Ok to me love is the principle of giving, but it is the principle of giving whats in the BEST INTENT of others.....not giving them want they want. There is a big difference here!! People who love never become doormats, never get exploited, never get taken advantage of......and this is because they set healthy boundaries. The people who get taken advantage of are operating out of FEAR not love. Fear of rejection, fear of abandonment, fear of disappointing people, ect ect....fear is the motive here not love. Trust and love are developed in a free atmosphere where you feel safe to communicate about anything....where you know when you speak you will be heard and not rejected or retaliated against.
Always remember that LOVE risks rejection to do what is right, regardless of how it feels.
Sunday, November 10, 2013
End Times Prophecy Study - Revelation 21 & 22 - The New Jerusalem
Revelation 21 & 22 – The New Jerusalem
Revelation Chapter 21 talks about what the new heaven
will be like. Verses 1-27 gives an amazing picture. “Now the wall of the city
had twelve foundations, and on them were the same names of the twelve apostles
of the Lamb”. (Revelation 21:14). Revelation 21:18-20 talk about how the
foundations of the wall of the city were adorned with all different kinds of
precious stones. Jasper, sapphire, chalcedony, emerald, sardonyx, sardius,
chrysolite, beryl, topaz, chrysoprase, cinth, and amethyst. Verse 25 says that the gates shall never be
shut and verse 27 says that only the ones written in the Lamb’s Book of Life
will be in the city.
Revelation Chapter 22 talks about the river of life that
all of God’s people will drink from it and eat of the fruit that it yields
every month. Verses 6-21 talk about how God is coming soon, that the prophecy
of this book shall not be sealed up, verse 14 “ He who is unjust, let him be
unjust still, he who is filthy, let him be filthy still, he who is righteous,
let him be righteous still, he who is holy, let him be holy still. Jesus gives
us a warning to not add or subtract the any part of the Bible and especially to
the book of Revelation in verses 18 and 19. Finally in verse 20-21 Jesus tells
us that He is coming quickly.
This now completes this Revelation Bible study which
shows the full picture of Jesus, this end time and very important message, and of course how much Jesus loves
you. The book of Revelation is nothing more then an out crying of his love for
you. He warns us and gives us this amazing prophecy because he wants us to be
ready so we can choose to follow God. That’s how much he wants us all to be
with Him in heaven forever and ever.
End Times Prophecy Study - Revelation 20 - The Millennium & Jesus Returns
Revelation 20 – The Millennium & Jesus Returns
Ok so this is what the Bible says will happen in the end right after the 7 plagues (listed in Revelation chapter 16). Revelation 20 talks about the Saints reigning with Christ for 1,000 years, Satan crushed, and the great white throne of judgment. I will first list in order all the events of the Millennium and then the Bible verses to back them up. Each number next to a verse means that it supports that numbered event (numbers 1-12 below). Example: Number 1 goes with number 1, number 2 goes with number 2, etc etc.
1. Jesus 2nd Coming
2. 1st Resurrection takes place
3. Saints to Heaven (people that believe in Jesus)
4. Wicked are Slain (people that don't believe in Jesus)
5. Earth Desolated
6. Satan is bound to Desolate Earth during 1,000 years
7. Saints in heaven judging the wicked during the 1,000 years
8. Jesus 3rd Coming
9. 2nd Resurrection takes place (wicked people that rejected Jesus)
10. Holy City Descends
11. Fire Burns Wicked
12. Earth Re-Created / Live Forever With Jesus
Note: The word Millennium means 1,000 years, as "century" means 100 years. A resurrection marks the beginning and the end of the millennium. See John 5:28-29, Rev 20:5-7 for these two resurrections.
Events at the Beginning of the Millennium
1. Jesus shall come as ye have see Him go into heaven - Acts 1:11)
2. At the coming of the Lord...the dead in Christ shall rise first - 1 Thessalonians 4:15, 16. "He that hath part in the first resurrection, shall reign with him (Jesus) a thousand years - Revelation 20:6.
3. We which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air - 1 Thessalonians 4:15-17. The saints are taken to heaven "in my fathers house (heaven)....I go to prepare a place for you...I will come again and receive you unto myself - John 14:1,2. Whither I go (Christ's ascension to heave) thou shalt follow me afterwards (at his second coming) - John 13:36.
4. The wicked who are living when Christ returns, the Lord shall consume and shall destroy by the brightness of his coming - 2 Thessalonians 2:8. "The day of the Lord cometh....and He shall destroy the sinners - Isaiah 13:9.
5. "There was a great earthquake, and the cities of the nations fell - Revelation 16:18, 19. The day of the Lord cometh, to lay the land desolate - Isaiah 13:9.
Events During the 1,000 Years
6. I beheld the earth without form, and void...there was no man all the cities there of were broken down at the presence of the Lord....the whole land shall be desolate....yet will I not make a full end - Jeremiah 4:20-27. (The "full end" comes at the end of the thousands years). The earth will be like a bottomless pit - Revelation 20:1. "The slain of the Lord shall....not be buried" - Jeremiah 25:33. "An angel bound him (Satan) a thousand years" - Revelation 20:1-3. "Bound", in that there will be "no man" for him to tempt, in as much as all the wicked are destroyed at Christ's second advent.
7. In heaven "the saints shall judge the world" - 1 Corthians 6:2. Judgement was given into them and "the dead were judged out of the books" (Heaven's record books) and they (the saved) lived and reigned with Christ a thousand years - Revelation 20:4, 12, 13. Also read Daniel 7:10.
Events at the Close of the 1,000 Years
8. "The Lord shall come (back to the Earth) and all the saints with thee - Zechiaraiah 14:5.
9. "The rest of the dead (wicked) lived not again until the thousand years were finished" - Revelation 20:5. They "are raised" unto the resurrection of damnation - John 5:29. Thus Satan shall be loosed - Revelation 20:7,8.
10. The Lord my God shall come, and all the saints with three...and His feet shall stand in that day upon the mount of Olives, and it shall cleave in the midst....and there shall be a very great valley - Zechariah 14:4,5. "John saw the holy city coming down out of heaven" - Revelation 21:2.
11. Satan shall go out to deceive the nations (the reurrected wicked of all ages of history) to gather them together to battle and went up on the breadth of the earth, and compassed the camp of the saints about, and the beloved (holy) city, and fire came down from God out of heaven, and devoured them...this is the second death - Revelation 20:9,
It shall burn them up the wicked shall become ashes - Malachi 4:1-3. The Lord will make an utter end: affliction shall not rise up the second time, they shall be devoured - Nahum 1:9,10.
12. "The Earth also and the works that are there in shall be burned up....never the less we look for new heavens and a new earth, where in dwelleth righteousness - 2 Peter 3:10-13. Also read Rev 21:1-5. Then the meek shall inherit the earth - Psalms 37:11. "They shall build houses and plant vineyards" - Isaiah 65:17-21. There will be no more death neither sorrow nor crying - Revelation 21:4.
End Times Prophecy Study - Revelation 19 - Christ comes back for his people
Revelation 19 – Christ comes back for his
people
Revelation 19 is an ever shorter chapter, only 21 verses.
It talks about when Christ comes back from heaven to take his people home and
save them from Babylon, the dragon, and false prophet. Verses 11-15 talk about
Christ coming back as a rider on a white horse. Verse 15 says that when he
speaks the sword comes out of his mouth and strikes the nations. Meaning that
He uses the sword of the spirit, the word of God destroys them. Truth destroys them,
not a physical sword like Satan uses. Verses 17-21 talk about how God gives the
birds the delight of feeding on the flesh of the beast, the kings of the earth,
and there armies. In the end God wins, the Lamb Wins. That’s why Revelation
shows the perfect love that Jesus has for his people. Again another really straight forward chapter to read and understand.
End Times Prophecy Study - Revelation 18 - The Fall of Babylon
Revelation 18 – The Fall of Babylon
Revelation 18 is a very short chapter, only 24 verses, but it
talks about the last warning and the cry to come out of Babylon before it’s
destroyed (Revelation 18:4). In verses 21-24 talks about the final fall of
Babylon and what it means for the earth and those who followed her. I won't break it down as it's really straight forward. So read these verses so you have an understanding and complete picture of Revelation 18 and the Fall of Babylon.
End Times Prophecy Study - Revelation 14 - The Three Angels Messages
Revelation 14– The Three Angels Messages
Revelation 14 talks about the three angels messages and the
warnings of what’s to come in Bible prophecy in
Revelation Chapters 13, 17, and 18.
1. Why are we studying
Revelation? Isn't it sealed?
There are six crucial reasons to study Revelation that I
think you must think about and keep in mind.
A. It never has been sealed (Revelation 22:10). The age long controversy between Christ and Satan, plus the devil's strategies and last-day devious plans, are exposed in Revelation. Satan cannot easily trap people who are aware of his lying deceptions in advance, so he hopes people will believe that Revelation is sealed.
B. The very name "Revelation" means "unveiling," "opening," or "revealing" the complete opposite of being sealed. It always has been wide open.
C. Revelation is Jesus book in a unique way. It begins, "The Revelation of Jesus Christ." It even gives a word picture of Him in Revelation 1:13-16. No other book of the Bible reveals Jesus and His last-day instructions and plans for His work and His people as does Revelation.
D. Revelation is primarily written for and geared to the people of our day, just before Jesus' return (Revelation 1:1-3 3:11 22:6, 7, 12, 20).
E. A special blessing is pronounced upon those who read Revelation and heed its counsel (Revelation 1:3 ,22:7).
F. Revelation describes God's end-time people and church with startling clarity. It makes the Bible come to life when you see the last-day events depicted in Revelation taking place. It also tells precisely what God's church must be preaching in the last days (Revelation 14:6-14).
A. It never has been sealed (Revelation 22:10). The age long controversy between Christ and Satan, plus the devil's strategies and last-day devious plans, are exposed in Revelation. Satan cannot easily trap people who are aware of his lying deceptions in advance, so he hopes people will believe that Revelation is sealed.
B. The very name "Revelation" means "unveiling," "opening," or "revealing" the complete opposite of being sealed. It always has been wide open.
C. Revelation is Jesus book in a unique way. It begins, "The Revelation of Jesus Christ." It even gives a word picture of Him in Revelation 1:13-16. No other book of the Bible reveals Jesus and His last-day instructions and plans for His work and His people as does Revelation.
D. Revelation is primarily written for and geared to the people of our day, just before Jesus' return (Revelation 1:1-3 3:11 22:6, 7, 12, 20).
E. A special blessing is pronounced upon those who read Revelation and heed its counsel (Revelation 1:3 ,22:7).
F. Revelation describes God's end-time people and church with startling clarity. It makes the Bible come to life when you see the last-day events depicted in Revelation taking place. It also tells precisely what God's church must be preaching in the last days (Revelation 14:6-14).
2. God
commissioned His church to take the gospel to every creature (Mark 16:15). How
does He symbolize this sacred work in Revelation?
"And I saw another
angel fly in the midst of heaven, having the everlasting gospel to preach. ...
And there followed another angel, saying ... . And the third angel followed
them, saying ... . " Revelation 14:6-9.
The word "angel"
literally means "messenger," so it is fitting that God uses three
angels to symbolize the preaching of His three-point gospel message for the
last days. God uses the symbolism of angels to remind us that supernatural
power will accompany
the messages.
the messages.
3. What two crucial points does Revelation 14:6 reveal about God's message for the last days?
"And I saw another
angel fly in the midst of heaven, having the everlasting gospel to preach unto
them that dwell on the earth, and to every nation, and kindred, and tongue, and
people."Revelation 14:6.
The two crucial points
are: (1) that it is "the everlasting gospel," and (2) that it must be
preached to every person on earth. The three angels' messages stress the
gospel, which makes it plain that people are saved by faith in -and acceptance
of- Jesus Christ alone (Acts 4:12 Mark 10:26, 27). Since no other way to
salvation exists, it is evil to claim that there is some other way.
Satan's Counterfeits
Satan's counterfeits, while many, include two very effective ones:
Satan's Counterfeits
Satan's counterfeits, while many, include two very effective ones:
1. Salvation by works alone.
2. Salvation in sin or doing sin.
These two counterfeits are
uncovered and revealed in the three angels' messages. Many, without realizing
it, have embraced one of these two errors and are trying to build their
salvation upon it - an utterly impossible feat. We also must stress that no one
is truly preaching the gospel of Jesus for the end time who does not include
the three angels' messages.
4. What four distinctive points does the first angel's message
cover?
"Saying with
a loud voice, Fear God, and give glory to him; for the hour of his judgment is
come: and worship him that made heaven, and earth, and the sea, and the
fountains of waters."Revelation 14:7.
A. Fear God. This means we should revere God and look upon
Him with love, trust, and respect - eager to do His bidding. This keeps us from
evil. "By the fear of the Lord men depart from evil." Proverbs
16:6. Solomon, the wise man, also said,
"Fear God, and keep his commandments: for this is the whole duty of
man." Ecclesiastes 12:13.
B. Give glory to God. We fulfill this command when we obey, praise, and thank God for His goodness to us. One of the major sins of the last days is un-thankfulness (2 Timothy 3:1, 2).
C. The hour of His judgment is come. This indicates that everyone is accountable to God, and it is a clear statement that the judgment is now in session. A number of translations say "has" come instead of "is" come.
D. Worship the Creator. This command rejects idolatry of all kinds -including self-worship- and totally repudiates evolution, which denies that God is Creator and Redeemer. (Many books and radio talk shows today over stress self-worth, which leads to self-worship. A Christian's self-worth is in Christ, who makes His children sons and daughters of the King of heaven.)
The gospel includes the creation and redemption of the world by the Lord God of heaven. Worshiping the Creator includes worshiping Him on the day He set aside as a memorial of Creation (the seventh-day Sabbath). That the reference in Revelation 14:7 is to the Sabbath is made clear by the fact that the words "made heaven, and earth, and the sea" were lifted right out of the Sabbath commandment (Exodus 20:11) and used here. Our true roots are found in God alone, who made us in His image in the beginning. Those who do not worship God as Creator, no matter what else they may worship, may never discover their real roots.
B. Give glory to God. We fulfill this command when we obey, praise, and thank God for His goodness to us. One of the major sins of the last days is un-thankfulness (2 Timothy 3:1, 2).
C. The hour of His judgment is come. This indicates that everyone is accountable to God, and it is a clear statement that the judgment is now in session. A number of translations say "has" come instead of "is" come.
D. Worship the Creator. This command rejects idolatry of all kinds -including self-worship- and totally repudiates evolution, which denies that God is Creator and Redeemer. (Many books and radio talk shows today over stress self-worth, which leads to self-worship. A Christian's self-worth is in Christ, who makes His children sons and daughters of the King of heaven.)
The gospel includes the creation and redemption of the world by the Lord God of heaven. Worshiping the Creator includes worshiping Him on the day He set aside as a memorial of Creation (the seventh-day Sabbath). That the reference in Revelation 14:7 is to the Sabbath is made clear by the fact that the words "made heaven, and earth, and the sea" were lifted right out of the Sabbath commandment (Exodus 20:11) and used here. Our true roots are found in God alone, who made us in His image in the beginning. Those who do not worship God as Creator, no matter what else they may worship, may never discover their real roots.
5. What solemn statement does
the second angel make about Babylon? What does the angel of Revelation 18
command God's people to do?
"And
there followed another angel, saying, Babylon is fallen."Revelation 14:8.
"I saw another angel come down from heaven. ... And he cried mightily with
a strong voice, saying, Babylon the great is fallen. ... And I heard another
voice from heaven, saying, Come out of her, my people." Revelation
18:1-4.
The second
angel solemnly states that "Babylon is fallen," and the voice from
heaven urges all of God's people to come out of Babylon at once. Unless you
know what Babylon is, you could easily end up in it. Think about it. Could you
possibly be in Babylon now?
6. Against what does the third angel's message solemnly warn?
"And the third angel
followed them, saying with a loud voice, If any man worship the beast and his
image, and receive his mark in his forehead, or in his hand, The same shall
drink of the wine of the wrath of God." Revelation 14:9-10. The third
angel's message warns people against worshiping the beast and his image and
receiving the mark of the beast in their foreheads or hands. The first angel
commands true worship. The third angel tells of the awesome consequences
connected with false worship. Do you know for certain who the beast is? And
what is his mark? Unless you know positively who the beast is and what his mark
is, you may end up worshiping him without realizing it.
7. What four-point description does God give in Revelation 14:12
of His people who accept and follow the three angels' messages?
"Here is the patience of the saints: here are they
that keep the commandments of God, and the faith of
Jesus." Revelation 14:12.
A. They are patient, persevering, and faithful
to the end, a big order for a "do it now" generation. God's
people reveal Him by their patient, loving conduct.
B. They are saints, or holy ones, because they are fully on God's side.
C. They keep the commandments of God. These people of God happily obey His Ten Commandments and all other commandments He has given them. Their first aim is to please Him, whom they love (1 John 3:22).
D. They have the faith of Jesus. This also can be translated "faith in Jesus." In either case, God's people fully follow Jesus and fully trust Him.
B. They are saints, or holy ones, because they are fully on God's side.
C. They keep the commandments of God. These people of God happily obey His Ten Commandments and all other commandments He has given them. Their first aim is to please Him, whom they love (1 John 3:22).
D. They have the faith of Jesus. This also can be translated "faith in Jesus." In either case, God's people fully follow Jesus and fully trust Him.
8. What happens immediately following the teaching of the three
angels' messages to all people?
"And I looked, and behold a white cloud, and upon
the cloud one sat like unto the Son of man, having on his head a golden
crown."
Revelation 14:14.
Revelation 14:14.
Immediately after the teaching of the three angels'
messages to every person, Jesus will return in the clouds (His second advent)
to take His people to their heavenly home.
9. In 2 Peter 1:12, the apostle
speaks of "present truth." What does he mean?
Present truth is an aspect of the everlasting gospel that
has particular urgency for a certain time. Examples are listed below:
A. Noah's message of the Flood (Genesis 6 and 7 2 Peter 2:5). Noah was a preacher of righteousness. He taught God's love as he warned of a coming flood that would destroy the world. The Flood message was "present truth" for that time. Its urgent cry was "get into the boat." And it was so important that it would have been immoral not to preach it.
B. Jonah's message to Nineveh (Jonah 3:4). Jonah's "present truth" was that Nineveh would be destroyed in 40 days. Jonah also uplifted the Saviour, and the city repented. To omit, however, the 40-day warning would have been unfaithful and unforgivable. It was present truth. It fitted that time in a special way.
C. John the Baptist's message (Matthew 3:1-3 Luke 1:17). John's "present truth" was that Jesus, the Messiah, was about to appear. His work was to present the gospel and prepare people for Jesus' first coming. To have omitted that first-coming element of the gospel for his day would have been unthinkable.
D. The three angels' messages (Revelation 14:6-14). God's "present truth" for today is contained in the three angels' messages. Of course, salvation through Jesus Christ alone is central to these messages. However, the "present truth" of the three angels also has been given to prepare people for Jesus' second coming and to open their eyes to Satan's brilliant and highly convincing deceptions. Unless people understand these messages, Satan will indeed capture and destroy them. Jesus knew we needed these three special messages, so in loving kindness He has given them.
A. Noah's message of the Flood (Genesis 6 and 7 2 Peter 2:5). Noah was a preacher of righteousness. He taught God's love as he warned of a coming flood that would destroy the world. The Flood message was "present truth" for that time. Its urgent cry was "get into the boat." And it was so important that it would have been immoral not to preach it.
B. Jonah's message to Nineveh (Jonah 3:4). Jonah's "present truth" was that Nineveh would be destroyed in 40 days. Jonah also uplifted the Saviour, and the city repented. To omit, however, the 40-day warning would have been unfaithful and unforgivable. It was present truth. It fitted that time in a special way.
C. John the Baptist's message (Matthew 3:1-3 Luke 1:17). John's "present truth" was that Jesus, the Messiah, was about to appear. His work was to present the gospel and prepare people for Jesus' first coming. To have omitted that first-coming element of the gospel for his day would have been unthinkable.
D. The three angels' messages (Revelation 14:6-14). God's "present truth" for today is contained in the three angels' messages. Of course, salvation through Jesus Christ alone is central to these messages. However, the "present truth" of the three angels also has been given to prepare people for Jesus' second coming and to open their eyes to Satan's brilliant and highly convincing deceptions. Unless people understand these messages, Satan will indeed capture and destroy them. Jesus knew we needed these three special messages, so in loving kindness He has given them.
10. Who does the Bible say will come to give a "present
truth" message before the great day of the Lord?
"Behold,
I will send you Elijah the prophet before the coming of the great and dreadful
day of the Lord." Malachi 4:5. Elijah the prophet. There is something
significant about Elijah and his message, as we shall see in the next few
questions I post.
11. What did Elijah do that caused
the Lord to focus on him?
Note: Please open your Bible and
carefully read 1 Kings 18:17-40 before answering this question.
Elijah
urged the people to make up their minds whom they would serve (verse 21). The
nation was almost wholly idolatrous. The people had forsaken the true God and
His commandments. There was one prophet of God, Elijah, and 450 heathen
prophets of Baal (verse 22). Elijah suggested that both he and the idolaters
build altars and place wood and a bull on them. He then suggested they ask the
true God to reveal Himself by setting fire to His altar. The heathen god did
not answer, but the true God of Elijah sent fire from heaven and burned up
Elijah's sacrifice.
The Message Demanded a Decision
Elijah's message came at a time of deep spiritual crisis and national apostasy. It came with such power from heaven above that it stopped "business as usual" and drew national attention. Elijah then insisted that people decide whom they would serve, God or Baal. Deeply moved and fully convinced, the people chose God (verse 39).
The Message Demanded a Decision
Elijah's message came at a time of deep spiritual crisis and national apostasy. It came with such power from heaven above that it stopped "business as usual" and drew national attention. Elijah then insisted that people decide whom they would serve, God or Baal. Deeply moved and fully convinced, the people chose God (verse 39).
12. The Elijah message has a
twofold application. It applies to a "present truth" message to
prepare people for Jesus' first advent and a "present truth" message
to prepare people for Jesus' second advent. Who did Jesus say preached the
Elijah message to prepare people for His first advent?
"There hath
not risen a greater than John the Baptist." "And if ye will receive
it, this is Elias [Elijah], which was for to come."Matthew 11:11, 14. Jesus called John's preaching to prepare
people for His first advent "Elijah," or the Elijah message. John's
message, as in Elijah's day, made truth very clear and then insisted on a
decision. The Bible says of John the Baptist, "He shall go ... in the
spirit and power of Elias [Elijah]." Luke 1:17.
13. How do we know the prophecy
has a second application to our time just before the second advent?
"I will send
you Elijah the prophet before the coming of the great and dreadful day of the
Lord."Malachi 4:5.
"The sun shall be turned into darkness, and the moon into blood, before
the great and terrible day of the Lord come." Joel 2:31. Please take note that two events will occur
before the coming of "the great and terrible day of the Lord"
mentioned in Joel 2:31.
One, the coming of Elijah. And two, the tremendous signs in the heavens. This
helps us locate both events. The dark day occurred May 19, 1780. That same
night, the moon appeared as blood. Matthew 24:29 includes one more sign, the falling of the
stars, which took place November 13, 1833. From this, we know the end-time
Elijah message must begin some time near or after 1833, before the coming of
the great day of the Lord.
Second Elijah Message After Sky Signs
It is obvious that John's "Elijah message" does not apply to the second "Elijah message" because God's great sky signs appeared over 1,700 years after John preached his message. The Elijah message of Joel 2:31 had to begin after those sky signs in 1833 and must prepare people for Jesus' second advent. The three fold "present truth" message of Revelation 14:6-14 fits perfectly. It began around 1844 and is preparing people worldwide for Jesus' second advent (verse 14), which will take place after the three fold message has reached every person on earth.
Elijah insisted evil be met head-on and that all decide whom they would serve. So it is with God's threefold message for us today. A decision must be made. God's threefold message unmasks Satan and his plans. It clearly reveals God's love and His requirements. God is calling people today back to true worship, worship of God alone. To knowingly serve and worship anyone or anything else in this crucial day amounts to disloyalty and will result in eternal death. God miraculously reached hearts in Elijah's day (1 Kings 18:37, 39) and in the days of John the Baptist. He will do the same in these last days as people respond to the three angels' messages (Revelation 18:1).
Second Elijah Message After Sky Signs
It is obvious that John's "Elijah message" does not apply to the second "Elijah message" because God's great sky signs appeared over 1,700 years after John preached his message. The Elijah message of Joel 2:31 had to begin after those sky signs in 1833 and must prepare people for Jesus' second advent. The three fold "present truth" message of Revelation 14:6-14 fits perfectly. It began around 1844 and is preparing people worldwide for Jesus' second advent (verse 14), which will take place after the three fold message has reached every person on earth.
Elijah insisted evil be met head-on and that all decide whom they would serve. So it is with God's threefold message for us today. A decision must be made. God's threefold message unmasks Satan and his plans. It clearly reveals God's love and His requirements. God is calling people today back to true worship, worship of God alone. To knowingly serve and worship anyone or anything else in this crucial day amounts to disloyalty and will result in eternal death. God miraculously reached hearts in Elijah's day (1 Kings 18:37, 39) and in the days of John the Baptist. He will do the same in these last days as people respond to the three angels' messages (Revelation 18:1).
14. What other wonderful blessing will the preaching of the Elijah
(or the three angels') messages bring?
"Elijah ...
shall turn the heart of the fathers to the children, and the heart of the children
to their fathers."Malachi 4:5-6”.
Praise God! The Elijah message,
or three angels' messages, will bring family members together in a loving,
close, joyous, heavenly relationship. What a blessed promise!
15. The word "gospel" means "good news." Do the three angels' messages of Revelation chapter 14 provide good news?
Yes indeed
it does. Let's review the good news we have found in this overview of the three
angels' messages, I listed below:
A. Every person will have an opportunity to hear and understand the last-day gospel. Not one will be passed by.
B. The devil's brilliant, powerful plans to trap and destroy people will be revealed to us, so we need not be ensnared.
C. Heaven's supernatural power will accompany the spreading of God's message in these last days.
D. God's people will be patient. He calls them "saints."
E. God's people will have the faith of Jesus.
F. God's people will, out of love, obey His commandments.
G. God loves us so much that He has sent a very special message to prepare us for Jesus' second coming.
H. God's message for these last days will bring family members together in love and unity.
I. The major emphasis of the three angels' messages is that salvation has been provided for everyone through Jesus Christ alone. He gives His righteousness to cover our past and miraculously imparts His righteousness to us daily so we will grow in grace and truly become like Him. With Him, we cannot fail. Without Him, we cannot succeed.
Ok once again here are some thought questions to get your thinking of this Revelation 12 study we just did.
A. Every person will have an opportunity to hear and understand the last-day gospel. Not one will be passed by.
B. The devil's brilliant, powerful plans to trap and destroy people will be revealed to us, so we need not be ensnared.
C. Heaven's supernatural power will accompany the spreading of God's message in these last days.
D. God's people will be patient. He calls them "saints."
E. God's people will have the faith of Jesus.
F. God's people will, out of love, obey His commandments.
G. God loves us so much that He has sent a very special message to prepare us for Jesus' second coming.
H. God's message for these last days will bring family members together in love and unity.
I. The major emphasis of the three angels' messages is that salvation has been provided for everyone through Jesus Christ alone. He gives His righteousness to cover our past and miraculously imparts His righteousness to us daily so we will grow in grace and truly become like Him. With Him, we cannot fail. Without Him, we cannot succeed.
Ok once again here are some thought questions to get your thinking of this Revelation 12 study we just did.
1. Will
every person on earth be reached with the three angels' messages before Jesus
returns? With billions of people now living, how can this be possible?
Yes, it will happen because God promised it (Mark 16:15). Paul says the gospel went "to every creature which is under heaven" in his day (Colossians 1:23). Jonah, by God's grace, reached the entire city of Nineveh in less than 40 days (Jonah 3:4-10). The Bible says God will finish the work and cut it short (Romans 9:28). Count on it. It will happen very quickly and in our day.
2.
Did Moses and Elijah actually appear with Jesus at the transfiguration (Matthew 17:3) or was it only a vision?
The event was literal. The Greek word "horama", translated "vision" in verse 9, literally means "what had been seen". Moses was raised from the dead and taken to heaven (Jude 1:9), and Elijah was later translated without seeing death (2 Kings 2:1, 11, 12). These two men, who had been on earth and suffered terribly from the onslaughts of the devil and the rebellion of God's people, understood what Jesus was passing through. They came to encourage and remind Him of all who would be translated into His kingdom without seeing death (like Elijah) and raised to life from the grave to enter His kingdom (like Moses) because of His sacrifice for our sins.
The event was literal. The Greek word "horama", translated "vision" in verse 9, literally means "what had been seen". Moses was raised from the dead and taken to heaven (Jude 1:9), and Elijah was later translated without seeing death (2 Kings 2:1, 11, 12). These two men, who had been on earth and suffered terribly from the onslaughts of the devil and the rebellion of God's people, understood what Jesus was passing through. They came to encourage and remind Him of all who would be translated into His kingdom without seeing death (like Elijah) and raised to life from the grave to enter His kingdom (like Moses) because of His sacrifice for our sins.
3.
Why did John say he was not Elijah (John 1:19-21) when Jesus said that he was (Matthew
11:10-14)?
Read Luke 1:3-17. The angel who announced John's coming birth said, "Thy wife Elisabeth shall bear thee a son, and thou shalt call his name John. ... He shall be great in the sight of the Lord. ... And he shall go before him in the spirit and power of Elias, to turn the hearts of the fathers to the children, and the disobedient to the wisdom of the just; to make ready a people prepared for the Lord." Verses 13-17. When Jesus referred to John as Elijah, He was referring to his life, spirit, power, and work being like that of Elijah. The same is true of the Elijah message of these last days. The emphasis is on the message, not the man. So John was not Elijah in person, but he was presenting the Elijah message. ("Elias" is the Greek form of "Elijah".)
Read Luke 1:3-17. The angel who announced John's coming birth said, "Thy wife Elisabeth shall bear thee a son, and thou shalt call his name John. ... He shall be great in the sight of the Lord. ... And he shall go before him in the spirit and power of Elias, to turn the hearts of the fathers to the children, and the disobedient to the wisdom of the just; to make ready a people prepared for the Lord." Verses 13-17. When Jesus referred to John as Elijah, He was referring to his life, spirit, power, and work being like that of Elijah. The same is true of the Elijah message of these last days. The emphasis is on the message, not the man. So John was not Elijah in person, but he was presenting the Elijah message. ("Elias" is the Greek form of "Elijah".)
4.
Is it possible for someone to be preaching Jesus' full end-time truth for today
without including the three angels' messages?
No! The three angels' messages must be included. In the book of Revelation, Jesus Himself reveals or stipulates His end-time message (Revelation 1:1) and says clearly that His people must keep on following what He has revealed in the book (Revelation 1:3, 22:7). So faithful end-time clergymen must be preaching Jesus' messages from the book of Revelation. This, of course, includes preaching His special three-point message of Revelation 14:6-14. Notice that Jesus calls these messages the "everlasting gospel" in verse 6. He also says they must be taken to every person on earth before He returns for His people. Here are three solemn thoughts:
A. No one is truly preaching Jesus' "everlasting gospel" unless he includes the three angels' messages.
B. No one has the right to call his messages the everlasting gospel if he omits the three angels' messages.
C. The three angels' messages prepare people for Jesus' second coming (Revelation 14:12-14). Unless you hear, understand, and accept Jesus' three-point end-time messages, you may not be prepared for His second coming.
No! The three angels' messages must be included. In the book of Revelation, Jesus Himself reveals or stipulates His end-time message (Revelation 1:1) and says clearly that His people must keep on following what He has revealed in the book (Revelation 1:3, 22:7). So faithful end-time clergymen must be preaching Jesus' messages from the book of Revelation. This, of course, includes preaching His special three-point message of Revelation 14:6-14. Notice that Jesus calls these messages the "everlasting gospel" in verse 6. He also says they must be taken to every person on earth before He returns for His people. Here are three solemn thoughts:
A. No one is truly preaching Jesus' "everlasting gospel" unless he includes the three angels' messages.
B. No one has the right to call his messages the everlasting gospel if he omits the three angels' messages.
C. The three angels' messages prepare people for Jesus' second coming (Revelation 14:12-14). Unless you hear, understand, and accept Jesus' three-point end-time messages, you may not be prepared for His second coming.
5. Luke 1:17 says the Elijah message was to turn "the disobedient to the
wisdom of the just". What does this mean?
"The just shall live by faith." Romans 1:17. The just have the wisdom to rest their salvation upon faith in the Saviour. "Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved." Acts 4:12”. John's message was to make this crystal clear to all. A faith that is anchored to anyone or anything other than Jesus Christ can never save people from sin and lead to a changed life. People must hear and understand this great point of truth. This truth is also the very heart of God's three-point Elijah message for today.
"The just shall live by faith." Romans 1:17. The just have the wisdom to rest their salvation upon faith in the Saviour. "Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved." Acts 4:12”. John's message was to make this crystal clear to all. A faith that is anchored to anyone or anything other than Jesus Christ can never save people from sin and lead to a changed life. People must hear and understand this great point of truth. This truth is also the very heart of God's three-point Elijah message for today.
End Times Prophecy Study - Revelation 12 - Christ's End Time People
Revelation 12– Christ’s End Time People
The Bible says there is but one
body, or church, into which Jesus calls His end-time people, which are “The
bride of Christ”. To some, this is unnerving, as there are thousands of
different churches today that call themselves Christian. Virtually every one
claims to be God's church, yet they each differ widely in biblical
interpretation, faith, and practice. It's quite impossible for the honest
seeker of truth to investigate the claims of each one. However, we can be
thankful that Jesus has solved this dilemma for us by describing His church in such
detail that you can easily identify it! That description, vivid and powerful,
is found in Revelation 12 and 14 which we will dive into next, and it will
thrill you with amazing truths that will help you in the end times. Most of
this information you will already know, should know, or might have guessed at
this point since we have covered Daniel 2, 7, Revelation 13, and 17 up to this
point. Please read Revelation 12:1-17 before moving forward below
into this part of the study.
1. By what prophetic symbol
does Jesus represent His true church?
"I have likened the daughter
of Zion to a comely and delicate woman." Jeremiah 6:2. "And say
unto Zion, Thou art my people." Isaiah 51:16.
Here we learn that Jesus symbolizes His true, pure church (Zion) as a
pure woman and an apostate church as a harlot. A few other texts which also
utilize this symbolism are 2 Corinthians 11:2 Ephesians
5:22, 23 and Revelation 19:7, 8.
2. In Revelation 12:1, Jesus symbolizes His church as a woman
"clothed with the sun," with "the moon under her feet," and
wearing "a crown of twelve stars." What do these symbols mean?
A. The
sun represents Jesus, His gospel, and His righteousness. "The Lord God is
a sun." Psalms 84:11. (See also Malachi 4:2.) Without Jesus
there is no salvation (Acts 4:12). More than anything else, Jesus wants His
church to overflow with His presence and glory.
B. "The moon under her feet" represents the sacrificial system of the Old Testament. As the moon reflects the light of the sun, so the sacrificial system was helpful spiritually only as it reflected light from the Messiah to come (Hebrews 10:1).
C. The "crown of twelve stars" represents the work of the 12 disciples, which crowned the early years of the New Testament church.
B. "The moon under her feet" represents the sacrificial system of the Old Testament. As the moon reflects the light of the sun, so the sacrificial system was helpful spiritually only as it reflected light from the Messiah to come (Hebrews 10:1).
C. The "crown of twelve stars" represents the work of the 12 disciples, which crowned the early years of the New Testament church.
3. Next, the prophecy states that the
woman is in labor, about to deliver a baby who would one day rule all nations
with a rod of iron. She then delivered the "man child," and later He
was taken up to God's throne in heaven (Revelation 12:1, 2, 5). Who was this
baby?
The baby
was Jesus. He will one day rule all nations with a rod of iron (Revelation
19:13-16; Psalms 2:7-9). Jesus, who was crucified for our sins, was raised
from the dead and ascended to heaven (Acts 1:9-11). His resurrection power in
our lives is one of Jesus' essential gifts to His people (Philippians 3:10).
4. Revelation 12:3-4 introduces "a great red dragon" who
hated the "man child" and tried to kill him at birth. You may
remember this dragon from our last studies. Who was the dragon?
This dragon of course represents
Satan, who was cast out of heaven (Revelation 12:7-9) and who was working at
the time of Jesus' birth through the pagan Roman empire. The ruler who tried to
kill Jesus at birth was Herod, a king under pagan Rome. He killed all the male
babies of Bethlehem, hoping that one of them would be Jesus (Matthew 2:16).
5. What is the meaning of the "seven heads" and
"ten horns" of the dragon, and of "the third part of the stars of
heaven" being cast to the earth?
A. The "seven heads" represent the seven
hills or mountains upon which Rome was built (Revelation 17:9, 10). We
have now encountered a beast with seven heads and 10 horns a few times haven’t
we during this huge study (Revelation 12:3 13:117:3).
B. The "ten horns" represent the governments, or nations, that support the major powers in their oppression of God's people and church. During pagan Rome's tenure (Revelation 12:3, 4), they represented the 10 barbarian tribes that supported the papacy in eventually bringing down the Roman empire (Daniel 7:23, 24). These tribes later became modern Europe. In the last days, they represent all the nations of the world united in the end-time coalition (Revelation 16:14 17:12, 13, 16) which will support "Babylon the great" in her warfare against God's people.
C. "The third part of the stars of heaven" are the angels who supported Lucifer in his insurrection in heaven and who were cast out with him (Revelation 12:9 Luke 10:18 Isaiah 14:12).
So thus far, this chapter has covered the following Bible facts:
1. God's true church appears, symbolized as a pure woman.
2. Jesus is born into the church.
3. Satan, working through King Herod of pagan Rome, tries to kill baby Jesus.
4. Satan's plan is unsuccessful.
5. Jesus' ascension is pictured.
B. The "ten horns" represent the governments, or nations, that support the major powers in their oppression of God's people and church. During pagan Rome's tenure (Revelation 12:3, 4), they represented the 10 barbarian tribes that supported the papacy in eventually bringing down the Roman empire (Daniel 7:23, 24). These tribes later became modern Europe. In the last days, they represent all the nations of the world united in the end-time coalition (Revelation 16:14 17:12, 13, 16) which will support "Babylon the great" in her warfare against God's people.
C. "The third part of the stars of heaven" are the angels who supported Lucifer in his insurrection in heaven and who were cast out with him (Revelation 12:9 Luke 10:18 Isaiah 14:12).
So thus far, this chapter has covered the following Bible facts:
1. God's true church appears, symbolized as a pure woman.
2. Jesus is born into the church.
3. Satan, working through King Herod of pagan Rome, tries to kill baby Jesus.
4. Satan's plan is unsuccessful.
5. Jesus' ascension is pictured.
6. What did Satan do after he failed in his plan to destroy baby
Jesus?
"He persecuted the woman
which brought forth the man child."Revelation 12:13.
Since he was no longer able to
attack Jesus personally, he aimed his fury and persecution at God's church and
His people.
7. What did the woman (church) do to protect herself, and what is
the "wilderness" spoken of in Revelation 12:6, 14?
A. Verses 6 and 14 say, "The woman fled into the
wilderness," where she was protected for "a time, and times, and half
a time" (or 1,260 literal years) from the wrath of Satan who was then
working through papal Rome. The "two wings" represent the protection
and support God gave the church during her time in the "wilderness"
(Exodus 19:4 Deuteronomy 32:11). The time spent in the wilderness is the
same 1,260-year period of papal prominence and persecution (A.D. 538 to 1798)
that Jesus repeatedly mentioned in prophecy. Remember from the beginning of
this study that one prophetic day equals one literal year (Ezekiel 4:6).
B. The term "wilderness" refers to the
solitary places of earth (mountains, caves, forests, etc.) where God's people
could hide in seclusion and thus escape total annihilation (Hebrews 11:37, 38). And hide they did, the Waldenses, Albigenses, Huguenots,
and many others. God's people (His church) would have been obliterated if they
had not fled and hid in the wilderness during this devastating persecution by
the papacy. (In one 40-year period, "from the beginning of the order of
the Jesuits, in the year 1540, to 1580, nine hundred thousand were destroyed.
One hundred fifty thousand perished in the Inquisition in 30
years." ) At least 50 million people died for their faith during this
1,260-year time period. God's church did not exist as an official organization
during this 1,260-year time period. From A.D. 538 to 1798 it was alive but not
identifiable as an organization. When it came out of hiding after the 1,260
years, it still had the same doctrine and characteristics as the apostolic
church, which entered the "wilderness" in A.D. 538.
Note: We have now discovered our first two identification points for Jesus' end-time church according to the Bible and what it says:
1. It would not exist officially as an organization between A.D. 538 and 1798.
2. It would arise and do its end-time work after 1798.
There are many loving, genuine Christians in churches that were officially in existence before 1798. But none of these churches can be God's end-time church into which Jesus is calling all His people, because Jesus' end-time church had to arise after 1798 according to what the Bible says. This means that most of the popular Protestant churches cannot be God's end-time church because they existed officially before 1798.
Albert Barnes, Notes on Daniel, comment on Daniel 7:25, p. 328.
Note: We have now discovered our first two identification points for Jesus' end-time church according to the Bible and what it says:
1. It would not exist officially as an organization between A.D. 538 and 1798.
2. It would arise and do its end-time work after 1798.
There are many loving, genuine Christians in churches that were officially in existence before 1798. But none of these churches can be God's end-time church into which Jesus is calling all His people, because Jesus' end-time church had to arise after 1798 according to what the Bible says. This means that most of the popular Protestant churches cannot be God's end-time church because they existed officially before 1798.
Albert Barnes, Notes on Daniel, comment on Daniel 7:25, p. 328.
8. In Revelation 12:17, God calls His end-time church the remnant.
What does the word "remnant" mean?
It means the last remaining
portion. In reference to Jesus' church, it means His church of the very last
days, which is identical in doctrine to the apostolic church.
9. In Revelation 12:17, what additional two-point description did
Jesus give of His end-time remnant church?
It would keep all the Ten
Commandments, including the seventh-day Sabbath of the fourth commandment (John
14:15, Revelation 22:14). It also would have the "testimony of
Jesus", which the Bible tells us is the spirit of prophecy (Revelation
19:10).
Note again: So here are Jesus’s
next two points of identification for His end-time remnant church:
3. It will keep God's commandments, including His seventh-day Sabbath of the fourth commandment.
4. It will have the gift of prophecy.
Remember that while hosts of sincere Christian people are found in churches that do not keep the Sabbath or have the gift of prophecy, none of these churches can be God's remnant end-time church into which Jesus is calling all last-day Christians, because God's end-time church will both keep God's commandments and have the gift of prophecy.
3. It will keep God's commandments, including His seventh-day Sabbath of the fourth commandment.
4. It will have the gift of prophecy.
Remember that while hosts of sincere Christian people are found in churches that do not keep the Sabbath or have the gift of prophecy, none of these churches can be God's remnant end-time church into which Jesus is calling all last-day Christians, because God's end-time church will both keep God's commandments and have the gift of prophecy.
10. What final two
points of identification for God's remnant does the book of Revelation provide?
The final two points of the six in total are as followed.
5. It will be a worldwide missionary church (Revelation
14:6).
6. It will be preaching the three angels' messages of Revelation
14:6-14, which are briefly summarized below.
A. God's judgment is in session. Worship Him! God's end-time church must be preaching that the judgment began in 1844. It also calls upon people to "worship him that made heaven, and earth, and the sea, and the fountains of waters." Revelation 14:7. How do we worship God as Creator? God wrote the answer in the fourth commandment. "Remember the Sabbath Day, to keep it holy." "For in six days the Lord made heaven and earth, the sea, and all that in them is, and rested the seventh day: wherefore the Lord blessed the Sabbath Day, and hallowed it." Exodus 20:8-11. So the first angel's message commands all to worship God as Creator by keeping holy His seventh-day Sabbath, which He gave to us as a memorial of Creation.
B. Come out of the fallen churches of Babylon.
C. Don't worship the beast or receive his mark, which is Sunday as a holy day. Beware of all counterfeits.
Now let's review the six points that Jesus gives us for identifying His end-time remnant church:
1. It would not exist as an official organization between A.D. 538 and 1798.
2. It would arise and do its work after 1798.
3. It would keep the Ten Commandments, including the seventh-day Sabbath of the fourth commandment.
4. It would have the gift of prophecy.
5. It would be a worldwide missionary church.
6. It would be teaching and preaching Jesus' three-point message of Revelation 14:6-14.
A. God's judgment is in session. Worship Him! God's end-time church must be preaching that the judgment began in 1844. It also calls upon people to "worship him that made heaven, and earth, and the sea, and the fountains of waters." Revelation 14:7. How do we worship God as Creator? God wrote the answer in the fourth commandment. "Remember the Sabbath Day, to keep it holy." "For in six days the Lord made heaven and earth, the sea, and all that in them is, and rested the seventh day: wherefore the Lord blessed the Sabbath Day, and hallowed it." Exodus 20:8-11. So the first angel's message commands all to worship God as Creator by keeping holy His seventh-day Sabbath, which He gave to us as a memorial of Creation.
B. Come out of the fallen churches of Babylon.
C. Don't worship the beast or receive his mark, which is Sunday as a holy day. Beware of all counterfeits.
Now let's review the six points that Jesus gives us for identifying His end-time remnant church:
1. It would not exist as an official organization between A.D. 538 and 1798.
2. It would arise and do its work after 1798.
3. It would keep the Ten Commandments, including the seventh-day Sabbath of the fourth commandment.
4. It would have the gift of prophecy.
5. It would be a worldwide missionary church.
6. It would be teaching and preaching Jesus' three-point message of Revelation 14:6-14.
11. Now that we have established
Jesus' six identification points for His end-time remnant church, what does
Jesus tell us to do, and with what results?
"Seek,
and ye shall find." Matthew 7:7. Jesus hands you these six
specifications and says, "Go find my church." He promises that those
who seek for heavenly things will find them.
12. How many churches fit these six
specifications?
Jesus gave
such distinctive and specific specifications that they fit only one church.
Jesus did not give vague generalities such as "There will be many good
people in my church" and "There will also be some hypocrites."
How many churches would those two points fit? All of them of.Those two points
also fit the corner grocery store and downtown civic clubs. They would fit
everything, and thus mean nothing. Instead, Jesus gave such pointed, specific,
highly descriptive points that they fit one church and only one church.
That church is the Seventh-day Adventist Church. I believe in a lot of the SDA beliefs since they match what the Bible says. I also believe in a lot of Jewish beliefs since they also believe in what the Bible actually says. So I guess you can call me a SDA Jew haha. I just believe in the Bible and hate denominations in general. Anyway this is what the Bible says, and I’m just going
by what the Bible and history tell me. It’s not my fault that the Bible picks
SDA church’s to be the end time church. They just fit all the points for this
prophecy. So let’s see and
review below how they fit all of the end time church/people of God talked about
in Revelation.
The Seventh-day Adventist Church:
1. Did not exist as an official organization between A.D. 538 and 1798.
2. Arose after 1798. It began to form in the early 1840s.
3. Keeps the Ten Commandments, including the fourth - God's holy seventh-day Sabbath.
4. Has the gift of prophecy.
5. Is a worldwide missionary church, working in 210 of the 236 countries of the world as of 2013…..number could be different today and will continue to grow.
6. Teaches and preaches Jesus' great three-point message of Revelation 14:6-14.
Jesus asks you to take these six specifications and check for yourself. It is easy and you cannot miss on this.
Note: Please again, remember that there are many loving Christians in churches which these points do not fit, but no such church can be God's end-time remnant into which He is calling all His people for today.
The Seventh-day Adventist Church:
1. Did not exist as an official organization between A.D. 538 and 1798.
2. Arose after 1798. It began to form in the early 1840s.
3. Keeps the Ten Commandments, including the fourth - God's holy seventh-day Sabbath.
4. Has the gift of prophecy.
5. Is a worldwide missionary church, working in 210 of the 236 countries of the world as of 2013…..number could be different today and will continue to grow.
6. Teaches and preaches Jesus' great three-point message of Revelation 14:6-14.
Jesus asks you to take these six specifications and check for yourself. It is easy and you cannot miss on this.
Note: Please again, remember that there are many loving Christians in churches which these points do not fit, but no such church can be God's end-time remnant into which He is calling all His people for today.
13. After one of Jesus' children heeds His loving warning call and
comes out of Babylon (Revelation 18:2, 4), what does Jesus ask him to do next?
"Ye are called in one body." Colossians
3:15. "He [Jesus] is the head of the body, the church."Colossians
1:18.
The Bible says that God's people are called into one
body, or church. Jesus asks those who leave Babylon to join the remnant
church--of which He is the head. Jesus said, "Other sheep I have, which
are not of this fold." John 10:16. He also calls them "my
people" in both the Old Testament (Isaiah 58:1) and the New Testament
(Revelation 18:4). Of His sheep outside His fold (church), He says, "Them
also I must bring, and they shall hear my voice; and there shall be one fold,
and one shepherd." "My sheep hear my voice, ... and they follow
me."John 10:16, 27.
14. How does one enter that body, or church?
"For by one
Spirit are we all baptized into one body, whether we be Jews or Gentiles." 1
Corinthians 12:13. We enter Jesus'
end-time remnant church by baptism.
15. Does the Bible provide
other evidence that Jesus has only one remnant church into which He is calling
all of His people?
Yes, it does.
Let's review it below:
A. The Bible says there is only one true body, or church (Ephesians 4:4 Colossians 1:18).
B. The Bible says our day is like Noah's day (Luke 17:26, 27). How many ways of escape were there in Noah's day? Only one, the ark. Once again, today, God has provided only one boat, or church, that will take His people safely through to His heavenly kingdom. Be sure to get on the right boat! The Bible says, "The Lord added to the church daily such as should be saved." Acts 2:47 It was true in apostolic times it is still true today.
A. The Bible says there is only one true body, or church (Ephesians 4:4 Colossians 1:18).
B. The Bible says our day is like Noah's day (Luke 17:26, 27). How many ways of escape were there in Noah's day? Only one, the ark. Once again, today, God has provided only one boat, or church, that will take His people safely through to His heavenly kingdom. Be sure to get on the right boat! The Bible says, "The Lord added to the church daily such as should be saved." Acts 2:47 It was true in apostolic times it is still true today.
16. What is the good news regarding God's remnant church?
A. Its central theme is "the everlasting gospel" of righteousness by faith in Jesus only (Revelation 14:6).
B. It is built on Jesus, the Rock (1 Corinthians 3:11; 10: 4), and "the gates of hell shall not prevail against it." Matthew 16:18.
C. Jesus died for His church (Ephesians 5:25).
D. Jesus describes His remnant church so plainly that it's easy to identify. He also describes the fallen churches and calls His people out of them. Satan will trap only those who keep their eyes and hearts shut.
E. Its doctrines are all true (1 Timothy 3:15).
17. What is the good news regarding God's remnant people?
They will all….
A. Be saved in His heavenly kingdom (Revelation 15:2).
B. Overcome the devil by the "power" and "blood" of Jesus (Revelation 12:10, 11).
C. Be patient (Revelation 14:12).
D. Have Jesus' faith (Revelation 14:12).
E. Find glorious freedom (John 8:31, 32).
A. Be saved in His heavenly kingdom (Revelation 15:2).
B. Overcome the devil by the "power" and "blood" of Jesus (Revelation 12:10, 11).
C. Be patient (Revelation 14:12).
D. Have Jesus' faith (Revelation 14:12).
E. Find glorious freedom (John 8:31, 32).
18. Earth's hour is very late.
Jesus' second coming immediately follows the giving of the three angels messages
(Revelation 14:12-14). What is Jesus urgent plea now to His people?
"Come
thou and all thy house into the ark." Genesis 7:1.
In Noah's
day, only eight people (including Noah himself) heeded God's invitation. Jesus
is waiting at the door of His end-time ark, or remnant church, for you.
Ok time for some more thought questions that you may or may not have crossed into your mind while reading this study on Revelation 12.
Ok time for some more thought questions that you may or may not have crossed into your mind while reading this study on Revelation 12.
1. China, with one-fourth of
the world's population, has barely been touched with the gospel. Wouldn't it
take a long time to reach everyone there?
"With men it is impossible, but not with God: for with God all things are possible." Mark 10:27. The Bible says the Lord "will finish the work, and cut it short in righteousness: because a short work will the Lord make upon the earth." Romans 9:28. That same Lord who empowered Jonah to lead an entire city to repentance in less than 40 days (Jonah chapter 3) will finish His work very quickly in these last days. He says His work will move with such breathtaking speed that it will be almost impossible for God's church to adequately handle the overwhelming influx of souls (Amos 9:13). God promised it. It will happen. Soon and suddenly it will all be over. Long-term thinking and planning in God's work misses the point today. This is a time of great emergency, and an emergency demands immediate action. Long-term thinkers may be trapped and wake up too late.
"With men it is impossible, but not with God: for with God all things are possible." Mark 10:27. The Bible says the Lord "will finish the work, and cut it short in righteousness: because a short work will the Lord make upon the earth." Romans 9:28. That same Lord who empowered Jonah to lead an entire city to repentance in less than 40 days (Jonah chapter 3) will finish His work very quickly in these last days. He says His work will move with such breathtaking speed that it will be almost impossible for God's church to adequately handle the overwhelming influx of souls (Amos 9:13). God promised it. It will happen. Soon and suddenly it will all be over. Long-term thinking and planning in God's work misses the point today. This is a time of great emergency, and an emergency demands immediate action. Long-term thinkers may be trapped and wake up too late.
2. Is there really a serious danger
that many professed Christian people will be caught off guard and lost when
Jesus returns?
Yes, Jesus made that point crystal clear. He warned of several things that will trap and destroy Christians: (1) surfeiting, (2) drunkenness, (3) the cares of this life, and (4) sleeping (Luke 21:34, Mark 13:34-36).
A. Surfeiting is overdoing in anything - eating, working, reading, recreation, etc. It upsets balance and destroys clear thinking. It also precludes spending time with Jesus. Less time with Jesus is never a good thing.
B. Drunkenness refers to things that bring on a stupor and give us distaste for heavenly things. Examples include pornography, illicit sex, evil companions, drinking, neglect of Bible study, neglect of prayer, and avoiding church services. Such things cause people to live in an unreal dream world and thus miss out.
C. Cares of this life destroy Christians who become so busy doing perfectly good things that time for Jesus, prayer, study of the Word, witnessing, and attendance of church services are crowded out. In so doing, we take our eyes off the real goal and drown in peripheral matters.
D. Sleeping refers to being spiritually asleep. It may be the biggest problem today. When a person is asleep, he does not know he is asleep. Taking our relationship with Jesus for granted, having a form of godliness with no power, applying all great sermons to others, and refusing to become actively involved in Jesus work all these things and many others make sleepwalkers of those who, unless miraculously wakened, will sleep past the moment of truth.
Yes, Jesus made that point crystal clear. He warned of several things that will trap and destroy Christians: (1) surfeiting, (2) drunkenness, (3) the cares of this life, and (4) sleeping (Luke 21:34, Mark 13:34-36).
A. Surfeiting is overdoing in anything - eating, working, reading, recreation, etc. It upsets balance and destroys clear thinking. It also precludes spending time with Jesus. Less time with Jesus is never a good thing.
B. Drunkenness refers to things that bring on a stupor and give us distaste for heavenly things. Examples include pornography, illicit sex, evil companions, drinking, neglect of Bible study, neglect of prayer, and avoiding church services. Such things cause people to live in an unreal dream world and thus miss out.
C. Cares of this life destroy Christians who become so busy doing perfectly good things that time for Jesus, prayer, study of the Word, witnessing, and attendance of church services are crowded out. In so doing, we take our eyes off the real goal and drown in peripheral matters.
D. Sleeping refers to being spiritually asleep. It may be the biggest problem today. When a person is asleep, he does not know he is asleep. Taking our relationship with Jesus for granted, having a form of godliness with no power, applying all great sermons to others, and refusing to become actively involved in Jesus work all these things and many others make sleepwalkers of those who, unless miraculously wakened, will sleep past the moment of truth.
3. I joined God's remnant
church and have never been so happy in all my life. But I have never been
harassed so much by the devil, either. Why is this?
Because the devil is angry with God's remnant people and spends his time trying to hurt and discourage them (Revelation 12:17). Jesus did not promise that His people would not suffer trials, woes, onslaughts from the devil, tough times, and even serious injury from Satan. In fact, He promised that such things would, indeed, come to His people (2 Timothy 3:12). He did, however, gloriously promise: (1) to give His people the victory (1 Corinthians 15:57), (2) to be with His people always, in everything they face (Matthew 28:20), (3) to give them peace (John 16:33; Psalms 119:165), and (4) to never forsake them (Hebrews 13:5). Finally, Jesus and His Father promised to hold onto their children so tightly that no one could take them out of their hands (John 10:28, 29).
Because the devil is angry with God's remnant people and spends his time trying to hurt and discourage them (Revelation 12:17). Jesus did not promise that His people would not suffer trials, woes, onslaughts from the devil, tough times, and even serious injury from Satan. In fact, He promised that such things would, indeed, come to His people (2 Timothy 3:12). He did, however, gloriously promise: (1) to give His people the victory (1 Corinthians 15:57), (2) to be with His people always, in everything they face (Matthew 28:20), (3) to give them peace (John 16:33; Psalms 119:165), and (4) to never forsake them (Hebrews 13:5). Finally, Jesus and His Father promised to hold onto their children so tightly that no one could take them out of their hands (John 10:28, 29).
4.
What does the word "church" mean?
The word "church" is translated from the Greek word "ekklesia", which means "called-out ones." How fitting! Jesus people are called out of the world and Babylon into His precious fold of safety. People become part of Jesus' remnant end-time church by being baptized when Jesus calls them. Jesus says, "My sheep hear my voice, ... and they follow me." John 10:27.
The word "church" is translated from the Greek word "ekklesia", which means "called-out ones." How fitting! Jesus people are called out of the world and Babylon into His precious fold of safety. People become part of Jesus' remnant end-time church by being baptized when Jesus calls them. Jesus says, "My sheep hear my voice, ... and they follow me." John 10:27.
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