UNDERSTANDING THE BOOK OF REVELATION:Descriptions of Heaven

[DrFrank]

Unless you have a strong aversion to news reports,this thought must have crossed your mind recently:OH NO! THESE MUST BE THE BIBLE PREDICTED "LAST DAYS"!! Hey you sure are perceptive !!! With the firm belief that we are now entering into the Tribulation period,I am publishing a series of studies of the Book of Revelation,that difficult to understand road map that shows exactly where we are headed,using the easy to understand Contemporary English Version (CEV) Bible that has been created by the American Bible Society.I will then add insights in capitol letters which will provide explanations and historical background information for the words you have just read, which will be in agreement with leading biblical commentaries,in order to at long last make the startling predictions made in this important and fascinating book comprehensible. I will occasionally make changes in the CEV words if I detect variance from the meaning found in the King James Bible.



Revelation 7

1-2 After this I saw four angels. Each one was standing on one of the earth's four corners.(THE WHOLE WORLD) The angels held back the four winds, so that no wind would blow on the earth or on the sea or on any tree. These angels had also been given the power to harm (AS A PUNISHMENT FOR SIN) the earth and the sea. Then I saw another angel come up from where the sun rises in the east, and he was ready to put the seal of the living God on people.(THIS IS THOUGHT TO REFER TO SELECTING THEM FOR SALVATION) He shouted to the four angels, 3 "Don't harm the earth or the sea or any tree! Wait until I have marked the foreheads of the servants of our God."4 Then I heard how many people had been marked on the forehead. There were one hundred forty-four thousand, and they came from every tribe of Israel. (THIS WILL OCCUR AFTER THE CHRISTIAN RAPTURE) 5 12,000 from Judah,12,000 from Reuben,12,000 from Gad,612,000 from Asher,12,000 from Naphtali,12,000 from Manasseh, 712,000 from Simeon, 12,000 from Levi, 12,000 from Issachar, 812,000 from Zebulun, 12,000 from Joseph, and 12,000 from Benjamin.9 After this, I saw a large crowd with more people than could be counted.(THESE WERE THE CHRISTIANS WHO WERE MURDERED DURING THE TRIBULATION BECAUSE OF THEIR FAITH ) They were from every race, tribe, nation, and language, and they stood before the throne and before the Lamb.(JESUS) They wore white robes and held palm branches (THESE WERE USED TO DISPLAY THE EMOTION OF JOY IN THE OLD TESTAMENT) in their hands, 10 as they shouted,"Our God, who sits upon the throne, has the power to save his people, and so does the Lamb." 11 The angels who stood around the throne knelt in front of it with their faces to the ground. The elders and the four living creatures knelt there with them. Then they all worshiped God 12 and said, "Amen! Praise, glory, wisdom, thanks, honor, power, and strength belong to our God forever and ever! Amen!"13 One of the elders asked me, "Do you know who these people are that are dressed in white robes? Do you know where they come from?"14 " Sir, I answered, "you must know."Then he told me:"These are the ones who have gone through the great suffering.(THE TRIBULATION BECAUSE THEY WERE NOT CHOSEN FOR THE RAPTURE)They have washed their robes in the blood of the Lamb (WORSHIPED JESUS BECAUSE OF HIS SACRIFICE FOR THEM ON THE CROSS) and have made them white.(THEY BECAME HOLY DUE TO THEIR BELIEF)15 And so they stand before the throne of God and worship him in his temple day and night.
(THIS BOOK REPEATEDLY GIVES DETAILED DESCRIPTIONS OF HOW POWERFULLY GOD AND JESUS ARE WORSHIPED IN HEAVEN WHICH MAKE IT VERY OBVIOUS THAT MOST CHRISTIANS WHO SPEND FAR MORE TIME WORSHIPING SPORTS ON THE SABBATH DAY, THE DAY THAT WE ARE COMMANDED TO KEEP HOLY, THAN THEY SPEND WORSHIPING GOD THROUGHOUT THE ENTIRE WEEK,WILL FIND HEAVEN A VERY UNPLEASANT AND EMOTIONALLY UNCOMFORTABLE PLACE TO LIVE SHOULD THEY EVER GET THERE) The One (GOD)who sits on the throne will dwell among them.(THIS IMPLIES THAT GOD WILL PROTECT THEM) 16 They will never hunger or thirst again, and they won't be troubled by the sun or any scorching heat.(THE CLIMATE IN HEAVEN IS FREE OF WEATHER EXTREMES )17 The Lamb (JESUS) in the center of the throne will feed (SPIRITUALLY ENRICH) them.He will lead them to streams of life-giving water,(THIS REFERS TO THE HOLY SPIRIT) and God will wipe all tears from their eyes.(GOD WILL REMOVE GRIEF FROM THOSE IN HEAVEN)

 

[JudaicChristian]

I like to dodge the word "rapture" myself because it is not biblical. Instead I use the word resurrection because it is biblical. I would like to see your commentary on Rev 1 and 10.

 

[veteran]

Rev 7:1-17
1 And after these things I saw four angels standing on the four corners of the earth, holding the four winds of the earth, that the wind should not blow on the earth, nor on the sea, nor on any tree.

The "four winds" is a symbol first used back in the Old Testament to represent God's Spirit of judgment. It is connected with the day of His wrath ending man's reign on earth in final (see Jer.49:36; Dan.8:8; Dan.11:4; Zech.2:6). It also represents the time of Christ's coming and our gathering to Him (Ezek.37:9; Mark 13:27).

In this verse, the four angels are being commanded to NOT let the four winds blow just yet. That shows this is for a time prior to Christ's coming and His wrath upon the wicked.

2 And 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 given to hurt the earth and the sea,
3 Saying, "Hurt not the earth, neither the sea, nor the trees, till we have sealed the servants of our God in their foreheads."

The reason for the "four winds" being held back is so the sealing of God's servants can take place first. The OT parallel to this sealing of God's servants in Jerusalem is given in Ezekiel 9. The Hebrew character Tau (t) is rendered as God's mark of Ezek.9, and the letter was originally written as a cross. In Ezekiel 9, God is getting ready to bring a destruction upon Jerusalem, but first sends His angels to mark His servants that sigh because of the abominations going on there. Ezekiel 8 gave a picture of false worship of idols and paganism of the nations inside the temple in Jerusalem as the cause.

In Rev.9 we are told of this sealing of God's servants also. The locust army is told they cannot kill anyone not sealed, but only 'sting' those for five months. That stinging represents the power of deception. Having God's sealing or mark means the opposite, not being deceived by what's going on.

4 And I heard the number of them which were sealed: and there were sealed an hundred and forty and four thousand of all the tribes of the children of Israel.
5 Of the tribe of Juda were sealed twelve thousand. Of the tribe of Reuben were sealed twelve thousand. Of the tribe of Gad were sealed twelve thousand.
6 Of the tribe of Aser were sealed twelve thousand. Of the tribe of Nephthalim were sealed twelve thousand. Of the tribe of Manasses were sealed twelve thousand.
7 Of the tribe of Simeon were sealed twelve thousand. Of the tribe of Levi were sealed twelve thousand. Of the tribe of Issachar were sealed twelve thousand.
8 Of the tribe of Zabulon were sealed twelve thousand. Of the tribe of Joseph were sealed twelve thousand. Of the tribe of Benjamin were sealed twelve thousand.

If you know your Bible history, then only three of these tribes refer to Jews, the tribe of Judah, the tribe of Benjamin, and the tribe of Levi, called the "house of Judah" in God's Word. Those 3 tribes were separated from the rest of the tribes long ago, after Solomon's days, and God did it (1 Kings 11 forward). The ten tribes made up the northern kingdom of old Israel, and God scattered them out of the holy land first, and they were lost, never to return there, even to this day. The Jewish historian Josephus (100 A.D.) said in his days the ten tribes of Israel were still scattered abroad, and were too many to be numbered. They actually made up the majority of the people of Israel. God scattered them among the Gentiles for doing false worship of Baalism. But they are to return when Christ comes, and be gathered back with the house of Judah (see Ezek.37 all the way to the end of the chapter).

Thus it is error to claim all these 12 tribes are known as Jews today. Only 3 of the tribes represent today's Jews. And these are all God's people, His servants that know His truth, His Church in Christ Jesus. That's why they are being sealed here against deception. That's what God's seal is about.

9 After this I beheld, and, lo, a great multitude, which no man could number, of all nations, and kindreds, and people, and tongues, stood before the throne, and before the Lamb, clothed with white robes, and palms in their hands;
10 And cried with a loud voice, saying, Salvation to our God Which sitteth upon the throne, and unto the Lamb.
11 And all the angels stood round about the throne, and about the elders and the four beasts, and fell before the throne on their faces, and worshipped God,
12 Saying, Amen: Blessing, and glory, and wisdom, and thanksgiving, and honour, and power, and might, be unto our God for ever and ever. Amen.

Then John sees another group. This time he's given a vision taking place in Heaven of many saved standing before The Lamb (Christ) and God's throne. And they come out of all nations and peoples. These represent the saved Gentiles in Christ Jesus. And they are too many to be numbered.

So what timing does this represent? Before the tribulation or after? Keep reading here in Rev.7 and you'll find out.

13 And one of the elders answered, saying unto me, "What are these which are arrayed in white robes? and whence came they?"

John is asked where did these of verse 9 come from, and why are they arrayed in white robes? And the answer...

14 And I said unto him, "Sir, thou knowest." And he said to me, "These are they which came out of great tribulation, and have washed their robes, and made them white in the blood of the Lamb.
15 Therefore are they before the throne of God, and serve Him day and night in His temple: and He That sitteth on the throne shall dwell among them.

That my friends, is for AFTER Christ has come and gathered us. That's when His servants will stand next to Him and reign with Him on earth, as priests and kings. Thes "came out of great tribualtion, and have washed their robes, and made them white in the blood of the Lamb." They went through the great tribulation to do that, and they overcame through Christ Jesus.

That moves this timing to after Christ's return, for that's when this event is to occur, and not before.

16 They shall hunger no more, neither thirst any more; neither shall the sun light on them, nor any heat.
17 For the Lamb which is in the midst of the throne shall feed them, and shall lead them unto living fountains of waters: and God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes.
(KJV)

That is Rev.21-22 when God said He will dwell among us Himself. It is Milennium timing with the temple of Ezekiel 40-48, with God's River of the waters of life, and the many trees manifested on earth (Ezek.47; Rev.22).

That is NOT about a Pre-trib secret rapture prior to the "great tribulation".

 

[Sinthesis]

If you know your Bible history, then only three of these tribes refer to Jews, the tribe of Judah, the tribe of Benjamin, and the tribe of Levi, called the "house of Judah" in God's Word. Those 3 tribes were separated from the rest of the tribes long ago, after Solomon's days, and God did it (1 Kings 11 forward). The ten tribes made up the northern kingdom of old Israel, and God scattered them out of the holy land first, and they were lost, never to return there, even to this day. The Jewish historian Josephus (100 A.D.) said in his days the ten tribes of Israel were still scattered abroad, and were too many to be numbered. They actually made up the majority of the people of Israel. God scattered them among the Gentiles for doing false worship of Baalism. But they are to return when Christ comes, and be gathered back with the house of Judah (see Ezek.37 all the way to the end of the chapter).

Thus it is error to claim all these 12 tribes are known as Jews today. Only 3 of the tribes represent today's Jews. And these are all God's people, His servants that know His truth, His Church in Christ Jesus. That's why they are being sealed here against deception. That's what God's seal is about.

Amazing that you could read the New Testament and still believe that any of "God's People" could be hidden throughout the world, in secret, displaying neither the beliefs nor actions of Faith, but simply possessing some magic genes. Those without Faith in God are not God's People Israel. They do not have the mark of God, and no amount of heredity can change that fact.

 

[veteran]

If you know your Bible history, then only three of these tribes refer to Jews, the tribe of Judah, the tribe of Benjamin, and the tribe of Levi, called the "house of Judah" in God's Word. Those 3 tribes were separated from the rest of the tribes long ago, after Solomon's days, and God did it (1 Kings 11 forward). The ten tribes made up the northern kingdom of old Israel, and God scattered them out of the holy land first, and they were lost, never to return there, even to this day. The Jewish historian Josephus (100 A.D.) said in his days the ten tribes of Israel were still scattered abroad, and were too many to be numbered. They actually made up the majority of the people of Israel. God scattered them among the Gentiles for doing false worship of Baalism. But they are to return when Christ comes, and be gathered back with the house of Judah (see Ezek.37 all the way to the end of the chapter).

Thus it is error to claim all these 12 tribes are known as Jews today. Only 3 of the tribes represent today's Jews. And these are all God's people, His servants that know His truth, His Church in Christ Jesus. That's why they are being sealed here against deception. That's what God's seal is about.

Amazing that you could read the New Testament and still believe that any of "God's People" could be hidden throughout the world, in secret, displaying neither the beliefs nor actions of Faith, but simply possessing some magic genes. Those without Faith in God are not God's People Israel. They do not have the mark of God, and no amount of heredity can change that fact.

There's not a drop of Biblical support in your statements above. Instead they are like a vain attempt that a little child makes when trying to draw attention to itself.

 

[Sinthesis]

If you know your Bible history, then only three of these tribes refer to Jews, the tribe of Judah, the tribe of Benjamin, and the tribe of Levi, called the "house of Judah" in God's Word. Those 3 tribes were separated from the rest of the tribes long ago, after Solomon's days, and God did it (1 Kings 11 forward). The ten tribes made up the northern kingdom of old Israel, and God scattered them out of the holy land first, and they were lost, never to return there, even to this day. The Jewish historian Josephus (100 A.D.) said in his days the ten tribes of Israel were still scattered abroad, and were too many to be numbered. They actually made up the majority of the people of Israel. God scattered them among the Gentiles for doing false worship of Baalism. But they are to return when Christ comes, and be gathered back with the house of Judah (see Ezek.37 all the way to the end of the chapter).

Thus it is error to claim all these 12 tribes are known as Jews today. Only 3 of the tribes represent today's Jews. And these are all God's people, His servants that know His truth, His Church in Christ Jesus. That's why they are being sealed here against deception. That's what God's seal is about.

Amazing that you could read the New Testament and still believe that any of "God's People" could be hidden throughout the world, in secret, displaying neither the beliefs nor actions of Faith, but simply possessing some magic genes. Those without Faith in God are not God's People Israel. They do not have the mark of God, and no amount of heredity can change that fact.

There's not a drop of Biblical support in your statements above. Instead they are like a vain attempt that a little child makes when trying to draw attention to itself.

4

• Act 10:34 ¶ Then Peter opened [his] mouth, and said, Of a truth I perceive that God is no respecter of persons:
  Act 10:35 - But in every nation he that feareth him, and worketh righteousness, is accepted with him.

 

[veteran]

4

• Act 10:34 ¶ Then Peter opened [his] mouth, and said, Of a truth I perceive that God is no respecter of persons:
  Act 10:35 - But in every nation he that feareth him, and worketh righteousness, is accepted with him.

You still... have not made plain what you're inferring, but instead do the riddler thing.

There's not one hint of a Pre-trib "secret rapture" idea in that Revelation 7 chapter. And all those 144,000 are BELIEVERS on Christ of Israelite birth, while those of verse 9 forward represent believing Gentiles. Both together represent Christ's Church. The false idea that only Gentiles make up Christ's Church is a bold faced LIE.

 

[Sinthesis]

4

• Act 10:34 ¶ Then Peter opened [his] mouth, and said, Of a truth I perceive that God is no respecter of persons:
  Act 10:35 - But in every nation he that feareth him, and worketh righteousness, is accepted with him.

You still... have not made plain what you're inferring, but instead do the riddler thing.

There's not one hint of a Pre-trib "secret rapture" idea in that Revelation 7 chapter. And all those 144,000 are BELIEVERS on Christ of Israelite birth, while those of verse 9 forward represent believing Gentiles. Both together represent Christ's Church. The false idea that only Gentiles make up Christ's Church is a bold faced LIE.

I see that most of this stuff happened in our past. I believe the 144K are those Jews who converted to Christianity prior to the judgement of 70AD. The entirety (1000) from all Israel (12 tribes) needed to continue the Work of God (12 apostles). One group who had the mark of the Father (Righteous Judaism) yet learned a New Song (Christianity). Not virgins in the carnal sense, but virgins in that they were not of the whore of Babylon; sell outs to the world system by accepting the mark of the beast. Worthy to be the Bride of Christ.

Throughout the Bible there are variations when referring to God's People as any 12 particular tribes. This, combined with the fact, shown in Esther etc., that one could become a Jew, suggests that physical Jewish heredity was not a prerequisite to being one of the 144K martyred prior to 70AD.