The Sealed Servants Of God

THE SEALED SERVANTS OF GOD

Our Text: Revelation 7

To set the stage for this chapter we must realize that the first half of the Tribulation period is probably over and the period of "The Great Tribulation is about to begin. The Jews have realized that the man of sin is not the Messiah and has broken the covenant of peace and has turned his evilness on the children of Israel. There will be some saved by the preaching of the "two witnesses" but now God will unleash the largest missionary, evangelistic group recorded in the Bible. In all the world there has not been this many true missionaries for God at any one time, even in our day.

Zec 13:8 And it shall come to pass, that in all the land, saith the LORD, two parts therein shall be cut off and die; but the third shall be left therein.

Zec 13:9 And I will bring the third part through the fire, and will refine them as silver is refined, and will try them as gold is tried: they shall call on my name, and I will hear them: I will say, It is my people: and they shall say, The LORD is my God.

Our Text:

Rev 7:1 And after these things I saw four angels standing on the four corners of the earth, holding the four winds of the earth, that the wind should not blow on the earth, nor on the sea, nor on any tree.

Rev 7:2 And I saw another angel ascending from the east, having the seal of the living God: and he cried with a loud voice to the four angels, to whom it was given to hurt the earth and the sea,

Rev 7:3 Saying, Hurt not the earth, neither the sea, nor the trees, till we have sealed the servants of our God in their foreheads.

(After these things)

In Chapter 6 verse 9-11 we see some of God's people that are saved during the first half of the Tribulation period. I believe that the phrase "after these things" refer mainly to this happening because in Chapter 7 we will see the means for more to be saved.

Rev 6:9 And when he had opened the fifth seal, I saw under the altar the souls of them that were slain for the word of God, and for the testimony which they held:

Rev 6:10 And they cried with a loud voice, saying, How long, O Lord, holy and true, dost thou not judge and avenge our blood on them that dwell on the earth?

Rev 6:11 And white robes were given unto every one of them; and it was said unto them, that they should rest yet for a little season, until their fellowservants also and their brethren, that should be killed as they were, should be fulfilled.

The Lord God of all creation has given Satan permission to unleash his evilness but God always has control of who can be injured or killed.

We have proof:

Job 1:6 Now there was a day when the sons of God came to present themselves before the LORD, and Satan came also among them.

Job 1:7 And the LORD said unto Satan, Whence comest thou? Then Satan answered the LORD, and said, From going to and fro in the earth, and from walking up and down in it.

Job 1:8 And the LORD said unto Satan, Hast thou considered my servant Job, that there is none like him in the earth, a perfect and an upright man, one that feareth God, and escheweth evil?

Job 1:9 Then Satan answered the LORD, and said, Doth Job fear God for nought?

Job 1:10 Hast not thou made an hedge about him, and about his house, and about all that he hath on every side? thou hast blessed the work of his hands, and his substance is increased in the land.

Job 1:11 But put forth thine hand now, and touch all that he hath, and he will curse thee to thy face.

Job 1:12 And the LORD said unto Satan, Behold, all that he hath is in thy power; only upon himself put not forth thine hand. So Satan went forth from the presence of the LORD.

and again:

Job 2:3 And the LORD said unto Satan, Hast thou considered my servant Job, that there is none like him in the earth, a perfect and an upright man, one that feareth God, and escheweth evil? and still he holdeth fast his integrity, although thou movedst me against him, to destroy him without cause.

Job 2:4 And Satan answered the LORD, and said, Skin for skin, yea, all that a man hath will he give for his life.

Job 2:5 But put forth thine hand now, and touch his bone and his flesh, and he will curse thee to thy face.

Job 2:6 And the LORD said unto Satan, Behold, he is in thine hand; but save his life.

In the Book of Ephesians we find these words:

Eph 2:2 Wherein in time past ye walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that now worketh in the children of disobedience:

Daniel saw in his vision how these four winds strove upon the great sea but we must realize that the term "sea" sometimes represents people.(Dan7:2)

We have proof that Satan has used the winds for destruction and death before:

Job 1:12 And the LORD said unto Satan, Behold, all that he hath is in thy power; only upon himself put not forth thine hand. So Satan went forth from the presence of the LORD.

Job 1:18 While he was yet speaking, there came also another, and said, Thy sons and thy daughters were eating and drinking wine in their eldest brother's house:

Job 1:19 And, behold, [there came a great wind from the wilderness], and smote the four corners of the house, and it fell upon the young men, and they are dead; and I only am escaped alone to tell thee.

God has commanded His angels to deny Satan this power until He has sealed the the servants of God. How do we know this?

There is only one seal that we read about in the Bible that protects God's children.

Rom 8:16 The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God:

Eph 1:13 In whom ye also trusted, after that ye heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation: in whom also after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that holy Spirit of promise,

Eph 1:14 Which is the earnest of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession, unto the praise of his glory.

Then this angel in verse 2 is none other than the Lord Jesus Christ. He always comes from the East:

Eze 43:2 And, behold, [the glory of the God of Israel came from the way of the east]: and his voice was like a noise of many waters: and the earth shined with his glory.

He will establish the children of Israel as He did the Church:

2Co 1:21 Now he which stablisheth us with you in Christ, and hath anointed us, is God;

2Co 1:22 Who hath also sealed us, and given the earnest of the Spirit in our hearts.

2Ti 2:19 Nevertheless the foundation of God standeth sure, having this seal, The Lord knoweth them that are his. And, Let every one that nameth the name of Christ depart from iniquity.

Eph 4:30 And grieve not the holy Spirit of God, whereby ye are sealed unto the day of redemption.

Jesus Himself prophesied of this coming day. These that would be sealed would preach the gospel of the kingdom, the Millennial Kingdom promised to the Jews.

Mat 24:14 And this gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in all the world for a witness unto all nations; [and then shall the end come].

This verse has never been for the Church but it has always been for the children of Israel. The end of The tribulation period will come shortly after the preaching of the 144,000.

This is the New Covenant mentioned by the prophets:

Jer 31:31 Behold, the days come, saith the LORD, that I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel, and with the house of Judah:

Jer 31:32 Not according to the covenant that I made with their fathers in the day that I took them by the hand to bring them out of the land of Egypt; which my covenant they brake, although I was an husband unto them, saith the LORD:

Jer 31:33 But this shall be the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel; After those days, saith the LORD, I will put my law in their inward parts, and write it in their hearts; and will be their God, and they shall be my people.

Jer 31:34 And they shall teach no more every man his neighbour, and every man his brother, saying, Know the LORD: for they shall all know me, from the least of them unto the greatest of them, saith the LORD: for I will forgive their iniquity, and I will remember their sin no more.

Explained again in the New Testament:

Heb 8:8 For finding fault with them, he saith, Behold, the days come, saith the Lord, when I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel and with the house of Judah:

Heb 8:9 Not according to the covenant that I made with their fathers in the day when I took them by the hand to lead them out of the land of Egypt; because they continued not in my covenant, and I regarded them not, saith the Lord.

Heb 8:10 For this is the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel after those days, saith the Lord; [I will put my laws into their mind], and write them in their hearts: and I will be to them a God, and they shall be to me a people:

Heb 8:11 And they shall not teach every man his neighbour, and every man his brother, saying, Know the Lord: for all shall know me, from the least to the greatest.

Heb 8:12 For I will be merciful to their unrighteousness, and their sins and their iniquities will I remember no more.

Heb 8:13 In that he saith, A new covenant, he hath made the first old. Now that which decayeth and waxeth old is ready to vanish away.

Notice the words "I will put my laws in their minds".

In Revelation verse 3 it says "till {we} have sealed the servants of God (in) their foreheads".

That "we" is none other than the Holy Spirit. Back in the book of Genesis we find the proof:

Gen 1:26 And God said, Let [us] make man in our image, after our likeness: and let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over the cattle, and over all the earth, and over every creeping thing that creepeth upon the earth.

"till we" is the same as "let us" because it is the Holy Spirit that will seal these 144,000.

Php 2:5 says Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus:

These that are sealed in their heads will go through the tribulation period uninjured!

Rev 9:4 And 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].

and later:

Rev 14:1 And I looked, and, lo, a Lamb stood on the mount Sion, and with him an hundred forty and four thousand, having his Father's name written in their foreheads.

We also have proof of how Jesus said He would protect His disciples. He was talking to Jews then and He is now:

Luk 10:18 And he said unto them, I beheld Satan as lightning fall from heaven.

Luk 10:19 Behold, [I give unto you power to tread on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy: and nothing shall by any means hurt you].

Luk 10:20 Notwithstanding in this rejoice not, that the spirits are subject unto you; but rather rejoice, because your names are written in heaven.

Compare Revelation Chapter nine:

Our Text:

Rev 7:4 And I heard the number of them which were sealed: and there were sealed an hundred and forty and four thousand of all the tribes of the children of Israel.

These are not the Jehovah's Witnesses. These are of the children of Israel. There are no lost tribes of Israel. God knows where every person on this Earth is at any minute. Surely He would know where the children of Israel are also.

Our Text:

Rev 7:5 Of the tribe of Juda were sealed twelve thousand. Of the tribe of Reuben were sealed twelve thousand. Of the tribe of Gad were sealed twelve thousand.

Rev 7:6 Of the tribe of Aser were sealed twelve thousand. Of the tribe of Nepthalim were sealed twelve thousand. Of the tribe of Manasses were sealed twelve thousand.

Rev 7:7 Of the tribe of Simeon were sealed twelve thousand. Of the tribe of Levi were sealed twelve thousand. Of the tribe of Issachar were sealed twelve thousand.

Rev 7:8 Of the tribe of Zabulon were sealed twelve thousand. Of the tribe of Joseph were sealed twelve thousand. Of the tribe of Benjamin were sealed twelve thousand.

Again we can ask that question, "What's in a name"? We can only guess why these names were chosen but it is not for us to guess. A more realistic choice is to just believe and research or study the scriptures.

2Ti 2:15 Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.

1.) Judah............Praisers of God.

2.) Reuben.........Looking to the Son.

3.) Gad...............A Company (of).

4.) Aser...............Blessed ones.

5.) Nepthalim.....Wrestling with.

6.) Manasses.......Forgetfulness.

7.) Simeon...........Hearing and Obeying.

8.) Levi................Cleaving to.

9.) Issachar.........A Reward.

10.) Zabulon........A home a dwelling place.

11.) Joseph..........Adding.

12.) Benjamin.....Sons at God's right hand.

In other words, they are praisers of God, looking to the Son, a company of blessed ones wrestling with forgetfulness, hearing and obeying and cleaving to a reward of a home and a dwelling place adding Son's at God's right hand.

These are now servants of God and He has the same rules for all servants:

1Co 7:21 Art thou called being a servant? care not for it: but if thou mayest be made free, use it rather.

1Co 7:22 For he that is called in the Lord, being a servant, is the Lord's freeman: likewise also he that is called, being free, is Christ's servant.

Joh 15:15 Henceforth I call you not servants; for the servant knoweth not what his lord doeth: but I have called you friends; for all things that I have heard of my Father I have made known unto you.

Joh 15:16 Ye have not chosen me, but I have chosen you, and ordained you, that ye should go and bring forth fruit, and that your fruit should remain: that whatsoever ye shall ask of the Father in my name, he may give it you.

Let's get a better idea of these servants:

Rom 1:1 Paul, a servant of Jesus Christ, called to be an apostle, separated unto the gospel of God,

Rom 1:2 (Which he had promised afore by his prophets in the holy scriptures,)

Rom 1:3 Concerning his Son Jesus Christ our Lord, which was made of the seed of David according to the flesh;

Rom 1:4 And declared to be the Son of God with power, according to the spirit of holiness, by the resurrection from the dead:

We know the Apostle Paul was mighty in preaching to the Gentiles but he would always try to reach his own nation of the Jews when he could. In fact Paul said these words:

1Co 15:3 For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures;

1Co 15:4 And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures:

1Co 15:5 And that he was seen of Cephas, then of the twelve:

1Co 15:6 After that, he was seen of above five hundred brethren at once; of whom the greater part remain unto this present, but some are fallen asleep.

1Co 15:7 After that, he was seen of James; then of all the apostles.

1Co 15:8 And last of all he was seen of me also, [as of one born out of due time].

Now I do not believe Paul was talking about the past but of the future. Most everyone's bills come due at the end of the month.

We know that Paul was the last to see the Resurrected Christ and the Gospel was revealed to him by Christ Himself. We now have 144,000 mighty preachers just like the Apostle Paul. It will not take very long for God to evangelize the world. It was never the job of the Church to do this. It has always been Israel who was chosen as God's children to do this.

Our Text:

Rev 7:9 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;

Rev 7:10 And cried with a loud voice, saying, Salvation to our God which sitteth upon the throne, and unto the Lamb.

The proof is written in God's word. A great multitude that no one could number.

Salvation is still by the Lamb of God. There is no other way to get to the Father in Heaven.

There could not be a better people for this task. They had been scattered throughout all these nations so they would not need interpreters. They would know all the languages. God would give them the task that He had originally had for them. "To carry His word to this whole planet"!

Hab 3:2 O LORD, I have heard thy speech, and was afraid: O LORD, revive thy work in the midst of the years, in the midst of the years make known; in wrath remember mercy.

Our Text:

Rev 7:11 And 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,

Rev 7:12 Saying, Amen: Blessing, and glory, and wisdom, and thanksgiving, and honour, and power, and might, be unto our God for ever and ever. Amen.

Rev 7:13 And one of the elders answered, saying unto me, What are these which are arrayed in white robes? and whence came they?

Rev 7:14 And I said unto him, Sir, thou knowest. And he said to me, These are they which came out of great tribulation, and have washed their robes, and made them white in the blood of the Lamb.

Rev 7:15 Therefore are they before the throne of God, and serve him day and night in his temple: and he that sitteth on the throne shall dwell among them.

Rev 7:16 They shall hunger no more, neither thirst any more; neither shall the sun light on them, nor any heat.

Rev 7:17 For the Lamb which is in the midst of the throne shall feed them, and shall lead them unto living fountains of waters: and God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes.

The elders (The Church) asked what are these not who are these. Notice the answer. They have washed their robes in the all cleansing "Blood of the Lamb". Still only one way. It's through the Blood of Jesus! All suffering is over. There is no more tribulation for God's children. Only God's wrath remains.

The angels have always rejoiced when a sinner has been saved by the Lord God Almighty!

Luk 15:10 Likewise, I say unto you, there is joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner that repenteth.

The devil has a way of sealing his children also:

1Ti 4:2 Speaking lies in hypocrisy; having their conscience seared with a hot iron;

They will have no mind to seal!

Let's pray!

The Tribulation Period begins

THE TRIBULATION PERIOD BEGINS - SIX OF THE SEALS

Revelation 6:1-17

We must have it clear in our minds that the Church is at this time in Heaven. Those that think the Church is going through the tribulation period are only right about one thing. The Laodicean church will go through the tribulation. Jesus said He would spew this church out. This is the apostate church of our modern era. This is the church that has decided that the word of God just does not fit into the modern world. They will go on as usual unless some repent and open that door and let Jesus back in.

Rev 3:20 Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me.

When we understand the covenants as literal and unconditional then we can understand that Israel has a future that is different and distinct from the Church.

Deu 30:1 And it shall come to pass, when all these things are come upon thee, the blessing and the curse, which I have set before thee, and thou shalt call them to mind among all the nations, whither the LORD thy God hath driven thee,

Deu 30:2 And shalt return unto the LORD thy God, and shalt obey his voice according to all that I command thee this day, thou and thy children, with all thine heart, and with all thy soul;

Deu 30:3 That then the LORD thy God will turn thy captivity, and have compassion upon thee, and [will return and gather thee from all the nations], whither the LORD thy God hath scattered thee.

Their time again will be the Millennial reign of Christ after the tribulation period. The Tribulation period is the time when this nation must repent and welcome Jesus as the Messiah. The major purpose of this time period is to discipline this nation.

Jer 30:7 Alas! for that day is great, so that none is like it: it is even the time of Jacob's trouble; [but he shall be saved out of it].

Eze 20:37 And I will cause you to pass under the rod, and [I will bring you into the bond of the covenant]:

Eze 20:38 And I will purge out from among you the rebels, and them that transgress against me: I will bring them forth out of the country where they sojourn, and they shall not enter into the land of Israel: and [ye shall know that I am the LORD].

The time for the seventieth week of Daniel will now unfold.

Dan 9:24 Seventy weeks are determined upon [thy people] and upon [thy holy city], to finish the transgression, and to make an end of sins, and to make reconciliation for iniquity, and to bring in everlasting righteousness, and to seal up the vision and prophecy, [and to anoint the most Holy].

Notice the seventy weeks are determined upon the people of Daniel (thy people the Jews)

The Church will be in Heaven at this time:

Rom 5:8 But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.

Rom 5:9 Much more then, being now justified by his blood, [we shall be saved from wrath through him].

1Th 5:9 [For God hath not appointed us to wrath], but to obtain salvation by our Lord Jesus Christ,

Rev 3:10 Because thou hast kept the word of my patience, [I also will keep thee from the hour of temptation], which shall come upon all the world, to try them that dwell upon the earth.

Jesus Christ detailed these events in Matthew chapters 24 and 25:

Mat 24:21 For then shall be great tribulation, such as was not since the beginning of the world to this time, no, nor ever shall be.

Mat 24:22 And except those days should be shortened, there should no flesh be saved: but for the elect's sake those days shall be shortened.

The "elect" here is the children of Israel.

We also have Mark 13:5-23

And Luke 21:8-23

In Jeremiah we see it is time to break the yoke of Satan off the neck of Israel:

Jer 30:8 For it shall come to pass in that day, saith the LORD of hosts, that [I will break his yoke from off thy neck], and will burst thy bonds, and strangers shall no more serve themselves of him:

God gives all the other nations direction at this time:

Isa 34:1 Come near, ye nations, to hear; and hearken, ye people: let the earth hear, and all that is therein; the world, and all things that come forth of it.

Isa 34:2 For the indignation of the LORD is upon all nations, and his fury upon all their armies: [he hath utterly destroyed them, he hath delivered them to the slaughter].

It is foolish to think that this world will go on to be some type of utopia to live in. This world is headed toward destruction just as God has written in His book. If God pulled back His hand right now the world would self-destruct in a short period of time. The tribulation period of the Bible will happen after the Church Age and before the Kingdom Age. These are the "seven missing years of prophesy".

Daniel tells us the signing of the covenant with the Antichrist:

Dan 9:27 And [he shall confirm the covenant with many for one week]: and in the midst of the week he shall cause the sacrifice and the oblation to cease, and for the overspreading of abominations he shall make it desolate, even until the consummation, and that determined shall be poured upon the desolate.

These details begin in Chapter 6:

1.) What we will see is this age(The Church Age) ends in disaster.

2.) The end of this age(The Church Age) is not the end of the world.

3.) When this age(The Church Age) ends God takes up the children of Israel once again.

This will be a horrible time that has never been seen before on this Earth and will never be seen it again. When God takes out the Church He will also withdraw His hand from Earth and Satan will run rampant with the sinful human nature of those left behind. This will be a destructive combination.

The Bible never says that we are anything to brag about while we are in our human bodies. In fact it says we are worthless until we accept the Lord as our Savior. He says we are as filthy rags, as filthy as the contagious rags used to wrap the Leper.

There will be instant war. The Jew will realize their error and return to a Holy God. There is a growing remnant right now in the Holy land.

The coming Tribulation period will bring the inhabitants of this world to its knees. There are four series of seven events mentioned in this book. These first seals will give us a view of the changing politics of the Anti-Christ for the seven year period, in other words we will get to see the itinerary of Satan and our first view of God's plan.

Let's begin:

*****Rev 6:1 And I saw when the Lamb opened one of the seals, and I heard, as it were the noise of thunder, one of the four beasts saying, Come and see.

Rev 6:2 And I saw, and behold a white horse: and he that sat on him had a bow; and a crown was given unto him: and he went forth conquering, and to conquer.

Notice it's not one of the elders that is telling John to come and see but one one of the beast. The Church will witness these events from heaven. Those elders (the Church) are watching just as John is. John is the scribe of these events so he is brought to the front.

Also notice that word "thunder" (thunders and thundering s) it may reveal to us more than we know later in this great book.

A white horse represents someone coming from a victory. This is not Christ but the Anti-Christ that rides this horse. He is the counterfeit who will deceive the world at this time, including the children of Israel.

The Bible says:

Mat 24:5 For many shall come in my name, saying, I am Christ; and shall deceive many.

Mat 24:6 And ye shall hear of wars and rumours of wars: see that ye be not troubled: for all these things must come to pass, but the end is not yet.

1.) Let's not forget the Church is in Heaven.

2.) The Laodicean Church is still on Earth.

3.) It is at this time that the Anti-Christ will be revealed.

2Th 2:1 Now we beseech you, brethren, by the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, and by our gathering together unto him,

2Th 2:2 That ye be not soon shaken in mind, or be troubled, neither by spirit, nor by word, nor by letter as from us, as that the day of Christ is at hand.

2Th 2:3 Let no man deceive you by any means: for that day shall not come, except there come a falling away first, and [that man of sin be revealed], the son of perdition; (The Apostate Church {Laodicean}) (Then the Anti-Christ)

2Th 2:4 Who opposeth and exalteth himself above all that is called God, or that is worshipped; so that he as God sitteth in the temple of God, shewing himself that he is God.

2Th 2:5 Remember ye not, that, when I was yet with you, I told you these things?

2Th 2:6 And now ye know what withholdeth that he might be revealed in his time.

2Th 2:7 For the mystery of iniquity doth already work: only he who now letteth will let, until he be taken out of the way. (That He is the Holy Spirit)(The Rapture first)

2Th 2:8 And then shall that Wicked be revealed, whom the Lord shall consume with the spirit of his mouth, and shall destroy with the brightness of his coming: (The Anti-Christ revealed)

2Th 2:9 Even him, whose coming is after the working of Satan with all power and signs and lying wonders,

2Th 2:10 And with all deceivableness of unrighteousness in them that perish; because they received not the love of the truth, that they might be saved.

(He had a bow but no arrows)

This rider (the Anti-Christ) will at first win all battles with politics. He will cause peace to happen with the threat of war.

The Greek word for "bow" as used in this verse is "toxon" . This is the only place this word is used in the Bible. To best describe this bow would be to say "it is like a ribbon used to tie in a babies hair".

This man on this white horse will be the most deceptive man to have ever lived on this Earth!

Notice in Chapter 13:

Rev 13:1 And I stood upon the sand of the sea, and saw a beast rise up out of the sea, having seven heads and ten horns, and upon his horns ten crowns, and upon his heads the name of blasphemy.

Rev 13:2 And the beast which I saw was like unto a leopard, and his feet were as the feet of a bear, and his mouth as the mouth of a lion: and the dragon gave him his power, and his seat, and great authority.

Rev 13:3 And I saw one of his heads as it were wounded to death; and his deadly wound was healed: and all the world wondered after the beast.

Rev 13:4 And they worshipped the dragon which gave power unto the beast: and they worshipped the beast, saying, Who is like unto the beast? who is able to make war with him?

Daniel said:

Dan 11:21 And in his estate shall stand up a vile person, to whom they shall not give the honour of the kingdom: [but he shall come in peaceably, and obtain the kingdom by flatteries].

He will confuse the Jew into believing he is the true Messiah and sign an agreement of peace in the Middle East. This will be seen as one of the greatest achievements in all history for we all know the continued turmoil in the Middle East and Palestine.

Dan 9:27 And he shall confirm the covenant with many for one week: and [in the midst of the week] he shall cause the sacrifice and the oblation to cease, and for the overspreading of abominations he shall make it desolate, even until the consummation, and that determined shall be poured upon the desolate.

Dan 7:8 I considered the horns, and, behold, there came up among them another little horn, before whom there were three of the first horns plucked up by the roots: and, behold, in this horn were eyes like the eyes of man, and a mouth speaking great things.

That peace will only last about three and a half years.

Psa 55:20 He hath put forth his hands against such as be at peace with him: he hath broken his covenant.

Psa 55:21 The words of his mouth were smoother than butter, but war was in his heart: his words were softer than oil, yet were they drawn swords.

Again The Bible says:

1Th 5:3 For when they shall say, Peace and safety; then sudden destruction cometh upon them, as travail upon a woman with child; and they shall not escape.

(The crown)

The Greek word "stephanos" is used here which this evil person will wear as a badge of royalty. To be a counterfeit of Christ he will at least have the appearance of being from royal blood.

The Lord Jesus wore a crown of thorns when He was on this Earth the first time.

Joh 19:5 Then came Jesus forth, wearing the crown of thorns, and the purple robe. And Pilate saith unto them, Behold the man!

The same Greek word for crown is used here but we can be sure this evil man will not have on his head a crown of thorns.

Our text:

*****Rev 6:3 And when he had opened the second seal, I heard the second beast say, Come and see.

Rev 6:4 And there went out another horse that was red: and power was given to him that sat thereon to take peace from the earth, and that they should kill one another: and there was given unto him a great sword.

About three and one half years later we see a change in this same rider but a different horse. The red horse denotes bloodshed. Open and bloody hostility breaks out among the nations.

Isa 57:20 But the wicked are like the troubled sea, when it cannot rest, whose waters cast up mire and dirt.

Isa 57:21 There is no peace, saith my God, to the wicked.

We can notice also that this power to make war was given to him by God.

Rom 9:14 What shall we say then? Is there unrighteousness with God? God forbid.

Rom 9:15 For he saith to Moses, I will have mercy on whom I will have mercy, and I will have compassion on whom I will have compassion.

Rom 9:16 So then it is not of him that willeth, nor of him that runneth, but of God that sheweth mercy.

Rom 9:17 For the scripture saith unto Pharaoh, Even for this same purpose have I raised thee up, that I might shew my power in thee, and that my name might be declared throughout all the earth.

Rom 9:18 Therefore hath he mercy on whom he will have mercy, and whom he will he hardeneth.

Rom 9:19 Thou wilt say then unto me, Why doth he yet find fault? For who hath resisted his will?

Rom 9:20 Nay but, O man, who art thou that repliest against God? Shall the thing formed say to him that formed it, Why hast thou made me thus?

Rom 9:21 Hath not the potter power over the clay, of the same lump to make one vessel unto honour, and another unto dishonour?

Rom 9:22 What if God, willing to shew his wrath, and to make his power known, endured with much longsuffering the vessels of wrath fitted to destruction:

Rom 9:23 And that he might make known the riches of his glory on the vessels of mercy, which he had afore prepared unto glory,

Rom 9:24 Even us, whom he hath called, not of the Jews only, but also of the Gentiles?

These are people killing one another. Remember there is not one person of the Church age left on this planet at this time. We know evil just gets worse. ("only he who now letteth will let, until he be taken out of the way. ")

2Ti 3:13 But evil men and seducers shall wax worse and worse, deceiving, and being deceived.

We know that the apostate church has been transformed. (The Laodicean Church)

Note: All other religions are just the false church.

2Th 2:10 And with all deceivableness of unrighteousness in them that perish; because they received not the love of the truth, that they might be saved.

2Th 2:11 And for this cause God shall send them strong delusion, that they should believe a lie:

2Th 2:12 That they all might be damned who believed not the truth, but had pleasure in unrighteousness.

These lawless people will kill each other with no mercy.

(That sword)

The Greek word "machaira" is used here for sword. This same word can be used for a killing sword but also can mean war. It means war as it is used in our verse.

The Anti-Christ will be behind these wars but he still may have the appearance of innocence to most of the world. It was he to whom God gave the power.

The Bible says:

Mat 24:7 For nation shall rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom: and there shall be famines, and pestilences, and earthquakes, in divers places.

Mat 24:8 All these are the beginning of sorrows.

Our text:

*****Rev 6:5 And when he had opened the third seal, I heard the third beast say, Come and see. And I beheld, and lo a black horse; and he that sat on him had a pair of balances in his hand.

Rev 6:6 And I heard a voice in the midst of the four beasts say, A measure of wheat for a penny, and three measures of barley for a penny; and see thou hurt not the oil and the wine.

What follows war? For many years when there have been great wars, after they ended the winning nations would help rebuild and resupply those nations. That will not happen during the tribulation period. Food, shelter, and any kind of help just will not be there. There will be no one growing food because of war and those that have a little it will be taken away from them. There will be some work but at such a wage that it will take a days pay to buy enough nourishing food for one or unnourishing food for three.

We can also see that the good stuff, the wine and oil will be put aside for the rich. Yes the rich will still be getting richer and the poor getting poorer.

Eze 14:21 For thus saith the Lord GOD; How much more when I send my four sore judgments upon Jerusalem, the sword, and the famine, and the noisome beast, and the pestilence, to cut off from it man and beast?

Eze 14:22 Yet, behold, therein shall be left a remnant that shall be brought forth, both sons and daughters: behold, they shall come forth unto you, and ye shall see their way and their doings: and ye shall be comforted concerning the evil that I have brought upon Jerusalem, even concerning all that I have brought upon it.

Black is the color of mourning. The prophet (Jer 14:2) says: "Because of the drought Judah mourneth, and the gates thereof languish; they are in deep mourning (black) for the land." The balances used for weighing food are a symbol of scarcity and famine. "Bread by weight" always implies scarcity.

Lev 26:26 And when I have broken the staff of your bread, ten women shall bake your bread in one oven, and they shall deliver you your bread again [by weight]: and ye shall eat, and not be satisfied.

Eze 4:16 Moreover he said unto me, Son of man, behold, I will break the staff of bread in Jerusalem: and they shall eat bread [by weight], and with care; and they shall drink water [by measure], and with astonishment:

Eze 4:17 That they may want bread and water, and be astonied one with another, [and consume away] for their iniquity.

The prices named also signify the same. The measure was about a quart, and the penny about sixteen cents, which would make the wheat worth about $5 per bushel; or, if it be borne in mind that one dollar in that age would usually purchase as $5 now, the wheat would be about $25 per bushel in the modern currency. Oil and wine, though common foods, are entirely prohibited. An age of war, mourning, calamity and famine is certainly symbolized.

If we think back to the time of Joseph in Egypt we will remember Israel had a great deliverance but the Egyptian people got poorer and poorer giving up even the land they owned while Pharaoh and his rulers just got richer and richer. It happens in every war. There are many in our world today that began their riches during and after World Wars I and II.

Note Chapter 13: Rev 13:17 And that no man might buy or sell, save he that had the mark, or the name of the beast, or the number of his name.

Our text:

*****Rev 6:7 And when he had opened the fourth seal, I heard the voice of the fourth beast say, Come and see.

Rev 6:8 And I looked, and behold a pale horse: and his name that sat on him was Death, and Hell followed with him. And power was given unto them over the fourth part of the earth, to kill with sword, and with hunger, and with death, and with the beasts of the earth.

Behold a pale horse, and his name that sat on him(the Anti-Christ) was death. Again, for the fourth time John beholds a horse. It is still a time of war. The horse is now pale, the bloodless color of the dead. Upon him sits an indescribable figure, called by the name DEATH. Behind the dreaded destroyer follows Hell, the unseen world, swallowing up the dying mortals and hiding them from human vision. The means employed to destroy men are described. Death and Hell employ (1) the sword or war; (2) hunger, or famine; (3) death, or pestilence (4) the destruction caused by the wild beasts of forests and field.

We can see those that die go straight to Hell!

Jesus spoke of this Anti-Christ:

Joh 10:10 [The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy]: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly.

Our text:

*****Rev 6:9 And when he had opened the fifth seal, I saw under the altar the souls of them that were slain for the word of God, and for the testimony which they held:

Rev 6:10 And they cried with a loud voice, saying, How long, O Lord, holy and true, dost thou not judge and avenge our blood on them that dwell on the earth?

Rev 6:11 And white robes were given unto every one of them; and it was said unto them, that they should rest yet for a little season, until their fellowservants also and their brethren, that should be killed as they were, should be fulfilled.

The Bible says:

Mat 24:14 And this gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in all the world for a witness unto all nations; and then shall the end come.

And again:

Mat 10:21 And the brother shall deliver up the brother to death, and the father the child: and the children shall rise up against their parents, and cause them to be put to death.

Mat 10:22 And ye shall be hated of all men for my name's sake: but he that endureth to the end shall be saved.

Mat 10:23 But when they persecute you in this city, flee ye into another: for verily I say unto you, Ye shall not have gone over the cities of Israel, till the Son of man be come.

I saw under the altar the souls of them that were slain for the word of God. These are clearly Tribulation Christians who had suffered martyrdom. They had died "for the word of God." They were under the altar. Since the temple is a type of the church, the altar, the center of worship, points to the church and its worship. The brazen altar stood at the door of the tabernacle, and at the bottom of it all the blood of the offerings was poured. Their position probably points out that their own blood was poured out for Christ.

Lev 4:7 And the priest shall put some of the blood upon the horns of the altar of sweet incense before the LORD, which is in the tabernacle of the congregation; and [shall pour all the blood of the bullock at the bottom of the altar of the burnt offering, which is at the door of the tabernacle of the congregation].



Note this verse in Genesis:

Gen 4:10 And he said, What hast thou done? the voice of thy brother's blood crieth unto me from the ground.

God knows all things but He keeps a keen eye on His Saints!

And they cried with a loud voice. Their cry denotes that they had suffered long and severely, and they raise a cry for deliverance.

And white robes were given unto every one of them. The robes of justification and victory. They are assured that the day when "they will be avenged" will soon come, but that they must wait a little season. Others must be added to the number of the martyrs before the number is fulfilled. It is a time of persecution. The fifth seal is the seal of persecution. The fulfillment is to be sought in a war of extermination waged against these converted Jews.

There are those that believe we will have no memory of what happened when we get to Heaven. These souls knew exactly what had happened to them.

You know Jesus and Stephen ask God to forgive those that had slain them but at this time these saints of God are begging God for vengeance and He has said:

Isa 63:4 For the day of vengeance is in mine heart, and the year of my redeemed is come.

Rom 12:19 Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves, but rather give place unto wrath: for it is written, Vengeance is mine; I will repay, saith the Lord.

We read from the Apostle Paul:

Rom 11:25 For I would not, brethren, that ye should be ignorant of this mystery, lest ye should be wise in your own conceits; that blindness in part is happened to Israel, until the fulness of the Gentiles be come in.

Rom 11:26 And so all Israel shall be saved: as it is written, There shall come out of Sion the Deliverer, and shall turn away ungodliness from Jacob:

Rom 11:27 For this is my covenant unto them, when I shall take away their sins.

These Jews have witnessed the Rapture of the Church they have realized their blindness and believed the Old Scriptures again.

Jer 31:31 Behold, the days come, saith the LORD, that I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel, and with the house of Judah:

Jer 31:32 Not according to the covenant that I made with their fathers in the day that I took them by the hand to bring them out of the land of Egypt; which my covenant they brake, although I was an husband unto them, saith the LORD:

Jer 31:33 But this shall be the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel; After those days, saith the LORD, I will put my law in their inward parts, and write it in their hearts; and will be their God, and they shall be my people.

This is the Jewish covenant of Grace!

Our text:

*****Rev 6:12 And I beheld when he had opened the sixth seal, and, lo, there was a great earthquake; and the sun became black as sackcloth of hair, and the moon became as blood;

Rev 6:13 And the stars of heaven fell unto the earth, even as a fig tree casteth her untimely figs, when she is shaken of a mighty wind.

Rev 6:14 And the heaven departed as a scroll when it is rolled together; and every mountain and island were moved out of their places.

Now we see the time of Satan coming to an end. This "earthquake" has great meaning. The signal of the return of the Lord Jesus Christ to this Earth. The Second Coming:

At the end of the Tribulation period Christ will return "physically" to this Earth.

Zec 14:3 Then shall the LORD go forth, and fight against those nations, as when he fought in the day of battle.

Zec 14:4 And his feet shall stand in that day upon the mount of Olives, which is before Jerusalem on the east, and the mount of Olives shall cleave in the midst thereof toward the east and toward the west, and there shall be a very great valley; and half of the mountain shall remove toward the north, and half of it toward the south.

He is coming to render judgment on this Earth.

Zec 14:9 And the LORD shall be king over all the earth: in that day shall there be one LORD, and his name one.

(Zec 14:9-21)

Mat 25:31 When the Son of man shall come in his glory, and all the holy angels with him, then shall he sit upon the throne of his glory:

Mat 25:32 And before him shall be gathered all nations: and he shall separate them one from another, as a shepherd divideth his sheep from the goats:

(Sun became black)

On March 20, 2010 in the city of Beijing, China there was a tremendous sandstorm. The "sky" became orange because the dust cloud was so thick.

On March 24, 2010 in the city of Lagos, Nigeria there was a yellow haze of dust across Nigeria, blotting out the sun and canceling airline flights. The setting sun gave off no more light than the moon.

On April 15, 2010 a volcanic eruption in Iceland put such a cloud of dust and ash in the air it shut down airline flights in Europe for a few days and may cost the European Economy "billions of dollars in loss revenue".

When the Lord Jesus Christ returns to this Earth there will be an earthquake greater than any that have ever been seen. There will a tremendous dust cloud. The sun will become black. The mighty air power of this world will be useless. All navigation instruments will be useless and these examples of minor things on this Earth let's us know how vulnerable we truly are to natural disasters.

Isa 29:6 Thou shalt be visited of the LORD of hosts with thunder, and with earthquake, and great noise, with storm and tempest, and the flame of devouring fire.

Isa 29:7 And the multitude of all the nations that fight against Ariel(Israel), even all that fight against her and her munition, and that distress her, shall be as a dream of a night vision.

(the stars of heaven)

This will probably mean meteors but we can be sure all those satellites used by all governments will be knocked out of the sky with them. Those armies surrounding Jerusalem will annihilate each other.

Isa 13:12 I will make a man more precious than fine gold; even a man than the golden wedge of Ophir.

Isa 13:13 Therefore I will shake the heavens, and the earth shall remove out of her place, in the wrath of the LORD of hosts, and in the day of his fierce anger.

The Lion of the Tribe of Judah:

Joe 3:16 The LORD also shall roar out of Zion, and utter his voice from Jerusalem; and the heavens and the earth shall shake: but the LORD will be the hope of his people, and the strength of the children of Israel.

In a little while:

Hag 2:6 For thus saith the LORD of hosts; Yet once, it is a little while, and I will shake the heavens, and the earth, and the sea, and the dry land;

Hag 2:7 And I will shake all nations, and the desire of all nations shall come: and I will fill this house with glory, saith the LORD of hosts.

Hag 2:22 And I will overthrow the throne of kingdoms, and I will destroy the strength of the kingdoms of the heathen; and I will overthrow the chariots, and those that ride in them; and the horses and their riders shall come down, every one by the sword of his brother.

These things will be in place until God anoints His preachers to the children of Israel and to the world:

Rev 7:1 And after these things I saw four angels standing on the four corners of the earth, holding the four winds of the earth, that the wind should not blow on the earth, nor on the sea, nor on any tree.

Rev 7:2 And I saw another angel ascending from the east, having the seal of the living God: and he cried with a loud voice to the four angels, to whom it was given to hurt the earth and the sea,

Rev 7:3 Saying, Hurt not the earth, neither the sea, nor the trees, till we have sealed the servants of our God in their foreheads.

Jesus said He was coming in this fashion:

Mat 24:27 For as the lightning cometh out of the east, and shineth even unto the west; so shall also the coming of the Son of man be.

Mat 24:28 For wheresoever the carcase is, there will the eagles be gathered together.

Mat 24:29 Immediately after the tribulation of those days shall the sun be darkened, and the moon shall not give her light, and the stars shall fall from heaven, and the powers of the heavens shall be shaken:

Mat 24:30 And then shall appear the sign of the Son of man in heaven: and then shall all the tribes of the earth mourn, and they shall see the Son of man coming in the clouds of heaven with power and great glory.

Prophesy will be fulfilled!

Our Text:

*****Rev 6:15 And the kings of the earth, and the great men, and the rich men, and the chief captains, and the mighty men, and every bondman, and every free man, hid themselves in the dens and in the rocks of the mountains;

Rev 6:16 And said to the mountains and rocks, Fall on us, and hide us from the face of him that sitteth on the throne, and from the wrath of the Lamb:

Rev 6:17 For the great day of his wrath is come; and who shall be able to stand?

The world is now worshipping Mother Earth. The false religion of the green peace movement and other world leaders. They will pray to the Earth to help them against this Almighty God we know as Jehovah but He will still come and no false god can stop what will happen this day. "The Day Of The Lord".

Psa 76:6 At thy rebuke, O God of Jacob, both the chariot and horse are cast into a dead sleep.

Psa 76:7 Thou, even thou, art to be feared: and who may stand in thy sight when once thou art angry?

Psa 76:8 Thou didst cause judgment to be heard from heaven; the earth feared, and was still,

Psa 76:9 When God arose to judgment, to save all the meek of the earth. Selah.

*****Psa 76:10 Surely the wrath of man shall praise thee: the remainder of wrath shalt thou restrain.

Psa 76:11 Vow, and pay unto the LORD your God: let all that be round about him bring presents unto him that ought to be feared.

Psa 76:12 He shall cut off the spirit of princes: he is terrible to the kings of the earth.

They will still refuse Him!

Mal 3:2 But who may abide the day of his coming? and who shall stand when he appeareth? for he is like a refiner's fire, and like fullers' soap:

This day is surely coming and there is only one way to avoid it:

Mal 4:1 For, behold, the day cometh, that shall burn as an oven; and all the proud, yea, and all that do wickedly, shall be stubble: and the day that cometh shall burn them up, saith the LORD of hosts, that it shall leave them neither root nor branch.

Mal 4:2 But unto you that fear my name shall the Sun of righteousness arise with healing in his wings; and ye shall go forth, and grow up as calves of the stall.

Those that are evil and desire this day or do not believe that God can get really mad and do what He said He would do are truly foolish!

Amo 5:18 Woe unto you that desire the day of the LORD! to what end is it for you? the day of the LORD is darkness, and not light.

Amo 5:19 As if a man did flee from a lion, and a bear met him; or went into the house, and leaned his hand on the wall, and a serpent bit him.

Amo 5:20 Shall not the day of the LORD be darkness, and not light? even very dark, and no brightness in it?

Believe on Him and be in Heaven when this day comes.

Let's pray!

What Is The Seven Sealed Book

THE SEVEN SEALED BOOK, WHO IS WORTHTY?

Our text:

Revelation Chapter 5: 1-14

The basic purpose of our existence is to "Glorify God" in our worship, in our service and in our praise of Him.

The Bible says:

Ecc 12:13 Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God, and keep his commandments: for this is the whole duty of man.

This "man" would mean "all mankind".

Once we are in Heaven we will eternally praise Him!

Beginning with Chapter four, John's vision is in Heaven and he will be writing from that point of view. When he wrote about the seven churches he was on Earth writing from an Earthly point of view. When John first got to Heaven, in the spirit, he was preoccupied with the majesty of Christ. He now begins to see other things. John now notices Jehovah God, the great I AM of the Bible.

Our text:

*****Rev 5:1 And I saw in the right hand of him that sat on the throne a book written within and on the backside, sealed with seven seals.

John also notices He holds a book. This would be a scroll as it is described.

The Greek word "Biblion" is used here. Our English word Bible is derived from this very word. Biblion means "book" or "roll".

There is little doubt that this is a scroll that is being referred to. This scroll is written on both sides. The side rolled up and the outer side that can be seen and is sealed with seven seals.

What is this seven sealed scroll?

Writing to the Ephesians, Paul said--"Ye were SEALED with the Holy Spirit of promise, which is the earnest of our inheritance until the REDEMPTION of the PURCHASED POSSESSION."

Eph 1:13 In whom ye also trusted, after that ye heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation: in whom also after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that holy Spirit of promise,

Eph 1:14 Which is the earnest of our inheritance [until the redemption of the purchased possession], unto the praise of his glory.

Then there has to be a POSSESSION that is to be REDEEMED. What this is, Paul tells us in the book of Romans.

Rom 8:22 For we know that the whole creation groaneth and travaileth in pain together until now.

Rom 8:23 And not only they, but ourselves also, which have the firstfruits of the Spirit, [even we ourselves groan within ourselves, waiting for the adoption, to wit, the redemption of our body].

"We know that the WHOLE CREATION GROANETH AND TRAVAILETH IN PAIN TOGETHER UNTIL NOW. And not only they (all earthly created things), but ourselves also, which are the "First fruits of the Spirit," even we ourselves groan within ourselves, waiting for the adoption, the REDEMPTION OF, OUR BODY."

We see from these references that there is something that was lost to mankind and the Earth that is to be redeemed, and we do not have to go far to find out what it was. It is the inheritance of the Earth and of immortal life given to Adam and Eve, and that was lost in the Fall of Eden. When Adam sinned he lost his inheritance of the earth, and it passed out of his hands into the possession of Satan, to the disinheritance of all of Adam's seed. The forfeited Title Deed is now in God's hands and is awaiting redemption. Its redemption means the legal repossession of all that Adam lost by the Fall.

The Bible says of Adam:

Gen 1:26 And God said, Let us make man in our image, after our likeness: and [let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over the cattle, and over all the earth, and over every creeping thing that creepeth upon the earth].

Psa 8:4 What is man, that thou art mindful of him? and the son of man, that thou visitest him?

Psa 8:5 For thou hast made him a little lower than the angels, and hast crowned him with glory and honour.

Psa 8:6 [Thou madest him to have dominion over the works of thy hands; thou hast put all things under his feet]:

Psa 8:7 All sheep and oxen, yea, and the beasts of the field;

Psa 8:8 The fowl of the air, and the fish of the sea, and whatsoever passeth through the paths of the seas.

Then this book must contain the terms of the redemption.

In the Bible times sealed parchment made from papyrus were the means which legal documents were recorded. Wills, deeds, and contracts were all sealed with many seals. It is certain that a seven sealed document would be of royal authority. In most cases it was simply a gob of wax with a ring pressed into it but some sealing methods could be more elaborate. The Hebrews used three seals most of the time but the Romans insisted on seven seals. We know the importance of the number seven in this book of the unveiling of Christ. To break a Roman seven sealed document was at the penalty of death. This seven sealed scroll contains the record of things "which shall be here after" in the third division of this great book. The fact that the Bible mentions that this scroll was written on the inside and the outside shows that this was truly a legal document. The terms were normally written on the inside and the witnessing and sometimes a brief summary were written on the outside.

The Bible says:

Mat 25:34 Then shall the King say unto them on his right hand, Come, ye blessed of my Father, [inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world]:

The number seven represents fulfillment, completion, and perfection. Though it is noteworthy that the Romans insisted on seven seals on legal documents pertaining to life and death. It is also noteworthy to remind the Church that as Christians, we are sealed with the Holy Spirit and Christ has mentioned the seven fold attributes of Him(The Holy Spirit) many times already in this book.

Our text:

*****Rev 5:2 And I saw a strong angel proclaiming with a loud voice, Who is worthy to open the book, and to loose the seals thereof?

Rev 5:3 And no man in heaven, nor in earth, neither under the earth, was able to open the book, neither to look thereon.

This strong angel could be any angel in Heaven but we do know of three Archangels.

1.) Gabriel which means "God is my strength".

2.) Michael which means "poor; humble". But we know Michael is the "warrior" angle.

3.) Lucifer which means "bringing light".

There is not any doubt that this is "not" Lucifer.

It could very well be Gabriel because his name does coincide with the word "strong".

But I believe it could also be Michael because of what is written in the book of Daniel:

Dan 12:1 And at that time shall "Michael" stand up, the great prince which standeth for the children of thy people: and there shall be a time of trouble, such as never was since there was a nation even to that same time: and at that time thy people shall be delivered, every one that shall be found written in the book.

Michael has already confronted the devil and stood his ground:

Jud 1:9 Yet Michael the archangel, when contending with the devil he disputed about the body of Moses, durst not bring against him a railing accusation, but said, The Lord rebuke thee.

We know they both are strong:

Psa 103:20 Bless the LORD, ye his angels, [that excel in strength], that do his commandments, hearkening unto the voice of his word.

At this time the Church would already be in Heaven. Michael would know that the children of Israel are about to go through the tribulation period it's about time for Michael to fulfill this prophecy. This angel may not be Michael but we can know for sure that there is a hierarchy among the angels in Heaven.

(who is worthy)

When the "strong angel" proclaimed with a loud voice--"WHO is worthy to open the Book, and to loose the Seals thereof?" that was the time for the "KINSMAN REDEEMER" to appear. But, said John, there was no MAN (redeemed man) in Heaven; nor in Earth, neither under the Earth, who was able to open the Book, neither to look thereon. It was not a question of the worthiness of some angelic being, as Michael or Gabriel, to open the Book, [but of a MAN].

Our text:

*****Rev 5:4 And I wept much, because no man was found worthy to open and to read the book, neither to look thereon.

Rev 5:5 And one of the elders saith unto me, Weep not: behold, the Lion of the tribe of Juda, the Root of David, hath prevailed to open the book, and to loose the seven seals thereof.

When John saw that there was no one worthy to open the Book he wept. Some say he wept because he was disappointed that he could not satisfy his curiosity as to the contents of the Book, but such a statement is childish. A man under the influence of the Holy Spirit would not be so foolish. John wept because he knew what the Book was, and that if there was no one to open that "BOOK OF REDEMPTION," that all hope of the redemption of the Earth and of Israel was gone. But John's sorrow was of short duration, for one of the Elders said--"Weep not: behold, the LION OF THE TRIBE OF JUDAH, the ROOT OF DAVID, hath prevailed to open the Book, and to loose the 'Seven Seals' thereof." And John saw, what he had not noticed before a LAMB, as it had been slain, standing in the midst of the Throne, and of the "Four Living Creatures." John had not seen the Lamb before, because it (He) had been seated on the Throne with the Father, and advanced out of the Glory of the Throne as the Elder spoke.

This verse is real important because again these scriptures are showing the fulfillment of prophecy and it ties the Bible together from Genesis to Revelation.

Jacob the earthly dad of the children of Israel prophesied:

Gen 49:8 Judah, thou art he whom thy brethren shall praise: thy hand shall be in the neck of thine enemies; thy father's children shall bow down before thee.

Gen 49:9 Judah is a lion's whelp: from the prey, my son, thou art gone up: he stooped down, he couched as a lion, and as an old lion; who shall rouse him up?

Gen 49:10 The sceptre shall not depart from Judah, nor a lawgiver from between his feet, until Shiloh come; and unto him shall the gathering of the people be.

Gen 49:11 Binding his foal unto the vine, and his ass's colt unto the choice vine; he washed his garments in wine, and his clothes in the blood of grapes:

Gen 49:12 His eyes shall be red with wine, and his teeth white with milk.

Not only is Adam tied to Jesus, sometimes referred to as the second Adam but also the prophecy of Jacob tied to the Lord Jesus Christ.

1Co 15:45 And so it is written, The first man Adam was made a living soul; the last Adam was made a quickening spirit.

1Co 15:46 Howbeit that was not first which is spiritual, but that which is natural; and afterward that which is spiritual.

1Co 15:47 The first man is of the earth, earthy: the second man is the Lord from heaven.

The Lion of the tribe of Judah is found in the first book of the Bible and in the last book of the Bible. This verse also connects Jesus to the throne of David so there is no doubt we have our Kinsman Redeemer.

To become a kinsman He had to be born into the human race. This the Virgin Birth accomplished. Jesus paid the REDEMPTIVE PRICE, which was His own BLOOD, on the Cross.

1Pe 1:18 Forasmuch as ye know that ye were not redeemed with corruptible things, as silver and gold, from your vain conversation received by tradition from your fathers;

1Pe 1:19 But with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot:

1Pe 1:20 Who verily was foreordained before the foundation of the world, but was manifest in these last times for you,

He has not as yet claimed that which He then purchased. When the time comes for the Redemption of the PURCHASED POSSESSION Jesus will do so. That time and the act is described in the scripture we are now considering. The "SEVEN SEALED BOOK" is the "TITLE DEED" to the redeemed inheritance. In Old Testament days when a kinsman desired to redeem a property he took his position, with ten men (Elders) as witnesses, in the gate of the city and advertised his purpose. This is beautifully illustrated in the story of Boaz and Ruth. Ruth 4:1-12. The kinsman who redeemed the property was called the "Goel" or REDEEMER.

Our text:

*****Rev 5:6 And I beheld, and, lo, in the midst of the throne and of the four beasts, and in the midst of the elders, stood a Lamb as it had been slain, having seven horns and seven eyes, which are the seven Spirits of God sent forth into all the earth.

Rev 5:7 And he came and took the book out of the right hand of him that sat upon the throne.

John looked for a "Lion" and saw a LAMB. But John the Elder was right in calling Him a "Lion," for Jesus was about to assume His Title as the LION OF THE TRIBE OF JUDAH, and reign and rule with KINGLY POWER. That the Lamb was not an animal is clear from verse seven, where it says--"And HE (the Lamb) came and took the Book out of the right hand of Him that sat upon the Throne." This is an awesome act recorded in the Scriptures. On it the redemption of the whole creation of God depends. It is still future and takes place after the Church has been "caught out" and Judged, and before the Tribulation Period begins, and you and I, if we are redeemed by the Blood of the Lamb, will witness the scene, and take part in the "Song of Redemption" that follows.

1.) Jesus Christ was the root of David and a near kinsman of Adam.

Isa 11:1 And there shall come forth a rod out of the stem of Jesse, and a Branch shall grow out of his roots:

Isa 11:10 And in that day there shall be a root of Jesse, which shall stand for an ensign of the people; to it shall the Gentiles seek: and his rest shall be glorious.

Jer 23:5 Behold, the days come, saith the LORD, that I will raise unto David a righteous Branch, and a King shall reign and prosper, and shall execute judgment and justice in the earth.

Jer 23:6 In his days Judah shall be saved, and Israel shall dwell safely: and this is his name whereby he shall be called, THE LORD OUR RIGHTEOUSNESS.

Rom 1:3 Concerning his Son Jesus Christ our Lord, which was made of the seed of David according to the flesh;

Rom 15:12 And again, Esaias saith, There shall be a root of Jesse, and he that shall rise to reign over the Gentiles; in him shall the Gentiles trust.

2.) Jesus Christ was willing to pay the redemption price.

Php 2:5 Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus:

Php 2:6 Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God:

Php 2:7 But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men:

Php 2:8 And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross.

Joh 10:17 Therefore doth my Father love me, because I lay down my life, that I might take it again.

Joh 10:18 No man taketh it from me, but I lay it down of myself. I have power to lay it down, and I have power to take it again. This commandment have I received of my Father.

3.) Jesus Christ was able to pay the price.

Joh 17:2 As thou hast given him power over all flesh, that he should give eternal life to as many as thou hast given him.

Joh 17:3 And this is life eternal, that they might know thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom thou hast sent.

Joh 17:4 I have glorified thee on the earth: I have finished the work which thou gavest me to do.

Joh 17:5 And now, O Father, glorify thou me with thine own self with the glory which I had with thee before the world was.

1Pe 1:18 Forasmuch as ye know that ye were not redeemed with corruptible things, as silver and gold, from your vain conversation received by tradition from your fathers;

1Pe 1:19 But with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot:

1Pe 1:20 Who verily was foreordained before the foundation of the world, but was manifest in these last times for you,

1Pe 1:21 Who by him do believe in God, that raised him up from the dead, and gave him glory; that your faith and hope might be in God.

1Pe 1:22 Seeing ye have purified your souls in obeying the truth through the Spirit unto unfeigned love of the brethren, see that ye love one another with a pure heart fervently:

1Pe 1:23 Being born again, not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, by the word of God, which liveth and abideth for ever.

The redeemer: Isa 7:14 Therefore the Lord himself shall give you a sign; Behold, a virgin shall conceive, and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel.

The Slain Lamb: Isa 53:3 He is despised and rejected of men; a man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief: and we hid as it were our faces from him; he was despised, and we esteemed him not.

Isa 53:4 Surely he hath borne our griefs, and carried our sorrows: yet we did esteem him stricken, smitten of God, and afflicted.

Isa 53:5 But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed.

Isa 53:6 All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way; and the LORD hath laid on him the iniquity of us all.

Isa 53:7 He was oppressed, and he was afflicted, yet he opened not his mouth: he is brought as a lamb to the slaughter, and as a sheep before her shearers is dumb, so he openeth not his mouth.

Isa 53:8 He was taken from prison and from judgment: and who shall declare his generation? for he was cut off out of the land of the living: for the transgression of my people was he stricken.

Isa 53:9 And he made his grave with the wicked, and with the rich in his death; because he had done no violence, neither was any deceit in his mouth.

Rom 8:1 There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.

Rom 8:2 For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law of sin and death.

Rom 8:3 For what the law could not do, in that it was weak through the flesh, God sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, and for sin, condemned sin in the flesh:

Heb 2:9 But we see Jesus, who was made a little lower than the angels for the suffering of death, crowned with glory and honour; that he by the grace of God should taste death for every man.

Heb 2:14 Forasmuch then as the children are partakers of flesh and blood, he also himself likewise took part of the same; that through death he might destroy him that had the power of death, that is, the devil;

Heb 2:15 And deliver them who through fear of death were all their lifetime subject to bondage.

In the Gospels four titles are given to Jesus. He is the Son of David; the Son of Abraham; the Son of Man; and the Son of God.

1. As the Son of David, He has title to the Throne of David.

2. As the Son of Abraham, He has title to the Land of Palestine.

3. As the Son of Man, He has title to the Earth and the World.

4. As the Son of God, He is the Heir of All Things.

It will take the Lamb of God, the King of Kings, the Lord of Lords, The Creator of all life! Only He is worthy to open this scroll and break the seals.

Our text:

*****Rev 5:7 And he came and took the book out of the right hand of him that sat upon the throne.

Rev 5:8 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.

Rev 5:9 And 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;

Rev 5:10 And hast made us unto our God kings and priests: and we shall reign on the earth.

A careless reader could get confused at verse seven. This not the case of two different people but of two of the different persons of God. God the Father and God the Son, the Lamb of God. Notice Immediately the Church, the Bride of Christ(elders) fall down to worship along with the Beast. In Chapter four they were worshipping the one on the throne.

Rev 4:10 The 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,

Rev 4:11 Thou 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.

It is the Lamb that is in focus now. This is not just a Lamb.

The Greek word "arnion" is used here this is a lambkin. In other words this could be a house pet, showing how God wants us to feel when some one we love would be sacrificed rather than "amnos" which would be any old lamb used for sacrifice. Because the Greek word "arnion" is derived from "aren" we know that this is a male lamb. There is in typology a story in the Bible that represents this:

2Sa 12:1 And the LORD sent Nathan unto David. And he came unto him, and said unto him, There were two men in one city; the one rich, and the other poor.

2Sa 12:2 The rich man had exceeding many flocks and herds:

2Sa 12:3 But the poor man had nothing, save one little ewe lamb, which he had bought and nourished up: and it grew up together with him, and with his children; it did eat of his own meat, and drank of his own cup, and lay in his bosom, and was unto him as a daughter.

2Sa 12:4 And there came a traveller unto the rich man, and he spared to take of his own flock and of his own herd, to dress for the wayfaring man that was come unto him; but took the poor man's lamb, and dressed it for the man that was come to him.

Even though in this case it is a ewe, a female, the Bible says this poor man had a lamb that grew up with him and his children and ate from the table in the house. This was a pet lamb described here. For anyone that has pets, the loss of such a pet would bring discomfort. We should feel great discomfort when we think of our Lord on the cross.

The children of Israel had gotten so lax in the ceremonies that they just purchased a lamb at the market before they offered it for redemption of their sins. They had no pity for the lamb they used.

We can see the truth of a Holy God for the Lion of the tribe of Judah was truly a Lamb. God's mercy and grace all in the picture of Jesus Christ our Lord.

(the Harps)

This verse also tells us the the church (elders) now have harps "kithara" or the lyre, which according to Webster was a string instrument as an ancient harp.

I have never been able to play a musical instrument. I look forward to this day.

(the odors)

In the Temple days incense was burnt before the Lord along with the meat offering. This verse says that these odors represent the prayers of the saints. When we offer our bodies as a living sacrifice to God we must pray for forgiveness. But there is a prayer that goes up often.

Mat 6:10 Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven.

This prayer has never been answered at least until this time just after the Rapture of the Church. God will have His day of wrath on Earth.

It also the truth that God knows everything about each and every one of His children(Psa 139). He also knows how many hairs are on each head.

Luk 21:18 But there shall not an hair of your head perish.

You could never sneak up on God because He knows what you smell like too. The vials could be just so God can remember your smell because you haven't been in touch much lately. After all the Bible is our love letter from God and our prayers are our way of staying in touch with Him. These vials also represent those prayers that have not been answered. God promises to answer every prayer that reaches Him but He answers in His Time.

(New song)

That Heavenly choir starts singing a new song. The raptured saints of God sing out praise to the one that shed His blood for our sins. He redeemed us but He has not yet redeemed the the children of Israel and the remaining creation.

Zep 3:9 For then will I turn to the people a pure language, that they may all call upon the name of the LORD, to serve him with one consent.

This verse in Zephaniah tells us that one day soon we will all again speak a pure language. These saints from every part of the world are already speaking a pure language while singing this song. But only by the blood of the Lamb!

(kings and priests)

Dan 7:18 But the saints of the most High shall take the kingdom, and possess the kingdom for ever, even for ever and ever.

Dan 7:27 And the kingdom and dominion, and the greatness of the kingdom under the whole heaven, shall be given to the people of the saints of the most High, whose kingdom is an everlasting kingdom, and all dominions shall serve and obey him.

1Pe 2:9 But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light:

1Pe 2:10 Which in time past were not a people, but are now the people of God: which had not obtained mercy, but now have obtained mercy.

Our text:

Rev 5:11 And 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;

Rev 5:12 Saying 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.

I'm pretty sure that angels sing praises to God but we see in these verses that they are not singing but chanting. These angels have never done anything wrong or sinful. They do no know the feeling of being redeemed but they know who is God.

You know Christ died willingly for our sins but He was slain for what verse 12 says:

The Bible says:

Psa 110:1 A Psalm of David. The LORD said unto my Lord, Sit thou at my right hand, until I make thine enemies thy footstool.

Psa 110:2 The LORD shall send the rod of thy strength out of Zion: rule thou in the midst of thine enemies.

Psa 110:3 Thy people shall be willing in the day of thy power, in the beauties of holiness from the womb of the morning: thou hast the dew of thy youth.

Psa 110:4 The LORD hath sworn, and will not repent, Thou art a priest for ever after the order of Melchizedek.

Psa 110:5 The Lord at thy right hand shall strike through kings in the day of his wrath.

Psa 110:6 He shall judge among the heathen, he shall fill the places with the dead bodies; he shall wound the heads over many countries.

Psa 110:7 He shall drink of the brook in the way: therefore shall he lift up the head.

He will rule this Earth with all power during the Millennial Kingdom. Not to prove anything except that "He Said He Would".

Our Text:

Rev 5:13 And 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.

Rev 5:14 And the four beasts said, Amen. And the four and twenty elders fell down and worshipped him that liveth for ever and ever.

Every knee will bow!

Let's Pray!