The Seal Of God

I personally am not convinced of a pre-tribulation rapture (catching up of the church). During the time of the tribulation, I believe we will see God's supernatural protection of His people over and over again. Just like in the book of Exodus, as the plagues/judgments were poured out, the Hebrew people in the land of Goshen were protected.

One of the reasons I believe this is because of what is recorded in Revelation 9:1-12. At the sounding of the fifth trumpet an angel, probably a fallen angel, opens the bottomless pit and releases a horrible, monstrous horde of creatures that will torment people on the earth for five months. But these creatures have limits put on them by God. One of those limits is that they are not to hurt the people who have "the seal of God in their foreheads."

Concerning end time things we hear much about the mark of the beast, but we seldom hear about the seal of God placed on His own people.

Revelation 9:1-12 And the fifth angel sounded, and I saw a star fall from heaven unto the earth: and to him was given the key of the bottomless pit. 2And he opened the bottomless pit; and there arose a smoke out of the pit, as the smoke of a great furnace; and the sun and the air were darkened by reason of the smoke of the pit. 3And there came out of the smoke locusts upon the earth: and unto them was given power, as the scorpions of the earth have power. 4And it was commanded them that they should not hurt the grass of the earth, neither any green thing, neither any tree; but only those men which have not the seal of God in their foreheads. 5And to them it was given that they should not kill them, but that they should be tormented five months: and their torment was as the torment of a scorpion, when he striketh a man. 6And in those days shall men seek death, and shall not find it; and shall desire to die, and death shall flee from them. 7And the shapes of the locusts were like unto horses prepared unto battle; and on their heads were as it were crowns like gold, and their faces were as the faces of men. 8And they had hair as the hair of women, and their teeth were as the teeth of lions. 9And they had breastplates, as it were breastplates of iron; and the sound of their wings was as the sound of chariots of many horses running to battle. 10And they had tails like unto scorpions, and there were stings in their tails: and their power was to hurt men five months. 11And they had a king over them, which is the angel of the bottomless pit, whose name in the Hebrew tongue is Abaddon, but in the Greek tongue hath his name Apollyon. 12One woe is past; and, behold, there come two woes more hereafter.

Triumph Of The Two Witnesses

Recently as I was reading through the book of Revelation I noticed something that I had missed before. In Revelation 11 when it is talking about the two witnesses, it tells us that everyone who attempted to hurt them would be killed by fire coming out of their mouths. I think that it is not literal fire coming out of their mouths, but by their decree these people are killed. But then there comes a time when the beast that ascends out the bottomless pit is able to overcome them and kill them. At first my thought is how can that be?? But then I notice this phrase "when they shall have finished their testimony." The beast has no power over them until their mission is finished and then God allows the beast to have the power to kill them. As always God has the final word.

We also see here that the two witnesses don't stay dead very long. Right in front of the people who had been celebrating the defeat of these two who had brought them so much trouble, these two come back to life. Then they rise up into heaven. Can you imagine the fear and terror that those people watching will be experiencing?

In this we see that once again God is in control and He wins.

Revelation 11:3-13 And I will give power unto my two witnesses, and they shall prophesy a thousand two hundred and threescore days, clothed in sackcloth. 4These are the two olive trees, and the two candlesticks standing before the God of the earth. 5And if any man will hurt them, fire proceedeth out of their mouth, and devoureth their enemies: and if any man will hurt them, he must in this manner be killed. 6These have power to shut heaven, that it rain not in the days of their prophecy: and have power over waters to turn them to blood, and to smite the earth with all plagues, as often as they will. 7And when they shall have finished their testimony, the beast that ascendeth out of the bottomless pit shall make war against them, and shall overcome them, and kill them. 8And their dead bodies shall lie in the street of the great city, which spiritually is called Sodom and Egypt, where also our Lord was crucified. 9And they of the people and kindreds and tongues and nations shall see their dead bodies three days and an half, and shall not suffer their dead bodies to be put in graves. 10And they that dwell upon the earth shall rejoice over them, and make merry, and shall send gifts one to another; because these two prophets tormented them that dwelt on the earth. 11And after three days and an half the Spirit of life from God entered into them, and they stood upon their feet; and great fear fell upon them which saw them. 12And they heard a great voice from heaven saying unto them, Come up hither. And they ascended up to heaven in a cloud; and their enemies beheld them. 13And the same hour was there a great earthquake, and the tenth part of the city fell, and in the earthquake were slain of men seven thousand: and the remnant were affrighted, and gave glory to the God of heaven.

God Wins Every Time

Romans 8:28 And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.

We each have a call/commission from the Lord. The enemy will try to take us out or seek to destroy that call/commission, even as he did with Joseph. But God used all that was brought against Joseph by the enemy through his brothers, Potiphar's wife, etc. to train him. God used all these things that were thrown at him to prepare him and get him in the right place, at the right time to fulfill his calling of saving many. Joseph was able to save his family, the nation of Israel.

Genesis 45:4-8 And Joseph said unto his brethren, Come near to me, I pray you. And they came near. And he said, I am Joseph your brother, whom ye sold into Egypt. 5Now therefore be not grieved, nor angry with yourselves, that ye sold me hither: for God did send me before you to preserve life. 6For these two years hath the famine been in the land: and yet there are five years, in the which there shall neither be earing nor harvest. 7And God sent me before you to preserve you a posterity in the earth, and to save your lives by a great deliverance. 8So now it was not you that sent me hither, but God: and he hath made me a father to Pharaoh, and lord of all his house, and a ruler throughout all the land of Egypt.

Genesis 50:19-20 And Joseph said unto them, Fear not: for am I in the place of God? 20But as for you, ye thought evil against me; but God meant it unto good, to bring to pass, as it is this day, to save much people alive.

Whatever the enemy throws at people God can use it for good. Like one big chess match, satan makes a move declaring, "Check," but God always has a counter move to block what the enemy had planned. The enemy never gets to declare, "Check mate!" But there is coming a day when God will declare, "Check mate!" That will be the end of satan's work as he is bound in chains in the bottomless pit.

Revelation 20:1-3 And I saw an angel come down from heaven, having the key of the bottomless pit and a great chain in his hand. 2And he laid hold on the dragon, that old serpent, which is the Devil, and Satan, and bound him a thousand years, 3And cast him into the bottomless pit, and shut him up, and set a seal upon him, that he should deceive the nations no more, till the thousand years should be fulfilled: and after that he must be loosed a little season.

Remember satan is no match for God. They are not on a level playing field. God wins every time. God created satan and has full authority over him.

Revelation-A Book Of Worship

When I first heard someone say that the book of Revelation was a book of worship I had my doubts. But the woman that made that statement was well respected in the Lord. She had an amazing walk with God and had been in ministry for many years.

In 1987, I had the privilege of going to a meeting in Avoca, NY, where Hattie Hammond was preaching. That night she made the statement that Revelation is a book of worship. I don't remember anything else she said that night, not even the topic on which she was sharing.

During the days following that meeting I read the book of Revelation and found that she was indeed correct. Worship is not something I would have thought I would have found consistently in the book of Revelation.

Here are some examples, i.e. glimpses into worship before the throne of God:

Revelation 4:8-11 And the four beasts had each of them six wings about him; and they were full of eyes within: and they rest not day and night, saying, Holy, holy, holy, Lord God Almighty, which was, and is, and is to come. 9And when those beasts give glory and honour and thanks to him that sat on the throne, who liveth for ever and ever, 10The four and twenty elders fall down before him that sat on the throne, and worship him that liveth for ever and ever, and cast their crowns before the throne, saying, 11Thou art worthy, O Lord, to receive glory and honour and power: for thou hast created all things, and for thy pleasure they are and were created.

Revelation 5:8-14 And when he had taken the book, the four beasts and four and twenty elders fell down before the Lamb, having every one of them harps, and golden vials full of odours, which are the prayers of saints. 9And they sung a new song, saying, Thou art worthy to take the book, and to open the seals thereof: for thou wast slain, and hast redeemed us to God by thy blood out of every kindred, and tongue, and people, and nation; 10And hast made us unto our God kings and priests: and we shall reign on the earth. 11And I beheld, and I heard the voice of many angels round about the throne and the beasts and the elders: and the number of them was ten thousand times ten thousand, and thousands of thousands; 12Saying with a loud voice, Worthy is the Lamb that was slain to receive power, and riches, and wisdom, and strength, and honour, and glory, and blessing. 13And every creature which is in heaven, and on the earth, and under the earth, and such as are in the sea, and all that are in them, heard I saying, Blessing, and honour, and glory, and power, be unto him that sitteth upon the throne, and unto the Lamb for ever and ever. 14And the four beasts said, Amen. And the four and twenty elders fell down and worshipped him that liveth for ever and ever.

Revelation 7:9-12 After this I beheld, and, lo, a great multitude, which no man could number, of all nations, and kindreds, and people, and tongues, stood before the throne, and before the Lamb, clothed with white robes, and palms in their hands; 10And cried with a loud voice, saying, Salvation to our God which sitteth upon the throne, and unto the Lamb. 11And all the angels stood round about the throne, and about the elders and the four beasts, and fell before the throne on their faces, and worshipped God, 12Saying, Amen: Blessing, and glory, and wisdom, and thanksgiving, and honour, and power, and might, be unto our God for ever and ever. Amen.

These are just a few of the sections in which worship is expressed. I would encourage you to read the book of Revelation to find the other passages in which worship is recorded. After you do, I think you will agree that Revelation is indeed a book of worship.

Blessing In The Book of Revelation

When I say the Book of Revelation, as in the last book of the Bible, what do you think of?

Probably you think of end times, scary stuff, too difficult to understand.....These are all things I have heard from people. I used to think that same way too, but I do not any more. As I have read it over and over I have found it easier and easier to read and have found there is depth to the book, much to learn and rejoice about.

Because of the things I mentioned above many people avoid reading the book of Revelation. If you are among those people you are missing out on a blessing. It is the one book of the Bible that specifically says there is a blessing for reading and heeding what is written in it.

Revelation 1:3 Blessed is he that readeth, and they that hear the words of this prophecy, and keep those things which are written therein: for the time is at hand.

Often people call it the book of revelations. It is not a book of many revelations. It is one revelation. It is the Revelation (singular) of the Jesus Christ.

Revelation 1:1 The Revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave unto him, to shew unto his servants things which must shortly come to pass; and he sent and signified it by his angel unto his servant John:

The entire book is the revelation of Jesus Christ. Too often we think of this book as the revelation of lucifer/satan and the antichrist. It is really the revelation of Jesus and His victory over the forces of darkness. Check it out if you don't believe me. Check it out even if you do believe me. You will be blessed.

One more thing.....revelation is translated from the Greek word "apoákalupsis" which means disclosure, unveiling. It comes from a word that means to take the cover off. So Revelation is the unveiling, the disclosure of, taking the cover off Jesus Christ.

I am sure we have all heard the word apocalypse used when referring to disasters or terrible events of the end times. I find that very unfortunate in light of the meaning of the root Greek word. I tend to think that it is part of the plan of the enemy of our souls, to try to distort what the book of Revelation is really about. By so doing he is robbing many of the blessings found in this book that are important for these days in which we live.

So I would like to challenge you to not miss out on any more blessings. Please make a point of reading Revelation. I would like to further challenge you to read it through at least once a month (or listen to it).

Stay Awake

It has been almost an entire week since I last wrote. For anyone who had come by looking for something new, I apologize. I haven't gotten much done this week, because I have not been feeling well. I seem to be dealing with a sinus infection and a flare up of fibromyalgia. It is my is my own fault. I did too much 4 days in a row and have been paying for it for 5 days.

Even so God is still good! He is still on the throne as always!!

I continue to think about things concerning the end times, because I strongly believe we are in the end times. Therefore the many passages and warnings in scripture concerning this time are especially important to us during these days. I believe this is a time when we need to be very alert in the spirit.

Matthew 24:42-47 Watch therefore: for ye know not what hour your Lord doth come. But know this, that if the goodman of the house had known in what watch the thief would come, he would have watched, and would not have suffered his house to be broken up. Therefore be ye also ready: for in such an hour as ye think not the Son of man cometh. Who then is a faithful and wise servant, whom his lord hath made ruler over his household, to give them meat in due season? Blessed is that servant, whom his lord when he cometh shall find so doing. Verily I say unto you, That he shall make him ruler over all his goods.

Jesus tells us here to "watch", to stay awake. That does not mean in the natural. We would all be walking zombies. No, He is telling us to not let our guard down, to continually keep our eyes open, to be alert in our spirit, and to be about the work that God has placed before us to do. So that when He returns we are looking for Him and have not been led away from the path that He has laid out for us, we will not have been deceived as was talked about in the last blog.

There will be a reward for the vigilance with which we live and serve.

Let No Man Deceive You

When Jesus was asked what would be the sign of His coming. The first thing He said to His disciples was "Take heed that no man deceive you." This is recorded in Matthew 24, Mark 13, and in Luke 21. Jesus repeated this admonition as He talked about the various signs of the end times that we should be aware of. He spoke specifically that many would come in His name and deceive many.

In 2 Thessalonians Paul warns the people of Thessalonica not to be deceived when he was talking to them about end time things. As I prepared to lead a Bible study on this passage I looked up the meaning of the word "deceive" in the Strong's Concordance. I found that it means "to cause to roam from safety, truth, or virtue." Isn't that interesting? Think about that for a minute.........Isn't that what the enemy is always trying to do to us as Christians? He is always trying to get us off the path that God has laid out for us...that straight and narrow path that leads unto life. When we get off that path we are deceived.....we roam from safety, truth and virtue.

Father, I pray for each person who reads this that You will cause them to stay on that straight and narrow path. And if by chance they have strayed please guide them back onto that path that you have for them.

Discerning the Signs of the Times

Matthew 16:1-4 The Pharisees also with the Sadducees came, and tempting desired him that he would shew them a sign from heaven. He answered and said unto them, When it is evening, ye say, It will be fair weather: for the sky is red. And in the morning, It will be foul weather to day: for the sky is red and lowring. O ye hypocrites, ye can discern the face of the sky; but can ye not discern the signs of the times? A wicked and adulterous generation seeketh after a sign; and there shall no sign be given unto it, but the sign of the prophet Jonas. And he left them, and departed.

In this passage Jesus is rebuking these Jewish religious leaders of that day for being able to tell the weather by signs they see in the sky, yet failing to have any understanding of the day in which they lived. They had seen signs, miracles and healings, Jesus had done. If they had not seen them, at least they had heard about them. Here they are asking Jesus to perform yet one more. These signs were not being done just for entertainment or some show. These miracles/healings/signs were for the purpose of demonstrating the kingdom of God, God’s ruler ship over all.

These religious rulers were missing the sign that was right in front of them….their promised Messiah. They were looking for his earthly kingdom to be established, which will be established in its fullness when Jesus comes the second time. The Old Testament testified of the Messiah’s first coming also, as the suffering servant. On the road to Emmaus Jesus expounded these scriptures to His disciples (Luke 24:25-27 Then he said unto them, O fools, and slow of heart to believe all that the prophets have spoken: Ought not Christ to have suffered these things, and to enter into his glory? And beginning at Moses and all the prophets, he expounded unto them in all the scriptures the things concerning himself.) These religious rulers completely missed it.

In our day it is important that we be aware of the signs of the times in which we live. While here on the earth Jesus told His disciples about many of the signs of His imminent return.
I personally want to be aware of the time in which I am living and be ready and waiting for Him at the time of His return.

Oh Lord, help us to have an understanding of the times and prepare ourselves accordingly.

The Uncreated Creator

As I listened to a teacher yesterday talking about the infiniteness and unmeasurableness of our God, he spoke of our Lord God Jehovah as the “Uncreated Creator.” I have continued to think about that.

Genesis 1:1 “In the beginning God, created the heaven and the earth.” In the beginning there was God. Before him there was nothing, just God. If we don’t believe that He alone was in the beginning and was the creator of all things then who was before Him? Who created Him? Somewhere there had to be a creator that had no creator. So why not the God of the Bible who is proclaimed to be the creator. Has any other ever come forward and proclaimed themselves to be the creator of all things? Has any other proven themselves to be true and faithful down through thousands of years? Has any document other than the Bible stood for centuries in spite of many attempts to destroy it? Now I am getting into another subject...the Bible as the infallible Word of God. I think I will stop here and let God speak for Himself.

Isaiah 40:12-14 Who hath measured the waters in the hollow of his hand, and meted out heaven with the span, and comprehended the dust of the earth in a measure, and weighed the mountains in scales, and the hills in a balance? Who hath directed the Spirit of the LORD, or being his counsellor hath taught him? With whom took he counsel, and who instructed him, and taught him in the path of judgment, and taught him knowledge, and shewed to him the way of understanding?

Psalm 33:6-9 By the word of the LORD were the heavens made; and all the host of them by the breath of his mouth. He gathereth the waters of the sea together as an heap: he layeth up the depth in storehouses. Let all the earth fear the LORD: let all the inhabitants of the world stand in awe of him. For he spake, and it was done; he commanded, and it stood fast.

Jeremiah 51:15-16 He hath made the earth by his power, he hath established the world by his wisdom, and hath stretched out the heaven by his understanding. When he uttereth his voice, there is a multitude of waters in the heavens; and he causeth the vapours to ascend from the ends of the earth: he maketh lightnings with rain, and bringeth forth the wind out of his treasures.

Hebrews 11:3 Through faith we understand that the worlds were framed by the word of God, so that things which are seen were not made of things which do appear.

John 1:1-3 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. The same was in the beginning with God. All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made.

Creator God

Romans 1:18-21 NKJV
For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who suppress the truth in unrighteousness, because what may be known of God is manifest in them, for God has shown it to them. For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even His eternal power and Godhead, so that they are without excuse, because, although they knew God, they did not glorify Him as God, nor were thankful, but became futile in their thoughts, and their foolish hearts were darkened.

From the very beginning God has revealed Himself to man through His creation, so that man is without excuse. Man cannot claim that he had no clue that there was a God. Man cannot claim that he did not have a clue that their was a creator and that creator is the Lord God Jehovah.

Yet down through the centuries man has chosen to deny God's existence and choose to make god's of his own choosing. Men have chosen to take things created by God and make them be the god he served. As a result man has fallen into more and more gross sin, as we read in the remaining part of the first chapter of Romans.

We can see even in the United States as we as a nation have chosen to embrace evolutionary theory in place of the truth of God as Creator, we have been in a downward spiral into more and more gross sin.

As science has proven the complexity of life, even the complexity of even one cell, I find it hard to believe there is not a Creator. I find it hard to understand how anyone can say that such complex organisms have come about by chance.

Oh Lord God Jehovah, help us to daily see and acknowledge You in all that You have created.

Independence...Good???

Today is Independence Day. Declaring our independence from an oppressive king was probably a good thing for us as a nation. But there is a King that is the ruler over all kings that most have declared their independence from.

Luke 19: 11-14 “And as they heard these things, he added and spake a parable, because he was nigh to Jerusalem, and because they thought that the kingdom of God should immediately appear. He said therefore, A certain nobleman went into a far country to receive for himself a kingdom, and to return. And he called his ten servants, and delivered them ten pounds, and said unto them, Occupy till I come. But his citizens hated him, and sent a message after him, saying, We will not have this man to reign over us.”

Jesus went to the cross, died, rose again, and ascended into heaven. From His throne in heaven where He has received His kingdom, Jesus will return to set up His kingdom in its fullness on the earth.

In the mean time many citizens have declared their independence. They have said “we will not have this man to reign over us. We choose to run our own lives. In fact we are seeking to become gods” (the great new age mantra).

If only, mankind could realize that dependence on this King, a benevolent ruler with our best interests at heart, is far better than trying to rule our own lives. This King is in fact the very one who created mankind. So He is Creator and King. (I will address our failure to acknowledge Him as Creator in another blog.) In His love and desire for us, He has given us a free will to choose to allow Him to rule over us in love. This love is far beyond anything we can even imagine. To choose to allow His ruler ship over our lives is the best thing we can ever do for ourselves.

Waiting For Christ's Return

As I prepared to lead Bible study last night one verse that stuck out was 2 Thessalonians 3:5 "And the Lord direct your hearts into the love of God, and into the patient waiting for Christ."

My prayer is: Lord God, daily direct my heart into Your love. May I daily experience Your love in new measures and out that experiencing of Your love may I consistently let it flow out to others.

I don't believe God ever gives us anything to just consume it upon ourselves. We are blessed to be a blessing.

The second part of that verse is what struck me most....."into the patient waiting for Christ. "

Oh God, direct my heart into patient waiting for Your return.

I don't believe that patient waiting is an inactive waiting. It is a diligent daily pressing on with a heart that is right with the Lord, ready to meet Him in the hour of His return. Jesus said, "Therefore be ye also ready, for in such an hour as ye think not the Son of man cometh." Matthew 24:44

That patient waiting, I believe, has in it the rest of God. From what we read in the scriptures there will be much turmoil in the world in the time of the end. But as children of God we can walk in a place of peace and rest in Him that is beyond comprehension.

Lord help us to walk in that peace and rest...steadfast in You ...knowing we are well loved ....patiently waiting for Your return. Amen.