StuDIES 1,2,3

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God's global warning and last message of mercy can be found in Revelation 14:6-13. We will see the fairness and grace of God in how He dealt with people in the past.  Three examples from the Bible provide us with God’s pattern of 

1. Investigate

2. Choose a messenger

3. Give everyone a chance

4. Remember those that are faithful.
FLOOD: Genesis 6:6-12 ; 8:1.

SODOM: Genesis 18:17-21; 19:29

EGYPT: Exodus 2:24,25; 3:7.

The Devil came down to Georgia after a war in Heaven.  A third of the angels in heaven were cast out with Satan and the dragon (Satan) was standing before the woman (the church) to devour the baby as soon as He was born (Matt.2:1-20; Rev. 1:20;12:1-17). The prophets tell us of Lucifer’s background (Ezekiel 28:13-19; Isaiah 14:12-17).  Satan's last attacks would be against the church and toward the end of the Dark Ages God would rescue the persecuted with wings like an eagle (USA) to a new place.

 We are told much about His birth in Bethlehem, to a virgin, and that His name would be Immanuel (Old Testament Prophecy/New Testament fulfillment; Micah 5:2/Matthew 2:6; Isaiah 7:14/Matthew 1:23).  We are told that He would teach in parables and perform miracles (Psalm 78:2/Matthew 13:35; Isaiah 61:1/Luke 4:17-21). 

In his last days a friend that just ate bread with Him would betray Him and sell Him for exactly 30 pieces of silver (Psalm 41:9; Zechariah 11:12,13/ Matthew 26:15; 27:3; 27:9).  Finally He would be stripped naked, they would gamble for His clothes, pierce His hands and feet, and we are even given the very words He would speak on the cross (Psalms 22:1,16-21/ Matthew 27).    

 Daniel had a vision that made him faint and he had to do some work and study the prophecies of Jeremiah to understand his dream (Daniel 8:27; 9:1,2).  He prayed a powerful prayer and while he was praying the angel Gabriel came back to give him understanding (Daniel 9:3-23).  The long 2,300 day prophecy that made Daniel faint was to be broken up by determining the first 70 weeks for the Jews, and the start date would be when the command was given to restore and rebuild Jerusalem.  The Messiah “anointed one” would show up after 69 weeks to “confirm the covenant” for the last week, but would be “cut off” in the middle of the last week and bring an end to all sacrifices (Daniel 9:24-27).   

The decree was given by Artaxerxes in 457 B.C., to be “cut off” means killed, a contemporary of Daniel’s was Ezekiel, who was told a day in prophecy represents a year (Ezra 7; Genesis 9:11; Ezekiel 4:6).  Messiah means “anointed one” and Jesus was anointed at His baptism in 27 A.D. exactly 69 weeks (483 years) after the decree (Acts 10:38 ; Luke 3:1-22).  Jesus died in the middle of the week (31 A.D.) as the curtain was torn ending all sacrifices, and the gospel went to the Gentiles through Paul at the end of the 70 weeks for the Jews (34 A.D.) (Mark 15:38; Acts 22:20,21).  Jesus was baptized and crucified right on time.  

 We examined the concluding statement of the first angel’s message, “Worship Him that made, heaven, and earth, the sea, and springs of water” (Revelation 14:7). We followed the long prophecy of Daniel 8:14 that took us to the “Hour of God’s judgment” and 1844, which was the year Charles Darwin published his draft of Origin of Species. America started out as a nation that believed in our Creator and the Bible tells us of our created origin (Genesis 1:1; Colossians 1:16,17; Revelation 4:11; Ephesians 3:9).  

The Bible is clear that God created light on the first day, separated land and water the second, vegetation the third, the solar system the fourth, birds and sea creatures the fifth, animals and mankind the sixth, and rested on the seventh (Genesis 1:1-28). Every civilization is without excuse because of God’s creation and those that reject their Creator will fall into moral decline (Romans 1:17-32).  

Romans provides us a prophetic formula for what happens to societies that think they are so smart. God is made obvious through the wonders of creation, we give credit to the creature rather than the Creator, our foolish heart is darkened as we profess ourselves to be so wise, God lets us exercise our free will, and then we go down the drain. Worship your Creator!   

 We continued studying the final phrase of the first angel’s message of Revelation 14:7 “Worship Him that made heaven, the earth, the sea, and the fountains of waters.” In the book of Revelation God is worshipped as Creator (Revelation 4:11). We reviewed the importance of embracing our Creator and reviewed creation week in our last presentation. God sealed or signed His name to creation at the end of the week (Genesis 2:1-3). God blessed the seventh day (Saturday) and made it holy. He reminded His people of the Sabbath after they were freed from bondage with 10 commandments (Exodus 20:8-11). 

In the New Testament Jesus kept the Sabbath as His custom, but had to remind the religious that the Sabbath was made for man and that He was Lord of the Sabbath (Luke 4:14-19; Mark 2:27,28). Even after His death his disciples keep the Sabbath according to the commandment (Luke 23:54-56). Jesus was clear that He did not come to destroy the law, and He was also clear that the commandments should be kept until heaven and earth pass away (Matt. 5:17-19). 

The Sabbath was the standard day of worship for the Jews, Gentiles, and the whole city in the New Testament church (Acts 13:42.44; 17:1-4; 18:1-4,11). At least 80 times we have documented corporate worship of Jews and Gentiles on Sabbath.  We can tell more about what Paul believed by what he practiced than by the confusing things he said.   

Some common texts written by Paul and used by some to prove the Sabbath done away with are Romans 14:5, Colossians 2:16, and Galatians 3:24,25.  If you look at the context of Romans 14:1-6, fast days were the issue as eating or not eating is mentioned 10 times.  In Colossians 2:11-17; 3:11; 4:11 and Galatians 2:3,7-16; 5:2,6,11,18-21; 6:12,13,15 circumcision and Jewish religious rituals and rites were the issue.  Circumcision was by far the biggest issue for the New Testament church (Acts 10:45;11:2;15:1,24;16:3; Rom 2:25-29; 3:1,30; 4:9-12;15:8; 1 Cor 7:18,19; Eph 2:11; Phil 3:3; Titus 1:10). 

Look at the context of theses texts and you’ll see the issue was not the Sabbath or Sunday.  The ceremonial laws of circumcision along with the sacrifices and festivals as a shadow of Christ have nothing to do with doing away with creation.  The Sabbath precedes and will supersede the time of sin (Gen 2-3; Isaiah 66:22,23). Paul was clear that Jesus did not give us another day and that there remains a “rest” or Sabbath (Hebrews 4:4-9; Greek=Sabitismos, a Sabbath to be kept). God’s people have forgotten His day of worship and the first angel reminds us (Rev. 14:7; Exodus 20:11). 

The word "Sunday" does not appear any place in the Bible, but the phrase "first day of the week" is found in the New Testament. It occurs in exactly eight places (Matthew 28:1; Mark 16:2,9; Luke 24:1; John 20:1,19; Acts 20:7; 1 Corinthians 16:2). Paul worked all week as a tentmaker, preached on Sabbaths, and Sunday was his travel day. These verses all refer to Sunday as the day of Christ’s resurrection, or simple travel day for Paul to collect offerings before he hit the road. None of them refer to Sunday’s holiness or replacement of the seventh day Sabbath (Saturday). The Sabbath and the law can’t save us but they remind us of our need to be saved. We can’t earn our salvation and every Sabbath Christ asks us to rest in His power to save us leaving behind all the worries of work and stress. Let’s accept the gift. 

During the seminar we connected the metals of Daniel 2 to the beasts of Daniel 7. The first beast was like a lion with the wings of an eagle that were plucked up as he was caused to stand with feet like a man and have a man's heart. Babylon and Nebuchadnezzar are the Lion (Jeremiah 4:7; 25:8). Babylon was a brave kingdom that rose to power quickly (eagle wings), but was soon like any other kingdom (man's feet and heart). Medo-Persia would follow Babylon as a bear rising up on one side (Persia) with three ribs in it's mouth (Babylon, Lydia, Egypt). Greece would broken as four weak generals stood in Alexander's place but never in his power. The leopard of Daniel 7 (Greece) had 4 heads and wings. 

Rome would be the next kingdom in Daniel 7 with iron teeth as it broke in pieces and bruised just like the iron legs of Daniel 2:40. Rome was broken up into 10 horns (kings) as it became modern day Europe. When this Little Horn (Daniel) or Beast (Revelation) would come to power to rule for 1260 years to blaspheme (Claim to be equal with God in John 10:30-33; Claim to forgive sins in Matthew 9:2,3; or take religious titles like “Holy Father” in Matthew 23:6-9) persecute, and think to change times and laws he would conquer three of the ten horns to occupied the former Roman Empire (Daniel 7:8,24). Revelation 13:1-4 describes a beast power that would be like a leopard, a bear, with bronze nails, and mouth like a lion. The beast of Revelation would also blaspheme and persecute in the area of the former powers (Revelation 13:5-7). 

The plagues that fell on Egypt (Exodus 7-12) 1. Bloody waters 2. Frogs 3. LIce 4. Flies 5. Death of animals 6. Boils and sores 7. Hail 8. Locusts 9. Darkness 10. Death of firstborn Finally the Red Sea dried up. The 7 Last Plagues of Revelation 16 1. Sores 2. Bloody waters 3. Bloody rivers. 4. Scorching heat 5. Darkness 6. River dried up 7. Hail.

The language of the Exodus is throughout the book of Revelation and those that have victory over the beast and his mark (Revelation 15:1-4).   Those that survive will be those that keep the commandments and put their faith in Christ (Revelation 14:12; 12:17).

Between the 6th and 7th plagues Satan will gather his army for battle at Armageddon 

(Har: mountain, Megiddo: valley of Old Testament battles Joshua 12:21; 17:11; Judges 1:27; 1 Kings 4:12; 9:15; 2 Kings 9:27; 23:29,30; Zechariah 12:11).

We studied the three events that will take place when Jesus returns/rapture of the saved: 

1. The trumpet will sound. 2. The dead will be raised. 3. Those that remain will be caught up (raptured) together with them in the clouds. (1 Thessalonians 4:13-18; 1 Corinthians 15:51-55).

We also studied the three events will take place when Jesus returns for the unbeliever: 

1. They will hide from Jesus face and cry for the mountains to fall on them. 

2. They will be destroyed by the brightness of His coming. 

3. The birds will be filled with their flesh. (Rev 6:14-17; 19-11-21; 2 Thessalonians 2:8). 

Revelation 20 continues that what happens next: 

1. Satan will be bound for 1,000 years (Millennium: mille “thousand” and annum “years”). 

2. The saved will be reigning as kings and priests with Christ. 

3. The lost will remain dead for the 1,000 years. Paul reminds the church that we will judge the world and fallen angels (1 Corinthians 6:2,3). During those 1,000 years Satan will be put in “time out” and we will have a chance to look over God’s shoulder and understand the decisions he has made. 

When the 1,000 years are finished: 

1. Satan will be released from his prison. 

2. The lost will be raised. 

3. He will gather them together for battle, but not a punch is thrown or shot fired  as fire comes down from heaven and devours Satan and his great army. 

In our advanced seminar we will be concluding the second angel’s message of Revelation 14, “Babylon is fallen, is fallen.” Babylon means “confusion” and there is a lot of confusion about that devouring fire. One of the greatest attacks against God is the confusion about His character and eternal hell.  Satan is told that his ultimate end to be brought to ashes (Ezekiel 28:18). 

The wicked will be turned to ashes (Malachi 4:1,3). 

Sodom and Gomorrah are an example of eternal fire (Jude 1:7; 2 Peter 2:6). 

The fire is eternal in its consequences, but when there’s no wood there’s no fire. 

“Forever” means “as long as he lives” (Revelation 14:11; 1 Samuel 1:22,28). 

Jonah was in great fish three days, but said it was “forever” (Jonah 1:17;2:6). 

Hell was prepared for the devil and his angels, but we can choose to join (Matt. 25:41) 

Hell’s fire is “unquenchable” because no man can put it out. The results of the fire are “eternal”, “forever”, and “everlasting”. After the fire devours the devil, his angels, and anyone who took their stand with him, God will wipe away every tear from our eyes and make all things new. 

 We looked at what happens when we die in our continued study of the second angel’s message. The second angel tells us, “Babylon is fallen, is fallen, that great city, because she made all nations drunk” (Rev 14:8). Ancient Babylon was cursed with confusion and fell into a world of sorceries and enchantments. God rebukes Babylon for it’s attempts to contact with the dead (Isaiah 47:12,13; 8:19).

Revelation tells us that unclean spirits will perform miracles and deceive in order to prepare the world for the mark of the beast (Rev 13:11-14; 16:13,14). We should not marvel at these false signs for even the devil himself will be transformed into an angel of light (2 Cor 11:13,14). Satan is the ultimate antichrist and he has been working for a long time (1 John 2:18; 4:3; 2 John 1:7).

The only way to protect ourselves against these last day spiritual deceptions is to understand the truth about death. The Bible tells us that man did not become a living soul until the body and breath of God were one (Genesis 2:7). It also tells us that the body without the spirit is dead (James 2:26). While we are alive God’s spirit is in our nostrils, but when we die the spirit (breath) returns to God who gave it (Job 27:3; Ecclesiastes 12:7).

David tells us not to put our trust in human leaders because as soon as they die their thoughts perish (Psalm 146:3,4). He also tells us that the dead do not praise the Lord or anyone else that has gone down into silence (Psalm 115:17). His son Solomon is clear that the dead know nothing, their emotions cease, and that they have nothing to do with anything done on earth (Ecclesiastes 9:5,6).

The Bible compares death to a sleep more than 50 times. We did not have all night to show each instance, but we looked at many examples in one book of the Bible (1 Kings 2:10; 11:43; 14:20,31; 15:8,24; 16:6,28; 22:40,50). Jesus clearly connected death with a sleep and even had to clarify this to his disciples (John 11:14).

The Bible talks about Moses being raised from the dead and being present at the transfiguration of Jesus along with Elijah, who was taken to heaven in a chariot of fire (Matt. 17:2,3; 2 Kings 2:11; Jude 1:9). However, Peter tells us that even David is not ascended into heaven, and we must assume the dead are asleep unless the Bible tells us otherwise (Acts 2:29,34,35).

Some are confused about a parable involving a man named Lazarus in Luke 16:19-31, but Jesus was on a roll of parables using “a certain man” (Luke 10:30; 12:16; 13:6; 14:16; 15:11; 20:9). He just happens to use a proper name in Luke 16. Jesus is clear about his friend Lazarus that he was sleeping and not in heaven (John 11:14).

In our previous presentation we studied the return of Jesus and Paul’s desire that we not be ignorant of those that have “Fallen asleep.” The change to immortality does not take place until the trumpet sounds in the twinkling of an eye (1 Thessalonians 4:13-18; 1 Corinthians 15:51-55). The good news is that Christ holds to keys of death and He will wake up the dead (Revelation 1:18; Isaiah 26:19; Daniel 12:2). If we understand the truth about death, we can protect ourselves against Satan’s deception. Let’s come out of Babylon.

Revelation is organized in themes that have glimpses into the heavenly sanctuary (Exodus 25:40; 2 Corinthians 5:1; Hebrews 4:14-16; 8:1,2). John the Revelator begins with a vision of Jesus among the 7 golden candlesticks (Rev. 2:1). Jesus is the Light of the World (John 9:5). 

Then Jesus moves to the Table of Shewbread or “Table Throne” “there were seven lamps of fire burning before the throne” (Revelation 4:5). The Table of Shewbread was designed like a golden throne (Exodus 25:26-28). Jesus is the “Bread of Life” (John 6:35,48), and we find grace before His throne (Hebrews 4:16). The throne is mentioned 25 times in Revelation 4-8 leading up to Jesus standing by the Altar of Incense representing the prayers of the saints before the presence of God (Revelation 8:3,4). 

The final movement of Revelation is into the Most Holy Place with the Ark of The Covenant (Revelation 11:19). The warning is given by the Three Angels of Revelation 14 that the “Hour of Judgment has come” (Revelation 14:7). When earth’s probation is over the 7 Last Plagues will fall upon the earth and the lost (Revelation 15: 1,6,8; 16:1-21).