in one hour so great riches is come to nought. And every shipmaster, and all the company in ships, and sailors, and as many as trade by sea, stood afar off,
hora, ho'-rah, Greek 5610; apparently a primary word; an "hour" (literal or figurative):- day, hour, instant, season, × short, [even-] tide, (high) time.
[18] And cried when they saw the smoke of her burning, saying, What city is like unto this great city!
[19] And they cast dust on their heads, and cried, weeping and wailing, saying, Alas, alas, that great city, wherein were made rich all that had ships in the sea by reason of her costliness! for in one hour is she made desolate.
[20] Rejoice over her, thou heaven, and ye holy apostles and prophets; for God hath avenged you on her.
[21] And a mighty angel took up a stone like a great millstone, and cast it into the sea, saying, Thus with violence shall that great city Babylon be thrown down, and shall be found no more at all.
[22] And the voice of harpers, and musicians, and of pipers, and trumpeters, shall be heard no more at all in thee; and no craftsman, of whatsoever craft he be, shall be found any more in thee; and the sound of a millstone shall be heard no more at all in thee;
Daniel 3:7
Therefore at that time, when all the people heard the sound of the cornet, flute, harp, sackbut, psaltery, and all kinds of musick, all the people, the nations, and the languages, fell down and worshipped the golden image that Nebuchadnezzar the king had set up.
We have studied in this Book of Revelation that the beast, Satan, "sets up" his image, i.e. that he is Jesus, and the people who go to church regularly, but are never taught any of the meat of our "Lord's Word" will believe he is God when they will hear the sound of the music and they will sing praises to Satan, the one sitting in the temple claiming to be God.
(They know not that he is the son of perdition). Yes, they will kneel to and worship Satan, who will appear in the image of Christ.
[23] And the light of a candle shall shine no more at all in thee; and the voice of the bridegroom and of the bride shall be heard no more at all in thee: for thy merchants were the great men of the earth; for by thy sorceries were all nations deceived.
pharmakeia, far-mak-i'-ah, Greek 5331; from Greek 5332 (pharmakeus); medication ("pharmacy"), i.e. (by extension) magic (literal or figurative) :- sorcery, witchcraft.pharmakeus, far-mak-yoos', Greek 5332; from pharmakon (a drug, i.e. spell-giving potion); a druggist ("pharmacist") or poisoner, i.e. (by extension) a magician :- sorcerer
[24] And in her was found the blood of prophets, and of saints, and of all that were slain upon the earth.
Matthew 24:4
And Jesus answered and said unto them, Take heed that no man deceive you.[5] For many shall come in my name, saying, I am Christ; and shall deceive many.
So next time, before you take a sip, look in the golden cup and see if what's in it is from the "Word of God". Of course you'll have to know what the Word of God says to make that determination, won't you?
vs. 2 The great whorevs. 4 The four and twenty elders and the four beasts (living beings)
vs. 6 The voice of many waters
vs. 8,14 Fine linen, clean and white
vs. 11 A white horse
vs. 12 "Eyes as a flame of fire"
vs. 15 Sharp sword proceeding from Christ's mouth
vs. 15 the winepress of God's wrath
Therefore the rest of the words and phrases in in this study, such as Lamb, Word of God, Kings of kings and Lord of lords, etc., are to be found previously in God's Word.
Chapter 19 verse 1:
Rev. 19:1
And after these things I heard a great voice of much people in heaven, saying, Alleluia; Salvation, and glory, and honour, and power, unto the Lord our God:
Psalm 104:35
Let the sinners be consumed out of the earth, and let the wicked be no more. Bless thou the LORD, O my soul. Praise ye the LORD.
[2] For true and righteous are his judgments: for he hath judged the great whore, which did corrupt the earth with her fornication, and hath avenged the blood of his servants at her hand.
[3] And again they said, Alleluia. And her smoke rose up for ever and ever.
[4] And the four and twenty elders and the four beasts fell down and worshipped God that sat on the throne, saying, Amen; Alleluia.
[5] And a voice came out of the throne, saying, Praise our God, all ye his servants, and ye that fear him, both small and great.
[6] And I heard as it were the voice of a great multitude, and as the voice of many waters, and as the voice of mighty thunderings, saying, Alleluia: for the Lord God omnipotent reigneth.
[7] Let us be glad and rejoice, and give honour to Him: for the marriage of the Lamb is come, and his wife hath made herself ready.
Rev. 19:8 And to her was granted that she should be arrayed in fine linen, clean and white: for the fine linen is the righteousness of saints.
Rev. 16:15
Behold, I come as a thief. Blessed is he that watcheth, and keepeth his garments, lest he walk naked, and they see his shame.
Rev. 19:9 And he saith unto me, Write, Blessed are they which are called unto the marriage supper of the Lamb. And he saith unto me, These are the true sayings of God.
[10] And I fell at his feet to worship him. And he said unto me, See thou do it not: I am thy fellowservant, and of thy brethren that have the testimony of Jesus: worship God: for the testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy.
[11] And I saw heaven opened, and behold a white horse; and he that sat upon him was called Faithful and True, and in righteousness he doth judge and make war.
[12] His eyes were as a flame of fire, and on His head were many crowns; and He had a name written, that no man knew, but He himself.
Yes, He will have many crowns on His head for all the crowns of the earth will have been surrendered to Him.
[13] And he was clothed with a vesture dipped in blood: and his name is called The Word of God.
John 1:1
In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.Rev. 19:14 And the armies which were in heaven followed him upon white horses, clothed in fine linen, white and clean.
[15] And out of His mouth goeth a sharp sword, that with it he should smite the nations: and he shall rule them with a rod of iron: and he treadeth the winepress of the fierceness and wrath of Almighty God.
[16] And he hath on his vesture and on his thigh a name written, KING OF KINGS, AND LORD OF LORDS.
1 Tim. 6:11-16
But thou, O man of God, flee these things; and follow after righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, meekness.[12] Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life, whereunto thou art also called, and hast professed a good profession before many witnesses.
[13] I give thee charge in the sight of God, who quickeneth all things, and before Christ Jesus, who before Pontius Pilate witnessed a good confession;
[14] That thou keep this commandment without spot, unrebukeable, until the appearing of our Lord Jesus Christ:
[15] Which in his times he shall shew, who is the blessed and only Potentate, the King of kings, and Lord of lords;
[16] Who only hath immortality, dwelling in the light which no man can approach unto; whom no man hath seen, nor can see: to whom be honour and power everlasting. Amen.
Christ is coming to make war (Rev. 19:14-15) and to subdue all nations, taking all their "crowns", and placing them all under His rod of correction. We observed Him returning with His armies, who rode upon white horses, and were clothed with fine white linen, meaning their righteous acts.
2 Kings 6:17
And Elisha prayed, and said, LORD, I pray thee, open his eyes, that he may see. And the LORD opened the eyes of the young man; and he saw: and, behold, the mountain was full of horses and chariots of fire round about Elisha.
In any event, when Christ returns to make war at the sound of the 7th Trump, we read that His armies will follow Him. It is at this time that His Kingdom will be ushered in, which is to say that His Millennial reign will begin. This is one statement to which most everyone agrees. But there is something which happens at Christ's return which is a "mystery" to most.
"Plus, if you've studied, i.e. read with understanding, the entire Bible from the beginning, from Genesis on, line by line then you will completely understand this chapter, for as we said from the opening study, there is nothing really new in the Book of Revelation that hasn't been discussed before in God's Word. It's just that in this Book of the Unveiling, this PICTURE BOOK, prophecy is all tied together and simplified for our understanding."
1 Cor. 15:44
It is sown a natural body; it is raised a spiritual body. There is a natural body, and there is a spiritual body.
1 Cor. 15:50 Now this I say, brethren, that flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God; neither doth corruption inherit incorruption.
[51] Behold, I shew you a mystery; We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed,
[52] In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed.
Now don't let the phrase "the dead shall be raised incorruptible" cause you to switch subjects in the middle of a sentence.
The subject is the change of bodies from flesh to spirit. We read in verse 51 that it is ALL who are changed and here in verse 52 Paul breaks it down into two categories. (1) The "dead", who are the "spiritually dead", i.e. the figuratively dead, as in still liable to die the second death (the death of their soul) (see appendix 139 in the Companion Bible regarding the different use of the word nekros translated "dead" in the NT). They too will be elevated, or raised to incorruptible bodies, and (2) we Christians also!
[53] For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality.
And so there is much confusion in the ranks of Christianity concerning the subject of "resurrection" because of the lack of understanding of the use of the word "nekros" and the failing to understand the simplicity of the "mystery" that Paul explains in 1 Cor. 15.
So we have learned from the apostle Paul that ALL flesh will be changed when Christ returns, and it is at that point to which we have arrived in Rev. 19.
Here then is the PICTURE of the end of all flesh at the sound of the 7th Trump:
Rev. 19:17
And I saw an angel standing in the sun; and he cried with a loud voice, saying to all the fowls that fly in the midst of heaven, Come and gather yourselves together unto the supper of the great God;
The original texts read "to the great supper of God". The word "supper" used is here is the Greek word "deipnon" which comes from "dapane", dap-an'-ay, Greek #1160; from dapto (to devour); expense (as consuming) :- cost.
[8] That ye may eat the flesh of kings, and the flesh of captains, and the flesh of mighty men, and the flesh of horses, and of them that sit on them, and the flesh of all men, both free and bond, both small and great.
[19] And I saw the beast, and the kings of the earth, and their armies, gathered together to make war against him that sat on the horse, and against his army.
Zech. 14:12
And this shall be the plague wherewith the LORD will smite all the people that have fought against Jerusalem; Their flesh shall consume away while they stand upon their feet, and their eyes shall consume away in their holes, and their tongue shall consume away in their mouth.
Rev. 19:20 And the beast was taken, and with him the false prophet that wrought miracles before him, with which he deceived them that had received the mark of the beast, and them that worshipped his image. These both were cast alive into a lake of fire burning with brimstone.
Here's verse 21 to complete the 19th chapter:
Rev. 19:21 And the remnant were slain with the sword of him that sat upon the horse, which sword proceeded out of his mouth: and all the fowls were filled with their flesh.
Again, I hope you can see that there is nothing new here that we haven't read of before! We are reading the final chapters of the Word of God. We should know all of this before we get to this point. Revelation is simply the uncovering, a final Pictorial Look at the events consummating the end of this age, i.e. it is mostly summary material.
We come now to the 20th chapter of Revelation at which point the 7th Trump has sounded and the true Jesus Christ has returned with great power and glory, bringing with Him His army of saints. Babylon the Great, i.e. the one world political system and the great whore along with Satan's role as the false-christ, i.e. the spurious messiah, has been destroyed forever and ever. And as we learned in our chapter 19, ALL flesh has been "changed" and everyone, both the good and the bad are now in their spiritual (celestial) bodies.
THE MILLENNIUM PRESS
First Edition
"SATAN
IMPRISONED, BEGINS SERVING
1000 YEAR SENTENCE" John,
the disciple whom Jesus loved,
was present today as Michael came down from heaven and appeared on
Satan's
doorstep with a warrant from the King of kings for his arrest.
Satan has been residing in the temple for the last 5 months
(ever since Michael cast him from heaven) where he has been
impersonating
Jesus Christ and claiming he is the Messiah come. He also is being held
responsible for orchestrating the murder of God's two witnesses, a
despicable
crime, which he has been actually celebrating with his cronies for the
last 3 1/2 days.
It must have been pretty obvious to John when he saw the equipment, with the "BP" label on it, which the angel had with him, that Satan was about to be shackled and locked back up in the Bottomless Pit.Rev. 20:1
And I saw an angel come down from heaven, having the key of the bottomless pit and a great chain in his hand.
It would seem that Michael needed no assistance as he apparently just grabbed the evil crook by the shoulders, threw him mercilessly up against the wall and shackled him with the binding chain. It has also been reported that because of the manhandling of Satan by this very powerful angel that some folks are referring to him as the "Pit Bull".[2] And he laid hold on the dragon, that old serpent, which is the Devil, and Satan, and bound him a thousand years
Also, we were not able to determine from John's report whether he was close enough to hear what the angel said to Satan, but we believe it was something like "OK chump, the party's over! Let's go!" John did not report that the angel read Satan his rights because having already been judged and sentenced to die, he has none.
John then gives this account of the actual incarceration:
[3] And cast him into the bottomless pit, and shut him up, and set a seal upon him, that he should deceive the nations no more, till the thousand years should be fulfilled: and after that he must be loosed a little season.
Isaiah 14:13
For thou hast said in thine heart, I will ascend into heaven, I will exalt my throne above the stars of God: I will sit also upon the mount of the congregation, in the sides of the north:
[14] I will ascend above the heights of the clouds; I will be like the most High.
And so it shall be that people will walk by the "pit" during the Millennium, on their way to Discipline Classes, and shake their heads in unbelief to think that this poor slob could have perpetrated worldwide religious deception and political control.[15] Yet thou shalt be brought down to hell, to the sides of the pit.[16] They that see thee shall narrowly look upon thee, and consider thee, saying, Is this the man that made the earth to tremble, that did shake kingdoms;
Yes, it's fun to imagine how it might happen, but happen it will! We already knew who the dragon and that old serpent was. We also knew from 2 Pet. 3:8 that 1000 years to the Lord is a one day, so that the Day of the Lord is 1000 years.
But the one thing we didn't discuss is "why will Satan be released at the end of the Millennium"? I'm sure you realize if you've studied this Book of Revelation from the beginning with us that Satan is coming to this earth disguised as Jesus Christ (and I'll bet you know that he comes before the true Christ). This final generation then will be tested by the false messiah, right? Those who fail, who do not overcome and who don't partake of the first resurrection, will go through the Millennium and be taught of and with discipline for 1000 years, which is how much time they have to get their act together. After they have been taught there will be another test, a final exam if you will, which they must pass before they can receive their diploma of eternal life. That test is Satan's release once again upon the world, but this time without the political beast and the role of spurious messiah. And no, it is not a second chance because they never came to a full knowledge of the truth in this generation because of the "famine" (Amos 8:11), and as such never had a prayer of a first chance.
Next we will learn what reward comes with being part of the first resurrection.
Thrones, you know, are where rulers, the ones who wear crowns, i.e. the ones in authority who exercise judgment, sit.[4] And I saw thrones, and they sat upon them, and judgment was given unto them: and I saw the souls of them that were beheaded for the witness of Jesus, and for the word of God, and which had not worshipped the beast, neither his image, neither had received his mark upon their foreheads, or in their hands; and they lived and reigned with Christ a thousand years.
(1) The first group are the martyrs down through the ages, those who have been beheaded, i.e. killed or executed for the (a) the witness of Jesus, and (b) for the Word of God. It would include the two witnesses also.
(2) The second group are those of this final generation who had the seal of God in their foreheads and who overcame the beast.
Now, did you read the last phrase in verse 4, "and they lived and reigned with Christ a thousand years"? What an honor and a privilege! If you ever are in want of some encouragement to continue to fight the good fight, then just refer to Rev. 20:4. For if you are one of God's elect then you will be part of the first resurrection at His coming, and you will reign with Jesus Christ for the entire 1000 years during the Millennium.
But if you are not part of the first resurrection then you are part of "the remainder" who are called "the dead" and you must wait until the end of the Millennium. You will then be tested that short season by Satan who will be released temporarily, and then you will be judged at the Great White Throne Judgment when the books are opened (vs. 12). Only then can you be part of the Second Resurrection and receive eternal life. Until then you are called "dead" because you are still subject to the second death, which is the destruction of your soul in the lake of fire (vs. 14).[5] But the rest of the dead lived not again until the thousand years were finished. This is the first resurrection.
And of course to have your soul "destroyed" is to "perish", which is taught in the most quoted verse in God's Word, John 3:16.Matthew 10:28
And fear not them which kill the body, but are not able to kill the soul: but rather fear Him which is able to destroy both soul and body in hell.
So you'll either receive eternal life at the first or second resurrection, or you'll suffer the second death, i.e. perish in the lake of fire and YOU WILL BE NO MORE!John 3:16
For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.
Let's now go back to Rev. 20:5. Understand that we are now in the Millennium! There are no more flesh people! Everyone has been changed. And John is telling us what's going on! The first death (of the flesh) and the first resurrection (to eternal life) is over! So the "dead" (who are still alive in their spiritual bodies) in the Millennium means those who are "spiritually dead", i.e. still liable to die the second death (the death of their soul). To "live" then is to receive "eternal life". So the "dead" cannot "live" until the thousand years are finished, i.e. none of them can receive the gift of eternal life until judgment day following the Millennium, which is the second resurrection! If you don't quite understand yet, wait until we finish this chapter and it should become clear in your mind regarding the "dead".
Rev. 20:5 But the rest of the dead lived not again until the thousand years were finished. This is the first resurrection. 6. Blessed and holy is he that hath part in the first resurrection: on such the second death hath no power, but they shall be priests of God and of Christ, and shall reign with him a thousand years.
Ezekiel 44:23
And they shall teach my people the difference between the holy and profane, and cause them to discern between the unclean and the clean.
[24] And in controversy they shall stand in judgment; and they shall judge it according to my judgments: and they shall keep my laws and my statutes in all mine assemblies; and they shall hallow my sabbaths.
Rev. 20:4 And I saw thrones, and they sat upon them, and judgment was given unto them... and they lived and reigned with Christ a thousand years.
[25] And they shall come at no dead person to defile themselves: but for father, or for mother, or for son, or for daughter, for brother, or for sister that hath had no husband, they may defile themselves.
We are now going to be taken behind that veil to the End of the Millennium, and we must "transport" our minds to that time with the understanding of those things which have been revealed to us thus far. Remember, everyone is now in an incorruptible, spiritual body. Christ and His zadok have been reigning for the 1000 years during which time Satan has been imprisoned. Everyone now fully understands God's Word and they have been taught the "difference" and how to "discern" between the unclean (Satan's ways) and the clean (God's way). They have all seen many times the video replays of this flesh age and the results of following the unclean path.
Rev. 20:7 And when the thousand years are expired, Satan shall be loosed out of his prison,
[8] And shall go out to deceive the nations which are in the four quarters of the earth, Gog and Magog, to gather them together to battle: the number of whom is as the sand of the sea.
[9] And they went up on the breadth of the earth, and compassed the camp of the saints about, and the beloved city: and fire came down from God out of heaven, and devoured them.
[10] And the devil that deceived them was cast into the lake of fire and brimstone, where the beast and the false prophet are, and shall be tormented day and night for ever and ever.
Matthew 10:28
And fear not them which kill the body, but are not able to kill the soul: but rather fear Him which is able to destroy both soul and body in hell.
Ezekiel 28:18 Thou hast defiled thy sanctuaries by the multitude of thine iniquities, by the iniquity of thy traffick; therefore will I bring forth a fire from the midst of thee, it shall devour thee, and I will bring thee to ashes upon the earth in the sight of all them that behold thee.
[19] All they that know thee among the people shall be astonished at thee: thou shalt be a terror, and never shalt thou be any more.
Rev. 20:11 And I saw a great white throne, and Him that sat on it, from whose face the earth and the heaven fled away; and there was found no place for them.
[12] And I saw the dead, small and great, stand before God; and the books were opened: and another book was opened, which is the book of life: and the dead were judged out of those things which were written in the books, according to their works.
Remember where we are? We are at the end of the Millennium. There are no people in flesh bodies nor are there any souls in the ground. The "dead" referred to here are the spiritually dead who are about to be judged from the books and receive their rewards according to their actions! Even though many of them claimed to be Christians; Their last actions recorded in the books just before the Millennium were to worship the beast and his image! God will pick it up from there.
And so it is more than obvious
that these books that are
opened are the Books of Works. You see, Almighty God keeps perfect
records
of all His children's activities? Thank God for this
dispensation
of grace and for repentance (provided our repentance was sincere) whereby we can have our "activities", our
sins,
deleted from the books. Also, remember that those of the first
resurrection
are not subject to the judgment of the second resurrection and/or the
second
death.
We read that in verse 6.
Rev. 13:8
And all that dwell upon the earth shall worship him, whose names are not written in the book of life of the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world.
Rev. 20:13 And the sea gave up the dead which were in it; and death and hell delivered up the dead which were in them: and they were judged every man according to their works.
[14] And death and hell were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death.
1 Cor. 15:55
O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory?
Rev. 20:15 And whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire.
Jeremiah 50:6
My people hath been lost sheep: their shepherds have caused them to go astray, they have turned them away on the mountains: they have gone from mountain to hill, they have forgotten their resting place.
Let's begin.
Rev. 18:1
And after these things I saw another angel come down from heaven, having great power; and the earth was lightened with his glory.
[2] And he cried mightily with a strong voice, saying, Babylon the great is fallen, is fallen, and is become the habitation of devils, and the hold of every foul spirit, and a cage of every unclean and hateful bird.
[3] For all nations have drunk of the wine of the wrath of her fornication, and the kings of the earth have committed fornication with her, and the merchants of the earth are waxed rich through the abundance of her delicacies.
abundance
dunamis, doo'-nam-is, Greek 1411; from Greek 1410 (dunamai); force (literal or figurative); specially miraculous power (usually by implication a miracle itself) :- ability, abundance, meaning, might (-ily, -y, -y deed), (worker of) miracle (-s), power, strength, violence, might (wonderful) work.delicacies
strenos, stray'-nos, Greek 4764; akin to Greek 4731 (stereos); a "straining", "strenuousness" or "strength", i.e. (figurative) luxury (voluptuousness) :- delicacy.
[4] And I heard another voice from heaven, saying, Come out of her, my people, that ye be not partakers of her sins, and that ye receive not of her plagues.
Jeremiah 51:6
Flee out of the midst of Babylon, and deliver every man his soul: be not cut off in her iniquity; for this is the time of the LORD'S vengeance; he will render unto her a recompence.[7] Babylon hath been a golden cup in the LORD'S hand, that made all the earth drunken: the nations have drunken of her wine; therefore the nations are mad.
[5] For her sins have reached unto heaven, and God hath remembered her iniquities.
[6] Reward her even as she rewarded you, and double unto her double according to her works: in the cup which she hath filled fill to her double.
[7] How much she hath glorified herself, and lived deliciously, so much torment and sorrow give her: for she saith in her heart, I sit a queen, and am no widow, and shall see no sorrow.
And she claims she's a Queen! She says she is not a widow, which means she has a HUSBAND (she doesn't even know he's Satan!). Did she wait until the great wedding feast of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, to wed Him?
[8] Therefore shall her plagues come in one day, death, and mourning, and famine; and she shall be utterly burned with fire: for strong is the Lord God who judgeth her.
[9] And the kings of the earth, who have committed fornication and lived deliciously with her, shall bewail her, and lament for her, when they shall see the smoke of her burning,
[10] Standing afar off for the fear of her torment, saying, Alas, alas, that great city Babylon, that mighty city! for in one hour is thy judgment come.
[11] And the merchants of the earth shall weep and mourn over her; for no man buyeth their merchandise any more:
[12] The merchandise of gold, and silver, and precious stones, and of pearls, and fine linen, and purple, and silk, and scarlet, and all thyine wood, and all manner vessels of ivory, and all manner vessels of most precious wood, and of brass, and iron, and marble,[13] And cinnamon, and odours, and ointments, and frankincense, and wine, and oil, and fine flour, and wheat, and beasts, and sheep, and horses, and chariots, and slaves, and souls of men.
Live Link to- Ezekiel 28
Live Link to- Lucifer's Flood
Ezekiel 28:2
Son of man, say unto the prince of Tyrus, Thus saith the Lord GOD; Because thine heart is lifted up, and thou hast said, I am a God, I sit in the seat of God, in the midst of the seas; yet thou art a man, and not God, though thou set thine heart as the heart of God:
[3] Behold, thou art wiser than Daniel; there is no secret that they can hide from thee: [4] With thy wisdom and with thine understanding thou hast gotten thee riches, and hast gotten gold and silver into thy treasures:
[5] By thy great wisdom and by thy traffick hast thou increased thy riches, and thine heart is lifted up because of thy riches:
Written by the hands of Jeremiah and John, are the words from the Lord our God, "Flee out of the midst of Babylon", "Come out of her my people!" Babylon the great is fallen, is fallen. The end of all religious confusion has come, for Jesus Christ has returned.
Rev. 18:14
And the fruits that thy soul lusted after are departed from thee, and all things which were dainty and goodly are departed from thee, and thou shalt find them no more at all.
[15] The merchants of these things, which were made rich by her, shall stand afar off for the fear of her torment, weeping and wailing,
[16] And saying, Alas, alas, that great city, that was clothed in fine linen, and purple, and scarlet, and decked with gold, and precious stones, and pearls!
You should check out the word "hour" used here. It is translated "season" in 2 Cor. 2:7, "short time" in 1 Thes. 2:17, as well as "hour", both literally and figuratively which can be determined by the context wherein it is used. In this case it means "instantly" or as we say "in an instant" or "just like that".[17] For in one hour so great riches is come to nought. And every shipmaster, and all the company in ships, and sailors, and as many as trade by sea, stood afar off,
hora, ho'-rah, Greek 5610; apparently a primary word; an "hour" (literal or figurative):- day, hour, instant, season, × short, [even-] tide, (high) time.
[18] And cried when they saw the smoke of her burning, saying, What city is like unto this great city!
[19] And they cast dust on their heads, and cried, weeping and wailing, saying, Alas, alas, that great city, wherein were made rich all that had ships in the sea by reason of her costliness! for in one hour is she made desolate.
[20] Rejoice over her, thou heaven, and ye holy apostles and prophets; for God hath avenged you on her.
[21] And a mighty angel took up a stone like a great millstone, and cast it into the sea, saying, Thus with violence shall that great city Babylon be thrown down, and shall be found no more at all.
[22] And the voice of harpers, and musicians, and of pipers, and trumpeters, shall be heard no more at all in thee; and no craftsman, of whatsoever craft he be, shall be found any more in thee; and the sound of a millstone shall be heard no more at all in thee;
Daniel 3:7
Therefore at that time, when all the people heard the sound of the cornet, flute, harp, sackbut, psaltery, and all kinds of musick, all the people, the nations, and the languages, fell down and worshipped the golden image that Nebuchadnezzar the king had set up.
We have studied in this Book of Revelation that the beast, Satan, "sets up" his image, i.e. that he is Jesus, and the people who go to church regularly, but are never taught any of the meat of our "Lord's Word" will believe he is God when they will hear the sound of the music and they will sing praises to Satan, the one sitting in the temple claiming to be God.
(They know not that he is the son of perdition). Yes, they will kneel to and worship Satan, who will appear in the image of Christ.
[23] And the light of a candle shall shine no more at all in thee; and the voice of the bridegroom and of the bride shall be heard no more at all in thee: for thy merchants were the great men of the earth; for by thy sorceries were all nations deceived.
pharmakeia, far-mak-i'-ah, Greek 5331; from Greek 5332 (pharmakeus); medication ("pharmacy"), i.e. (by extension) magic (literal or figurative) :- sorcery, witchcraft.pharmakeus, far-mak-yoos', Greek 5332; from pharmakon (a drug, i.e. spell-giving potion); a druggist ("pharmacist") or poisoner, i.e. (by extension) a magician :- sorcerer
[24] And in her was found the blood of prophets, and of saints, and of all that were slain upon the earth.
Matthew 24:4
And Jesus answered and said unto them, Take heed that no man deceive you.[5] For many shall come in my name, saying, I am Christ; and shall deceive many.
So next time, before you take a sip, look in the golden cup and see if what's in it is from the "Word of God". Of course you'll have to know what the Word of God says to make that determination, won't you?
vs. 2 The great whorevs. 4 The four and twenty elders and the four beasts (living beings)
vs. 6 The voice of many waters
vs. 8,14 Fine linen, clean and white
vs. 11 A white horse
vs. 12 "Eyes as a flame of fire"
vs. 15 Sharp sword proceeding from Christ's mouth
vs. 15 the winepress of God's wrath
Therefore the rest of the words and phrases in in this study, such as Lamb, Word of God, Kings of kings and Lord of lords, etc., are to be found previously in God's Word.
Chapter 19 verse 1:
Rev. 19:1
And after these things I heard a great voice of much people in heaven, saying, Alleluia; Salvation, and glory, and honour, and power, unto the Lord our God:
Psalm 104:35
Let the sinners be consumed out of the earth, and let the wicked be no more. Bless thou the LORD, O my soul. Praise ye the LORD.
[2] For true and righteous are his judgments: for he hath judged the great whore, which did corrupt the earth with her fornication, and hath avenged the blood of his servants at her hand.
[3] And again they said, Alleluia. And her smoke rose up for ever and ever.
[4] And the four and twenty elders and the four beasts fell down and worshipped God that sat on the throne, saying, Amen; Alleluia.
[5] And a voice came out of the throne, saying, Praise our God, all ye his servants, and ye that fear him, both small and great.
[6] And I heard as it were the voice of a great multitude, and as the voice of many waters, and as the voice of mighty thunderings, saying, Alleluia: for the Lord God omnipotent reigneth.
[7] Let us be glad and rejoice, and give honour to Him: for the marriage of the Lamb is come, and his wife hath made herself ready.
Rev. 19:8 And to her was granted that she should be arrayed in fine linen, clean and white: for the fine linen is the righteousness of saints.
Rev. 16:15
Behold, I come as a thief. Blessed is he that watcheth, and keepeth his garments, lest he walk naked, and they see his shame.
Rev. 19:9 And he saith unto me, Write, Blessed are they which are called unto the marriage supper of the Lamb. And he saith unto me, These are the true sayings of God.
[10] And I fell at his feet to worship him. And he said unto me, See thou do it not: I am thy fellowservant, and of thy brethren that have the testimony of Jesus: worship God: for the testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy.
[11] And I saw heaven opened, and behold a white horse; and he that sat upon him was called Faithful and True, and in righteousness he doth judge and make war.
[12] His eyes were as a flame of fire, and on His head were many crowns; and He had a name written, that no man knew, but He himself.
Yes, He will have many crowns on His head for all the crowns of the earth will have been surrendered to Him.
[13] And he was clothed with a vesture dipped in blood: and his name is called The Word of God.
John 1:1
In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.Rev. 19:14 And the armies which were in heaven followed him upon white horses, clothed in fine linen, white and clean.
[15] And out of His mouth goeth a sharp sword, that with it he should smite the nations: and he shall rule them with a rod of iron: and he treadeth the winepress of the fierceness and wrath of Almighty God.
[16] And he hath on his vesture and on his thigh a name written, KING OF KINGS, AND LORD OF LORDS.
1 Tim. 6:11-16
But thou, O man of God, flee these things; and follow after righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, meekness.[12] Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life, whereunto thou art also called, and hast professed a good profession before many witnesses.
[13] I give thee charge in the sight of God, who quickeneth all things, and before Christ Jesus, who before Pontius Pilate witnessed a good confession;
[14] That thou keep this commandment without spot, unrebukeable, until the appearing of our Lord Jesus Christ:
[15] Which in his times he shall shew, who is the blessed and only Potentate, the King of kings, and Lord of lords;
[16] Who only hath immortality, dwelling in the light which no man can approach unto; whom no man hath seen, nor can see: to whom be honour and power everlasting. Amen.
Christ is coming to make war (Rev. 19:14-15) and to subdue all nations, taking all their "crowns", and placing them all under His rod of correction. We observed Him returning with His armies, who rode upon white horses, and were clothed with fine white linen, meaning their righteous acts.
2 Kings 6:17
And Elisha prayed, and said, LORD, I pray thee, open his eyes, that he may see. And the LORD opened the eyes of the young man; and he saw: and, behold, the mountain was full of horses and chariots of fire round about Elisha.
In any event, when Christ returns to make war at the sound of the 7th Trump, we read that His armies will follow Him. It is at this time that His Kingdom will be ushered in, which is to say that His Millennial reign will begin. This is one statement to which most everyone agrees. But there is something which happens at Christ's return which is a "mystery" to most.
"Plus, if you've studied, i.e. read with understanding, the entire Bible from the beginning, from Genesis on, line by line then you will completely understand this chapter, for as we said from the opening study, there is nothing really new in the Book of Revelation that hasn't been discussed before in God's Word. It's just that in this Book of the Unveiling, this PICTURE BOOK, prophecy is all tied together and simplified for our understanding."
1 Cor. 15:44
It is sown a natural body; it is raised a spiritual body. There is a natural body, and there is a spiritual body.
1 Cor. 15:50 Now this I say, brethren, that flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God; neither doth corruption inherit incorruption.
[51] Behold, I shew you a mystery; We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed,
[52] In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed.
Now don't let the phrase "the dead shall be raised incorruptible" cause you to switch subjects in the middle of a sentence.
The subject is the change of bodies from flesh to spirit. We read in verse 51 that it is ALL who are changed and here in verse 52 Paul breaks it down into two categories. (1) The "dead", who are the "spiritually dead", i.e. the figuratively dead, as in still liable to die the second death (the death of their soul) (see appendix 139 in the Companion Bible regarding the different use of the word nekros translated "dead" in the NT). They too will be elevated, or raised to incorruptible bodies, and (2) we Christians also!
[53] For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality.
And so there is much confusion in the ranks of Christianity concerning the subject of "resurrection" because of the lack of understanding of the use of the word "nekros" and the failing to understand the simplicity of the "mystery" that Paul explains in 1 Cor. 15.
So we have learned from the apostle Paul that ALL flesh will be changed when Christ returns, and it is at that point to which we have arrived in Rev. 19.
Here then is the PICTURE of the end of all flesh at the sound of the 7th Trump:
Rev. 19:17
And I saw an angel standing in the sun; and he cried with a loud voice, saying to all the fowls that fly in the midst of heaven, Come and gather yourselves together unto the supper of the great God;
The original texts read "to the great supper of God". The word "supper" used is here is the Greek word "deipnon" which comes from "dapane", dap-an'-ay, Greek #1160; from dapto (to devour); expense (as consuming) :- cost.
[8] That ye may eat the flesh of kings, and the flesh of captains, and the flesh of mighty men, and the flesh of horses, and of them that sit on them, and the flesh of all men, both free and bond, both small and great.
[19] And I saw the beast, and the kings of the earth, and their armies, gathered together to make war against him that sat on the horse, and against his army.
Zech. 14:12
And this shall be the plague wherewith the LORD will smite all the people that have fought against Jerusalem; Their flesh shall consume away while they stand upon their feet, and their eyes shall consume away in their holes, and their tongue shall consume away in their mouth.
Rev. 19:20 And the beast was taken, and with him the false prophet that wrought miracles before him, with which he deceived them that had received the mark of the beast, and them that worshipped his image. These both were cast alive into a lake of fire burning with brimstone.
Here's verse 21 to complete the 19th chapter:
Rev. 19:21 And the remnant were slain with the sword of him that sat upon the horse, which sword proceeded out of his mouth: and all the fowls were filled with their flesh.
Again, I hope you can see that there is nothing new here that we haven't read of before! We are reading the final chapters of the Word of God. We should know all of this before we get to this point. Revelation is simply the uncovering, a final Pictorial Look at the events consummating the end of this age, i.e. it is mostly summary material.
We come now to the 20th chapter of Revelation at which point the 7th Trump has sounded and the true Jesus Christ has returned with great power and glory, bringing with Him His army of saints. Babylon the Great, i.e. the one world political system and the great whore along with Satan's role as the false-christ, i.e. the spurious messiah, has been destroyed forever and ever. And as we learned in our chapter 19, ALL flesh has been "changed" and everyone, both the good and the bad are now in their spiritual (celestial) bodies.
THE MILLENNIUM PRESS
First Edition
"SATAN
IMPRISONED, BEGINS SERVING
1000 YEAR SENTENCE" John,
the disciple whom Jesus loved,
was present today as Michael came down from heaven and appeared on
Satan's
doorstep with a warrant from the King of kings for his arrest.
Satan has been residing in the temple for the last 5 months
(ever since Michael cast him from heaven) where he has been
impersonating
Jesus Christ and claiming he is the Messiah come. He also is being held
responsible for orchestrating the murder of God's two witnesses, a
despicable
crime, which he has been actually celebrating with his cronies for the
last 3 1/2 days.
It must have been pretty obvious to John when he saw the equipment, with the "BP" label on it, which the angel had with him, that Satan was about to be shackled and locked back up in the Bottomless Pit.Rev. 20:1
And I saw an angel come down from heaven, having the key of the bottomless pit and a great chain in his hand.
It would seem that Michael needed no assistance as he apparently just grabbed the evil crook by the shoulders, threw him mercilessly up against the wall and shackled him with the binding chain. It has also been reported that because of the manhandling of Satan by this very powerful angel that some folks are referring to him as the "Pit Bull".[2] And he laid hold on the dragon, that old serpent, which is the Devil, and Satan, and bound him a thousand years
Also, we were not able to determine from John's report whether he was close enough to hear what the angel said to Satan, but we believe it was something like "OK chump, the party's over! Let's go!" John did not report that the angel read Satan his rights because having already been judged and sentenced to die, he has none.
John then gives this account of the actual incarceration:
[3] And cast him into the bottomless pit, and shut him up, and set a seal upon him, that he should deceive the nations no more, till the thousand years should be fulfilled: and after that he must be loosed a little season.
Isaiah 14:13
For thou hast said in thine heart, I will ascend into heaven, I will exalt my throne above the stars of God: I will sit also upon the mount of the congregation, in the sides of the north:
[14] I will ascend above the heights of the clouds; I will be like the most High.
And so it shall be that people will walk by the "pit" during the Millennium, on their way to Discipline Classes, and shake their heads in unbelief to think that this poor slob could have perpetrated worldwide religious deception and political control.[15] Yet thou shalt be brought down to hell, to the sides of the pit.[16] They that see thee shall narrowly look upon thee, and consider thee, saying, Is this the man that made the earth to tremble, that did shake kingdoms;
Yes, it's fun to imagine how it might happen, but happen it will! We already knew who the dragon and that old serpent was. We also knew from 2 Pet. 3:8 that 1000 years to the Lord is a one day, so that the Day of the Lord is 1000 years.
But the one thing we didn't discuss is "why will Satan be released at the end of the Millennium"? I'm sure you realize if you've studied this Book of Revelation from the beginning with us that Satan is coming to this earth disguised as Jesus Christ (and I'll bet you know that he comes before the true Christ). This final generation then will be tested by the false messiah, right? Those who fail, who do not overcome and who don't partake of the first resurrection, will go through the Millennium and be taught of and with discipline for 1000 years, which is how much time they have to get their act together. After they have been taught there will be another test, a final exam if you will, which they must pass before they can receive their diploma of eternal life. That test is Satan's release once again upon the world, but this time without the political beast and the role of spurious messiah. And no, it is not a second chance because they never came to a full knowledge of the truth in this generation because of the "famine" (Amos 8:11), and as such never had a prayer of a first chance.
Next we will learn what reward comes with being part of the first resurrection.
Thrones, you know, are where rulers, the ones who wear crowns, i.e. the ones in authority who exercise judgment, sit.[4] And I saw thrones, and they sat upon them, and judgment was given unto them: and I saw the souls of them that were beheaded for the witness of Jesus, and for the word of God, and which had not worshipped the beast, neither his image, neither had received his mark upon their foreheads, or in their hands; and they lived and reigned with Christ a thousand years.
(1) The first group are the martyrs down through the ages, those who have been beheaded, i.e. killed or executed for the (a) the witness of Jesus, and (b) for the Word of God. It would include the two witnesses also.
(2) The second group are those of this final generation who had the seal of God in their foreheads and who overcame the beast.
Now, did you read the last phrase in verse 4, "and they lived and reigned with Christ a thousand years"? What an honor and a privilege! If you ever are in want of some encouragement to continue to fight the good fight, then just refer to Rev. 20:4. For if you are one of God's elect then you will be part of the first resurrection at His coming, and you will reign with Jesus Christ for the entire 1000 years during the Millennium.
But if you are not part of the first resurrection then you are part of "the remainder" who are called "the dead" and you must wait until the end of the Millennium. You will then be tested that short season by Satan who will be released temporarily, and then you will be judged at the Great White Throne Judgment when the books are opened (vs. 12). Only then can you be part of the Second Resurrection and receive eternal life. Until then you are called "dead" because you are still subject to the second death, which is the destruction of your soul in the lake of fire (vs. 14).[5] But the rest of the dead lived not again until the thousand years were finished. This is the first resurrection.
And of course to have your soul "destroyed" is to "perish", which is taught in the most quoted verse in God's Word, John 3:16.Matthew 10:28
And fear not them which kill the body, but are not able to kill the soul: but rather fear Him which is able to destroy both soul and body in hell.
So you'll either receive eternal life at the first or second resurrection, or you'll suffer the second death, i.e. perish in the lake of fire and YOU WILL BE NO MORE!John 3:16
For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.
Let's now go back to Rev. 20:5. Understand that we are now in the Millennium! There are no more flesh people! Everyone has been changed. And John is telling us what's going on! The first death (of the flesh) and the first resurrection (to eternal life) is over! So the "dead" (who are still alive in their spiritual bodies) in the Millennium means those who are "spiritually dead", i.e. still liable to die the second death (the death of their soul). To "live" then is to receive "eternal life". So the "dead" cannot "live" until the thousand years are finished, i.e. none of them can receive the gift of eternal life until judgment day following the Millennium, which is the second resurrection! If you don't quite understand yet, wait until we finish this chapter and it should become clear in your mind regarding the "dead".
Rev. 20:5 But the rest of the dead lived not again until the thousand years were finished. This is the first resurrection. 6. Blessed and holy is he that hath part in the first resurrection: on such the second death hath no power, but they shall be priests of God and of Christ, and shall reign with him a thousand years.
Ezekiel 44:23
And they shall teach my people the difference between the holy and profane, and cause them to discern between the unclean and the clean.
[24] And in controversy they shall stand in judgment; and they shall judge it according to my judgments: and they shall keep my laws and my statutes in all mine assemblies; and they shall hallow my sabbaths.
Rev. 20:4 And I saw thrones, and they sat upon them, and judgment was given unto them... and they lived and reigned with Christ a thousand years.
[25] And they shall come at no dead person to defile themselves: but for father, or for mother, or for son, or for daughter, for brother, or for sister that hath had no husband, they may defile themselves.
We are now going to be taken behind that veil to the End of the Millennium, and we must "transport" our minds to that time with the understanding of those things which have been revealed to us thus far. Remember, everyone is now in an incorruptible, spiritual body. Christ and His zadok have been reigning for the 1000 years during which time Satan has been imprisoned. Everyone now fully understands God's Word and they have been taught the "difference" and how to "discern" between the unclean (Satan's ways) and the clean (God's way). They have all seen many times the video replays of this flesh age and the results of following the unclean path.
Rev. 20:7 And when the thousand years are expired, Satan shall be loosed out of his prison,
[8] And shall go out to deceive the nations which are in the four quarters of the earth, Gog and Magog, to gather them together to battle: the number of whom is as the sand of the sea.
[9] And they went up on the breadth of the earth, and compassed the camp of the saints about, and the beloved city: and fire came down from God out of heaven, and devoured them.
[10] And the devil that deceived them was cast into the lake of fire and brimstone, where the beast and the false prophet are, and shall be tormented day and night for ever and ever.
Matthew 10:28
And fear not them which kill the body, but are not able to kill the soul: but rather fear Him which is able to destroy both soul and body in hell.
Ezekiel 28:18 Thou hast defiled thy sanctuaries by the multitude of thine iniquities, by the iniquity of thy traffick; therefore will I bring forth a fire from the midst of thee, it shall devour thee, and I will bring thee to ashes upon the earth in the sight of all them that behold thee.
[19] All they that know thee among the people shall be astonished at thee: thou shalt be a terror, and never shalt thou be any more.
Rev. 20:11 And I saw a great white throne, and Him that sat on it, from whose face the earth and the heaven fled away; and there was found no place for them.
[12] And I saw the dead, small and great, stand before God; and the books were opened: and another book was opened, which is the book of life: and the dead were judged out of those things which were written in the books, according to their works.
Remember where we are? We are at the end of the Millennium. There are no people in flesh bodies nor are there any souls in the ground. The "dead" referred to here are the spiritually dead who are about to be judged from the books and receive their rewards according to their actions! Even though many of them claimed to be Christians; Their last actions recorded in the books just before the Millennium were to worship the beast and his image! God will pick it up from there.
And so it is more than obvious
that these books that are
opened are the Books of Works. You see, Almighty God keeps perfect
records
of all His children's activities? Thank God for this
dispensation
of grace and for repentance (provided our repentance was sincere) whereby we can have our "activities", our
sins,
deleted from the books. Also, remember that those of the first
resurrection
are not subject to the judgment of the second resurrection and/or the
second
death.
We read that in verse 6.
Rev. 13:8
And all that dwell upon the earth shall worship him, whose names are not written in the book of life of the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world.
Rev. 20:13 And the sea gave up the dead which were in it; and death and hell delivered up the dead which were in them: and they were judged every man according to their works.
[14] And death and hell were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death.
1 Cor. 15:55
O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory?
Rev. 20:15 And whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire.
The Bible is the continual story of
God's plan to send a Messiah to earth, to pay the price for sin and the fall of
man. It is through this individual man "eth-ha adham", with the Heb. 'eth-'Ha'adam (with Art. and Particle "eth-ha" = "this same man Adam", translated man and called Adam, along with his help meet Eve, formed by God, as described in Genesis chapter 2. It is this man's and woman's
uncontaminated bloodline (of Pure Pedigree) that Jesus Christ was to be born, and those in that family
knew what it was all about, even though heathen, non-Adamic men did not. This individual man "eth-ha adham" is not the same person as the creation of mankind (the races) "adham" without the Heb. 'adam (no Art) and Particle eth-ha" =mankind as described in Genesis chapter 1 who we also, erroneously, in our mind's eye, think of as being, this same man, Adam.
With
the particle ('eth) in addition to the article the Hebrew is very
emphatic, and means self, very, this same, this very,. See Genesis 2:7 (first occurrence), 8,15 See note in your Companion Bible. It is a
shame "adham" was not translated mankind in chapter 1.
Presents A GOOD HOME COMMUNION SERVICE:
This then is the Passover service, for Christ became our "Passover". Communion is the Passover, and it is done in remembrance of our Lord's sacrifice on the Cross. Jesus Christ paid the price for one and all times so that you and I could partake of the Holy Communion. This is the most reverent moment in all Christianity, and it is done so that all Christians will take of the cup and the bread for the sake of keeping focused on the shed blood and stripes that Jesus took for our sins. It is the most precious moment of our worship.
When you take on the blood of Christ you take on the veil, which causes the death angel Satan to pass over you. Satan will pass over you, your house, and over your family members if they too trust in Christ. When we have the veil of Christ over us we then receive the blessings of Almighty God.
I Corinthians 11:24 "And when He had given thanks, He brake it, and said, "Take, eat, this is My body, which is broken for you: this do in remembrance of Me."
Jesus Christ's body received the stripes, and we receive the healing. If you ever want to take Communion at home, this is the chapter that we are to remember, and read for this important time. Read these Scriptures from the twenty third verse on, and partake of the bread and the cup in Jesus name. This makes a good home Communion. That healing is just as sure today as it was in Jesus day, and we do it all "in remembrance of Him".
I Corinthians 11:25 "After the same manner also He took the cup, when He had supped, saying, "This cup is the new testament in My blood: this do ye, as oft as ye drink it, in remembrance of Me."
Jesus took the wine cup and stated exactly what the purpose the Communion cup was for. The purpose of taking the wine cup and drinking it, was to remember the shed blood of Christ that was given at the cross of Calvary. We do it as a symbol, that in remembrance of that wine reminds us of the blood, and when we repent it brings forgiveness for our sins, for we are sinners. But we are to take the cup with our mind focused reverently and honestly set upon Christ the only perfect blood that ever walked the earth in the flesh.
It is our Father's love toward us that He himself paid the price for us, so that we would have forgiveness for our sins. So that we ourselves could enter back into the realm of God's perfection. We take on Christ's perfection, when our sins are laid on Him at our repentance. That is why it is absolutely required that our prayers are offered in "Jesus' name", for there is no other name under heaven whereby we can be saved and approach the throne of God.
I Corinthians 11:26 "For as often as ye eat this bread, and drink this cup, ye do show the Lord's death till He come.""
Every time that you take the cup and eat of the bread from the Communion table you are showing both God and man that you believe that Jesus Christ accomplished this at the cross. He paid the price for our sins. He took the stripes and we receive the healing and his perfect blood was shed in sacrifice for our sins. He did it all for us and he had not one complaint. He shed the blood to bring forgiveness for our sins.
This is the only reason that you take the Communion, and the Communion is the Passover, for Christ became our Passover when His blood was shed. That precious blood of Christ must be placed over the door posts of our hearts or minds, and the death angel Satan will pass over you. It is the veil, that you place over your head, which is your mind for your protection. It will protect us even in our generation after Satan and his angels are here on earth in person.
Satan is called the death angel, not because he has any power to put you to death, but only because if you worship him, instead of waiting for Christ, when he comes to earth claiming he is Christ, it may well result in the death of your soul on judgment day. In that respect he may cause the death of your soul because after the "Millennium", if you haven't learned, by then to tell the difference between what is HOLY (Christ Jesus) and what is PROFANE (Satan), God will judge you guilty at "The Great White Throne of Judgment" and God will put your soul to death just as He does Satan's soul in the "Lake of Fire". (TO BE NO MORE!) You won't even be remembered by anyone throughout eternity.
Remember back in Daniel 9:27 where Daniel wrote, "and in the midst of the week he shall cause the sacrifice and the oblation to cease,..."? The "sacrifice and the oblation" that will end in most church houses is the Communion, and it will end because they will think that the True Christ has come. In ignorance their traditions and their church systems will tell them that Jesus Christ is here, and that the Communion is no longer necessary.
They will have bought Satan's lie, and they will follow Satan when he commits the "abomination of desolation", by this desolator, and calls himself God.
If you have bought into Satan's lie you will also stop the Communion at that time. Remember, and this is important, you will not see the True Christ while you are still in your flesh body, so if someone tells you to stop taking Communion, and you are still in your flesh, then be aware. Keep right on taking of the table of the Lord as long as you are in this flesh and blood body Why?. Because when the real Jesus Christ returns you will instantly, in the blink of an eye be changed into a spirit being with a perfect spiritual body, No more flesh and blood!
So Paul is warning us that we should not partake of the table of the Lord in a irresponsible manner, for we take it to remember the Lord's death. To remember the "crucifixion" which includes the when, what, where and why for the death of our Lord. Each of these points are important to our knowledge. For to teach Christ crucified, all four of these things must come forth, or you have not given the full story.
The Kenites, descendants of Cain, who have mixed in with Judah/Jews brought about Christ's crucifixion, and it happened in Jerusalem, where it was prophesied many years prior.
Genesis 3:15 "And I [God} will put enmity between thee [Satan] and the woman [Eve], and between thy seed [the Kenites] and her Seed [Jesus Christ]; It [Christ] shall bruise thy [Satan's] head, and thou [Satan] shalt bruise His [Christ's] heel."
Eve's Seed is Jesus Christ, while Satan's seed are the children, to the last generation, called the "Kenites. When we take the word "seed back to the Strong's Hebrew dictionary it is # 2233; "zirmah" and in the Greek that is called "sperma". We call that in the English "sperm" and it is the "Posterity, carnally, child, fruitful." We know from Luke 3:23 to 38 that Jesus was of the lineage or blood line of Eve. Adams posterity is through Seth, and Satan's posterity is through "Cain". The Kenites are of the seed of Cain, who is the physical son of Satan.
John 8:44 "Ye [the Jewish Kenites] are of your father the devil, and the lust of your father ye will do. He [Cain] was a murderer from the beginning, and abode not in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he [Satan] speaketh a lie, he speaketh of his own: for he [Satan] is a liar, and the father of lies."
Two things to point out here about this verse, #1. is that Satan the devil is the father of lies, and #2. is that the first Murderer is Cain, who is the offspring or seed of Satan through Eve. It is the offspring of Cain which are the Kenites that "bruised Christ's heel" on the cross, and not the offspring of Israel through his son Judah [the real Jews]. In the Kenites own ignorance they sealed their own destruction when they crucified Jesus. Had they not murdered Christ on the cross, the price for sin would not have been paid, and it is all in the perfect plan of God.
The death took place on the exact moment that God prophesied it would from the book of Daniel. Seventy times seven weeks of years, minus one week, to the exact day; four hundred and ninety years minus seven, from the time of Nehemiah's return to build the streets and walls of Jerusalem, the price was paid.
The "why" is the most important part of the crucifixion, for we all know that we fall short of God's standards because we are weak within our selves. But when by the Holy Spirit we take Christ into ourselves, we become strong. Through the shed blood of Christ we have that way to salvation, back to fellowship with the Father. When we are part of the body of Christ, we become royalty of the very throne of God. Then God takes our life and molds us all over again into an active and helpful child of the living God. This is what the real meaning of Passover is. A renewing of our mind in remembrance of Christ.
Our remembrance of the nails being driven into his hands and feet as he was nailed to the cross, as they placed that crown of thorns on Jesus' head and the blood flowed down his head. You can see the scorn that the Kenite/Jews shouted at Him as he hung on that cross. Then while He hung there he taught the twenty second Psalm to those around watching, and the Roman guard approached and ran that spear through His side and into his heart. My fellow Christian, this is what our remembrance is all about. It is our thoughts, of the life that was drained from Christ physical body, and those scars on Jesus' Body were taken for our sins, and this is what we are to focus on when we take of the bread at Communion. When we draw that cup of wine to our mouth, it is in remembrance of His precious blood that flowed from the crown of thorns on His head, and blood that dripped from His side when that spear pierced through Him.
It is the sacrifice that Christ gave that we are to remember at the table of the Lord, and any other use of The Lord's table is to take of that table "unworthily".
I Corinthians 11:27 "Wherefore whosoever shall eat this bread, and drink this cup of the Lord UNWORTHILY shall be guilty of the body and blood of the Lord."
The bread is the bread that is set aside for Communion, and the cup is the wine that is to be taken at the table of the Lord. It is the cup that signifies the blood of the Lord, we are to drink only at the table of the Lord. That cup brings forgiveness for your sins and makes you a new creature.
Most churches misinterpret this and say that "you have to examine yourself to see if you are worthy of taking of the table of the Lord", and they are on very dangerous ground. If you or any man waits until you/they are perfect to receive the bread and cup of the Lord, then no one would ever take of that table, for there is no one worthy. The word here is "UNWORTHILY", and it is the condition of your mind; You are not the subject nor the object of the taking of the Communion.
Christ is the one that is perfect and it is to examine His perfection that makes you worthy of taking of the cup. Why would anyone that did not believe in the crucifixion want to take of the cup anyway?
I Corinthians 11:28 "But let a man examine himself, and so let him eat of that bread, and drink of that cup."
Paul is asking you personally, what are you thinking about when you are partaking of the cup and eating of the bread of the Lord's table?
Examine yourself and see what your motives are when you take that cup to your lips. If your remembrance does not go back to the cross and the price that was paid there, then don't partake of the Holy Communion. If you can't remember those events that surround the crucifixion, then examine yourself for what is in your mind. If your mind is not completely on the crucifixion of the Lord Jesus Christ, than don't take that cup. That is the only thing that matters.
I Corinthians 11:29 "For he that eateth and drinketh unworthily, eateth and drinketh damnation to himself, not discerning the Lord's body."
If your mind is not in that remembrance mode, then you are drinking to your own damnation. Did you get what the subject here is "not discerning the Lord's body". You had better not be thinking about those sins that you have committed; Your entire focus better be on the Lord's Body which was crucified for your sins.
It is Jesus Christ that was able to make the sacrifice for the sins of those that would repent. Get your mind off those traditions of men, that most churches like to draw you to when you partake of the table of the Lord, and onto the only place that God says is worth of consideration at this time. Examine yourself! What is in your mind and thoughts before you go to the table of the Lord.
I Corinthians 11:30 "For this cause many are weak and sickly among you, and many sleep."
To "Sleep" is to be spiritually dead, and many are spiritually weak and sickly because they do not partake of the True Bread, which is Jesus Christ. It is through His stripes that we are healed; they play church instead of concentrating on the one focal point, Jesus, the One who was pure. It is through Christ that God's love will pour into your soul, and fill your being. This is the one time to realize, that you don't play Christian, for you either are, or you are not.
Those that do not understand the covering of the head that Paul is talking about, are spiritually dead. Jesus Christ is our covering.
I Corinthians 11:31 "For if we would judge ourselves, we should not be judged."
Can you truly judge yourself? The problem is that we always tend to show leniency towards ourselves when it comes time to judge ourselves. We let a lot of things that God hates fall through the cracks, and overlook many of our shortcomings. A man simply can't judge himself. If you are wanting to judge yourself perfect before you take communion, then forget it. You will never be ready, because there will always be something that will hinder your perfection. But, when you consider the body of Christ, you had better know that Christ was worthy!, if you take of the cup.
Only God can judge man and he knows your heart and what is in your mind. This is why we must repent, and then focus on the cross of Christ. Then you are forgiven of your sins, and you are ready to take of the table of the Lord.
I Corinthians 11:32 "But when we are judged, we are chastened of the Lord, that we should not be condemned with the world."
When we are in Christ and we do wrong, then expect that God will make the corrections in our life. When God does the correcting it is just, and not as the justice that this world gives. If you are a servant of God, expect to be tested by God, for in the testing we get our strength. God loves His children and He does not want his children to be destroyed when the rest of the world is destroyed.
I Corinthians 11:33 "Wherefore, my brethren, when ye come together to eat, tarry one for another."
Paul is urging the Corinthians and you and me, that when we come together to partake of the table of the Lord, do it right.
Having covered all of that, lets now take communion.
Let's pray giving thanks to our Lord for becoming our passover when He shed His perfect blood at the cross, paying the price for our sins.
I Corinthians 11:24 "And when He had given thanks, He brake it, and said, "Take, eat, this is My body, which is broken for you: this do in remembrance of Me."
I Corinthians 11:25 "After the same manner also He took the cup, when He had supped, saying, "This cup is the new testament in My blood: this do ye, as oft as ye drink it, in remembrance of Me."
I Corinthians 11:26 "For as often as ye eat this bread, and drink this cup, ye do show the Lord's death till He come.""
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