Lent, Pentecost and the Day of the Lord

Lent has started this year on Wednesday, 26 February 2020 and ends on Thursday, 9 April 2020. We are looking for to Pentecost or the Feast of Weeks. This is the fiftieth day after the Passover in the Jewish tradition. Pentecost is also significant to Christians as it is the 'Outpouring of the Holy Spirit' and is the fiftieth day after the Crucifixion of Yshua the Messiah.

Peter the Apostle made a speech on the first Pentecost after Yshua's crucifixion and Resurrection, in which he quoted Joel. The full passage of Joel is given below. However, Peter's quote was only from last part of chapter 2 in Joel. Peter's emphasis was on 'pour out my spirit upon all flesh' and those who call upon the Lord will be saved; because at that time the Holy Spirit was pourd unto believers and that gift of the Spirit and salvation is available to those who called on the Lord.

It is interesting to see that the context of Joel 2 is the the Day of the Lord, which is about endtimes. It also mentions the remnant who call will be saved. Peter's verses can be used to encourage the Gentiles to come to Christ, which is up to the End Times. During those times, when the Christians would have been taken back to be with the Lord, much more of Joel 2 will be fulfilled on earth.

The situation facing the world today is showing the potential of increased severity. It seems that the current events may be a prelude to what will be coming in the future. Hence while Peter was sharing God's Salvation at that time, for us now is the time to also share God's Salvation plans. We should also take hold of the encouragement Joel 2, such as 'Fear not, .., be glad and rejoice' and that God is also going to restore what is lost, and replace it with plenty.


Joel 2 Authorized (King James) Version (AKJV)
2 Blow ye the trumpet in Zion,
and sound an alarm in my holy mountain:
let all the inhabitants of the land tremble:
for the day of the Lord cometh,
for it is nigh at hand;
2 a day of darkness and of gloominess,
a day of clouds and of thick darkness,
as the morning spread upon the mountains:
a great people and a strong;
there hath not been ever the like,
neither shall be any more after it,
even to the years of many generations.
3 A fire devoureth before them;
and behind them a flame burneth:
the land is as the garden of Eden before them,
and behind them a desolate wilderness;
yea, and nothing shall escape them.
4 The appearance of them is as the appearance of horses;
and as horsemen, so shall they run.
5 Like the noise of chariots on the tops of mountains shall they leap,
like the noise of a flame of fire that devoureth the stubble,
as a strong people set in battle array.
6 Before their face the people shall be much pained:
all faces shall gather blackness.
7 They shall run like mighty men;
they shall climb the wall like men of war;
and they shall march every one on his ways,
and they shall not break their ranks:
8 neither shall one thrust another;
they shall walk every one in his path:
and when they fall upon the sword,
they shall not be wounded.
9 They shall run to and fro in the city;
they shall run upon the wall,
they shall climb up upon the houses;
they shall enter in at the windows like a thief.
10 The earth shall quake before them;
the heavens shall tremble:
the sun and the moon shall be dark,
and the stars shall withdraw their shining:
11 and the Lord shall utter his voice before his army:
for his camp is very great:
for he is strong that executeth his word:
for the day of the Lord is great and very terrible;
and who can abide it?

12 Therefore also now, saith the Lord,
turn ye even to me with all your heart, and with fasting,
and with weeping, and with mourning:
13 and rend your heart, and not your garments,
and turn unto the Lord your God:
for he is gracious and merciful,
slow to anger, and of great kindness,
and repenteth him of the evil.
14 Who knoweth if he will return and repent,
and leave a blessing behind him;
even a meat offering and a drink offering
unto the Lord your God?

15 Blow the trumpet in Zion,
sanctify a fast, call a solemn assembly:
16 gather the people,
sanctify the congregation,
assemble the elders,
gather the children,
and those that suck the breasts:
let the bridegroom go forth of his chamber,
and the bride out of her closet.
17 Let the priests, the ministers of the Lord,
weep between the porch and the altar,
and let them say, Spare thy people, O Lord,
and give not thine heritage to reproach,
that the heathen should rule over them:
wherefore should they say among the people,
Where is their God?

18 Then will the Lord be jealous for his land,
and pity his people.
19 Yea, the Lord will answer and say unto his people,
Behold, I will send you corn, and wine, and oil,
and ye shall be satisfied therewith:
and I will no more make you a reproach among the heathen:
20 but I will remove far off from you the northern army,
and will drive him into a land barren and desolate,
with his face toward the east sea,
and his hinder part toward the utmost sea,
and his stink shall come up,
and his ill savour shall come up,
because he hath done great things.

21 Fear not, O land; be glad and rejoice:
for the Lord will do great things.
22 Be not afraid, ye beasts of the field:
for the pastures of the wilderness do spring,
for the tree beareth her fruit,
the fig tree and the vine do yield their strength.
23 Be glad then, ye children of Zion,
and rejoice in the Lord your God:
for he hath given you the former rain moderately,
and he will cause to come down for you the rain,
the former rain, and the latter rain in the first month.
24 And the floors shall be full of wheat,
and the fats shall overflow with wine and oil.

25 And I will restore to you the years that the locust hath eaten,
the cankerworm, and the caterpiller, and the palmerworm,
my great army which I sent among you.
26 And ye shall eat in plenty, and be satisfied,
and praise the name of the Lord your God,
that hath dealt wondrously with you:
and my people shall never be ashamed.
27 And ye shall know that I am in the midst of Israel,
and that I am the Lord your God, and none else:
and my people shall never be ashamed.

28 And it shall come to pass afterward,
that I will pour out my spirit upon all flesh;
and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy,
your old men shall dream dreams,
your young men shall see visions:
29 and also upon the servants and upon the handmaids
in those days will I pour out my spirit.
30 And I will shew wonders in the heavens and in the earth,
blood, and fire, and pillars of smoke.

31 The sun shall be turned into darkness,
and the moon into blood,
before the great and the terrible day of the Lord come.
32 And it shall come to pass, that whosoever shall call on the name of the Lord shall be delivered:
for in mount Zion and in Jerusalem shall be deliverance,
as the Lord hath said,
and in the remnant whom the Lord shall call.

Kings Should Seek Wisdom

This serves as an exhortation and warning written to kings. It can equally apply to today's situation where most nations are governed by democratically elected representatives. It reminds that earthly authority and leadership is ordained by God. No leader should boast or think to highly of themselves. Furthermore, because God has given the privilege of authority, more will be expected of the leaders. Those who do not rule rightly will be judged by God. Keeping God's instructions and words is the way to go.

One way to achieve the above is to go after wisdom. Wisdom will lead to righteous ruling and a better kingdom, or one that would last. A wise king would bring stability to the kingdom.






Wisdom 6 (NRSVCE)
Kings Should Seek Wisdom
6 Listen therefore, O kings, and understand;
learn, O judges of the ends of the earth.
2 Give ear, you that rule over multitudes,
and boast of many nations.
3 For your dominion was given you from the Lord,
and your sovereignty from the Most High;
he will search out your works and inquire into your plans.
4 Because as servants of his kingdom you did not rule rightly,
or keep the law,
or walk according to the purpose of God,
5 he will come upon you terribly and swiftly,
because severe judgment falls on those in high places.
6 For the lowliest may be pardoned in mercy,
but the mighty will be mightily tested.
7 For the Lord of all will not stand in awe of anyone,
or show deference to greatness;
because he himself made both small and great,
and he takes thought for all alike.
8 But a strict inquiry is in store for the mighty.
9 To you then, O monarchs, my words are directed,
so that you may learn wisdom and not transgress.
10 For they will be made holy who observe holy things in holiness,
and those who have been taught them will find a defense.
11 Therefore set your desire on my words;
long for them, and you will be instructed.

Description of Wisdom
12 Wisdom is radiant and unfading,
and she is easily discerned by those who love her,
and is found by those who seek her.
13 She hastens to make herself known to those who desire her.
14 One who rises early to seek her will have no difficulty,
for she will be found sitting at the gate.
15 To fix one’s thought on her is perfect understanding,
and one who is vigilant on her account will soon be free from care,
16 because she goes about seeking those worthy of her,
and she graciously appears to them in their paths,
and meets them in every thought.

17 The beginning of wisdom[a] is the most sincere desire for instruction,
and concern for instruction is love of her,
18 and love of her is the keeping of her laws,
and giving heed to her laws is assurance of immortality,
19 and immortality brings one near to God;
20 so the desire for wisdom leads to a kingdom.

21 Therefore if you delight in thrones and scepters, O monarchs over the peoples,
honor wisdom, so that you may reign forever.
22 I will tell you what wisdom is and how she came to be,
and I will hide no secrets from you,
but I will trace her course from the beginning of creation,
and make knowledge of her clear,
and I will not pass by the truth;
23 nor will I travel in the company of sickly envy,
for envy[b] does not associate with wisdom.
24 The multitude of the wise is the salvation of the world,
and a sensible king is the stability of any people.
25 Therefore be instructed by my words, and you will profit.

The righteous, unrighteous and the perfect One.

The description in the first section is sounds very much like Jesus. That is put in contrast to us who carry on with our sins. The selfish things that we acquire will have no benefit in the long term. The ungodly man's hope is like a chaff, something that can be blown away easily. In contrast, it describes the righteous man, ie those whose faith in God is counted as righteousness. Such a righteous man would have the protection on the Lord. The description of the armor is similar to the section on the Armor of God.





Wisdom 5 (RSVCE)
5 Then the righteous man will stand with great confidence
in the presence of those who have afflicted him,
and those who make light of his labors.
2 When they see him, they will be shaken with dreadful fear,
and they will be amazed at his unexpected salvation.
3 They will speak to one another in repentance,
and in anguish of spirit they will groan, and say,
4 “This is the man whom we once held in derision
and made a byword of reproach—we fools!
We thought that his life was madness
and that his end was without honor.
5 Why has he been numbered among the sons of God?
And why is his lot among the saints?
6 So it was we who strayed from the way of truth,
and the light of righteousness did not shine on us,
and the sun did not rise upon us.
7 We took our fill of the paths of lawlessness and destruction,
and we journeyed through trackless deserts,
but the way of the Lord we have not known.
8 What has our arrogance profited us?
And what good has our boasted wealth brought us?

9 “All those things have vanished like a shadow,
and like a rumor that passes by;
10 like a ship that sails through the billowy water,
and when it has passed no trace can be found,
nor track of its keel in the waves;
11 or as, when a bird flies through the air,
no evidence of its passage is found;
the light air, lashed by the beat of its pinions
and pierced by the force of its rushing flight,
is traversed by the movement of its wings,
and afterward no sign of its coming is found there;
12 or as, when an arrow is shot at a target,
the air, thus divided, comes together at once,
so that no one knows its pathway.
13 So we also, as soon as we were born, ceased to be,
and we had no sign of virtue to show,
but were consumed in our wickedness.”[a]
14 Because the hope of the ungodly man is like chaff[b] carried by the wind,
and like a light hoarfrost[c] driven away by a storm;
it is dispersed like smoke before the wind,
and it passes like the remembrance of a guest who stays but a day.

The Reward of the Righteous
15 But the righteous live for ever,
and their reward is with the Lord;
the Most High takes care of them.
16 Therefore they will receive a glorious crown
and a beautiful diadem from the hand of the Lord,
because with his right hand he will cover them,
and with his arm he will shield them.
17 The Lord[d] will take his zeal as his whole armor,
and will arm all creation to repel[e] his enemies;
18 he will put on righteousness as a breastplate,
and wear impartial justice as a helmet;
19 he will take holiness as an invincible shield,
20 and sharpen stern wrath for a sword,
and creation will join with him to fight against the madmen.
21 Shafts of lightning will fly with true aim,
and will leap to the target as from a well-drawn bow of clouds,
22 and hailstones full of wrath will be hurled as from a catapult;
the water of the sea will rage against them,
and rivers will relentlessly overwhelm them;
23 a mighty wind will rise against them,
and like a tempest it will winnow them away.
Lawlessness will lay waste the whole earth,
and evil-doing will overturn the thrones of rulers.

The climax of Judith

This chapter is the climax of the story of Judith. Up to this point, there could be doubt as to Judith's motive for her apparent defection, and her motive towards Holofernes. By the end of the chapter, the great military commander who was planning to ravage Judith, laid drunk and helpness. Finally here we see Judith's true intentions and her plans coming to fruition.She knew of Holofernes' attraction towards her and seduced him to the point of getting him drunk. The true allegiance of Judith is revealed as she struck off Holoferness with seeming ruthlessness, since Holofernes was on the verge of destroying her nation and people.

In addition, she wrapped up his head and escaped with her maid back to Israel. When she broke the news to king Uzziah and the Israelites, they thanked and worshipped God for their salvation. A footnote also revealed Judith's conversation with Achior whom Holofenes had threatened previously.


13 Judith Beheads Holofernes
When evening came, his slaves quickly withdrew, and Bago′as closed the tent from outside and shut out the attendants from his master’s presence; and they went to bed, for they all were weary because the banquet had lasted long. 2 So Judith was left alone in the tent , with Holofer′nes stretched out on his bed, for he was overcome with wine.

3 Now Judith had told her maid to stand outside the bedchamber and to wait for her to come out, as she did every day; for she said she would be going out for her prayers. And she had said the same thing to Bago′as. 4 So every one went out, and no one, either small or great, was left in the bedchamber. Then Judith, standing beside his bed, said in her heart, “O Lord God of all might, look in this hour upon the work of my hands for the exaltation of Jerusalem. 5 For now is the time to help thy inheritance, and to carry out my undertaking for the destruction of the enemies who have risen up against us.”

6 She went up to the post at the end of the bed, above Holofer′nes’ head, and took down his sword that hung there. 7 She came close to his bed and took hold of the hair of his head, and said, “Give me strength this day, O Lord God of Israel!” 8 And she struck his neck twice with all her might, and severed his head from his body. 9 Then she tumbled his body off the bed and pulled down the canopy from the posts; after a moment she went out, and gave Holofer′nes’ head to her maid, 10 who placed it in her food bag.

Judith Returns to Bethulia
Then the two of them went out together, as they were accustomed to go for prayer; and they passed through the camp and circled around the valley and went up the mountain to Bethu′lia and came to its gates. 11 Judith called out from afar to the watchmen at the gates, “Open, open the gate! God, our God, is still with us, to show his power in Israel, and his strength against our enemies, even as he has done this day!”

12 When the men of her city heard her voice, they hurried down to the city gate and called together the elders of the city. 13 They all ran together, both small and great, for it was unbelievable that she had returned; they opened the gate and admitted them, and they kindled a fire for light, and gathered around them. 14 Then she said to them with a loud voice, “Praise God, O praise him! Praise God, who has not withdrawn his mercy from the house of Israel, but has destroyed our enemies by my hand this very night!”

15 Then she took the head out of the bag and showed it to them, and said, “See, here is the head of Holofer′nes, the commander of the Assyrian army, and here is the canopy beneath which he lay in his drunken stupor. The Lord has struck him down by the hand of a woman. 16 As the Lord lives, who has protected me in the way I went, it was my face that tricked him to his destruction, and yet he committed no act of sin with me, to defile and shame me.”

17 All the people were greatly astonished, and bowed down and worshiped God, and said with one accord, “Blessed art thou, our God, who hast brought into contempt this day the enemies of thy people.”

18 And Uzzi′ah said to her, “O daughter, you are blessed by the Most High God above all women on earth; and blessed be the Lord God, who created the heavens and the earth, who has guided you to strike the head of the leader of our enemies. 19 Your hope will never depart from the hearts of men, as they remember the power of God. 20 May God grant this to be a perpetual honor to you, and may he visit you with blessings, because you did not spare your own life when our nation was brought low, but have avenged our ruin, walking in the straight path before our God.” And all the people said, “So be it, so be it!”[a]

Footnotes:
13.20 Vulgate adds (verses 27-31): “27 And Achior being called for came, and Judith said to him: The God of Israel, to whom thou gavest testimony, that lie revengeth himself of his enemies, he hath cut off the head of all the unbelievers this night by my hand. 28 And that thou mayest find that it is so, behold the head of Holofernes, who in the contempt of his pride despised the God of Israel, and threatened thee with death, saying: When the people of Israel shall be taken, I will command thy sides to be pierced with a sword. 29 Then Achior, seeing the head of Holofernes, being seized with a great fear he fell on his face upon the earth, and his soul swooned away. 30 But after he had recovered his spirits, he fell down at her feet, and reverenced her, and said: 31 Blessed art thou by thy God in every tabernacle of Jacob, for in every nation which shall hear thy name, the God of Israel shall be magnified on occasion of thee.”

unless you are converted...., you will by no means enter the kingdom of heaven

Matthew 18:3
and said, “Assuredly, I say to you, unless you are converted and become as little children, you will by no means enter the kingdom of heaven.

When we are first converted, most of us come to the Throne of God as little children, in submission of our will, even in if that is just temporary. We must keep being converted in the sense of working out our salvation. Everyday may bring new and different battles. There will always be temptations trying to draw us into acting opposite to God's will. So we continue to submit our self will and be led by the Spirit of God.

No one can come to Me unless the Father who sent Me draws him

John 6:44
No one can come to Me unless the Father who sent Me draws him; and I will raise him up at the last day.

In various evangelism and preaching, we may be led to believe that it is our decision to come to Christ and accept Him as Lord and Saviour. Although it may not be the preachers' intention to do so, sometimes we believe it is because of our faith that leads to our salvation. This can be deceptive, because firstly, salvation is done by Yshua only through the cross. Secondly it is not our decision, but God who chooses and draws us near Him. Our response can be appreciation, gratefulness, love, and so on. We have nothing to boast at all about our belief or faith that is saving us.

And I, if I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all peoples to Myself

John 12:32
And I, if I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all peoples to Myself.

Drawing people to ourselves and ultimately focussing on Christ, because we need to point them to Christ and not to ourselves. Our Lord died and rose again, because there is no other way for salvation for us. As painful as it was for Him, being grateful and appreciative for what He went through accomplishes nothing and that was not His goal. His sacrifice paid the justly price for our sins, so that we can be claimed back by God. To lead others to Christ then, they must understand first the reason for the Cross, and later followed by the submission at the foot of the Cross.

For by one offering He has perfected forever those who are being sanctified

Hebrews 10:14
For by one offering He has perfected forever those who are being sanctified.

God had only to sacrifice His Son once and that has atoned for the sins of humanity. But the individual still need to come into personal relationship with Him. It is not our feeling sorry that creates repentance and leading to salvation. It is all done at the Cross. Once we realize what Christ has done, this leads us to repentance and restored relationship with God our Father in Heaven.

Godly sorrow brings repentance that leads to salvation and leaves no regret, but worldly sorrow brings death.

2 Corinthians 7:10
Godly sorrow brings repentance that leads to salvation and leaves no regret, but worldly sorrow brings death.
Sorrow at the old life and old self is the beginning of the journey of realisation of our sins. Then knowing that there is nothing we can do, but Yshua has done everything, will lead us to Him. This is repentance, where knowing that we have sinned, we try to change to the other way.  Also we cannot do this on our own. The Holy Spirit need to help us in this.

But by the grace of God I am what I am

1 Corinthians 5:10
But by the grace of God I am what I am, and His grace toward me was not in vain; but I labored more abundantly than they all, yet not I, but the grace of God which was with me.

There are various things that Paul said in the Scriptures that may sound arrogant. Looking closely at those statements, instead of arrogance, it is actually confidence. And instead of self-confidence those statements are a reflection of his confidence in God. The thing to be most confident about is salvation and the fact that it is purely through grace. As Paul said, this is important for two reasons, so that no one can boast that they are good enough so they earned their salvation, also a gratitude towards God that it is given to us knowing that there is no way we can achieve that on our own. So we can claim confidently that we are saved and that we can do all things through Christ Yshua.

Being justified freely by His grace

Romans 3:24
Being justified freely by His grace

The salvation we are given is by grace, meaning it is totally free. More so, we are incapable of earning or working toward it. It is something not easily accepted even at the subconscious level by some people. When people earn and work hard, they feel some sense of achievement and deservedness. However, salvation belongs to God and the only way is to come and accept it with the innocence of children.

But God forbid that I should boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ

Galatians 6:14
But God forbid that I should boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom[a] the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world.

Again to continue with this verse, the focus is on our Lord Yshua. He is the best example of how we should live. He called us to be in this world but not be part of it. He showed us this by example, as He has no hesitation being involved with people whom society dislikes such as prostitutes, lepers, tax collectors and criminals. However, inwardly He is totally disconnected from all their sins. The religious people of all ages concentrate on what is good and who can join their group. Our Lord looks at all people and brings the message of God's Kingdom to all people, except those who deliberately choose not to hear Him. So we are to consecrate ourselves to God meaning live a God focused life, preach the Cross and His Kingdom and the miracle of salvation is God's gift.

We were reconciled to God through the death of His Son

Romans 5:10
For if when we were enemies we were reconciled to God through the death of His Son, much more, having been reconciled, we shall be saved by His life.

Our salvation is totally the result of Yshua sacrificing Himself on the cross and shedding His blood for us. From terminology sometimes such as need for repentance to be saved and so on, there is a danger that makes us think we have to do something and that leads to our salvation. Atonement has been accomplished for us, it does not depend on what we do including the act of following Messiah.

Rejoice because your names are written in heaven

Luke 10:20
Nevertheless do not rejoice in this, that the spirits are subject to you, but rather[f] rejoice because your names are written in heaven.”

When we are doing good service for God, whether it is miraculous healings, deliverance or normal church services, we may fall into a trap of thinking we are useful for God. However, it is more important to have a right relationship with God through salvation and sanctification. This is of greater value than how useful we are in service for God. When we walk in His light, it will be natural that He will use us for His purpose.

Seek, and you will find

Luke 11:9
seek, and you will find;

God wants His children to ask. But we may grow tired of asking because the things we ask for, are not given back to us. Instead of giving up, it is then that we should examine our motives. God has never meant to fulfill just our own selfish needs. Even so, we should not rule out asking things for ourselves, because He is Jehovah Jireh the Provider, and He will provide for our needs. On the other hand, there are also many things that we can ask about, including the salvation of others, the provision for others, the resource to continue the work for His Kingdom.

Work out your own salvation with fear and trembling; for it is God who works in you

Philippians 2:12-13
 Therefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling; for it is God who works in you both to will and to do for His good pleasure.

This passage brings two teachings together, one is to "work out our own salvation" and the other is to align our will with God's will. We more commonly hear about having to learn to align our will with God's will. This also include submission of our own will if they are oppose to God's will. Our Lord Yshua is a good example of one whose will is perfectly in tuned with God's will.

The part about "working out our own salvation" is not about acquiring or gaining salvation. Salvation has already been given by God and received by His followers. Yet they still have to work it out so that in their own lives, in this still sinful world, they would live according to God's ways. That means they would have to constantly check that their desires are not opposed to God's will. As they continue to walk with God, the Holy Spirit is already working to shape their will to align with God's own will.

Alleluia! For the Lord God Omnipotent reigns!

After the judgment and destruction of the "woman", which is the great city that led nations into corruption, there is great rejoice in heaven. Those in heaven including the twenty four elders and the four beasts worshipped and glorified God. They also praised God for His judgment on the great city that has caused many saints to perish.

The next praise and rejoicing is for the marriage of the Lamb to His bride, which is the church of Y'shua. The angel pronounced blessings on those attending the marriage supper of the Lamb. As the angel finished the sayings, John tried to worship him but the angel stopped him and told him to worship God instead, because the angel is also a fellowservant.

In the next vision, John saw Jesus riding on the white horse. Y'shua is described as Faithful, True, judging and waging war in righteousness, eyes of flaming fire, head with crowns, having an unknown name, dressed in blood, has the name Word of God, sword in his mouth that can smite nations, rule nations with an iron rod, has the fierceness and wrath of Almighty God, has the names written on His thigh Lord of lords, King of kings, is followed by an army on white horses.

If the Revelation is revealed in a chronological order, at least in this chapter, then the destruction of the Great City comes first. This city, also known as the Woman, Whore and Babylon, may be the prime city in the world, a world capital or a nations state. Following its destruction is the marriage of the Lamb to His saints. After this is the great battle. An angel calls on all flying creatures to celebrate the wedding of the Lamb, by preparing to devour the earthly kings, leaders, armies and all the people remaining. The beast will lead the earthly kings with armies against Y'shua and His armies. There are no other details of the battle. The next description is about the total defeat of the Beast (Anti-Christ), the False Prophet, and those that worshipped the image of the Beast. The Beast and the False Prophet were thrown into the Lake of fire burning with brimstone. The rest of the people are slain by Y'shua and eaten by the flying creatures.




Revelation 19
Heaven Exults over Babylon

1 After these things I heard[a] a loud voice of a great multitude in heaven, saying, “Alleluia! Salvation and glory and honor and power belong to the Lord[b] our God! 2 For true and righteous are His judgments, because He has judged the great harlot who corrupted the earth with her fornication; and He has avenged on her the blood of His servants shed by her.” 3 Again they said, “Alleluia! Her smoke rises up forever and ever!” 4 And the twenty-four elders and the four living creatures fell down and worshiped God who sat on the throne, saying, “Amen! Alleluia!” 5 Then a voice came from the throne, saying, “Praise our God, all you His servants and those who fear Him, both[c] small and great!”

6 And I heard, as it were, the voice of a great multitude, as the sound of many waters and as the sound of mighty thunderings, saying, “Alleluia! For the[d] Lord God Omnipotent reigns! 7 Let us be glad and rejoice and give Him glory, for the marriage of the Lamb has come, and His wife has made herself ready.” 8 And to her it was granted to be arrayed in fine linen, clean and bright, for the fine linen is the righteous acts of the saints.

9 Then he said to me, “Write: ‘Blessed are those who are called to the marriage supper of the Lamb!’” And he said to me, “These are the true sayings of God.” 10 And I fell at his feet to worship him. But he said to me, “See that you do not do that! I am your fellow servant, and of your brethren who have the testimony of Jesus. Worship God! For the testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy.”

Christ on a White Horse

11 Now I saw heaven opened, and behold, a white horse. And He who sat on him was called Faithful and True, and in righteousness He judges and makes war. 12 His eyes were like a flame of fire, and on His head were many crowns. He had[e] a name written that no one knew except Himself. 13 He was clothed with a robe dipped in blood, and His name is called The Word of God. 14 And the armies in heaven, clothed in fine linen, white and clean,[f] followed Him on white horses. 15 Now out of His mouth goes a sharp[g] sword, that with it He should strike the nations. And He Himself will rule them with a rod of iron. He Himself treads the winepress of the fierceness and wrath of Almighty God. 16 And He has on His robe and on His thigh a name written:

KING OF KINGS AND
LORD OF LORDS.

The Beast and His Armies Defeated

17 Then I saw an angel standing in the sun; and he cried with a loud voice, saying to all the birds that fly in the midst of heaven, “Come and gather together for the supper of the great God,[h] 18 that you may eat the flesh of kings, the flesh of captains, the flesh of mighty men, the flesh of horses and of those who sit on them, and the flesh of all people, free[i] and slave, both small and great.”

19 And I saw the beast, the kings of the earth, and their armies, gathered together to make war against Him who sat on the horse and against His army. 20 Then the beast was captured, and with him the false prophet who worked signs in his presence, by which he deceived those who received the mark of the beast and those who worshiped his image. These two were cast alive into the lake of fire burning with brimstone. 21 And the rest were killed with the sword which proceeded from the mouth of Him who sat on the horse. And all the birds were filled with their flesh.

he went to make war with the rest of her offspring, who keep the commandments of God and have the testimony of Jesus Christ

There are various supernatural players in this chapter, some of which could be symbolic, while others are real no matter how unlikely they may seem. The first two characters are the woman in travail and the great dragon.

The woman giving birth - she appears from heaven. She is clothed as bright as the sun, stepping on the moon and wears a crown of twelve stars. This may be a good character since she not only appears from heaven but is as brilliant as the sun, however we cannot be sure yet.

The great red dragon - it has seven heads, ten horns and seven crowns. It is written that its tail drew a third of the stars of heaven to earth. This is reminiscent of the Enemy who was cast down to earth with a third of the angels. The dragon was prepared to devour the baby as the woman gives birth. The baby is a boy and is destined to rule. The baby is soon taken to God's throne very soon after birth. The is similar to how the Lord Yshua was born into the world where the Enemy was waiting to destroy Him since birth. Yshua's life on earth was very brief and was soon at the right hand of God again, just as the baby boy's life was brief. The boy's mother fled and was protected for a thousand two hundred and sixty days. This period of time is three and a half years and is similar to the length of certain periods of tribulation already mentioned.

Going back to the reference of the woman, this cannot be representing the Virgin Mary, mother of Jesus. This woman is associated with too many imagery such as the sun, moon, stars, wings of eagle, flying to the wilderness and so on - she has to represent something other than a real woman. One possible explanation is that the woman represents Israel. In Genesis 37:9-10, Joseph dreamt of the sun, moon and 11 stars bowing to him. Jacob understood this dream to represent himself, his wife Rachel and his 11 other children. Also our Lord Jesus is born out of Israel.

Also the great battle that resulted in the casting down of the Evil One and his angels may not have been the past rebellion, but instead the final exile from Heaven which is still in the future. The rebellion may have happened in the past, but it seems the Evil One still had access to Heaven such as when he was accusing Job in front of God. So during this final exile or cast down to Earth, that would explain the "great wrath" and the "woe to the inhabitants of the earth" in that final time.

The final passage shows the supernatural protection on the woman (or Israel). The evil scheme against her fail so the Enemy turn the attention towards "her offspring" who have the "testimony of Jesus Christ". This offspring could possibly refer to gentile Christians. Even if the rapture has taken place, perhaps some of the remaining Gentiles will still have the chance of turning to Christ, but will face the great wrath of the Enemy.







Revelation 12
The Woman, the Child, and the Dragon

1 Now a great sign appeared in heaven: a woman clothed with the sun, with the moon under her feet, and on her head a garland of twelve stars. 2 Then being with child, she cried out in labor and in pain to give birth.

3 And another sign appeared in heaven: behold, a great, fiery red dragon having seven heads and ten horns, and seven diadems on his heads. 4 His tail drew a third of the stars of heaven and threw them to the earth. And the dragon stood before the woman who was ready to give birth, to devour her Child as soon as it was born. 5 She bore a male Child who was to rule all nations with a rod of iron. And her Child was caught up to God and His throne. 6 Then the woman fled into the wilderness, where she has a place prepared by God, that they should feed her there one thousand two hundred and sixty days.

Satan Thrown Out of Heaven

7 And war broke out in heaven: Michael and his angels fought with the dragon; and the dragon and his angels fought, 8 but they did not prevail, nor was a place found for them[a] in heaven any longer. 9 So the great dragon was cast out, that serpent of old, called the Devil and Satan, who deceives the whole world; he was cast to the earth, and his angels were cast out with him.

10 Then I heard a loud voice saying in heaven, “Now salvation, and strength, and the kingdom of our God, and the power of His Christ have come, for the accuser of our brethren, who accused them before our God day and night, has been cast down. 11 And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony, and they did not love their lives to the death. 12 Therefore rejoice, O heavens, and you who dwell in them! Woe to the inhabitants of the earth and the sea! For the devil has come down to you, having great wrath, because he knows that he has a short time.”

The Woman Persecuted

13 Now when the dragon saw that he had been cast to the earth, he persecuted the woman who gave birth to the male Child. 14 But the woman was given two wings of a great eagle, that she might fly into the wilderness to her place, where she is nourished for a time and times and half a time, from the presence of the serpent. 15 So the serpent spewed water out of his mouth like a flood after the woman, that he might cause her to be carried away by the flood. 16 But the earth helped the woman, and the earth opened its mouth and swallowed up the flood which the dragon had spewed out of his mouth. 17 And the dragon was enraged with the woman, and he went to make war with the rest of her offspring, who keep the commandments of God and have the testimony of Jesus Christ.[b]

There were sealed an hundred and forty and four thousand of all the tribes of the children of Israel

The revelation given to John about the opening of the seals stopped at the sixth seal for a while. The next vision is that four powerful angels are stationed at the four corners of the world to hold back the winds, probably the winds of destruction. These may be the angels of judgment because there appeared another angel from the East who called on these four angels to delay their destruction, so that 144,000 ( a hundred and forty four thousand) of the descendants of Israel can be sealed or set apart.

These 144,000 are not just the modern Israelites who can trace their ancestry back to the kingdom of Judah (and the tribe of Benjamin). The Scripture here is specific, the 144,000 Israelites are composed equally of the twelve tribes of Israel, 12,000 from each tribe.

Then the vision is of a multitude of people, who are the Gentile and non-Gentile saved believers (with white robe) in Yshua. So the 144,000 are clearly in addition to the Christians (believers white robes). So these Christians praised God and together with the 24 elders and the four beasts, worshipped God. Then one of the elders revealed to John that these multitude of people in white robes are the ones that have gone through the tribulation period. Hence the people in white robes are also in addition to Christian believers caught up in the Rapture. In other words, the tribulation period will result in many people coming to the Lord.





Revelation 7
The Sealed of Israel

1 After these things I saw four angels standing at the four corners of the earth, holding the four winds of the earth, that the wind should not blow on the earth, on the sea, or on any tree. 2 Then I saw another angel ascending from the east, having the seal of the living God. And he cried with a loud voice to the four angels to whom it was granted to harm the earth and the sea, 3 saying, “Do not harm the earth, the sea, or the trees till we have sealed the servants of our God on their foreheads.” 4 And I heard the number of those who were sealed. One hundred and forty-four thousand of all the tribes of the children of Israel were sealed:

5 of the tribe of Judah twelve thousand were sealed;[a]
of the tribe of Reuben twelve thousand were sealed;
of the tribe of Gad twelve thousand were sealed;
6 of the tribe of Asher twelve thousand were sealed;
of the tribe of Naphtali twelve thousand were sealed;
of the tribe of Manasseh twelve thousand were sealed;
7 of the tribe of Simeon twelve thousand were sealed;
of the tribe of Levi twelve thousand were sealed;
of the tribe of Issachar twelve thousand were sealed;
8 of the tribe of Zebulun twelve thousand were sealed;
of the tribe of Joseph twelve thousand were sealed;
of the tribe of Benjamin twelve thousand were sealed.
A Multitude from the Great Tribulation

9 After these things I looked, and behold, a great multitude which no one could number, of all nations, tribes, peoples, and tongues, standing before the throne and before the Lamb, clothed with white robes, with palm branches in their hands, 10 and crying out with a loud voice, saying, “Salvation belongs to our God who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb!” 11 All the angels stood around the throne and the elders and the four living creatures, and fell on their faces before the throne and worshiped God, 12 saying:

“Amen! Blessing and glory and wisdom,
Thanksgiving and honor and power and might,
Be to our God forever and ever.
Amen.”
13 Then one of the elders answered, saying to me, “Who are these arrayed in white robes, and where did they come from?”

14 And I said to him, “Sir,[b] you know.”

So he said to me, “These are the ones who come out of the great tribulation, and washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb. 15 Therefore they are before the throne of God, and serve Him day and night in His temple. And He who sits on the throne will dwell among them. 16 They shall neither hunger anymore nor thirst anymore; the sun shall not strike them, nor any heat; 17 for the Lamb who is in the midst of the throne will shepherd them and lead them to living fountains of waters.[c] And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes.”

To convict all who are ungodly among them of all their ungodly deeds which they have committed in an ungodly way, and of all the harsh things which ungodly sinners have spoken against Him

Jude writes to the believers reminding them to contend with their faith. He warns of God's judgment on the unbelievers by using several examples including the Israelites after they came out of Egypt and the judgment on Sodom and Gomorrah. It is also interesting that Jude reveals a glimpse of the conflict in the heavenly realm by mentioning God will judge the angels who have left heaven to pursue evil. There is also mention of the conflict between the archangel Michael and the Enemy.

Jude mentions prophecies by Enoch, also emphasising that Enoch is the seventh generation from Adam. Enoch had prophecies about judgment of God on the ungodly unbelievers who carry on their business with no regard for God. They typically enjoy their life and success and are interested in their self-interests. They are also the grumblers, complainers and mockers of God. Jude encourages us to build ourselves up in faith, pray in the Holy Spirit, love God, look for the merch of Jesus, have compassion on others and trying to save others.


Jude 1
Greeting to the Called

1 Jude, a bondservant of Jesus Christ, and brother of James,

To those who are called, sanctified[a] by God the Father, and preserved in Jesus Christ:

2 Mercy, peace, and love be multiplied to you.

Contend for the Faith

3 Beloved, while I was very diligent to write to you concerning our common salvation, I found it necessary to write to you exhorting you to contend earnestly for the faith which was once for all delivered to the saints. 4 For certain men have crept in unnoticed, who long ago were marked out for this condemnation, ungodly men, who turn the grace of our God into lewdness and deny the only Lord God[b] and our Lord Jesus Christ.

Old and New Apostates

5 But I want to remind you, though you once knew this, that the Lord, having saved the people out of the land of Egypt, afterward destroyed those who did not believe. 6 And the angels who did not keep their proper domain, but left their own abode, He has reserved in everlasting chains under darkness for the judgment of the great day; 7 as Sodom and Gomorrah, and the cities around them in a similar manner to these, having given themselves over to sexual immorality and gone after strange flesh, are set forth as an example, suffering the vengeance of eternal fire.

8 Likewise also these dreamers defile the flesh, reject authority, and speak evil of dignitaries. 9 Yet Michael the archangel, in contending with the devil, when he disputed about the body of Moses, dared not bring against him a reviling accusation, but said, “The Lord rebuke you!” 10 But these speak evil of whatever they do not know; and whatever they know naturally, like brute beasts, in these things they corrupt themselves. 11 Woe to them! For they have gone in the way of Cain, have run greedily in the error of Balaam for profit, and perished in the rebellion of Korah.

Apostates Depraved and Doomed

12 These are spots in your love feasts, while they feast with you without fear, serving only themselves. They are clouds without water, carried about[c] by the winds; late autumn trees without fruit, twice dead, pulled up by the roots; 13 raging waves of the sea, foaming up their own shame; wandering stars for whom is reserved the blackness of darkness forever.

14 Now Enoch, the seventh from Adam, prophesied about these men also, saying, “Behold, the Lord comes with ten thousands of His saints, 15 to execute judgment on all, to convict all who are ungodly among them of all their ungodly deeds which they have committed in an ungodly way, and of all the harsh things which ungodly sinners have spoken against Him.”

Apostates Predicted

16 These are grumblers, complainers, walking according to their own lusts; and they mouth great swelling words, flattering people to gain advantage. 17 But you, beloved, remember the words which were spoken before by the apostles of our Lord Jesus Christ: 18 how they told you that there would be mockers in the last time who would walk according to their own ungodly lusts. 19 These are sensual persons, who cause divisions, not having the Spirit.

Maintain Your Life with God

20 But you, beloved, building yourselves up on your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Spirit, 21 keep yourselves in the love of God, looking for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ unto eternal life.

22 And on some have compassion, making a distinction;[d] 23 but others save with fear, pulling them out of the fire,[e] hating even the garment defiled by the flesh.

Glory to God

24 Now to Him who is able to keep you[f] from stumbling,
And to present you faultless
Before the presence of His glory with exceeding joy,
25 To God our Savior,[g]
Who alone is wise,[h]
Be glory and majesty,
Dominion and power,[i]
Both now and forever.
Amen.