Chapter 16.4
SECOND VISION
of Jesus and the World
The
Future - Things Which Shall Be Hereafter
Throne
in Heaven – Commission of the Lamb
Chapter Four - The Open Door
- Just before the Rapture
Revelation 4:1 - 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."
John
hears the voice of Jesus Christ sounding like a trumpet inviting him into the
Heavens.
The
open door is the point where we
believe the Church is “translated” or “raptured”.[1] The Words “AFTER
THIS” are bookends opening
and closing this scripture; my BS sees the Church raptured.
The word “RAPTURE” is not in the
Bible, but the symbolism is certainly there.
(The Church
is not mentioned again until Chapter 22.)
The Rapture is when billions of people
will instantly disappear and then
return SEVEN YEARS later with Christ.
Four Doors mentioned in the
Revelation
1) Revelation 3:8 - The door opened for service, opportunities to
serve.
2) Revelation 3:20 - The door
closed
to Christ, He is knocking to come in.
3) Revelation 4:1 -
The door into heaven, the rapture.
4) Revelation 19:11 - The door out of heaven, Christ coming to judge.
The purpose of the seven year
Tribulation is a “FINAL CALLING OUT” to the Jewish Nation, God’s chosen people, and to
punish those that have rejected His word.[2]
Scripture supports the view that those that love the lord will be
delivered from His Holy Judgments.[3] There are extraordinary examples of God’s extraction,
just look at the scriptures of Sodom and Gomorrah and the delivery of “LOT” [4]and
the delivery of “NOAH” and his family
during the flood.[5] Logic would tell you that the Church will not be present, but
will have been extracted.
PRAY
for a Pre-Tribulation Rapture but... PREPARE
for a Post-Tribulation Rapture
There are TWO
letters
to the Churches in the Revelation that support the Rapture Doctrine.
Revelation 2:25
- THYATIRA
25 Only hold on
to what you have UNTIL I COME. NIV
Revelation 3:11
- PHILADELPHIA
11 I
AM COMING SOON. Hold
on to what you have, so that no one will take your crown. NIV
Second Coming or Advent of Christ - There are two
parts
1) Christ “Himself”
comes back for the Church before the tribulation period starts and meets us in
the air; this is referred to as the RAPTURE of the church. When this rapture takes place, no eye will see
Christ, it will be in a twinkling of the eye, in 1/1000 of a second. Some call it a secret rapture, but the voice of Christ will be heard as a trumpet blast.[6] This gathering will be like in the time of Noah just before the flood; the Ark
saved Noah and his family, just as the Word can
save us today.[7] THIS ADVENT
WILL BE IN SECRET.
2) Then, Seven years
later, at the end of the tribulation, Christ
returns to the earth and the “Angels” gather His saints of the Tribulation from
the four corners of the earth, then reigns for 1,000 years. This time the Advent is public; EVERY EYE SHALL
SEE HIM.[8]
There will be birth pains; signs before the rapture and tribulation period. There will be religious deception, people claiming they are the Christ[9].... International
revolution, wars, famines, earthquakes, plagues, and strange stuff happening
in the sky.[10]
Many will make fun of Christian’s beliefs as they did Noah, and will say this
is just plain silly.[11]
The Rapture
Revelation 4:2 - At once (immediately) I
WAS IN THE SPIRIT, and
there before me was a throne in heaven with someone sitting on it.
Jesus clearly states He is
coming back for us[12]
and will meet us in the air[13] and we will receive a crown of glory.[14] Christians
refer to this as the carrying away
or rapture
of the Saints.[15] John states he was IN THE SPIRIT in Heaven and
sees Jesus Christ on the Throne.
Sounds like he was raptured to me. –
Just saying.
John’s body was not yet glorified, so only his spirit was
allowed before the throne.[16] Webster
says “rapture”
is: A state or experience of being carried away by
overwhelming emotion.
The Gospel is
not MAN
centered... its CHRIST
centered.
Salvation IS NOT what “you can do”;
because you
can’t... It’s what Christ has already done.
It’s not “Let’s make a Deal”
or buy one, get
one free. It’s not bartered or traded –
You can’t earn it nor buy it. It’s a FREE gift that’s already been paid for.
Salvation is like a PASSPORT; you need it to get into a foreign
country;
BUT YOU HAVE TO GET IT BEFORE YOU GO
Judgment #2 – Judgment Seat of Christ
This Judgment occurs immediately after the
rapture of the church... It takes place in heaven, since all are considered
sinless.[17] Jesus Christ is the Judge. Consistency of
Faithfulness and motive for the
believer’s actions
are exposed. The works of the
saved are declared to be either wood, hay or stubble; or gold, silver and precious stones.[18] No one loses their life here as all are saved
because Jesus has already paid the price.
Various
Crowns are given to everyone; some get more than one; at least five
are available.
Here’s where we are
At this point, the Church;
Christians, both dead and alive, are now in Heaven and only the unsaved
are still on earth. The occurrence of
this rapture
will witness to 144,000
Jews who are still on the earth
and they will accept Christ and become His messengers.
The Antichrist
is already on the scene, but is not yet known as a world leader, but helps
establish the United States of Europe. Israel is safe in her land, but is threatened
by Egypt (South) and Russia (North).
The Antichrist will make a covenant with Israel to protect her land.
The Throne
Revelation
4:3 - The one who sat
there had the appearance of jasper and sardine. A rainbow (halo), resembling an emerald, encircled the
throne.
The
rainbow around the throne represents the COVENANT keeping God,[19]
the symbol of hope and promise given to Noah after the flood. A symbol of the Glory of God. Circles represent eternity.
The Jasper stone was
the first stone in the second row of the High Priest breast plate;
it represented the tribe of Judah. Jesus, The King of Judah is on the throne.
The Jasper
stone (chalcedony) is a
semi-transparent green crystal, resembling a diamond.[20]
It representing Gods flawless perfection and glowing radiance of His Holiness.
The Sardine
(sardius) stone is ruby
red, representing the immense value of the shed blood of Christ.[21]
The Emerald
stone is green representing “encircling”
eternal Life. [22]
These precious stones represent the Glory of God. They are described as mounted in the
breastplate of Aaron; they were the first and the
last of the 12 stones representing
the twelve tribes of Israel.[23] Reuben (Jasper)
the first born and Benjamin (Sardine)
the last born. Christ is the first and
the last, the beginning and the end. (Trinity: 4:2, 5 God the Holy
Spirit... 4:3 God the Father ... 5:5 God the Son).
The Trinity is on the throne representing everyone from the first
person to the last.
Twenty-four Elders
Revelation 4:4 - Surrounding the throne were twenty-four other
thrones, and seated on them were twenty-four elders. They were dressed in WHITE and had CROWNS
of gold on their heads.
The twenty-four ELDERS
cannot be angels, as angels do not have thrones, crowns or sing
the new song of the redeemed. Just for
fun, Elder
from the Greek is presbuteros which means Presbyterian. The twenty-four elders are representative
of all the redeemed Saints from Pentecost to the RAPTURE.
In
OT times, there were twenty-four
courses of priests that represented the 24
orders of priest.[24]
There were thousands of priest, just as there are thousands of the
redeemed.
They could also be representatives under the Old Covenant of the Twelve Tribes of Israel and under the New Covenant the Twelve Apostles.
Either way, ALL THE
SAINTS,
both Jews and Gentiles are represented.
Dressed in white means they
are dressed in the righteousness of Christ. Only the redeemed
wear the CROWN OF LIFE.[25]
ü The number 12 and its multiple is a number that
relates to priestly
government perfection.
ü The number 13 and every multiple of it, is in
connection with rebellion,
apostasy, defection, corruption, disintegration or other kindred
ideas. (No wonder #13 is an unlucky number) Just
saying.)
Revelation 4:5 - From the throne came flashes of lightning,
rumblings and peals of thunder. Before the throne, seven lamps were blazing.
These are the SEVEN
SPIRITS OF GOD. (Seven is completeness).
Thunder and lightning was at
Mount Sinai when God gave the Law[26] and will be again when God judges by the Law. Some Bible versions include “Voices
proceeded”, which are the Judgments of God.
The SEVEN
SPIRITS are
none other than the seven characteristics of the HOLY
SPIRIT blazing forth in Wisdom,
Understanding, Counsel, Power, Might, Knowledge and Fear of the Lord.
[27]
§
The Holy Spirit is no longer on earth, but is
present before the throne in Heaven with this group of born again believers, indicating
His restraining work
on earth is removed, but not His grace.
§
The Holy Spirit is
pictured today as the SYMBOL OF A
DOVE coming
in peace,
but after the rapture, the Holy Spirit will
be seen as a SYMBOL OF FIRE, that of judgment.
Sea of Glass
Revelation 4:6 - Also before the throne there was what
looked like a sea
of glass, clear as crystal. In the center, around the throne, were four LIVING creatures, and they were covered with eyes, in front and
in back.
The
Sea of Glass, denotes its “appearance”,
not the “material” it is made of; in this
instance, it is symbolic of the molten sea or
lavers[28]
that was made for cleansing during ceremonial
rites in the Temple. The throne is
sitting on the cleansing and sanctifying power of the Word of God.
It is also symbolic of the sea of people that have been
cleansed, made Holy and can stand before the throne. The Sea in most
other instances is the restless masses of humanity.
Covered with eyes is symbolic of
the omnipotence
(all
Powerful), omniscience (all Knowing), and omnipresence (everywhere all
at once.) of God. [29]
Living Creatures
Revelation 4:7 - The first
LIVING creature was like a LION, the second was like an OX,
the third
had a face like a MAN, the fourth was like a flying EAGLE.
The four living creatures (or living beasts in some translations) are Angels; seraphim’s
- This
is the same description as seen by Ezekiel in his vision.[30] Chapter four the emphasis is on the Throne of God and we now see Him making the emphasis that the Creatures
before the throne are “Living.”
Number symbolism - Four is the
number of Creation thus can be seen as God’s covenant with beast, cattle, man, and fowl. LIVING CREATION
IS NOW STANDING BEFORE THE THRONE.
Gospel symbolism as pointed out
by Dr. J.
Vernon McGee (Thru the Bible series)
1)
Gospel
of Matthew...
Lion
- Jesus lived died resurrected and will return as King
2)
Gospel
of Mark...
Ox or Calf
- Beast of burden. Jesus is presented as
a servant
3)
Gospel
of Luke... Man - Jesus as the Son of
Man, Jesus in His humanity
4)
Gospel
of John... Eagle - Jesus in His Deity.
Banner symbolism - Each of the
twelve tribes had a “BANNER” or coat of
arms such as an Eagle, Lion, etc. that they raised to identify themselves.
ü The banner of a Lion, (Tribe of
Judah), represents
Jesus as the King.
ü The banner of an
Ox or
calf, (Tribe of Ephraim), He is the faithful servant.
ü The banner of a Man (Tribe of
Ruben), He is the human Jesus.
ü The banner of an
Eagle (Tribe of Dan), He
is the Devine Son of God.
These FOUR TRIBES pitched their tents on the FOUR
SIDES of the Temple.[31]
Revelation 4:8 - Each of the four LIVING
creatures had
six wings and was covered with eyes all around, even under his wings.[32]
Day and night they never stop saying: "HOLY,
HOLY, HOLY is the Lord God Almighty, WHO WAS, AND IS, AND IS TO COME."
Anytime
a word is repeated in the Bible, it magnifies its importance. If it was three Woe’s it
would mean it’s the worst it could be.[33] In this case, HOLY,
HOLY, HOLY, is
as holy as can be.[34]
“Who was and is and is to come”... Jesus said; I am the Alpha and the Omega,
He is the beginning and the end, and everything in between; He is the Almighty.[35]
Crowns
Revelation 4:9-10 - Whenever the LIVING creatures give glory,
honor and thanks to Him who sits on the throne and who lives for ever and ever,
10 the
twenty-four elders FALL DOWN
(Shekinah Glory) before Him who sits on the throne, and
worship Him who lives for ever and ever.
They lay their CROWNS before the throne and say:
The Shekinah Glory of God turns the twenty-four Elders legs into silly
putty as they are slain in the spirit and fall to
the ground in His presence.[36]
The
CROWNS are symbolic of
the POWER TO RULE, and symbolizes
Christian triumph; their rewards for service on earth and they place them at
the feet of Christ.[37] Unlike an earthly crown that can rust, be stolen
or lost, these crowns will last forever;[38] a crown of life,[39] crown of glory,[40]
crown of splendor,[41]
crown of righteous[42]
and crown of
everlasting joy.[43]
The Will of God
Revelation 4:11 - You are worthy, our Lord and God, to receive glory and
honor and power. For you created all things and
BY YOUR WILL they
were created and have their being." NIV
This speaks of God receiving glory and
praise because it was His plan and His purpose
and His Will that by His spoken WORD all things were created[44]
and that includes mortal man.[45]
He is Worthy of praise. The creature worships the creator and out of submission they cast
their crowns
at the feet of Jesus on His throne
Crowns
– Rabbit Trail
After we receive our crowns, we will sit
at the wedding feast as the bride of Christ.
The more crowns we have earned, the more we will have to cast at the feet of
Jesus.
ü Imperishable Crown – Those who have
victory over their old spirit man. - 1
Corenthians 9:25
ü Crown of Righteousness – Those longing
for His appearance - 2 Timothy 4:8
ü Crown of Life – Those that are
tested even unto death – The Martyr’s Crown - Revelation 2:10
ü Crown of Glory – Overseers or
Elders Crown - Those who serve the flock. - 1 Peter 5:2-4
ü Crown of Rejoicing – Soul Winners
Crown -
1 Thessalonians 2:19
[1] Luke 11:9-10 - ASK and it will be given to
you; SEEK
and you will find; KNOCK
and the DOOR will
be opened to you -- Luke 13:24 - Make every effort to enter through the narrow door, because many, I tell you, will try to
enter and will not be able to -- Matthew 24:33 - when you see all these things,
you know that it is near, right at the door
[2] 2 Thessalonians 1:6-8 -
When the Lord Jesus is revealed from heaven in blazing fire with his powerful
angels He will punish those who do not know God
and do not obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus
[3] 1 Thessalonians 5:9 - FOR GOD HATH NOT
APPOINTED US TO WRATH,
but to obtain salvation by our Lord Jesus Christ
Genesis 7:1 - Noah, "Go into the ark, you and your whole family, because I have found
you righteous in this generation.
Genesis 7:23 - Every
living thing on the face of the earth was wiped out; Only Noah was left, and those with him in the ark.
[4] Genesis 19:29 – God brought Lot out of the catastrophe that overthrew the cities where Lot had lived --
Genesis 19:16 - When he (Lot) hesitated, the men grasped his hand and the hands of
his wife and of his two daughters and LED THEM
SAFELY OUT of
the city
[5] Genesis 7:1 - Noah,
"Go into the ark, you and your whole
family, because I have found you righteous in this generation. -- Genesis 7:23
- Every living thing on the face of the earth was wiped
out; Only Noah was left, and those with him
in the ark.
[6] 1 Thessalonians 4:16-17 -
For the Lord himself will come down from heaven
with the trumpet call and the dead in Christ will rise first. 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
[7] Matthew 24:37-41 - As it
was in the days of Noah, so it will be at the coming of the Son of Man; Two men
will be in the field; one will be taken and the other
left. Two women will be grinding with a hand mill; one will be taken and the other left...
[8] Matthew 24:30-31 - The
Son of Man will appear in the sky, coming on the clouds of the sky, with power
and great glory And he will send his angels and
they will gather his elect from the four winds and
THEY
WILL SEE THE SON OF MAN
[9] Matthew 24:4-8 - Watch
out that no one deceives you. For many will come in my name, claiming, `I AM THE CHRIST,' and will
deceive many
-- Mathew 24:21-23 - There will be great distress,
unequaled from the beginning of the world and if anyone says to you, `LOOK, HERE
IS THE CHRIST!'
OR, `THERE HE IS!' DO NOT BELIEVE
IT
[10] Luke 21:25-28 - There will be signs in the sun, moon and stars, the heavenly bodies will be shaken, nations will be in
anguish and perplexity at the roaring and tossing of the sea. When these
things begin to take place, stand up and lift up your heads, because your redemption is drawing near
[11] 2 Peter 3:3-4 - First
there shall come in the last days scoffers, walking after their own lusts
saying, where is the promise of his coming
[12] Acts 1:11 - This same Jesus, who has been taken from you into
heaven, WILL COME BACK in the same way you have seen him go into
heaven -- John
14:2-3 - In my Father's house are many rooms I go to prepare a place for you. I WILL COME AGAIN, and receive you
[13] 1 Thessalonians 4:16-17 -
The Lord shall descend from heaven with a SHOUT, with the VOICE OF THE
ARCHANGEL,
and with THE TRUMP OF GOD: and the dead in Christ shall rise first: Then we which are
alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord
in the air
[14] 1 Peter 5:4 - And when
the Chief Shepherd appears, YOU WILL RECEIVE THE CROWN OF GLORY that will never fade away
[15] 1 Thessalonians 1:10 - Wait for his Son from heaven, whom he raised from the
dead, even Jesus, WHICH DELIVERED US FROM THE WRATH to come -- 1 Thessalonians 3:13 - To the
end HE MAY ESTABLISH YOUR HEARTS UNBLAMEABLE IN HOLINESS before God, even our
Father, at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ with
all his saints
[16] Colossians 3:4 - When
Christ, who is our life, shall appear, then shall
ye also appear with him in glory -- 1 John 3:2 - When he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he
is -- 1 Corenthians
[17] 2 Corenthians 5:10 - For
we must all appear before the JUDGMENT SEAT OF CHRIST, that each one may receive what is due him for the things done
while in the body, whether good or bad
[18] 1 Corenthians
[19] Genesis 9:13- I have set
my RAINBOW in the clouds, and it
will be the SIGN OF THE COVENANT between me and the earth
[20] Revelation 21:11 - It
shone with the glory of God, and its brilliance was like that of a very
precious jewel, like a
JASPER, clear as crystal
[21] Exodus 28:17 - And thou
shalt set in it settings of stones, even four rows of stones: the first row
shall be a SARDIUS, a
topaz, and a carbuncle:
this shall be the first row
[22] Exodus 28:18 - And the
second row shall be an EMERALD,
a sapphire, and a diamond
[23] Exodus 39:13 - And the
fourth row, (Last) a beryl, an ONYX, and a jasper: they were inclosed in ouches of gold in their inclosings
[24] 1 Chronicals 6:32 - They
ministered before the dwelling place of the tabernacle as they waited on their
office according to their order -- 2 Chronicals 8:14 - He appointed, according
to the order of David his father, the courses of the
priests to their service; the porters also by their
courses at every gate
[25] James 1:12 - Blessed is
the man who perseveres under trial, because when he has stood the test, he will
receive the CROWN OF LIFE -- 1 Peter 5-4 - You will receive the CROWN OF
GLORY that
will never fade away -- Revelation 3:11 - I am coming soon. Hold on to what you
have, so that no one will take your CROWN -- Revelation 14:3 - And
they sang a new song before the throne and
before the four living creatures and the elders. No one
could learn the song except the 144,000 who had been redeemed from the earth
[26] Exodus
[27] Isaiah 11:2-9 - The Spirit of wisdom and of understanding,
the Spirit of counsel and
of might, the
Spirit of the knowledge and fear of the LORD...
Righteousness will be
his belt and faithfulness
the sash around his waist. They will neither
harm nor destroy on all my holy mountain, for the earth will be filled with the knowledge
of the LORD as the waters cover the sea
[28] Exodus 40:30 - He set the
LAVER between the tabernacle of
meeting and the altar, and put water there FOR WASHING -- 2 Chronicals 4:2 -
Also he made a MOLTEN SEA of
ten cubits from brim to brim, round in compass, and five cubits the height
[29] Job 28:24 - For he views
the ends of the earth and sees everything under the heavens -- Job 34:21-22 -
His eyes are on the ways of men; he sees their every step... There is no dark place, no deep shadow, where evildoers can
hide
[30] Ezekiel 1:10 - As for the
likeness of their faces, they four had the face of a MAN, and the face of a LION, on the right side: and
they four had the face of an OX on the left side; they four also had the
face of an EAGLE
[31] Numbers 2:3 - On the EAST SIDE toward the rising of the
sun shall they of the standard of the
camp of JUDAH
-- Numbers 2:18 - On the WEST SIDE shall
be the standard of the camp of EPHRAIM according to their
armies: and the captain of the sons of Ephraim shall be Elishama -- Numbers 2:10 - On the SOUTH SIDE shall be the standard of the camp of REUBEN according to their
armies: and the captain of the children of Reuben shall be Elizur -- Numbers
2:25 - The standard of the camp of DAN shall be on the NORTH SIDE by their armies: and the
captain of the children of Dan shall be Ahiezer
Revelation 5:5 - THE LION OF
THE TRIBE OF JUDAH,
the Root of David, has triumphed. He is able to open the scroll and its 7 seals
[32] Isaiah 6:2 - Above it
stood the SERAPHIM’S:
each one had six wings; with twain he covered his face, and with twain he
covered his feet, and with twain he did fly.
[33] Revelation 8:13 - I heard
an eagle that was flying in midair call out in a loud voice: "Woe! Woe! Woe to the inhabitants of the earth, because
of the trumpet blasts about to be sounded by the other three
angels
[34] Isaiah 6:3 - And they
were calling to one another: "Holy, holy, holy is the LORD Almighty; the whole earth is full of his glory
[35] Revelation 1:8 - “I am the Alpha and the
Omega,” says the Lord God, “who is, and who was, and who is to come, the
Almighty.”
[36] 1 Kings 8:10-11 – Priest; SLAIN IN THE SPIRIT; could not stand -- 2
Chronicles 5:14 – Priest; SLAIN IN THE SPIRIT; could not stand -- Daniel
8:17-18 – Daniel; SLAIN IN THE SPIRIT; fell on his face in a deep sleep -- Ezekiel 3:23 – Ezekiel;
SLAIN IN THE SPIRIT;
fell on his face
-- Ezekiel 43:2-3 – Ezekiel; SLAIN IN
THE SPIRIT; again; fell on his face -- Ezekiel 44:4 – Ezekiel;
SLAIN IN THE SPIRIT;
third time; fell on his face -- Numbers 22:31 – Balaam; SLAIN IN
THE SPIRIT; fell on his face -- John
18:6 – Soldiers; SLAIN IN THE SPIRIT; fell to the ground. --
Matthew 28:4 – Guards;
SLAIN IN THE SPIRIT;
became like dead men
-- Acts 26:13-14 – Paul; SLAIN IN
THE SPIRIT; fell to the ground -- Acts
9:2-4 – Paul; SLAIN IN THE SPIRIT; fell to the ground -- Revelation
1:17 – John; SLAIN IN THE SPIRIT; fell at his feet -- Matthew
17:6 – Disciples; SLAIN IN THE SPIRIT; fell on their faces
[37] Revelation 3:11 - I am coming soon. Hold on to what you have, so that no
one will take your crown
[38] 1 Corinthians 9:25 - Everyone who competes in the games goes into
strict training. They do it to get a crown that
will not last, but we do it to get a crown
that will last forever.
[39] James 1:12 - Blessed is
the man who perseveres under trial, because when he has stood the test, he will
receive the crown of life that God has
promised to those who love him.
[40] 1 Peter 5:4 - And when
the Chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the
crown of glory that will never fade away
[41] Isaiah 62:3 - You will be
a crown of splendor in the LORD's hand, a royal diadem in
the hand of your God
[42] 2 Timothy 4:8 - Now there
is in store for me the crown of righteousness,
which the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day
[43] Isaiah 35:10 - And the
ransomed of the LORD
will return. They will enter Zion with singing; everlasting
joy will crown their heads.
[44] Genesis 1:3 - And God said, "Let there be light," and
there was light. -- Genesis 1:11 - Then God said,
"Let the land produce vegetation: seed-bearing plants and trees on the
land that bear fruit with seed in it, according to their various kinds."
And it was so. -- Genesis 1:24 - And God said,
"Let the land produce living creatures according to their kinds:
livestock, creatures that move along the ground, and wild animals, each
according to its kind." And it was so.
[45] Genesis 1:27 - So God created man in his own image, in the image of
God he created him; male and female he created them
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