CHURCH VICTORIOUS! CHAPTER S 8-11 (LUKE 18:7) In this section of Chapter s, we again return to the First Coming of Christ. The Seals [of persecution] bring Trumpets [warning of Judgment] which bring Bowls [of judgment poured out]. Chapter 8 is God's pledge of destruction on unbelievers. It shows Go... [ Continue Reading ]
I WAS GIVEN A MEASURING STICK. To "measure" is symbolic of _setting apart, making secure, clearly identifying._ [This is still a vision. The fact that there is no temple in Jerusalem when he writes this, is not important,] COUNT THOSE WHO ARE WORSHIPING IN THE TEMPLE. These are God's people - the tr... [ Continue Reading ]
BUT OMIT THE OUTER COURTS. Symbolic of the "nominal Christian," who is an unfaithful _church member,_ but not really one of Christ's people. John sees _earthly_ Jerusalem and the _earthly_ temple. The outer courts have been given to the heathen (unbelievers). 42 MONTHS. 42 months = 1,260 days = 3? y... [ Continue Reading ]
I WILL SEND MY TWO WITNESSES. [The two witnesses are the Church Militant.] Jesus sent his disciples out two by two (Luke 10:1)_. Two_ witnesses symbolize the _outreach_ [missionary spirit] of the messianic community in taking the "_sacred and ever-living message of eternal salvation"_ to the whole w... [ Continue Reading ]
THE TWO WITNESSES ARE THE TWO OLIVE TREES. The _two olive trees_ symbolize _evangelism -_ the outreach of the messianic community. The _two lamps_ symbolize the _fellowship_ within the messianic community. _Compare Zechariah 4._ God blesses his people through the preaching of the word [evangelism] a... [ Continue Reading ]
THE BEAST. WILL FIGHT AGAINST THEM. _In the vision,_ a beast comes up out of the _abyss_ [_hell_ before the Judgment], fights against the two witnesses, defeats them and kills them. This is Satan, working through the entire anti-christian world. He defeats the church of Christ, and their dead bodies... [ Continue Reading ]
AFTER THREE AND A HALF DAYS. The two witnesses [the Church Militant] is "dead" only a short time. The world is happy too soon! God sends a life-giving breath, and they stand up! The wicked are terribly afraid! Come up here! God honors them by calling them to _come up_ to where he is. They WENT op IN... [ Continue Reading ]
THEN THE SEVENTH ANGEL BLEW HIS TRUMPET. This _introduces_ the End of the World and the Final Judgment, _but does not describe it_! The loud voices in heaven announce: "The power to rule over the world belongs now to our Lord and his Messiah, and he will rule forever and ever!" Compare 1 Corinthians... [ Continue Reading ]
GOD'S TEMPLE IN HEAVEN WAS OPENED. This _symbolic picture_ shows the beauty of God's love to his children. The _temple_ is _wide open_ so all can see the _box holding the covenant._ That _box_ symbolizes the real and perfect _union_ [fellowship of John 1:7 given real meaning] of God and his people.... [ Continue Reading ]