December 2012: Not the End of The World

The Aztec calender is ending its 13th cycle, but it will not be the End of The World.

May 21, 2011: Not the End of the World

I suppose I should have posted something before the actual day, but if people would read their Bibles:

"No one knows about that day or hour, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father." (Matthew 24:36)

We cannot know the day or hour when Jesus will return. He said so himself. Do not fall into the trap of picking dates or believing the dates that others pick. Instead, draw close to the Lord, grow in faith and do the good works that he calls you to do.

Let God take care of the future.

Iceland Volcano

It is scary how much one volcano can disrupt. This is the third day of major flight cancellations in Europe. Now imagine, many volcanos erupting around the world all at once. That is what John describes in Revelation.

Revelation Study Finished

Well, after four years, I have finished going through the Book of Revelation in this blog. Sorry, it has taken so long. Like every time I have taught through this Book, I had to re-examine some of my ideas, and even discovered I had previously taught two conflicting opinions of a passage.

If you have questions about any of my teachings, please comment. I will respond. Some of these comments may result in a new post.

I hope this study is a blessing to many, and that it brings God glory.

Come, Lord Jesus

"And the Spirit and the bride say, Come. And let him that heareth say, Come. And let him that is athirst come. And whosoever will, let him take the water of life freely. For I testify unto every man that heareth the words of the prophecy of this book, If any man shall add unto these things, God shall add unto him the plagues that are written in this book: And if any man shall take away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God shall take away his part out of the book of life, and out of the holy city, and from the things which are written in this book. He which testifieth these things saith, Surely I come quickly. Amen. Even so, come, Lord Jesus. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all. Amen." (Revelation 22:17-21 - King James Version)

There are two views regarding verse 17. Some believe that the Spirit, the bride and him that hears call for Jesus to come. Others that they are calling for the lost to come to Jesus. Both are true.

The Spirit calls upon all people to come to Jesus for salvation. The redeemed who are now with God call upon others to trust the Lord. Those who read and believe God's Word today call upon others to believe it as well.

Whoever will hear the call to come may drink of the water of life freely. There is no charge for salvation. All that a person must do is come to Christ.

John adds a warning to his writing. Before the invention of the printing press, there was the danger that a copyist would change the wording, add to or take away from what he was copying. This warning should be taken as applying to not only such actions but also to doing the same through teaching. Any who deliberately distorts and misuses the Word of God is in danger of great judgment.

One last time Jesus reminds us that He is coming again, and that it will be quickly. John adds his own prayer to this statement. Every born again believer should have the same desire. We should pray, "Even so, come, Lord Jesus."

This final prophecy and book of the Bible contains both great tragedy and great glory. It tells us of the throne room of God, and of stubborn rebellion against God. It tells us of the horrors of the Tribulation and the wonders of the New Jerusalem. It is meant to encourage, to warn and to inform us.

More than anything else, studying this book should make us more committed to the Lord, and more faithful in reaching those who are yet without Him.

Jesus is Coming

" 'Look, I am coming soon, bringing my reward with me to repay all people according to their deeds. I am the Alpha and the Omega, the First and the Last, the Beginning and the End.' Blessed are those who wash their robes. They will be permitted to enter through the gates of the city and eat the fruit from the tree of life. Outside the city are the dogs—the sorcerers, the sexually immoral, the murderers, the idol worshipers, and all who love to live a lie. 'I, Jesus, have sent my angel to give you this message for the churches. I am both the source of David and the heir to his throne. I am the bright morning star.' " (Revelation 22:12-16 - New Living Translation)

Jesus reminds us that when He comes, He will judge and He will reward. We should be prepared for His return.

Those who obey God, those who repent and believe, will enter into the New Jerusalem. They will spend eternity in joy and happiness.

Those who refuse to accept Jesus will not enter into the New Jerusalem. Those who continue in their sin in this life will endure torment in the next.

Jesus is the One who sent the angel to tell John and us this prophecy. Jesus is the root of David; the One who gave David life. Jesus is the offspring of David; born into his family. Jesus is the bright and morning star who will announce the coming of a new and perfect dawn. The dawning of the new heaven, new earth and New Jerusalem.

The Testimony of John

"And I, John, am he who heard and witnessed these things. And when I heard and saw them, I fell prostrate before the feet of the messenger (angel) who showed them to me, to worship him. But he said to me, Refrain! [You must not do that!] I am [only] a fellow servant along with yourself and with your brethren the prophets and with those who are mindful of and practice [the truths contained in] the messages of this book. Worship God! And he [further] told me, Do not seal up the words of the prophecy of this book and make no secret of them, for the time when things are brought to a crisis and the period of their fulfillment is near. He who is unrighteous (unjust, wicked), let him be unrighteous still; and he who is filthy (vile, impure), let him be filthy still; and he who is righteous (just, upright, in right standing with God), let him do right still; and he who is holy, let him be holy still." (Revelation 22:8-11 - Amplified Bible)

John adds his own testimony to the truthfulness of what has been written. This book is not fiction, and it is not the telling of some dream. It is a true prophecy.

John is again overcome by the glory of what he has been seeing and he begins to worship the angel. The angel stops him.

The angel says that he, like John, is a servant of God. The prophets were servants of God. All who do what this book encourages are servants of God. The Angels, the Apostles, the prophets, faithful Christians, we are all fellow servants of God. We worship Him as creatures before the Creator.

Jesus is the One speaking in verses 10 to 16. He tells us that the prophecy of this book is not sealed. This indicates that its meaning is not hidden. It is to be understood. Remember this is a revelation, an unveiling. The reason for this book being not sealed is that the time is at hand. It will not be long before the events of Revelation come to pass.

The next statement is rather unclear. It does not mean that God does not want the unjust and filthy to repent and be saved. That is what God wants.

Most commentators believe think that this refers to people at the start of the Tribulation. Things will occur so quickly that few will have time to change their ways. The unjust will remain unjust. The filthy will remain filthy. While those who have faith in God, will have that faith strengthened in persecution. This is a warning to people to turn to God while there is time.