It could take them three years to rebuild it. In the human situation, as Christian history sees it, there are two figures who occupy the centre of the scene. Ravens brought his food. - Bible study, meaning, images, commentaries, devotionals, and more. I. He persecuted the man-child when first the gospel was preached; but the more his servants persecuted the saints, the more they multiplied. "Because they served the creature rather than the creator who is blessed forever more, God gave them over to reprobate minds" ( Romans 1:25 , Romans 1:28 ). "He had two horns like a lamb." To report dead links, typos, or html errors or suggestions about making these resources more useful use the convenient, Baker Evangelical Dictionary of Biblical Theology, Hastings' Dictionary of the New Testament, The Hawker's Poor Man's Concordance And Dictionary, International Standard Bible Encyclopedia. No design was ever more ineffectual than that of crushing the church by persecution, no victory was ever more signal than what was gained when it could be said that the blood of the martyrs is the seed of the church.. And after the woman the serpent hurled water from his mouth like a river, that he might cause her to be carried away by the river of water; but the earth helped the woman and opened its mouth and swallowed the river which the dragon hurled from his mouth. She is fair as the moon, clear as the sun, and terrible as an army with banners. So far these divine dealings all go in pairs: as the work among the Jews, and then a final testimony to the Gentiles; then the warning about Babylon, and another about the beast. We may indeed call this the Church, if we remember that the Church is the community of God's people in every age. The dragon is worshipped, as is the beast; and2 Thessalonians 2:1-17; 2 Thessalonians 2:1-17 is plain that worship is paid to another personage connected with, but distinct from, these both, called "the man of sin," which is much more a religious power. It will be so then most of all, because these messages will go forth to the nations on the earth when, growingly lifted up and self-satisfied, they are summoned by messengers, poor and contemptible in their eyes, who will solemnly proclaim the kingdom just coming the King who is coming in person to judge the quick apart from and before the judgment of the dead. Although Church-age believers are not appointed to face the wrath of the Lamb during the coming time of terrible Tribulation the enemy of our soul attempts to accuse the saints, despite them being covered and cleansed by the blood of Christ. John, it would seem, calls it the "everlasting gospel," because it is in contrast with special messages from time to time, as well as with all that bad to do with man as he is here below. They share in the glorious victory of Christs kingdom, and the basis of that victory is Christs death. and by the word of their testimony; either by Christ, the essential Word, they bore record of, who is sharper than any twoedged sword, and through whom they were made more than conquerors; or rather by the use they made of the Scriptures of truth, the sword of the Spirit, the word of God, to which they bore a faithful testimony, and to which they adhered, and by so doing gained the victory over Satan and his instruments, whether false teachers or persecutors; and particularly by the Gospel, which they embraced, professed, and preached with constancy and courage, and by their last testimony they bore to it at their death, on the account of it, as it follows: and they loved not their lives unto the death; they did not value them; they made no account of them; they were not anxiously careful to preserve them; they chose to lose them; they ran to the stake, and willingly and cheerfully laid them down; they did not count them dear unto them, as said the Apostle Paul, that they might finish their course with joy, and testify the Gospel of the grace of God, or bear a testimony to it, Acts 20:24; yea, as Christ has directed. Yea, saith the Spirit, that they shall rest from their labours; for their works do follow with them." ""I have been going up and down throughout the earth, to and fro through it. Here, then, is a certain symbolism. Revelation 12:12. By the blood of the Lamb we overcome Satan as the accuser of the brethren. And the angel stood, saying, "Rise and measure the temple of God, the altar, and those who worship there. "Like an eagle that stirs up its nest, that flutters over its young, spreading out its wings, catching them, bearing them on its pinions, the Lord alone did lead him (the people of Israel)" ( Deuteronomy 32:11-12). It is a testimony concerning the blood of the Lamb. We may remark another feature in the symbol here. The sin which caused the fall from heaven was pride. You are enlisted, brother, in a lifelong fight: when you shall lie down in your grave then may it be said, "The battle is over," but as long as you are here you will be within gunshot of the enemy, and it is just possible your sharpest conflict will be upon your dying bed, even as John Knox, after conquering the devil in all ways and shapes, waged as he lay a-dying the sternest struggle of his entire life. The difference is that the former class is a larger term, embracing the world at large; whereas by the latter is meant a considerably narrower sphere, whose character of earthliness is the more decided, because it had known the heavenly testimony of Christ and the church. "And he worketh great signs, that he should even make fire to come down from heaven on the earth in the sight of men." Financially he was totally wiped out. There is the picture of the escape of Elijah to the brook Cherith, where he was nourished by the ravens ( 1 Kings 17:1-7); and of his flight into the desert, when he was nourished by the angelic messenger ( 1 Kings 19:1-8). And there were lightnings, and voices, and thunders; and there was a great earthquake" and not only great but unexampled "such as was not since men were upon the earth, such an earthquake, so great." The fifth angel poured out his bowl on the throne of the beast. There are also saints here below. That is what it is all about. The religion of the earth is the prolific source of all the worst evil that is done under the sun. Fear of death is a major motivator being used in todays culture, a driving force in getting people to behave and cooperate in countless ways. All rights reserved. But as to turning to heaven, both as a hope full of joy and as a home for the affections, whenever was it more thoroughly kept out of the minds of men? More literally because of the blood and because of the word. The fact is that Christ being born of Israel, there is and ought to be first set forth the tracing of His connection with Israel. (2.) And by the word of their testimony By constantly testifying against the errors and follies of mankind. The Lord Jesus, as all are aware, was a prophet on earth; and assuredly, as we know, He will reign as king over the earth. Revelation 12:11 Parallel Verses [ See commentary ] Revelation 12:11, NIV: They triumphed over him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony; they did not love their lives so much as to shrink from death. Then they received strength: note that word. Our victory is gained, and we are noose shall conquerors, but still we march on to new conflicts, and never lay aside our swords. OPEN HEAVENS DEVOTIONAL 2022 DATE: SUNDAY, AUGUST 21ST, 2022 TOPIC: LETTER TO THE LAODICEAN CHURCH 2 MEMORISE: "My son, despise not the chastening of. Did you see what he did last week?" They thought it better to die than to deny the faith. That is why that I believe that there were probably three angels created in the highest order of angelic being, called the archangel. They spoke their clear witness of Jesus during their life. Then we come to the fifth, which is rather different. She was safely delivered of a man-child (Revelation 12:5; Revelation 12:5), by which some understand Christ, others Constantine, but others, with greater propriety, a race of true believers, strong and united, resembling Christ, and designed, under him, to rule the nations with a rod of iron; that is, to judge the world by their doctrine and lives now, and as assessors with Christ at the great day. Here then we find a sea of glass mingled with fire. Because we are all patiently enduring something in lifewhether it's patiently waiting to launch a business, or for it to take off and grow, relieving financial pressure. "Here is the endurance of the saints, that keep the commandments of God and the faith of Jesus.". St John 12:25, St Luke 14:26 are the closest parallels among the similar sayings of our Lord. trumpets which follow one another conduct us from the time that the church is seen in heaven glorified till judgment closes, i.e. The one thousand two hundred and sixty days are once again the standard period of distress. The Lord Jesus Christ, by whose blood they were redeemed and ransomed out of the hands of Satan, that was stronger than they; and by which they were justified from all sin, and so all charges and condemnation were of no avail against them, whether of Satan or the world; and by which they were cleansed from all pollution, both internal and external; and by which even their conversation garments were washed and made white; by this they also, drew nigh to God with boldness, as to their own God, notwithstanding the accusations of Satan; and this they could, and did make use of as a shield to defend them against all his charges; and this being sprinkled upon them, as it gave them an inward conscience peace amidst all, so it was their security from the destroying angel; and under this purple covering they went triumphantly to glory, having through it obtained an entire conquest over Satan: as also. Blessed is he that watcheth, and keepeth his garments, lest he walk naked, and they see his shame. And it is absolutely requisite to have, at any rate, a generally correct understanding of its outline; else we are in imminent risk of making confusion, the moment we venture to put the parts together, or to form anything like a connected view of that which it conveys to us. If sin is our master we shall perish; grace must reign in us, or we are in a wretched condition. Beloved, if we have participated in the blood of Jesus Christ, I hope we feel it to be all these four things to us salvation from sin, strength out of weakness, a kingdom in fellowship with Christ, and authority to speak in his name. . The two wings of the great eagle were given to the woman, that she might fly to the desert to her place, where she is cared for for a time and times and half a time away from the serpent. Whatever it is that faithful saints sacrifice in this world time, wealth, comfort, health, or life itself they will be greatly compensated in the world to come. Doing so means we dont have to be fearful or worry about whats going to happen tomorrow, or of being afraid to go to bed because of what might happen while were asleep. It is the connection of the dragon and the sea which explains the rivers of water which the dragon emits to overcome the woman ( Revelation 12:15). Now when this happened, we don't know. Hosea hears God say: "I will betroth you to me for ever" ( Hosea 2:19-20). And there appeared [a second wonder in heaven] another wonder in heaven; and behold a great red dragon [Satan], having seven heads and ten horns, and seven crowns upon his heads. and the coming Tribulation is a time when the devil's vicious attacks on God's servants will increase in intensity against both Jews and Christians. First, ALL THE BLESSED ONES WHO ARE REJOICING IN HEAVEN WERE ONCE WARRIORS AND VICTORS HERE BELOW. Get it now for only $9.95, What Every Christian Should Know About Salvation Now at the present time, Satan does have access to heaven. Matthew Henry writes: By the word of their testimony, as the great instrument of war, the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God, by a resolute powerful preaching of the everlasting gospel, which is mighty, through God, to pull down strongholds, and by their courage and patience in sufferings; they loved not their lives unto the death, when the love of life stood in competition with their loyalty to Christ; they loved not their lives so well but they could give them up to death, could lay them down in Christs cause; their love to their own lives was overcome by stronger affections of another nature; and this their courage and zeal helped to confound their enemies, to convince many of the spectators, to confirm the souls of the faithful, and so contributed greatly to this victory (Rev. They trusted Christ for salvation, and were willing to die for His sake. Here is what seems to show that the third part has a distinct connection with the Roman empire. These men in addition to dauntless courage had unswerving fidelity. He was to be of the seed of Abraham and of the seed of David. This was the great age of the informer, the delator. Brethren, do but grasp the doctrine of the atonement, and know your own interest in it, and the accuser of the brethren will be silenced by the voice of the blood. When God deigns to look upon and gives us to see the ark of His covenant, He is going to assert His fidelity to the people. When we read here "heaven," do not understand by it the place of the blessed, where God dwelleth, but the spiritual region, the realm of spiritual things. It goes from Syria down into Africa. It is the temple of God that is particularly seen, where the man of sin sets himself up as an object of worship. When the dragon ejected the floods of waters, the earth swallowed them up and so the woman was saved. Supposing I treat the second chapter of 2 Thessalonians as giving me all that the Bible tells about the man of sin, I foreclose scripture, and must have an imperfect account. He said, "I will exalt my throne above the stars of heaven. (1.) Strengthis of Christ - for His is the faithful testimony, the glorious gospel of grace. And they have conquered him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony, for they loved not their lives even unto death. The dragon represents the enemy of Christ in his political employment of the Roman empire, and this from first to last; so that the heads or successive forms of power are said to be crowned, not the horns, which were only as a fact to be developed before the close of its history at the earliest not before the Gothic barbarians broke up the empire of the west. It synchronizes, we have seen, with the third out of its seven consecutive sections. Today is a daily devotional that helps God's people refresh, refocus and renew their faith through Bible reading, reflection, and prayer. It is, therefore, plain that the second beast is really the more energetic of the two, and the active instrument of evil. It is not now the ark of God's covenant seen in the opened temple. This will give us a line of approach. There may be some Christians now present who have been so taught. The power of the Spirit of God alone will give them this faith. The woman fled to the desert where she had a place prepared for her by God, that they might care for her there for one thousand two hundred and sixty days. The third section, which may be passed over with comparatively few words, is a warning respecting the fall of Babylon. "And they sing the song of Moses, servant of God, and the song of the Lamb." Revelation 5:9-10 Revelation 5:11-12 Revelation 5:13-14 Revelation 12:10-12 Revelation 19:6-8 Revelation 22:3-5 Revelation 22:12,17. If I overcome Satan by the blood of the Lamb I am a Christian, but not else, for if any sin permanently overcomes me I camp enter heaven. The first thing that enabled them to prevail over Satan was the power of the shed blood of the Lord Jesus Christ. First, we shall notice that the blessed ones before the throne were all warriors and victors; secondly, they all fought with the same weapons; and thirdly, they all fought the same spirit. The first was the separation of the Jews; the second the everlasting gospel to the Gentiles; and the third the fall of Babylon. Accusing you before God. New International Version They triumphed over him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony; they did not love their lives so much as to shrink from death. By the blood of the Lamb, as the meritorious cause. All that is at work is bringing about this earthly and godless state of things. Again and again in the Old Testament tribulation and persecution are likened to an overwhelming flood. When Satan was cast out of heaven, his dwelling-place became the air in which he had to wander; that is why he is sometimes called The Prince of the Air ( Ephesians 2:2). "I saw as it were a sea of glass." Although Revelation 12:11 speaks of not fearing death as a way of overcoming the enemy of our souls, we most often only hear of victory by the blood of the Lamb and the word of our testimony. It is evident, therefore, that we have here an apostate and idolatrous state of the world. ""Hey, have you seen my servant Job? That's why I need prayer, daily connection to the one who is faithful through it all. If you write tracts, if you cannot explain the apocalypse, and few of us can, do explain Calvary, dwell much upon Golgotha and Gethsemane, "for I, if I be lifted up," saith Christ, "will draw all men unto me." And another angel came out of the temple, crying with a loud voice to him that sat on the cloud, Send thy sickle, and reap; for the hour is come to reap; for the harvest of the earth is dried. And they loved not their life to the point of death. 3 And there appeared another wonder in heaven; and behold a great red dragon, having seven heads and ten horns, and seven crowns upon his heads. Our brothers conquered him by the blood of the lamb and by the word of their testimony, for they did not cling to their lives even in the face of death. The heavenly conquest of Satan gives reassurance to Christs people on earth that they too are conquerors of Satan. These people who have gone through historically such tremendous persecution, the inquisition in Spain, the slaughter by Hitler and now the persecution in Russia, these people have had such a tremendous share of persecution. Do you believe this? (John 11:25-26). May the Spirit of God give you strength and power in your inner man. But he will endeavour to deal with both; and more particularly "all that dwell upon the earth shall worship him, whose name is not written in the book of life of the slain Lamb from the foundation of the world.". It is not my main object at this time to expound the chapter before us. Tel: (719) 487-7888 | Fax: (719) 896-5410 In Jesus' name, I pray, AMEN. However this may be judged by those who hear it, we must remember that there will be also another cause of a most solemn nature, which is plainly revealed: God is going to pour out a judicial delusion on Christendom. This is another land-mark that cannot be despised, if we would acquaint ourselves with its structure and the bearing of its contents. But I do believe that we are at that time, that he does exist and probably is actively involved in world politics and will be taking over as soon as the church is gone.We'll be dealing with that next week as we get into chapter thirteen.May the Lord be with you and give you a beautiful week. Their base instinct is to suspect and jibe at goodness. Devotionals; Bible Gateway App; Bible Audio App; Bible Gateway Blog; Bible Gateway Plus. Here, as in all of them, the word for life is that elsewhere rendered soulnot the same as that used for life eternal in St John. He will not abandon his people. (HCSB), They conquered him by the blood of the Lamb. He puts the terrible scheme of betrayal into Judas' mind ( John 13:2; John 13:27; Luke 22:3). This in turn was most likely the contents of the little scroll John was given to eat by the mighty angel in chapter 10. II. For what can go more practically to destroy the proper relationship of the saints of the Lord? By their holy lives, by their faithful testimony, by their patient sufferings, they showed that all these accusations were false, and that the religion which they professed Was from God, and thus in fact gained a victory over their accuser. "And I saw as it were a sea of glass mingled with fire: and those that have gained the victory over the beast, and over his image, and over the number of his name, standing on the sea of glass, having harps of God." The foundational bedrock upon which all victory rests is the shed blood of Christ - the Lamb that was slain - the perfect Sacrifice, Who with one glorious cry of, "ITIS FINISHED," pronounced sin, death, and hell, 'forever conquered'. They overcame because they did not love their life even when faced with death.". Salvation is of Christ - for He is the Sacrifice slain, His is the blood of the Lamb. is not an experience of an hour, never to be repeated; it runs more or less throughout the whole of life; but then remember that it is also attended with hopeful confidence in the power of divine grace, for the apostle goes on to say, "I thank God through Jesus Christ our Lord." "There appeared a great sign in heaven." They might cry to God, they might ask Him to arise and judge the earth, but they were not to fight themselves. When we despoil the Church of the help we might have given it, we despoil Jesus of the help we might have given him; and when we serve the Church, we serve Jesus himself. How can we act intelligently or rightly as Christians unless we, knowing what it means, believe we are Christians? She fled into the wilderness, a place prepared both for her safety and her sustenance. We are saved from the penalty for sin, the price paid in full, redeemed, and set free from its judgment because Jesus died in our place and conquered death. As standing before the woman, to devour her child as soon as it should be born, very vigilant to crush the Christian religion in its birth and entirely to prevent the growth and continuance of it in the world. Having thus brought us down to the close in a comprehensive manner, the Lord turns back, and specifies a particular part of that history in a confined sphere, namely, from the time that the abomination of desolation is set up in the holy place. I wish we could reach to it and interpret it by our lives. Devotions by Chapter . in fact all who have thus died) are just on the point of blessedness, not by personal exemption but by the first resurrection and the reign with the Lord, which will terminate all further persecution and death for His name. The first, as we know, was on the earth; the second on the sea; the third on the rivers and fountains of waters; and the fourth on the sun. 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. They had two weapons, and these two were one, the blood and the word. Satan cannot longer accuse above; accordingly he does his worst below. This woman is in labour to bear a child who is undoubtedly the Messiah, Christ, compare Revelation 12:5 where he is said to be destined to rule the nations with a rod of iron. Luke 14:26; they hated their lives in comparison of him, and when in competition with him and his Gospel; and by dying thus they conquered Satan; had they loved their lives, and saved them by denying Christ and his truths, Satan would have conquered them; but dying in the cause of Christ, and for it, they got the victory over him.
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