A scene is presented in Revelation of the future and then we go back to the circumstances- how did we get to that time and place? The study of Revelation and Daniel explains how.
The great scene of Revelation is the second coming of Christ and it is for our sakes and then Revelation goes about showing under what circumstances we are saved or sealed.
Early in the chapter the 144000 are brought to view. Why? There is a focus on this special group that will be cut off from all worldly support and commerce just prior to the second coming of Jesus and at His return will be translated to heaven.
Will there be faith found on the earth out of 7 500 000 000 people when the son of man comes? Jesus asked that very question. Yes there will be 144,000 faithful ones at the Lord’s return. Less than two one hundred thousandths of a percent .0000192
As in the days of Noah so shall it be in the coming of the son of man. Few will be waiting and watching and most will be swept away by Lucifer’s deception.
To the last church of the seven, Laodicea (Revelation 3) Jesus says because you’re either hot or cold but complacent I will spew you out of my mouth. How does He do this? Through the circumstances described in Revelation 13.
In Revelation the circumstances by which God’s people are sealed for eternity is given.
The sealing of God people occurs by their sacrificial death and by their expletory life, whether alive and translated or dead. Revelation 17 says I saw the whore riding on a scarlet coloured beast drunk with the blood of martyrs. The angels at this time are holding back the time of trouble such as never was since there was a nation until God’s people are sealed. God’s people are to know what is truth and be settled into truth and living the truth. Angels we are told are holding back the evil forces that are eager to destroy the planet and its inhabitants.
Revelation 7:1 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. 7:2 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, 7:3 Saying, Hurt not the earth, neither the sea, nor the trees, till we have sealed the servants of our God in their foreheads.
Daniel had described this time thus Daniel 12:1 And at that time shall Michael stand up, the great prince which standeth for the children of thy people: and there shall be a time of trouble, such as never was since there was a nation [even] to that same time: and at that time thy people shall be delivered, every one that shall be found written in the book.
3 woes of Revelation-
Revelation 8:13 And I beheld, and heard an angel flying through the midst of heaven, saying with a loud voice, Woe, woe, woe, to the inhabiters of the earth by reason of the other voices of the trumpet of the three angels, which are yet to sound!
The three woes concern the three beasts released from the bottomless pit.
They are active in the world today- two venerate Mary who is dead- that is Jesus’ earthly mother as a god. The other being the power of atheism.
Mohmaddism (Revelation 9) was born from Catholism and was to become a rival to Christianity. On one hand the Muslim chooses Friday as the day of rest and Catholism Sunday- the pagan festival day whereas the Bible says the 7th day is the day of worship which scripture records as the day Jesus worshipped on.
Revolutionary France (Revelation 11) gave birth to the Papacy and to atheism. The ideas of atheism was further developed by Darwin in England and adopted into science and now into Christianity with few believing the creation story. The Jesuits furthered evolutionary ideas by their contribution from Aristotle cosmology. Communism was the bitter outcome of atheism.
The final woe is Satan (Revelation 12) coming to earth and being worshipped. He prepares the way through ecumenism whose root is found in Vatican II. Protestantism that swept Europe and founded the US is brought back into the fold by this Jesuit lead movement. This movement through the two beasts described in Revelation 13 prepares the way for the coming of Lucifer. The occult and paganism was allowed to live on through a Christian veneer. Protestantism is sadly joining herself to the mother church.
In the wars around the world we have the winds of strife being held back from these three beasts or powers. These beast powers have held the inhabitants of the world under a falsehood and prepared them for the day of deception which comes as an overwhelming surprise.
- Revelation 13 tells us the deadly wound is healed
- An image to the beast is formed- it is forming at this very moment
- There shall be no buying or selling except one receives the mark of the beast- enforced worship world wide
- The reaping of the church and the world comes under the 3rd woe or time found in Revelation 13 and 14.
Lucifer comes as the Christ- 666 materialises. Satan wants to hold worldwide control and sees that his control is not complete. He cannot sweep in the whole world for there remains a small faithful company. He makes one last desperate effort to overcome the faithful by deception. …But on one point there will be a marked distinction–Satan will turn the people from the law of God. Notwithstanding this, so well will he counterfeit righteousness that, if it were possible, he would deceive the very elect. Crowned heads, presidents, rulers in high places, will bow to his false theories.–FE 471, 472 (1897). {LDE 166.1}
These systems of false religion and science have brought the world to this point.
The stark warnings found in Revelation 14 are not to accept the sign of Lucifer- which finds entrance through false gospels and teachings. We are not to accept his mark of worship or worship him and of course the warning comes worship Him that made the heaven and the earth and in Revelation 14:6; the angel is pointing us back to the 4th commandment. If anyone is in any doubt then read and follow the example of Jesus for that’s why it was given. Would He disannul that which He instituted in Eden and kept Himself? It is the very signature of His authority.
The 144000 are special group who through the most extreme circumstances maintain the tightest relationship with Jesus and no guile is found in their mouth- they are ready for translation. No matter what, like Job they remain steadfast. Job 1:8 And the LORD said unto Satan, Hast thou considered my servant Job, that [there is] none like him in the earth, a perfect and an upright man, one that feareth God, and escheweth evil?
The 144000 have been hungry, thirsty, hot, beaten by extreme weather and sorrowful. They have follow the lamb’s instruction and have seen the false from the true and have special privileges in the courts of heaven. They have warned the world at the peril of their own life. ‘It is impossible to give any idea of the experience of the people of God who shall be alive upon the earth when celestial glory and a repetition of the persecutions of the past are blended. They will walk in the light proceeding from the throne of God. By means of the angels there will be constant communication between heaven and earth. . . .’
Revelation 7:15 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. 7:16 They shall hunger no more, neither thirst any more; neither shall the sun light on them, nor any heat. 7:17 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.
The Revelation of Jesus Christ is to be seen in His people. Those who question perfecting our relationship with Jesus are setting themselves on a path that fights the true gospel message.