Saturday, December 27, 2014
Friday, December 26, 2014
Revelation 22
Revelation 22 written from memory. Today, I have completed the memorization of the entire book of Revelation. It took me thirteen months.
1. And he shewed me a pure river of water of life, clear as crystal, proceeding out of the throne of God and of the Lamb.
2. In the midst of the street of it, and on either side of the river, was there the tree of life, which bare twelve manner of fruits, and yielded her fruit every month: and the leaves of the tree were for the healing of the nations.
3. And there shall be no more curse: but the throne of God and of the Lamb shall be in it, and his servants shall serve him.
4. And they shall see his face, and his name shall be in their foreheads.
5. And there shall be no night there, and they need no candle, neither light of the sun, for the Lord God giveth them light, and they shall reign forever and ever.
6. And he said unto me, These sayings are faithful and true. And the Lord God of the holy prophets sent his angel to shew unto his servants the things which must shortly be done.
7. Behold, I come quickly. Blessed is he that keepeth the sayings of the prophesy of this book.
8. And I John saw these things, and heard them, and when I had heard and seen, I fell down to worship before the feet of the angel which shewed me these things.
9. Then saith he unto me, See thou do it not, for I am thy fellowservant, and of thy brethren the prophets, and of them which keep the sayings of this book. Worship God.
10. And he saith unto me, Seal not the sayings of the prophesy of this book, for the time is at hand.
11. He that is unjust, let him be unjust still: and he which is filthy, let him be filthy still: and he that is righteous, let him be righteous still: and he that is holy let him be holy still.
12. And behold, I come quickly, and my reward is with me, to give every man according as his work shall be.
13. I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end, the first and the last.
14. Blessed are they that do his commandments, that they may have right to the tree of life, and may enter in through the gates into the city.
15. For without are dogs, and sorcerers, and whoremongers, and murderers, and idolaters, and whosoever loveth and maketh a lie.
16. I Jesus have sent mine angel to testify unto you these things in the churches. I am the root and offspring of David, the bright and morning star.
17. And the Spirit and the bride say, Come. And let him that heareth say, Come. And let him that is athirst come. And whosoever will, let him take the water of life freely.
18. For I testify unto every man that heareth the words of the prophesy of this book, If any man shall add unto these things, God shall add unto him the plagues that are written in this book:
19. And if any man shall take away from the words of the book of this prophesy, God shall take away his part out of the book of life, and out of the holy city, and from the things which are written in this book.
20. He which testifieth these things saith, Surely I come quickly. Amen. Even so, come, Lord Jesus.
21. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all. Amen.
1. And he shewed me a pure river of water of life, clear as crystal, proceeding out of the throne of God and of the Lamb.
2. In the midst of the street of it, and on either side of the river, was there the tree of life, which bare twelve manner of fruits, and yielded her fruit every month: and the leaves of the tree were for the healing of the nations.
3. And there shall be no more curse: but the throne of God and of the Lamb shall be in it, and his servants shall serve him.
4. And they shall see his face, and his name shall be in their foreheads.
5. And there shall be no night there, and they need no candle, neither light of the sun, for the Lord God giveth them light, and they shall reign forever and ever.
6. And he said unto me, These sayings are faithful and true. And the Lord God of the holy prophets sent his angel to shew unto his servants the things which must shortly be done.
7. Behold, I come quickly. Blessed is he that keepeth the sayings of the prophesy of this book.
8. And I John saw these things, and heard them, and when I had heard and seen, I fell down to worship before the feet of the angel which shewed me these things.
9. Then saith he unto me, See thou do it not, for I am thy fellowservant, and of thy brethren the prophets, and of them which keep the sayings of this book. Worship God.
10. And he saith unto me, Seal not the sayings of the prophesy of this book, for the time is at hand.
11. He that is unjust, let him be unjust still: and he which is filthy, let him be filthy still: and he that is righteous, let him be righteous still: and he that is holy let him be holy still.
12. And behold, I come quickly, and my reward is with me, to give every man according as his work shall be.
13. I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end, the first and the last.
14. Blessed are they that do his commandments, that they may have right to the tree of life, and may enter in through the gates into the city.
15. For without are dogs, and sorcerers, and whoremongers, and murderers, and idolaters, and whosoever loveth and maketh a lie.
16. I Jesus have sent mine angel to testify unto you these things in the churches. I am the root and offspring of David, the bright and morning star.
17. And the Spirit and the bride say, Come. And let him that heareth say, Come. And let him that is athirst come. And whosoever will, let him take the water of life freely.
18. For I testify unto every man that heareth the words of the prophesy of this book, If any man shall add unto these things, God shall add unto him the plagues that are written in this book:
19. And if any man shall take away from the words of the book of this prophesy, God shall take away his part out of the book of life, and out of the holy city, and from the things which are written in this book.
20. He which testifieth these things saith, Surely I come quickly. Amen. Even so, come, Lord Jesus.
21. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all. Amen.
Saturday, November 8, 2014
Revelation 21 written from memory
1. And I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth were passed away; and there was no more sea.
2. And I John saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down from God out of heaven, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband.
3. And I heard a great voice out of heaven saying, Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and he will dwell with them, and they shall be his people, and God himself shall be with them, and be their God.
4. And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes, and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away.
5. And he that sat upon the throne said, Behold, I make all things new. And he said unto me, Write: for these words are true and faithful.
6. And he said unto me, It is done. I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end. I will give unto him that is athirst of the fountain of the water of life freely.
7. He that overcometh shall inherit all things; and I will be his God and he shall be my son.
8. But the fearful and unbelieving, and the abominable, and murderers, and whoremongers, and sorcerers, and idolators, and all liars, shall have their part in the lake that burneth with fire and brimstone, which is the second death.
9. And there came unto me one of the seven angels which had the seven vials full of the seven last plagues, and he talked with me, saying, Come hither, I will shew thee the bride, the Lamb's wife.
10. And he carried me away in the spirit to a great and high mountain, and shewed me that great city, the holy Jerusalem, descending out of heaven from God,
11. Having the glory of God, and her light was like unto a stone most precious, even like a jasper stone, clear as crystal,
12. And had a wall great and high, and had twelve gates, and at the gates twelve angels, and names written thereon, which were the names of the twelve tribes of the children of Israel,
13. On the east three gates; on the north three gates; on the south three gates; and on the west three gates.
14. And the wall of the city had twelve foundations, and in them the names of the twelve apostles of the Lamb.
15. And he that talked with me had a golden reed to measure the city, and the gates thereof, and the wall thereof.
16. And the city lieth foursquare, and the length is as large as the breadth: and he measured the city with the reed, twelve thousand furlongs. The length and the breadth and the height of it are equal.
17. And he measured the wall thereof, one hundred and forty and four cubits, according to the measure of a man, that is, of the angel.
18. And the building of the wall of it was of jasper: and the city was pure gold, like unto clear glass.
19. And the foundations of the wall of the city were garnished with all manner of precious stones. The first foundation was jasper; the second, sapphire; the third, a chalcedony; the fourth, an emerald;
20. The fifth, sardonyx; the sixth, sardius; the seventh, chrysolyte; the eighth, beryl; the ninth, a topaz; the tenth, a chrysoprassus; the eleventh, a jacinth; the twelfth, an amethyst.
21. And the twelve gates were twelve pearls: every several gate was of one pearl: and the street of the city was pure gold, as it were transparent glass.
22. And I saw no temple therein: for the Lord God Almighty and the Lamb are the temple of it.
23. And the city had no need of the sun, neither of the moon, to shine in it: for the glory of God did lighten it, and the Lamb was the light thereof.
24. And the nations of them which are saved shall walk in the light of it: and the kings of the earth do bring their glory and honour into it.
25. And the gates of it shall not be shut at all by day: for there shall be no night there.
26. And they shall bring the glory and honour of the nations into it.
27. And there shall in no wise enter into it any thing that defileth, neither whatsoever worketh abomination, or maketh a lie: but they which are written in the Lamb's book of life.
1. And I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth were passed away; and there was no more sea.
2. And I John saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down from God out of heaven, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband.
3. And I heard a great voice out of heaven saying, Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and he will dwell with them, and they shall be his people, and God himself shall be with them, and be their God.
4. And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes, and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away.
5. And he that sat upon the throne said, Behold, I make all things new. And he said unto me, Write: for these words are true and faithful.
6. And he said unto me, It is done. I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end. I will give unto him that is athirst of the fountain of the water of life freely.
7. He that overcometh shall inherit all things; and I will be his God and he shall be my son.
8. But the fearful and unbelieving, and the abominable, and murderers, and whoremongers, and sorcerers, and idolators, and all liars, shall have their part in the lake that burneth with fire and brimstone, which is the second death.
9. And there came unto me one of the seven angels which had the seven vials full of the seven last plagues, and he talked with me, saying, Come hither, I will shew thee the bride, the Lamb's wife.
10. And he carried me away in the spirit to a great and high mountain, and shewed me that great city, the holy Jerusalem, descending out of heaven from God,
11. Having the glory of God, and her light was like unto a stone most precious, even like a jasper stone, clear as crystal,
12. And had a wall great and high, and had twelve gates, and at the gates twelve angels, and names written thereon, which were the names of the twelve tribes of the children of Israel,
13. On the east three gates; on the north three gates; on the south three gates; and on the west three gates.
14. And the wall of the city had twelve foundations, and in them the names of the twelve apostles of the Lamb.
15. And he that talked with me had a golden reed to measure the city, and the gates thereof, and the wall thereof.
16. And the city lieth foursquare, and the length is as large as the breadth: and he measured the city with the reed, twelve thousand furlongs. The length and the breadth and the height of it are equal.
17. And he measured the wall thereof, one hundred and forty and four cubits, according to the measure of a man, that is, of the angel.
18. And the building of the wall of it was of jasper: and the city was pure gold, like unto clear glass.
19. And the foundations of the wall of the city were garnished with all manner of precious stones. The first foundation was jasper; the second, sapphire; the third, a chalcedony; the fourth, an emerald;
20. The fifth, sardonyx; the sixth, sardius; the seventh, chrysolyte; the eighth, beryl; the ninth, a topaz; the tenth, a chrysoprassus; the eleventh, a jacinth; the twelfth, an amethyst.
21. And the twelve gates were twelve pearls: every several gate was of one pearl: and the street of the city was pure gold, as it were transparent glass.
22. And I saw no temple therein: for the Lord God Almighty and the Lamb are the temple of it.
23. And the city had no need of the sun, neither of the moon, to shine in it: for the glory of God did lighten it, and the Lamb was the light thereof.
24. And the nations of them which are saved shall walk in the light of it: and the kings of the earth do bring their glory and honour into it.
25. And the gates of it shall not be shut at all by day: for there shall be no night there.
26. And they shall bring the glory and honour of the nations into it.
27. And there shall in no wise enter into it any thing that defileth, neither whatsoever worketh abomination, or maketh a lie: but they which are written in the Lamb's book of life.
Monday, August 18, 2014
Thursday, August 14, 2014
The Promised Land
As I wrote in "The Millennium," one fine day following the Tribulation Satan will be bound in the bottomless pit, the prison for demons, along with his minions, for a thousand years.
I think people would be amazed to see how much chaos Satan has caused, but it will be apparent once he is locked up. For one thing, while it will still be possible to sin, it will not be something people are so constantly confronted with, since the origin of the problem will not be around for a long time.
So? you ask. Well, connect the dots. Why is there war? Disease? All sorts of murder and mayhem? Famine? It all comes down to rebellion of humanity against God. Some will say, "Do you believe that my illness was due to my sin? I don't." I don't really know specifically, but I do know that if no one had ever sinned there would be no illness. I know that Jesus warned a man that He healed not to sin again lest a worse thing happen to him. And I know that there are some times that the connection between sin and illness is more obvious. Why can't we successfully end wars? Because deep down inside we want war, because we are evil beings. We would blow ourselves to extinction tomorrow if all the stops were pulled. Famine? Basically the same thing.
When Satan is locked up in the bottomless pit, it will be easier for people to live better lives. A time of abundance will begin on the earth, and Christ will rule here on earth, with the saints in charge of the government. Oh no! Oh yes. And the result?
First, crime and war will end immediately. Anyone that wants to see what happens if they commit a crime will discover that he can't possibly get away with it, and punishment will be swift and sure. But, people just won't be as motivated anymore for crime and war.
Second, there will be a mass healing. There will be no disease, no injured, maimed people, blind, deaf, or crippled. In addition, the average lifespan will increase to a thousand years. It will be considered an untimely death if someone dies at age one hundred. People will have good teeth and be vigorous in every way.
Third, most of the curse from God will be lifted from the earth. Snakes and spiders, or anything else, will not be poisonous anymore. Children will play with once poisonous snakes and come to no harm. The wolf will lie down with the lamb. Lions will eat grass, like cattle. Leopards will be led easily on leashes.
Fourth, the mountain ranges will be greatly reduced in altitude, the oceans decreased, and the climate vastly improved, so that instead of 15% of the earth surface to live on, man will have 80 or 90%. Clean drinking water will be abundant, deserts will be gone, and the arctic will at most be a temperate climate. With the floors of the seas now dry land, we will discover undreamed of minerals assets - gold, silver, precious stones, and industrial minerals, and new sources of oil. God will desalinate most of the ocean so that the water is fresh water. There will be vast new territories of land for people to live in.
Harvests will be unbelievably abundant, and the new problem will be storing all the harvest.
There will be no more terrible storms - no blizzards, hurricanes, typhoons, tornadoes, hailstorms.
There will be no more alcoholism or drug addiction.
I think we will probably be vegetarians, because originally people were given "every green herb" to eat by God, and only after the flood did our diet include meat. I don't think we'll feel deprived. But I don't know that this will happen either. It stands to reason that if lions suddenly just feel like eating grass, we may also decide to go back to being vegetarians. Maybe a few rogues will still eat butter and cheese and eggs.
How do I know all this? It is in prophesies in the Bible that are thousands of years old.
To be continued
I think people would be amazed to see how much chaos Satan has caused, but it will be apparent once he is locked up. For one thing, while it will still be possible to sin, it will not be something people are so constantly confronted with, since the origin of the problem will not be around for a long time.
So? you ask. Well, connect the dots. Why is there war? Disease? All sorts of murder and mayhem? Famine? It all comes down to rebellion of humanity against God. Some will say, "Do you believe that my illness was due to my sin? I don't." I don't really know specifically, but I do know that if no one had ever sinned there would be no illness. I know that Jesus warned a man that He healed not to sin again lest a worse thing happen to him. And I know that there are some times that the connection between sin and illness is more obvious. Why can't we successfully end wars? Because deep down inside we want war, because we are evil beings. We would blow ourselves to extinction tomorrow if all the stops were pulled. Famine? Basically the same thing.
When Satan is locked up in the bottomless pit, it will be easier for people to live better lives. A time of abundance will begin on the earth, and Christ will rule here on earth, with the saints in charge of the government. Oh no! Oh yes. And the result?
First, crime and war will end immediately. Anyone that wants to see what happens if they commit a crime will discover that he can't possibly get away with it, and punishment will be swift and sure. But, people just won't be as motivated anymore for crime and war.
Second, there will be a mass healing. There will be no disease, no injured, maimed people, blind, deaf, or crippled. In addition, the average lifespan will increase to a thousand years. It will be considered an untimely death if someone dies at age one hundred. People will have good teeth and be vigorous in every way.
Third, most of the curse from God will be lifted from the earth. Snakes and spiders, or anything else, will not be poisonous anymore. Children will play with once poisonous snakes and come to no harm. The wolf will lie down with the lamb. Lions will eat grass, like cattle. Leopards will be led easily on leashes.
Fourth, the mountain ranges will be greatly reduced in altitude, the oceans decreased, and the climate vastly improved, so that instead of 15% of the earth surface to live on, man will have 80 or 90%. Clean drinking water will be abundant, deserts will be gone, and the arctic will at most be a temperate climate. With the floors of the seas now dry land, we will discover undreamed of minerals assets - gold, silver, precious stones, and industrial minerals, and new sources of oil. God will desalinate most of the ocean so that the water is fresh water. There will be vast new territories of land for people to live in.
Harvests will be unbelievably abundant, and the new problem will be storing all the harvest.
There will be no more terrible storms - no blizzards, hurricanes, typhoons, tornadoes, hailstorms.
There will be no more alcoholism or drug addiction.
I think we will probably be vegetarians, because originally people were given "every green herb" to eat by God, and only after the flood did our diet include meat. I don't think we'll feel deprived. But I don't know that this will happen either. It stands to reason that if lions suddenly just feel like eating grass, we may also decide to go back to being vegetarians. Maybe a few rogues will still eat butter and cheese and eggs.
How do I know all this? It is in prophesies in the Bible that are thousands of years old.
To be continued
Monday, August 4, 2014
Sunday, August 3, 2014
The Millennium
The Tribulation has ended and the Millennium begins. How will things be when the Golden Age arrives? How long until this happens?
The reason the Tribulation needed to happen was in order to make the earth ready for the Millennium. There are only a few verses written about the Millennium in Revelation 20. Satan is bound for a thousand years and cast into the bottomless pit. (verses 2 and 3). The First Resurrection occurs - the resurrection of the saints. At this time the saints will be installed as rulers in the Millennial Kingdom, and Christ will be the King on earth. (verses 4 and 5) The saints will have new bodies, but they will now be immortal. (verse 6)
There will be other people still on the earth who lived through the Tribulation. They will be governed by Christ as King and the saints as rulers. The level of leadership for the saints will depend on the abilities of the individual saints, and also on their track records in their lives. The martyrs will be given special places of honor and seats of power. Judgment will be given to these rulers. Christ will rule with a rod of iron. This may surprise some, thinking that Christ is meek and mild. Yes, but this kingdom will have law and order and he's not deviating from that.
Due to the loss of Satan, mankind is no longer plagued by temptations to sin that seem to come out of nowhere. The anger, malice, greed, hatred, all those thoughts that ruin things, will not occur to people, because Satan was putting them there in the first place. He's gone to the place where he didn't want to go - the abyss, demon prison. And he's got a lengthy sentence, a thousand years. In that period of time, with perfect government, under ideal conditions, mankind flourishes.
Imagine a world with no crime and no war. Is it midnight? Sit in a park in a major metropolitan area and watch the stars if you like. Are you at home? There will be no prowlers.
And speaking of situations that give one the creeps, there will be no more ghosts either, no haunted houses, poltergeists, or occult practices either. Why would there be? All the ghosts have gone to the bottomless pit. There is no way to play with spirits because they can't communicate anymore.
And speaking of situations that give one the creeps, there will be no more ghosts either, no haunted houses, poltergeists, or occult practices either. Why would there be? All the ghosts have gone to the bottomless pit. There is no way to play with spirits because they can't communicate anymore.
The saints will be resurrected in the first resurrection. The saints who have died ever since Adam will come back to enjoy the Millennium and places of prestige in society. This will include little children who died of all people. Will they live as children and grow up? Yes, I think so. Who will care for them? I suppose they will live with their parents if their parents are there. Otherwise, I think there will be a special home, probably administered by angels, where they will be cherished. Their parents will be able to have them at home and see them grow up, and know that nothing can ever harm them again. Will they grow up and have children? I don't think so, because in the resurrection we will be neither male nor female, but as the angels.
While Revelation tells us the point the Millennium will start, but few details, there are many places in Scripture that fill in the gaps.
to be continued
to be continued
Revelation 20
Written from memory
1. And I saw another angel come down from heaven, having the key of the bottomless pit, and a great chain in his hand.
2. And he laid hold of the dragon, that old serpent, which is the Devil and Satan, and bound him a thousand years.
3. And cast him into the bottomless pit, and shut him up, and set a seal upon him, that he should deceive the nations no more, till the thousand years are fulfilled, and after that he must be loosed a short season.
4. And I saw thrones, and they sat on them, and judgment was given unto them: and I saw the souls of them that were beheaded for the witness of Jesus and for the word of God, and which had not worshipped the beast, neither his image, neither had received his mark upon their foreheads, or in their hands, and they lived and reigned with Christ a thousand years.
5. But the rest of the dead lived not again until a thousand years were finished. This is the first resurrection.
6. Blessed and holy is he that hath part in the first resurrection, on such the second death hath no power, but they shall be priests of God and of Christ, and shall reign with him a thousand years.
7. And when the thousand years are expired, Satan shall be loosed out of his prison.
8. And he shall go out to deceive the nations which are in the four quarters of the earth, Gog and Magog, to gather them together to battle, the number of whom is as the sand of the sea.
9. And they went up on the breadth of the earth and compassed the camp of the saints about, and the beloved city: and fire came down from God out of heaven, and devoured them.
10. And the devil that deceived them was cast into the lake of fire, where the beast and the false prophet are, and shall be tormented day and night for ever and ever.
11. And I saw a great white throne, and him that sat on it, from whose face the earth and the heaven fled away, and there was found no place for them.
12. And I saw the dead, small and great, stand before God, and the books were opened, and another book was opened which is the book of life, and the dead were judged out of those things which were written in the books, according to their works.
13. And the sea gave up the dead which were in it, and death and hell delivered up the dead which were in it, and they were judged every man according to their works.
14. And death and hell were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death.
15. And whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire.
Wednesday, July 30, 2014
The Great Tribulation is Over
Recently I wrote about a mighty angel throwing the great city of Babylon into the sea like a millstone. In Revelation 19, John tells of the aftermath of the fall of Babylon. People in heaven are cheering loudly. God has judged "the great whore" and avenged the blood of His servants at her hand. "And her smoke rose up forever and ever." It's interesting that John sees people in heaven, and doesn't mention the angels. And what about the saints on the earth? Wouldn't they also rejoice? This raises the question of whether all the saints are in heaven at this point. The twenty four elders and the four beasts are also mentioned in the celebration.
When the great city of Babylon falls, not only a city has fallen. Babylon is the seat of the beast's empire. The whole empire has collapsed.
When the great city of Babylon falls, not only a city has fallen. Babylon is the seat of the beast's empire. The whole empire has collapsed.
It is now time for the Lamb, Jesus Christ, to marry his bride, the church, who is dressed in a wedding gown of white linen. All of heaven is excited about it, and an angel tells John to write, "Blessed are they which are called unto the marriage supper of the Lamb."
John sees heaven open, and Christ sitting on a white horse, and goes on to describe how glorious He is. He is called Faithful and True, The Word of God, and King of Kings and Lord of Lords.
His eyes are like a flame of fire and He is wearing many crowns. His clothing is dipped in blood, signifying His death as the perfect sacrifice to God to pay for the sin of man.
He has several names - one known only to him, also Faithful and True, The Word of God, and then on his clothing and on his thigh the name: King of kings, and Lord of lords. The armies of heaven are with him riding white horses, and wearing white linen.
Then John saw an angel standing in the sun, calling to the birds that fly "in the midst of heaven," to come and gather themselves to the supper of the great God.
They will be eating the flesh of kings, the flesh of captains, the flesh of mighty men, the flesh of horses and their riders, and the flesh of all men, both small and great.
The beast and the kings of the earth and their armies gather to make war against Christ and his army.
The beast and the false prophet, are taken in this silly war. They are thrown alive into a lake of fire burning with brimstone. They will be there a long time - eternally. The interesting thing about their being cast alive into the lake of fire is that they are the first to go there in all time, and they haven't been to the Great White Judgment, where people's lives are examined. Everyone else will be judged at this judgment.
Also, notice that the Harlot of Babylon isn't being cast into the lake of fire. Why? Because she is a personification of a city, not a person.
Jesus and the saints win the war, and the great tribulation is over.
He has several names - one known only to him, also Faithful and True, The Word of God, and then on his clothing and on his thigh the name: King of kings, and Lord of lords. The armies of heaven are with him riding white horses, and wearing white linen.
Then John saw an angel standing in the sun, calling to the birds that fly "in the midst of heaven," to come and gather themselves to the supper of the great God. They will be eating the flesh of kings, the flesh of captains, the flesh of mighty men, the flesh of horses and their riders, and the flesh of all men, both small and great.
The beast and the kings of the earth and their armies gather to make war against Christ and his army.
Also, notice that the Harlot of Babylon isn't being cast into the lake of fire. Why? Because she is a personification of a city, not a person.
Jesus and the saints win the war, and the great tribulation is over.
Monday, July 21, 2014
Revelation 19
Written from memory
1. And after these things I heard a great voice of much people in heaven, saying, Alleluia, Salvation, and glory and honour and power, unto the Lord our God,
2. For true and righteous are his judgments, for he hath judged the great whore, which did corrupt the earth with her fornication, and hath avenged the blood of his servants at her hand.
3. And again they said, Alleluia, and her smoke rose up forever and ever.
4. And the four and twenty elders, and the four beasts fell down and worshipped God that sat on the throne, saying, Amen, alleluia.
5. And a voice came out of the throne saying, Praise our God, all ye his servants, and ye that fear him both small and great,
6. And I heard as it were the voice of a great multitude, and as the voice of many waters, and as the voice of mighty thunderings, saying, Alleluia, for the Lord God omnipotent reigneth.
7. Let us be glad and rejoice and give honour to him, for the marriage of the Lamb is come, and his wife hath made herself ready.
8. And to her was granted that she should be arrayed in fine linen, clean and white, for the fine linen is the righteousness of saints.
9. And he saith unto me, Write, Blessed are they which are called unto the marriage supper of the Lamb, and he saith unto me, These are the true sayings of God.
10. And I fell at his feet to worship him, and he said unto me, See thou do it not, for I am thy fellowservant, and of thy brethren that have the testimony of Jesus. Worship God, for the testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophesy.
11. And I saw heaven opened, and behold, a white horse, and he that sat upon him was called Faithful and True, and in righteousness he doth judge and make war.
12. His eyes were as a flame of fire, and on his head were many crowns, and he had a name written that no man knew, but he himself.
13. And his was clothed with a vesture dipped in blood, and his name is called The Word of God.
14. And the armies which were in heaven followed him upon white horses, clothed with fine linen, white and clean.
15. And out of his mouth goeth a sharp sword, that with it he should smite the nations, and he shall rule them with a rod of iron, and he treadeth the winepress of the fierceness and the wrath of Almighty God.
16. And he hath on his vesture and on his thigh a name written, KING OF KINGS AND LORD OF LORDS.
17. And I saw an angel standing in the sun, and he cried with a loud voice, saying to all the fowls that fly in the midst of heaven, Come and gather yourselves together to the supper of the great God,
18. That ye may eat of the flesh of kings, and the flesh of captains, and the flesh of mighty men, and the flesh of horses, and of them that sit on them, and the flesh of all men, both free and bond, both small and great.
19. And the beast, and the kings of the earth, and their armies, gathered together to make war against him that sat upon the horse, and his army.
20. And the beast was taken, and with him the false prophet that wrought miracles before him, with which he deceived them that had received the mark of the beast, and that worshipped his image. These both were cast alive into a lake of fire burning with brimstone.
21. And the remnant were slain with the sword of him that sat upon the horse, which sword proceedeth out of his mouth, and all the fowls were filled with their flesh.
Monday, July 14, 2014
A Dutch Lullaby
Wynken and Blynken and Nod one night sailed off in a wooden shoe,
Sailed on a river of crystal light, into a sea of dew.
"Where are you going and what do you wish?" the old Moon asked the three.
"We have come to fish for the herring fish that live in this beautiful sea,
Nets of silver and gold have we," said
Wynken and Blynken and Nod.
The old Moon laughed and sang a song, as they rocked in the in the wooden shoe,
And the wind that sped them all night long ruffled the waves of dew.
Now the little stars are the herring fish that live in that beautiful sea,
"So cast you nets wherever you wish! Never afeared are we!" So cried the stars to the fishermen three,
Wynken and Blynken and Nod.
All night long their nets they cast to the stars in the twinkling foam,
Then down from the sky came the wooden shoe, bringing the fishermen home.
"Twas o so pretty a sight it seemed as if it could not be,
And some folks thought 'twas a dream they dreamed,
of sailing that beautiful sea.
But I shall name you the fishermen three,
Wynken and Blynken and Nod.
Wynken and Blynken are two little eyes, and Nod is a little head,
And the wooden shoe that sailed the skies, is a wee one's trundle bed.
So close you eyes while Father sings of the beautiful sights that be,
And you shall see all the beautiful things as you rock in the misty sea,
Where the old shoe rocked the fishermen three,
Wynken and Blynken and Nod.
–– Eugene W. Fields
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8pagkDQAJdE
Thursday, July 10, 2014
Tuesday, July 8, 2014
The Fall of Babylon
Matthew Henry October 18, 1662 - June 22, 1714 Here is part of the problem in trying to understand the book of Revelation. A leading commentator died 300 years ago.
For example, who is Babylon? Babylon is a city, according to Revelation 18. I have speculated that the city is New York City, because NYC meets many of the criteria of Revelation 17. In 1714 New York City didn't meet any of the criteria for being Babylon. Since Matthew Henry, one of the most revered commentators, thought it was Rome, because at the time John wrote the prophesy it was understood to be describing the Rome of his day, Rome has been dogmatically accepted by many to be "the Harlot of Babylon."
Some have decided that that was then this is now, and Rome doesn't fit anymore. Therefore new theories must be floated. Theories that ancient Babylon will be rebuilt and spring back into existence to provide a more satisfying fulfillment of prophesy than she has so far. Theories that the Babylon in Revelation 17 and Revelation 18 are two entirely different cities, because chapter 18 begins, "And after these things..." Theories that Babylon MUST be Jerusalem.
In trying to read the history of Babylon, I've found that the history seems to be written according to what people that wrote the history wanted it to be, emphasizing ancient accounts or dismissing them accordingly.
Some say that prophesies of Jeremiah and Isaiah on the fall of Babylon have never been fulfilled. Well, it seems to depend on what one understood them to have prophesied. Babylon wasn't suddenly conquered in a horrible cataclysm or battle. However, Babylon has disappeared from history. It has only been fairly recently that anyone even found ruins of Babylon, and many believed the biblical accounts of ancient Babylon to be purely imaginary, as there was no evidence at all that it ever existed. A whole world empire - poof.
In trying to sort out the history of Babylon, and the prophesies of Babylon, I find myself running into histories and commentaries that spend page after page completely off the subject, and answering what seems to me like silly questions. Was John seduced by the Harlot of Babylon? Well, when one speaks of a ship as a "she," does anyone imagine that lonely sailors are falling in love with "her"? John knows this Harlot of Babylon is a city. I don't think he's struggling with his romantic interest in her. It's as if the commentator said to himself, "No one is going to read this anyway, I just need to write twenty pages of craziness."
I have opinions. I think the Babylon of chapter 17 and the Babylon of chapter 18 are the same. I don't think we're talking about literal Babylon. Babylon is being used as a metaphor, as nearly every other thing John has brought up has been. I don't think it's Rome. I think the first century church thought it was Rome, and it was expected that they would. Hence, Rome, though unspoken, is also a metaphor of this city. I don't think it's Jerusalem. And what does that leave? If all the events described in Revelation were happening today, under the current circumstances, I would say it is New York City.
Some will argue, "Oh, noooooooo. This prophesied city is rich! New York City has a lot of outright squalor! This prophesied city is a seaport. NYC doesn't unload cargo in the city anymore, mostly due to 9/11. NYC doesn't live 'deliciously.' " Etc. Etc. Well, in addition to other criteria, I think we're talking about a city of the Western world. "But NYC doesn't behead Christians, or even throw them to the lions," they cry. "Yet," I answer. The "Harlot of Babylon" needs to be royal. Again, it seems like people have their thinking confused with this being a person and this being a city. It is not a person. To be a royal city, you only need to be the ruling city of the empire, not related to a king.
Unfortunately, when one goes down the metaphorical or spiritual road, they seem to depart completely from any element of logic. If we're not being literal, then logic doesn't matter anymore!
I also feel that this city will be in the English speaking world, simply because of the fact that English has become a world lingua franca, and there would need to be a lingua franca for the political situation to operate on a world scale. Logically, the dominant city would be an English speaking city. Would it make sense for the political and economic and religious affairs of this final world empire to be necessarily conducted in English, and yet choose to rule from a city where the language is Chinese?
Moving on. The "kings of the earth have committed fornication with her." Fornication is used here to mean breaking a sacred trust with God. How do they do this? Well, there are a lot of aspects to modern life that have broken with the former code of conduct with God. One hears, "I don't think anyone should legislate morality." And yet all of legislature is legislating morality, and that ultimately comes down to God's thoughts on the law. The laws of the United States were formulated using the Ten Commandments as the model. It's not just something Christians have done either. Witness countries of the Moslem world, adhering to Islamic law. The Ten Commandments are the basis of the legal system. If we aren't legislating morality, then we also should not send anyone to prison for murder or theft. If you carry this thinking to its logical conclusion, there can be no law at all. And, in fact, this will be the problem with the last empire - it will be a lawless place, run by lawless people. So what if they're fornicators? cry some. We can be fornicators if we like! Why should that be against the law?
Well, the kings of the earth are all fornicators, in the sense especially that they don't adhere to any laws because they don't adhere to God. The Antichrist will seemingly present the perfect solution for them. The new deity not only doesn't disapprove of fornication in any sense of the word, he encourages it!
Curiously, in chapter 17, the kings of the earth have abandoned their thrones in order to turn everything over to the Antichrist, because they have all decided to do away with the Harlot of Babylon, and the Antichrist will help them. Immediately after this, Babylon is destroyed. Are the kings of the earth happy now? Not so much. They are weeping, mourning, and wailing. But isn't this what they wanted? I'm not quite sure. They didn't like being controlled by Babylon, but they enjoyed the benefits of Babylon, which was wealth. With Babylon destroyed, the economies of the kings of the earth, and the merchants of the earth go down.
Some have pointed to Revelation 18's treatment of "the merchants of the earth," as indicating that John, and by extension, God, is speaking against business or countries operating with economies. Evil evil evil. "Money is the root of all evil!" But this is incorrect. Scripture states that the LOVE of money is the root of all evil. It therefore makes sense that the final empire would be morally destitute for the sake of money. However, I don't feel that this is an indictment of merchants or of countries having economies. Everyone in it will have abandoned righteousness for money and the things it can buy. If one abandons morals for money there is a problem. With all law and morality abandoned, the whole world goes off into uncharted territory.
I suppose what the kings of the earth wanted was control of Babylon, not collapse.
Was it the Antichrist that destroyed Babylon? Or was it the hand of God? Did God use the Antichrist to destroy Babylon?
"And a mighty angel took up a stone like a great millstone, and cast it into the sea, saying, Thus with violence shall that great city Babylon be thrown down, and shall be found no more at all." Revelation 18:21
One angel picks up a stone the size of a great millstone? How much would that weigh? I suppose at least what a car would weigh. That must be a strong angel.
"And the voice of harpers, and musicians, and of pipers, and trumpeters shall be heard no more at all in thee; and no craftsman, of whatsoever craft he may be, shall be found any more in thee, and the sound of a millstone shall be heard no more at all in thee.
And the light of a candle shall shine no more at all in thee, and the voice of the bridegroom and of the bride shall be heard no more at all in thee;" Revelation 18:22-23
No more music, no cobblers, no mechanists, no bakers, lawyers, doctors, or any other profession. What if in New York City all the businesses were closed forever? It would be a sad day.
Not only that, no lights, no weddings... What if it were abandoned, vacant, a ghost town? Here one might find a hubcap left, if that.
No, not New York City! But, if not New York City, another equally remarkable city, "utterly burned with fire," gone completely and forever, in one hour.
Why, why, why? We are finally given an answer to the great question of man in Revelation 18:23-24, "for thy merchants were great men of the earth, and by thy sorcery were all nations deceived, 24. and in her was found the blood of prophets, and of saints, and of all that were slain upon the earth."
For example, who is Babylon? Babylon is a city, according to Revelation 18. I have speculated that the city is New York City, because NYC meets many of the criteria of Revelation 17. In 1714 New York City didn't meet any of the criteria for being Babylon. Since Matthew Henry, one of the most revered commentators, thought it was Rome, because at the time John wrote the prophesy it was understood to be describing the Rome of his day, Rome has been dogmatically accepted by many to be "the Harlot of Babylon."
Some have decided that that was then this is now, and Rome doesn't fit anymore. Therefore new theories must be floated. Theories that ancient Babylon will be rebuilt and spring back into existence to provide a more satisfying fulfillment of prophesy than she has so far. Theories that the Babylon in Revelation 17 and Revelation 18 are two entirely different cities, because chapter 18 begins, "And after these things..." Theories that Babylon MUST be Jerusalem.
In trying to read the history of Babylon, I've found that the history seems to be written according to what people that wrote the history wanted it to be, emphasizing ancient accounts or dismissing them accordingly.
Some say that prophesies of Jeremiah and Isaiah on the fall of Babylon have never been fulfilled. Well, it seems to depend on what one understood them to have prophesied. Babylon wasn't suddenly conquered in a horrible cataclysm or battle. However, Babylon has disappeared from history. It has only been fairly recently that anyone even found ruins of Babylon, and many believed the biblical accounts of ancient Babylon to be purely imaginary, as there was no evidence at all that it ever existed. A whole world empire - poof.
In trying to sort out the history of Babylon, and the prophesies of Babylon, I find myself running into histories and commentaries that spend page after page completely off the subject, and answering what seems to me like silly questions. Was John seduced by the Harlot of Babylon? Well, when one speaks of a ship as a "she," does anyone imagine that lonely sailors are falling in love with "her"? John knows this Harlot of Babylon is a city. I don't think he's struggling with his romantic interest in her. It's as if the commentator said to himself, "No one is going to read this anyway, I just need to write twenty pages of craziness."
I have opinions. I think the Babylon of chapter 17 and the Babylon of chapter 18 are the same. I don't think we're talking about literal Babylon. Babylon is being used as a metaphor, as nearly every other thing John has brought up has been. I don't think it's Rome. I think the first century church thought it was Rome, and it was expected that they would. Hence, Rome, though unspoken, is also a metaphor of this city. I don't think it's Jerusalem. And what does that leave? If all the events described in Revelation were happening today, under the current circumstances, I would say it is New York City.
Some will argue, "Oh, noooooooo. This prophesied city is rich! New York City has a lot of outright squalor! This prophesied city is a seaport. NYC doesn't unload cargo in the city anymore, mostly due to 9/11. NYC doesn't live 'deliciously.' " Etc. Etc. Well, in addition to other criteria, I think we're talking about a city of the Western world. "But NYC doesn't behead Christians, or even throw them to the lions," they cry. "Yet," I answer. The "Harlot of Babylon" needs to be royal. Again, it seems like people have their thinking confused with this being a person and this being a city. It is not a person. To be a royal city, you only need to be the ruling city of the empire, not related to a king.
Unfortunately, when one goes down the metaphorical or spiritual road, they seem to depart completely from any element of logic. If we're not being literal, then logic doesn't matter anymore!
I also feel that this city will be in the English speaking world, simply because of the fact that English has become a world lingua franca, and there would need to be a lingua franca for the political situation to operate on a world scale. Logically, the dominant city would be an English speaking city. Would it make sense for the political and economic and religious affairs of this final world empire to be necessarily conducted in English, and yet choose to rule from a city where the language is Chinese?
Moving on. The "kings of the earth have committed fornication with her." Fornication is used here to mean breaking a sacred trust with God. How do they do this? Well, there are a lot of aspects to modern life that have broken with the former code of conduct with God. One hears, "I don't think anyone should legislate morality." And yet all of legislature is legislating morality, and that ultimately comes down to God's thoughts on the law. The laws of the United States were formulated using the Ten Commandments as the model. It's not just something Christians have done either. Witness countries of the Moslem world, adhering to Islamic law. The Ten Commandments are the basis of the legal system. If we aren't legislating morality, then we also should not send anyone to prison for murder or theft. If you carry this thinking to its logical conclusion, there can be no law at all. And, in fact, this will be the problem with the last empire - it will be a lawless place, run by lawless people. So what if they're fornicators? cry some. We can be fornicators if we like! Why should that be against the law?
Well, the kings of the earth are all fornicators, in the sense especially that they don't adhere to any laws because they don't adhere to God. The Antichrist will seemingly present the perfect solution for them. The new deity not only doesn't disapprove of fornication in any sense of the word, he encourages it!
Curiously, in chapter 17, the kings of the earth have abandoned their thrones in order to turn everything over to the Antichrist, because they have all decided to do away with the Harlot of Babylon, and the Antichrist will help them. Immediately after this, Babylon is destroyed. Are the kings of the earth happy now? Not so much. They are weeping, mourning, and wailing. But isn't this what they wanted? I'm not quite sure. They didn't like being controlled by Babylon, but they enjoyed the benefits of Babylon, which was wealth. With Babylon destroyed, the economies of the kings of the earth, and the merchants of the earth go down.
Some have pointed to Revelation 18's treatment of "the merchants of the earth," as indicating that John, and by extension, God, is speaking against business or countries operating with economies. Evil evil evil. "Money is the root of all evil!" But this is incorrect. Scripture states that the LOVE of money is the root of all evil. It therefore makes sense that the final empire would be morally destitute for the sake of money. However, I don't feel that this is an indictment of merchants or of countries having economies. Everyone in it will have abandoned righteousness for money and the things it can buy. If one abandons morals for money there is a problem. With all law and morality abandoned, the whole world goes off into uncharted territory.
I suppose what the kings of the earth wanted was control of Babylon, not collapse.
Was it the Antichrist that destroyed Babylon? Or was it the hand of God? Did God use the Antichrist to destroy Babylon?
"And a mighty angel took up a stone like a great millstone, and cast it into the sea, saying, Thus with violence shall that great city Babylon be thrown down, and shall be found no more at all." Revelation 18:21
One angel picks up a stone the size of a great millstone? How much would that weigh? I suppose at least what a car would weigh. That must be a strong angel.
"And the voice of harpers, and musicians, and of pipers, and trumpeters shall be heard no more at all in thee; and no craftsman, of whatsoever craft he may be, shall be found any more in thee, and the sound of a millstone shall be heard no more at all in thee.
And the light of a candle shall shine no more at all in thee, and the voice of the bridegroom and of the bride shall be heard no more at all in thee;" Revelation 18:22-23
No more music, no cobblers, no mechanists, no bakers, lawyers, doctors, or any other profession. What if in New York City all the businesses were closed forever? It would be a sad day.
Not only that, no lights, no weddings... What if it were abandoned, vacant, a ghost town? Here one might find a hubcap left, if that.
No, not New York City! But, if not New York City, another equally remarkable city, "utterly burned with fire," gone completely and forever, in one hour.
Why, why, why? We are finally given an answer to the great question of man in Revelation 18:23-24, "for thy merchants were great men of the earth, and by thy sorcery were all nations deceived, 24. and in her was found the blood of prophets, and of saints, and of all that were slain upon the earth."
Sunday, July 6, 2014
Revelation 18
Written from memory
1. And after these things I saw another angel come down from heaven, having great power, and the earth was lightened with his glory,
2. And he cried mightily with a strong voice, saying, Babylon the great is fallen, is fallen, and is become the habitation of devils, and the hold of every foul spirit, and a cage of every unclean and hateful bird.
3. For all nations have drunk of the wine of the wrath of her fornication, and the kings of the earth have committed fornication with her, and the merchants of the earth are waxed rich through the abundance of her delicacies.
4. And I heard another voice from heaven, saying, Come out of her my people, that ye be not partakers of her sins, and that ye receive not of her plagues.
5. For her sins have reached unto heaven, and God hath remembered her iniquities.
6. Reward her even as she rewarded you, and double unto her double according to her works: in the cup which she hath filled fill to her double.
7. How much she hath glorified herself, and lived deliciously, so much torment and sorrow give her: for she saith in her heart, I sit a queen, and am no widow, and shall see no sorrow.
8. Therefore shall her plagues come in one day, death, and mourning, and famine; and she shall be utterly burned with fire, for strong is the Lord God who judgeth her.
9. And the kings of the earth, who have committed fornication and lived deliciously with her, shall bewail her, and lament for her, when they shall see the smoke of her burning,
10. Standing afar off for the fear of her torment, saying, Alas, alas, that great city Babylon, that mighty city! for in one hour is thy judgment come.
11. And the merchants of the earth shall weep and mourn over her, for no man buyeth their merchandise any more.
12. The merchandise of gold, and silver, and precious stones, and of pearls, and fine linen, and purple, and silk, and scarlet, and all thyine wood, and all manner vessels of ivory, and all manner vessels of most precious wood, and of brass, and iron, and marble,
13. And cinnamon, and odours, and ointments, and frankincense, and wine, and oil, and fine flour, and wheat, and beasts, and sheep, and horses, and chariots, and slaves, and souls of men.
14. And the fruits that thy soul lusted after are departed from thee, and all things which were dainty and goodly are departed from thee, and thou shalt find them no more at all.
15. The merchants of these things, which were made rich by her, shall stand afar off for the fear of her torment, weeping and wailing,
16. And saying, Alas, alas, that great city, that was clothed in fine linen, and purple, and scarlet, and decked with gold and precious stones and pearls!
17. For in one hour so great riches is come to nought. And every shipmaster, and all the company in ships, and sailors, and as many as trade by sea, stood afar off,
18. And cried, when they saw the smoke of her burning, saying, What city is like unto this great city!
19. And they cast dust on their heads, and cried, weeping and wailing, saying, Alas, alas, that great city, wherein were made rich all that had ships in the sea by reason of her costliness, for in one hour is she made desolate.
20. Rejoice over her thou heaven, and ye holy apostles and prophets, for God hath avenged you on her.
21. And a mighty angel took up a stone like a great millstone, and cast it into the sea, saying, Thus with violence shall that great city Babylon be thrown down and shall be found no more at all.
22. And the voice of harpers, and musicians, and of pipers, and trumpeters shall be heard no more at all in thee, and no craftsman, of whatsoever craft he be, shall be found any more in thee, and the sound of a millstone shall be heard no more at all in thee,
23. And the light of a candle shall shine no more at all in thee, and the voice of the bridegroom, and of the bride shall be heard no more at all in thee: for thy merchants were the great men of the earth; for by thy sorceries were all nations deceived,
24. And in her was found the blood of prophets, and of saints, and of all that were slain upon the earth.
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