Book of Revelation Chapter 8 Intro To The FourTrumpets

All right. Well, good morning, everyone. This is William Bell and welcome to the all things for fuel broadcast. Normally we would be posting this directly to Facebook. However, uh, there are some problems with the login. I've had some, uh, identity theft issues going on and maybe some compromises to some of my, um, um, Logins, uh, and perhaps maybe Facebook is affected. There also was an update from Microsoft edge, which for some reason, my, um, when I log in from Google, it automatically carries me over to Microsoft edge, which is something I don't like, I don't even like using, uh, internet Explorer or those products at all. And, um, so maybe I have to call my technician to get him to delete all that stuff so I don't have to go through that channel and maybe that will take care of the problem. But nevertheless, um, please accept our apology for that. We're going to go ahead and get underway. It's been a couple of weeks now, maybe, or at least a week since I broadcast it last and, uh, I did, however, appreciate, uh, taking the break, even though we did some other things and some other places, um, we were talking about the book of revelation, we're looking in chapter eight. And so we direct your attention there as we continue the study of this book. Now, the first matter of importance is always to remember that, um, the book of revelation is not about our future. And I can't overemphasize that too much because the moment you begin to say something to people about the book of revelation, that's the first thing they think about that it is something that is referring to our own generation or in the imminent future, uh, to us. The book spoke about things that were shortly to come to pass. That's the first verse, uh, how people overlook that is just amazing. Of course, I know with traditions and, um, uh, preconceived ideas, perhaps about in a lot of newspaper exegesis and televangelists, uh, it's easy to do things like that, but the text says the revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave him to show his servants things, which must shortly come to pass. And he sent and signified it by his angel to his servant, John. Now in verse three, he also tells us that the time was near that it was at hand. So he says, uh, who bore witness to the word of God and to the testimony of Jesus Christ, to all things that he saw blessed is he who reads and those who keep the words of this prophecy and keep those things which are written in it for the time has drawn near the time is at hand. The time is near. So he's telling you they were things shortly to come to pass. Secondly, he says that the time was near. And then a verse that is often misinterpreted in verse 19, because the word mellow in that verse is overlooked or disregarded, uh, people are often to want to translate that as saying, um, write the things which you have seen. And so they will say, well, that's the things that are passed. The things which are, those are the things which are present and then the things which will take place after this. And by that they ignore the first two verses that we just read. And then they try to stretch the events of the book of revelation out into our future to say that they're dealing with things that are current to us today. However, that's not what the text says. It actually says, um, right. The things which you have seen, the things which are, and the things which are about to take place, the word mellow is there. It means to be on the verge of doing something, to be about to do something. And so something that was very eminent, it's the same message of verses one and three, and therefore John was not talking about something in the far distant future, but he was talking about something that was very near to, uh, his own generation or in his own generation and to the people or the audience to whom he wrote at that particular time, namely the seven churches, which, uh, were in Asia. Now, in addition to that, there's some other indications throughout the book that we need to take a look at as far as this eminence is concerned throughout the book, the message of eminence is repeated. Chapter one shows that John was already in the period of the great tribulation. That's revelation one and verse nine. The Bible says, I, John, both your brother and companion in the tribulation and kingdom, and that's another point that needs to be recognized because so many people deny that the kingdom is present, but yet here's John saying that he's in the kingdom, uh, which confirms also the statement made by Paul in Colossians one and verse 13, when he says, who has translated us out of the power of darkness into the kingdom of God's dear son. And so John says he was in the kingdom and patience of Jesus Christ was on the aisle or island that is called Patmos for the word of God and for the testimony of Jesus Christ. Now in chapter, uh, Matthew 24, verse 21, second Thessalonians chapter one, four through six, and also first Thessalonians two, 14 through 16. We can see the persecutions, the tribulations that the disciples were going through prior to the destruction of Jerusalem in 70 AD in the first century, and hence we have the, uh, apostles and the saints, uh, involved in this period of persecution and tribulation that was, that was enduring. I do encourage you to read, uh, Matthew 24, 21, uh, as well as first Thessalonians one fourth or second Thessalonians one, four through six to see that they were enduring these tribulations that God was going to come and repay those who were, um, causing the tribulations against the saints. Now in chapter two and verse 10 of revelation, uh, John addressed the church at Smyrna with the things that were about, or they were about to suffer at the hand of Satan or the Satan. Now he uses that word mellow again. And so in revelation chapter two and the verses 10, he says, uh, do not fear any of those things, which you are about to suffer indeed, the devil is about to throw some of you into prison that you may be tested and you will have tribulation 10 days, be faithful unto death, and I will give you the crown of life. So they are about to suffer these things, but the source of that was from those who are called Satan in the book, because in verse nine, he says, I know your works, tribulation and poverty, but you are rich. And I know the blasphemy of those who say they are Jews and are not, but are in the synagogue of Satan. So that demonstrates to you that the Jews had not yet been destroyed at the time the book of revelation was, was, uh, written and therefore would have to be prior to 70 AD in chapter two, verse 24, to show that he is actually referring to the Jews. When he writes to the church in Thyatira, he says now to you, I say, and to the rest in Thyatira, as many as who do not have this doctrine, who have not known the depths of Satan, as they say, I will put on you no other burden, so he's referring to those who are the Jews, I would also encourage you to look at second Corinthians chapter 11, um, verse three, and then read on down to about verse 18 or so where it says, uh, are they Israelites? So am I, are they Hebrews? So am I, are they the seed of Abraham? So am I, and he's talking about those ministers of Satan, uh, who had been teaching a gospel that was contrary to the one that Paul taught and therefore referring to the Jews in that, uh, in that scenario, then we also find the mentioned in revelation three, nine, where he says, indeed, I will make those of the synagogue of Satan who say they are Jews and are not, but lie indeed. I will make them to come and worship before your feet and to know that I have loved you. So in these passages, we can see that we're dealing with something that was about to occur that related to the time when the Jews were yet present and a formidable force of enemy activity against the church. And in chapters six, nine through 11, another example of eminence when the saints who were under the altar were crying out, Lord, how long will you not avenge our blood by those who dwell on the earth and it says a white rope was given to them and it was said to them that they should rest watch a little while longer until both the number of their fellow servants and of their brethren who would be killed as they were, were completed. And then of course the Bible goes into this state or period of decreation in so doing, we have a reference to matters that were found in the, um, 23rd chapter of Luke relating directly to the fall of Jerusalem when they cry out, fall on us and you know, hide us from the face of him who sits on the throne from the lamb and him who sits on the throne. And Jesus had predicted that in reference to the fall of Jerusalem when he said, uh, the daughters of Jerusalem do not weep for me, but weep for yourselves and for your children. So he was speaking particularly to that generation. These are the events that we find in, uh, revelation chapter six, verse nine, which we've covered in previous studies. Then in chapter 12, as we've been talking about Satan, there was a war in heaven beginning in verse seven, Michael and his angels fought against the dragon and his angels and the dragon was cast out. And, um, the Bible says it was cast down to the earth and he was very rough about it, very angry about it. And the scripture says in verse 12 that he knew that he had a short time. So he went, uh, in order to complete persecuting the church, but notice that he would only do so for 1,260 days. That's a three and a half year period, 42 months, a very short period of time. That also indicates that the 1000 year reign was about to end. Now his persecution against the church, as we said, would be for 1,260 days or that three and a half year period. That's also the time that the beast would war against the church revelation, chapter 13 and verse five, because it was given to him to make war against the saints, to overcome them and to kill them. But, uh, he was only going to do that according to, uh, now that's revelation 11 and verse seven, but also in 13 and five, it says he was given a mouth speaking great things and blasphemies, and he was given authority to continue for 42 months. That's not a long time. That's three and a half years. It shows you the eminence of the book of revelation. And, uh, so he opened his mouth in blasphemy against God to blaspheme his name and his tabernacle and those who dwell in heaven. It was granted to him to make war against the saints or with the saints and to overcome them. But again, that was only for three and a half years for that same 42 months period. Um, then we have in revelation chapter 11 in verse two, the time for the trotting down of the city of Jerusalem was 42 months. So you can see how tightly, uh, compacted all the events of the book of revelation are referring to when it speaks of these events in Luke chapter 21, verses 20 through 24. When the Bible speaks of, uh, Jerusalem being surrounded by armies. He says, no, that it's desolation is near. Then let those who are in Judea fleet to the mountains, let those who are in the midst of her depart and let not those who are in the countries why for these are the days of vengeance that all things which are written may be fulfilled. Now in connection with that. A statement that all things written would be fulfilled. He also tells them in verse 23, but woe to those who are pregnant and to those who are nursing babies in those days, for there will be great distress in the land and wrath upon this people. The same wrath that we're talking about in revelation. Then he says, and they will fall by the edge of the sword and be led away captive into all nations and Jerusalem will be trampled by the Gentiles until the times of the Gentiles are fulfilled. We cannot extend that period of the trampling down of the Gentiles beyond the 42 months, which are mentioned in the parallel text in revelation. Chapter 11 in verse two, another text indicating that the book was written prior to the destruction of the temple. Now, uh, from that point, we should also understand that the judgment, which the apostles had previously announced as at hand from James chapter five, seven and eight, when he says, uh, be patient brethren until the coming or the parousia of the Lord for, uh, the judge stands at the door and, um, uh, was near at the doors and then Peter says in first Peter four, verse seven, that the end of all things were at hand and again, or was at hand. And then in verse 17, he says, for the time has come that the judgment must begin at the house of God. Uh, that preceded the marriage of the lamb, the judgment in the book of revelation, and this is very, very important, uh, so many people fail to put these things together. But the judgment in the book of revelation, um, is that which precedes the marriage of the lamb? Because if you look in revelation chapter 18, where the Bible judges mystery, Babylon, the, uh, the Harlot and great city for shedding the blood of the apostles, the prophets and the saints, and then in revelation 19 verses one and two, he tells them to rejoice and, um, and say hallelujah and salvation and glory and honor and power to God, because, uh, true and righteous are his judgments because he has judged the great harlot who corrupted the earth with her fornication. And he has avenged on her, the blood of his servants shed by her referring directly back to revelation 18 verses 20 and 24, as well as. Matthew chapter 23 verses 34 through 37 and first Thessalonians chapter two verses 14 through 16. So all a reference to Jerusalem, persecuting the saints, killing the apostles and prophets, et cetera, and being judged as a result of that. But that judgment was at hand. It was near and about to take place and it takes place before. Uh, the wedding, it takes place before the marriage, which can be seen from Matthew chapter 22 verses one through eight, when the wedding invitation is extended. People spurned that invitation. God became, becomes angry. And as a result, what does he do? He sends out his armies, destroys that city. And then following that the wedding comes again, same. Uh, scenario in Matthew chapters 24 and 25 to eschatological chapters that cannot be divided. The first one, particularly chapter 24, continuing, continuing to discuss the fall of the temple and the destruction of the city, all which had to happen within the 70 weeks of Daniel, uh, Daniel nine verse 24 and following, uh, particularly says 70 weeks were determined for your holy people and your city, and therefore cannot extend beyond that time, but nevertheless. He says that once that city was destroyed, then in chapter 25 comes the marriage or the wedding of the lamb, the, uh, the marriage to Christ as indicated in the parable of the kingdom and the 10 virgins, uh, same thing in the book of revelation. Once the judgment on the harlot has taken place, then the Bible says the wedding of the lamb has come. The bride has made herself ready. All of that happens after the judgment on mystery Babylon. And we see it again in revelation 21, when the old heaven and earth is destroyed, that's a reference to the old temple and to the old covenant system of Israel that has been destroyed, that has become obsolete and passed away. And now there's a new heaven and new earth. And that's when the bride, the holy city, the new Jerusalem comes down out of heaven from God prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. All of that takes place after the judgment of revelation, chapter 20, which is the great white throne judgment. And because that's a reference to the destruction of Jerusalem. And as we have said before, Satan knew that he had a short time. Well, that tells you that the millennium could not be more than that three and a half year period that was left, uh, for, um, the timeframe for Satan to be cast into the lake of fire, which we see in revelation chapter 20, again, which happens before the marriage and therefore, uh, at the time that the city was destroyed. Another important point on these time statements is in the latter chapter of the book. And I'm reiterating these began again, because once, uh, as we said, they are so, so very important. But in revelation 22, beginning at verse six, the text says, uh, these words are faithful and true. And the Lord God of the holy prophets in his angels to show his servants things which must shortly come to pass. Now that forms an inclusio from revelation one and verse one, uh, down to the last chapter of the book, showing that everything within the is referring to things that were shortly to come to pass or shortly, uh, to take place, they were at hand and hence the next statement in verse seven, where he says, behold, I am coming quickly. He repeats that again in verse 12, saying that his reward is with him. And that refers back to, um, Matthew chapter 16, verses 27 and 28, when the text says, well, the son of man is about to come in the glory of his father with his holy angels, and then he will reward each according to his work. Assuredly, I say to you, there are some standing here who will not taste death, who will not die until they see the son of man coming in his kingdom. So what Jesus was saying is that the events of the book of revelation would be fulfilled before some who stood with him on that occasion died. And that is precisely the case. Furthermore, um, concerning this in verse 10, he says, and he said to me, do not seal the words of the prophecy of this book for the time is at hand. Now that's interesting because that, uh, reflects Daniel chapter 12. When Daniel talks about this time of great affliction and tribulation quoted in Matthew 24, 21, and that we've referred to earlier in revelation Uh, when Daniel speaks also about the time of resurrection, which is revelation chapter 20 and the time of the rewarding of the saints and judgment. But then he says to Daniel, uh, seal up the sayings of this book for the time is not at hand, seal them up until the time of the end. Now, Daniel wrote about 600 years prior to these events, which are unfolding. In the book of revelation. And because of that, what he's saying to us is that a period of 600 years is too long for these events to be at hand. They were not at hand at a time, 600 years out. That means again, the millennium cannot extend, uh, to be a literal 1000 years because 600 years was too long. And in the time of, uh, Daniel, uh, we had the 600 years. If you want to take it from Malachi, uh, who also spoke about the end. That's about 400 years. That's too long because they were not at hand then. But when you come to the new Testament, when we encountered the ministry of John the Baptist, he said the kingdom was at hand. So 30 years would be a timeframe for at hand. Jesus said the time was at hand another period of about 30 years. And then the apostles come, uh, anywhere from 20, uh, to 10 years prior to the event and actually as late as six years, they say the time was at hand. So we're talking about a very, very short period of time for the events of the book of revelation to take place. Now that's also important because so many people are afraid and fearful of the message of the book of revelation. They think that it's talking about something that's going to happen today. They're concerned about black Hawk helicopters and nuclear weapons and bombs destroying, uh, you know, the people in the church and, you know, so many other weird things that they're drawing from these newspaper headlines and from current history and modern day warfare, uh, and imagery that they think is fulfilling the book of revelation. And all of that is simply not true because of the statements that we've just prepared for, uh, just presented to you. So the basic and fundamental time statements have to be kept in mind at all times else one lands into huge trouble in an attempt to escape the eminence of the events for that first century generation, they were all occurring in Israel's last days. Now the seventh seal opens up with silence in heaven for about half an hour. We're in chapter eight. Now, just as we've gone through that sort of, uh, reiteration of the importance of these time statements. And now we're looking in chapter eight, when the Bible says when he opened the seventh seal, there was silence in heaven for about half an hour. And, um, Eric has a book that he's written called a personal revelation. And let me show you a copy of this book. Uh, you may want to pick up a copy of it. I recommend it. It is, um, no, you can't see it too well with that camera. I don't know whether bringing it close to me will help you read it a little better, but it's, uh, uh, that lighter type, but anyway, we encourage you to contact him and get a copy of his book. It's easy to read, easy to follow, but has a lot of very, uh, important points compacted into a very short space. Uh, and as I said, very easy to read and very easy to follow now. Um, he suggests several things for this period of silence. So I want to share some of those with you just to, um, maybe have you to reflect on that and think about what they are, but he says the 40 years, uh, they could be number one, these are possible suggestions, the 40 years, uh, or for the time of silence, it could be the 40 years given to apostate Jews to repent and to become Christians. And of course we know the Bible says in first Timothy chapter two, verses three and four, that, uh, there's one mediator between God and men, the man, Jesus Christ, who will have all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth. And then again, in second Peter chapter three and verse nine, the scripture says, the Lord is not slack concerning his promise, but his long suffering to us, were not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance. So there was a period of time where God withheld judgment so that the people of Israel could repent of their sins. And the people of the nations could be exposed to the gospel and therefore receive salvation. Uh, but also he suggests that it could be the time for Christians to get out of Jerusalem before the judgments were totally rendered. We know from Matthew 24 and verse 22, the Bible says, except those days were shortened, no flesh should be saved. But for the elect sake, those days were shortened. And again, we just read Luke 21, 20 through 24, where it speaks about Jerusalem being surrounded by armies and that the disciples were told to flee. Same thing you have in Matthew 24, 15 through 18, but they were to flee the city, not to return back from the countryside and, um, the region of Judea, but therefore to, uh, get out of the city and to remain. And that's what revelation 18 and verse four says, which is a reference to mystery Babylon that is also, uh, referring to Jerusalem where the Bible says, come out of her, my people, less you share in her sins and less you receive of her plagues. So the time period that those suffer under the altar and who were waiting in eager anticipation for the judgment to be served is a third reason that he says that might refer to this period of silence. And then the fourth was the time that Josephus mentioned about the temple being illuminated for a half an hour. He mentions that both Josephus and Tacitus wrote about voices accompanying this event, saying that they were departing from the temple. Uh, and you can find that in Tacitus histories, book five, this brings to mind God's departure from the temple, according to Ezekiel chapter 10 and verse 18, and finally, he said it could be a combination of all the above or a time of silent reverence before the Lord of all the earth per Habakkuk two 20 and Zephaniah one and verse seven. Now I had mentioned a backer to 20 in, uh, my introduction to this, uh, section where Habakkuk said, but the Lord is in his holy temple. Let all the earth keep silence before him. Then you have also in Zephaniah chapter one, verse seven through nine, be silent in the presence of the Lord for the day of the Lord is at hand. So there was this period of silence that God commanded because the day of the Lord was at hand. Now, what do you have in the book of revelation? You have the day of the Lord, uh, being at hand for the Lord has prepared a sacrifice and he has invited his guests and it shall be in the day of the Lord sacrifice that I will punish the princes and the King's children. And all such are clothed as are clothed with foreign apparel. In the same day, I will punish all those who leap over the threshold, who feel their master's houses with violence and deceit, uh, the kind of activity that occurred prior to the destruction of Jerusalem, both in the time of the fall of Jerusalem in 70 AD, then in Isaiah 41 and verse one, he says, keep silence before me, old coastlands, and let the people renew their strength. Let them come near, let them speak. Let us come together for judgment. So we see the spirit of silence that precedes judgment. Now I, uh, suggest in addition to the things that were suggested by, uh, Eric, uh, in his book, that it's also interesting that the seven or several places in revelation that the scripture speaks of an hour of judgment and these persecutions in revelation three 10, we've already indicated where he says that he was going to keep them from the hour of trial. That would come upon all of those who dwelt on the face of the whole inhabited earth. So there's an hour of judgment that he speaks about. Then in revelation 18 verses 10 and 19, he talks about the hour of Babylon's judgment, which had come. So maybe the half hour indicates how imminent this last hour was with only half of that time to reflect and to be in this period of silence because the hour of judgment had come. So whatever you make of that, uh, it indicates, uh, maybe the silence next we have the prayers of the saints being offered up with much incense and they are offered on the golden altar indicating the work of the high priests. And you can see Leviticus chapter 16 verses 12 and 13, which we've already spoke about in a previous lesson, which showed that it was the high priest who would offer from the golden altar. And it seems that both the space of silence and the prayers of the saints that ascended to heaven are reflected in the judgment that followed. In other words, that God is answering this prayer, uh, both of the saints and, uh, making this period of silence just prior to this time of, uh, very solemn, uh, uh, judgment that was about to come upon Israel. Well, uh, it looks like, uh, we've, uh, exceeded or not exceeded, but at least we're out of time for the moment. Uh, this morning, I want to encourage you to, uh, stay tuned for next week as we will continue in looking at the, uh, uh, four of the seven trumpets that are unfolded in chapter eight. I also encourage you to check out our book, which is, will planet earth be destroyed? A lot of people are concerned about that, especially, uh, in view of the war in Ukraine. And, uh, again, as they say, because they don't understand the book of revelation, they think that these things are taking place, uh, in the present time. And so we want you to have that book so you can see how this apocalyptic literature, uh, is to be understood because the book of revelation talks about the end of heaven and earth and the sun, moon, and stars falling. All of those details are explained in that book. We have another book, which is living in eternity. I'll put the links there for you to, um, to see them. We appreciate those of you who are ordering the books and, um, uh, we thank you for a steady stream of orders that are coming in relative to them, and we want to encourage more people to, uh, to get access to them. So until next week, uh, remember to, you know, offer your comments based on the lesson pro or con. We always read them as much as we possibly can and respond and, uh, visit our website at all things will feel.com. And once again, um, we want to encourage you to continue studying with us in this, uh, great book of revelation. As we learn together, those things that God has revealed and manifested his judgments as well as brought to us the new heavens and the new earth, where we have salvation, where we have the blessings of the Lord and, uh, where, uh, we are able to see just how loving a God we have for this wonderful, uh, salvation and revelation that he has given to us. I'm William Bell. You have a great Sunday morning and may God bless you.