December 24- The Kingdom Comes After Judgment

December 24, 2011

Scripture Reading:
Zechariah 6:1-7:14; Revelation 15:1-8;
Psalm 143:1-12; Proverbs 30:24-28

The kingdom of this world is become the kingdom of our Lord and of His Christ, 
and He shall reign for ever and ever. Hallelujah! 
 ~Handel's Messiah

Zechariah 6:1-7:14

Well folks, we are getting close to the end. You probably are noticing that Old Testament prophecies are overlapping with New Testament prophecies about how God's Story ends.  God is consistent in His images and illustrations.  Today, we see that Zechariah's last of the ten visions is a picture that we have read about in the book of Revelation.

Vision- The Four Chariots

We saw in yesterday's reading that Zechariah was given a vision that reflected the nation of Israel as a woman in a basket of sin.  Also, a flying scroll that contained the Word of God and the Ten Commandments went out across the earth to curse those who did not follow the writings of the scroll.  Those visions were God's warning of judgment against the nation of Israel.  Now, Zechariah sees four chariots coming between two bronze mountains.  This vision is a vision of judgment for the Gentile nations who have oppressed God's people. Bronze is a symbol of judgment in the Bible. Jesus is depicted with bronze feet in chapter 1 of the book of Revelation (Rev. 1:13, 15) as he stands among the churches (lampstands) to judge them.  Purity comes through judgment.

Four angels or spirits are seen in this vision with authority to ride throughout the earth and patrol. The colors of the horses correspond to the colors of the horses in the vision of the four horses of the Apocalypse seen in Revelation chapter 6. Chariots were used in warfare in the ancient world.  This is a picture of God on the move to judge the earth. Here we have the black horse mentioned first.  The black horse represents famine.  The white horse represents conquest. The red horse represents war and the dappled horse represents death. This vision is given to Zechariah to encourage the Israelites that they would not be the only group judged by God on earth.  The Gentile nations will be held accountable by their Creator. Notice that the angels are told to go forth to vent the anger of God's Spirit across the earth. This is seen in the Great Tribulation period.

Coronation of Jeshua- The High Priest

Normally, the High Priest has a position that is strictly religious.  The royal line is responsible for civil government and in the case of Israel, the royal line was the house of David.  We now have an unusual coronation of Jeshua, the High Priest.  Jeshua means "Savior" and this particular coronation is a foreshadowing of Jesus Christ, who after the judgment of the Great Tribulation on earth will be crowned the King of Kings and Lord of Lords.  Remember that Christ is given the title deed to the earth in Revelation 4. This section of scripture shows us Christ claiming what is rightfully his. The judgment ushers in Jesus' earthly kingdom.

Zechariah is told that three men will come from the Jews, who have been exiled in Babylon, bearing gifts of gold and silver which should be made into a crown.  The crown is to be put onto Jeshua's head and Zechariah is to tell Jeshua,

"Here is the man called the Branch.  He will branch out where he is and build the Temple of the Lord. He will build the Lord's Temple, and he will receive royal honor and will rule as king from his throne.  He will also serve as priest from his throne, and there will be perfect harmony between the two." Zechariah 6:12-13

Although Jeshua is involved in helping to rebuild the Temple in Jerusalem after the remnant returns to Jerusalem, this is obviously not speaking about Jeshua.  The Branch is a reference to Jesus Christ. This prophecy clarifies that Jesus will reign as a priest and king in his earthly kingdom.  Notice that the Antichrist of Revelation attempts to be a civil and religious world dictator in imitation of this role of Jesus on earth.  The Antichrist will fail in his effort.  Jesus, alone, will rule this earth with perfect harmony between the civil and religious aspects of society.  This will be unprecedented on earth!

We see in verse 14 that Jeshua's crown is kept in memorial in the Temple of the Lord in anticipation of the day that the Messiah comes to reign on earth in the nation of Israel as both the priest and the king.  The Israelites were told to look forward to this day.  One can understand why the Jews in the days of Jesus' first coming to earth as a man were looking for him to be an earthly king.  They were believing the promises given to their nation through their prophets.  Unfortunately, they did not look closely enough at Isaiah's and Daniel's messages to see that the Savior would first be a bruised reed.

One other reminder, Jesus is acting as our High Priest in heaven as he intercedes for us day and night, right now.  During the Great Tribulation we see Jesus directing judgment on the earth from his heavenly position as king of heaven. The judgment of the Great Tribulation on earth ushers in Jesus' coronation as the king of the earth. From judgment comes purity. Gentile nations who have mistreated God's people (true believers from Israel and the Gentile nations) will be judged in the Great Tribulation. During his millennial kingdom, Jesus will rule from Jerusalem as the priest and king over those who have been found righteous.  These prophecies to Zechariah are specifically to the nation of Israel to understand their future role in Jesus' earthly kingdom. Remember that the visions of the woman in the basket and the flying scroll are warnings to the nation of Israel that those who buy into the Antichrist's religious and commercial systems will not participate in Christ's earthly kingdom.

The Question

Next, Zechariah deals with the question that the returned remnant are asking about their religious traditions now that they are back in Jerusalem.  They wonder whether or not they should continue to mourn and fast on the anniversary of the Temple's destruction from over seventy years ago.  God answers by confronting them about their heart attitudes.  He challenges their motives in their religious activity declaring they performed them for themselves, not for Him.  This is a strong message to all people who seek to please God.  He is not interested in your religious rituals and activities.  He is interested in the attitudes of your heart!

The Message

In order to clarify what He means by having a good heart attitude, God gives Zechariah a message about behaviors that really please God.  Here is the list:

• Judge fairly and honestly.
• Show mercy and kindness to one another.
• Do not oppress widows, orphans, foreigners, and poor people.
• Do not make evil plans to harm one another.

The ancestors of the nation of Israel were scattered across the earth because they refused to listen to this message.  We will see that after their rejection of Jesus Christ on earth, the remnant of the Jews who came back and rebuilt Jerusalem are scattered again across the earth until the end times when they are regathered to Jerusalem by God.

Revelation 15:1-8

As we have seen in our previous readings in Revelation, God unfolds the story of the end times in series of sevens.  The progressive visions reiterate and further explain the judgment of God upon the earth during the Great Tribulation period.  Today, we have completed the seven seals, the seven judgments and the seven personalities.  Each has given us a more in depth look at the same event. Now, we are introduced to the seven bowls of wrath.  These bowls of God's judgment will be poured out upon the earth and give further explanation of what occurs during this awful time on the planet when God's judgment will be complete.

Before the pouring of the seven bowls, John sees a vision of a crystal sea with a fire upon it.  This represents the nations of the earth who tortured and persecuted the Tribulation saints on earth during the Great Tribulation period.  On top of the sea are the Tribulation saints, who were victorious over the beast, his statue, and his mark, which was needed to participate in commerce allowing buying and selling.  These people were preserved by God and in His strength  they were able to resist the deception that came upon the earth. They also patiently endured the suffering of being persecuted for their faith in Christ during these dark times.  These are the 144,000 witnesses from the nation of Israel, who were preserved by Christ though the Tribulation.  Although some of them were surely martyred, they did not lose their faith. Christ did not lose any of the sheep, which were his. Each of these saints is given a harp and now sings a victory song that we have seen before in the Bible.  They are going to sing the song that Moses composed after God defeated the Egyptians.  This song is found in Exodus 15.  They are also singing a song of the Lord that we have not seen before. We are given this glorious song about God's marvelous action and that God is King of the nations. This is a marriage of the Old Testament promises to Israel and the New Testament fulfillment of those promises.  God is victorious in His Truth.

John sees the Temple in heaven.  When the Temple is mentioned, we are always dealing with the nation of Israel, not the Church.  From the promises given to the nation of Israel and the God of those promises come the final judgments upon the earth as was promised through the prophets.  Angels come forth in white clothing, which represents the righteousness of God's judgment.  One of the four living beings that represents the Living God hands each of the angels one of the bowls of God's wrath.  The Temple is filled with smoke, reminding us of the smoke that filled the Tabernacle when God would come to dwell among the nation of Israel. His righteous, holy anger is justified.  This is Jesus as Judge.  The Lamb is a Lion.  Notice that the 144,000 cannot enter the Temple in heaven until the judgments of the seven bowls of wrath are poured out upon the earth. The true nation of Israel, who loves the Lord, dwells with the Lord in His holy Temple.  Their kingdom with God on earth, which includes a fulfillment of the promise of restored Temple worship with Christ as their priest and king, only comes after the judgment of evil on the earth.  The prophecies of the Old Testament prophets will be completely fulfilled.

What About the Church?

You may be wondering what is going on with the Church in heaven during all of this.  The Church will dwell with God in the New Jerusalem.  The Church is worshiping and praising God in heaven for fulfilling His promises about the earth during this time. The New Jerusalem of the future will not need a temple because God and Christ are the temple in the new heaven and the new earth (see Revelation 21).  We will read about this later.  First, God is going to fulfill His promises to Israel.  The story started in Genesis and has unrolled throughout the Bible.  God is going to tie up the loose ends and leave no promise unfulfilled. Israel will dwell in the Promised Land with her Messiah. Some commentators believe that the Church has a role during the millennial kingdom of administration. It is believed that Christ's Church will rule with Christ, even in his earthly reign. Other commentators believe the Church is not part of some of these promises and therefore, is not mentioned or involved.  We definitely see the Church coming out of heaven as a bride in the New Jerusalem to be with Christ in the new heaven and new earth forever and some commentators believe that Christ's earthly reign represents the marriage feast for Christ and His church..

Is your heart stirring at God's faithfulness? 

Psalm 143:1-12

"For the glory of your Name, O Lord, save me."  It is all for the glory of His Name!

Proverbs 30:24-28

I hope to be small, but unusually wise.

What are you learning?  Please share.

Blessings,

Jubilee Gal
Kathy Fullerton

December 23- The Grapes of Wrath

December 23, 2011

Scripture Reading:
Zechariah 4:1-5:11; Revelation 14:1-20;
Psalm 142:1-7; Proverbs 30:21-23

He is trampling out the vintage where the grapes of wrath are stored. 

~The Battle Hymn of the Republic

Zechariah 4:1-5:11

We continue in today's reading with Zechariah's visions.  Now we see his seventh, eighth, and ninth visions out of the ten.

Vision of the Lampstand and the Two Olive Trees

We have seen a number of visions from Zechariah.  They include 1) the riders under the myrtle trees 2) the four horns   3) the four blacksmiths/carpenters 4) the man with the measuring line 5) The High Priest- Jeshua and Satan and
6) the Branch and the Stone.  Now, we come to the vision of the lampstand.  The nation of Israel, even to this day, is associated with this symbol of the menorah.  Israel was always intended by God to be a light to the world about the Creator of heaven and earth.  In the last vision we studied, the high priest Jeshua was cleansed by Christ and saved from his sins.  He represented the nation of Israel being saved in the end times (this does not mean every Israelite is saved, just as the Church also has members who are not saved) and acting as priests to the world during the millennial reign of Christ.  Now, the nation is represented by the lamp stand. This lamp is lit by oil, which is a picture of the nation of Israel being filled with God's Holy Spirit, making them able to spread light and truth to earth.  Note that the oil (Holy Spirit) flows from a bowl that continually feeds into the lamp bowls attached to the stand. The nation of Israel, who have believed in Christ and made it through the Great Tribulation, are pictured here as the light that spreads the Good News of Christ to those who are born during the millennial kingdom of Christ on earth by being filled with the Holy Spirit. 

In addition to this future application of this vision, Zerubbabel is the civil leader of the remnant of Israel who are back in Jerusalem from the Babylonian captivity.  God tells Zerubabel that it is not by might nor by strength, but by His Spirit that Zerubbabel will accomplish rebuilding Jerusalem.  This promise can be projected into the future for the nation of Israel, who will accomplish coming out of the commerce and religious oppression of the Antichrist's world system (Babylon) only through the power of the Holy Spirit in them.  This is what the lampstand represents.  The Holy Spirit will fill the nation of Israel and give them the light of the Truth and the power to overcome darkness. 

Next, Zechariah sees two olive trees that are next to the large bowl that fills the lamp stand. The angel explains to Zechariah that they are the two witnesses, who assist the Lord throughout the earth.  While Zerubbabel and Jeshua (the High Priest) were witnesses at this time on earth during the aftermath of the Babylonian captivity, this is also a picture of the two witnesses described in Revelation chapter 11, who witness in the dark times of the Great Tribulation that come upon the earth.  Please note that these two witnesses come forth from the nation of Israel.  This is what Zechariah is being promised.  The Holy Spirit is causing the nation of Israel to be a light and a witness to the world in the end.

Vision - The Flying Scroll

Now, Zechariah sees a very large flying scroll.  It would have been the size of a king size bed sheet.  The scroll represents the Word of God and particularly the Ten Commandments, which have influenced civil governments throughout the world as a result of the Israelites being dispersed throughout the globe. We have seen the image of the scroll in Ezekiel.  We see that the scroll (the Word of God and the Law) represents a curse upon the nation of Israel and mankind, in general, because Israel has broken the Law and so has all of  mankind. The two divisions presented on the scroll are stealing from the land (man's relationship to man) and swearing falsely by God's name (man's relationship to God).  These two categories represent the whole Law. There is a curse is upon the earth because man has broken God's Law.  Banishment from the presence of God is the result. We will see this concept confirmed in our reading in Revelation today.

Vision- A Woman in a Measuring Basket

Now, we see how the breaking of these commandments has manifested itself.  Breaking God's Law is seen in the materialistic culture and one world commerce system represented by the basket that measures grain. This basket is filled with the sins of everyone throughout the earth.  The greed and love of money that the Israelites fell into after the Babylonian captivity is seen again in the Great Tribulation. The woman in this vision is the nation of Israel.  They are happily in the midst of this basket of sin.  We see a sinful group, who represent the portion of the nation of Israel who do not follow God during the Great Tribulation. We will also see this woman in Revelation 17 riding on the Beast. These people are happily in the basket of the Antichrist's one world system.  Two angels are seen taking the basket to the land of Babylon (which always represents rebellion against God) and putting it on a pedestal in the temple.  This vision corresponds with the Antichrist controlling commerce in the one world system set up during the Great Tribulation. It also corresponds with money being worshipped.  Zechariah's vision shows us the nation of Israel's position in the story.  Some of them will be the lampstand, who are a light to the world during these dark times.  Some of them will be the wicked woman in the basket, who embraces the false religion of the Antichrist and will be judged by God. This will be true of all the people groups on the earth at this time. They will fit into one of these two categories.

The grapes of God's wrath are ripe for His trampling in this vision.

Are you a lampstand or a person in the basket?

Revelation 14:1-20

Now we have an interlude of encouragement once more for those saints who are enduring persecution on earth during the Tribulation. In this vision, John sees the Lamb (Jesus) standing on Mt. Zion in the land with the 144,000 witnesses from the 12 tribes of Israel, who have his name and his Father's name written on their foreheads.  The Lamb is in contrast to the beasts that we saw in John's previous vision.  The 144,000 nation of Israel witnesses don't have the mark of the beast on their forehead. They have the name of Christ and his Father on their foreheads. Heaven roars forth in this vision with the four living beings and the elders in front of the throne of God singing a new song.  Only the 144,000 can learn the words of the song that is being sung. This group of witnesses has been redeemed by Christ from the earth during the Great Tribulation that comes upon the earth. This is a special song and a special vision with a message of encouragement to them alone.

They have made it through the terrible deception of Satan without getting soiled spiritually or physically by the adultery of forsaking God. No falsehood or lying can be charged against these evangelists, who convert the people God calls to Himself during the Great Tribulation on earth. These witnesses have been fundamental to God's plan on earth during the time of the Antichrist.  They have a privileged position in heaven.

We are on the brink of Christ judging the earth in this interlude vision, but first, an angel flies throughout the earth with the Good News of Christ, in order to seek those who might repent before the end. God is a God of last chances.

Another angel follows to announce that Babylon has fallen.  The system that seduced the whole world to drink the wine of her immorality is finished.

A third angel announces that anyone who followed the beast or his statue and received the mark of the beast in rebellion against God must now drink a new kind of wine. This is the undiluted wine of God's wrath! Drink up, rebellious people!  It is going to be poured out upon the earth. And now we see God finally bringing the judgment upon the wicked that His grace held back since the creation of the world.  The evil people, who destroyed all goodness during the Great Tribulation, will be met with fire and burning sulfur that will torment them. The smoke from their destruction will rise forever and ever as a memorial to the destruction of evil. This is to be an encouragement to God's holy people, who endure persecution patiently and remained firm in their faith by obeying His commandments and trusting in Jesus during the Great Tribulation period.

John is commanded to write, "Blessed are those who die in the Lord from now on. Yes, says the Spirit, they are blessed indeed, for they will rest from all their toils and trials, for their good deeds follow them!"  This is certainly good news for the saints, who will endure the most Satanic force of evil ever felt on earth during the times of the Great Tribulation.  These words are for those dear people.

There should not be confusion that this is the Church.  There is no reason to think that the Church is part of the punishment that comes upon the earth during the Tribulation.  This is unique to the 144,000, who are sent to evangelize the earth in the absence of the Church and to their converts to Christ from every nation on the earth at that time.  There is an apostate church on earth at this time also, who we will soon meet in our reading.

The next thing that John sees is Christ coming on a cloud with a gold crown on his head and a sickle in his hand.  This is not an image of  Christ of the cross.  This is the reigning King Jesus, who will judge the wicked on earth.  When Jesus drew with his finger in the sand and challenged the group who wanted to stone the woman caught in adultery that only the one who had never sinned should cast the first stone, he was fulfilling his role on earth as the grace-filled Savior looking for those who would repent of their sins and receive his forgiveness.  He was teaching people that only he can judge evil. Those days are past.  Now, we have the Jesus who told the disciples that one day he would return with the angels and would separate the sheep from the goats and the wheat from the tares.  Now is that day of harvest.  The wicked are cut down.  The grapes of wrath (wicked people) are loaded into God's winepress of judgment, where they are trampled down by God's righteous anger.  There is much blood from the deaths of the evil on earth.

This vision is once again for the Tribulation saints, who were persecuted by these people (grapes of wrath) on earth.  The just punishment of the wicked is promised by God.

I am thankful for God's grace to me.  I am grateful that He has saved me from being one of the grapes of wrath that are trampled.

Psalm 142:1-7

God is our refuge.  This psalm means so much more in the light of what we are reading.

Proverbs 30:21-23

These four things are unnatural.  Particularly troublesome to me is the fool who prospers.

What did you notice today as you read?

Blessings,

Jubilee Gal
Kathy Fullerton

December 22- The Branch and The Beast

December 22, 2011

Scripture Reading:
Zechariah 2:1-3:10; Revelation 12:18-13:18;
Psalm 141:1-10; Proverbs 30:18-20

He that struggles with us strengthens our nerves and sharpens our skill.  Our antagonist is our helper. ~Edmund Burke

Zechariah 2:1-3:10

Vision of the Measuring Line:

As we have discussed before, whenever God sends a vision of the measuring line He is prepared to move for Israel.  In this vision, Zechariah sees a man measuring Jerusalem.  Angels are there and they tell Zechariah that one day Jerusalem will be filled with people. There will not be room for all of them. They will be safe because Jesus will be a wall of fire around the city and will be the glory inside the city.  This is a reference to Jesus' millennial reign on earth when Jerusalem will be at peace and there will be no need for walls that keep out enemies.

We find in the vision that the man (Jesus) is sent to put down the nations that have oppressed Israel and have had their period of glory (the times of the Gentiles).  Preincarnate Jesus tells Zechariah that anyone who harms Israel harms God's most precious possession.  Jesus will raise his fist to crush them.  Then, Israel will know that the Lord Almighty sent Jesus. Psalm 2 is a good description of this.

We learn that Jesus promises to come and live among the people of Israel.  Many nations (Gentiles) will join themselves to the Lord in that time and also be God's people. God will choose Jerusalem in that day.  God will spring into action from this holy dwelling place.  Zechariah is getting a glimpse into the millennial kingdom, the final kingdom on earth.

Vision of Jeshua- The High Priest

Next, Zechariah sees Jeshua, the High Priest, who is the High Priest for the remnant that has returned from the Babylonian captivity and is back in Jerusalem, but now in the vision he is standing before the angel of the Lord (Jesus).  Satan is also in the vision in heaven and Satan is accusing Jeshua of many things before the Lord. Yesterday we read in Revelation 12 that the name Devil means "accuser and slanderer."  This is one of his main tactics in warring against mankind.  Jesus is our Advocate before the throne of God.  These two play opposite roles.  Jesus defends us not because we are perfect, but because His death has made us righteous before God. The Lord rebukes Satan's accusations and reminds Satan that he (Jesus) has chosen Jerusalem and that Jeshua is like a burning stick that has been snatched from the fire. Oh my, aren't we all burning sticks that have been snatched from the flames by a gracious and loving God?

Jeshua is indeed clothed in filthy rags before Christ. The word "filthy" implies that he has excrement on himself.  You may recall that the High Priest is the representative of the nation of Israel, who goes before God to carry the sins of the nation to Him to be forgiven.  The priest was to be ceremonially clean when he entered the Holy of Holies. He was to wear clean priestly robes that were only to be worn once a year on the Day of Atonement. But this vision shows us that the High Priest and the nation of Israel are sinful before God. Jesus takes away their sin and gives Jeshua new clothes that represent the nation's righteousness through Christ. Jesus promises the newly clothed High Priest that by following him and obeying Jesus' commands the Jews will be given authority over His Temple and courtyards.  This is a picture of the future turning of Israel to their Messiah and the nation's role as religious leaders in the millennial kingdom of Christ on earth. Jeshua is told that he is a symbol of the good things to come. Jeshua is a symbol of the nation of Israel and good things to come for this nation in the future.

Jeshua is given a promise that The Branch (Jesus) will come.  This is the branch that comes from the root/stump of Jesse and David. He is also the single stone that Jeshua has set before him with seven facets.  In a single day, the sins of the land will be removed. In this future day (the day of the Lord, which is a time period longer than 24 hours), people will live in peace and prosperity in the land.

Conclusion:

As we study the prophesies of Daniel, Ezekiel, Zechariah, and Malachi, we find a consistent pattern of promises to Israel. God's Story is consistent. Israel has been chosen for a purpose. They are rescued by God out of Egypt (the world) and led into the Promised Land. They fall from grace as they sin before God. They suffer judgment from God as a result of their rebellion. They bring forth the Messiah. They are dispersed and set aside by God for a time, and then they are regathered to their Savior.  This is the story. The Church is grafted in to the story to be part of the olive tree (see Romans 11). God saves people from across all nations, tribes, languages and races. We are fruit on the Branch, which is Jesus Christ. But God will always set his eye on Israel.

Revelation 12:18-13:18

We are once again meeting the seven personalities of the Great Tribulation.  Have you noticed that the Church is not one of the personalities?  That is because the Church is up in heaven during all of the travails that come upon the earth.  People who come to know the Lord on earth during the Tribulation period are referred to as tribulation saints, brother and sisters, and the accused. Now we meet the main antagonist of the Great Tribulation.

The Beast From the Sea- Revelation 13:1-8


So we saw that the enormous red dragon (Satan) in John's vision, went off to make war with the offspring of the woman (Israel), particularly those who keep God's commandments and belong to Jesus Christ (Tribulation saints). So how exactly is Satan going to war against the saints both from Israel and from the Gentile world?  This vision gives us an inkling.

As the dragon is standing on the shore of the sea, (please note that the sea represents the nations of the world), a beast rises out the sea.  It has seven heads and ten horns with ten crowns on the horns.  We have seen this image of the heads and the horns on the great red dragon.  Therefore, we know that the Beast is associated with the enormous Red Dragon (Satan). This imagery also corresponds to the ten horns in Daniel chapter 7.  The ten horns represent the ten rulers of the reconstituted Roman Empire that are the precursor to the one world government of the Antichrist/Beast of the last 3 1/2 years of the Great Tribulation. The beast looks like a leopard (panther) with bear's feet and a lion's mouth.  This takes us back to the imagery of the Gentile kingdoms that conquer the world during the times of the Gentiles (Babylon (lion), Persia (bear) and Greece (leopard)).  In Daniel 7 we get the description of the little horn.  This is the Antichrist of which we now read. The little horn of Daniel chapter 7 is the Beast of Revelation. The dragon (Satan), who is the prince of this world, gives the Beast his own power and throne and great authority. This political ruler will be a dictator.

This Beast is a political leader with political power and authority. There is going to arise a second Beast from the land that is a religious leader.  The world during the end times and during the Great Tribulation will be deceived into following both of these leaders.  The great mob of mankind will bring forth this leader of the sea, which represents the Gentile nations. Notice that the political power that this first Antichrist (instead of  Christ) is granted from Satan, who is given the power by God to control the governments of the world at this time in the story, is comprehensive across the earth. We learn from other parts of Scripture that this is a punishment to the earth for man's rebellion against God.


Here are some of the characteristics and events that happen with this political leader/Antichrist (the Beast from the sea):

• One of the heads of the Beast appears to be wounded beyond recovery, but the fatal wound is healed. This is a death and resurrection that the world will witness with this leader powered by Satan. Some commentators feel that this is a fake death and resurrection.Vs. 3
• All the world will marvel at this miracle and will follow the leader in awe. Vs. 3
• They will worship Satan for giving the Beast/Antichrist/seemingly peaceful world leader such power. Vs. 4
• They worship the Beast, also. Vs. 4
• No one tries to fight against him.  Vs. 4
• He blasphemes against God greatly. Vs. 5
• He is given authority to do as he wishes for 3 1/2 years. Vs. 5
• He slanders God and all who live in heaven (the Church), who are God's temple. Vs. 6
• He wages war against God's holy people (Jewish and Gentile believers in Christ) to overcome them. Many are martyred. Vs. 7
• He rules over every tribe, people, language, and nation as a world dictator. Vs. 7
• Everyone on earth (except tribulation saints) worships the Beast because their names are not written in the Lamb's Book of Life. Vs. 8

Call to True Believers During the Great Tribulation Period - Revelation 13:9-10


John now gives an interlude where he calls on anyone who has ears to listen and understand.  This message is for those inclined to God. They have hearts designed to respond to their Creator.  They will listen to His message.  John says that some saints are destined for prison during the Great Tribulation.  Some saints are destined for death under the Antichrist. But followers of Christ during this day should not be dismayed. They should see this as an opportunity for endurance and faith. This will be a time of unprecedented evil on earth.  By God's design, He will pull back and allow Satan to have a go at ruling the earth as he has always wanted to.  It will bring the earth to the brink of destruction because Satan is the father of death, not life. What God has been saying in His Word for all of time will be evidenced by all of creation. Jesus warned of this day in Matthew 24:22 when he said, "If those days had not been cut short, no one would survive, but for the sake of the elect those days will be shortened."  The elect are God's true followers who have ears to hear and understand. They will be rewarded for staying true to their faith, even in the face of death.


The Beast from the Land- Revelation 13:11-18

Now we have another beast that rises up from the land. The land would be the Promised Land and this person is an imitator of Christ from the nation of Israel. This beast has two horns like a lamb, but speaks with the voice of a dragon. He is a wolf in sheep's clothing. He's a dragon in lamb's clothing. This means that this religious leader speaks as if to unite the world in one religion. But he is speaking the ideas of Satan (the voice of a dragon).  He is the religious leader/pastor/priest who convinces the whole world to worship the first Beast/Antichrist/world dictator. This false Christ does miracles and wows the world with miracles that ape the miracles of past true prophets of God like Elijah, who called down fire from heaven.


This beast sets up an image of the first Beast, which is a statue that they somehow manage to have talk. This is an idol that will talk.  This will surely get on the evening news and on all of the entertainment channels. The statue says that all people must worship him or die. This is the abomination of desolation spoken of in the Old Testament in Daniel and by the Lord in Matthew 24:15.  Note that Jesus made sure that no representations of how he looked would survive from his day and age. The fake Christ will be consumed with images of himself. He will promote business and religion through his image.


Next, we see that Satan cannot stay away from his main tool to turn people away from God, money.  The religious beast who rises up from the land (Israel) is the one who gets all wrapped up in the commerce of the world. He is the beast who requires that everyone get a mark that allows for buying and selling in this world system. This mark will be tied to the number or name of the political Antichrist/world leader.

Notice that this false Christ is all tied up with money and commerce.  Jesus was just the opposite.  Jesus said,

"Do not lay up treasures on this earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in  and steal. But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys, and where thieves do not break in to steal; for where your treasure is, there will your heart be also."  Matthew 6:19-34

You cannot get anymore opposite than the beasts in these visions and the Lord Jesus Christ. I thank God that I will be in heaven during this evil time on earth. John is given a number associated with the man who is this beast from the land.  The number is 666.  Man was created on the sixth day. This is the trinity of man/Satan. Satan/The Beast from the Sea/The Beast from the Land are the unholy trinity.  This is their number. This numerology will probably make sense to Tribulation saints who are alive at the time that all of this occurs. Perhaps it will be associated with the mark that allows people to buy and sell in the one world international commerce market. This number will be a sign for true believers to identify who the Antichrist is.

Psalm 141:1-10

Read this psalm as if you are a Tribulation saint.  How meaningful this passage will be for those who are upon the earth at this time.

Proverbs 30:18-20

Wow.  Sinful people who shrug off their wrong doing as though it is nothing are amazing, but in a bad way.

What are you realizing as you read?

Blessings,

Jubilee Gal
Kathy Fullerton

December 21- Visions

December 21, 2011

Scripture Reading:
Zechariah 1:1-21; Revelation 12:1-17;
Psalm 140:1-13; Proverbs 30:17

Zechariah 1:1-21

Today, we have the visions that the Lord gave to Zechariah.  Although he was born outside of Israel, Zechariah saw these visions while in the land of Israel.  He was a contemporary of Haggai and was probably a younger man. Zechariah's name means "whom Jehovah remembers." This would suggest the encouragement that God intends to provide to the remnant in Israel, who have come back to rebuild the Temple. While Haggai looked to the ground and measured the Temple in his visions, Zechariah looks to the sky with apocalyptic musings. Zechariah has ten visions in one night. 

Zechariah receives a call from the Lord for the nation of Israel to return to Him.  They have been in captivity because of the Lord's anger at their sin, but now He is calling for repentance and return.

In the first vision, Zechariah is talking to the angel of the Lord.  From our past studies we know that "the" angel of the Lord is the pre-incarnate Christ.  Zechariah sees a man on a red horse standing among the myrtle trees.  Behind him are riders on red, mottled, and white horses, each with its own rider. The riders on these horses report to the angel of the Lord that they have patrolled the earth and it is at peace. The angel prays to the Lord wondering after the seventy years of captivity when will God's mercy be shown to Jerusalem and Judah. God gives comforting words to the angel about Jerusalem.  After this, the angel tells Zechariah to shout this message:

• God's love for Jerusalem and Mt. Zion is passionate and strong. 
• God is angry with the Gentile nations who are enjoying peace and security.
• The Gentile nations have punished the nation of Israel too much. 
• He will return to show mercy to Jerusalem.
• His Temple will be rebuilt.
• Jerusalem will be reconstructed.
• Israel will overflow with prosperity and the Lord will comfort Zion and choose Jerusalem as His own.

Let's talk about what the symbols in this vision represent.  The rider on the red horse is Jesus Christ.  The red represents his blood and he rides and stands among the myrtle trees.  Myrtle trees are native to Israel and are one of their signature plants (along with olive trees, fig trees, and the grapevine).  The myrtle tree was a badge of Israel.  It was used to construct the booths that the Jews used during their Festival of Booths each fall. Jesus Christ shed his blood for the whole world and he comes forth from Israel and stands among his people. The other horses and riders are angels that patrol the earth for Christ.  During this short time of peace, Christ expresses anger that the oppressors of Israel have gone too far.  He will have vengeance one day in the future for this. Jesus declares his loyalty to Jerusalem and Israel. We must never forget that God will remain true to his promises to Israel. Jerusalem will be his own.

The second vision is four animal horns.  Zechariah asks the Lord what these are. The angel tells him that these are the world powers that will scatter Judah, Israel, and Jerusalem.  We know from prior reading in Daniel 7:24 and Revelation 17:12 that a horn represents a gentile ruler.  These four horns are the four Gentile kingdoms that conquer the world, punish the Jews, and scatter them across the earth.  The kingdoms are Babylon, Media-Persia, Greece, and Rome.  Remember that the Roman empire was not defeated, but broke up and will reassemble in the end times.

The third vision is the four blacksmiths or carpenters. These are skilled workman that come to terrify the four horns. In other words, Persia becomes a blacksmith or carpenter who defeats Babylon. Greece is a workman who defeats Persia. Rome is a artisan that defeats Greece.  But who defeats the Roman empire?  Remember, no one came in and defeated it.  This is a prophecy that Jesus and his millennial kingdom will be the final carpenter/workman who defeats the revived Roman empire of the Antichrist.  It is no mistake that Jesus really was a trained carpenter.  He was a skilled workman and artisan while on earth.  This prophecy shows that Jesus will be the final ruler on this earth.

These visions should teach us that God is not through with the nation of Israel. Although the Church age is dominant at this time, when God speaks of Jerusalem, Israel, and Judah in prophecy, he means Jerusalem, Israel, and Judah.  He does not mean the Church.  God will fulfill His promises to Israel and to the Church.  One does not exclude the other.

Revelation 12:1-17

John is given a vision of great significance.  God is unfolding the story of the Great Tribulation in layers.  After the seven seals are opened, we go deeper into the story with the seven trumpets.  Now, as we get to the seventh trumpet blast, we meet seven personalities that flesh out the story. During this interlude, we will meet some personalities who will be on earth during the Great Tribulation and who are key characters in God's story. There will be seven personalities, which follow the pattern of sevens throughout the book of Revelation.  Notice that Daniel was also given a pattern of sevens in his prophecy about the end times. This follows the pattern of sevens that is given at the front of the Bible in Genesis with the creation account unfolding the creation of the earth in seven days.  God is consistent.  Seven is His number of completion.

The Woman- Israel

The first thing John sees is a woman clothed with the sun, with the moon beneath her feet, and a crown of twelve stars on her head. She is pregnant and she cries out in the pain of labor as she awaits her delivery. The Roman Catholic Church describes this Queen of Heaven as the virgin Mary. Many cults have worshiped the Queen of Heaven, including many ancient pagan cults.  I believe this practice goes back to the promise given to Eve in the Garden (Genesis 3:15) that a woman would conceive and deliver the Redeemer Child, who would defeat Satan and sin on this earth.  Goddess worship has been the attempt to flesh out this promise outside of God's plan.  But Israel through Abraham's line was given the promise by God that the nations would be blessed through them. They would have the labor pains associated with bringing the Messiah to earth.  No one but Israel has suffered that fate.  The nation Israel is the woman who has the child, Jesus. Notice that the twelve stars on her crown are the twelve tribes.  Joseph was given a prophetic dream where the sun and moon bowed down to him.  The image given to John hearkens back to Joseph's dream.

The Red Dragon- Satan

John sees a large red dragon with seven heads and ten horns and seven crowns on his head.  He drags one third of the stars to earth. He stands before the woman as she is about to give birth and wants to devour the baby as soon as it is born.  We see here that Satan is great in that he has great power given to him by God on earth.  He is associated with the color red because he is a murderer and he is the reason that death came into this world.  He is a dragon because he has a vicious nature.  He is an enemy of mankind.  The seven heads represent that he is wise.  Remember that Ezekiel 28:2 tells us that he was full of wisdom, perfect in beauty before his rebellion against God. The ten horns represent the ten gentile rulers of the revived Roman Empire that will be subject to Satan in his final effort to rule this world. The seven crowns are on the horns, not the heads in the vision. This is delegated authority to those rulers during Satan's attempt to rule the world.  The one third of the stars that are thrown to earth represent the significant rebellion that occurred in heaven when Satan rebelled and one third of the angels followed this brilliant creature (Daniel 8:10, Jude 6).  Satan waits and hates the Man Child to whom the woman will give birth.  Satan knows Genesis 3:15.  It is promised this Child will bring Satan's demise.

The Child Of the Woman- Jesus Christ

The "man child" or I like to call him the Redeemer Child is Jesus Christ. Jesus rules the nations with an iron rod (Psalm 2:9). Jesus will put down all rebellion on earth. Then the child is snatched away (raptured, caught up) to God.  This is a picture of Jesus' Ascension into heaven.  We must focus on Christ as ascended.  This is his position presently.  He is in glory and he is glorified. He is directing history -His Story- from heaven. He is opening the seals, having the trumpets blown, and directing the coming judgment of the world. This is where Jesus sits on his throne. Please note that when Isaiah prophesied that unto us a child is born, unto us a child is given, he is speaking about the nation of Israel, specifically.  He is not speaking about the Church.  The Church is born at Pentecost.  The child is born to the woman.  The woman in prophecy is Israel and the child is Jesus Christ. Jesus is born unto Israel.  The world is the beneficiary of the promise to the nation of Israel. When Jesus came to earth the first time, Israel had experienced as history of suffering and labor pains prior to his arrival. Because of the Great Tribulation, Israel will again experience great suffering (birth pangs) prior to Christ's second coming.

The Archangel- Michael

Now, we learn of a war that occurs in heaven. If you recall from the book of Job, Satan is allowed to come before the presence of God and interact with God and receive permission to affect human beings on earth. We also see Satan before God in Zechariah 3:1-2, and Satan requests to sift Peter in Luke 22:31.  The book of Jude tells us that Michael is an archangel. We learn in the book of Daniel chapter 12:1 that Michael is assigned to protect Israel. We see that Michael is in charge of an army of angels, who fight against Satan and his army of fallen angels/demons. And now we learn that Michael is the angel who will throw Satan out of heaven. Satan's days are numbered in this epic tale. We see that his demise begins with being thrown out of the presence of God. He does not go lightly. There is a grand war over this. Jesus refers to this event in Luke 10:18, "And he said unto them, I saw Satan as lightning fall from heaven."  The names of this red dragon are the Devil, which means "accuser", Satan which means "adversary" and the Old Serpent, which is a reference to his role in the Garden of Eden.  He has been around a long time and is much smarter than you and me.  He is also called "he that deceiveth the whole world." This will be very true during the Great Tribulation period.

Now, we have the martyred Old Testament saints and the tribulation saints in heaven rejoicing that Satan has been cast out of heaven. This is the group that was under the altar at the beginning of John's vision asking God to avenge their deaths and bring justice to the martyred. This is the beginning of the end for the old dragon.  Here is what they rejoice about:

• The Accuser has been thrown down to earth.
• He accused our brothers and our sisters before God day and night.
• They have defeated him through the blood of the Lamb and with their testimony.
• They were not afraid to die.
• Rejoice in heaven.
• Terror will come to the earth and sea.
• The Devil has come down to you and his time is short.

Notice that they are speaking about saints who have been martyred for the name of Jesus Christ.  These saints were in direct conflict with Satan. While Satan accused the brethren in heaven, Jesus acted as their Advocate before God.  They have overcome. How? They are not scared of death. It is on this earth that the final battle will occur. Jesus Christ will defeat his nemesis on this planet.

Now we have the Dragon is on earth with no access to God.  Satan comes to earth in the form of the Antichrist and pursues the nation of Israel. The remnant, who truly believe in Christ from the nation of Israel, are given wings to fly from this persecution in the wilderness, where she is given protection and cared for for three and a half years.  Please notice how this imagery hearkens back to Israel being delivered out of Egypt from Pharaoh's hands by Moses and taken into the wilderness, where they were fed by God with manna from heaven for a time.  These images are purposeful. 

The Remnant of Israel- 144,000

The dragon attempts to drown the woman with a flood of water. The earth opens its mouth and swallows the river that gushed forth from the dragon.  We do not know what this may mean. The Israelites were saved through the Nile River and also God parted the Jordan River for them to enter the Promised Land. This could be a literal flood of water or it could represent a flood of armies that swarm the nation of Israel in the end. The dragon/Satan is angry at the woman/Israel and declares war against those of her children who keep God's commandments and confess that they belong to Jesus. This would be the 144,000 witnesses we met before the seventh seal was broken.  These Jewish believers will evangelize the world during the Great Tribulation period.  We see that Satan is not pleased with these sealed individuals.

What a story!  What an epic tale.  These things will happen in the future.  God is telling us in advance. It is the living, breathing truth.

Psalm 140:1-13

Picture the tribulation saints speaking this psalm.

Proverbs 30:17

Oh, to avoid being proud...

What are you noticing as you read?

Blessings,

Jubilee Gal
Kathy Fullerton

December 20- Just Do It!

December 20, 2011

Scripture Reading:
Haggai 1:1-2:23; Revelation 11:1-19
Psalm 139:1-24; Proverbs 30:15-16

How soon 'not now' becomes 'never'. ~Martin Luther

Haggai 1:1-2:23

Are you a procrastinator? Procrastination is a strange thing. People who procrastinate will get busy doing lots of stuff in order to avoid doing the one thing they are supposed to do. Instead of procrastination being inactivity resulting in something being put off, it is often activity resulting in something being put off until a later time. As we begin to read the prophet Haggai, we see that the remnant of Israelites, who have returned after seventy years of captivity in Babylon, are procrastinating in rebuilding the Temple of the Lord in Jerusalem.

Chapter 1-First Message: Just Do It

The first message that Haggai receives is a message that the Lord realizes that the people are saying that it is not the time to rebuild the Temple. God confronts them that they are living in beautiful houses, but His house is in ruins. The remnant is not being blessed in the land because they are not being obedient in rebuilding God's Temple.

Remnant's Response:

The governor, priests, and people respond in obedience to the message from God. They worship God in earnest and God sparks the enthusiasm of their leader, Zerubbabel, who was the governor to lead the people in this work.

 Chapter 2-Second Message:  If You Build It, They Will Come...Future Temple and Hope

God responds to the remnant's obedience by giving further words of encouragement.  This word has to do with the future time in Israel.  God takes them forward to the Great Tribulation on earth.  A time when He will shake the heavens and the earth.  He will shake the oceans and the dry land, too. He is going to shake the nations and all of the treasures of those nations will come to this future Temple.  God will fill this place with His glory.  The future glory of the Temple will exceed the past glory of God's Temple.  God will finally bring peace to this place.  God has spoken! (There is a theme in Scripture of God's spoken word creating reality.  This occurs from Genesis forward.)

Third Message: The Nature Of Holiness

The questions that God asks of the priests are designed to get them to realize that a person cannot become holy by brushing up against the Law. But a person can become unholy by breaking the Law.  People must turn to God for holiness and blessing. Faith in God and obedience makes one holy.

Fourth Message: God's Promised Judgment

God is going to judge the earth. He is going to overthrow royal thrones, destroy foreign kingdoms, and defeat them militarily. Zerubbabel will be remembered by God with honor for his obedience in rebuilding the foundations of the Temple as God commanded.

The Temple is a central symbol for the Jews in their relationship with God. This rebuilding is symbolic of their mutual faith in doing the work of God on earth and in heaven.  The Jews will always be tied to the Temple of God. The Church, on the other hand, is taught that our body is the temple of the Holy Spirit. The Church is not tied to the physical Temple.

Are you obedient to what God requires of you?

Revelation 11:1-19

Well isn't this convenient!  We are whisked into the future in this vision and the first thing we see is God's rebuilt Temple of the future.  John is even told to measure it.  Whenever God tells someone to measure things, we are dealing with the nation of Israel. The Church is never told to measure things. This portion is for the nation of Israel. This is the premise for God showing John that the Gentiles have been given authority by God to trample down the nation of Israel for 3 1/2 years during this part of the Great Tribulation.  After these 3 1/2 years, the "times of the Gentiles" that we have been experiencing will end.

As part of this last times of the Gentiles, God sends two witnesses to earth.  Many people have speculated who these two witnesses might be.  Some say they are Elijah and Moses.  Others think it is Elijah and Enoch.  Some say it is Elijah and John the Baptist.  Others say it is two Israelite men in the future. The description of these men hearkens back to prophecies in the Old Testament.  They are called two olive trees (Zechariah 4) and two candlesticks or lampstands.  The Spirit of God enables these men to withstand great difficulties.  They are lights in an almost completely dark world.  They have miraculous powers, including being able to breath fire on their enemies, change oceans and rivers into blood, stop rainfall, and bring plagues of any kind upon the earth.  These miraculous acts will be designed to draw many people to the truth about God during this time. It also happens to create many enemies of these men.

When God fulfills His purposes through these witnesses, the Antichrist (beast from the bottomless pit) will declare war on them and will kill them. Their bodies will lie in the streets of Jerusalem and through television or satellite, the whole world will see their dead bodies and celebrate. People will give presents to one another and act like it's Christmas, because these men brought plagues upon the earth and many people died.  For 3 1/2 days the world will party like there is no tomorrow.  But there is a tomorrow in God's economy and after 3 1/2 days God's Spirit reenters these men and they resurrect before everyone's eyes. A loud voice calls out, "Come up here!" And they ascend into heaven on a cloud as the whole word watches.  "Come up here" is the same command that John received to go up into heaven and the same words that called the Church up into heaven during the Rapture. Everyone is terrified and then a gigantic earthquake hits the city. Many people die and this is the second terror of which the eagle warned.

Now verses 15-19 provide an interlude in the story designed to encourage the Tribulation saints about the coming Kingdom of God.  In order to make it through the trying times of the Tribulation, God gives them a message of hope. The promise that the whole world will become the kingdom of our Lord and of His Christ is given.  He will reign forever and ever.  This truth will sustain the suffering believers during the Tribulation period.

In this vision, the elders of the Church in heaven fall down to worship Jesus. We see them declare the truth that the nations raged against the Son, but the Son is victorious and will judge the dead and reward his servants (Psalm 2). This is a picture of Christ rewarding the Old Testament saints and prophets.  He will eventually destroy all who have caused destruction on the earth including Satan, demons, and the wicked people of this world.

The next vision is the Temple in heaven and the Ark of the Covenant. This is an image for the nation of Israel.  These promises are designed to encourage the nation of Israel, who is relying on God during the Great Tribulation period. It should be noted that the Church is not pictured in the Temple in heaven.  The Church is pictured as the elders around God's throne, who have already received their crowns of reward. We see God working separately as He distinguishes between the times of the Gentiles and the coming millennial reign of Christ on this earth designed to fulfill His promises to the nation of Israel that they would have an earthly king who would reign forever and ever.

Psalm 139:1-24

God is the Creator of all things.  He has known us even before we were formed in the womb.  He leads us along the path to everlasting life.

Proverbs 30:15-16

Here is what is not satisfied- the leech, the grave, the barren womb, the thirsty desert and the blazing fire.

What did you notice as you read?

Blessings,

Jubilee Gal
Kathy Fullerton

December 19 - The Bitter Pill

December 19, 2011

Scripture Reading:
Zephaniah 1:1-3:20; Revelation 10:1-11;
Psalm 138:1-8; Proverbs 30:11-14

Life, at best, is bittersweet. ~Jack Kirby

Zephaniah 1:1-3:20

Sometimes when you are sick, the doctor prescribes a bitter pill that you must swallow in order to cure the illness. Today Zephaniah prophesies about the bitter pill of judgment that God will make the whole world swallow during the times of the Great Tribulation on earth.  This bitter pill of judgment is designed to heal the earth of its prideful rebellion against God. Zephaniah's words are harsh. There is no candy coating of what will occur. Our readings in the book of Revelation back up what Zephaniah hears from the Lord.

Chapter 1- Judgment of Judah and Jerusalem

This chapter begins with God declaring that His judgment on earth will sweep away both people and animals. Birds and fish will die and God will reduce the wicked to a pile of rubble. The Lord is pointing to a future terrible time on the earth. Just as Noah's flood destroyed both the land, animals, and people, the coming judgment of the earth will destroy the same by fire.

We see that God is going to judge Israel in this time, but God's judgment will not exclude the Gentile nations of the earth. Their cup of judgment also runneth over. God declares that the earth will stand in silence as the awesome day of the Lord's judgment comes. Judah and Jerusalem's demise is detailed as God promises to punish them for worshiping Baal and other false gods. Their indifference to God will lead to their captivity. This is a shadow of things to come. The nation of Israel and their captivity is an illustration of the judgment that will come upon the whole earth.

Chapter 2- Judgment of the Earth and all Nations

God calls for people to walk humbly and do what is right. It is a call to repentance and turning to God before His awful judgment comes to the earth.

In this future day Jerusalem's enemies, who were used by God to punish Israel, will finally get their due punishment. They will receive the wages of their pride. The scoffing at God's people will come back to bite them. Great cities will become pasture lands for animals.  Piles of rubble will block the way. Humble people from nations around the world will worship the Lord, each in their own land.

Chapter 3- All Judgments Gone- God's Kingdom Established

The Lord is dismayed at how rebellious the leaders and people of Jerusalem are. The Lord declares that there will be a day when He will gather together the kingdoms of the earth and pour out His fiercest anger and fury on them. All the earth will be devoured by the fire of His jealousy. What kind of jealousy does the Lord have? It is a jealousy for the creatures that He has created. It is a jealousy for their love and affection, for their reverence and awe. He is the Creator. Where is their appreciation?  The nations are entitled little brats.  He is tired of it. 

God, Himself, must purify the lips of everyone so that they can worship Him. He will gather the scattered Israelites who are left alive to worship Him. The Great Tribulation is designed to remove the proud and arrogant people from the earth. Those who are left will be lowly and humble, for it is these people who have put their trust in the Lord. There will be Israelites and Gentiles in this group, but Zephaniah is writing to Israel.

Finally, these Israelites will treat each other properly and live peacefully. The Lord will remove His hand of judgment during this millennial reign and will disperse the armies of Israel's enemies. The Lord will be the King of Israel in that day. He will live among them. At last, Israel's troubles will be over. From the darkness of the Great Tribulation will spring forth the light of the millennial reign of Jesus Christ on earth. Eden will be restored.

He is a mighty savior.  He will rejoice over us with great gladness. With his love, he will calm all of our fears. He will exult over us by singing a happy song. God will give Israel a new name of distinction among all the nations of the earth.  The nations will praise Israel as God restores their fortunes. God has spoken!

My guess is that you are beginning to see a pattern here as we are closing out our reading of the Bible this year. God's story is rolling towards its conclusion.  He will reign on earth.  He will preserve a remnant from Israel.  He will judge the nations, destroying most, and yet, many will be saved.  Paradise will be restored.

The bitter pill is that God is glorified in His judgment of the proud and wicked, just as He is glorified in His mercy to humble people of faith.

How do you like this story?  Is it a bitter pill to swallow or a sweet morsel to digest?

Revelation 10:11

We have another interlude before the seventh trumpet is blown.  When the seven seals were being broken there was an interlude between the sixth and seventh seal where we met the Great Tribulation saints on earth who will endure the Tribulation.

In this chapter, we meet an impressive angel of God who comes down from heaven and is straddling the earth.  This angel is surrounded by clouds and a rainbow crowns his head.  What a sight! He is holding a small scroll that is unrolled. When he shouts, seven thunders respond. John prepares to write down what the seven thunders said, but he is commanded to not reveal the secret.

The angel lifts his hand to the heavens and swears by the Creator of the universe that God will no longer wait. When the seventh trumpet is blown, God's mysterious plan will be revealed and fulfilled.  Just as God told His prophets in advance, it will come to pass. John is told to take the unrolled scroll and eat it. It will taste sweet at first, but then it will become sour in his stomach.  So John takes it and eats it. The angel tells John that he must prophesy again about many people, nations, languages, and kings.

In other words, the story is going to get more detailed.  John is about to reveal more mysteries.  As we "eat" the Word of God, we learn the sweet and bitter story of this world.

Do you partake of God's Word and find yourself sustained by His Truth? Is this a bittersweet story to you? Do you sense the longing, tragedy, and glory of God's Story?

Psalm 138:1-8

Think about how this psalm summarizes what we have been reading.

Proverbs 30:11-14

This is a proverb about the proud.

What did you see today?  Are your eyes being opened?

Blessings,

Jubilee Gal
Kathy Fullerton

December 18 - Good Answers To Good Questions

December 18, 2011

Scripture Reading:
Habakkuk 1:1-3:19; Revelation 9:1-21;
Psalm 137:1-9; Proverbs 30:10

Ask the right questions if you're to find the right answers.  
~Vanessa Redgrave

Habakkuk 1:1-3:19

There is nothing more satisfying than getting a question that you have been pondering answered. The right answer to the right question can take a person from anxiety to calm, from fear to hope, and from fecklessness to purpose-filled. This is what happens with the prophet Habakkuk.

Habakkuk is not so much of a prophet as he is an honest seeker of God. This man confronts God on some big issues and finds that if you seek God, He can be found. Habakkuk learns a very important lesson from God that becomes the key doctrine for the New Testament books of Romans, Galatians, and Hebrews. This concept is that "the just/righteous shall live by faith."  This teaching was also responsible for Martin Luther nailing his 95 thesis to the church door and opening the way for the Reformation. Good answers to good questions lead to good results.

Habakkuk's Questions and Complaints:

Here are Habakkuk's gripes to God.  These are sincere and honest attempts to understand his Creator. Remember that God is relational. He wants His creation to know and love Him. God is not put off by our earnest questions.

• How long, O Lord, must I call for help? But, you do not listen.
• Must I forever see this sin and misery around me?  The wicked in Israel far outnumber the righteous, and justice is perverted with bribes and trickery.

God's Answer:

God explains that He uses nations to judge other nations at times. He understands that the nations who are conquering Israel are not in and of themselves just people.

• Watch and be astounded at what I will do.
• I am raising up the Babylonians to be a new power on the world scene.
• They are a cruel and violent people, who will march across the world and conquer it.
• They sweep past like the wind and are gone. But they are deeply guilty, for their own strength is their god.

Habakkuk's Next Question:

Searching to know if God is just, Habakkuk continues.

• Is your plan to wipe out Israel?
• Will you let Babylon get away with their cruelty forever?
• Will they succeed forever in their heartless conquests?

Habakkuk Waits For God's Answer:

• I will climb up into my watchtower now and wait to see what the Lord will say to me and how he will answer my complaint.

God Answers:

God goes from discussing the current situation in Israel to speaking about the humble versus the proud on earth. He describes His relationship to each.

• Write my answers on a tablet and tell everyone else what I have said.
• If it seems slow to happen, wait patiently, for it will surely take place.  It will not be delayed.
• Look at the proud! They trust in themselves, but the just/righteous live by faith.
• Wealth is treacherous, and the arrogant are never at rest.
• Suddenly your debtors will rise up and take all that you have, while you stand trembling and helpless.
• You have plundered many nations, now they will plunder you.
• How terrible it will be for you who get rich by unjust means.
• How terrible it will be for you who build cities with money gained by murder and corruption.
• How terrible it will be for you who make your neighbors drunk.
• How terrible it will be for you who beg lifeless wooden idols to save you.
• But the Lord is in His holy temple.  Let all the earth be silent before Him.

Habakkuk's Prayerful Response:

Habakkuk is humbled and wants to be just and live by faith in God. He has learned that the key to having a good relationship with the Creator is to recognize that God is Sovereign and to trust in Him alone.

• I have heard all about you, Lord, and I am filled with awe by the amazing things you have done.
• Help us in our time of deep need, as you did in years gone by.
• In your anger, remember your mercy.
• God's brilliant splendor fills the heavens and the earth is filled with His praise.
• What a wonderful God He is.
• God is sending His chariots of salvation.
• You marched across the land in awesome anger and trampled the nations in your fury.
• You went out to rescue your chosen people to save your anointed ones.
• I will wait quietly for the coming day when disaster will strike the people who invade us.
• I will be joyful in the God of my salvation.
• The Sovereign Lord is my strength.
• He will make me as surefooted as a deer and bring me safely over the mountains.

May we all learn from Habakkuk's wonderful conversation with God that God's judgments are just.  He is just and merciful and seeking to save the lost. The proud will not follow him, but righteous people are made righteous by their faith in God.  Amen!

Revelation 9:1-21

Today we are continuing with a more detailed look at what occurs during the Great Tribulation and how it is that God allows the earth and its people to be judged.  We are reading about the seven trumpets that send forth the movement of God's judgment. In this chapter we see God allowing Satanic activity on earth during the Great Tribulation as a punishment.

Now, the fifth angel blows his trumpet and John sees a star fall to earth from the sky and the star (Satan) is given the keys to the shaft of the bottomless pit. By the way, stars in the Bible are sometimes used to describe angels both fallen angels and good angels. In this case, Satan, who is called the "morning star" in Ezekiel, is the star that opens the bottomless pit. When the pit is opened, smoke pours out, which darkens the sky and locusts descend upon the earth. These unnatural creatures have the ability to sting like scorpions. They torture the people on earth who are not sealed by God as His own. Remember that we read about God sealing the 144,000 from the 12 tribes of Israel.

These locusts are described as quite hideous and are obviously demonically inspired creatures. They are given five months to torture people on the earth. This is a very unnatural plague.  These demon creatures are led by a fallen angel named Apollyon, which means "the Destroyer."  This is the first terror of which the flying eagle warned. There are two more terrors to come.

The sixth angel blows the trumpet and a voice from the four horns on the altar that stands in the presence of God speaks. The voice says to release the four angels that stand at the Euphrates River.  These angels were made in advance and prepared for this very event, day and hour, month and year.  They are to be turned loose to kill one third of the people on earth. These are demonic angels.

We see that they lead a demonic army of 200 million troops.  Again, we have an unnatural scene.  The horses' heads look like lions.  Fire and sulfur billow from their mouths. The people on the earth who die are dying from the fire, the smoke, and the burning sulfur. The tails of the horses are snakes that can injure people. These are fantastical images that really cannot be explained by anything that anyone has ever experienced.  The Bible indicates that the people who are not killed by these unnatural creatures will still be too proud to turn to God. They will continue to worship idols, and demons, and material goods. They will not repent of their immorality, drug use, murders or thefts.  Please note that the word for "sorcery" is the word "pharmakeion," which is where we get our English word "pharmacy."  Many of the people during this horrific time on earth will apparently make it through by taking drugs.  Drug use will make it easier to deceive the world into following the Antichrist.  Drug use also promotes sexual promiscuity, murder, theft, and other abhorrent behaviors that God will judge.

As we read about these horrible judgments on the earth, it is good to think back to Habakkuk's conversation with God. God told Habakkuk that He knew that the Babylonians, who were deeply guilty in their pride, were still going to be used to judge Israel.  Now we see that God is using satanic forces to judge Israel and the world system. God reminded Habakkuk that the righteous will live by faith.  We learn from God's teaching that we must have faith in His decisions to judge as He wills.  We must trust by faith that God is just and His purposes are good.  Keep this in mind as you read of the terrible judgments that will come upon this earth.

Do you live by faith?

Psalm 137:1-9

Here is a psalm of weeping, while being held captive in Babylon. Notice that the psalmist has hope and faith in God's future salvation. This makes the psalmist righteous!

Proverbs 30:10

Don't slander people.  Especially don't slander people to their employer.  They may lose their job.

What are you learning?

Blessings,

Jubilee Gal
Kathy Fullerton