After receiving direction from the Holy Spirit for this blog series, I experienced “writer’s block.” I had the necessary material and thoughts to compose the blog; however, I was having difficulty translating it on to paper. What I realize for me writing is not an easy task, and I need the help of God to do this. I have found that when a project or task is challenging to accomplish the fruits of it are massive. So, please pray for me in this endeavor; that as the title of this series, I do not miss my opportunity to do what I am called to do in this season.
“Oh, man, I missed it.” This has been the statement that many of us have made in our lifetime. The opportunity that we missed represented something that we wanted whether small or great and sometimes it is a chance that we may never again experience. The Bible contains these kinds of passages where individuals missed their opportunity. Over the next several weeks, I will be sharing some of these passages with you.
Let me start with the definition of these two words:
1. miss Failing to hit, reach, catch, meet, or otherwise make contact with. To fail to perceive, understand, or experience. To fail to accomplish, achieve, or attain. To fail to attend or perform.
2. opportunity A favorable or advantageous circumstance or combination of circumstances. A favorable or suitable occasion or time. A chance for progress or advancement.
As you read and apply this series, I pray as Paul states in 2 Timothy 3:16-17 the reproof, correction, or instruction that you may need will be attained and applied to your life; so that you will be thoroughly furnished unto all good works, and not miss your opportunities.
I have desired to share my knowledge of the book of Revelation with you. As I previously stated, I found Revelation to be a difficult book to read and understand. Much of the symbolism can be baffling, and commentators differ in their interpretation of it. I will be continually learning and gaining insight from it. Therefore, I have attempted to keep it simple so that you, the reader, would be able to get the gist of what is being said.
I pray my goal has been accomplished that my seeds have fallen on good ground, and you are now inspired to share your knowledge of this subject with others.
God richly bless you and thank you for taking this journey with me.
As the book of Revelation comes to a close an invitation is given to those that hear, are athirst, and willing to come and freely take of the water of life offered to them. This invitation is available to everyone; no one is exempt. It has always been God’s desire that all should be saved and none lost.
Secondly, a warning is given to take the writings of Revelation seriously. Often believers pick and choose what they will believe, accept, and obey. We are admonished that there are consequences for adding or diminishing the Word. Simply, we must eat the whole loaf.
Lest we forget, Jesus reminds us, “Surely I come quickly.” In my words, “Be prepared and watching for Him.”
Lastly, John gives the benediction: Revelation 22: 21, “The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all. Amen.”
Grace is unmerited favor, which is extended to each of us and for which I am grateful for it has offered me the opportunity to receive from God eternal life.
In Revelation twenty-one, and twenty-two, God makes the following declarations:
- He will make all things new.
- His Word is true and faithful.
- It is done.
- He is Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end.
- He will give the water of life to the thirsty.
- The overcomer shall inherit all things.
- He will be God to the believer, and they will be His son.
- Jesus is coming quickly.
- Blessed are those that obey this book.
- Jesus’ reward is with Him.
- Every man will be rewarded according to his work.
- Jesus is the Root and Offspring of David.
- Jesus is the Bright and Morning Star.
I believe the scripture found below applies to the above declarations:
Philippians 4:8 “Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.”
John is shown by one of the vial judgment angels the New Jerusalem or Holy City in its’ bejeweled splendor descending out of heaven to the earth. This city looked like a bride dressed for her husband.
The shape of the city is square, approximately fourteen hundred miles on each side and fourteen hundred miles high. The jasper walls were two hundred sixteen feet thick, and the city and streets were made of metallic gold.
This city had twelve oyster pearl gates which remained open twenty-four hours a day, and one name of the twelve tribes of Israel written on each gate. There were three gates in each direction with an angel standing at each gate.
There were twelve foundations of the city with each having the name of one of the apostles and each garnished with a precious stone.
There was a river of water of life with trees of life on its side which bare twelve kinds of fruits each month and had medicinal leaves on it.
There will be no night, no candles but the continuous light from the presence of Jesus.
A loud voice from heaven states that God will abide with men in this city, believers sealed with His name in their forehead will be his people, and He will be their God. The sin of idolatry will not be found here.
I conclude with this thought. Heaven was not made to be the home of believers. A new city on earth with magnificence beyond our imagination and comprehension will be our home. Only God could create a place like this.
Revelation chapters twenty-one and twenty- two does not go into detail concerning the eradication of the old heaven and earth. It did say they were passed away. Scientist have discussed the possible annihilation of this earth in the future; however, they did not realize it will be God’s doing.
The new earth will no longer have any sea, sun, or moon. There will be daylight all day long; for the presence of Jesus will light up the world.
The inhabitants of the new earth will no longer have a reason to cry, die, have sorrow or pain. Trauma will no longer exist.
The earth will be inhabited by believers. The Word says the earth will be void of the fearful, murderers, unbelievers, liars, idolaters, sorcerers, whoremongers, and the abominable. Satan, his host, and followers, will not be there. There will be no fussing and cussing! We will experience peace. I get excited just thinking about it. How about you?
According to our mode of death, everyone’s body is either buried in the earth, on the earth or in a body of water. When we die, our spirit goes to Hades, the resting place of unbelievers, or into the presence of God. This destination is determined by the decision we made during our lifetime to accept Christ as our Savior. The Word states in Hebrew chapter nine that after you die, then comes the judgment. There is no decision after death or reversal of the choice you have previously made.
As we continue reading Revelation twenty, we learn of the white throne judgment where unbelievers will be judged. Can you imagine what it will be like? Zillions and zillions and zillions of people will be standing before the great white throne for judgment. I can only imagine with all those people it is going to be a long, long, long process.
Every living unbeliever, along with every unbeliever that has died since the beginning of creation will be judged: small, great, old, young, even prehistoric man, no one is exempt. In our world, there has been: the mentally ill individuals, aborted fetus’, people who have never heard the gospel message, physically challenged individuals, all of whom will be at the white throne judgment.
People will be judged according to their works that are written in books that Jesus had and if their name was not written in another open book called the book of Life they were cast into the lake of fire for eternity. The first death consists of the separation of the spirit from the body for a season. The second death is a separation of the spirit and body from God forever.
Already in the lake of fire were: the Antichrist, the false prophet and Satan. Many will be joining them, and according to the Bible they will be tormented forever.
Revelation twenty states Satan can deceive rulers and nations after his release.
During the millennium kingdom, according to scripture, a man’s lifespan will be increased. Men will be living for hundreds of years so that the earth will be repopulated. For Satan to gather an army like the sand of the sea, there will be millions upon millions that will join his military band. To me, that speaks volume of the rebellious nature of man. If you have lived your life in peace, why would you want chaos?
Ezekiel chapters thirty-eight and thirty-nine symbolically describe the invasion of Israel. Israel has been at rest for one thousand years. The land is flourishing, and prosperity abounds. Satan can use the lust of the eyes and lust of the flesh to persuade leaders and surrounding nations to attack Jesus. No doubt, humans with their depraved nature will be viewing Jesus and the immortal believers as invaders of planet earth, and they want to take back control. This notion, which will be their demise leads to the battle of Gog and Magog.
Under the direction of Satan, his revolutionary forces surround the camp of believers in Jerusalem and fire comes down from God out of heaven and kills them.
For your information, there are three basic interpretations of the millennium. They are:
Postmillennialists – believe Christ is coming after the millennium.
Premillennialists – believe Christ will come before the millennium.
Amillennialists – believe that there will be no kingdom of Christ on earth.
This is what I believe the bible said. At the beginning of the millennium kingdom, as stated in Revelation, chapter twenty, an angel bounds Satan with a great chain and places him in the bottomless pit. He will reside there for one thousand years and then be loosed for a short time to deceive leaders and nations who will once again follow him and war against Jesus.
Also, at the beginning of the millennium reign, which is one thousand years, the first resurrection of martyred tribulation converts takes place. These martyrs are called blessed and holy, and they are exempt from the second death.
The earth will be inhabited by two kinds of people: those in mortal bodies who are capable of having children, and believers whose body have taken on immortality. The raptured believers, martyred converts, and one hundred forty-four thousand Jews will be reigning with Jesus on earth. The Bible says that Jesus will rule with a rod of iron; this is because humans are headstrong and rebellious; they are the ones in mortal bodies.
Nothing is said of Satan’s angels and demonic host while he is imprisoned; therefore, this leads me to conclude they remain on earth without a leader causing as much problem as they are able. Men will be willing participants in their folly, and when Satan is loosed from the pit, they will once again join him and do his bidding.
There will be environmental changes the earth experiences after the trauma of the tribulation. The land will be revitalized, animals will be amicable with humans and with one another, the air will be free of pollution, and man’s lifespan will increase. Also, Jerusalem will be the capital city of the world, and Jesus will reign and govern from this city.
For those of you that would like to read about the millennium kingdom here are some scriptures: Ezekiel 35:1-7, 36:33-38, 37:24-28; Isaiah 11:1-12, 35:1-7, 65:18-25; Micah 4: 1-7. My prayer for you is that you are not only reading these scriptures, but you will be living them with our Lord Jesus Christ.
Let me set the stage for the upcoming battle. I found studying Old Testament scriptures is the key to gaining insight into events leading up to the battle. These scriptures are Daniel 11, Joel 2, and Zechariah 14: 1- 4. The tribulation period is coming to an end; the Antichrist has broken his treaty with Israel, moved into Jerusalem with his entourage and he has desecrated the Jewish temple. While strengthening his kingdom, he hears of a planned attack against him from nations north and east of Jerusalem. The Antichrist, with his allies, plans a confrontation against his attacking enemies. Amid their warfare, they will look up and see Jesus coming in the clouds. The warring factions then unite to fight Jesus their common enemy.
In the latter part of Revelation chapter nineteen, the battle of Armageddon is mentioned.
John sees heaven open, and Jesus, who is called Faithful, True, Word of God, and a name is known only to Him, riding a white horse. His garment is dipped in blood, and the title King of King and Lord of Lords was written on it and his thigh. Following Jesus on white horses was His army clothed in fine, white, clean linen.
The birds of heaven were summoned by an angel to come to the impending slaughter to feast on the dead flesh of Jesus’ enemies which included kings, captains, mighty men, their horses, and men of all economic status.
After the battle, all were killed by the sharp sword in Christ’s mouth except the Antichrist, and the false prophet who was captured alive and both were cast into the lake of fire. They are the first to enter in it; the rest of the unbelievers will follow after the white throne judgment.
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