SCRIPTURE: Revelation 11

OBSERVATION:
From this vision, it seems that at the end of this period of history, as things go from bad to worse, God will embolden and empower His witnesses (the church) for one last declaration of the message of Jesus. Either there will be two specific people who will lead this, or these two witnesses are symbolic of the whole church. But they will be rejected and defeated. For a time it will seem as if God’s plan had failed, but the witnesses will be resurrected, and the final judgment will begin. This will be the last chance to repent!
The vision describes these two witnesses in terms of Moses, who with God’s help (water to blood and other plagues, v.6), boldly stands up to Pharoah with God’s truth, and God brings him through certain death (symbolized by the Red Sea) to a new life beyond. Continue reading ‘afraid to be his ambassador?’ »

SCRIPTURE: Revelation 10

OBSERVATION:
Remember, John is still ‘hovering’ in his spirit, observing these grand visions unfolding before him. In this vision he becomes a part of the action. This huge angel reveals mysterious new information (the message of the seven thunders) that will not be unveiled until the last days (we still do not know what it is). Until that time, John (who represents all believers still on earth before the final days) is told to ‘eat’ (take hold of, then share with others) the message of Jesus, as symbolized by the little scroll. We are reminded of two prophets, Jeremiah who spoke of eating up God’s word [Jeremiah 15:16] , and Ezekiel who was also told to eat the scroll of God’s message, and it was sweet to the taste [Ezekiel 3:1-3]. The reason God’s message turns sour in the stomach is because the people we speak to do not always accept it, and often results in rejection and persecution. Continue reading ‘sweet and sour’ »

SCRIPTURE: Revelation 9

OBSERVATION:
The seals represent the unfolding of history between Jesus’ first and final coming. The seventh seal is the last day, the great day of judgment.
Until that day, the effects of evil are being held back, restrained. This is very important: we have unleashed evil in this world, and if God were not restraining it, it would be hell beyond imagination; we think it’s bad now! When the 7th seal is opened, God allows evil to be released. The 7 trumpets and the 7 bowls represent the final months when humanity will be allowed to do whatever it wants – and it won’t be pretty. Again, the purpose of this time is to lead people to repentance… but those who refuse will miss their last chance [9:20-21]. Everything God allows is designed for this one purpose, to lead people to see the ugliness of sin, and to turn back to God in humility for mercy. And He is glad to offer it, for those who seek it! Continue reading ‘our evil unleashed’ »

SCRIPTURE: Revelation 8

OBSERVATION:
The seals on the scroll have been opened, and at the end of the day, the great multitudes will stand before God for judgment. The last seal (8:1) may represent the final judgment – silence and judgment often go together (Psalm 46:8-10, Isaiah 41:1, Habakkuk 2:20, Zephaniah 1:7, Romans 3:19). I would probably place 8:1 with the previous section, as 7:18, the finale after the opening of the seals. What follows (v.2ff) is a new vision, with seven angels and seven trumpets. In response to the desperate prayers of the persecuted believers (symbolized by the incense and the censer), judgment is unleashed on the cruel and unjust.
Continue reading ‘p.u.s.h. – pray until something happens’ »

SCRIPTURE: Revelation 7

OBSERVATION:
Here we see the fullness of God’s rescued family, the fullness of old covenant believers and the fullness of new covenant believers [12 tribes x 10 ×12 apostles x 10 = 144,000], a great multitude that cannot be counted), united around Jesus, the perfect Lamb, the perfect Shepherd. We see the 12 tribes and 12 apostles as representatives of all believers again in the new Jerusalem [Revelation 21:12-14].
The tribulation is the unfolding plan of God (as seen in the scroll opened by the Lamb). Throughout history He guides and restrains the evils of this world for the sake of His people, that they might be saved. The 4 angels of judgment are restrained by the 4 angels of grace.
Every people group is represented here, and the number is bigger than anyone can count.
The seal of God guarantees that nothing can separate Jesus-followers from the love of God in Jesus.
Continue reading ‘God’s family, bigger than me’ »

SCRIPTURE: Revelation 6

OBSERVATION:
The scroll represents the unfolding plan of God from the ascension of Jesus to His throne, to His final return in glory. In the context of brutal, difficult times for Jesus-followers, John sees that all things are working out according to the master plan, and it is Jesus (the lamb) who is in charge of these things. Sin is the cause of all suffering – not God. But now that sin and suffering is a reality in this world, God through His appointed Agent is directing the power of evil to accomplish His purpose. The experience of crises and disasters in this period of time are the temporal judgment of God, prompting us to repent before the final judgment of God. This will continue until the number of those who do repent is complete. Then the end will come.
Continue reading ‘the purpose of judgment’ »