PATIENCE, OBEDIENCE, AND FAITH IN JESUS CHRIST

Patience, obedience and faith in Jesus Christ

 

 

 

Hi good friends out there in internet land. I have reviewed the first eight chapters in the book of Revelation in a very detailed way giving the readers many cross references to each verse but due to time and the fact that I must move on to other writing projects in the Bible the remaining chapters (Revelation chapters 9-22) will be completely quoted with some comments at the end of the chapter. I really do desire to cross reference every verse in these chapters but this would take me way to long thus leaving out other vital biblical studies that are also needed and desired to people that are very hungry for the word of God. There will still be many interesting insights after the chapter is quoted so please enjoy the rest of the study in this fascinating last book of the Bible.

 

(1) "And I looked, and , lo, a Lamb stood on the mount Zion, and with him an hundred forty and four thousand, having His Father's name written in their foreheads. (2) And I heard a voice from heaven, as the voice of many waters, and as the voice of a great thunder: and I heard the voice of harpers harping with their harps: (3) And they sung as it were a new song before the throne, and before the four beasts, and the elders: and no man could learn that song but the hundred and forty and four thousand, which were redeemed from the earth. (4) These are they which were not defiled with women, for they are virgins. These are they which follow the Lamb whithersoever He goeth. These were redeemed from among men, being the firstfruits unto God and to the Lamb. (5 )And in their mouth were found no guile: for they are without fault before the throne of God. (6) And I saw another angel fly in the midst of heaven, having the everlasting gospel to preach unto them that dwell on the earth, and to every nation, and kindred, and tongue, and people. (7) Saying with a loud voice, Fear God, and give glory to him; for the hour of His judgment is come: and worship him that made heaven, and earth, and the sea, and the fountains of waters. (8) And there followed another angel, saying, Babylon is fallen, is fallen,that great city, because she made all nations drink of the wine of the wrath of her fornication. (9) And the third angel followed them, saying with a loud voice, if any man worship the beast and his image, and receive his mark in his forehead, or in his hand, (10) The same shall drink of the wine of the wrath of God which is poured out without mixture into the cup of His indignation; and he shall be tormented with fire and brimstone in the presence of the holy angels, and in the presence of the Lamb: (11) And the smoke of their torment ascendeth up for ever and ever; and they have no rest day nor night, who worship the beast and his image, and whosoever receiveth the mark of his name. (12) Here is the patience of the saints: here are they that keep the commandments of God, and the faith of Je'sus. (13) And I heard a voice from heaven, saying unto me, Write, Blessed are the dead which die in the Lord from henceforth: Yea, from their labours; and their works do follow them. (14) And I looked, and behold a white cloud, and upon the cloud one sat like unto the Son of man, having on His head a golden crown, and in His hand a sharp sickle. (15) And another angel came out of the temple, crying with a loud voice to Him that sat on the cloud, Thrust in thy sickle, and reap: for the time is come for thee to reap; for the harvest of the earth is ripe. (16) And He that sat on the cloud thrust in his sickle on the earth; and the earth was reaped. (17) And another angel came out of the temple which is in heaven, he also having a sharp sickle. (18) And another angel came out from the altar, which had power over fire; and cried with a loud cry to him that had the sharp sickle, saying, Thrust in thy sharp sickle, and gather the clusters of the vine of the earth; for her grapes are fully ripe. (19) And the angel thrust in his sickle into the earth, and gathered the vine of the earth, and cast it into the great winepress of the wrath of God. (20) And the winepress was trodden without the city, and blood came out of the winepress, even unto the horse bridles. by the space of a thousand and six hundred furlongs." Revelation 14: 1 - 20.

 

Revelation chapter fourteen is a series of scenes probably more near the end of the tribulation period. The fact that Jesus Christ will triumph over the evil forces at the end of the day of the Lord has got to give us a great deal of joy. God will only allow Satan to go so far before He intervenes and finishes His will for this world. In Revelation chapter 12 we had to see Satan's fury and in Revelation chapter 13 we had to see his diabolical plan to enslave humanity. Jesus Christ is adored as the Lamb by His sheep in this chapter.

 

The 144,000 Jewish people were first introduced in chapter seven and we see them mentioned again in chapter fourteen. It appears that God will miraculously preserve this group throughout all seven years. Since approximately 60% of the population of the world will die in this time period that will be a miracle because this group will be hunted down because they will refuse the mark of the beast.

 

In verse three they will sing a new song before the throne of God and the Elders. They will be unique because no one else will be able to learn this song. The purpose of the hymn will be praise to God because of His sustaining power in times of great trials. There is something very distinct about a believer that went through much with very little and depended on God and His power. God allows pressures and troubles to test our character. We have to deal with problems because this is supposed to teach us to trust God in difficult situations.

 

Verse four talks about their virginity. Some believe this is their refusal to marry and some believe this is their refusal to commit spiritual fornication but most people believe it is both combined together incorporated in their lives. The 144,000 will be the redeemed from among men as firstfruits to God and the Lamb. Not only will this group be the first to get redeemed through the blood of Jesus Christ but they will understand the Old Testament in how their ancestors gave God their firstfruits.

 

According to verses 6 - 11 three angels will fly through the atmosphere over the earth and proclaim the everlasting gospel. Usually the redeemed in Jesus Christ do that job but in this case God chooses to allow angels with unction to passionately preach that there is eternal life through Jesus Christ. The term the gospel of the kingdom is empathies that Jesus Christ is about to rule for 1000 years. In this age of grace we will not hear that term because the seven year tribulation has not even started nor will it until after the rapture of the church cumulating the age of grace.

 

Verse seven has empathies on Creation which hopefully will straighten out the people on earth that believe in evolution. Verse eight has empathies on the destruction of fallen Babylon which is a false religious system that gives homage to Satan. The first fall of Babylon will be when the antichrist gets rid of this system because it is taking eyes off him. The second fall of Babylon is in Revelation chapter eighteen with the destruction of an economic and commercial system. People set up evil and God eventually destroys the system.

 

In verses 9 - 11 the third angel warns the inhabitants of planet earth not to worship the beast or take his mark. If they do they will drink of the wine of the wrath of God forever. No one will be able to plead ignorance because this message will be simple and clear. There may be different motives of individuals in that day receiving the mark such as fear or it may be deliberate but the same result will take place because the Bible says they will go to an eternal hell. This subject is so pivotal in the Bible that God the Father for the most part only trusted His Son to expand on the subject of Hades in the word of God.

 

In verses 12 - 13 blessed are the dead who die in the Lord is the opposite of everlasting separation from God because they are going to an eternal heaven. For a true believer in Christ death is an entrance to heaven. We can not go until God is finished with our lives. We did not choose when we were born and we will not choose when we will die. Only those who are raptured into heaven will never experience death. These people that the apostle John was referring to will be patient, obedient and keep their faith in Jesus Christ. They are the tribulation saints who will be martyred in the seven year tribulation period.

 

In verses 14 - 20 two kinds of harvests are described for us in symbolism. In verses 14 - 16 is the first harvest and it is the reaping of the wheat. It is from a parable that Jesus gives us in Matthew 13: 39 - 43. In these verses Jesus does not do the dividing Himself but watches the separation of wheat and tares for the purpose that not one believer in Him (wheat) is judged with the tares. The separating is done by angels just prior to the second coming. A certain set of believers will be carefully selected by Jesus Christ Himself to be protected from the final war and they will go into the millennial reign with the true Messiah and repopulate the earth. It will be a sad day for the unbelievers because they will go to hell.

 

The second vision is found in verses 17 - 20. This particular harvest is done by an angel from the Temple of heaven. The reaping is done for the purpose of a vintage of wrath. There will be clusters of grapes gathered in this harvest and they will be cast into the great winepress of the wrath of God. There is no separation here because all are unbelievers and destined for destruction. The place is just outside the city which is Jerusalem. According to Zechariah 14:2 all nations will be gathered against Jerusalem and according to Zechariah 14:3 Jesus Christ will fight these countries.

 

According to verse 20 blood will stand to the bridles of the horses for a distance of 200 miles from Jerusalem. People have measured this valley and it is about 200 miles. "For thus saith the Lord of Hosts; After the glory hath He sent Me unto the nations which spoiled you: for he that toucheth you toucheth the apple of His eye." Zechariah 2:8.

 

There is much biblical content in this chapter but I especially liked the part when the tribulation saints will be patient, obedient and place strong faith in Jesus Christ. If you do not know the Lord now may be a good time to accept Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord by repenting of all your sins and inviting the Son of God into your life. This is the most important decision you will ever make in your life because it is for your eternity. Christians need to obey the word of God, live for Jesus Christ and do His will. We get one life in these mortal bodies and we should take it serious for the Lord Jesus Christ.

 

God bless you,

Bob D.