December 29, 2017

Insights on Today's Reading

Revelation 6 - Six seals are opened and the "contents" are revealed.  The first seal gives evidence of "peace" on the earth.  This will be Satan's deception since the Church has been removed by the rapture.  Satan will seek to give the world the thought that the Messiah has truly come.  However, by the second seal the predicted wars and famines and other calamities will begin.

Revelation 7 - During the early stages of the tribulation period God will set aside Jewish people who will become believers in Christ.  They will be "sealed" by God, verse 2 and given the responsibility to witness for the Lord during this time.  This is a great example of Habakkuk 3:4 where in the midst of judgment God will remember mercy.  These witnesses, 144,000 strong, will bring the truth to many who have never heard about salvation in Jesus.  A multitude of people will be seen in heaven as a result, verses 9,10.

Revelation 8 - The seventh seal is broken, verse 1, and seven trumpets are revealed, verse 2.  Four of the trumpet judgments are sounded bringing further catastrophe upon earth. 

Revelation 9 - The fifth and sixth trumpet are sounded and such pain will be afflicted on men that "they  will seek death and will not find it; they will desire to die, and death will flee from them" verse 6.  Such is the outlook for those who have rejected Christ when they were given a chance to be saved.

Revelation 10 - John hears seven thunders, verse 4, but is commanded by God not to reveal what he heard in the thunder.  Obvious that God is saying that a climax is coming upon earth.  This is a time when God will not delay any longer His judgment, verse 6.  John is given a scroll to "eat" that gives him further prophecies to preach, verse 9 and 11.

Revelation 11 - God raises up two witnesses that will stand in Jerusalem and declare God's truth for nearly three and a half years.  They will be under God's divine protection until they have finished preaching.  They will be killed by the "beast" and allowed to be unburied for three and a half days, verses 7-12, until God raises them up and brings them to heaven.  The seventh trumpet sounds, verse 15, and a declaration is made that "the kingdoms of this world have become the kingdoms of our Lord and of His Christ" verse 15.  Interesting note in verse 19 that the "ark of His covenant" is seen in the temple in heaven.