by Pastor Wilson
1 Thessalonians 4:16-17
For the Lord himself will come down from heaven, with a loud command, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet call of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first. 17 After that, we who are still alive and are left will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And so we will be with the Lord forever.
The rapture is the event where believers (dead or alive) will be caught up in the clouds to meet the Lord before His second coming.
There is a rapture in the end time
Question is when does rapture happen?
Before, during or at the end of tribulation?
AOG believes rapture happen before tribulation happen.
Is there an ultimate verse that proves rapture will take place just before great tribulation.
There is a possibility....
The pre-tribulation rapture is part of the end-time system view of John Darby's dispensationalism theory.
It is not a matter of right or wrong. Whether pre or post, please just make the trip
Book of revelation does not have any verse to describe ...
The book of Revelation does not have any verse that mentions the concept of rapture as described in 1 Thessalonians 4
1 Thessalonians 4
As for other matters, brothers and sisters, we instructed you how to live in order to please God, as in fact you are living. Now we ask you and urge you in the Lord Jesus to do this more and more. 2 For you know what instructions we gave you by the authority of the Lord Jesus.
3 It is God’s will that you should be sanctified: that you should avoid sexual immorality; 4 that each of you should learn to control your own body[a] in a way that is holy and honorable, 5 not in passionate lust like the pagans, who do not know God; 6 and that in this matter no one should wrong or take advantage of a brother or sister.[b] The Lord will punish all those who commit such sins, as we told you and warned you before. 7 For God did not call us to be impure, but to live a holy life. 8 Therefore, anyone who rejects this instruction does not reject a human being but God, the very God who gives you his Holy Spirit.
9 Now about your love for one another we do not need to write to you, for you yourselves have been taught by God to love each other. 10 And in fact, you do love all of God’s family throughout Macedonia. Yet we urge you, brothers and sisters, to do so more and more, 11 and to make it your ambition to lead a quiet life: You should mind your own business and work with your hands, just as we told you, 12 so that your daily life may win the respect of outsiders and so that you will not be dependent on anybody.
Believers Who Have Died
13 Brothers and sisters, we do not want you to be uninformed about those who sleep in death, so that you do not grieve like the rest of mankind, who have no hope. 14 For we believe that Jesus died and rose again, and so we believe that God will bring with Jesus those who have fallen asleep in him. 15 According to the Lord’s word, we tell you that we who are still alive, who are left until the coming of the Lord, will certainly not precede those who have fallen asleep. 16 For the Lord himself will come down from heaven, with a loud command, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet call of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first. 17 After that, we who are still alive and are left will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And so we will be with the Lord forever. 18 Therefore encourage one another with these words.
Revelation 4:1-2
After this I looked, and there before me was a door standing open in heaven. And the voice I had first heard speaking to me like a trumpet said, “Come up here, and I will show you what must take place after this.” 2 At once I was in the Spirit, and there before me was a throne in heaven with someone sitting on it.
This is not a verse mentioning about rapture. Examine the text ''come up here does not mean rapture becos caught up and come up is not referring to same event.
Context ...
"Come up" = (Revelation 4:1)
"Caught up" = (1 Thessalonians 4:17)
The phrase "Come up" does not refer to the same event as the rapture.
John was not raptured out of the tribulation. He was still on earth seeing the revelation
Even though pre trib verse is not found in revelation, AOG still believes in pre trib rapture
However, Be prepared for the worst case scenario if pre trib rapture does not happen
Choose to major in what is certain God's word. Certain is God will return but how or when but we need to hold that loosely on uncertain details.
Hope for the best but be ready for the worse
God do allow His people to go through personal tribulation:
Moses
Job
Nation of Israel became slaves of Egypt for 40 years
Israel exile in Babylon
Jesus to go through the cross
God wants to use personal tribulation to strengthen and purify us for His purpose
Firstly, Revelation does not mention the concept of rapture, but it is found in,
1 Thessalonians 4:17
After that, we who are still alive and are left will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And so we will be with the Lord forever.
Secondly, we hope for pre-tribulation rapture but must be ready to persevere through the tribulation if it does not occur.
Revelation 20:11-15
Then I saw a great white throne and him who was seated on it. The earth and the heavens fled from his presence, and there was no place for them. 12 And I saw the dead, great and small, standing before the throne, and books were opened. Another book was opened, which is the book of life. The dead were judged according to what they had done as recorded in the books. 13 The sea gave up the dead that were in it, and death and Hades gave up the dead that were in them, and each person was judged according to what they had done. 14 Then death and Hades were thrown into the lake of fire. The lake of fire is the second death. 15 Anyone whose name was not found written in the book of life was thrown into the lake of fire.
These heavenly books serve two purposes:
- to account for the deeds of everyone on earth, and
- to contain the names of those loyal to Christ
Are believers still judge by the book of deeds?
His records will also be found in book of deeds since our name already written in book of life
Book of deeds validate a believers loyalty and devotion to Christ through action and behaviour on earth
What happen when we sin against God on earth...?
Will God use believers human falleness against him? NO!
Salvation is solely by God's grace through faith in Jesus Christ, there is nothing we can do to earn it.
Ephesians 2:8
For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God—
Romans 3:22
This righteousness is given through faith in[a] Jesus Christ to all who believe. There is no difference between Jew and Gentile,
What we cannot earn in human effort, we will not lose through human failure.
If we cannot earn salvation through human effort, we will not lose salvation through human failings.
Only unbelieving....
As long as we do not reject Jesus
The books of deeds may show our falleness. But God will not use that against us.
If we are loyal and devoted believers of Christ, our lives must represent Christ
These records will validate our transformed lives ....
We should Not be motivated to live by fear by the book of deeds
We don't have to earn God's love, He has already love us.
Pastor Lee Meng Cham
1. The nature of Salvation
Revelation 2:10-11
Do not be afraid of what you are about to suffer. I tell you, the devil will put some of you in prison to test you, and you will suffer persecution for ten days. Be faithful, even to the point of death, and I will give you life as your victor’s crown.
11 Whoever has ears, let them hear what the Spirit says to the churches. The one who is victorious will not be hurt at all by the second death.
Is eternal life and crown of life the same thing?
What constitutes the crown?
A crown that is a wreath made of leaves.
James 1:12
Blessed is the one who perseveres under trial because, having stood the test, that person will receive the crown of life that the Lord has promised to those who love him.
This is a reward for finishing the race
2 Timothy 4:8
Now there is in store for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day—and not only to me, but also to all who have longed for his appearing.
Also given after the person has passed on
Hebrews 2:9
But we do see Jesus, who was made lower than the angels for a little while, now crowned with glory and honor because he suffered death, so that by the grace of God he might taste death for everyone.
In Revelation,
Tree of life
Ruling the nation
Become a temple
Reminds us to stay pure
How is this crown connect to eternal life?
Like a black sheep in family doesn't means the family is all sheep
On one hand eternal life, it is given, to be received, cannot be earned, cannot merit it. It's unceasing life
Ephesians 2:8
For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God—
Romans 6:23
For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in[a] Christ Jesus our Lord.
Crown of life is to Keep, to persevere to overcome
What are the benefits of having our names written?
1. We are known by God
Philippians 4:2-3
I plead with Euodia and I plead with Syntyche to be of the same mind in the Lord. 3 Yes, and I ask you, my true companion, help these women since they have contended at my side in the cause of the gospel, along with Clement and the rest of my co-workers, whose names are in the book of life.
2. We're saved from God's wrath
Revelation 20:14-15
Then death and Hades were thrown into the lake of fire. The lake of fire is the second death. 15 Anyone whose name was not found written in the book of life was thrown into the lake of fire.
3. We're granted an admission to the new Jeruselam
Revelation 21:27
Nothing impure will ever enter it, nor will anyone who does what is shameful or deceitful, but only those whose names are written in the Lamb’s book of life.
God's judgement is served based on how a person lived
We need to bear witness
Revelation 3:5
The one who is victorious will, like them, be dressed in white. I will never blot out the name of that person from the book of life, but will acknowledge that name before my Father and his angels.
Book of deeds
Under what conditions will these names be blot out?
Revelation 13:8
All inhabitants of the earth will worship the beast—all whose names have not been written in the Lamb’s book of life, the Lamb who was slain from the creation of the world.[a]
Revelation 17:8
The beast, which you saw, once was, now is not, and yet will come up out of the Abyss and go to its destruction. The inhabitants of the earth whose names have not been written in the book of life from the creation of the world will be astonished when they see the beast, because it once was, now is not, and yet will come.
Not to bow to idolatry
Because our names are in the book of life, we have eternal life. Therefore We're called to Persevere and overcome. Don't lose our focus
2. The call to be Ready
Revelation 1:3
Blessed is the one who reads aloud the words of this prophecy, and blessed are those who hear it and take to heart what is written in it, because the time is near.
Revelation 22:10
Then he told me, “Do not seal up the words of the prophecy of this scroll, because the time is near.
Joel 1:15
Alas for that day!
For the day of the Lord is near;
it will come like destruction from the Almighty.[a]
Joel 2:1-2
Blow the trumpet in Zion;
sound the alarm on my holy hill.
Let all who live in the land tremble,
for the day of the Lord is coming.
It is close at hand—
2 a day of darkness and gloom,
a day of clouds and blackness.
Like dawn spreading across the mountains
a large and mighty army comes,
such as never was in ancient times
nor ever will be in ages to come.
What does it means?
2 Peter 3:2-4
I want you to recall the words spoken in the past by the holy prophets and the command given by our Lord and Savior through your apostles.
3 Above all, you must understand that in the last days scoffers will come, scoffing and following their own evil desires. 4 They will say, “Where is this ‘coming’ he promised? Ever since our ancestors died, everything goes on as it has since the beginning of creation.”
2 Peter 3:8-10
But do not forget this one thing, dear friends: With the Lord a day is like a thousand years, and a thousand years are like a day. 9 The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. Instead he is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance.
10 But the day of the Lord will come like a thief. The heavens will disappear with a roar; the elements will be destroyed by fire, and the earth and everything done in it will be laid bare.[a]
The lord is patient toward you, not wishing that anyone should perish, but that all should reach repentance
While we do not ignore the current affairs, we do not allow them to interpret the bible
Jesus exalts us to be prepared now, not to do so when we see all the signs appearing. Be prepared NOW
Be ever ready
Don't wait for signs
Commitment to Christ or
Compromise to the world?
Don't play with fire until the last minute
1 John 2:15-17
Do not love the world or anything in the world. If anyone loves the world, love for the Father[a] is not in them. 16 For everything in the world—the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life—comes not from the Father but from the world. 17 The world and its desires pass away, but whoever does the will of God lives forever.
The world is passing away
We're made for the new heaven and the earth
Revelation 22:10-11
Then he told me, “Do not seal up the words of the prophecy of this scroll, because the time is near. 11 Let the one who does wrong continue to do wrong; let the vile person continue to be vile; let the one who does right continue to do right; and let the holy person continue to be holy.”
God made us free moral agents to exercise freewill
He'll grant us wisdom to make logical decision
It is their wilful choice but He does not delight any of us perishing
Grace always requires faith
This should push us to pray even more seriously so that they will not perish
Persist not in apathy
Revelation 22:7
“Look, I am coming soon! Blessed is the one who keeps the words of the prophecy written in this scroll.”
Revelation 22:12
“Look, I am coming soon! My reward is with me, and I will give to each person according to what they have done.
Revelation 22:20
He who testifies to these things says, “Yes, I am coming soon.”
Amen. Come, Lord Jesus.
A. If you have confessed with your mouth that Jesus is Lord, and believed in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you are saved.
B. Live now as a child of God, as Christ's ambassador. Shine as children of light and as the salt of the earth. Fight the good fight, keep the faith, and finish your race.
C. Watch that you do not fall into the trap of the enemy. Worship no other gods! Flee from temptations. Be EVEREADY! Live with the Crown of Life in view.
by Pastor Joey Asher
New heaven and new earth - look forward to it
Big idea:
God will make all things new
1. A new home with a reunited family
Revelation 21:9
One of the seven angels who had the seven bowls full of the seven last plagues came and said to me, “Come, I will show you the bride, the wife of the Lamb.”
Revelation 21:2
I saw the Holy City, the new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride beautifully dressed for her husband.
Church is known as bride of Christ
What to prepare?
A. Remain faithful to Christ who sacrifice his life for his church
As a wife remains faithful to her husband, we the church are to remain faithful to Christ, who sacrificed his life for the church.
Revelation 21:1-3
Then I saw “a new heaven and a new earth,”[a] for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and there was no longer any sea. 2 I saw the Holy City, the new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride beautifully dressed for her husband. 3 And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, “Look! God’s dwelling place is now among the people, and he will dwell with them. They will be his people, and God himself will be with them and be their God.
God's human family and God's divine family (sons of God) will merge to form the new earth and new heaven
Revelation 22:3-4
No longer will there be any curse. The throne of God and of the Lamb will be in the city, and his servants will serve him. 4 They will see his face, and his name will be on their foreheads.
Sea will be no more. Jewish metaphor of sea represent chaos, destruction means chaos in the new home will be absent
Final home will have no death
First eden: Adam and Eve they hid their faces from God.
1. In the new earth, they will turn their face to face God
Christ will introduce us to his divine counsel
Hebrew 2:10-13
In bringing many sons and daughters to glory, it was fitting that God, for whom and through whom everything exists, should make the pioneer of their salvation perfect through what he suffered. 11 Both the one who makes people holy and those who are made holy are of the same family. So Jesus is not ashamed to call them brothers and sisters.[a] 12 He says,
“I will declare your name to my brothers and sisters;
in the assembly I will sing your praises.”[b]
13 And again,
“I will put my trust in him.”[c]
And again he says,
“Here am I, and the children God has given me.”[d]
All imagers of God, whether human and divine, who have chosen to have believing loyalty in Yahweh, will be with God.
Revelation 22:5
Then he told me, “Do not seal up the words of the prophecy of this scroll, because the time is near.
Revelation 21:2
I saw the Holy City, the new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride beautifully dressed for her husband.
John saw the holy city. Means we are a part of the holy city...
People who are going to be in this holy city
Revelation 21:12-14
It had a great, high wall with twelve gates, and with twelve angels at the gates. On the gates were written the names of the twelve tribes of Israel. 13 There were three gates on the east, three on the north, three on the south and three on the west. 14 The wall of the city had twelve foundations, and on them were the names of the twelve apostles of the Lamb.
12 angels
12 sons
12 names of 12 apostle
Human and divine imagers of God
As God's imagers, we have a new identity. This impacts how we live for and serve God.
Is for his creation to enjoy him and live forever
2. Look forward to A new home with a new life
Jesus reverses the curse in this new home
Revelation 21:4-6
‘He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death’[a] or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away.”
5 He who was seated on the throne said, “I am making everything new!” Then he said, “Write this down, for these words are trustworthy and true.”
6 He said to me: “It is done. I am the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End. To the thirsty I will give water without cost from the spring of the water of life.
Revelation 22:1
Then the angel showed me the river of the water of life, as clear as crystal, flowing from the throne of God and of the Lamb
The new eden is a Redemption of individual soul but also salvation of all creation
Revelation 22:2-3
down the middle of the great street of the city. On each side of the river stood the tree of life, bearing twelve crops of fruit, yielding its fruit every month. And the leaves of the tree are for the healing of the nations. 3 No longer will there be any curse. The throne of God and of the Lamb will be in the city, and his servants will serve him.
Enjoy Supernatural abundance, peace, no more accursed.
Revelation 22:14-15
“Blessed are those who wash their robes, that they may have the right to the tree of life and may go through the gates into the city. 15 Outside are the dogs, those who practice magic arts, the sexually immoral, the murderers, the idolaters and everyone who loves and practices falsehood.
We either live with our destination in view or we don't. Our awareness of our destiny in our final destination should change how we conduct ourselves and live our lives.
The way you head there has to change as well
If we know our eternal destiny and our future destination, it should change how we think and act in the present knowing what happens eventually keeps our present circumstances in perspective.
3. Look forward to A new home to rule in and a new world to reign in
Revelation 21:6-7
He said to me: “It is done. I am the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End. To the thirsty I will give water without cost from the spring of the water of life. 7 Those who are victorious will inherit all this, and I will be their God and they will be my children.
Revelation 3:21
To the one who is victorious, I will give the right to sit with me on my throne, just as I was victorious and sat down with my Father on his throne.
Revelation 21:22
I did not see a temple in the city, because the Lord God Almighty and the Lamb are its temple.
Revelation 22:5
There will be no more night. They will not need the light of a lamp or the light of the sun, for the Lord God will give them light. And they will reign for ever and ever.
No need sun or moon cos have glory of God
Revelation 21:26-27
The glory and honor of the nations will be brought into it. 27 Nothing impure will ever enter it, nor will anyone who does what is shameful or deceitful, but only those whose names are written in the Lamb’s book of life.
Revelation 22:16
“I, Jesus, have sent my angel to give you[a] this testimony for the churches. I am the Root and the Offspring of David, and the bright Morning Star.”
In the new heaven and new earth, we'll be stewarding over all that God has created. We'll live the life offered in Eden - enjoying and caring for what God has made.
Doing side by side with divine beings. Every child of God will have special roles. All fully deployed to serve everyone...
Is a teamwork, everybody benefit in our new home together, Perfection is what we will enjoy in our new home
Revelation 22:17
The Spirit and the bride say, “Come!” And let the one who hears say, “Come!” Let the one who is thirsty come; and let the one who wishes take the free gift of the water of life.
by Pastor Meng Cham
We're coming to the end game
The Defiant, The resistance, The ungodly
Jesus reveal to His church what is to come so we can avoid
Big idea:
God has already announced the certainty of his judgement and it's consequences
I: THE SCENE IN HEAVEN
Revelation 15:5-8
After this I looked, and I saw in heaven the temple—that is, the tabernacle of the covenant law—and it was opened. 6 Out of the temple came the seven angels with the seven plagues. They were dressed in clean, shining linen and wore golden sashes around their chests. 7 Then one of the four living creatures gave to the seven angels seven golden bowls filled with the wrath of God, who lives for ever and ever. 8 And the temple was filled with smoke from the glory of God and from his power, and no one could enter the temple until the seven plagues of the seven angels were completed.
Rev 11 and 15 both mentioned tent of heaven is open signify wrath of God is going to be poured out. Bowl or cup means pouring out wrath of God
Jeremiah 25:15-16
This is what the Lord, the God of Israel, said to me: “Take from my hand this cup filled with the wine of my wrath and make all the nations to whom I send you drink it. 16 When they drink it, they will stagger and go mad because of the sword I will send among them.”
Why sevenfold judgement?
Leviticus 26:18-21
“‘If after all this you will not listen to me, I will punish you for your sins seven times over. 19 I will break down your stubborn pride and make the sky above you like iron and the ground beneath you like bronze. 20 Your strength will be spent in vain, because your soil will not yield its crops, nor will the trees of your land yield their fruit.
21 “‘If you remain hostile toward me and refuse to listen to me, I will multiply your afflictions seven times over, as your sins deserve.
above verse is a Warning to His people if they're persistence to idolatry
Seven means fullness, completeness of the judgement of God
Revelation 8:1
When he opened the seventh seal, there was silence in heaven for about half an hour.
This is In preparation for seven trumpet
Golden bowls full of Gods wrath is also full of incense, God has seen ... God will act on their behalf..
With each rebellion of human against God's rules, it gets tighten and tighten. We should walk in healthy reverence of God's ways and Hid holiness. He will answer and vindicate me in due time.
The day of judgement is unavoidable.
Revelation 16:1
Then I heard a loud voice from the temple saying to the seven angels, “Go, pour out the seven bowls of God’s wrath on the earth.”
Revelation 16:12-16
The sixth angel poured out his bowl on the great river Euphrates, and its water was dried up to prepare the way for the kings from the East. 13 Then I saw three impure spirits that looked like frogs; they came out of the mouth of the dragon, out of the mouth of the beast and out of the mouth of the false prophet. 14 They are demonic spirits that perform signs, and they go out to the kings of the whole world, to gather them for the battle on the great day of God Almighty.
15 “Look, I come like a thief! Blessed is the one who stays awake and remains clothed, so as not to go naked and be shamefully exposed.”
16 Then they gathered the kings together to the place that in Hebrew is called Armageddon.
Revelation 16:17-21
The seventh angel poured out his bowl into the air, and out of the temple came a loud voice from the throne, saying, “It is done!” 18 Then there came flashes of lightning, rumblings, peals of thunder and a severe earthquake. No earthquake like it has ever occurred since mankind has been on earth, so tremendous was the quake. 19 The great city split into three parts, and the cities of the nations collapsed. God remembered Babylon the Great and gave her the cup filled with the wine of the fury of his wrath. 20 Every island fled away and the mountains could not be found. 21 From the sky huge hailstones, each weighing about a hundred pounds,[a] fell on people. And they cursed God on account of the plague of hail, because the plague was so terrible.
Air is associated with the dwelling of the demonic
45kg per hailstone
significance of water, fire, air, earth. The pouring out meant none could escape the judgement of God.
Revelation 16:9
They were seared by the intense heat and they cursed the name of God, who had control over these plagues, but they refused to repent and glorify him.
God remembered Babylon meaning He remembers good and evil. Most important is which one He choose to forget at the end of time. He remembers the good and the terror is He remembers the bad, culprit, people who reject Him.
II: THE RIGHTEOUS JUDEMENT OF GOD
Revelation 17:1-18
One of the seven angels who had the seven bowls came and said to me, “Come, I will show you the punishment of the great prostitute, who sits by many waters. 2 With her the kings of the earth committed adultery, and the inhabitants of the earth were intoxicated with the wine of her adulteries.”
3 Then the angel carried me away in the Spirit into a wilderness. There I saw a woman sitting on a scarlet beast that was covered with blasphemous names and had seven heads and ten horns. 4 The woman was dressed in purple and scarlet, and was glittering with gold, precious stones and pearls. She held a golden cup in her hand, filled with abominable things and the filth of her adulteries. 5 The name written on her forehead was a mystery:
babylon the great
the mother of prostitutes
and of the abominations of the earth.
6 I saw that the woman was drunk with the blood of God’s holy people, the blood of those who bore testimony to Jesus.
When I saw her, I was greatly astonished. 7 Then the angel said to me: “Why are you astonished? I will explain to you the mystery of the woman and of the beast she rides, which has the seven heads and ten horns. 8 The beast, which you saw, once was, now is not, and yet will come up out of the Abyss and go to its destruction. The inhabitants of the earth whose names have not been written in the book of life from the creation of the world will be astonished when they see the beast, because it once was, now is not, and yet will come.
9 “This calls for a mind with wisdom. The seven heads are seven hills on which the woman sits. 10 They are also seven kings. Five have fallen, one is, the other has not yet come; but when he does come, he must remain for only a little while. 11 The beast who once was, and now is not, is an eighth king. He belongs to the seven and is going to his destruction.
12 “The ten horns you saw are ten kings who have not yet received a kingdom, but who for one hour will receive authority as kings along with the beast. 13 They have one purpose and will give their power and authority to the beast. 14 They will wage war against the Lamb, but the Lamb will triumph over them because he is Lord of lords and King of kings—and with him will be his called, chosen and faithful followers.”
15 Then the angel said to me, “The waters you saw, where the prostitute sits, are peoples, multitudes, nations and languages. 16 The beast and the ten horns you saw will hate the prostitute. They will bring her to ruin and leave her naked; they will eat her flesh and burn her with fire. 17 For God has put it into their hearts to accomplish his purpose by agreeing to hand over to the beast their royal authority, until God’s words are fulfilled. 18 The woman you saw is the great city that rules over the kings of the earth.”
Revelation 15:3-4
and sang the song of God’s servant Moses and of the Lamb:
“Great and marvelous are your deeds,
Lord God Almighty.
Just and true are your ways,
King of the nations.[a]
4 Who will not fear you, Lord,
and bring glory to your name?
For you alone are holy.
All nations will come
and worship before you,
for your righteous acts have been revealed.”[b]
Revelation 16:5-7
Then I heard the angel in charge of the waters say:
“You are just in these judgments, O Holy One,
you who are and who were;
6 for they have shed the blood of your holy people and your prophets,
and you have given them blood to drink as they deserve.”
7 And I heard the altar respond:
“Yes, Lord God Almighty,
true and just are your judgments.”
These above two verses reveal God is
Just, righteous, true and holy. He will not pardon the guilty. Accordance with the crime, no more no less. Accordance to their deserve. A holy and loving God cannot overlook justice .....
Revelation 17:1-2
One of the seven angels who had the seven bowls came and said to me, “Come, I will show you the punishment of the great prostitute, who sits by many waters. 2 With her the kings of the earth committed adultery, and the inhabitants of the earth were intoxicated with the wine of her adulteries.”
Revelation 17:4-6
The woman was dressed in purple and scarlet, and was glittering with gold, precious stones and pearls. She held a golden cup in her hand, filled with abominable things and the filth of her adulteries. 5 The name written on her forehead was a mystery:
babylon the great
the mother of prostitutes
and of the abominations of the earth.
6 I saw that the woman was drunk with the blood of God’s holy people, the blood of those who bore testimony to Jesus.
When I saw her, I was greatly astonished.
God judgement is aim at Babylon, even the downfall was mention in rev 14:8
Revelation 14:8
A second angel followed and said, “‘Fallen! Fallen is Babylon the Great,’[a] which made all the nations drink the maddening wine of her adulteries.”
Babylon signify....
Who else?
Babylon alliances, the kings, multitudes who follow Babylon, demons political system, immoral yet enticing allure, those who indulge footsies, those who want to profit from babylon ....
Revelation 17:15
Then the angel said to me, “The waters you saw, where the prostitute sits, are peoples, multitudes, nations and languages.
Revelation 17:16-17
The beast and the ten horns you saw will hate the prostitute. They will bring her to ruin and leave her naked; they will eat her flesh and burn her with fire. 17 For God has put it into their hearts to accomplish his purpose by agreeing to hand over to the beast their royal authority, until God’s words are fulfilled.
Prostitute is Babylon
There is no loyalty among the godless.
"Men did not love Rome because she was great. She was great because they had loved her."
- G.K. Chesterton -
Bowls were designed by God to bring people to repentance.
Spur one another to remain faithful to God. Days will be tougher and tougher ... for believers. So stay united, bonded with believers in discipleship making.
1. Brace ourselves for the inevitable
2. Work while it is day, when night comes no man can work
John 9:4
As long as it is day, we must do the works of him who sent me. Night is coming, when no one can work.
