After the angel explained to John
the mystery behind the scarlet beast and Babylon, another angel come down from heaven. This angel had great authority, and his presence made the earth grow bright under his glory. This glorious angel gave a mighty shout: “Babylon is fallen - that great city is fallen!” The angel went on to say, “She has become a home for demons. She is a hideout for every foul spirit, a hideout for every foul vulture and every foul and dreadful animal. For all the nations have fallen because of the wine of her passionate immorality. The kings of the world have committed adultery with her. Because of her desires for extravagant luxury, the merchants of the world have grown rich.” After the angel shouted that out, John heard another voice call down from heaven, “Come away from her, my people. Do not take part in her sins, or you will be punished with her. For her sins are piled as high as heaven, and God remembers her evil deeds. Do to her as she has done to others. Double her penalty for all her evil deeds. She brewed a cup of terror for others, so brew twice as much for her. She glorified herself and lived in luxury, so match it now with torment and sorrow. She boasted in her heart, ‘I am queen on my throne. I am no helpless widow, and I have no reason to mourn.’” The voice continued to say, “Therefore, these plagues will overtake her in a single day - death and mourning and famine. She will be completely consumed by fire, for the Lord God who judges her is mighty. And the kings of the world who committed adultery with her and enjoyed her great luxury will mourn for her as they see the smoke rising from her charred remains. They will stand at a distance, terrified by her great torment. They will cry out, “How terrible, how terrible for you, O Babylon, you great city! In a single moment God’s judgment came on you.” Revelation 18:1-10 Verses 11-20 repeat the same distaste and the same destruction. The voice from heaven continues to declare the wrongs that have been done by Babylon. Then a mighty angel picked up a boulder the size of a huge millstone. He threw it into the ocean and shouted, “Just like this, the great city Babylon will be thrown down with violence and will never be found again.” The voice then said, “The sound of harps, singers, flutes, and trumpets will never be heard in you again. No craftsmen and no trades will ever be found in you again. The sound of the mill will never be heard in you again. The light of a lamp will never shine in you again. The happy voices of brides and grooms will never be heard in you again. For your merchants were the greatest in the world, and you deceived the nations with your sorceries. In your streets flowed the blood of the prophets and of God’s holy people and the blood of people slaughtered all over the world.” Revelation 18:21-24 Chapter 18 captures the Declaration of God - the Day the Lord speaks his judgement against Babylon, and to all on the earth who extend from her, and do her will. I must say, these have been some difficult chapters to read. They have left a bitter feeling in my gut, a sad feeling in my heart, and a remorseful spirit. And yet, there is truth. There is the truth that I have been redeemed. There is the truth that I must never quit giving testimony to Jesus. Tomorrow I be introduced to the Rider who comes on the white horse. I can not wait!
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The other day I wrote about
the woman named Babylon. Today I will write about the beast - the one we are warned to be sober-minded and watchful of. According to scripture, the children of God are called to be watchmen. So let me ask you, why aren’t you watching? Is it because you have been told by men standing in the pulpit NOT to pay attention to Satan? I implore you to listen to the LOGOS of God! We will all be held accountable for our actions. It is imperative that you know what the Bible says. The Bible says the angel told John, “I will tell you the mystery of the beast that has 7 heads and 10 horns on which the woman sits.” “The beast you saw was once alive but now is not. And he will soon come up out of the bottomless pit and go to eternal destruction.” I keep tossing thoughts, over and over again, wondering in my head what evil person was alive but is now dead? Who is this person taking up space in the underworld? We’ve had so many evil kings, it really could be anyone. The scripture says, “And the people who belong to this world, whose names were not written in the Book of Life before the world was made, will be amazed at the reappearance of this beast who had died.” This must mean exactly what it says. There are many evil people who deny the Father of Creation, His Son Jesus, and the Holy Spirit. God knew this before the earth was ever made, and yet He still allowed evil people to be born. I wonder why? The scripture says, “This calls for a mind with understanding: The seven heads of the beast represent the seven mountains where the woman rules. They also represent seven kings.” Since the angel told John “this woman you saw in your vision represents the great city (Babylon) that rules over the kings of the world,” could the seven mountains be the spiritual geographical area that surrounds the valley of death? “Five kings have already fallen, the sixth now reigns, and the seventh is yet to come, but his reign will be brief.” At the time that John wrote, during the first century after Christ, six evil kings had already reigned. I wonder which six had a satanic spirit? Also, John saw 7 heads, so why in the world did the angel say, “The scarlet beast that was, but is no longer, is the eighth king?” That’s 8 heads, not seven. So what went wrong? Why does that angel say there is an 8th king who is like the other seven, who is also headed for destruction? Why didn’t the 8th head protrude from the beast? I wonder if the 8th head is embedded in the beast? Is he an Antichrist King that we can’t actually see? Is he hidden inside the 10 horns? Then the angel says, “The ten horns of the beast are ten kings who have not yet risen to power.” “They will be appointed to their kingdoms for one brief moment to reign with the beast.” “They will all agree to give the beast their power and authority. Together they will go to war against the Lamb, but the Lamb will defeat them because he is Lord of all Lords and King of all kings. And his called and chosen and faithful ones will be with him.” It sounds like these ten horns, or ten kings, will all be raised during the same brief prophetic season, to carry out God’s purpose. Also, the scripture says, “The scarlet beast and his ten horns all hate the prostitute.” They will strip her naked, eat her flesh, and burn her remains with fire.” The scarlet beast who I believe to be the Antichrist, is Satan himself, birthed as a man, and all his kingly extensions will be allowed to perform these duties for God. “For God has put a plan into their minds, a plan that will carry out his purposes.” God allows these kings to agree and give their authority to the scarlet beast, so that the words of God will be fulfilled. In Revelation 13, John also saw “a beast rising up out of the sea. It had seven heads and ten horns, with ten crowns on its horns. And written on each head were names that blasphemed God. This beast looked like a leopard, but it had the feet of a bear and the mouth of a lion! And the dragon gave the beast his own power and throne and great authority. I saw that one of the heads of the beast seemed wounded beyond recovery - but the fatal wound was healed! The whole world marveled at this miracle and gave allegiance to the beast. They worshiped the dragon for giving the beast such power, and they also worshiped the beast.” “Who is as great as the beast?” they exclaimed. “Who is able to fight against him?” “Then the beast was allowed to speak great blasphemies against God. And he was given authority to do whatever he wanted for 42 months (3 and a half years).” “And he spoke terrible words of blasphemy against God, slandering his name and his dwelling - that is, those who dwell in heaven. And the beast was allowed to wage war against God’s holy people and to conquer them. And he was given authority to rule over every tribe and people and language and nation. And all the people who belong to this world worshiped the beast. They are the ones whose names were not written in the Book of Life that belongs to the Lamb who was slaughtered before the world was made.” Revelation 13:1-8 Daniel also said, “This fourth beast is the 4th world power that will rule the earth. It will be different from all the others. It will devour the whole world, trampling and crushing everything in its path. Its ten horns are ten kings who will rule that empire. Then another king will arise, different from the other ten, who will subdue three of them. He will defy the Most High and oppress the holy people of the Most High. He will try to change their sacred festivals and laws, and they will be placed under his control for a time, times, and half a time.” Daniel 7:23-25 There is much to ponder about the beast. Some Preachers say not to pay attention to him. But that is not biblical. The scripture says not to fear him. It’s does not say to not pay attention to him. In fact, it says just the opposite. Peter said, “Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour.” 1 Peter 5:8 And Jesus said, “When you see clouds beginning to form in the west, you say, ‘Here comes a shower.’ And you are right. When the south wind blows, you say, ‘Today will be a scorcher.’ And it is. You fools! You know how to interpret the weather signs of the earth and sky, but you don’t know how to interpret the present times. Why can’t you decide for yourselves what is right?” Luke 12:54-56 The children of God are called to be watchmen. Why aren’t we watching? Why aren't we giving warning? Why aren't we testifying? Who is Babylon?
Well, in the spirit realm, according to John, Babylon is the mother of all people who speak obscenities against God, and who engage in all kinds of immoralities in this God-forsaken world. Babylon lives with the scarlet beast, in the wilderness. Babylon represents the tower of Satan. Babylon is the holding place that contains the beast until the appointed day of God's divine destruction. In the spirit realm, Babylon is called a prostitute. She represents a person who has sold her soul to Satan. She is a harlot who has been defiled. Think about it - a harlot only exists because there are Johns. It takes two to tango. And in this situation, Babylon represents the hearts of evil people. Babylon is an accumulation of stones who defile the temple of God. People who sell their soul to the devil. People who rebel against almighty God. The beast really hates her. Satan does not love her. He knows his days are numbered. So Satan uses her to accomplish his purpose - He truly is the epitome of evil. But God allows Babylon and Satan to exist, at least for now. Nothing happens outside of the Will of God. “Yet what we suffer now is nothing compared to the glory he will reveal to us later. For all creation is waiting eagerly for that future day when God will reveal who his children really are. Against its will, all creation was subjected to God’s curse. But with eager hope, the creation looks forward to the day when it will join God’s children in glorious freedom from death and decay.” “For we know that all creation has been groaning as in the pains of childbirth right up to the present time. And we believers also groan, even though we have the Holy Spirit within us as a foretaste of future glory, for we long for our bodies to be released from sin and suffering. We, too, wait with eager hope for the day when God will give us our full rights as his adopted children, including the new bodies he has promised us.” Romans 8:18-23 “And we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them.” Romans 8:28 In the end, Babylon leads to the destruction of this world, and thus, to the new creation - the New Jerusalem. So be on guard and sober-minded. Be careful of the devil. His desire is to murder - to kill the children of God. Babylon has a gold goblet filled to the rim with the blood of God’s people. She enjoys going after the martyrs I know it is hard to believe, but scripture says that Babylon is all part of God’s plan. We just have to patient. When the time is right for God to finish carrying out His plan, Babylon will be given over to the beast, and he will strip her naked. eat her flesh, and use fire to burn her remains. Babylon will come to end, and that will be the end of Satan. He will have nowhere else to run. He will have nowhere else to turn. In the natural realm, Babylon represents masses of people who are not going to be with God. They are simply vessels to accomplish God’s purpose. Babylon is the mother of All Prostitutes and Obscenities in the World. Scripture says Babylon represents people - people whose names were NOT written in the Book of Life, the Book of Life that was written BEFORE the world was made. This was told to John by Jesus. You can find it in the 17th chapter of Revelation. Isn’t that just crazy? It’s hard to believe that people are inherently evil. Culture teaches us that all people are good. Someone once said, “Men and women cannot know themselves until they know the reality of the God who made them. Once they know the holy God, their own sin appears so grievous that they cannot rest until they have full appropriated Christ.” By Richard F. Lovelace “Dynamics of Spiritual Life” p.82 Caravaggio 1571-1610, Italy Perhaps God allows evil so that we can spur each other on? Perhaps when we experience sin we can turn to God? Perhaps evil allows people to see their need for God? Without God, we are doomed for destruction. This world has already been cursed and forsaken. Without Christ, every person is Babylon. Now you may be thinking, How could she possible say we are forsaken? Well, my answer is - read the Bible. It’s time for Christians to return to the Biblical worldview - the actual foundation of the World. God is sovereign and the devil is real. Did you know only 21% percent of Christians believe that humans are children of wrath and, without Christ, are heading straight for hell? Did you know that not everyone goes to Heaven? Many present day “Christians” are actually leading people to hell! They focus more on humanism rather than keeping Christ at the center. What happens in a world where evil is seen as good? Does this not diminish the need for God? When did humans get to decide what is good and what is evil? Perhaps that is why God instructed Adam and Eve not to eat from the Tree of Knowledge - for surely they would die! When did man get to decide what is right or wrong in the eyes of God? What happens when humans try to love without bowing down to the authority of God? Is it possible that many Christians are really Babylonians who are blindly pursuing evil? Why does Jesus command us to pick up our cross and follow Him despite the attacks that come against us? Is there a reason we are told to put on the armor of God, and pray constantly? Is this God’s way to keep us safe from the ploys of the enemy? Thank you Lord for giving me more insight and wisdom into Babylon. I now know that she is the opposite of Mount Zion. She is only a high statue that will be brought down. The Tower of Babel is created by man. Mount Zion is created by God. Tomorrow I will explore the beast. Please God continue to watch over me, and intervene. Revelation 17 Part 2:
Unadulterated Scripture Yesterday I shared how amazed I was that John stood when an angel of the Lord came up to him. John had just seen the most horrific scene - he saw the wrath of God poured out onto the earth. And now, the angel wanted to show him the reason for it all! He wanted to show him the harlot Babylon. The angel took John, in the Spirit, into the wilderness. There he saw a woman sitting on a scarlet beast that had seven heads and ten horns, and blasphemies against God were written all over them. The woman wore purple and scarlet clothing and had beautiful jewelry made of gold, precious gems and pearls around her neck. In her hand, the woman held a gold goblet full of obscenities and the impurities of her immorality. A mysterious name was written on her forehead: “Babylon the Great, Mother of All Prostitutes and Obscenities in the World.” John could see that she was drunk - drunk with the blood of God’s holy people who were witnesses for Jesus. John stared at her in complete amazement. “Why are you so amazed?” the angel asked John. “I will tell you the mystery of this woman and of the beast with seven heads and ten horns on which she sits.” The angel said, “The beast you saw was once alive but isn’t now. And yet he will soon come up out of the bottomless pit and go to eternal destruction. And the people who belong to this world, whose names were NOT written in the Book of Life BEFORE the world was made, will be amazed at the reappearance of this beast who had died.” The angel then said, “This calls for a mind with understanding: The seven heads of the beast represent the seven hills where the woman rules. They also represent seven kings. Five kings have already fallen, the sixth now reigns, and the seventh is yet to come, but his reign will be brief.” “The scarlet beast that was, but is no longer, is the eighth king. He is like the other seven, and he, too, is headed for destruction.” “The ten horns of the beast are ten kings who have not yet risen to power. They will be appointed to their kingdoms for one brief moment to reign with the beast.” “They will all agree to give him their power and authority. Together they will go to war against the Lamb, but the Lamb will defeat them because he is Lord of all Lords and King of all kings. The Lord’s called and chosen and faithful ones will be with him.” Then the angel said to John, “The waters where the prostitute is ruling represents masses of people of every nation and language.” “The scarlet beast and his ten horns all hate the prostitute. They will strip her naked, eat her flesh, and burn her remains with fire. For God has put a plan into their minds, a plan that will carry out his purposes.” “They will agree to give their authority to the scarlet beast, and so the words of God will be fulfilled.” “And this woman you saw in your vision represents the great city that rules over the kings of the world.” Revelation 17:3-18 This is going to be what I write in my poem today. The pure unadulterated scripture is so profound. Tomorrow I will dive in to the Word and ask the Holy Spirit to help me break it down. Oh My God!
I have no idea how John stood when one of the seven angels who poured out God’s wrath came over and spoke to him. Honestly, I think I would have died. The Apostle John, the most beloved follower of Christ, just told us what will happen when God pours out His wrath onto the earth. It’s not going to be pretty. It’s going to be mighty, ugly and deadly! People who are deceived - you know, the ones who follow the beast, the ones who are not convinced that Jesus is Lord, the ones who have not been convicted by the Holy Spirit of God, will stand in judgement before our Almighty God! There will be so much pestilence and plagues, that billions of people will die. Our planet will tip on its axis, and the earth will be totally off balance. There will be a giant earthquake that splits the earth in three and the sun will burn up everything. There will even be a horrific hailstorm! Enormous pounds of ice will come down and kill everything. The Day of the Lord will NOT be fun, but even worse than everything that John saw, this day will bring more than just death and bloodshed - it will be the end of repentance! Don’t you get it? There will be no more turning back to the Lord. It will be the end of compassion as we know it. This is the day the Lord’s patience runs out. This is the day the Most High God slams his gavel down and administers His punishment. And here - in this passage, we see one of the angels who came out of the Altar of God, who just poured out one of the bowls of the wrath of God, come up to John. “Come with me,” the angel said, “and I will show you the judgment that is going to come on the great prostitute, who rules over many waters.” “The kings of the world have committed adultery with her, and the people who belong to this world have been made drunk by the wine of her immorality.” There you have it! John just saw God’s judgment come down on the earth, and now he’s going to see God's judgment come down on the Harlot - the Harlot whose name is Babylon. Everything that happens in heaven in the spiritual realm gets played out on the earth in the physical realm. I can’t even go on. My heart is beating a million miles a minute. After reading scripture, how can anyone believe that bowing down to sin is the most compassionate thing we can do? Don't you get it? There is no repentance in it! What about sharing the TRUTH? What about sharing the real ministry of Jesus? Jesus did not come to bring healing in the natural realm, that was just an extension of him. Jesus did not come to make us complacent so that we would bow down to sin! And Jesus certainly did not come to make us feel good, or to tolerate evil spirits! That was never HIS purpose! Jesus came to reconcile men through the ministry of repentance. Jesus came to bring division, not peace! If you don't believe me, read Luke 12:49-59. And while you are at it, read the rest of the Bible! Knowing Jesus, being in His presence, is supposed to wake us up - to go and sin no more, not to use Him as a reason to bow down to sin! What would happen if the adulterous woman listened to Jesus, then walked away from Him, and continued to live in sin, over and over again? Would an unrepentant heart be forgiven, if the heart was never softened? What would happen to the person who continues to spit in the face of Jesus? Do you think Jesus will tell them to depart from Him? If the sexually immoral continue to make excuses for their deviant behavior, do they really know Jesus at all? If the person who murders continues to kill, and they never change from their evil ways - is that acceptable to God? What about the Christian who believes a woman has the right to abortion, to kill unborn babies - is that excusable to God? What about Christians who believe and proclaim there are many ways to God - is that a person who knows Christ? And while I'm on this soapbox, what about the Pope? Is it okay to believe that a pastor or a priest is the bridge between a person’s soul and God? Doesn’t that defy who Jesus is? Don’t all believers have direct access to God through the blood of the Lamb. The Lamb of God that was slain for the sins of all? How can anyone twist God's TRUTH, and say that truth is dependent on what is true for each and every person? That just means they never knew Jesus at all. These Christians who exude “love and compassion” are really leading to people to hell! It's the most despicable form of sin I can imagine! They are actually the tools of Satan and not followers of Christ at all! God help us! We have to stop believing the label, and begin to look at the heart! Lord, help me not get so overwhelmed when I shout out wisdom into the streets! There are so many people who absolutely refuse to stand in the presence of God. I know it is not my problem at all! And I know I used to be the biggest sinner of them all! But God! God alone brought me to the end of myself. And now I get so angry when I watch people mocking God. I feel like Peter when he wanted to take out his sword! I just want to defend the truth and protect my God - but I know it's not my burden. I have been called to share the truth in love. That is the ministry of who I am. That is who God created me to be. Lord, open their eyes! The burden is heavy, but I know it is not mine to carry! It just breaks my heart to see so much disobedience among the “children of God” - the five lamp stands stand muted in your presence. I pray that every person would experience your mighty hand, and that you would bring them into line through your loving correction. I pray for Kingdom conviction. Kingdom wisdom and Kingdom justice. Did you know that God has
7 bowls that are full of his wrath? Wrath that has been swelling inside of him since the day of humanity’s original sin. These bowls of wrath will deliver the battle of Armageddon and the most horrific Hailstorm Plaque. The first bowl that is poured out will deliver horrible, malignant sores that will break out on every person who has the mark of the beast. The second bowl that is poured out will turn the sea into blood, and everything in the sea will completely die. The third bowl will also turn the rivers and springs into blood, and all In Heaven will declare God as Just. God will take out his just reward on the people of Satan for shedding innocent blood. Yes, the Lord our God, is the ultimate Jury and Judge. God does have Ultimate Truth, despite what progressive minds like to think. Then fourth bowl will cause the sun to scorch everyone - Everyone will be burned by this blast of this star's solar heat. Throughout all of this - the people who bow down to Satan will continue to curse the name of God. They will not repent of their sins and turn from their evil ways! The fifth bowl will plunge the throne of the beast and his kingdom utter darkness. His subjects will experience the most anguishing kind of death; and yet, they will continue to curse the God of heaven for their pains. Not one person will repent of their evil deeds and turn to God. The sixth wrath of God that will be poured out onto the earth will be the drying up of the Euphrates River, and this will happen so that the kings from the east can march their armies toward the west, easily. At this time, three evil spirits that look like frogs will leap from the mouths of the dragon, the beast and the false prophet. These demonic spirits will work miracles and go out to all the rulers of the world to gather them for battle against the Lord. The demonic spirits will gather all the rulers and their armies to a Hebrew place called Armageddon. Armageddon is actually a physical location - a place called the hill or city of Megiddo which is located in Northern Israel in the Valley of Jezreel. After the slaughter of the earth’s evil rulers the seventh bowl will be poured out, and a mighty shout will come from the Temple of God. At this time, “It is finished!” will be heard throughout the world. And the greatest earthquake to ever strike will separate the earth. The great city of Babylon will split into three sections, and the cities of many nations will fall into heaps of rubble. God will remember ALL of Babylon’s sins, and he will make that harlot drink the cup that was filled with the wine of his wrath. Every island will disappear, there will no longer be continents. All the mountains will be leveled, and there will be a terrible hailstorm falling straight from the sky. The Bible says that each piece of hail could weigh as much as 75 pounds, and it will go down in Heaven as the greatest Hailstorm plague that ever hit the earth. Welcome to the Great and Terrible Day of the Lord. Before looking at the bowls of wrath,
I am being nudged by the Holy Spirit to go back and look at the rapture. I used to believe that the rapture of the church happened at the very beginning of the Great Tribulation, but when I dove into the Book of Revelation, and began writing these poetic sermons, God changed my mind. Now I believe that the two lamp stands that stand before God and man are the two witnesses described in Revelation 11. I believe that the 2 witnesses are the followers of Christ who represent the two churches that stand without blemish, the Smyrna and Philadelphia churches. I believe that they are the 2 lampstands that are a true reflection of Christ. I believe that these believers in Christ represent the inner court, the people who belong to the Temple of God. And I believe that for 42 months the other 5 lamp stands will be turned over to Satan, the ruler of the nations. And I believe that during this time, these two witnesses will be clothed in burlap to repent and intercede for all people. And I believe that during this time, these two witnesses will prophesy. They will be so indwelled by the Holy Spirit that they will have the power to shut the sky and not make rain fall. And I believe that during these 42 months, they will speak the truth and will keep God’s Word alive! I believe in what the Word says, “These two prophets are the two olive trees and the two lampstands that stand before the Lord and man.” And I believe that when they complete their testimony, Satan will declare war against them, and he will conquer and kill them. And I believe that their bodies will lie dead, in the main street of Jerusalem, the city that is figuratively called “Sodom” and “Egypt,” the city where the Lord was crucified. This city is the place that is void of Christ, void of God’s Holy Spirit. Scripture says that for three and a half days, all peoples, tribes, languages, and nations will stare at their bodies. No one will be allowed to bury them. The nations will hate them. All the people who belong to this world will gloat over them and give presents to each other to celebrate the death of the two prophets who had tormented them. Let’s face it - Most “Christians” do not want to hear the Voice of God, because they do not desire to suffer out of love. They do not want to forgive. and they do not want to be obedient to God. The majority of the five lamp stands will walk away, but God always keep a remnant. There will be some who turn from their ways, and return to the Lord. Now that I have dove into the Book of Revelation, I believe that the rapture takes place right before the 7th Trumpet. After the two witnesses, people who represent the two lamp stands, lay dead for three and a half days, God will breathe life back into them, and they will be resurrected. At this time, a loud voice will call out to them from heaven. The voice will say, “Come up here!” And I believe, this is when the rapture of God’s people will happen. Until I am convinced that this interpretation is wrong, I am going to hold on to this view of the rapture. The Holy Spirit has always been my teacher. But I am not done. I am still reading, I am still writing, I am still praying, and I am still learning. I could read something or be told something by the Holy Spirit that could change everything. But for now, this is where I am. I have learned
from the other Chapters in the Book of Revelation that God has an appointed time and season. I have also learned that God has a sequence, and His sequence is connected to the number seven. Through the Revelation of Jesus, God addresses the seven churches. The seven churches make up the composition of the Body of Christ who follow Him. John saw seven gold lamp-stands, and standing in the middle of them was Jesus, and in his right hand, Jesus held seven stars. He tells us exactly who the seven stars and the seven churches are. The seven stars are the angels of the seven churches, and the seven lamp-stands are the seven churches themselves. Through the Revelation of Jesus, God sends us a message. A message to teach us, give hope and provide encouragement. Only two churches are identified as being characteristic of Christ. Only two churches represent the pure remnant. Only two churches stand without spot and blemish. These are the two witnesses who give accurate testimony to Christ. Jesus is identified as being the only one worthy to take the scroll and open its seals. “Look, the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the heir to David’s throne, has won the victory. He is worthy to open the scroll and its seven seals.” Revelation 5:5 The Perfect Lamb had seven horns and seven eyes, which represent the 7 spirits of God. His composition reflects the true version of God. The Word of God has seven seals. Each represents God’s sovereign witness, and the tearing of them leads to the seven trumpets. The seven trumpets announce the terrors that come to earth, and the seventh trumpet reveals God’s mysterious plan. It will all happen just as God announced it to his servants the prophets. His two witnesses will stand, speak the truth, be killed and rise again. The pure remnant will be raptured from the earth. Then, there will be a Great War in Heaven. What happens in Heaven is always reflected upon the earth. We will see nations rising up against God. We will watch Jesus cut down every nation who stands against Him. We will see the blood of many men running four foot high and 180 miles long. Then will come the bowls - the last seven deadly plagues that infect the earth. The seven plagues will bring God’s wrath to an end. You see, Jesus is the perfect creation. He is the Lamb that was slaughtered so that God could be brought back into relationship with you. Jesus is creation who has seven horns and seven eyes, which represent the 7 spirits of God. And he calls us to follow Him, two by two. What is this thing
that has crawled up inside of me, and why can’t I seem to make it go away? It seems the harder I try, the more it takes a hold of my life. Why won’t this feeling go away? It started slow. When she entered my life, I thought I met hope. She made me feel alive. The lonely me was dying inside, and then suddenly I met a fun companion to hang out with. This “friend” pretended to know what I was going through. She made me feel like I was not alone. I spent so much time not paying attention; and now, in my exhaustion, I just now realizing exactly who she is. How could I not know? I was so focused on how she made me feel, that I never took the time to see that she was not real! I never even saw the face of my new companion. I had no idea that her real name was Addiction. I honestly thought her name was Joy. But now it’s the middle of the night, and I am laying here, by myself, in the dark. I’m wondering why. Why do I feel so alone? Why are my feet stone cold? Why do I feel like I’m dying inside? I just want to cry! Where did my Joy go? Why is she nowhere to be found? My stomach is churning and my mind is racing, “What have I done?” Now look at me - I’m looking at so much lost time! Oh God, what have I done? Why did I choose to become friends with this crazy companion? In desperation, I toss and turn, and when I turn on my side - there she is! I am now face to face with my real companion. Addiction is staring me in the face. For the first time, my mind is awake. I see the real spirit who has crawled inside. Beneath the makeup, I see her eyes. She is staring back at me all crackhead and goggly-eyed. She mocks at me and whispers, “Hi.” Oh God, the voice of this temptress makes me cringe deep inside. Why? Oh God, Why? How did Addiction get in my bed? I don’t even remember letting her in. All I remember is Joy. How did this happen? Can I make up for lost time? Am I able to move on from the sin I've committed? I must try! You see, Addiction pretends to be your friend. She slithers in and makes you feel good, and then she hangs on tightly for dear life. Sometimes it’s alcohol, Sometimes it’s drugs, Sometimes it’s gambling, pornography or food; Sometimes it’s girls, sometimes it’s men, sometimes it’s just spending money over and over again. Addiction is about being tied. Addiction is tied to the flesh that takes over my mind. Addiction is actually the spirit of lust. She relies on you craving more of the flesh. She is tied to your thoughts, “I’m not good enough” tosses over and over in your head, and then comes in and makes you feel good. She takes your strength and makes you subside. Before you even know who Addiction really is, she sucks the soul right out of you. Maybe that is why? Maybe that is why I can never seem to overcome when I try! She takes and takes and never gives back. She lies. She tells you "You are not worthy." "You're not good enough." She tells you everyone else does not love you. She lies. Before you know it, you are sharing your bed with a demonic stronghold who likes to pretend. She baits you in, and kicks you when you are down. She makes you do things you would never imagine. She tries. But there is Hope. Hope is found in the blood of the Lamb. Hope is found in Jesus alone. I am here to wake you up. God has placed your life on my heart. You are worthy because of Christ. Christ died for the sins of every man. He loved you before you were even formed. He knows the tricks of Satan. He is the only person who has ever lived that has outwitted the tempting of Satan. Don’t be surprised. Satan attacks the flesh of every person. His desire is to slither in and then grab hold, to take you down to hell with him. But God! God’s right arm is longer than his. He saves every man who turns to him. Just cry out. Call out to Jesus and grab hold of His hand. God is a good Father waiting for you to turn to Him. Call on the name of Christ. Call on His name when you are afraid. Call on His name when you need refuge. Call on His name when you want to win. Call on His name and don’t give up! Jesus is the truth, the way and the life! He sheds His light into the darkness, and He exposes every demonic stronghold for what it is. All you have to do is just ask him to enter your heart and your mind. God’s Holy Spirit drives out demons! He has the power to remove Addiction! But it all starts with you acknowledging the truth. If Addiction is the demon you have been struggling with. If Addiction is the demon who you have invited into your bed. If Addiction is the lie that you have been living with, then it’s time to kick her out! God is waking you up. You were created with a purpose. Your life matters to Him. It is time to see Addiction for who she is. She is not the beauty you thought she was. She has been dragging you down into the pit of hell. It is time to shed light! The Lord is saying it is time to break every stronghold! It is time for His prodigal sons to come home. “When he finally came to his senses, he said to himself, ‘At home even the hired servants have food enough to spare, and here I am dying of hunger! I will go home to my father and say, “Father, I have sinned against both heaven and you, and I am no longer worthy of being called your son. Please take me on as a hired servant.”’ “So he returned home to his father. And while he was still a long way off, his father saw him coming. Filled with love and compassion, he ran to his son, embraced him, and kissed him. His son said to him, ‘Father, I have sinned against both heaven and you, and I am no longer worthy of being called your son.’ “But his father said to the servants, ‘Quick! Bring the finest robe in the house and put it on him. Get a ring for his finger and sandals for his feet. And kill the calf we have been fattening. We must celebrate with a feast, for this son of mine was dead and has now returned to life. He was lost, but now he is found.’ So the party began.” Luke 15:17-24 Christians,
Are these next verses figurative language or do John’s words have literal meaning? “Then I looked and saw that the Temple in heaven, God’s Tabernacle, was thrown wide open.” “The seven angels who were holding the seven plagues came out of the Temple.” “They were clothed in spotless white linen with gold sashes across their chests.” “Then one of the four living beings handed each of the seven angels a gold bowl filled with the wrath of God, who lives forever and ever.” “The Temple was filled with smoke from God’s glory and power.” “No one could enter the Temple until the seven angels had completed pouring out the seven plagues.” Revelation 15:5-8 Does our limited understanding, and our muted imaginations take away from the profound images that John saw in the heavenly realm? If we are the Temple of God and God lives inside our hearts, then do the seven angels come out of us? I think not! That is just another extension of self-centered-ism. God existed long before man. He does not become a part of us, rather we become a part of Him. We must be careful not to limit God. We have to be careful not to view God from this limited, self-centered attempt to understand WHO God is. I ask - Does God have a Temple in Heaven? Did this Temple exist before the hearts of man? Does God’s Temple actually have doors? Is it possible for His Temple doors to be thrown wide open? Do angels exist? Does God have a purpose for the number seven? Are there actually bowls of wrath? Will there actually be seven deadly plagues? Is Christ really a Lamb? Is Christ the actual Son of God? Is Christ the actual Son of Man? Was the Lamb slain to save the world? Did God actually create Satan, a spiritual being who would oppose him? Did God plant the Garden of Eden? Did God plant the Tree of Knowledge, and if so, for what purpose? Is all of this just gibberish? Or is it possible that God is so much greater than my limited reason and imagination? Figurative language creates comparisons by linking the senses and the concrete to abstract ideas. Is this what John did? Did John do the best he could to try to make sense of what he actually saw in Heaven? Does the figurative language diminish the immensity of God? Does our lack of logic or limited imaginations take away from how majestic our God is? God is so good! He loves us despite our weakness and imperfection. His mercy and grace covers our filthy rags. Figurative language or not - for every believer - Faith in a Big God is at the heart. |
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April 2022
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