Such a Vision!
And I turned to see the voice that spake with me.
And being turned,
I saw seven golden candlesticks
And in the midst of the seven candlesticks one like unto the Son of man
clothed with a garment down to the foot
and girt about the paps with a golden girdle.
His head and his hairs were white like wool,
as white as snow
and his eyes were as a flame of fire
And his feet like unto fine brass
as if they burned in a furnace
and his voice as the sound of many waters.
And he had in his right hand seven stars
and out of his mouth went a sharp twoedged sword
and his countenance was as the sun shineth in his strength
...
(((John turned- the voice was coming from behind him as noted earlier, but tell me, did John turn right away upon first hearing the booming trumpet-like voice behind him? No. The voice had time to tell John --
'I am Alpha and Omega, the first and the last: and, What thou seest, write in a book, and send [it] unto the seven churches which are in Asia; unto Ephesus, and unto Smyrna, and unto Pergamos, and unto Thyatira, and unto Sardis, and unto Philadelphia, and unto Laodicea.'
If you read that aloud you realize that's quite a bit of talking to someone's back. A knee-jerk reaction you'd think would have been to turn upon the first few words. But John isn't himself here is he? What I mean is, John is being guided by the Spirit. If he's in the Spirit then he has to be guided by the Spirit and obviously he wasn't guided to jerk about but able to listen and then turn to see the voice that had spoken with him. It's just interesting to imagine the situation, isn't it? John is on an island, he's in the Spirit. I'm picturing him sitting outside in some nice spot, and yes, I imagine there are nice spots there- I've seen pictures of the Island of Patmos and while they are modern pictures I can't believe the island was some desolate rock unable to sustain life. Anyway, I imagine John sitting outside and while he's praying the Spirit fills him fully and he hears the great voice behind him. Taking a moment to listen to the voice John I imagine is amazed and turns to see from whom this voice is coming because clearly it's behind him and not just generally surrounding him on all sides. He turns and what does he see...
...
'I saw seven golden candlesticks'
Exodus {25:31} And thou shalt make a candlestick [of] pure gold: [of] beaten work shall the candlestick be made: his shaft, and his branches, his bowls, his knops, and his flowers, shall be of the same. {25:32} And six branches shall come out of the sides of it; three branches of the candlestick out of the one side, and three branches of the candlestick out of the other side: {25:33} Three bowls made like unto almonds, [with] a knop and a flower in one branch; and three bowls made like almonds in the other branch, [with] a knop and a
flower: so in the six branches that come out of the candlestick. {25:34} And in the candlestick [shall be] four bowls made like unto almonds, [with] their knops and their flowers. {25:35} And [there shall be] a knop under two branches of the same, and a knop under two branches of the same, and a knop under two branches of the same, according to the six branches that proceed out of the candlestick. {25:36} Their knops and their branches shall be of the same: all it [shall be] one beaten work [of] pure gold. {25:37} And thou shalt make the seven lamps thereof: and they shall light the lamps thereof, that they may give light over against it. {25:38} And the tongs thereof, and the snuffdishes thereof, [shall be of] pure gold. {25:39} [Of] a talent of pure gold shall he make it, with all these vessels.
{25:40} And look that thou make [them] after their pattern, which was shewed thee in the mount.
Exodus {39:32} Thus was all the work of the tabernacle of the tent of the congregation finished: and the children of Israel did according to all that the LORD commanded Moses, so did they. {39:33} And they brought the tabernacle unto Moses, the tent, and all his furniture, his taches, his boards, his bars, and his pillars, and his sockets, {39:34} And the covering of rams’ skins dyed red, and the covering of badgers’ skins,and the vail of the covering, {39:35} The ark of the testimony, and the staves thereof, and the mercy seat, {39:36} The table, [and] all the vessels thereof, and the shewbread, {39:37} The pure candlestick, [with] the lamps thereof, [even with] the lamps to be set in order, and all the vessels thereof, and the oil for light, {39:38} And the golden altar, and the anointing oil, and the sweet incense, and the hanging for the tabernacle door, {39:39} The brasen altar, and his grate of brass, his staves, and all his vessels, the laver and his foot, {39:40} The hangings of the court, his pillars, and his sockets, and the hanging for the court gate, his cords, and his pins, and all the vessels of the service of the tabernacle, for the tent of the congregation, {39:41} The cloths of service to do service in the holy [place,] and the holy garments for Aaron the priest, and his sons’ garments, to minister in the priest’s office. {39:42} According to all that the LORD commanded Moses, so the children of Israel made all the work. {39:43} And Moses did look upon all the work, and, behold, they have done it as the LORD had commanded, even so had they done it: and Moses blessed them.
2 Chronicles {4:19} And Solomon made all the vessels that [were for] the house of God, the golden altar also, and the tables whereon the shewbread [was set; ]{4:20} Moreover the candlesticks with their lamps, that they should burn after the manner before the oracle, of pure gold
Seven candlesticks- in the tabernacle erected in the wilderness by Moses and by Solomon for the permanent temple- the house of God. And John turns to look at who spoke to him and saw seven golden candlesticks. There's that number again- seven. And we know for a fact that God placed importance upon having seven lamps in His temple, so what is John seeing? No longer is the terrain behind him the same as it was when he walked to where he was. Everything had been changed. The Spirit had altered things and in this vision he was seeing seven golden candlesticks a sure sign of the temple of God, only not the temple John knew on earth in Jerusalem. He didn't say he'd been taken to the Jerusalem temple, but here he was seeing a very amazing sight, seven golden candlesticks but not only that...
...
'And in the midst of the seven candlesticks one like unto the Son of man'
Dan. {7:13} I saw in the night visions, and, behold, [one] like the Son of man came with the clouds of heaven, and came to the Ancient of days, and they brought him near before him. {7:14} And there was given him dominion, and glory, and a kingdom, that all people, nations, and languages, should serve him: his dominion [is] an everlasting dominion, which shall not pass away, and his kingdom [that] which shall not be destroyed.
Matthew {8:18} Now when Jesus saw great multitudes about him, he gave commandment to depart unto the other side. {8:19} And a certain scribe came, and said unto him, Master, I will follow thee whithersoever thou goest. {8:20} And Jesus saith unto him, The foxes have holes, and the birds of the air [have] nests; but the Son of man hath not where to lay [his] head.
Matthew {11:16} But whereunto shall I liken this generation? It is like unto children sitting in the markets, and calling unto their fellows, {11:17} And saying, We have piped unto you, and ye have not danced; we have mourned unto you, and ye have not lamented. {11:18} For John came neither eating nor drinking, and they say, He hath a devil. {11:19} The Son of man came eating and drinking, and they say, Behold a man gluttonous, and a winebibber, a friend of publicans and sinners. But wisdom is justified of her children.
Matthew {12:8} For the Son of man is Lord even of the sabbath day.
Matthew {13:41} The Son of man shall send forth his angels, and they shall gather out of his kingdom all things that offend, and them which do iniquity
(((Is it safe to say that the Son of man John was seeing was Jesus? Read on...))))
...
'...clothed with a garment down to the foot
and girt about the paps with a golden girdle.
His head and his hairs were white like wool,
as white as snow
and his eyes were as a flame of fire
And his feet like unto fine brass
as if they burned in a furnace
and his voice as the sound of many waters.
And he had in his right hand seven stars
and out of his mouth went a sharp twoedged sword
and his countenance was as the sun shineth in his strength.'
(((What a vision! What a sight to behold! Clearly John is describing something very magnificent! What did John do upon seeing such a wonder?))))
...
'And when I saw him
I fell at his feet as dead.'
(((He fell! And not only did he fall, he fell as one dead. What's that mean? He lost all ability to remain standing. His very strength was gone. The shock of what he was seeing completely floored him. We hear about people being frightened into fainting, frightened into falling down in fact we may have done it ourselves a time or two, but it would be a very amazing fright to cause us to just fall down as dead, yes? John fell at the feet of the Son of man as dead and no wonder by how he's described Him. Fear coursed through John, such a fear that it had him all but fainting.))))
...
And he laid his right hand upon me
saying unto me
Fear not
I am the first and the last
I am he that liveth,
and was dead;
and, behold,
I am alive for evermore,
Amen;
and have the keys of hell and of death.'
(((The Son of man laid his right hand - the hand that held seven stars- upon John and spoke. What's the first thing He says to John after being seen by him? 'Fear not'
Fear not! John was filled with fear! We like to imagine that the only encounter one could have with the Spirit and such would be peaceful and calm, we envision an otherworldly tranquility assoiciated with God. It's not altogether wrong to believe in such because Jesus was a peaceful man upon earth and He advocated peace and love. He admonished His disciples for their fear when they were in the stormy seas. But it's understandable that fear isn't altogether unexpected when we deal with the Spirit. Is it a crippling fear? Well, it was a fear that knocked John off his feet as if he were dead, falling to the ground. Obviously it wasn't a fear that sent him running for the hills. This fear took total control of John and then the Son of man said to him...'Fear not'
He didn't stop there did he? He went on to explain why John should not fear.
He says... 'I am the first and the last' Again the association of God! The ever was and ever will be.
He says... 'I am he that liveth and was dead.' John knows who died and rose- the Son of God, the Son of man.
He continues... 'And, behold, I am alive for evermore, amen!' Never will death touch Him again. Death took the Son of man, the man who was the Son of God and pulled Him down to the grave. Released from death He would live forever!
And He says... 'And have the keys of hell and death.' The keys! What do keys do? They unlock and when you unlock something you're opening it, you're freeing what was locked within. The keys of hell and death are whose? Jesus! Jesus the Son of God, the Son of man who died and rose from death defeating death has the keys that can free everyone from death and the grave! Everyone!
Jesus! Jesus in the heavenly temple of God surrounded by the seven golden candlesticks! Jesus reaching to touch John to revive him from his stupor over the very sight of all he was being shown. What wonder! What amazing, miraculous sights to be seeing! To be in the presence of Jesus in all His glory, so unlike Jesus when He walked the earth so unassuming. This is Jesus in all His power, His heavenly garb, His transformed self. No wonder John needed reviving.
Amazing the setting for this message to us, and make no mistake it is for us. For God's people throughout time and we are God's people. We need to study this thoroughly, we need the blessings offered to us. May we truly be blessed and guided by the Spirit as we endeavor to understand more fully all that was given to John and in what manner it was given to Him. Such an amazing description of the setting deserves a true recognition for the importance placed upon what message is being told to John for us.
By His mercy and His grace, His everlasting love, now and forever! Amen!
8/23/10
Heb 2:3 ...how shall we escape, if we neglect so great salvation; which at the first began to be spoken by the Lord, and was confirmed unto us by them that heard him
Heb 2:4 God also bearing them witness, both with signs and wonders, and with divers miracles, and gifts of the Holy Ghost, according to his own will
So great salvation- first spoken by the Lord- confirmed by those who heard the Lord.
God also bore witness of this great salvation. How?
With signs.
With wonders.
With different miracles.
With gifts of the Holy Ghost.
To reveal salvation to the world many steps were taken. The unveiling was in reality miraculous in many ways so that it would be undeniable.
Salvation undeniable yet denied by the vast majority of those who witnessed first hand and by the vast majority today, and all throughout the ages.
If signs and wonders, if miracles and gifts of the Holy Ghost were not enough- nothing would be enough. Do we want this today? Do we demand today to see signs, to witness wonders, to experience miracles, to be declared by a tongue of fire that the Holy Ghost has gifted us? Would we even recognize a sign, a wonder, a miracle, a gift? We are so jaded by so many things and our skepticism has only grown deeply embedded in our lifestyles. We are quick to judge on the side of negativity and we call it by the name realism- we are just being realistic about things. The truth of the matter is that we join with the throngs that stood in a crowd and cried out for our Savior to be crucified when we deny active faith, when we refuse to believe real miracles, real signs, real wonders, and real gifts from the Holy Ghost. Yes, we do have to be extremely cautious because Satan will try and imitate all of these things and he will succeed in deceiving many, but just because Satan will use these things, doesn't mean God won't use them. We can differentiate between the two by taking everything to the Word of God. Should we seek signs and wonders, miracles and gifts? Not to the exclusion of a faith that stands on just that… faith alone.
All has to be done according to God's will- not our will. All was done according to God's will when God's Son took on humanity and chose to offer His life to bring us salvation.
Salvation is REAL!
Salvation! A word that means what exactly?
sal·va·tion
[sal-vey-shuhn]
Show IPA
–noun
1.
the act of saving or protecting from harm, risk, loss, destruction, etc.
2.
the state of being saved or protected from harm, risk, etc.
3.
a source, cause, or means of being saved or protected from harm, risk, etc.
4.
Theology . deliverance from the power and penalty of sin; redemption.
Pasted from <http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/salvation>
Saved! Redeemed! Delivered!
So many people today don't even believe they are in need of salvation. Satan has done His work well. People don't believe they are in a state of captivity because the captivity is to sin and they don't believe in sin. Yes, they might believe in *certain* sins but they don't commit those *certain* sins - they aren't criminals and so they have no need of being saved, they aren't captive to anything at all, thank you very much.
Satan worked with all stops out when Jesus was working His ministry on earth and since Jesus won salvation for all that would accept it, Satan has stopped at nothing, working harder and harder to deceive using every single tactic he can. So what if you believe, he'll steer that belief into the 'saved by works' mentality. So what if you show faith in God, he'll guide you to have more faith in yourself. For every single bit of godliness that exists, Satan and his minions have counter measures to put into place. Is it no wonder the path is so narrow? Is it no wonder few there be that find that path? Ask for God to take the spiritual blinders off you, ask for the eyesalve so needed so we can see all the truth, so that we can see His ways and then by His grace, by His power walk in those ways.
Salvation! Brought to us undeserving sinners by God! We can't neglect this so great salvation, God has done all He can to bear witness to its reality.
By His grace, by His mercy, in His love, His righteousness now and forever!
Amen!
8/23/11
Every
Eye Shall See Him
*******
Rev
1:7 Behold, he cometh with clouds;
and every eye shall see him, and they also which pierced him: and all kindreds
of the earth shall wail because of him. Even so, Amen.
Look!
Look!
Behold--
Dictionary Meaning -- for the purpose of calling attention.
Attention!
Look! Look at this! Jesus comes with clouds! This is amazing imagery.
The
Bible uses imagery. The Bible uses mysteries and words that may mean more than
one thing, especially in prophecy. The Bible interprets itself though. It's not
some master puzzle without a master key. The key is within the puzzle itself.
When we talk of Jesus coming with clouds it is true that perhaps He will be in
the clouds, or on the clouds.
Clouds those vaporous puffs and wisps,
the angry, full dark gray bodies of pure moisture are all at Jesus' command. So
sure, the imagery of Jesus standing upon a cloud using it as a magic carpet of
sorts is possible, but so too is this-
Matthew
{25:31} '...the Son of man shall come in his glory and all the holy angels with
him...'
We
know Jesus will return and call His people to Him while He is still in the air
with ALL the holy angels, perhaps they're all upon the misty clouds but truly
they do not need to rest upon vapors, do they? Clouds and angels, just the image
of Jesus returning is amazing!
Clouds of angels! Angels so numerous they fill the sky around our Savior!
This is a vision we should hold dear, a vision we should long to behold.
This
next bit is amazing too-
'and
every eye shall see him.' (Rev.
1:7)
The
eyes of the people who are awake?
The
eyes of people on one location upon the earth?
The
eyes of a few?
The
eyes of only His chosen people?
No,
no, no, and no.
EVERY
eye shall see him! EVERY!
Dictionary
def- every
(èv´rê) adjective- Constituting each and all members of a group without
exception.
EVERY
eye shall see him! How will this be possible with the whole round earth thing
where daylight shines upon only one part at a time? A mystery for sure and one
that I hope and pray I'm alive in Jesus to see!
Get
this though- not only every eye of the living shall see Him but read on-
'and
they also which pierced him' (Rev. 1:7)
Wait!
Does this mean what I think it means? Who pierced Jesus? Who killed Him? Some
might argue and could be right, that we all played our part in His death with
our sins. Our sins killed Jesus because He died to save us from our sins, all of
us. He wouldn't have died if we'd not sinned. So even if the arguing person
chooses that scenario that we ALL killed Him, we all pierced Him that just
reinforces the fact that every eye shall see Him doesn't it? It does. It could
also be stressing the point that those who are dead-those who actually
physically pierced His hands, His feet, His side will be brought to life just to
see Him return triumphant!
Such
mysteries!
'and
all kindreds of the earth shall wail because of him. Even so, Amen.' (Rev.
1:7)
ALL
kindreds--
Dictionary
Definition- kindred (kîn´drîd) noun
1.A
group of related persons, as a clan or tribe.
2.(used
with a pl. verb). A person's relatives; kinfolk.
adjective
1.
Of the same ancestry or family: kindred clans.
2.
Having a similar or related origin, nature, or character: kindred emotions.
All
kindreds, all of the earth... shall wail?! Wait, what?! Jesus has returned and
everyone is wailing?! How can that be. We know that God's chosen people who are
waiting for His return should be happy, they should be rejoicing so how can
everyone wail? It doesn't mean EVERYONE on earth does it? But... read
this...
John
{17:14} 'I have given them thy word; and the world hath hated them, because they
are not of the world, even as I am not of the world. {17:15} I pray not
that thou shouldest take them out of the world, but that thou shouldest keep
them from the evil. {17:16}
They are not of the world, even as I am not of the world. {17:17}
Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth. {17:18} As thou hast sent
me into the world, even so have I also sent them into the world.'
'THEY
ARE NOT OF THIS WORLD'
1
John {2:15} 'Love not the world, neither the things [that are] in the world. If
any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him. {2:16} For all
that [is] in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the
pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world. {2:17} And the world
passeth away, and the lust thereof: but he that doeth the will of God abideth
for ever.'
Is
it possible all kindreds of the earth are those who claim the earth as their
own; those who love this world and live for this world and not the world to
come? Those who aren't God's are this world's, they are ruled by the lust of the
flesh, the eyes, by pride of life. All those who have put their hopes and
dreams, their love into this world's existence, counting on the things this
world has to offer for their happiness will be sorely disappointed when Jesus
returns, won't they? When they realize that it's all true, that Jesus, the Son
of God is real and all His promises are real. There will be wailing and I
imagine quite a lot of wailing.
Rev
1:7 Behold, he cometh with clouds;
and every eye shall see him, and they also which pierced him: and all kindreds
of the earth shall wail because of him. Even so, Amen.
1Th
4:16 For the Lord himself shall
descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the
trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first:
1Th
4:17 Then we which are alive and
remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in
the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord.
1Th
4:18 Wherefore comfort one
another with these words.
We
can't forget this because it goes hand in hand with our Lord's return. He WILL descend from heaven. The dead
in Christ shall rise first.
Remember
how we just read that the eyes of those who pierced Him would witness this
amazing event? The dead are rising!
Joh
5:28 Marvel not at this: for the
hour is coming, in the which all that are in the graves shall hear his voice,
Joh
5:29 And shall come forth; they
that have done good, unto the resurrection of life; and they that have done
evil, unto the resurrection of damnation.
ALL
that are in the graves shall hear His voice and…. COME FORTH!
The dead will rise, only they aren't going to be zombies rising from the
grave to some shell of a former life. The dead will rise both the good dead and
evil dead and they are going to witness Christ's return!
We can rack our brains and come up with NO logical way for any of that to
happen none whatsoever. We've made fantasy out of what will be a reality- the
dead rising. We've made horror out of something that has the potential for
beauty beyond comprehension. The dead rising. We cannot logically imagine this ever
happen let alone how it would be accomplished and that's a good thing really,
because for us to truly comprehend it in a logical manner would be stripping God
of His Godhood. Many, many want to do this, many want to strip God of His
Godhood by introducing scientific, logical explanations for every thing. None could ever explain the logic
behind the dead rising- ALL the
dead, not just one or two but ALL that are in their graves will hear our
Savior's voice and rise in a miraculous, inexplicable way.
They will rise - both good and evil- some to life, others to death once
more.
The
prophecy in Revelation connects to Daniel, and to all the prophecies of Jesus,
we cannot separate them. When we read about Christ's second coming, we know
without fail everything written will come to pass.
Daniel
had visions of the end of the world, the end of all earthly kingdoms and the
coming of a heavenly kingdom. The heavenly kingdom would destroy the earthly.
Our Savior's coming does this. Every eye shall see Him and we know that the
dead in Christ will go with Him and those not in Christ will then be killed by
His brightness.
2Th
2:7 For the mystery of iniquity
doth already work: only he who now letteth will let, until he be taken out of
the way.
2Th
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:
2Th
2:9 Even him, whose coming is
after the working of Satan with all power and signs and lying wonders,
2Th
2:10 And with all deceivableness
of unrighteousness in them that perish; because they received not the love of
the truth, that they might be saved.
2Th
2:11 And for this cause God shall
send them strong delusion, that they should believe a lie:
2Th
2:12 That they all might be
damned who believed not the truth, but had pleasure in unrighteousness.
Those
who do NOT receive the love of the truth will be destroyed, they will NOT be
saved!
Those
who do NOT love JESUS who is the TRUTH will be destroyed.
2Th
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.
The
brightness of our Savior's coming will kill those who are not His, yes, even
those who have been called from their graves if they are NOT Christ's then they
will be destroyed by the brightness of Christ's coming.
Rev
1:7 Behold, he cometh with clouds;
and every eye shall see him, and they also which pierced him: and all kindreds
of the earth shall wail because of him. Even so, Amen.
This
is an amazing prophecy and it is factual, it will come to pass without any
doubt whatsoever. By the Lord's mercy and grace may we be His when He returns
and may we see Him as He returns for us with gladness in our hearts as we rise
up to meet Him in the air!
By
the grace and mercy of our Lord and Savior may we be with Him now and forever.
In Christ's amazing righteousness!
Amen.
Heb 2:3 ...how shall we escape, if we neglect so great salvation; which at the first began to be spoken by the Lord, and was confirmed unto us by them that heard him
Heb 2:4 God also bearing them witness, both with signs and wonders, and with divers miracles, and gifts of the Holy Ghost, according to his own will
So great salvation- first spoken by the Lord- confirmed by those who heard the Lord.
God also bore witness of this great salvation. How?
With signs.
With wonders.
With different miracles.
With gifts of the Holy Ghost.
To reveal salvation to the world many steps were taken. The unveiling was in reality miraculous in many ways so that it would be undeniable.
Salvation undeniable yet denied by the vast majority of those who witnessed first hand and by the vast majority today, and all throughout the ages.
If signs and wonders, if miracles and gifts of the Holy Ghost were not enough- nothing would be enough. Do we want this today? Do we demand today to see signs, to witness wonders, to experience miracles, to be declared by a tongue of fire that the Holy Ghost has gifted us? Would we even recognize a sign, a wonder, a miracle, a gift? We are so jaded by so many things and our skepticism has only grown deeply embedded in our lifestyles. We are quick to judge on the side of negativity and we call it by the name realism- we are just being realistic about things. The truth of the matter is that we join with the throngs that stood in a crowd and cried out for our Savior to be crucified when we deny active faith, when we refuse to believe real miracles, real signs, real wonders, and real gifts from the Holy Ghost. Yes, we do have to be extremely cautious because Satan will try and imitate all of these things and he will succeed in deceiving many, but just because Satan will use these things, doesn't mean God won't use them. We can differentiate between the two by taking everything to the Word of God. Should we seek signs and wonders, miracles and gifts? Not to the exclusion of a faith that stands on just that… faith alone.
All has to be done according to God's will- not our will. All was done according to God's will when God's Son took on humanity and chose to offer His life to bring us salvation.
Salvation is REAL!
Salvation! A word that means what exactly?
sal·va·tion
[sal-vey-shuhn]
Show IPA
–noun
1.
the act of saving or protecting from harm, risk, loss, destruction, etc.
2.
the state of being saved or protected from harm, risk, etc.
3.
a source, cause, or means of being saved or protected from harm, risk, etc.
4.
Theology . deliverance from the power and penalty of sin; redemption.
Pasted from <http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/salvation>
Saved! Redeemed! Delivered!
So many people today don't even believe they are in need of salvation. Satan has done His work well. People don't believe they are in a state of captivity because the captivity is to sin and they don't believe in sin. Yes, they might believe in *certain* sins but they don't commit those *certain* sins - they aren't criminals and so they have no need of being saved, they aren't captive to anything at all, thank you very much.
Satan worked with all stops out when Jesus was working His ministry on earth and since Jesus won salvation for all that would accept it, Satan has stopped at nothing, working harder and harder to deceive using every single tactic he can. So what if you believe, he'll steer that belief into the 'saved by works' mentality. So what if you show faith in God, he'll guide you to have more faith in yourself. For every single bit of godliness that exists, Satan and his minions have counter measures to put into place. Is it no wonder the path is so narrow? Is it no wonder few there be that find that path? Ask for God to take the spiritual blinders off you, ask for the eyesalve so needed so we can see all the truth, so that we can see His ways and then by His grace, by His power walk in those ways.
Salvation! Brought to us undeserving sinners by God! We can't neglect this so great salvation, God has done all He can to bear witness to its reality.
By His grace, by His mercy, in His love, His righteousness now and forever!
Amen!
8/23/11
Every
Eye Shall See Him
*******
Rev
1:7 Behold, he cometh with clouds;
and every eye shall see him, and they also which pierced him: and all kindreds
of the earth shall wail because of him. Even so, Amen.
Look!
Look!
Behold--
Dictionary Meaning -- for the purpose of calling attention.
Attention!
Look! Look at this! Jesus comes with clouds! This is amazing imagery.
The
Bible uses imagery. The Bible uses mysteries and words that may mean more than
one thing, especially in prophecy. The Bible interprets itself though. It's not
some master puzzle without a master key. The key is within the puzzle itself.
When we talk of Jesus coming with clouds it is true that perhaps He will be in
the clouds, or on the clouds.
Clouds those vaporous puffs and wisps,
the angry, full dark gray bodies of pure moisture are all at Jesus' command. So
sure, the imagery of Jesus standing upon a cloud using it as a magic carpet of
sorts is possible, but so too is this-
Matthew
{25:31} '...the Son of man shall come in his glory and all the holy angels with
him...'
We
know Jesus will return and call His people to Him while He is still in the air
with ALL the holy angels, perhaps they're all upon the misty clouds but truly
they do not need to rest upon vapors, do they? Clouds and angels, just the image
of Jesus returning is amazing!
Clouds of angels! Angels so numerous they fill the sky around our Savior!
This is a vision we should hold dear, a vision we should long to behold.
This
next bit is amazing too-
'and
every eye shall see him.' (Rev.
1:7)
The
eyes of the people who are awake?
The
eyes of people on one location upon the earth?
The
eyes of a few?
The
eyes of only His chosen people?
No,
no, no, and no.
EVERY
eye shall see him! EVERY!
Dictionary
def- every
(èv´rê) adjective- Constituting each and all members of a group without
exception.
EVERY
eye shall see him! How will this be possible with the whole round earth thing
where daylight shines upon only one part at a time? A mystery for sure and one
that I hope and pray I'm alive in Jesus to see!
Get
this though- not only every eye of the living shall see Him but read on-
'and
they also which pierced him' (Rev. 1:7)
Wait!
Does this mean what I think it means? Who pierced Jesus? Who killed Him? Some
might argue and could be right, that we all played our part in His death with
our sins. Our sins killed Jesus because He died to save us from our sins, all of
us. He wouldn't have died if we'd not sinned. So even if the arguing person
chooses that scenario that we ALL killed Him, we all pierced Him that just
reinforces the fact that every eye shall see Him doesn't it? It does. It could
also be stressing the point that those who are dead-those who actually
physically pierced His hands, His feet, His side will be brought to life just to
see Him return triumphant!
Such
mysteries!
'and
all kindreds of the earth shall wail because of him. Even so, Amen.' (Rev.
1:7)
ALL
kindreds--
Dictionary
Definition- kindred (kîn´drîd) noun
1.A
group of related persons, as a clan or tribe.
2.(used
with a pl. verb). A person's relatives; kinfolk.
adjective
1.
Of the same ancestry or family: kindred clans.
2.
Having a similar or related origin, nature, or character: kindred emotions.
All
kindreds, all of the earth... shall wail?! Wait, what?! Jesus has returned and
everyone is wailing?! How can that be. We know that God's chosen people who are
waiting for His return should be happy, they should be rejoicing so how can
everyone wail? It doesn't mean EVERYONE on earth does it? But... read
this...
John
{17:14} 'I have given them thy word; and the world hath hated them, because they
are not of the world, even as I am not of the world. {17:15} I pray not
that thou shouldest take them out of the world, but that thou shouldest keep
them from the evil. {17:16}
They are not of the world, even as I am not of the world. {17:17}
Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth. {17:18} As thou hast sent
me into the world, even so have I also sent them into the world.'
'THEY
ARE NOT OF THIS WORLD'
1
John {2:15} 'Love not the world, neither the things [that are] in the world. If
any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him. {2:16} For all
that [is] in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the
pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world. {2:17} And the world
passeth away, and the lust thereof: but he that doeth the will of God abideth
for ever.'
Is
it possible all kindreds of the earth are those who claim the earth as their
own; those who love this world and live for this world and not the world to
come? Those who aren't God's are this world's, they are ruled by the lust of the
flesh, the eyes, by pride of life. All those who have put their hopes and
dreams, their love into this world's existence, counting on the things this
world has to offer for their happiness will be sorely disappointed when Jesus
returns, won't they? When they realize that it's all true, that Jesus, the Son
of God is real and all His promises are real. There will be wailing and I
imagine quite a lot of wailing.
Rev
1:7 Behold, he cometh with clouds;
and every eye shall see him, and they also which pierced him: and all kindreds
of the earth shall wail because of him. Even so, Amen.
1Th
4:16 For the Lord himself shall
descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the
trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first:
1Th
4:17 Then we which are alive and
remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in
the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord.
1Th
4:18 Wherefore comfort one
another with these words.
We
can't forget this because it goes hand in hand with our Lord's return. He WILL descend from heaven. The dead
in Christ shall rise first.
Remember
how we just read that the eyes of those who pierced Him would witness this
amazing event? The dead are rising!
Joh
5:28 Marvel not at this: for the
hour is coming, in the which all that are in the graves shall hear his voice,
Joh
5:29 And shall come forth; they
that have done good, unto the resurrection of life; and they that have done
evil, unto the resurrection of damnation.
ALL
that are in the graves shall hear His voice and…. COME FORTH!
The dead will rise, only they aren't going to be zombies rising from the
grave to some shell of a former life. The dead will rise both the good dead and
evil dead and they are going to witness Christ's return!
We can rack our brains and come up with NO logical way for any of that to
happen none whatsoever. We've made fantasy out of what will be a reality- the
dead rising. We've made horror out of something that has the potential for
beauty beyond comprehension. The dead rising. We cannot logically imagine this ever
happen let alone how it would be accomplished and that's a good thing really,
because for us to truly comprehend it in a logical manner would be stripping God
of His Godhood. Many, many want to do this, many want to strip God of His
Godhood by introducing scientific, logical explanations for every thing. None could ever explain the logic
behind the dead rising- ALL the
dead, not just one or two but ALL that are in their graves will hear our
Savior's voice and rise in a miraculous, inexplicable way.
They will rise - both good and evil- some to life, others to death once
more.
The
prophecy in Revelation connects to Daniel, and to all the prophecies of Jesus,
we cannot separate them. When we read about Christ's second coming, we know
without fail everything written will come to pass.
Daniel
had visions of the end of the world, the end of all earthly kingdoms and the
coming of a heavenly kingdom. The heavenly kingdom would destroy the earthly.
Our Savior's coming does this. Every eye shall see Him and we know that the
dead in Christ will go with Him and those not in Christ will then be killed by
His brightness.
2Th
2:7 For the mystery of iniquity
doth already work: only he who now letteth will let, until he be taken out of
the way.
2Th
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:
2Th
2:9 Even him, whose coming is
after the working of Satan with all power and signs and lying wonders,
2Th
2:10 And with all deceivableness
of unrighteousness in them that perish; because they received not the love of
the truth, that they might be saved.
2Th
2:11 And for this cause God shall
send them strong delusion, that they should believe a lie:
2Th
2:12 That they all might be
damned who believed not the truth, but had pleasure in unrighteousness.
Those
who do NOT receive the love of the truth will be destroyed, they will NOT be
saved!
Those
who do NOT love JESUS who is the TRUTH will be destroyed.
2Th
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.
The
brightness of our Savior's coming will kill those who are not His, yes, even
those who have been called from their graves if they are NOT Christ's then they
will be destroyed by the brightness of Christ's coming.
Rev
1:7 Behold, he cometh with clouds;
and every eye shall see him, and they also which pierced him: and all kindreds
of the earth shall wail because of him. Even so, Amen.
This
is an amazing prophecy and it is factual, it will come to pass without any
doubt whatsoever. By the Lord's mercy and grace may we be His when He returns
and may we see Him as He returns for us with gladness in our hearts as we rise
up to meet Him in the air!
By
the grace and mercy of our Lord and Savior may we be with Him now and forever.
In Christ's amazing righteousness!
Amen.