Great Wonders in Heaven
Revelation-
...
And there appeared a great wonder in heaven
a woman clothed with the sun,
...
*
A woman-
2 Corinthians
{11:1} Would to God ye could bear with me a little in my folly: and indeed bear with me. {11:2} For I am jealous over you with godly jealousy: for I have espoused you to one husband, that I may present you as a chaste virgin to Christ.
A chaste virigin to Christ.
Galatians
{4:26} But Jerusalem which is above is free, which is the mother of us all
Ephesians
{5:23} For the husband is the head of the wife, even as Christ is the head of the church: and he is the saviour of the body. {5:24} Therefore as the church is subject unto Christ, so let the wives be to their own husbands in every thing. {5:25} Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it
*
Without clothes the woman would be naked- if clothed with rags the woman would be pictured as one dirty, defiled. Clothed with the sun she is clothed with brightness, purity.
Malachi
{4:2} But unto you that fear my name shall the Sun of righteousness arise with healing in his wings; and ye shall go forth, and grow up as calves of the stall. {4:3} And ye shall tread down the wicked; for they shall be ashes under the soles of your feet in the day that I shall do this, saith the LORD of hosts.
Clothed with the sun. The woman, the true church, God's church clothed in the sun- righteous, light, pure, holy.
...
and the moon under her feet,
and upon her head a crown of twelve stars
...
The moon only gets its light from the sun, it is dark without the sun illuminating it. A lesser light is under the feet of the woman, the woman would stand upon the lesser light, the light that is borrowed, that is taken from the sun.
The crown depicting victory has twelve stars. Significantly throughout the Bible the number 12 is used- 12 tribes, 12 apostles, 12 gates, 12 angels. The crown having 12 stars just reenforces the importance of the role this woman has, the role that God's true church plays. I read somewhere that 12 is important because it is made up of 7 and 5 - 7 being God's perfect number, 5 man's perfect number and combined they are 12. If ever is might fit that way it would be in Jesus who was God with us, God and Man. Jesus the One who bridges the gap between sinfilled man and Holy God.
...
And she being with child cried,
travailing in birth,
and pained to be delivered.
...
God's church is comprised of people who are God's. Surely as Jesus was brought forth in birth from one among God's chosen people, He came forth from God's church. The people who made up God's church at the time Christ was to be born were in great distressed, they longed for the Messiah to deliver them from the crushing Roman rule.
...
And there appeared another wonder in heaven
and behold a great red dragon,
having seven heads
and ten horns,
and seven crowns upon his heads.
And his tail drew the third part of the stars of heaven,
and did cast them to the earth
...
(Other places w/7 heads-
Rev.{13:1} And I stood upon the sand of the sea, and saw a
beast rise up out of the sea, having seven heads and ten
horns, and upon his horns ten crowns, and upon his heads
the name of blasphemy.
Rev. {17:3} 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. {17:7} 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.
Rev. {17:9} And here is the mind which hath
wisdom. The seven heads are seven mountains, on which
the woman sitteth.)
(Other places w/dragon-
Rev. the key of the bottomless pit and a great chain in his
hand. {20:2} And he laid hold on the dragon, that old
serpent, which is the Devil, and Satan, and bound him a
thousand years,
Rev. {16:13} And I
saw three unclean spirits like frogs come out of the mouth
of the dragon, and out of the mouth of the beast, and out of
the mouth of the false prophet.
Rev. {13:11} And I
beheld another beast coming up out of the earth; and he had
two horns like a lamb, and he spake as a dragon.
Rev. {13:4} And they worshipped the
dragon which gave power unto the beast: and they
worshipped the beast, saying, Who is like unto the beast?
who is able to make war with him?
Rev. {13:2} And the beast which I saw
was like unto a leopard, and his feet were as the feet of a
bear, and his mouth as the mouth of a lion: and the dragon
gave him his power, and his seat, and great authority
Rev. {12:17} And the dragon was wroth with the woman, and
went to make war with the remnant of her seed, which keep
the commandments of God, and have the testimony of Jesus
Christ
Rev. {12:16} And the earth helped
the woman, and the earth opened her mouth, and swallowed
up the flood which the dragon cast out of his mouth
Rev. {12:13} And when the dragon saw that he was cast unto the
earth, he persecuted the woman which brought forth the
man child.
Rev. {12:9} And the great dragon was cast out,
that old serpent, called the Devil, and Satan, which
deceiveth the whole world: he was cast out into the earth,
and his angels were cast out with him.
Rev. {12:7} And
there was war in heaven: Michael and his angels fought
against the dragon; and the dragon fought and his angels
Rev. {12:4}
And his tail drew the third part of the stars of heaven, and
did cast them to the earth: and the dragon stood before the
woman which was ready to be delivered, for to devour her
child as soon as it was born.
*******
Red dragon-
Dragon- that old serpent, the devil, and satan
Seven heads- mountains
Mountain-
Nations and Kingdoms, including God's Kingdom.
Zion is the mountain of the Lord's house -Isaiah 2: 1-5; 11: 9; 13: 4; 41: 15; 42: 15
The Rock from the mountain of God replaces the kingdoms of the earth - Daniel 2: 35, 44,45;
Ezekiel 35: 2, 7, 8
Zechariah 4: 7
A mountain and an animal both represent kingdoms. But the mountain may represent a more eternal kingdom. This may be because of their nature. An animal lives a short time and dies. But a mountain is tall and permanent. It can reach the heavens. A mountain may represent the kingdom of God or a kingdom that tries to be like God.
Dan. {2:35} Then was the iron, the
clay, the brass, the silver, and the gold, broken to pieces
together, and became like the chaff of the summer
threshingfloors; and the wind carried them away, that no
place was found for them: and the stone that smote the
image became a great mountain, and filled the whole earth
Dan. {2:44} And in the days of these kings shall the
God of heaven set up a kingdom, which shall never be
destroyed: and the kingdom shall not be left to other people,
but it shall break in pieces and consume all these
kingdoms, and it shall stand for ever. {2:45} Forasmuch as
thou sawest that the stone was cut out of the mountain
without hands, and that it brake in pieces the iron, the brass,
the clay, the silver, and the gold; the great God hath made
known to the king what shall come to pass hereafter: and
the dream is certain, and the interpretation thereof sure.
Horns-
Horn
Ruler, head of a kingdom, Power strength. A symbol of kings, kingdoms, divisions of kingdoms, power, authority. It is generally a kingdom with a military force.
Horn with crowns - Monarchies
Ten horns are ten kings (kingdoms) that shall arise. (Daniel 7: 24)
The great horn is the first king (kingdom). (Daniel 8: 21)
The ten horns are ten kings. (Revelation 17: 12)
For you are the glory of their strength: and in your favour our horn shall be exalted. But my faithfulness and my mercy shall be with him: and in my name shall his horn be exalted. Psalm 89: 17,24.
Then lifted I up my eyes, and saw, and look four horns. And I said to the angel that talked with me, What be these? And he answered me, These are the horns which have scattered Judah, Israel, and Jerusalem. Zechariah 1: 18-19.
Crown
Crown
Victory, life, royalty
There are two types of crowns, the royal crown and the wreath of victory (stephanos) placed on the head of the winner.
I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith: From now there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but to all them also that love his appearing. 2 Timothy 4: 7-8.
Blessed is the man that endures temptation: for when he is tried, he shall receive the crown of life, which the Lord has promised to them that love him. James 1: 12.
And he brought out the king's son, and put the crown on him, and gave him the testimony; and they made him king, and anointed him; and they clapped their hands, and said, God save the king. 2 Kings 11: 12.
Thus says the Lord GOD; Remove the diadem, and take off the crown: this shall not be the same: exalt him that is low, and abase him that is high. I will overturn, overturn, overturn, it: and it shall be no more, until he come whose right it is; and I will give it him. Ezekiel 21: 26-27.
********
Red dragon- dragon- that old serpent, the devil, and satan
Seven heads- seven mountains- seven kingdoms
Ten horns- ten rulers
crowns- royalty
stars- angels
...
And there appeared another wonder in heaven
and behold a great red dragon,
having seven heads
and ten horns,
and seven crowns upon his heads.
And his tail drew the third part of the stars of heaven,
and did cast them to the earth
...
The devil- earthly kingdoms, with ten rules, having power.
The devil using his tail took 1/3 of the angels of heaven and they were cast to earth from heaven.
...
and the dragon stood before the woman which was ready to be delivered,
for to devour her child as soon as it was born.
...
The devil stood near the woman- God's people, Jesus was about to be born- the Savior as an infant and the devil didn't want Him to be born- the Savior of the world, the conquerer of death, the bringer of eternal life, restorer of all that is good. No, the devil didn't want Jesus to be born.
...
And she brought forth a man child,
who was to rule all nations with a rod of iron:
and her child was caught up unto God,
and to his throne.
...
Rev. {2:24} But unto you I say, and unto the rest
in Thyatira, as many as have not this doctrine, and which
have not known the depths of Satan, as they speak; I will
put upon you none other burden. {2:25} But that which ye
have already hold fast till I come. {2:26} And he that
overcometh, and keepeth my works unto the end, to him
will I give power over the nations: {2:27} And he shall rule
them with a rod of iron; as the vessels of a potter shall they
be broken to shivers: even as I received of my Father.
Rev. {19:13} And he was clothed with a vesture
dipped in blood: and his name is called The Word of God.
{19:14} And the armies which were in heaven followed
him upon white horses, clothed in fine linen, white and
clean. {19:15} 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. {19:16} And he
hath on his vesture and on his thigh a name written, KING
OF KINGS, AND LORD OF LORDS.
Her child was caught up unto God, and to his throne.
Jesus!
*******
It's true that Jesus and the true followers of Christ have been persecuted by Satan and will be persecuted by Him until Christ comes again and the battle between good and evil is decided for every person.
From the moment of Jesus' birth Satan stepped up His activity. That Satan rules the majority is no surprise, no surprise at all. He's working hard to get as many as he can and he has no standards, no morals, no compunctions whatsoever to get in his way.
May God bless and Keep us in Christ now and forever, safe from the evil of the devil and all his way.
Please Lord open our eyes, give us the understanding we need to be yours now and forever by the grace and mercy of Jesus Christ.
Amen.
9/20/10
Eph 6:10-18 The Armor of God
You've heard/read it before many times. Take the armor of God, be a Christian soldier. The reason this strikes me today so hard is because of yesterday's study.
We want to be ready for Christ when He comes. We know some who think they are, won't be. We absolutely do NOT want to be in the group that think they are ready but aren't. It scares us a little bit knowing that those people will be deceived. That WE could be deceived. The deceived don't know they're deceived that's what deception is all about. Those 5 virgins who don't have enough oil fall asleep thinking they have enough. The Bridegroom being delayed wasn't really part of their plan. They had oil, their lamps were burning. Even after they woke up they believed they were Christ's. They hurried off to get what they needed STILL thinking they were Christ's and He would accept them. They ran ALL the way back to the door and it was shut, inside the marriage was going to take place. Those outside STILL believed they were His!!! Even at the door, but… they were DECEIVED.
The Bible tells us how we are to be ready, how we are NOT to be deceived.
Luk 21:8 And he said, Take heed that ye be not deceived: for many shall come in my name, saying, I am Christ; and the time draweth near: go ye not therefore after them.
1Co 6:9 Know ye not that the unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God? Be not deceived: neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor abusers of themselves with mankind,
1Co 6:10 Nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners, shall inherit the kingdom of God.
Gal 6:7 Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap.
Today people have done so much to make sin acceptable that it is no wonder many will be deceived. They won't believe they've done wrong!
They'll be SO caught up in the supposed 'Love' of God that they'll be worshipping a false Christ- one that calls evil good and good evil, one that overlooks their sin allowing them to keep on sinning because they KNOW this false Christ understands it's simply too hard to be like those STRICT Christians caught up in their false belief that they are called to perfection.
We don't want to be called to perfection!
Mat 5:48 Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect. Rom 12:2 And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.
Php 3:14 I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.
Php 3:15 Let us therefore, as many as be perfect, be thus minded: and if in any thing ye be otherwise minded, God shall reveal even this unto you.
Jas 1:4 But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing.
Is it NO wonder at all we are told not to be deceived?
That many shall come in Christ's name?
Think about it… people have made up their own Christ's to follow, they've taken bits and pieces of the one true Christ and molded Him into their own false Christ. Ministers of these false Christ's call their followers to join with them and follow after this false Christ they've concocted. Yes, in the literal sense people from time to time believe they are Christ come again and we are definitely NOT to follow them, but that is obvious to us, right?
Deception is being deceived, having the wool pulled over our eyes, it's truly NOT realizing we're being fooled. We are told the UNRIGHTEOUS will not inherit the kingdom of God and we have NO problem with that because we aren't among them. None of us are fornicators, idolaters, adulterers, effeminate, abusers of ourselves with mankind, thieves, covetous, drunks, revilers, extortioners right? RIGHT?! We're not deceived, what we sow is good, yes? We're not deceived. We are not deceived we will be ready with extra oil in our lamps, undeceived, prepared doing ALL we can to stand. Is this You? Understanding that MANY will be deceived? Many will believe they are followers and ready to enter into the marriage, but they won't be.
Mat 7:22 Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works?
Mat 7:23 And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.
We need to be ready and we're told how to be ready.
Eph 6:10 Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might.
Eph 6:11 Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.
Eph 6:12 For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.
Eph 6:13 Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.
Eph 6:14 Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness;
Eph 6:15 And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace;
Eph 6:16 Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked.
Eph 6:17 And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God:
Eph 6:18 Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints
We're told to put on the whole armor of God if we're to stand against the WILES of the devil. The wiles- at least one among the wiles is- deception.
If we want to STAND in the evil day, doing all we can to stand we have to have the armor on, we have to have extra oil to trim our lamps.
We have to have RIGHTEOUSNESS.
We have to have the GOSPEL of PEACE.
We have to have FAITH.
We have to have SALVATION.
We have to have the WORD of GOD.
WE have to PRAY ALWAYS.
CHRIST'S Righteousness
CHRIST'S Gospel of peace
CHRIST'S Faith.
CHRIST'S Salvation
CHRIST'S Word
CHRIST'S Prayer
We have to have all this through CHRIST! In the SPIRIT!
Joh 14:21 He that hath my commandments, and keepeth them, he it is that loveth me: and he that loveth me shall be loved of my Father, and I will love him, and will manifest myself to him.
We can fool ourselves all we want into believing that no matter what we are going with Christ at His second coming, but that self deception will shock many in that day.
We need to be ready, we need to immerse ourselves in the Word of God.
2Ti 2:15 Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.
We need to delve into His word and apply it to our lives- EVERY moment of our lives. We should NEVER set aside our Savior- we should be praying always- in all we do Christ should be with us- LIVING in us, not just visiting us.
May God help us because we need help so badly. May our eyes be opened by the Holy Spirit! May we be clothed in Christ's righteousness! May we have all the faith we need- in quality! May we believe Lord, help our unbelief!
Amen.
9/20/11
Now…
in the year 2011 has anything really changed? God's messages have gone forth and yet
mankind if counted as a majority would be completely corrupt without any hope.
It's true. Mankind almost as a whole is apostate from God and as we well know-
they are PROUD of it! Shamefully, awfully proud of their apostasy!
The pride they take in announcing their disbelief
in the power and authority of God is blatant and sadly accepted widely.
Then there are those who are so caught up their own forms of religion God is
sadly missing from it all and they are worshipping a false god of their own
creation. This world is full of the apostate and only by the grace of God we
will NOT be among them. Only through the RIGHTEOUSNESS of Christ will we be
saved!
This
history, this prophecy has been given to us and so few care! There is little
excitement to be found in prophecy unlike when this was all first being brought
to light, when the little book was open in the 1800's. There was real
enthusiasm then, but now, there is a lukewarmness that has infected so many.
Is
history boring? To many it is extremely boring. Yet give a person a prophecy
and have that prophecy come true for them then they are all excited about it.
Tell them about all the prophecy that is fulfilled in our past and they shrug
it off as unexciting and not very relevant.
We
NEED to WAKE UP! We need to study and understand that IF past prophecy has come
true over and over again then the rest WILL come true as well beyond any shadow
of doubt! We are living in
perilous times, very perilous times and so many could careless.
Please
LORD Please! Wake us up! Open our eyes! Give us understanding! Please! Not
because we deserve it because we don't, but because our Savior died for us and
we desire desperately to live for Him!
In
His love!
Amen.
Watch-
study-understand… by the Holy Spirit's guidance!
*******
Rev 9:13 And the sixth angel sounded, and I
heard a voice from the four horns of the golden altar which is before God,
Rev 9:14 Saying to the sixth angel which had the
trumpet, Loose the four angels which are bound in the great river Euphrates.
Rev 9:15 And the four angels were loosed, which
were prepared for an hour, and a day, and a month, and a year, for to slay the
third part of men.
Rev 9:16 And the number of the army of the
horsemen were two hundred thousand thousand: and I heard the number of them.
Rev 9:17 And thus I saw the horses in the
vision, and them that sat on them, having breastplates of fire, and of jacinth,
and brimstone: and the heads of the horses were as the heads of lions; and out
of their mouths issued fire and smoke and brimstone.
Rev 9:18 By these three was the third part of
men killed, by the fire, and by the smoke, and by the brimstone, which issued
out of their mouths.
Rev 9:19 For their power is in their mouth, and
in their tails: for their tails were like unto serpents, and had heads, and with
them they do hurt.
Rev 9:20 And the rest of the men which were not
killed by these plagues yet repented not of the works of their hands, that they
should not worship devils, and idols of gold, and silver, and brass, and stone,
and of wood: which neither can see, nor hear, nor walk:
Rev 9:21 Neither repented they of their murders,
nor of their sorceries, nor of their fornication, nor of their thefts.
Again-
taken from the book Daniel and Revelation by Uriah Smith--
Verse
12 One woe is past; and, behold, there come two woes more hereafter. 13 And the
sixth angel sounded, and I heard a voice from the four horns of the golden altar
which is before God, 14 saying to the sixth angel which had the trumpet, Loose
the four angels which are bound in the great river Euphrates. 15 And the four
angels were loosed, which were prepared for an hour, and a day, and a month, and
a year, for to slay the third part of men.
The
Sixth Trumpet.--"The first woe was to continue from the rise of Mahometanism
until the end of the five months. Then the first woe was to end, and the second
begin. And when the sixth angel sounded, it was commanded to take off the
restraints which had been imposed on the nation, by which they were restricted
to the work of tormenting men, and their commission extended to slay the third
part of men. This command came from the four horns of the golden altar."
[26]
The
Four Angels.--These are the four principal sultanies of which the Ottoman
Empire was composed, located in the country watered by the Euphrates. These
sultanies were situated at Aleppo, Iconium, Damacus, and Bagdad. Previously
they had been restrained; but God commanded, and they were loosed.
Late
in the year 1448, as the close of the 150-year period approached, John
Palaeologus died without leaving a son to follow him on the throne of the
Eastern Empire. His brother Constantine, the lawful successor, would not
venture to ascend the throne without the consent of the Turkish sultan.
Ambassadors therefore went to Adrianople, received the approbation of the
sultan, and returned with gifts for the new sovereign. Early in the year 1449,
under these ominous circumstances, Constantine, the last of the Greek emperors,
was crowned.
The
historian Gibbon tells the story:
"On
the decease of John Palaeologus, . . . the royal family, by the death of
Andronicus and the monastic profession of Isidore, was reduced to three
princes, Constantine, Demetrius, and Thomas, the surviving sons of the emperor
Manuel. Of these the first and the last were far distant in the Morea. . . .
The empress-mother, the senate and soldiers, the clergy and people, were
unanimous in the cause of the lawful successor: and the despot Thomas, who
ignorant of the change, accidentally returned to the capital, asserted with
becoming zeal the interest of his absent brother. An ambassador, the historian
Phranza,, was immediately dispatched to the court of Adrianople. Amurath
received him with honor and dismissed him with gifts; but the gracious
approbation of the Turkish sultan announced his supremacy, and the approaching
downfall of the Eastern empire. By the hands of two illustrious deputies, the
Imperial crown was placed at Sparta on the head of Constantine. [27]
"Let
this historical fact be carefully examined in connection with the prediction
[given] above. This was not a violent assault made on the Greeks, by which
their empire was overthrown and their independence taken away, but simply a
voluntary surrender of that independence into the hands of the Turks, by
saying, 'I cannot reign unless you permit.' " [28]
The
four angels were loosed for an hour, a day, a month, and a year, to slay the
third part of men. This period, during which Ottoman supremacy was to exist,
amounts to three hundred ninety-one years and fifteen days. Thus: A prophetic
year is three hundred and sixty prophetic days, or three hundred and sixty
literal years; a prophetic month, thirty prophetic days, is thirty literal
years; one prophetic day is one literal year; and an hour, or the twenty-fourth
part of a literal year year, or fifteen days; the whole amounting to three
hundred and ninety-one years and fifteen days.
"But
although the four angels were thus loosed by the voluntary submission of the
Greeks, yet another doom awaited the seat of empire. Amurath, the sultan to
whom the submission of Deacozes was made, and by whose permission he reigned in
Constantinople, soon after died, and was succeeded in the empire, in 1451, by
Mahomet II, who set his heart on Constantinople, and determined to make it a
prey.
"He
accordingly made preparations for besieging and taking the city. The siege
commenced on the 6th of April, 1453, and ended in the taking of the city, and
death of the last of the Constantines, on the 16th day of May following. And
the eastern city of the Caesars became the seat of the Ottoman Empire."
[29]
The
arms and mode of warfare which were used in the siege in which Constantinople
was to be overthrown and held in subjection were, as we shall see, distinctly
noticed by the prophet.
Verse
16 And the number of the army of the horsemen were two hundred thousand
thousand: and I heard the number of them.
"Innumerable
hordes of horses, and them that sat on them! Gibbon describes the first
invasion of the Roman territories by the Turks thus: 'The myriads
of Turkish horse overspread a frontier of six hundred miles, from Tauris
to Azeroum, and the blood of 130,000 Christian was a grateful sacrifice to the
Arabian prophet.' Whether the number is designed to convey the idea of any
definite number, the reader must judge. Some suppose 200,000 twice told is
meant, and then, following some historians, find that the number of Turkish
warriors in the siege of Constantinople. Some think 200,000,000 to mean all the
Turkish warriors during the 391 years fifteen days of their triumph over the
Greeks." [30] Nothing can be affirmed on the point. And it is not at all
essential.
Verse
17 And thus I saw the horses in the vision, and them that sat on them, having
breastplates of fire, and of jacinth, and brimstone: and the heads of the horses
were as the heads of lions; and out of their mouths issued fire and smoke and
brimstone.
The
first part of this description may have reference to the appearance of these
horsemen. Fire, representing a color, stands for red, "as red as fire" being a
frequent term of expression; jacinth, or hyacinth, for blue; and brimstone, for
yellow. These colors greatly predominated in the dress of these warriors; so
that the description, according to this view, would be accurately met in the
Turkish uniform, which was composed largely of red, or scarlet, blue, and
yellow. The heads of the horses were in appearance as the heads of lions, to
denote their strength, courage, and fierceness; while the last part of the verse
undoubtedly has reference to the use of gunpowder and firearms for purposes of
war, which were then but recently introduced. As the Turks discharged their
firearms on horseback, it would appear to the distant beholder that the fire,
smoke, and brimstone issued out of the horses' mouths.
Quite
an agreement exists among commentators in applying the prophecy concerning the
fire, smoke, and brimstone to the use of gunpowder by the Turks in their
warfare against the Eastern Empire. [31] But they generally allude simply to
the heavy ordnance, the large cannon, employed employed by that power; whereas
the prophecy mentions especially the "horses," and the fire "issuing from their
mouths," as though smaller arms were used, and used on horseback. Barnes thinks
this was the case; and a statement from Gibbon confirms this view. he says: "The
incessant volleys of lances and arrows were accompanied with the smoke, the
sound, and the fire of their musketry and cannon." [32] Here is good historical
evidence that muskets were used by the Turks; and secondly, it is undisputed
that their general warfare they fought principally on horseback. The inference
is therefore well supported that they used firearms on horseback, accurately
fulfilling the prophecy, according to the illustration above referred to.
Respecting
the use of firearms by the Turks in their campaign against Constantinople,
Elliott thus speaks:
"It
was to 'the fire and the smoke and the sulphur,' to the artillery and firearms
of Mahomet, that the killing of the third part of men, i.e., the capture of
Constantinople, and by consequence the destruction of the Greek Empire, was
owing. Eleven hundred years and more had now elapsed since her foundation by
Constantine. In the course of them, Goths, Huns, Avars, Persians, Bulgarians,
Saracens, Russians, and indeed the Ottoman Turks themselves, had made their
hostile assaults, or laid siege against it. But the fortifications were
impregnable by them. Constantinople survived, and with it the Greek Empire.
Hence the anxiety of the sultan Mahomet to find that which would remove the
obstacle. 'Canst thou cast a cannon,' was his question to the founder of cannon
that deserted to him, 'of size sufficient to batter down the wall of
Constantinople?' Then the foundry was established at Adrianople, the cannon
cast, the artillery prepared, and the siege began.
"It
well deserves remark, how Gibbon, always the unconscious commentator on the
Apocalyptic prophecy, puts this new instrumentality of war into the foreground
of his picture, in his eloquent and striking narrative of the final catastrophe
of the Greek Empire. In preparation for it, he gives the history of the recent
invention of gunpowder, 'that mixture of saltpeter, sulphur, and charcoal;'
tells, as before said, of the foundry of the cannon at Adrianople; then, in the
progress of the siege itself, describes how 'the volleys of lances and arrows
were accompanied with smoke, the sound, and the fire of the musketry and
cannon;' how 'the long order of Turkish artillery was pointed against the
walls, fourteen batteries thundering at once on the most accessible places;'
how 'the fortifications which had stood for ages against hostile violence were
dismantled on all sides by the Ottoman cannon, many breaches opened, and near
the gate of St. Romanus, four towers leveled with the ground:' how, 'as from
the lines, the galleys and the bridge, the Ottoman artillery thundered on all
sides, the camp and city, the Greeks and the Turks, were involved in a cloud of
smoke, which could only be dispelled by the final deliverance or destruction of
the Roman empire:' and how the besiegers at length 'rushing through the
breaches,' 'Constantinople was irretrievably subdued, her empire subverted, and
her religion trampled in the dust by the Moslem conquerors.' I say it well
deserves observation how markedly and strikingly Gibbon attributes the capture
of the city, and so the destruction of the empire, to the Ottoman artillery.
For what is it but a comment on the words of the prophecy? 'By
these three was the third part of men killed, by the fire, and by the smoke, and
by the sulphur, which issued out their mouths.' " [33]
Verse
18 By these three was the third part of men killed, by the fire, and by the
smoke, and by the brimstone, which issued out of their mouths. 19 For their
power is in their mouth, and in their tails: for their tails were like unto
serpents, and had heads, and with them they do hurt.
These
verses express the deadly effect of the new mode of warfare introduced. It was
by means of these agents--gunpowder, firearms, and cannon--that Constantinople
was finally overcome, and given into the hands of the Turks.
In
addition to the fire, smoke, and brimstone, which apparently issued out of
their mouths, it is said that their power was also in their tails. The meaning
of the expression appears to be that horses' tails were the symbol, or emblem,
of their authority. It is a remarkable fact that the horse's tail is a well-
known Turkish standard, a symbol of office and authority. The image before the
mind of John would seem to have been that he saw the horses belching out fire
and smoke, and, what was equally strange, he saw that their power of spreading
desolation was connected with the tails of the horses. Anyone looking on a body
of cavalry with such banners, or ensigns, would be struck with this unusual or
remarkable appearance, and would speak of their banners as concentrating and
directing their power.
This
supremacy of the Mohammedans over the Greeks was to continue, as already
noticed, three hundred and ninety-one years and fifteen days. "Commencing when
the one hundred and fifty years ended in 1449, the period would end August 11,
1840. Judging from the manner of the commencement of the Ottoman supremacy, that
it was by a voluntary acknowledgment on the part of the Greek emperor that he
only reigned by permission of the Turkish sultan, we should naturally conclude
that the fall or departure of the Ottoman independence would be brought about
the same say; that at the end of the specified period [that is, on the 11th of
August, 1840] the sultan would voluntarily surrender his independence into the
hands of the Christian powers," [34] just as he had, three hundred ninety-one
years and fifteen days before, received it from the hands of the Christian
emperor, Constantine XIII.
This
conclusion was reached, and this application of the prophecy was made by Josiah
Litch in 1838, two years before the expected event was to occur. In that year
he predicted that the Turkish power would be overthrown "in A.D. 1840, sometime
in the month of August;" [35] but a few days before the fulfillment of the
prophecy he concluded more definitely from his study that the period allotted to
the Turks would come to an end on August 11, 1840. It was then purely a matter
of calculation on the prophetic periods of Scripture. It is proper to inquire
whether such events did take place according to the calculation. The matter sums
itself up in the following inquiry:
When
Did Mohammedan Independence in Constantinople End?--For several years previous
to 1840, the sultan had been embroiled in war with Mehemet Ali, pasha of Egypt.
"In 1838 there was a threatening of war between the sultan and his Egyptian
vassal had he not been restrained by the influence of the foreign ambassadors. .
. . In 1839 hostilities were again commenced, and were prosecuted until, in a
general battle between the armies of the sultan and Mehemet, the sultan's army
was entirely cut up and destroyed, and his fleet taken by Mehemet and carried
into Egypt. So completely had the sultan's fleet been reduced, that, when
hostilities commenced in August, he had only two first-rates and three frigates
as the sad remains of the once powerful Turkish flee. This fleet Mehemet
positively refused to give up and return to the sultan, and declared if the
powers attempted to take it from him, he would burn it. In this posture affairs
stood, when, in 1840, England, Russia, Austria, and Prussia interposed, and
determined on a settlement of the difficulty; for it was evident, if let alone,
Mehemet would soon become master of the sultan's throne." [36]
The
sultan accepted this intervention of the great powers, and thus made a
voluntary surrender of the question into their hands. A conference of these
powers was held in London, the Sheik Effendi Bey Likgis being present as
Ottoman plenipotentiary. An agreement was drawn up to be presented to the pasha
of Egypt, whereby the sultan was to offer him the hereditary government of
Egypt, and all that part of Syria extending from the Gulf of Suez to the Lake
of Tiberias, together with the province of Acre, for life; he on his part to
evacuate all other parts of the sultan's dominions then occupied by him, and to
return the Ottoman fleet. In case he refused this offer from the sultan, the
four powers were to take matters into their own hands, and use such other means
to bring him to terms as they should see fit.
It
is obvious that as soon as this ultimatum should be placed under the
jurisdiction of Mehemet Ali, pasha of Egypt, the matter would be forever beyond
the control of the Sultan, and the disposal of his affairs would, from that
moment, be in the hands of foreign powers. The sultan dispatched Rifat Bey on a
government steamer to Alexandria, to communicate the ultimatum to Mehemet Ali.
The ultimatum was placed as his disposal on the eleventh day of August, 1840! On
the same day, in Constantinople, a note was addressed by the sultan to the
ambassadors of the four powers, inquiring what plan was to be adopted in case
the pasha should refuse to comply with the terms of the ultimatum, to which
they made answer that provision had been made, and there was no necessity of
his alarming himself about any contingency that might arise.
The
facts are substantiated by the following quotations:
"By
the French steamer of the 24th, we have advices from Egypt to the 16th. They
show no alteration in the resolution of the Pacha. Confiding in the valor of
his Arab army, and in the strength of the fortifications which defend his
capital, he seems determined to abide by the last alternative; and as recourse
to this, therefore, is now inevitable, all hope may be considered as at an end
of a termination of the affair without bloodshed. Immediately on the arrival of
the Cyclops steamer with the news of the convention of the four powers, Mehemet
Ali, it is stated, had quitted Alexandria, to make a short tour through Lower
Egypt. The object of his absenting himself at such a moment being partly to
avoid conferences with the European consuls, but principally to endeavor, by
his own presence, to arouse the fanaticism of the Bedouin tribes, and
facilitate the raising of his new levies. During the interval of this absence,
the Turkish government steamer, which had reached Alexandria on the 11th, with
the envoy Rifat Bey on board, had been by his orders placed in quarantine, and
she was not released from it till the 16th. Previous, however, to the poet's
[*] [boat's] leaving, and on the very day on which he [she] had been admitted
to pratique, the above- named functionary had an audience of the Pacha, and had
communicated to him the command of the Sultan, with respect to the evacuation
of the Syrian provinces, appointing another audience for the next day, when, in
the presence of the consuls of the European powers, he would receive from him
his definite answer, and inform him of the alternative of his refusing to obey;
giving him ten days which have been allotted him by the convention to decide
the course he should think fit to adopt." [37]
The
correspondent of the London Morning Chronicle, in a communication dated
"Constantinople, August 12, 1840," says:
"I
can add but little to my last letter on the subject of the plans of the Four
Powers; and I believe that the details I then gave you compose everything that
is yet decided on. The portion of the Pacha, as I then stated, is not to extend
beyond the line of Acre, and does not include either Arabia or Candia. Egypt
alone is to be hereditary in his family, and the province of Acre to be
considered as a pachalik, to be governed by his son during his lifetime, but
afterwards to depend on the will of the Porte; and even this latter is only to
be granted to him on the condition of his accepting these terms and delivering
up the Ottoman fleet within the period of ten days. In the event of his not
doing so, this pachalik is to be cut off. Egypt alone is then to be offered,
with another ten days for him to deliberate on it before actual force be
employed against him. The manner, however, of applying the force, should he
refuse to comply with these terms--whether a simple blockade is to be
established on the coast, or whether his capital is to be bombarded and his
armies attacked in the Syrians provinces--is the point which still remains to
be learned; nor does a note delivered yesterday by the four ambassadors, in
answer to a question put to them by the Porte, as to the plan to be adopted in
such an event, throw the least light on this subject. It simply states that
provision had been made, and there was no necessity for the Divan alarming
itself about any contingency that might afterward arise." [38]
Let
us analyze the foregoing quotations:
First.--The
ultimatum reached Alexandria on August 11, 1840.
Second.--The
letter of the correspondent of the London Morning Chronicle is dated August 12,
1840.
Third.--The
correspondent states that the question of the Sublime Porte was put to the
representatives of the four great powers, and the answer received "yesterday."
So in his own capital, "yesterday" the Sublime Porte applied to the ambassadors
of the four Christian powers of Europe as to what measures had been taken in
reference to a circumstance vitally affecting his empire; and was told that
"provision had been made," but he could not know what it was; and that he need
not give himself any alarm "about any contingency which might arise"! From that
day, "yesterday," which was August 11, 1840--they, the four Christian powers of
Europe, and not he, would manage that.
On August 11, 1840, the period of three
hundred ninety-one years and fifteen days, allotted to the continuance of the
Ottoman power, ended; and where was the sultan's independence?--GONE!Who
had the supremacy of the Ottoman empire in their hands?--The four great powers;
and that empire has existed ever since only by the sufferance of these Christian
powers. Thus was the prophecy
fulfilled to the very letter.
From
the first publication of the calculation of this matter in 1838, before
referred to, the time set for the fulfillment of the prophecy was watched by
thousands with intense interest. The exact accomplishment of the event
predicted, showing, as it did, the right application of the prophecy, gave a
mighty impetus to the great advent movement then beginning to attract the
attention of the world.
Verse
20 And the rest of the men which were not killed by these plagues yet repented
not of the works of their hands, that they should not worship devils, and idols
of gold, and silver, and brass, and stone, and of wood: which neither can see,
nor hear, nor walk: 21 Neither repented they of their murders, nor of their
sorceries, nor of their fornication, nor of their thefts.
God
designs that men shall make a note of His judgments, and receive the lessons He
thereby designs to convey. But how slow they are to learn, and how blind to the
indications of providence! The events that occurred under the sixth trumpet
constituted the second woe, yet these judgments led to no improvement in the
manners and morals of men. Those who escaped them learned nothing by their
manifestation in the earth.
The
hordes of Saracens and Turks were let loose as a scourge and punishment upon
apostate Christendom. Men suffered the punishment, but learned no lesson from
it.
*******
...
And there appeared a great wonder in heaven
a woman clothed with the sun,
...
*
A woman-
2 Corinthians
{11:1} Would to God ye could bear with me a little in my folly: and indeed bear with me. {11:2} For I am jealous over you with godly jealousy: for I have espoused you to one husband, that I may present you as a chaste virgin to Christ.
A chaste virigin to Christ.
Galatians
{4:26} But Jerusalem which is above is free, which is the mother of us all
Ephesians
{5:23} For the husband is the head of the wife, even as Christ is the head of the church: and he is the saviour of the body. {5:24} Therefore as the church is subject unto Christ, so let the wives be to their own husbands in every thing. {5:25} Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it
*
Without clothes the woman would be naked- if clothed with rags the woman would be pictured as one dirty, defiled. Clothed with the sun she is clothed with brightness, purity.
Malachi
{4:2} But unto you that fear my name shall the Sun of righteousness arise with healing in his wings; and ye shall go forth, and grow up as calves of the stall. {4:3} And ye shall tread down the wicked; for they shall be ashes under the soles of your feet in the day that I shall do this, saith the LORD of hosts.
Clothed with the sun. The woman, the true church, God's church clothed in the sun- righteous, light, pure, holy.
...
and the moon under her feet,
and upon her head a crown of twelve stars
...
The moon only gets its light from the sun, it is dark without the sun illuminating it. A lesser light is under the feet of the woman, the woman would stand upon the lesser light, the light that is borrowed, that is taken from the sun.
The crown depicting victory has twelve stars. Significantly throughout the Bible the number 12 is used- 12 tribes, 12 apostles, 12 gates, 12 angels. The crown having 12 stars just reenforces the importance of the role this woman has, the role that God's true church plays. I read somewhere that 12 is important because it is made up of 7 and 5 - 7 being God's perfect number, 5 man's perfect number and combined they are 12. If ever is might fit that way it would be in Jesus who was God with us, God and Man. Jesus the One who bridges the gap between sinfilled man and Holy God.
...
And she being with child cried,
travailing in birth,
and pained to be delivered.
...
God's church is comprised of people who are God's. Surely as Jesus was brought forth in birth from one among God's chosen people, He came forth from God's church. The people who made up God's church at the time Christ was to be born were in great distressed, they longed for the Messiah to deliver them from the crushing Roman rule.
...
And there appeared another wonder in heaven
and behold a great red dragon,
having seven heads
and ten horns,
and seven crowns upon his heads.
And his tail drew the third part of the stars of heaven,
and did cast them to the earth
...
(Other places w/7 heads-
Rev.{13:1} And I stood upon the sand of the sea, and saw a
beast rise up out of the sea, having seven heads and ten
horns, and upon his horns ten crowns, and upon his heads
the name of blasphemy.
Rev. {17:3} 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. {17:7} 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.
Rev. {17:9} And here is the mind which hath
wisdom. The seven heads are seven mountains, on which
the woman sitteth.)
(Other places w/dragon-
Rev. the key of the bottomless pit and a great chain in his
hand. {20:2} And he laid hold on the dragon, that old
serpent, which is the Devil, and Satan, and bound him a
thousand years,
Rev. {16:13} And I
saw three unclean spirits like frogs come out of the mouth
of the dragon, and out of the mouth of the beast, and out of
the mouth of the false prophet.
Rev. {13:11} And I
beheld another beast coming up out of the earth; and he had
two horns like a lamb, and he spake as a dragon.
Rev. {13:4} And they worshipped the
dragon which gave power unto the beast: and they
worshipped the beast, saying, Who is like unto the beast?
who is able to make war with him?
Rev. {13:2} And the beast which I saw
was like unto a leopard, and his feet were as the feet of a
bear, and his mouth as the mouth of a lion: and the dragon
gave him his power, and his seat, and great authority
Rev. {12:17} And the dragon was wroth with the woman, and
went to make war with the remnant of her seed, which keep
the commandments of God, and have the testimony of Jesus
Christ
Rev. {12:16} And the earth helped
the woman, and the earth opened her mouth, and swallowed
up the flood which the dragon cast out of his mouth
Rev. {12:13} And when the dragon saw that he was cast unto the
earth, he persecuted the woman which brought forth the
man child.
Rev. {12:9} And the great dragon was cast out,
that old serpent, called the Devil, and Satan, which
deceiveth the whole world: he was cast out into the earth,
and his angels were cast out with him.
Rev. {12:7} And
there was war in heaven: Michael and his angels fought
against the dragon; and the dragon fought and his angels
Rev. {12:4}
And his tail drew the third part of the stars of heaven, and
did cast them to the earth: and the dragon stood before the
woman which was ready to be delivered, for to devour her
child as soon as it was born.
*******
Red dragon-
Dragon- that old serpent, the devil, and satan
Seven heads- mountains
Mountain-
Nations and Kingdoms, including God's Kingdom.
Zion is the mountain of the Lord's house -Isaiah 2: 1-5; 11: 9; 13: 4; 41: 15; 42: 15
The Rock from the mountain of God replaces the kingdoms of the earth - Daniel 2: 35, 44,45;
Ezekiel 35: 2, 7, 8
Zechariah 4: 7
A mountain and an animal both represent kingdoms. But the mountain may represent a more eternal kingdom. This may be because of their nature. An animal lives a short time and dies. But a mountain is tall and permanent. It can reach the heavens. A mountain may represent the kingdom of God or a kingdom that tries to be like God.
Dan. {2:35} Then was the iron, the
clay, the brass, the silver, and the gold, broken to pieces
together, and became like the chaff of the summer
threshingfloors; and the wind carried them away, that no
place was found for them: and the stone that smote the
image became a great mountain, and filled the whole earth
Dan. {2:44} And in the days of these kings shall the
God of heaven set up a kingdom, which shall never be
destroyed: and the kingdom shall not be left to other people,
but it shall break in pieces and consume all these
kingdoms, and it shall stand for ever. {2:45} Forasmuch as
thou sawest that the stone was cut out of the mountain
without hands, and that it brake in pieces the iron, the brass,
the clay, the silver, and the gold; the great God hath made
known to the king what shall come to pass hereafter: and
the dream is certain, and the interpretation thereof sure.
Horns-
Horn
Ruler, head of a kingdom, Power strength. A symbol of kings, kingdoms, divisions of kingdoms, power, authority. It is generally a kingdom with a military force.
Horn with crowns - Monarchies
Ten horns are ten kings (kingdoms) that shall arise. (Daniel 7: 24)
The great horn is the first king (kingdom). (Daniel 8: 21)
The ten horns are ten kings. (Revelation 17: 12)
For you are the glory of their strength: and in your favour our horn shall be exalted. But my faithfulness and my mercy shall be with him: and in my name shall his horn be exalted. Psalm 89: 17,24.
Then lifted I up my eyes, and saw, and look four horns. And I said to the angel that talked with me, What be these? And he answered me, These are the horns which have scattered Judah, Israel, and Jerusalem. Zechariah 1: 18-19.
Crown
Crown
Victory, life, royalty
There are two types of crowns, the royal crown and the wreath of victory (stephanos) placed on the head of the winner.
I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith: From now there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but to all them also that love his appearing. 2 Timothy 4: 7-8.
Blessed is the man that endures temptation: for when he is tried, he shall receive the crown of life, which the Lord has promised to them that love him. James 1: 12.
And he brought out the king's son, and put the crown on him, and gave him the testimony; and they made him king, and anointed him; and they clapped their hands, and said, God save the king. 2 Kings 11: 12.
Thus says the Lord GOD; Remove the diadem, and take off the crown: this shall not be the same: exalt him that is low, and abase him that is high. I will overturn, overturn, overturn, it: and it shall be no more, until he come whose right it is; and I will give it him. Ezekiel 21: 26-27.
********
Red dragon- dragon- that old serpent, the devil, and satan
Seven heads- seven mountains- seven kingdoms
Ten horns- ten rulers
crowns- royalty
stars- angels
...
And there appeared another wonder in heaven
and behold a great red dragon,
having seven heads
and ten horns,
and seven crowns upon his heads.
And his tail drew the third part of the stars of heaven,
and did cast them to the earth
...
The devil- earthly kingdoms, with ten rules, having power.
The devil using his tail took 1/3 of the angels of heaven and they were cast to earth from heaven.
...
and the dragon stood before the woman which was ready to be delivered,
for to devour her child as soon as it was born.
...
The devil stood near the woman- God's people, Jesus was about to be born- the Savior as an infant and the devil didn't want Him to be born- the Savior of the world, the conquerer of death, the bringer of eternal life, restorer of all that is good. No, the devil didn't want Jesus to be born.
...
And she brought forth a man child,
who was to rule all nations with a rod of iron:
and her child was caught up unto God,
and to his throne.
...
Rev. {2:24} But unto you I say, and unto the rest
in Thyatira, as many as have not this doctrine, and which
have not known the depths of Satan, as they speak; I will
put upon you none other burden. {2:25} But that which ye
have already hold fast till I come. {2:26} And he that
overcometh, and keepeth my works unto the end, to him
will I give power over the nations: {2:27} And he shall rule
them with a rod of iron; as the vessels of a potter shall they
be broken to shivers: even as I received of my Father.
Rev. {19:13} And he was clothed with a vesture
dipped in blood: and his name is called The Word of God.
{19:14} And the armies which were in heaven followed
him upon white horses, clothed in fine linen, white and
clean. {19:15} 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. {19:16} And he
hath on his vesture and on his thigh a name written, KING
OF KINGS, AND LORD OF LORDS.
Her child was caught up unto God, and to his throne.
Jesus!
*******
It's true that Jesus and the true followers of Christ have been persecuted by Satan and will be persecuted by Him until Christ comes again and the battle between good and evil is decided for every person.
From the moment of Jesus' birth Satan stepped up His activity. That Satan rules the majority is no surprise, no surprise at all. He's working hard to get as many as he can and he has no standards, no morals, no compunctions whatsoever to get in his way.
May God bless and Keep us in Christ now and forever, safe from the evil of the devil and all his way.
Please Lord open our eyes, give us the understanding we need to be yours now and forever by the grace and mercy of Jesus Christ.
Amen.
9/20/10
Eph 6:10-18 The Armor of God
You've heard/read it before many times. Take the armor of God, be a Christian soldier. The reason this strikes me today so hard is because of yesterday's study.
We want to be ready for Christ when He comes. We know some who think they are, won't be. We absolutely do NOT want to be in the group that think they are ready but aren't. It scares us a little bit knowing that those people will be deceived. That WE could be deceived. The deceived don't know they're deceived that's what deception is all about. Those 5 virgins who don't have enough oil fall asleep thinking they have enough. The Bridegroom being delayed wasn't really part of their plan. They had oil, their lamps were burning. Even after they woke up they believed they were Christ's. They hurried off to get what they needed STILL thinking they were Christ's and He would accept them. They ran ALL the way back to the door and it was shut, inside the marriage was going to take place. Those outside STILL believed they were His!!! Even at the door, but… they were DECEIVED.
The Bible tells us how we are to be ready, how we are NOT to be deceived.
Luk 21:8 And he said, Take heed that ye be not deceived: for many shall come in my name, saying, I am Christ; and the time draweth near: go ye not therefore after them.
1Co 6:9 Know ye not that the unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God? Be not deceived: neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor abusers of themselves with mankind,
1Co 6:10 Nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners, shall inherit the kingdom of God.
Gal 6:7 Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap.
Today people have done so much to make sin acceptable that it is no wonder many will be deceived. They won't believe they've done wrong!
They'll be SO caught up in the supposed 'Love' of God that they'll be worshipping a false Christ- one that calls evil good and good evil, one that overlooks their sin allowing them to keep on sinning because they KNOW this false Christ understands it's simply too hard to be like those STRICT Christians caught up in their false belief that they are called to perfection.
We don't want to be called to perfection!
Mat 5:48 Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect. Rom 12:2 And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.
Php 3:14 I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.
Php 3:15 Let us therefore, as many as be perfect, be thus minded: and if in any thing ye be otherwise minded, God shall reveal even this unto you.
Jas 1:4 But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing.
Is it NO wonder at all we are told not to be deceived?
That many shall come in Christ's name?
Think about it… people have made up their own Christ's to follow, they've taken bits and pieces of the one true Christ and molded Him into their own false Christ. Ministers of these false Christ's call their followers to join with them and follow after this false Christ they've concocted. Yes, in the literal sense people from time to time believe they are Christ come again and we are definitely NOT to follow them, but that is obvious to us, right?
Deception is being deceived, having the wool pulled over our eyes, it's truly NOT realizing we're being fooled. We are told the UNRIGHTEOUS will not inherit the kingdom of God and we have NO problem with that because we aren't among them. None of us are fornicators, idolaters, adulterers, effeminate, abusers of ourselves with mankind, thieves, covetous, drunks, revilers, extortioners right? RIGHT?! We're not deceived, what we sow is good, yes? We're not deceived. We are not deceived we will be ready with extra oil in our lamps, undeceived, prepared doing ALL we can to stand. Is this You? Understanding that MANY will be deceived? Many will believe they are followers and ready to enter into the marriage, but they won't be.
Mat 7:22 Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works?
Mat 7:23 And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.
We need to be ready and we're told how to be ready.
Eph 6:10 Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might.
Eph 6:11 Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.
Eph 6:12 For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.
Eph 6:13 Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.
Eph 6:14 Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness;
Eph 6:15 And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace;
Eph 6:16 Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked.
Eph 6:17 And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God:
Eph 6:18 Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints
We're told to put on the whole armor of God if we're to stand against the WILES of the devil. The wiles- at least one among the wiles is- deception.
If we want to STAND in the evil day, doing all we can to stand we have to have the armor on, we have to have extra oil to trim our lamps.
We have to have RIGHTEOUSNESS.
We have to have the GOSPEL of PEACE.
We have to have FAITH.
We have to have SALVATION.
We have to have the WORD of GOD.
WE have to PRAY ALWAYS.
CHRIST'S Righteousness
CHRIST'S Gospel of peace
CHRIST'S Faith.
CHRIST'S Salvation
CHRIST'S Word
CHRIST'S Prayer
We have to have all this through CHRIST! In the SPIRIT!
Joh 14:21 He that hath my commandments, and keepeth them, he it is that loveth me: and he that loveth me shall be loved of my Father, and I will love him, and will manifest myself to him.
We can fool ourselves all we want into believing that no matter what we are going with Christ at His second coming, but that self deception will shock many in that day.
We need to be ready, we need to immerse ourselves in the Word of God.
2Ti 2:15 Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.
We need to delve into His word and apply it to our lives- EVERY moment of our lives. We should NEVER set aside our Savior- we should be praying always- in all we do Christ should be with us- LIVING in us, not just visiting us.
May God help us because we need help so badly. May our eyes be opened by the Holy Spirit! May we be clothed in Christ's righteousness! May we have all the faith we need- in quality! May we believe Lord, help our unbelief!
Amen.
9/20/11
Now…
in the year 2011 has anything really changed? God's messages have gone forth and yet
mankind if counted as a majority would be completely corrupt without any hope.
It's true. Mankind almost as a whole is apostate from God and as we well know-
they are PROUD of it! Shamefully, awfully proud of their apostasy!
The pride they take in announcing their disbelief
in the power and authority of God is blatant and sadly accepted widely.
Then there are those who are so caught up their own forms of religion God is
sadly missing from it all and they are worshipping a false god of their own
creation. This world is full of the apostate and only by the grace of God we
will NOT be among them. Only through the RIGHTEOUSNESS of Christ will we be
saved!
This
history, this prophecy has been given to us and so few care! There is little
excitement to be found in prophecy unlike when this was all first being brought
to light, when the little book was open in the 1800's. There was real
enthusiasm then, but now, there is a lukewarmness that has infected so many.
Is
history boring? To many it is extremely boring. Yet give a person a prophecy
and have that prophecy come true for them then they are all excited about it.
Tell them about all the prophecy that is fulfilled in our past and they shrug
it off as unexciting and not very relevant.
We
NEED to WAKE UP! We need to study and understand that IF past prophecy has come
true over and over again then the rest WILL come true as well beyond any shadow
of doubt! We are living in
perilous times, very perilous times and so many could careless.
Please
LORD Please! Wake us up! Open our eyes! Give us understanding! Please! Not
because we deserve it because we don't, but because our Savior died for us and
we desire desperately to live for Him!
In
His love!
Amen.
Watch-
study-understand… by the Holy Spirit's guidance!
*******
Rev 9:13 And the sixth angel sounded, and I
heard a voice from the four horns of the golden altar which is before God,
Rev 9:14 Saying to the sixth angel which had the
trumpet, Loose the four angels which are bound in the great river Euphrates.
Rev 9:15 And the four angels were loosed, which
were prepared for an hour, and a day, and a month, and a year, for to slay the
third part of men.
Rev 9:16 And the number of the army of the
horsemen were two hundred thousand thousand: and I heard the number of them.
Rev 9:17 And thus I saw the horses in the
vision, and them that sat on them, having breastplates of fire, and of jacinth,
and brimstone: and the heads of the horses were as the heads of lions; and out
of their mouths issued fire and smoke and brimstone.
Rev 9:18 By these three was the third part of
men killed, by the fire, and by the smoke, and by the brimstone, which issued
out of their mouths.
Rev 9:19 For their power is in their mouth, and
in their tails: for their tails were like unto serpents, and had heads, and with
them they do hurt.
Rev 9:20 And the rest of the men which were not
killed by these plagues yet repented not of the works of their hands, that they
should not worship devils, and idols of gold, and silver, and brass, and stone,
and of wood: which neither can see, nor hear, nor walk:
Rev 9:21 Neither repented they of their murders,
nor of their sorceries, nor of their fornication, nor of their thefts.
Again-
taken from the book Daniel and Revelation by Uriah Smith--
Verse
12 One woe is past; and, behold, there come two woes more hereafter. 13 And the
sixth angel sounded, and I heard a voice from the four horns of the golden altar
which is before God, 14 saying to the sixth angel which had the trumpet, Loose
the four angels which are bound in the great river Euphrates. 15 And the four
angels were loosed, which were prepared for an hour, and a day, and a month, and
a year, for to slay the third part of men.
The
Sixth Trumpet.--"The first woe was to continue from the rise of Mahometanism
until the end of the five months. Then the first woe was to end, and the second
begin. And when the sixth angel sounded, it was commanded to take off the
restraints which had been imposed on the nation, by which they were restricted
to the work of tormenting men, and their commission extended to slay the third
part of men. This command came from the four horns of the golden altar."
[26]
The
Four Angels.--These are the four principal sultanies of which the Ottoman
Empire was composed, located in the country watered by the Euphrates. These
sultanies were situated at Aleppo, Iconium, Damacus, and Bagdad. Previously
they had been restrained; but God commanded, and they were loosed.
Late
in the year 1448, as the close of the 150-year period approached, John
Palaeologus died without leaving a son to follow him on the throne of the
Eastern Empire. His brother Constantine, the lawful successor, would not
venture to ascend the throne without the consent of the Turkish sultan.
Ambassadors therefore went to Adrianople, received the approbation of the
sultan, and returned with gifts for the new sovereign. Early in the year 1449,
under these ominous circumstances, Constantine, the last of the Greek emperors,
was crowned.
The
historian Gibbon tells the story:
"On
the decease of John Palaeologus, . . . the royal family, by the death of
Andronicus and the monastic profession of Isidore, was reduced to three
princes, Constantine, Demetrius, and Thomas, the surviving sons of the emperor
Manuel. Of these the first and the last were far distant in the Morea. . . .
The empress-mother, the senate and soldiers, the clergy and people, were
unanimous in the cause of the lawful successor: and the despot Thomas, who
ignorant of the change, accidentally returned to the capital, asserted with
becoming zeal the interest of his absent brother. An ambassador, the historian
Phranza,, was immediately dispatched to the court of Adrianople. Amurath
received him with honor and dismissed him with gifts; but the gracious
approbation of the Turkish sultan announced his supremacy, and the approaching
downfall of the Eastern empire. By the hands of two illustrious deputies, the
Imperial crown was placed at Sparta on the head of Constantine. [27]
"Let
this historical fact be carefully examined in connection with the prediction
[given] above. This was not a violent assault made on the Greeks, by which
their empire was overthrown and their independence taken away, but simply a
voluntary surrender of that independence into the hands of the Turks, by
saying, 'I cannot reign unless you permit.' " [28]
The
four angels were loosed for an hour, a day, a month, and a year, to slay the
third part of men. This period, during which Ottoman supremacy was to exist,
amounts to three hundred ninety-one years and fifteen days. Thus: A prophetic
year is three hundred and sixty prophetic days, or three hundred and sixty
literal years; a prophetic month, thirty prophetic days, is thirty literal
years; one prophetic day is one literal year; and an hour, or the twenty-fourth
part of a literal year year, or fifteen days; the whole amounting to three
hundred and ninety-one years and fifteen days.
"But
although the four angels were thus loosed by the voluntary submission of the
Greeks, yet another doom awaited the seat of empire. Amurath, the sultan to
whom the submission of Deacozes was made, and by whose permission he reigned in
Constantinople, soon after died, and was succeeded in the empire, in 1451, by
Mahomet II, who set his heart on Constantinople, and determined to make it a
prey.
"He
accordingly made preparations for besieging and taking the city. The siege
commenced on the 6th of April, 1453, and ended in the taking of the city, and
death of the last of the Constantines, on the 16th day of May following. And
the eastern city of the Caesars became the seat of the Ottoman Empire."
[29]
The
arms and mode of warfare which were used in the siege in which Constantinople
was to be overthrown and held in subjection were, as we shall see, distinctly
noticed by the prophet.
Verse
16 And the number of the army of the horsemen were two hundred thousand
thousand: and I heard the number of them.
"Innumerable
hordes of horses, and them that sat on them! Gibbon describes the first
invasion of the Roman territories by the Turks thus: 'The myriads
of Turkish horse overspread a frontier of six hundred miles, from Tauris
to Azeroum, and the blood of 130,000 Christian was a grateful sacrifice to the
Arabian prophet.' Whether the number is designed to convey the idea of any
definite number, the reader must judge. Some suppose 200,000 twice told is
meant, and then, following some historians, find that the number of Turkish
warriors in the siege of Constantinople. Some think 200,000,000 to mean all the
Turkish warriors during the 391 years fifteen days of their triumph over the
Greeks." [30] Nothing can be affirmed on the point. And it is not at all
essential.
Verse
17 And thus I saw the horses in the vision, and them that sat on them, having
breastplates of fire, and of jacinth, and brimstone: and the heads of the horses
were as the heads of lions; and out of their mouths issued fire and smoke and
brimstone.
The
first part of this description may have reference to the appearance of these
horsemen. Fire, representing a color, stands for red, "as red as fire" being a
frequent term of expression; jacinth, or hyacinth, for blue; and brimstone, for
yellow. These colors greatly predominated in the dress of these warriors; so
that the description, according to this view, would be accurately met in the
Turkish uniform, which was composed largely of red, or scarlet, blue, and
yellow. The heads of the horses were in appearance as the heads of lions, to
denote their strength, courage, and fierceness; while the last part of the verse
undoubtedly has reference to the use of gunpowder and firearms for purposes of
war, which were then but recently introduced. As the Turks discharged their
firearms on horseback, it would appear to the distant beholder that the fire,
smoke, and brimstone issued out of the horses' mouths.
Quite
an agreement exists among commentators in applying the prophecy concerning the
fire, smoke, and brimstone to the use of gunpowder by the Turks in their
warfare against the Eastern Empire. [31] But they generally allude simply to
the heavy ordnance, the large cannon, employed employed by that power; whereas
the prophecy mentions especially the "horses," and the fire "issuing from their
mouths," as though smaller arms were used, and used on horseback. Barnes thinks
this was the case; and a statement from Gibbon confirms this view. he says: "The
incessant volleys of lances and arrows were accompanied with the smoke, the
sound, and the fire of their musketry and cannon." [32] Here is good historical
evidence that muskets were used by the Turks; and secondly, it is undisputed
that their general warfare they fought principally on horseback. The inference
is therefore well supported that they used firearms on horseback, accurately
fulfilling the prophecy, according to the illustration above referred to.
Respecting
the use of firearms by the Turks in their campaign against Constantinople,
Elliott thus speaks:
"It
was to 'the fire and the smoke and the sulphur,' to the artillery and firearms
of Mahomet, that the killing of the third part of men, i.e., the capture of
Constantinople, and by consequence the destruction of the Greek Empire, was
owing. Eleven hundred years and more had now elapsed since her foundation by
Constantine. In the course of them, Goths, Huns, Avars, Persians, Bulgarians,
Saracens, Russians, and indeed the Ottoman Turks themselves, had made their
hostile assaults, or laid siege against it. But the fortifications were
impregnable by them. Constantinople survived, and with it the Greek Empire.
Hence the anxiety of the sultan Mahomet to find that which would remove the
obstacle. 'Canst thou cast a cannon,' was his question to the founder of cannon
that deserted to him, 'of size sufficient to batter down the wall of
Constantinople?' Then the foundry was established at Adrianople, the cannon
cast, the artillery prepared, and the siege began.
"It
well deserves remark, how Gibbon, always the unconscious commentator on the
Apocalyptic prophecy, puts this new instrumentality of war into the foreground
of his picture, in his eloquent and striking narrative of the final catastrophe
of the Greek Empire. In preparation for it, he gives the history of the recent
invention of gunpowder, 'that mixture of saltpeter, sulphur, and charcoal;'
tells, as before said, of the foundry of the cannon at Adrianople; then, in the
progress of the siege itself, describes how 'the volleys of lances and arrows
were accompanied with smoke, the sound, and the fire of the musketry and
cannon;' how 'the long order of Turkish artillery was pointed against the
walls, fourteen batteries thundering at once on the most accessible places;'
how 'the fortifications which had stood for ages against hostile violence were
dismantled on all sides by the Ottoman cannon, many breaches opened, and near
the gate of St. Romanus, four towers leveled with the ground:' how, 'as from
the lines, the galleys and the bridge, the Ottoman artillery thundered on all
sides, the camp and city, the Greeks and the Turks, were involved in a cloud of
smoke, which could only be dispelled by the final deliverance or destruction of
the Roman empire:' and how the besiegers at length 'rushing through the
breaches,' 'Constantinople was irretrievably subdued, her empire subverted, and
her religion trampled in the dust by the Moslem conquerors.' I say it well
deserves observation how markedly and strikingly Gibbon attributes the capture
of the city, and so the destruction of the empire, to the Ottoman artillery.
For what is it but a comment on the words of the prophecy? 'By
these three was the third part of men killed, by the fire, and by the smoke, and
by the sulphur, which issued out their mouths.' " [33]
Verse
18 By these three was the third part of men killed, by the fire, and by the
smoke, and by the brimstone, which issued out of their mouths. 19 For their
power is in their mouth, and in their tails: for their tails were like unto
serpents, and had heads, and with them they do hurt.
These
verses express the deadly effect of the new mode of warfare introduced. It was
by means of these agents--gunpowder, firearms, and cannon--that Constantinople
was finally overcome, and given into the hands of the Turks.
In
addition to the fire, smoke, and brimstone, which apparently issued out of
their mouths, it is said that their power was also in their tails. The meaning
of the expression appears to be that horses' tails were the symbol, or emblem,
of their authority. It is a remarkable fact that the horse's tail is a well-
known Turkish standard, a symbol of office and authority. The image before the
mind of John would seem to have been that he saw the horses belching out fire
and smoke, and, what was equally strange, he saw that their power of spreading
desolation was connected with the tails of the horses. Anyone looking on a body
of cavalry with such banners, or ensigns, would be struck with this unusual or
remarkable appearance, and would speak of their banners as concentrating and
directing their power.
This
supremacy of the Mohammedans over the Greeks was to continue, as already
noticed, three hundred and ninety-one years and fifteen days. "Commencing when
the one hundred and fifty years ended in 1449, the period would end August 11,
1840. Judging from the manner of the commencement of the Ottoman supremacy, that
it was by a voluntary acknowledgment on the part of the Greek emperor that he
only reigned by permission of the Turkish sultan, we should naturally conclude
that the fall or departure of the Ottoman independence would be brought about
the same say; that at the end of the specified period [that is, on the 11th of
August, 1840] the sultan would voluntarily surrender his independence into the
hands of the Christian powers," [34] just as he had, three hundred ninety-one
years and fifteen days before, received it from the hands of the Christian
emperor, Constantine XIII.
This
conclusion was reached, and this application of the prophecy was made by Josiah
Litch in 1838, two years before the expected event was to occur. In that year
he predicted that the Turkish power would be overthrown "in A.D. 1840, sometime
in the month of August;" [35] but a few days before the fulfillment of the
prophecy he concluded more definitely from his study that the period allotted to
the Turks would come to an end on August 11, 1840. It was then purely a matter
of calculation on the prophetic periods of Scripture. It is proper to inquire
whether such events did take place according to the calculation. The matter sums
itself up in the following inquiry:
When
Did Mohammedan Independence in Constantinople End?--For several years previous
to 1840, the sultan had been embroiled in war with Mehemet Ali, pasha of Egypt.
"In 1838 there was a threatening of war between the sultan and his Egyptian
vassal had he not been restrained by the influence of the foreign ambassadors. .
. . In 1839 hostilities were again commenced, and were prosecuted until, in a
general battle between the armies of the sultan and Mehemet, the sultan's army
was entirely cut up and destroyed, and his fleet taken by Mehemet and carried
into Egypt. So completely had the sultan's fleet been reduced, that, when
hostilities commenced in August, he had only two first-rates and three frigates
as the sad remains of the once powerful Turkish flee. This fleet Mehemet
positively refused to give up and return to the sultan, and declared if the
powers attempted to take it from him, he would burn it. In this posture affairs
stood, when, in 1840, England, Russia, Austria, and Prussia interposed, and
determined on a settlement of the difficulty; for it was evident, if let alone,
Mehemet would soon become master of the sultan's throne." [36]
The
sultan accepted this intervention of the great powers, and thus made a
voluntary surrender of the question into their hands. A conference of these
powers was held in London, the Sheik Effendi Bey Likgis being present as
Ottoman plenipotentiary. An agreement was drawn up to be presented to the pasha
of Egypt, whereby the sultan was to offer him the hereditary government of
Egypt, and all that part of Syria extending from the Gulf of Suez to the Lake
of Tiberias, together with the province of Acre, for life; he on his part to
evacuate all other parts of the sultan's dominions then occupied by him, and to
return the Ottoman fleet. In case he refused this offer from the sultan, the
four powers were to take matters into their own hands, and use such other means
to bring him to terms as they should see fit.
It
is obvious that as soon as this ultimatum should be placed under the
jurisdiction of Mehemet Ali, pasha of Egypt, the matter would be forever beyond
the control of the Sultan, and the disposal of his affairs would, from that
moment, be in the hands of foreign powers. The sultan dispatched Rifat Bey on a
government steamer to Alexandria, to communicate the ultimatum to Mehemet Ali.
The ultimatum was placed as his disposal on the eleventh day of August, 1840! On
the same day, in Constantinople, a note was addressed by the sultan to the
ambassadors of the four powers, inquiring what plan was to be adopted in case
the pasha should refuse to comply with the terms of the ultimatum, to which
they made answer that provision had been made, and there was no necessity of
his alarming himself about any contingency that might arise.
The
facts are substantiated by the following quotations:
"By
the French steamer of the 24th, we have advices from Egypt to the 16th. They
show no alteration in the resolution of the Pacha. Confiding in the valor of
his Arab army, and in the strength of the fortifications which defend his
capital, he seems determined to abide by the last alternative; and as recourse
to this, therefore, is now inevitable, all hope may be considered as at an end
of a termination of the affair without bloodshed. Immediately on the arrival of
the Cyclops steamer with the news of the convention of the four powers, Mehemet
Ali, it is stated, had quitted Alexandria, to make a short tour through Lower
Egypt. The object of his absenting himself at such a moment being partly to
avoid conferences with the European consuls, but principally to endeavor, by
his own presence, to arouse the fanaticism of the Bedouin tribes, and
facilitate the raising of his new levies. During the interval of this absence,
the Turkish government steamer, which had reached Alexandria on the 11th, with
the envoy Rifat Bey on board, had been by his orders placed in quarantine, and
she was not released from it till the 16th. Previous, however, to the poet's
[*] [boat's] leaving, and on the very day on which he [she] had been admitted
to pratique, the above- named functionary had an audience of the Pacha, and had
communicated to him the command of the Sultan, with respect to the evacuation
of the Syrian provinces, appointing another audience for the next day, when, in
the presence of the consuls of the European powers, he would receive from him
his definite answer, and inform him of the alternative of his refusing to obey;
giving him ten days which have been allotted him by the convention to decide
the course he should think fit to adopt." [37]
The
correspondent of the London Morning Chronicle, in a communication dated
"Constantinople, August 12, 1840," says:
"I
can add but little to my last letter on the subject of the plans of the Four
Powers; and I believe that the details I then gave you compose everything that
is yet decided on. The portion of the Pacha, as I then stated, is not to extend
beyond the line of Acre, and does not include either Arabia or Candia. Egypt
alone is to be hereditary in his family, and the province of Acre to be
considered as a pachalik, to be governed by his son during his lifetime, but
afterwards to depend on the will of the Porte; and even this latter is only to
be granted to him on the condition of his accepting these terms and delivering
up the Ottoman fleet within the period of ten days. In the event of his not
doing so, this pachalik is to be cut off. Egypt alone is then to be offered,
with another ten days for him to deliberate on it before actual force be
employed against him. The manner, however, of applying the force, should he
refuse to comply with these terms--whether a simple blockade is to be
established on the coast, or whether his capital is to be bombarded and his
armies attacked in the Syrians provinces--is the point which still remains to
be learned; nor does a note delivered yesterday by the four ambassadors, in
answer to a question put to them by the Porte, as to the plan to be adopted in
such an event, throw the least light on this subject. It simply states that
provision had been made, and there was no necessity for the Divan alarming
itself about any contingency that might afterward arise." [38]
Let
us analyze the foregoing quotations:
First.--The
ultimatum reached Alexandria on August 11, 1840.
Second.--The
letter of the correspondent of the London Morning Chronicle is dated August 12,
1840.
Third.--The
correspondent states that the question of the Sublime Porte was put to the
representatives of the four great powers, and the answer received "yesterday."
So in his own capital, "yesterday" the Sublime Porte applied to the ambassadors
of the four Christian powers of Europe as to what measures had been taken in
reference to a circumstance vitally affecting his empire; and was told that
"provision had been made," but he could not know what it was; and that he need
not give himself any alarm "about any contingency which might arise"! From that
day, "yesterday," which was August 11, 1840--they, the four Christian powers of
Europe, and not he, would manage that.
On August 11, 1840, the period of three
hundred ninety-one years and fifteen days, allotted to the continuance of the
Ottoman power, ended; and where was the sultan's independence?--GONE!Who
had the supremacy of the Ottoman empire in their hands?--The four great powers;
and that empire has existed ever since only by the sufferance of these Christian
powers. Thus was the prophecy
fulfilled to the very letter.
From
the first publication of the calculation of this matter in 1838, before
referred to, the time set for the fulfillment of the prophecy was watched by
thousands with intense interest. The exact accomplishment of the event
predicted, showing, as it did, the right application of the prophecy, gave a
mighty impetus to the great advent movement then beginning to attract the
attention of the world.
Verse
20 And the rest of the men which were not killed by these plagues yet repented
not of the works of their hands, that they should not worship devils, and idols
of gold, and silver, and brass, and stone, and of wood: which neither can see,
nor hear, nor walk: 21 Neither repented they of their murders, nor of their
sorceries, nor of their fornication, nor of their thefts.
God
designs that men shall make a note of His judgments, and receive the lessons He
thereby designs to convey. But how slow they are to learn, and how blind to the
indications of providence! The events that occurred under the sixth trumpet
constituted the second woe, yet these judgments led to no improvement in the
manners and morals of men. Those who escaped them learned nothing by their
manifestation in the earth.
The
hordes of Saracens and Turks were let loose as a scourge and punishment upon
apostate Christendom. Men suffered the punishment, but learned no lesson from
it.
*******