Oba 1:15  For the day of the LORD is near upon all the heathen: as thou hast done, it shall be done unto thee: thy reward shall return upon thine own head.

[Study Aired August 28, 2024]

Oba 1:15  ForH3588 the dayH3117 of the LORDH3068 is nearH7138 uponH5921 allH3605 the heathen:H1471 asH834 thou hast done,H6213 (H8804 Qal) it shall be doneH6213 unto thee: thy rewardH1576 shall returnH7725 (H8799 Qal) upon thine own head.H7218

H3588 – Kee, that, for, because, when, as/for though, as, because that, but, then, certainly, except, surely, since, yea, indeed, if, though, that if, for if, indeed if, but if/rather, except that, only, nevertheless, that is, for though, forasmuch as, for therefore, a primitive particle

H3117 – Yome, day, time, year, a working day, a day’s journey, days, lifetime, period (general), today, yesterday, tomorrow, from an unused root meaning to be hot

H3068 – Yehovah, Jehovah = the existing one, the proper name of the one true God, unpronounced except with the vowel pointings of 0136 (not found in E-sword) from a primitive root H1961, Hayah, to be, become, come to pass, exist, happen, fall out, occur, take place, come about, come into being, become, arise, appear, come, become, become like, be instituted, be established, be in existence, abide, remain, continue, stand, lie, be in, be at, be situated, accompany, be with, occur, come to pass, be done, be brought about, be done, be finished, be gone

H7138 – Karobe, near, kinship, from a primitive root H7126, Karab, to come near, approach, enter into, draw near, be brought near, cause to approach, bring near, cause to draw near, bring, present

H5921 – Al, upon, on the ground of, according to, on account of, on behalf of, concerning, beside, in addition to, together with, beyond, above, over, by, on to, towards, to, against, on the ground of, on the basis of, because of, therefore, on behalf of, for the sake of, for, with, in spite of, notwithstanding, in the matter of, as regards, to, over to, unto, in addition to, with, adjoining, next, at, around, down upon, on, from, up upon, up to, towards, over towards, against, because, although, properly, the same as H5920, Al, height, above, upwards, on high, from a primitive root H5927, Alah, to go up, ascend, climb, meet, visit, follow, depart, withdraw, retreat, come up, to spring up, grow, shoot forth, go up over, rise, extend, excel, be superior to, be taken up/away, be brought up, take oneself away, be exalted, bring up, cause to ascend, cause to go up/ascend, bring against, take away, draw up, train, rouse, stir up, offer, exalt, be carried away, be led up, be taken up into, be inserted in, be offered, lift oneself

H3605 – Kol, all, the whole, the whole of, any, each, every, anything, totality, everything, from a primitive root H3634, Kalal, to complete, perfect, make complete, make perfect

H1471 – Goy, nation, people, swarm of locusts, other animals, from the same root as 

H1465, Gevah, the back, behind, from H1460, Gev, the back, back, midst, from a primitive root H1342, Ga’ah, to rise up, grow up, be exalted in triumph, be lifted up, be raised up, be exalted

H834 – Asher, which, who, that which, that, when, since, as, conditional if, a primitive relative pronoun 

H6213 – Asah, (Qal) to do, make, work, produce, to deal with, act, act with effect, effect, prepare, attend to, put in order, observe, celebrate, acquire, appoint, ordain, institute, bring about, use, spend, pass, a primitive root 

H6213 – Asah, (Niphal) to be done, be made, be produced, be offered, be observed, be used, a primitive root

H1576 – Ghemool, dealing, recompense, benefit, from a primitive root H1580, Gamal, to deal fully with, recompense, deal out to, do to, deal bountifully with, recompense, repay, requite, wean a child, to be weaned, to ripen, bear ripe

H7725 – Shoob, to turn back/away, return, come or go back, return unto, of dying, of human/spiritual relations, apostatise, repent, of inanimate things, in repetition

H7218 – Roshe, head, top, summit, upper part, chief, total, sum, height, front, beginning, tip (of mountain), height, head (of man, city, nation, place, family, priest, division, company, band), choicest, best, sum, from an unused root to shake

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In this study we will look at the Hebrew words for near and nations. The day of the Lord is at hand in that the Lord is chastening us to forsake ungodliness. Therefore our new heart is being established and being built with grace. We are not appointed wrath, but unto salvation. Knowing we cannot please God in the flesh, we endure to the end knowing he will be faithful to complete his work in our lives.

We are commended to be patient in this time of trial and chastening

Jas 1:2  My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations;
Jas 1:3  Knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience.
Jas 1:4  and let the patience have a perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire—in nothing lacking

We are not perfect now, in these clay vessels. To say we are perfect now is to say the work of trying our faith is complete. Instead, the truth is we are being perfected, day by day and this is the day of the Lord that is at hand

Oba 1:15 For the day of the LORD is near [H7138] on all the nations [H1471]

The Hebrew word for near is Kaw-robe’ meaning at hand, more ready, shortly. Here is the same word used in Zephaniah 

Zep 1:7  Hold thy peace at the presence of the Lord GOD: for the day of the LORD is at hand: for the LORD hath prepared a sacrifice, he hath bid his guests.

Zep 1:14  The great day of the LORD is near, it is near, and hasteth greatly, even the voice of the day of the LORD: the mighty man shall cry there bitterly.

And what is this day?

Zep 1:15  That day is a day of wrath, a day of trouble and distress, a day of wasteness and desolation, a day of darkness and gloominess, a day of clouds and thick darkness,

Was that day just for those people of old, out there and back then? Do we experience this day of God’s wrath in our lives now?

A principle for understanding scripture is to know that every verse of scripture has an inward application. People make the mistake of saying that verse doesn’t apply to them, it only applied to the context of those living back in that day. But look what Christ says

Rev 22:18-19 I warn everyone who hears the words of the prophecy of this scroll: If anyone adds anything to them, God will add to that person the plagues described in this scroll.  And if anyone takes words away from this scroll of prophecy, God will take away from that person any share in the tree of life and in the Holy City, which are described in this book [the entire bible]

Here is a link to an article discussing the topic: Did Christ endure the wrath of God? Are we appointed to wrath? https://www.iswasandwillbe.com/did-christ-endure-the-wrath-of-god-are-we-appointed-to-wrath/

Here is how this doctrine appears [excerpts from the study]: 

“I had been written to by a gentleman expressing his understanding  that Christ could not have endured the wrath of His Father as we do, simply because Christ had not sinned to deserve His Father’s wrath.”

And here is how this doctrine is dealt with by using scripture and the sum of his word:

“You and I have been given to hear the words which inform us that our Lord was “in all points tempted like as we are yet without sin.” Exactly what are we being told when we read that “it is through much tribulation” that we must enter into the kingdom of God? Most people are not given to ‘hear’ that the “much tribulation [required to] enter into the kingdom” includes the seven last plagues which fill up the wrath of God, without which we cannot “enter into the temple of God”.

Rev 15:8  And the temple was filled with smoke from the glory of God, and from his power; and no man was able to enter into the temple, till the seven plagues of the seven angels were fulfilled.

“No man was able to enter into the temple, till the seven plagues of the seven angels were fulfilled” would necessarily include “the man Christ Jesus”.

1Ti 2:5  For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus;

It was Christ Himself who insisted that His own flesh was not better than ours when He said:

Luk 18:19  And Jesus said unto him, Why callest thou me good? none is good, save one, that is, God.

The point being is that if Christ were above enduring the wrath of His Father, then there is no way He can say that He “was in all points tempted like as we are…”

Isa 53:10  Yet it pleased the LORD to bruise him; 

2Th 2:7  For the mystery of iniquity doth already work[within our old man]: only he who now letteth will let, until he be taken out of the way.
2Th 2:8  And then shall that Wicked be revealed [our old man], whom the Lord shall consume with the spirit of his mouth, and shall destroy with the brightness of his coming:

This is all being said of our old man who is then contrasted with our new man is the next verse:

2Th 2:13  But we are bound to give thanks alway to God for you, brethren beloved of the Lord, because God hath from the beginning chosen you to salvation through sanctification of the Spirit and belief of the truth:

This verse is a repetition of:

1Th 5:8  But let us, who are of the day, be sober, putting on the breastplate of faith and love; and for an helmet, the hope of salvation.
1Th 5:9  For God hath not appointed us to wrath, but to obtain salvation by our Lord Jesus Christ

We really are “blessed and holy” above all men if we are granted to die to our old man in this age.

It is with that mind frame that we can say with Paul, “we are not appointed to wrath but to salvation” (1Th 5:9), whereas I once thought that the mention of being appointed to salvation was proof that Paul was speaking of all men. I thank that gentleman for helping me to see that not only can we say “We are not appointed to wrath, but to salvation” is true of our new man whom we are to reckon as “alive unto God”, at the same time we are reckoning “our old man [as] crucified with Him that the body of sin might be destroyed, that from now on we should not serve sin.” That is to be our mindset. [end]

Here is what Christ says in the New Testament about day of the lord being ‘near’

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

Christ is both our ‘high priest’ and ‘captain of our salvation’. We are encouraged to draw near to him (to his word).

Heb 10:21  And having an high priest over the house of God [the temple which we are];
Heb 10:22  Let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience, and our bodies washed with pure water.

Heb 2:10  For it became him, for whom are all things, and by whom are all things, in bringing many sons unto glory, to make the captain of their salvation perfect through sufferings.

Christ is our high priest ‘over the house of God’ administering governance and rulership as he chastens us and teaches us to forsake ungodliness.

And we know that Jesus Christ is at hand now.

Php 4:4  Rejoice in the Lord alway: and again I say, Rejoice.
Php 4:5  Let your moderation be known unto all men. The Lord is at hand.
Php 4:6  Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.

1Pe 4:17  For the time is come that judgment must begin at the house of God: and if it first begin at us, what shall the end be of them that obey not the gospel of God?
1Pe 4:18  And if the righteous scarcely be saved, where shall the ungodly and the sinner appear?

And who are the nations of Oba 1:15 For the day of the LORD is near on all the nations [H1471]

While there is an outward application, as in all nations will be judged, at this point in time we can see this verse has an inward application to the giants of our land (the nations) within.

What happens to our old man?

2Th 2:8  And then shall that Wicked be revealed [our old man], whom the Lord shall consume with the spirit of his mouth, and shall destroy with the brightness of his coming

1Th 5:9  For God hath not appointed us to wrath [the day of wrath is not an eternal never ending day], but to obtain salvation by our Lord Jesus Christ
1Co 6:9  Know ye not that the unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God? Be not deceived: neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor abusers of themselves with mankind,

1Co 6:10  Nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners, shall inherit the kingdom of God.
1Co 6:11  And such were some of you: but ye are washed, but ye are sanctified, but ye are justified in the name of the Lord Jesus, and by the Spirit of our God.

Our old man has to die. And this is a daily death, each day we are dying daily to our old ways. Our carnal mind has to be destroyed because the carnal mind is enmity against God, but like all things it is a process and is not immediate

Rom 8:7  Because the carnal mind is enmity against God: for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be.

As in Obadiah, Edom typifies our carnal mind [the old man within]. Similarly, both Aholah and Aholibah, two sisters of the same mother, typify our old man. 

Ezk 16:44  Behold, every one that useth proverbs shall use this proverb against thee, saying, As is the mother, so is her daughter 

Ezk 23:2  Son of man, there were two women, the daughters of one mother:
Ezk 23:3  And they committed whoredoms in Egypt
Ezk 23:4  And the names of them were Aholah the elder, and Aholibah her sister

Neither Aholah and Aholibah partake in any inheritance which is the bride of Christ’s. This is true for two reasons. First, because our new man who is not appointed to wrath, and secondly because, whoremongers will not inherit the kingdom of God.

This question is presented in Ezekiel to the whoredoms of Jerusalem

Ezk 16:20 Is this of thy whoredoms a small matter?

In God’s eyes, is it a small matter? 

Here is Christ’s answer

Rom 8:8  So then they that are in the flesh cannot please God

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

And this is the end result of the heathen, Edom, Aholah and Aholibah, our old man, all experiencing the day of the Lord. All of them dwelling in that land shall be destroyed by the fire of His Jealousy.

Ezk 16:63  That thou mayest remember, and be confounded, and never open thy mouth any more because of thy shame

Zep 1:18  Neither their silver nor their gold shall be able to deliver them in the day of the LORD’S wrath; but the whole land shall be devoured by the fire of his jealousy: for he shall make even a speedy riddance of all them that dwell in the land.

And who is the one carrying out this work?

Isa 42:1  Behold my servant, whom I uphold; mine chosen [Christ], in whom my soul delighteth; I have put my spirit upon him: He [Christ] shall bring forth judgment to the Gentiles.

Christ’s judgement is what teaches us to forsake ungodliness. God’s soul delights in Christ, his son with whom he is well pleased. Likewise he delights in us, our new man.

But he does not delight in our old man. He does not delight in any aspect of Aholah and Aholibah

2Pe 3:7  But the heavens and the earth, which are now, by the same word are kept in store, reserved unto fire against the day of judgment and perdition of ungodly men

2Pe 3:10  But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night; in the which the heavens shall pass away with a great noise, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat, the earth also and the works that are therein shall be burned up

2Pe 3:12  Looking for and hasting unto the coming of the day of God, wherein the heavens being on fire shall be dissolved, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat?

We are commended to be patient in this time of trial and chastening

Jas 1:2  My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations;
Jas 1:3  Knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience.
Jas 1:4  and let the patience have a perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire—in nothing lacking

We are not perfect now, in these clay vessels. To say we are perfect now is to say the work of trying our faith is complete. Instead, the truth is we are being perfected, day by day and this is the day of the Lord that is at hand

Mike,

I listened to your last study on job, and I have a few questions. I am sure you have the answers somewhere on your website, but it will take much time to read everything. Do you believe the book of revelation is going on right now and we (Christians) have been going through the tribulation since Jesus left?

Agape,
R____

Hi R____,

Thank you for your questions. I appreciate your sincere interest in the things of the spirit.
You ask:

Do you believe the book of revelation is going on right now and we (Christians) have been going through the tribulation since Jesus left?

Christ answered this question when He was asked ‘What will be the sign of your coming and the end of this age?” by His disciples in Mat 24.

Mat 24:3 And as he sat upon the mount of Olives, the disciples came unto him privately, saying, Tell us, when shall these things be? and what shall be the sign of thy coming, and of the end of the world?

In answer to this very question Christ mentions almost everything you and I read about in the book of Revelation. He mentions false prophets, wars, famines, pestilences, earthquakes, the great tribulation, the abomination of desolation and the end of this age.

Mat 24:4 And Jesus answered and said unto them, Take heed that no man deceive you.
Mat 24:5 For many shall come in my name, saying, I am Christ; and shall deceive many.
Mat 24:6 And ye shall hear of wars and rumours of wars: see that ye be not troubled: for all these things must come to pass, but the end is not yet.
Mat 24:7 For nation shall rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom: and there shall be famines, and pestilences, and earthquakes, in divers places.
Mat 24:8 All these are the beginning of sorrows.
Mat 24:9 Then shall they deliver you up to be afflicted, and shall kill you: and ye shall be hated of all nations for my name’s sake.
Mat 24:10 And then shall many be offended, and shall betray one another, and shall hate one another.
Mat 24:11 And many false prophets shall rise, and shall deceive many.
Mat 24:12 And because iniquity shall abound, the love of many shall wax cold.
Mat 24:13 But he that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be saved.
Mat 24:14 And this gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in all the world for a witness unto all nations; and then shall the end come.
Mat 24:15 When ye therefore shall see the abomination of desolation, spoken of by Daniel the prophet, stand in the holy place, (whoso readeth, let him understand:)

The question was “When will these things be?”, and this is Christ’s answer to His own apostles:

Mat 24:32 Now learn a parable of the fig tree; When his branch is yet tender, and putteth forth leaves, ye know that summer is nigh:
Mat 24:33 So likewise ye, when ye shall see all these things, know that it is near, even at the doors.

“It is near, even at the doors”. Does that sound like Christ is telling His sincere disciples none of this applies to them? Does any of this sound like He is telling them not to worry that all of this will not occur for another 2,000 years? Does this sound like the abomination of desolation is an event that will not take place until the generation standing on this earth when Christ comes to destroy the kingdoms of this physical earth?
Well, for all those who teach such worthless nonsense, which nullifies all prophecy as being of any use to anyone except for the last generation before the beginning of the millennium, here is Christ’s unequivocal answer to his disciples question “When will these things be?”

Mat 24:34 Verily I say unto you, This generation shall not pass, till all these things be fulfilled.
Mat 24:35 Heaven and earth shall pass away, but my words shall not pass away.

This 24th chapter of Matthew is nothing less than a condensed version of the book of Revelation. It does not reveal the second resurrection, and there is no mention of the millennium, but it does say the same thing this verse of Revelation tells us:

Rev 1:3 Blessed is he that readeth, and they that hear the words of this prophecy, and keep those things which are written therein: for the time is at hand.

This is a book whose events are “at hand”, or as Christ puts it “even at the doors”. This book begins with telling us “for the time is at hand… [ to] keep the things written therein”, and it ends with the same words:

Rev 22:6 And he said unto me, These sayings are faithful and true: and the Lord God of the holy prophets sent his angel to shew unto his servants the things which must shortly be done.
Rev 22:7 Behold, I come quickly: blessed is he that keepeth the sayings of the prophecy of this book.

So yes, the book of Revelation has been “at hand” and to be “read… heard… and kept” since the day it was written.
For a much deeper answer to your questions please take the time to begin to read the Revelation series of studies which are posted in audio, video and in study notes on iswasandwillbe. com
Start at the very beginning so you will have the basis on which we base our studies.
I hope this answers your questions about how we approach this part of God’s Word and how we approach all of God’s Word.
Be sure to read Rightly Dividing The Word, to get a grasp of how we are instructed to come to the Word of God at this URL: http:// iswasandwillbe. com/ understandingbible. php

Your brother in Christ,
Mike

Video Links

Rev 22:6 And he said unto me, These sayings are faithful and true: and the Lord God of the holy prophets sent his angel to shew unto his servants the things which must shortly be done.
Rev 22:7 Behold, I come quickly: blessed is he that keepeth the sayings of the prophecy of this book.
Rev 22:8 And I John saw these things, and heard them. And when I had heard and seen, I fell down to worship before the feet of the angel which shewed me these things.
Rev 22:9 Then saith he unto me, See thou do it not: for I am thy fellowservant, and of thy brethren the prophets, and of them which keep the sayings of this book: worship God.
Rev 22:10 And he saith unto me, Seal not the sayings of the prophecy of this book: for the time is at hand.

Introduction

When we started these studies in this Revelation of Jesus Christ with the first three verses of chapter one as our guide to unlocking the meaning of the symbols of this revelation of Jesus Christ, I was commanded not to do so by one for whom I had the greatest respect. There was a lot of adversity against the concept of ‘reading, hearing and keeping the things written therein’, as the stated purpose of this revelation of Jesus Christ within those who were given to ‘read, hear and keep’ what is written in this prophecy. It was, and still is, truly “war in the heavens”.

Rev 12:7 And there was war in heaven: Michael and his angels fought against the dragon; and the dragon fought and his angels,
Rev 12:8 And prevailed not; neither was their place found any more in heaven.
Rev 12:9 And the great dragon was cast out, that old serpent, called the Devil, and Satan, which deceiveth the whole world: he was cast out into the earth, and his angels were cast out with him.
Rev 12:10 And I heard a loud voice saying in heaven, Now is come salvation, and strength, and the kingdom of our God, and the power of his Christ: for the accuser of our brethren is cast down, which accused them before our God day and night.
Rev 12:11 And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb, and by the word of their testimony; and they loved not their lives unto the death.

This heavenly battle will always be waged against those who dare to replace the doctrines of Preterism or Dispensationalism with the living and powerful and sharp words of Christ, which He plainly states are always “at hand”, will “shortly come to pass” and “shall not pass away”.
Here are those first three verses of Revelation one. Here are the instructions we have followed faithfully in our study of every word of this “revelation of Jesus Christ” within us.

Rev 1:1 The Revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave unto him, to shew unto his servants things which must shortly come to pass; and he sent and sign ified it by his angel unto his servant John:
Rev 1:2 Who bare record of the word of God, and of the testimony of Jesus Christ, and of all things that he saw.
Rev 1:3 Blessed is he that readeth, and they that hear the words of this prophecy, and keep those things which are written therein: for the time is at hand.

Here we are plainly told that this is a prophecy which has been given by God to Christ to “show unto His servants things which must shortly come to pass”. We are not told these things will have no application for the next 2000 years. In fact it is emphasized and reiterated that “the time is at hand”. We are informed that this is a book which has been “signified… by His angel to His servant John”, and then we are told to “Keep the things written therein: for the time is at hand”.
We believe those words, and have handled this entire study with those instructions held close as our guide to our application of every word. Only if we acknowledge that it is we who are to “read, hear and keep the things written therein”, within, and never attempt to make these words, either the good or the evil, to apply to someone else, somewhere else, or at some other time than right now in this life, will the words of this prophecy have any personal benefit for the person who is reading the words of this revelation of Jesus Christ within us. We have acknowledged that the beast, the false prophet and the great red dragon, with all of their weaknesses and false doctrines, are within each of us, and we have acknowledged that we cannot enter into the temple of God in heaven until the seven plagues of the seven angels has been fulfilled in our own lives.
With that same heart and spirit, which has been our guide throughout these studies, we will now examine verses 6-10. We will begin by looking at verses 6 and 7, and comparing those two verses to Rev 1:1-3. Here is Rev 22:6-7:

Rev 22:6 And he said unto me, These sayings are faithful and true: and the Lord God of the holy prophets sent his angel to shew unto his servants the things which must shortly be done.
Rev 22:7 Behold, I come quickly: blessed is he that keepeth the sayings of the prophecy of this book.

Here again, in the very last chapter of this revelation of Jesus Christ, we are clearly instructed as to how this prophecy is intended to be approached and understood. Let’s read again verse 1-3 of chapter one and take careful note that the very same instructions are given us at the very beginning:

Rev 1:1 The Revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave unto him, to shew unto his servants things which must shortly come to pass; and he sent and signified it by his angel unto his servant John:
Rev 1:2 Who bare record of the word of God, and of the testimony of Jesus Christ, and of all things that he saw.
Rev 1:3 Blessed is he that readeth, and they that hear the words of this prophecy, and keep those things which are written therein: for the time is at hand.

Revelation one tells us God gave Jesus Christ this revelation to show it to His servants. Revelation one tells us this revelation is “things which must shortly come to pass”. We are told this revelation is signified by His angel. We are told to read, hear and keep the things which are written therein because the time is at hand.
Here in chapter 22 we are reminded of the exact same instructions. We are told “These saying are faithful and true”, but here it is revealed that Christ Himself was “the Lord God of the holy prophets, who sent His angel to show His servants the things that must shortly be done, and it is this same “Lord God of the holy prophets” who declares “Behold I come quickly: blessed is he that keeps the sayings of the prophecy of this book”.
So the only real difference between the instructions of the first chapter and the last chapter is that the first chapter informs us that this revelation of Jesus Christ is “signified by His angel”, while the last chapter reaffirms that what is written here is “faithful and true”, which is just another way of saying “My Words shall not pass away” (Mat 24:32-35). In every other way these are the exact same instructions we were given informing us how to approach this prophecy.<.

Rev 22:8 And I John saw these things, and heard them. And when I had heard and seen, I fell down to worship before the feet of the angel which shewed me these things.

It is Christ alone who opens our eyes to see the things of the spirit which are written in the Words of this prophecy. The fact that we are told that John twice attempted to worship this angel reveals that we all tend to place too much emphasis upon the messenger, instead of the giver of the message. Nevertheless it is also Christ who “sends His angel” to show these things to us.

Rev 1:1 The Revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave unto him, to shew unto his servants things which must shortly come to pass; and he sent and signified it by his angel unto his servant John:
Rev 22:6 And he said unto me, These sayings are faithful and true: and the Lord God of the holy prophets sent his angel to shew unto his servants the things which must shortly be done.

We saw back in chapters 17 and 19 that this angel is “one of the angels which had the seven last plagues”.

Rev 17:1 And there came one of the seven angels which had the seven vials, and talked with me, saying unto me, Come hither; I will shew unto thee the judgment of the great whore that sitteth upon many waters:
Rev 21:9 And there came unto me one of the seven angels which had the seven vials full of the seven last plagues, and talked with me, saying, Come hither, I will shew thee the bride, the Lamb’s wife.

So whether it is “the judgment of the great whore” or “the bride the Lamb’s wife”, both are revealed to us by “one of the seven angels which had the seven vials full of the seven last plagues”. This helps us to understand why God wants us to know that “those who speak often one to another… and think upon His name” are just that instrumental in revealing Christ within us

Mal 3:16 Then they that feared the LORD spake often one to another: and the LORD hearkened, and heard it, and a book of remembrance was written before him for them that feared the LORD, and that thought upon his name.
Mal 3:17 And they shall be mine, saith the LORD of hosts, in that day when I make up my jewels; and I will spare them, as a man spareth his own son that serveth him.
Mal 3:18 Then shall ye return, and discern between the righteous and the wicked, between him that serveth God and him that serveth him not.

It is these seven angels who have the seven vials of the seven last plagues, who are granted to “return and discern between the righteous and the wicked, between him that serves God and him that serves Him not.”
So once again let us consider who are these seven angels:

Rev 22:9 Then saith he unto me, See thou do it not: for I am thy fellowservant, and of thy brethren the prophets, and of them which keep the sayings of this book: worship God.

So these seven angels are those who are our “fellowservants” who like us, “keep the sayings of the prophecy of this book”, and while we are twice admonished against worshiping the angels which shows us these things, we are also told this concerning those among us who “labor in the Word”.

1Ti 5:17 Let the elders that rule well be counted worthy of double honour, especially they who labour in the word and doctrine.

So as it is with all things, we must strive to be balanced in our regard to “those who labor in the word and doctrine” among us. There are many who give of themselves selflessly working in the Word and doctrine, who really are worthy of “double honor”. It is through their efforts that these things are being shown to many all around the world. For that we highly esteem them, but we want to never place them in the place of our Lord, who is worthy of our worship, and who once again tells us this:

Rev 22:10 And he saith unto me, Seal not the sayings of the prophecy of this book: for the time is at hand.

How often do we see those words “at hand” in the New Testament? That phrase just happens to appear 21 times in the New Testament. But this entire phrase “the time is at hand” is found again in verse three of chapter one of this prophecy.

Rev 1:3 Blessed is he that readeth, and they that hear the words of this prophecy, and keep those things which are written therein: for the time is at hand.

When we are granted to connect those statements together with phrases like ” things which must shortly come to pass”, and “things which must shortly be done”, both at the beginning and at the end of this prophecy, then the urgency of our calling should begin to become obvious to those who are being called to be chosen and faithful to the end.

Rev 1:1 The Revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave unto him, to shew unto his servants things which must shortly come to pass; and he sent and signified it by his angel unto his servant John:
Rev 22:6 And he said unto me, These sayings are faithful and true: and the Lord God of the holy prophets sent his angel to shew unto his servants the things which must shortly be done.

But let us also take note that John is commanded “Seal not the saying of the prophecy of this book…” Now let’s compare these words to the instructions given to Daniel, concerning the prophecies he was given for those of his day:

Dan 12:4 But thou, O Daniel, shut up the words, and seal the book, even to the time of the end: many shall run to and fro, and knowledge shall be increased.

This natural man takes these words to mean natural, physical, scientific knowledge, but to the man of the spirit, this is a promise to his knowledge of ‘the things of the spirit”, and to have his knowledge of “God and Jesus Christ whom He hath sent” increased in “the time of the end”.

1Co 2:9 But as it is written, Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him.
1Co 2:10 But God hath revealed them unto us by his Spirit: for the Spirit searcheth all things, yea, the deep things of God.
1Co 2:13 Which things also we speak, not in the words which man’s wisdom teacheth, but which the Holy Ghost teacheth; comparing spiritual things with spiritual.
1Co 2:14 But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned.

And when is this “time of the end” of which Daniel speaks? Here are those upon whom “the ends of the world are come”.

1Co 10:11 Now all these things happened unto them for ensamples: and they are written for our admonition, upon whom the ends of the world are come.

So the Old Testament prophets were told thattheir prophecies were not even for themselves in this life, and they were told plainly to “shut up the words, and seal the book, even to the time of the end:”
For whom then were all their prophecies? To whom were they ministering, if not to themselves or the people of their time? Here is the plain scriptural answer to that question:

1Pe 1:9 Receiving the end of your faith, even the salvation of your souls.
1Pe 1:10 Of which salvation the prophets have enquired and searched diligently, who prophesied of the grace that should come unto you:
1Pe 1:11 Searching what, or what manner of time the Spirit of Christ which was in them did signify, when it testified beforehand the sufferings of Christ, and the glory that should follow.
1Pe 1:12 Unto whom it was revealed, that not unto themselves, but unto us they did minister the things, which are now reported unto you by them that have preached the gospel unto you with the Holy Ghost sent down from heaven; which things the angels desire to look into.

There were many great works done by Christ through many Old Testament men of God. Nevertheless we are plainly told that God had “something better for us”.

Heb 11:39 And these all [ All the great men of faith of the Old Testament], having obtained a good report through faith, received not the promise:
Heb 11:40 God having provided some better thing for us, that they without us should not be made perfect.

In our next study, Lord willing, we will cover these verses:

Rev 22:11 He that is unjust, let him be unjust still: and he which is filthy, let him be filthy still: and he that is righteous, let him be righteous still: and he that is holy, let him be holy still.
Rev 22:12 And, behold, I come quickly; and my reward is with me, to give every man according as his work shall be.
Rev 22:13 I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end, the first and the last.
Rev 22:14 Blessed are they that do his commandments, that they may have right to the tree of life, and may enter in through the gates into the city.
Rev 22:15 For without are dogs, and sorcerers, and whoremongers, and murderers, and idolaters, and whosoever loveth and maketh a lie.

Video Links

Rev 21:1 And I saw a new heaven and a new earth: for the first heaven and the first earth were passed away; and there was no more sea.
Rev 21:2 And I John saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down from God out of heaven, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband.
Rev 21:3 And I heard a great voice out of heaven saying, Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and he will dwell with them, and they shall be his people, and God himself shall be with them, and be their God.

Introduction

Our goal in this study, as it has been throughout, is to understand how it is possible that a new heaven and a new earth are come within, and how the first heaven and the first earth are passed away, and there is no more sea, in the sense that “the things written herein must shortly came to pass” with all those who “read, heard, and kept the things written here” two thousand years ago as well as those who read, hear, and keep the things written in this prophecy to this very day. We want to make clear that these words “are spirit… which will never pass away”, and therefore have been being kept by believers in every generation since Christ.

Rev 1:3 Blessed is he that readeth, and they that hear the words of this prophecy, and keep those things which are written therein: for the time is at hand.
Joh 6:63 It is the spirit that quickeneth; the flesh profiteth nothing: the words that I speak unto you, they are spirit, and they are life.
Mat 24:33 So likewise ye, when ye shall see all these things, know that it is near, even at the doors.
Mat 24:34 Verily I say unto you, This generation shall not pass, till all these things be fulfilled.
Mat 24:35 Heaven and earth shall pass away, but my words shall not pass away.

Here are some of those words which have been being kept by those who have been reading and hearing them for the past two thousand years.

Rev 21:1 And I saw a new heaven and a new earth: for the first heaven and the first earth were passed away; and there was no more sea.

Is it possible that there is even now a new heaven and a new earth? As always these things we are to keep are to be seen as primarily spiritual and within “until the redemption of the purchased possession”. But this is all true only within those to whom it is given to read, hear and keep these “things which are written here”. For those few here is how “there is now a new heaven and a new earth”.

2Co 5:17 Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.

But does “all things” include heaven? Should we really see ourselves as being in heaven?

Eph 2:6 and raised us up together and seated us together in the heavenlies in Christ Jesus, (LITV)

So when those who “keep the things written therein” read of a “new heaven and a new earth”, they are not to think only of a future event, but they are also to think in terms of what Christ has accomplished within us.

Isa 65:17 For, behold, I create new heavens and a new earth: and the former shall not be remembered, nor come into mind.
Isa 65:18 But be ye glad and rejoice for ever in that which I create: for, behold, I create Jerusalem a rejoicing, and her people a joy.
Isa 65:19 And I will rejoice in Jerusalem, and joy in my people: and the voice of weeping shall be no more heard in her, nor the voice of crying.

This is what God is doing within us if we are this “Jerusalem” which He is creating. This is the end product of what God is doing now within His chosen few.

Isa 66:22 For as the new heavens and the new earth, which I will make, shall remain before me, saith the LORD, so shall your seed and your name remain.

What is the name given to those whose “seed will remain”?

Rev 3:12 Him that overcometh will I make a pillar in the temple of my God, and he shall go no more out: and I will write upon him the name of my God, and the name of the city of my God, which is new Jerusalem, which cometh down out of heaven from my God: and I will write upon him my new name.

These are words which we are to keep here and now (Rev 1:3). This “New Jerusalem” is to be understood as a present reality “in earnest” for God’s elect (Eph 1:14).
How does our Lord go about making “all things new” for all men who are “in Christ”? Here is how that is accomplished in every man in his own appointed predestined time:

1Co 3:13 Every man’s work shall be made manifest: for the day shall declare it, because it shall be revealed by fire; and the fire shall try every man’s work of what sort it is.
1Co 3:14 If any man’s work abide which he hath built thereupon, he shall receive a reward.
1Co 3:15 If any man’s work shall be burned, he shall suffer loss: but he himself shall be saved; yet so as by fire.
1Co 3:16 Know ye not that ye are the temple of God, and that the Spirit of God dwelleth in you?
1Co 3:17 If any man defile the temple of God, him shall God destroy; for the temple of God is holy, which temple ye are.

Which men have defiled the temple of God? Is it only sinners who do that? Yes, that is right, it is only sinners who defile the temple of God and who must, one and all, be destroyed. Who then must be destroyed?

Rom 3:23 For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;
Rom 5:12 Wherefore, as by one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin; and so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned:
Rom 6:23 For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.

If “all have sinned” and if “the wages of sin is death”, how then is anyone saved? Here is how that is accomplished.

Rom 3:22 Even the righteousness of God which is by faith of Jesus Christ unto all and upon all them that believe: for there is no difference:

There it is. “There is no difference” between “all… and all them that believe”. So much for the heresy of Calvin that “all” here means only “all kinds of men”. Not so. If that were the case, the phrase “for there is no difference” would have no contrast at all. How would that then read? ‘… by faith of Jesus Christ unto all kinds of people, and upon all kinds of people, who believe, for there is no difference’??? The words “kinds of people” are not in the Greek and are not the point being made. What is the point being made is that “The righteousness of God is by the faith of Jesus Christ, and it is coming unto all, as well as to all believers, because there is no difference” between the process of salvation which is coming to all sinners, as well as “all who believe”. All will be judged, either now in this life, or else they will be judged in the lake of fire, called “the second death”. “There is no difference, because there is but one event which destroys the old man in present believers, and then it is the very same event which will one day destroy the old man in all the rest of mankind, who will be “cast into the lake of fire”. It is all one and the same experience. It is simply experienced at a different time.

Ecc 9:2 All things come alike to all: there is one event to the righteous, and to the wicked; to the good and to the clean, and to the unclean; to him that sacrificeth, and to him that sacrificeth not: as is the good, so is the sinner; and he that sweareth, as he that feareth an oath.

So we are told that the overcomers of this life will be the first to enter into this symbolic city called “new Jerusalem”, and to serve as the channel, or agency, by which all unbelievers will be shown mercy and be brought to faith, to repentance and eventually come into that city.

Rev 21:2 And I John saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down from God out of heaven, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband.

God’s “elect… overcomers” have “in earnest” and “in the spirit”, already been granted to “come unto” and to be the children of this “holy city, new Jerusalem”.

Gal 4:26 But Jerusalem which is above is free, which is the mother of us all.

The reason this “holy city, new Jerusalem”, is called our mother while Christ is called our “everlasting Father”, is that this New Jerusalem is Christ’s bride. This New Jerusalem is the Biblical symbol of “the church which is His body” but which is also His bride, His elect.

2Co 11:2 For I am jealous over you with godly jealousy: for I have espoused you to one husband, that I may present you as a chaste virgin to Christ.
Heb 12:22 But ye are come unto mount Sion, and unto the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, and to an innumerable company of angels,

If we are God’s elect, then we are espoused to Him as “a chaste virgin” who is also called His bride.

Rev 21:2 And I John saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down from God out of heaven, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband.

It is this very same “new Jerusalem” which is symbolically said to be “written upon” those who are Christ’s bride, His elect.

Rev 3:12 Him that overcometh will I make a pillar in the temple of my God, and he shall go no more out: and I will write upon him the name of my God, and the name of the city of my God, which is new Jerusalem, which cometh down out of heaven from my God: and I will write upon him my new name.

In the final analysis whether we are a bride, a city or an overcomer, it is all just symbolism for the greatest honor ever to be bestowed upon any person. The dream is one, and these symbols are all the one Christ of Christ. Christ and His Father are dwelling within His firstfruit elect, for the purpose of using them to bring all the rest of mankind to themselves.

Rev 21:3 And I heard a great voice out of heaven saying, Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and he will dwell with them, and they shall be his people, and God himself shall be with them, and be their God.

This is first true of the 144,000. God “tabernacles with them” first. Afterward it is also true of “a great multitude which no man can number”, who go through the same tribulations and wash their robes white in the blood of the Lamb. There are two separate groups of mankind who are being saved. One is symbolically numbered as being 144,000. The other is “a great multitude, which no man could number”.

Rev 7:4 And I heard the number of them which were sealed: and there were sealed an hundred and forty and four thousand of all the tribes of the children of Israel.
Rev 7:9 After this I beheld, and, lo, a great multitude, which no man could number, of all nations, and kindreds, and people, and tongues, stood before the throne, and before the Lamb, clothed with white robes, and palms in their hands;

What we are not told in Rev 7:9 is that there is a symbolic thousand years between these 144,000 and the appearance of this “great multitude which no man could number”. We are given more revelation concerning these 144,000 in Rev 14.

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

Now notice what these 144,000 are called:

Rev 14:4 These are they which were not defiled with women; for they are virgins. These are they which follow the Lamb whithersoever he goeth. These were redeemed from among men, being the firstfruits unto God and to the Lamb.

These one 144,000 are virgins and firstfruits. They are not called the only fruits, they are “firstfruits unto God and the lamb”. Who else is identified by these same symbols of a virgin and being firstfruits?

2Co 11:2 For I am jealous over you with godly jealousy: for I have espoused you to one husband, that I may present you as a chaste virgin to Christ.
Jas 1:18 Of his own will begat he us with the word of truth, that we should be a kind of firstfruits of his creatures.

Again, the dream is one, and the firstfruits and the virgin are just a couple of more symbols of those who will be the first to have Christ and His Father living within them, and who will rule and reign with Christ on this earth for a thousand years.
And so God will “judge the world”, and “all men will be saved”, and God will one day dwell within all of mankind who have ever lived.

Act 17:31 Because he hath appointed a day, in the which he will judge the world in righteousness by that man whom he hath ordained; whereof he hath given assurance unto all men, in that he hath raised him from the dead.
Heb 12:23 To the general assembly and church of the firstborn, which are written in heaven, and to God the Judge of all, and to the spirits of just men made perfect,

Here we have it again. It is called “the assembly of the firstborn”. It is not called ‘the assembly of the only born’. So there is obviously a group in whom God dwells first. They are His “firstfruits”, in whom He dwells before He dwells with the “great multitude which no man can number”.

1Co 15:22 For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive.
1Co 15:23 But every man in his own order: Christ the firstfruits; afterward they that are Christ’s at his coming.

“They that are Christ’s at His coming” are also called “a kind of firstfruits… unto God and the Lamb”. That is why Israel is given three seasons of harvest. The first of the firstfruits is called the barley harvest at the passover and the days of unleavened bread. This is where the wave sheaf of barley was waved before God as the offering of the first of the first fruits. The second harvest season is called both Pentecost and “the feast of firstfruits”. This harvest is in the summer. It is the harvest of the wheat. But there is yet another harvest of the souls of mankind “in the end of the year”.

Exo 23:14  Three times thou shalt keep a feast unto me in the year.
Exo 23:15  Thou shalt keep the feast of unleavened bread: (thou shalt eat unleavened bread seven days, as I commanded thee, in the time appointed of the month Abib; for in it thou camest out from Egypt: and none shall appear before me empty:)
Exo 23:16  And the feast of harvest, the firstfruits of thy labours, which thou hast sown in the field: and the feast of ingathering, which is in the end of the year, when thou hast gathered in thy labours out of the field.
Exo 23:17  Three times in the year all thy males shall appear before the Lord GOD.

These are the “each in his own order” harvests to which the apostle Paul refers in 1 Corinthian 15:

1Co 15:22  For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive.
1Co 15:23  But every man in his own order: Christ the firstfruits; afterward they that are Christ’s at his coming.
1Co 15:24  Then cometh the end [ of the year harvest], when he shall have delivered up the kingdom to God, even the Father; when he shall have put down all rule and all authority and power.
1Co 15:25 For he must reign, till he hath put all enemies under his feet.
1Co 15:26 The last enemy that shall be destroyed is death.

We will not get to verse four in today’s study, but will get to it next week, Lord willing.

Sir,
Thank you for your website!   Its opened my understanding a great deal.   You spend a great deal on showing the truth of how Jesus Christ Is, Was and Will be.   I couldn’t thank you or pray for you enough by showing me how Jesus IS in my life and how the spiritual things are always to be.

I find however that you don’t shed any light on what the physical side of all these spiritual truths are at the end of this age. I appreciate your time and commitment to our Lord Jesus Christ!

Thank You.
M____

Hi M____,

Thank you for you letter asking if one third of Christ is missing on IWWB?

You say you have learned:
“… how the spiritual things Are always to be. I find however that you don’t shed any light on what the physical side of all these spiritual truths are at the end of this age.”

If indeed you have “learned how the spiritual thing are always to be,” what is it you are asking about? There is a very good reason why we don’t concern ourselves with the ‘will be’ third of Christ as the orthodox Christian world understands ‘He who is, who was, and who is to come.”

Rev 1:4  John to the seven churches which are in Asia: Grace [be] unto you, and peace, from him which is, and which was, and which is to come; and from the seven Spirits which are before his throne;

The whole orthodox Christian world sees nothing in that verse but the “which is to come,” even though it is consistently mentioned last. They completely ignore and cannot see “the time is at hand” phrase which immediately precedes this verse.

That reason “the time is at hand” is that when the future is here, it is no longer future, but it is still Christ. Read the book of Revelation, and you show me where Christ ever emphasizes the fact that He is “shedding any light on what the physical side of all these spiritual truths are at the end of this age.” I pray that God will give you and others eyes to see that “the time is at hand [to] keep those things which are written therein,” and quit looking for the time to come when you experience “the things which are written therein” or “the physical side of all these spiritual things.

Rev 1:3  Blessed [is] he that readeth, and they that hear the words of this prophecy, and keep those things which are written therein: for the time is at hand.

You have not yet been given eyes to see that “this generation will not pass till all these things shall be fulfilled” means the generation “reading and hearing these words.” You are still wondering how Peter could possibly say that the things that happened in and around the day of Pentecost were the events of Joel 2 and Matthew 24.

Act 2:16  But this is that which was spoken by the prophet Joel;
Act 2:17  And it shall come to pass in the last days, saith God, I will pour out of my Spirit upon all flesh: and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, and your young men shall see visions, and your old men shall dream dreams:
Act 2:18  And on my servants and on my handmaidens I will pour out in those days of my Spirit; and they shall prophesy:
Act 2:19  And I will shew wonders in heaven above, and signs in the earth beneath; blood, and fire, and vapour of smoke:
Act 2:20  The sun shall be turned into darkness, and the moon into blood, before that great and notable day of the Lord come:
Act 2:21  And it shall come to pass, [that] whosoever shall call on the name of the Lord shall be saved.

You have not yet come to understand that “the end of this age… the last days” is what you are now living and what Paul and John and all of God’s elect since Christ have lived. You say we are “not shedding any light on the physical side of all these spiritual truths.” All that tells me is that you are not yet satisfied with “the things of the spirit” because you are now living the physical side and are apparently yet unaware of that fact. Your life is the “end of this age” if you are God’s elect. If you are not God’s elect, then “the ends of the age” will not come upon you until the lake of fire white throne judgment.

I pray that God will give you the eyes to see that “the ends of the age are come upon us,” and you will quit trying to look outward and to the distant future when everything written in the prophecy of this book is both inward and “at hand,” and that is why the “is” is always first and prominent. I pray that our Lord will open your eyes to see that the ‘will be’ is always last for a very good reason, and yet that is always what “a wicked a perverse generation” puts first. To know the “will be” part of Christ is to acknowledge that he alone “knows what the morrow will bring,” and to acknowledge that He does not take us into His confidence to the extent of giving us the physical details you seem to so desire. You need to get your mind on the fact that “the end of the age is upon you now.” You need to realize that judgment day is now,  and let “the things of the morrow take care of themselves. Sufficient unto the day is the evil thereof.” (Mat 6:34)

1Co 10:11  Now all these things happened unto them for ensamples: and they are written for our admonition, upon whom the ends of the world [Greek: aion, age] are come.

Paul’s and John’s second emphasis was on the past, not the future. Their emphasis was on  the admonitions of the past, simply because they both understood that “the kingdom of God is within you,” and judgment is now on the house of God.” Do you really want to know what the physical events of the end of this is will be? Here is your Biblical answer:

1Pe 4:12  Beloved, think it not strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened unto you:
1Pe 4:13  But rejoice, inasmuch as ye are partakers of Christ’s suffering that, when his glory shall be revealed, ye may be glad also with exceeding joy.

Those sufferings with Christ are “the physical side of these spiritual truths.” These sufferings in our bodies are what is behind of the sufferings of the Christ, which are apparently yet unseen by your eyes. These are the sufferings which must be experienced on judgment day at the end of this age. When does judgment day at the end of this age come?

1Pe 4:17  For the time is come that judgment must begin at the house of God: and if it first begin at us, what shall the end be of them that obey not the gospel of God?

As I told you before, I do not want to offend you, but it is obvious by this email that God has not yet opened your eyes to see that “the ends of the ages” come upon every generation. You have not yet been given to understand the depth of that truth or you would not be so concerned with physical, future, outward events. Set your affection on things above, not on things future.

Rev 1:3  Blessed [is] he that readeth, and they that hear the words of this prophecy, and keep those things which are written therein: for the time is at hand.

I hope this helps you to see why Christ tells us in the very next verse and so many times in the Book of Revelation and throughout the Bible:

Rev 1:4  John to the seven churches which are in Asia: Grace [be] unto you, and peace, from him which is, and which was, and which is to come; and from the seven Spirits which are before his throne;

When we presently “know God and Jesus Christ who God has sent,” the was and the will be Christ are also acknowledged and known.

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

In our last correspondence you made this statement:

I’ve been reading the Bible for 10 months now and thanks to you I have seen truths people don’t see most their lives. I pray no truth of the word would ever offend me but bring joy to my spirit.”

Here is Christ’s own personal answer to your question. I hope and pray that it does indeed “bring joy to your spirit.”

Luk 17:20  And when he was demanded of the Pharisees, when the kingdom of God should come, he answered them and said, The kingdom of God cometh not with observation:
Luk 17:21  Neither shall they say, Lo here! or, lo there! for, behold, the kingdom of God is within you.

You have ‘1/3 of Christ of missing?’ in your subject box. You are right about that, but the part the whole world is missing is the fact that “the ends of the age are upon us [and] the time is at hand.”

Mat 6:34  Take therefore no thought for the morrow: for the morrow shall take thought for the things of itself. Sufficient unto the day is the evil thereof.

Mat 6:31  Therefore take no thought, saying, What shall we eat? or, What shall we drink? or, Wherewithal shall we be clothed?

Jas 4:13  Go to now, ye that say, To day or to morrow we will go into such a city, and continue there a year, and buy and sell, and get gain:
Jas 4:14  Whereas ye know not what [shall be] on the morrow. For what [is] your life? It is even a vapour, that appeareth for a little time, and then vanisheth away.
Jas 4:15  For that ye [ought] to say, If the Lord will, we shall live, and do this, or that.

The fact that the whole world thinks that the book of Revelation or prophecy in general, concerns itself with future events show how blind they are to these verses of scripture. Prophecy has nothing at all to do with events at the end of this age, except as “the ends of the age” are understood as this “vapor that appears for a little time, and then vanishes away.” Here is the Biblical function of all ‘prophecy,’ past, present and future:

1Co 14:3  But he that prophesieth speaketh unto men to edification, and exhortation, and comfort.

I hope this helps you to see what I told you above, our sufferings with Christ are “the physical side of these spiritual truths.”

That is the purpose for IWWB. We are not the least bit interested in supposedly sensational ‘prophecies’ of future events, or doing anything more than the scriptures call for. “He that prophesies speaks to men to edification, and exhortation, and comfort.”

Your brother in Christ,
Mike

Hey, mike!

How are you? I have been reading Revelation to familiarize myself with the scriptures before a more in- depth study. Near the end it talks about, ‘let him that is righteous be righteous still, and let he who is wicked be wicked still.’ (I’m paraphrasing.) What does that really mean? Also, could you help me understand what the scriptures say about consciousness (or the lack of ) after death, and the possibility of the paranormal and how they relate. Thanks, Mike.

S____

Hi S____,

I had the privilege of hosting a friend who also got to know me through my web page. He and his wife were on their way to Florida to visit his family. I felt honored that they came by and spent Wednesday with us. We discussed the book of Revelation while he was here. That book is “the revelation of Jesus Christ.” But everyone takes that to mean that it is a book about endtime events. Well, it is, but it is so much more than that. I would love to discuss it with you, but it is simply too big a subject to cover in an e- mail. [ Ed. note: We now have the very thorough treatis on the book of Revelation with an verse- by- verse series here]

You asked about Rev 22.

Rev 22:11 He that is unjust, let him be unjust still: and he which is filthy, let him be filthy still: and he that is righteous, let him be righteous still: and he that is holy, let him be holy still.

It seems incredible that you would ask this question, because this is what I was discussing with my guest when your letter came in. Like I said, I can’t cover the whole book here, but your question certainly forces me to point out that this book has nothing to do with endtime events in the sense that it is taught in Babylon. Look at what the context of this scripture is:

Rev 22:10 And he saith unto me, Seal not the sayings of the prophecy of this book: for the time is at hand.
Rev 22:11 He that is unjust, let him be unjust still: and he which is filthy, let him be filthy still: and he that is righteous, let him be righteous still: and he that is holy, let him be holy still.
Rev 22:12 And, behold, I come quickly; and my reward is with me, to give every man according as his work shall be.
Rev 22:13 I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end, the first and the last.
Rev 22:14 Blessed are they that do his commandments, that they may have right to the tree of life, and may enter in through the gates into the city.
Rev 22:15 For without are dogs, and sorcerers, and whoremongers, and murderers, and idolaters, and whosoever loveth and maketh a lie.
Rev 22:16 I Jesus have sent mine angel to testify unto you these things in the churches. I am the root and the offspring of David, and the bright and morning star.
Rev 22:17 And the Spirit and the bride say, Come. And let him that heareth say, Come. And let him that is athirst come. And whosoever will, let him take the water of life freely.
Rev 22:18 For I testify unto every man that heareth the words of the prophecy of this book, If any man shall add unto these things, God shall add unto him the plagues that are written in this book: Rev 22:19 And if any man shall take away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God shall take away his part out of the book of life, and out of the holy city, and [ from] the things which are written in this book.
Rev 22:20 He which testifieth these things saith, Surely I come quickly. Amen. Even so, come, Lord Jesus.
Rev 22:21 The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all. Amen.

Do you see that word ‘quickly?’ It is the same root as the word translated ‘shortly’ in Rev 1:1.

Rev 1:1 The Revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave unto him, to shew unto his servants things which must shortly come to pass; and he sent and signified it by his angel unto his servant John:

Now FRev 22:10 tells John not to seal this book because “the time IS AT HAND.” This was written nearly 2000 years ago. So “the time was at hand” then, ‘the time was at hand’ for each succeeding generation since that time and ‘the time is at hand’ right now! The reason for this is because of the most often repeated statement in this book. This book starts and ends with this same message, ‘I am the Lord who is, was and will be. Do what is in this book, because the time is at hand.’

Look at this verse in chapter one:

Rev 1:3 Blessed is he that readeth, and they that hear the words of this prophecy, and keep those things which are written therein: for the time is at hand.
Rev 1:8 I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the ending, saith the Lord, which is, and which was, and which is to come, the Almighty.

Now compare this with the verses you ask about:

Rev 22:10 And he saith unto me, Seal not the sayings of the prophecy of this book: for the time is at hand.
Rev 22:11 He that is unjust, let him be unjust still: and he which is filthy, let him be filthy still: and he that is righteous, let him be righteous still: and he that is holy, let him be holy still.
Rev 22:12 And, behold, I come quickly; and my reward is with me, to give every man according as his work shall be.
Rev 22:13 I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end, the first and the last.
Rev 22:19 And if any man shall take away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God shall take away his part out of the book of life, and out of the holy city, and from the things which are written in this book.

There is no difference between the beginning and the end of this book. The statement that ‘I am the alpha and the omega, He that is was and will be’ is repeated 11 times in this book. That is an incredible number of repetitions. It is because it is that significant a point. We simply must come to understand that this book is concerned more with what each of the elect of every generation since Christ must DO, than it is concerned with when certain events will happen in only the last generation.”Keep the things that are written therein for the time is at hand…” and do “his part…[ of ] the things which are written in this book.” That is what this book is about. Now we do need to come to understand what all these symbols mean, or this book will still have seven seals on it, and we will be “weeping” because no one can open this book so we can see what our part in this book is and so we can keep the things that are written therein.

Rev 5:1 And I saw in the right hand of him that sat on the throne a book written within and on the backside, sealed with seven seals.
Rev 5:2 And I saw a strong angel proclaiming with a loud voice, Who is worthy to open the book [ this book, telling us what we must “Keep,” and what “our part in this book], and to loose the seals thereof?
Rev 5:3 And no man in heaven, nor in earth, neither under the earth, was able to open the book, neither to look thereon.
Rev 5:4 And I wept much [ He had just been told to “Keep the things in this book and now it appeared in the vision as if this book of instructions is sealed with seven seals], because no man was found worthy to open and to read the book, neither to look thereon.
Rev 5:5 And one of the elders saith unto me, Weep not: behold, the Lion of the tribe of Juda, the Root of David, hath prevailed to open the book, and to loose the seven seals thereof.

The only people for whom Christ opens these seven seals are those who are “in Christ”; His elect, who literally weep to know what is His will for them. For all others this book is completely (seven) sealed. For all others we are instructed:

Rev 22:11 He that is unjust, let him be unjust still: and he which is filthy, let him be filthy still: and he that is righteous, let him be righteous still: and he that is holy, let him be holy still.

I hope you understand what I’ve said in this e- mail. The book of Revelation is not what most people think it is. It certainly has much to say about end time events, but not in the way that is normally understood. There would be much to discuss on this subject. All of the symbols of Revelation are interpreted in the Old Testament. It is not a guessing game coming out of the minds of men. The two olive trees of Rev 11 are interpreted for us in Zec 4:

Zec 4:2 And said unto me, What seest thou? And I said, I have looked, and behold a candlestick all [ of] gold, with a bowl upon the top of it, and his seven lamps thereon, and seven pipes to the seven lamps, which [ are] upon the top thereof:
Zec 4:3 And two olive trees by it, one upon the right [ side] of the bowl, and the other upon the left [ side] thereof.
Zec 4:4 So I answered and spake to the angel that talked with me, saying, What [ are] these, my lord?
Zec 4:5 Then the angel that talked with me answered and said unto me, Knowest thou not what these be? And I said, No, my lord.
Zec 4:6 Then he answered and spake unto me, saying, This is the word of the LORD unto Zerubbabel, saying, Not by might, nor by power, but by my spirit, saith the LORD of hosts.

The “word of the Lord” is not in most ministers. If it is in you, then you are one of Christ’s witnesses, and “two or three” is the number for witness in scripture. These “two olive trees” which feed the oil to the seven candlesticks are those who truly witness that Christ is in their lives.

Let me hear from you,

Mike