Chapter 10 -- The Book of Revelation

Please read Revelation chapter 10.

The Angel and the Small Scroll

Verses 1-3: One foot on land and one on the sea... Why is that significant?  Maybe this is showing that the authority he has is over everything in both land and sea?

Verse 4:  "Keep secret what the seven thunders said, and do not write it down."  Here is another example of the number seven being used...  Also, why did he have to keep it a secret?  Would this information give away too much information?  Would this information have been too much for us to take?  It could have been horrifying, or it could have been the most amazing thing ever!

Verses 5-7: That was a huge oath.  How much stuff did the prophets foretell that we just don't know as "end times" prophesy? And even if we do know about all the scriptures referring to the end times... That's a lot of scripture!

Verses 8-11:  This is not the only place in the Bible someone is told to eat a scroll... In Ezekiel chapter 3, Ezekiel is told to eat a scroll as well.  In both instances the scroll was sweet as honey in their mouth.  I believe this signifies the words going deep into ones being.  In Peter's case the words weren't the most pleasant things to prophesy about (maybe that's why his stomach was turned sour after eating it.) In Ezekiel's case, it was during his call to commission.  I think it was signifying God putting His word's inside Ezekiel to begin his life as a prophet.


This chapter is pretty short... Not as much activity going on as in a few chapters leading up to it.  Remember, the seventh trumpet (the third woe/terror), has not sounded yet.

Blessings!

~ S*

Chapter 9 -- The Book of Revelation

Please read Revelation Chapter 9.

The Fifth Trumpet Bring the First Terror

Verses 1-2 "A star that had fallen from the sky..."  (see Chapter 8:10-11) Could this be talking about that same star?

Verses 3-6:  It is very specific here about who would be tortured.  Like the Israelite in the time of Moses, the people who had the seal of God were protected. (Exodus 8:22-23; 9:4-6, 26; 10:23, 11:4-7)

Verses 7-12:  What do you think these "locusts" are?  In Bible times Peter had never heard of a helicopter or drone... Do you think this is what he's describing?

The 6th Trumpet Brings the Second Terror

Verses 13-16:  I find it interesting that there are specifically four angels prepared for this specific time, but there army is "200 million troops"! And who are these troops?  Angels? It does not specify!?!

Verses 17-19:  The colors of the armor are the primary colors... Sulfur smells horrible.  I can begin to imagine how terrible these plagues must be.

Verse 20:  I wonder if the people with the seal of God, as mentioned in verse four, will be protected from this terror as well?  The people who didn't die that are mentioned in verse 20 are not including the people with the seal of God, right? A little confusing there for me.

Verse 20-21: Idol worship is mentioned here.  The first and greatest commandment... "Love the Lord your God with all your heart soul mind and strength! (click here to see an earlier post on present day idolatry)  Notice the other specific sins mentioned here: murder, witchcraft, sexual immorality and theft...  How do you think America (or even the world) is ranking in that list of sinful activity today?  Sounds awfully familiar doesn't it?

Every day it becomes more and more evident that the end times are near. In the Gospels it mentions "as in the days of Noah... so it will be when the Son of Man comes..." (Matthew 24:37-39, Luke 17:26-27).  Does it seem like we're living in the days of Noah to you?

What insights have you gained while reading this chapter?

Blessings!

~ S*

Chapter 1 -- The book of Revelation

Wow! It's been a while!  Maybe you're glad, or maybe you missed me! :)  Anyway, I feel like God has led me to start this up again, so my current commitment is going to be a post every 15th of the month!  I'm going to begin going through books of the Bible chapter by chapter.  Starting with Revelation!

Let me start this series by saying I never used to like reading Revelation!  I have read through the Bible many times in my life, and I always dreaded getting to this book.  I usually saved it until the very last one.  Why?  It made me think about the end times!  It made me think about persecution... Am I willing to suffer for Christ?  A lot of bad things happen in this book, and it is all prophecy!  One of the only reasons I used to read this book was because of verse 3...  

Since then, I have developed a new desire to read it... As I said above, it is all prophecy!  Each and every day we are getting closer to the fulfillment of this prophecy.  I don't know about you, but I want to be prepared!  So I have begun to read a chapter a day!  Isaiah 55:11 says, "So will My word be which goes forth from My mouth; It will not return to Me empty, without accomplishing what I desire, and without succeeding in the matter for which I sent it. (NAS)" In other words, no matter what, I'm going to reap benefits for reading and rereading God's Word!  Some days I don't feel like I am getting anything out of what I'm reading, but a few days later I will have a scripture ready at just the perfect moment!  God will reward us for being stewards of His Word!

Revelation Chapter 1 (I'm using the NLT "New Living Translation")

Prologue Verses 1-3

Verses 1-2 tell us where the book came from: Jesus Christ!  Though John wrote the book, it was inspired by God.  I recently heard someone say, "There were 40 writers of the Bible, but only 1 Author!" 

Verse 3: "God blesses the one who reads the words of this prophecy to the church, and he blesses all who listen to its message and obey what it says, for the time is near."  We are blessed when we read, listen to, and obey this prophecy!  Isn't that great!?! 


John's Greetings to the Seven Churches  Verses 4-8

Verse 4: He was told to write this book (verse 11) to the seven churches in the province of Asia.  Back then, this was a Roman province... Now it is western Turkey!

Verses 5-8: John goes into detail about God and how Awesome He is (see also Amos 4:13 and Exodus 3:14)


Vision of the Son of Man Verses 9-20

Verses 9-10: John explains the when, where, what, and who!  When he had the vision, What he was doing, Where he was, and Who was there/gave it to him!

12-16: These verses describe the Son of Man!  Jesus used the phrase "Son of Man" to describe Himself when he was on earth!  A pretty Awesome sight if you ask me!  

17-18: Jesus reiterates what John said about Him at the beginning of the chapter!  It's always cool when God confirms what you say!

19: God tells John to write the book of Revelation!

20: The meaning of the Seven Stars and Seven Gold Lamp stands is given! Stars = Angels/Messengers of the seven churches... Lamp stands = the seven churches!


What are your thoughts on this book of the Bible?  What things has God pointed out to you about his book or chapter?  I'd love to hear them in the comments below!!  

Blessings!

~ S*