136 lines
28 KiB
HTML
136 lines
28 KiB
HTML
<!DOCTYPE HTML PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD HTML 4.01 Transitional//EN">
|
||
<html><head>
|
||
<title>Blue Letter Bible - Text Commentaries</title>
|
||
<script src="../../../js/basepath.js" type="text/javascript"></script>
|
||
<script src="./js/nav.js" type="text/javascript"></script>
|
||
<script src="./js/MainHeader.js" type="text/javascript"></script>
|
||
<script type="text/javascript">
|
||
PriorSectionURL = './Comm/chuck_missler/Rev/Rev006.html';
|
||
PriorSection = 'Revelation 6';
|
||
NextSectionURL = './Comm/chuck_missler/Rev/Rev008.html';
|
||
NextSection = 'Revelation 8';
|
||
Title = 'Revelation 7';
|
||
</script>
|
||
<script src="./js/Comms/CM.js" type="text/javascript"></script>
|
||
</head><body>
|
||
<h2><a onclick="return mV('Rev',7,'1-')">Revelation 7</a></h2>
|
||
<hr width="80%" align="center">
|
||
<h4>The Sealing of the 144,000</h4>
|
||
<p>Chapter 6 concludes with the statement, “For the great day of His wrath is come; and who shall be able to stand?” This next chapter seems to respond to that question.</p>
|
||
<p>In each of the major series of “sevens”—the seals, trumpets, and bowls—we notice that there always appears to be an inserted parenthetical passage between the 6th and 7th of each series. Having completed 6 of the 7 seals, <a onclick="return mV('Rev',7,'1-')">Revelation 7</a> pauses for some amplification before we continue with the 7th seal in <a onclick="return mV('Rev',8,'1-')">Revelation 8</a>. Israel is the center piece in the OT; and it now re-emerges as the centerpiece of God’s climax in Revelation. (It is also the centerpiece in the New Testament, but there is a lot of misunderstanding just how.)</p>
|
||
<p>It is interesting how Israel, again, is at the center of world events today. <a onclick="return mV('Rev',7,'1-')">Revelation 7</a> deals with the “sealing” of the 144,000 Jews, 12,000 from each of the 12 tribes. But let’s first highlight some common unfortunate misconceptions.</p>
|
||
<h5>Myth No. 1: Replacement Theology</h5>
|
||
<p>There is a commonly held view that...</p>
|
||
<p style="margin:0px 0px 0px 60px;text-indent:-20px;">A) Israel rejected her messiah; therefore she forfeited the promises to her;</p>
|
||
<p style="margin:0px 0px 0px 60px;text-indent:-20px;">B) The Church, thus, replaces Israel, becoming “spiritual Israel,” etc.</p>
|
||
<p>However:</p>
|
||
<p style="margin:0px 0px 0px 60px;text-indent:-20px;">1) The promises involved to Israel were <i>unconditional</i> ; (she couldn’t forfeit these);</p>
|
||
<p style="margin:0px 0px 0px 60px;text-indent:-20px;">2) Paul, in his definitive statement of Christian doctrine called The Book of Romans, spends three chapters (<a onclick="return mV('Rom',9,'1-')">Rom 9</a>; <a onclick="return mV('Rom',10,'1-')">Rom 10</a>; and <a onclick="return mV('Rom',11,'1-')">Rom 11</a>) stressing that God is not finished with Israel;</p>
|
||
<p style="margin:0px 0px 0px 60px;text-indent:-20px;">3) The Seventy Week prophecy of <a onclick="return mV('Dan',9,'1-')">Daniel 9</a> outlines the prophetic role of Israel after the “interval” of the Church period. [The Church is not present in the 69 weeks, nor is it on the earth in the 70th; the interval between the 69th and 70th week (<a onclick="return mV('Dan',9,26)">Dan 9:26</a>) is the period of the church on the earth.]</p>
|
||
<p style="margin:0px 0px 0px 60px;text-indent:-20px;">4) Jesus has yet to fulfill the promise given to Mary to take David’s Throne, etc.</p>
|
||
<p>Israel appears 75 times in the New Testament. Each time it refers to national Israel, including the solitary ostensible exception in <a onclick="return mV('Gal',6,16)">Gal 6:16</a>—the <i>kai</i> grammatically sets apart the “Israel of God” from the church, and prevents synonymity. [Lindsey, p.268-9; Johnson; Fruchtenbaum.]</p>
|
||
<h5>From Augustine to Auschwitz</h5>
|
||
<p>After the adoption of “Christianity” by the secular leadership after Constantine, the notion that Jesus was to literally return to rule the earth and free it from Satan’s evil world system was not popular with the administration in power—it was not “politically correct.” Origen’s system of allegorical interpretation led to Augustine’s amillennial eschatology, which became a tradition that would dominate the church for over a thousand years. The contention that the church was the inheritors of Israel’s promises—and therefore must take ultimate authority over the political powers of this world—became the preoccupation of the Medieval Church. Even the Reformation, despite its effective focus on salvation by faith alone, failed to reexamine and return to a literal, pre-millennial eschatology.</p>
|
||
<p>One of the tragedies of this “replacement” or “reconstruction” view is that it led to the anti-Semitism that resulted in the Holocaust. (See <i>The Road to Holocaust</i>, by Hal Lindsey.) These views led to the tragedies of the Crusades, the blood-libel hoax, the scapegoats for the Black Death, and other tragic misconceptions. The real root cause of anti-Semitism is, of course, the Red Dragon of <a onclick="return mV('Rev',12,'1-')">Revelation 12</a>: Satan. (There are a number of apparent motivations, not the least of these being the possible attempt to thwart the Second Coming by wiping out the Remnant before they can repent as required by <a onclick="return mV('Hos',5,15)">Hosea 5:15</a>, et al.)</p>
|
||
<p>It is important to distinguish the origin and destiny of Israel from the origin and destiny of the Church: they are clearly distinguished in the Scriptures.</p>
|
||
<h5>Israel in the Past—Elected</h5>
|
||
<p>From <a onclick="return mV('Gen',12,'1-')">Genesis 12</a> onward, the Biblical message focuses on four <i>unconditional</i> covenants God made with Abraham and his descendants through Isaac and Jacob. The destiny of the entire world is secured through these covenants! (The only <i>conditional</i> covenant is the Mosaic.)</p>
|
||
<p>The blasphemy that God has discarded Israel—and the completion of these covenants—is prevalent throughout the church today and the misconception underlying the misguided policies presently leading the Middle East—and the whole world—to Armageddon.</p>
|
||
<h5>Abrahamic Covenant - <a onclick="return mV('Gen',12,'1-3')">Genesis 12:1-3</a></h5>
|
||
<p style="margin:0px;">Seven “I Will’s”: <i>And I will make of thee a great nation,</i> </p>
|
||
<p style="margin:0px 0px 0px 40px;font-style:oblique;font-weight:bold;">and I will bless thee, (personally)</p>
|
||
<p style="margin:0px 0px 0px 40px;font-style:oblique;">and make thy name great; </p>
|
||
<p style="margin:0px 0px 0px 40px;font-style:oblique;">and thou shalt be a blessing:</p>
|
||
<p style="margin:0px 0px 0px 40px;font-style:oblique;">And I will bless them that bless thee, (against anti-Semitism) </p>
|
||
<p style="margin:0px 0px 0px 40px;font-style:oblique;">and curse him that curseth thee: </p>
|
||
<p style="margin:0px 0px 0px 40px;font-style:oblique;">and in thee shall all families of the earth be blessed.</p>
|
||
<h5>Warning to Anti-Semites</h5>
|
||
<p>This curse is still valid at the Second Coming: Sheep and Goat Judgement in <a onclick="return mV('Mat',25,31)">Mat 25:31</a>ff. The “third party” is Jesus’ brothers. (Note: the Church cannot be present during the Tribulation, since in the church there is no distinction between Jew and Gentile.)</p>
|
||
<p>Salvation is of the Jews: <a onclick="return mV('Jhn',4,22)">Jhn 4:22</a>.</p>
|
||
<h5>The Palestinian Covenant</h5>
|
||
<p>The Jews were promised the Land: <a onclick="return mV('Gen',12,7)">Gen 12:7</a>; <a onclick="return mV('Gen',13,'14-17')">Gen 13:14-17</a> (“forever). The Title Deed was sealed in <a onclick="return mV('Gen',15,'9-19')">Gen 15:9-19</a>—note the performing parties: only one. This was a unilateral covenant. [Note: 10 nations in opposition...is this deed related to <a onclick="return mV('Rev',5,'1-')">Rev 5</a>?]</p>
|
||
<p>Moses and Ezekiel confirm the covenant. (Curses are just as binding as blessings: <a onclick="return mV('Deu',30,'1-8')">Deu 30:1-8</a>; <a onclick="return mV('Eze',16,'59-63')">Eze 16:59-63</a>). Not conditional: “when,” not “if,” delineates the consequences and prophetic destiny. Amplified and confirmed in <a onclick="return mV('Eze',36,'17-28')">Eze 36:17-28</a>.</p>
|
||
<h5>The Davidic Covenant</h5>
|
||
<p><a onclick="return mV('2Sa',7,'11-16')">2Sa 7:11-16</a>. [Prophesied in the time of the Judges: Book of <a onclick="return mV('Rth',4,'1-')">Ruth 4</a>.] Confirmed to Mary: <a onclick="return mV('Luk',1,'30-33')">Luke 1:30-33</a> (throne to be vacant for a period of time: <a onclick="return mV('Hos',3,4,5)">Hos 3:4-5</a>). Yet future: <a onclick="return mV('Eze',37,'21-28')">Eze 37:21-28</a>; <a onclick="return mV('Act',1,'3-6')">Acts 1:3-6</a>; <a onclick="return mV('Act',15,'16-18')">Acts 15:16-18</a> (q. <a onclick="return mV('Amo',9,8,9)">Amos 9:8-9</a>).</p>
|
||
<h5>The New Covenant</h5>
|
||
<p><a onclick="return mV('Jer',31,'31-34')">Jer 31:31-34</a>. The unilateral “I Will” again. This covenant is partially in force (<a onclick="return mV('Heb',10,'14-18')">Heb 10:14-18</a>). Available to the Christian through his union with Christ, a son of Abraham and David.</p>
|
||
<p>Is God a liar? <a onclick="return mV('Num',23,19)">Num 23:19</a>; <a onclick="return mV('Eze',36,22)">Eze 36:22</a>.</p>
|
||
<p>Paul’s Great Discourse: <a onclick="return mV('Rom',9,'1-')">Rom 9</a>; <a onclick="return mV('Rom',10,'1-')">Rom 10</a>; <a onclick="return mV('Rom',11,'1-')">Rom 11</a>: He deals with the questions “who is Israel, why are they presently “blinded” and set aside for a time, and what is their subsequent destiny prophetically?”</p>
|
||
<h5>Israel’s Present Rejection</h5>
|
||
<p>Their present rejection is neither total (<a onclick="return mV('Rom',11,'1-10')">Rom 11:1-10</a>) nor final (<a onclick="return mV('Rom',11,'11-32')">Rom 11:11-32</a>). “Until” of <a onclick="return mV('Rom',11,'25-25')">Rom 11:25</a> is <a onclick="return mV('Rev',7,'1-')">Rev 7</a>. The exact number is known to God (<a onclick="return mV('2Ti',2,19)">2Ti 2:19</a>).</p>
|
||
<h5>Israel of the Future - Fulfilled Exposition</h5>
|
||
<p class="hangIndent">[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”: <i>Meta tauta</i> : “after these things.”</p>
|
||
<p>“Four corners of the earth”: <a onclick="return mV('Isa',11,12)">Isa 11:12</a>; <a onclick="return mV('Jer',49,36)">Jer 49:36</a>; <a onclick="return mV('Dan',7,2)">Dan 7:2</a>; <a onclick="return mV('Dan',8,8)">Dan 8:8</a>; <a onclick="return mV('Dan',11,4)">Dan 11:4</a>; <a onclick="return mV('Zec',2,6)">Zech 2:6</a>; <a onclick="return mV('Mat',24,31)">Mat 24:31</a>.</p>
|
||
<p>“Winds”: <a onclick="return mV('Jer',49,36)">Jer 49:36</a>; <a onclick="return mV('Jer',51,1)">Jer 51:1</a>; <a onclick="return mV('2Sa',22,11)">2Sa 22:11</a> (judgments)</p>
|
||
<p>Earth, Israel; Sea, Gentiles; tree, individuals (<a onclick="return mV('Psa',1,3)">Psa 1:3</a>; <a onclick="return mV('Jdg',9,'8-15')">Judg 9:8-15</a>; <a onclick="return mV('Dan',4,'1-')">Dan 4</a>, et al.)</p>
|
||
<p class="hangIndent">[2] “And I saw another angel ascending from the east, having the seal of the living God...”:</p>
|
||
<p>“Seals”: <a onclick="return mV('Eze',9,4,6)">Eze 9:4, 6</a>; <a onclick="return mV('Eze',11,7)">Eze 11:7</a>. Sealed by the Holy Spirit (<a onclick="return mV('2Co',1,22)">2Cr 1:22</a>; <a onclick="return mV('Eph',1,13)">Eph 1:13</a>; <a onclick="return mV('Eph',4,30)">Eph 4:30</a>); Here, sealed are protected (<a onclick="return mV('Rev',9,4)">Rev 9:4</a>). Note: Counterfeit in <a onclick="return mV('Rev',13,'16-18')">Rev 13:16-18</a>.</p>
|
||
<p class="hangIndent">[3] “Saying, Hurt not the earth, neither the sea, nor the trees, till we have sealed the servants of our God in their foreheads”:</p>
|
||
<p>[Disciples elevated to the rank of “friends” rather than “servants” in <a onclick="return mV('Jhn',15,15)">Jhn 15:15</a>.]</p>
|
||
<p>“Till” relates to the “till” of <a onclick="return mV('Rom',11,15)">Rom 11:15</a>?</p>
|
||
<p class="hangIndent">[4] “And I heard the number of them which were sealed: [and there were] sealed an hundred [and] forty [and] four thousand of all the tribes of the children of Israel”:</p>
|
||
<p class="hangIndent"> Note: “in Christ” (the Church) there are neither Jews nor Gentiles (<a onclick="return mV('Gal',3,27,28)">Gal 3:27-28</a>). This scene, emphasizing a distinction, is “post-church.” [12 is also prominent in <a onclick="return mV('Rev',21,12,14)">Rev 21:12, 14</a>, et al. 12 and 144 (12<sup>2</sup>) will be discussed in the notes for <a onclick="return mV('Rev',21,'1-')">Revelation 21</a>. The New Jerusalem has both Israel and the Church in view.]</p>
|
||
<h5>Myth No. 2: The “Lost 10 Tribes”</h5>
|
||
<p>The myth of the “Ten Lost Tribes” is the basis for “British-Israelism” and similar legends, but has no real Biblical basis. (Cf. Pentecost: 12 tribes. Epistles of James, 1 Peter: “to <i>12 tribes</i> .”) Prophecies of 12 Tribes: <a onclick="return mV('Gen',49,'1-')">Gen 49</a>; <a onclick="return mV('Deu',33,'1-')">Deu 33</a>.</p>
|
||
<p>The myth is based on a misconception derived from the misreading of passages such as <a onclick="return mV('2Ki',17,'7-23')">2Ki 17:7-23</a>; <a onclick="return mV('2Ch',6,'6-11')">2Ch 6:6-11</a>, etc.</p>
|
||
<h5>The Faithful Voted With Their Feet</h5>
|
||
<p>Before the Assyrian captivity, substantial numbers from the northern tribes had identified themselves with the house of David (<a onclick="return mV('1Ki',12,'16-20')">1Ki 12:16-20</a>; <a onclick="return mV('2Ch',11,'16-17')">2Ch 11:16-17</a>). The rebellion of Jeroboam and subsequent crises caused many to repudiate the northern kingdom and unite with the southern kingdom in a common alliance to the house of David and to worship the Lord (<a onclick="return mV('2Ch',19,4)">2Ch 19:4</a>; <a onclick="return mV('2Ch',30,1,10,11,25,26)">2Ch 30:1, 10-11, 25-26</a>; <a onclick="return mV('2Ch',34,5,6,7,22)">2Ch 34:5-7, 22</a>; <a onclick="return mV('2Ch',35,17,18)">2Ch 35:17-18</a>).</p>
|
||
<p>In 930 <span style='font-variant:small-caps'>BC</span>, Jeroboam ruled the Northern Kingdom from his capital in Samaria (<a onclick="return mV('1Ki',11,43)">1Ki 11:43</a>-<a onclick="return mV('1Ki',12,'1-33')">1Ki 12:1-33</a>). When Jeroboam turned the Northern Kingdom to idolatry, the Levites (and others who desired to remain faithful) migrated south to Rehoboam (<a onclick="return mV('2Ch',11,'14-17')">2Ch 11:14-17</a>). Horrified that Jeroboam set up a rival religion with golden calf worship at Bethel and Dan, many Northerners moved south, knowing that the only place acceptable to God was the Temple on Mt. Moriah (<a onclick="return mV('Deu',12,'5-7')">Deu 12:5-7</a>; <a onclick="return mV('Deu',16,'2-6')">Deu 16:2-6</a>; <a onclick="return mV('Isa',18,7)">Isa 18:7</a>). Those who favored idolatry migrated north to Jeroboam.</p>
|
||
<p>Later, when Asa reigned as king in the south, another great company came from the north (<a onclick="return mV('2Ch',15,9)">2Ch 15:9</a>).</p>
|
||
<p>Years after the deportation by Assyria, King Hezekiah of Judah issued a call to all Israel to come and worship in Jerusalem and celebrate Passover (<a onclick="return mV('2Ch',30,5,6,10,11,21)">2Ch 30:5-6, 10-11, 21</a>).</p>
|
||
<p>Eighty years later, King Josiah of Judah also issued a call, and an offering for the temple was received from “Manasseh and Ephraim and all the remnant of Israel...” (<a onclick="return mV('2Ch',34,9)">2Ch 34:9</a>). Eventually, all 12 tribes were represented in the south. God even addresses the 12 tribes in the south: “Speak unto Rehoboam the son of Solomon, king of Judah, and to all Israel in Judah and Benjamin...” (<a onclick="return mV('2Ch',11,3)">2Ch 11:3</a>).</p>
|
||
<p>The “tribe of Judah” (<a onclick="return mV('2Ki',17,18)">2Ki 17:18</a>, et al.) is used idiomatically for the Southern Kingdom (Cf. <a onclick="return mV('1Ki',11,13,32)">1Ki 11:13, 32</a>, etc.) When encountering the tribal designations, it is important to distinguish between the <i>territories</i> allocated to the tribes and the <i>people</i> themselves.</p>
|
||
<h5>The Northern Kingdom Falls</h5>
|
||
<p>In 724 <span style='font-variant:small-caps'>BC</span>, Shalmaneser V besieged Samaria, 3 years. King Hoshea of Israel attempted to revolt against paying Assyrians annual tribute money—a treaty with Pharaoh of Egypt did not help (<a onclick="return mV('2Ki',18,2)">2Ki 18:2</a>)—and Samaria, Jeroboam’s capital, fell in 722 <span style='font-variant:small-caps'>BC</span>; Sargon II seized power in 721 <span style='font-variant:small-caps'>BC</span> Assyrians pulled down towers, took 27,290 captive, placed an Assyrian ruler over the city, looted it of 50 royal chariots and other items, etc. The Assyrians implemented their infamous policy of mixing conquered peoples to keep them from organizing a revolt. Israelite captives were mixed with Persians and others; strangers from far-off lands were resettled in Samaria. The resulting mixed, quasi-Jewish populations resulted in “Samaritans” (<a onclick="return mV('Jhn',4,'20-22')">Jhn 4:20-22</a>).</p>
|
||
<p>Not all from the northern kingdom was deported. Archaeologists have uncovered annals of the Assyrian Sargon, in which he tells that he carried away only 27,290 people and 50 chariots (<i>Biblical Archaeologist,</i> VI, 1943, p.58). Estimates of the population of the northern kingdom at that time range from 400,000 to 500,000; less than 1/20th were deported—mostly the leadership from around the capital, Samaria.</p>
|
||
<h5>The Babylonians Take Over</h5>
|
||
<p>When the northern kingdom went into captivity (722 <span style='font-variant:small-caps'>BC</span>), all 12 tribes were also represented in the south. When the Babylonians took the southern kingdom into captivity (586 <span style='font-variant:small-caps'>BC</span>), members of all 12 tribes of Israel were involved. Isaiah, prophesying to Judah, refers to them as the “House of Jacob, which are called by the name of Israel...” (<a onclick="return mV('Isa',48,1)">Isa 48:1</a>; Cf. <a onclick="return mV('Isa',48,'12-14')">Isa 48:12-14</a>).</p>
|
||
<p>The Northern Kingdom was taken by Assyria as slaves, which were a valuable commodity. (It is difficult to view them as careless enough to let them wander off to Europe.) When the Babylonians take over Assyria, the descendants of the “10 tribes” were probably again commingled with the captives of Judah.</p>
|
||
<h5>Commingled Terminology</h5>
|
||
<p>Even before the death of Rehoboam, God looked upon all the as a unity, seeing “all Israel in Judah and Benjamin” (<a onclick="return mV('2Ch',11,3)">2Ch 11:3</a>). After the Babylonian captivity, the terms Jew and Israelite are used interchangeably. Ezra calls the returning remnant Jews 8 times and Israel 40 times. (Ezra speaks of “all Israel”: <a onclick="return mV('Ezr',2,70)">Ezra 2:70</a>; <a onclick="return mV('Ezr',3,11)">Ezra 3:11</a>; <a onclick="return mV('Ezr',8,35)">Ezra 8:35</a>; <a onclick="return mV('Ezr',10,25)">Ezra 10:25</a>, et al.)</p>
|
||
<p>Nehemiah calls them Jews 11 times, Israel 22 times. Nehemiah speaks of “all Israel being back in the land: <a onclick="return mV('Neh',12,47)">Neh 12:47</a>. The remnant who returned from Babylon is represented as “the nation” (<a onclick="return mV('Mal',1,1)">Mal 1:1</a>)</p>
|
||
<p>The same is true in the New Testament. Our Lord is said to have offered Himself to the nation, “the lost sheep of the house of Israel” (<a onclick="return mV('Mat',10,'5-6')">Mat 10:5-6</a>; <a onclick="return mV('Mat',15,24)">Mat 15:24</a>). Other tribes than Judah are mentioned specifically in the NT as being represented in the land (<a onclick="return mV('Mat',4,13,15)">Mat 4:13, 15</a>; <a onclick="return mV('Luk',2,36)">Luk 2:36</a>; <a onclick="return mV('Act',4,36)">Acts 4:36</a>; <a onclick="return mV('Phl',3,5)">Phil 3:5</a>; “the twelve tribes” <a onclick="return mV('Act',26,7)">Acts 26:7</a>; <a onclick="return mV('Jam',1,1)">Jam 1:1</a>). Anna knew her tribal identity from the tribe of Asher (<a onclick="return mV('Luk',2,30)">Luk 2:30</a>). Paul knew he was of the tribe of Benjamin (a “Jew” and an “Israelite”) <a onclick="return mV('Rom',11,1)">Rom 11:1</a>.</p>
|
||
<p>The New Testament speaks of “Israel” 75 times and uses the word “Jew” 174 times. (<a onclick="return mV('Act',21,39)">Acts 21:39</a>; <a onclick="return mV('Act',22,3)">Acts 22:3</a>; <a onclick="return mV('Rom',11,1)">Rom 11:1</a>; <a onclick="return mV('2Co',11,22)">2Cr 11:22</a>; <a onclick="return mV('Phl',3,5)">Phil 3:5</a>, etc.)</p>
|
||
<h5>The Day of Pentecost/Feast of Shavout</h5>
|
||
<p>Peter cries “Ye men of Judea” (<a onclick="return mV('Act',2,14)">Acts 2:14</a>) and “ye men of Israel...” (<a onclick="return mV('Act',2,22)">Acts 2:22</a>), and “All the house of Israel.” (<a onclick="return mV('Act',2,36)">Acts 2:36</a>).</p>
|
||
<h5>Regathered as One</h5>
|
||
<p><a onclick="return mV('Eze',36,'1-')">Ezekiel 36</a> and <a onclick="return mV('Eze',37,'1-')">Ezekiel 37</a>: Dry Bones Vision declares that Judah (Jews) and Israel (10 tribes) shall be joined as one in the regathering. (<a onclick="return mV('Eze',37,16,17,21,22)">Eze 37:16-17, 21-22</a>). This is true today. [The total physical descendants were not the people to whom the promises were made (<a onclick="return mV('Rom',9,'4-7')">Rom 9:4-7</a>).]</p>
|
||
<h5>Anti-Semitism</h5>
|
||
<p>Accompanying some of the legends of the so-called “10 Lost Tribes” are aspersions on the present State of Israel and the people being regathered in the Land. These various theories such as “British Israelism” are by their nature anti-Semitic (and blasphemous) because they deny the Jewish people their proper place in the plan of God.</p>
|
||
<p>Israel is being regathered just as God has announced (<a onclick="return mV('Eze',36,'1-')">Eze 36</a>; <a onclick="return mV('Eze',37,'1-')">Eze 37</a>; <a onclick="return mV('Isa',11,11)">Isa 11:11</a>, et al.) There is yet to come an event that will begin to awake them to realize that the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob once again has His hand upon them (<a onclick="return mV('Eze',38,'1-')">Eze 38</a>; <a onclick="return mV('Eze',39,'1-')">Eze 39</a>). I believe it that it may happen at any moment.</p>
|
||
<p>The Throne of David was promised to the Son of Mary (<a onclick="return mV('Luk',1,32)">Luk 1:32</a>). His taking possession of it is the subject of this countdown in Revelation. And it increasingly appears that it is on the near horizon. Maranatha!</p>
|
||
<p class="hangIndent">[5] “Of the tribe of Judah [were] sealed twelve thousand. Of the tribe of Reuben [were] sealed twelve thousand. Of the tribe of Gad [were] sealed twelve thousand”: Judah, first: <a onclick="return mV('1Ch',5,1,2)">1Ch 5:1-2</a>.</p>
|
||
<p class="hangIndent">[6] “Of the tribe of Asher [were] sealed twelve thousand. Of the tribe of Nephtali [were] sealed twelve thousand. Of the tribe of Manassah [were] sealed twelve thousand.”</p>
|
||
<p class="hangIndent">[7] “Of the tribe of Simeon [were] sealed twelve thousand. Of the tribe of Levi [were] sealed twelve thousand. Of the tribe of Issachar [were] sealed twelve thousand”: Levi: <a onclick="return mV('Deu',18,1,2)">Deu 18:1-2</a>; <a onclick="return mV('Jos',13,14)">Josh 13:14</a>.</p>
|
||
<p class="hangIndent">[8] “Of the tribe of Zebulon [were] sealed twelve thousand. Of the tribe of Joseph [were] sealed twelve thousand. Of the tribe of Benjamin [were] sealed twelve thousand”:</p>
|
||
<p><i>Two Tribes Missing</i> : Dan and Ephraim.</p>
|
||
<h5>Dan - Why Omitted?</h5>
|
||
<p>Idolaters to be separated; name to be blotted out: <a onclick="return mV('Deu',29,'18-21')">Deu 29:18-21</a>. (“...or tribe...”) Dan prophesied (<a onclick="return mV('Gen',49,17)">Gen 49:17</a>). Curse: <a onclick="return mV('Jer',8,16)">Jer 8:16</a>. Dan’s idolatry recorded (<a onclick="return mV('Lev',24,'10-16')">Lev 24:10-16</a>; <a onclick="return mV('Jdg',18,1,2,30,31)">Judg 18:1-2, 30-31</a>). A leader in apostasy under Jeroboam (<a onclick="return mV('1Ki',12,'28-30')">1Ki 12:28-30</a>); and 100 years later (<a onclick="return mV('2Ki',10,29)">2Ki 10:29</a>). The “Voice of Calamity” <a onclick="return mV('Jer',4,14)">Jer 4:14</a> (Heb); <a onclick="return mV('Amo',8,14)">Amos 8:14</a> (Heb). Cowardice under Deborah and Barak (<a onclick="return mV('Jdg',5,17)">Judg 5:17</a>).</p>
|
||
<p>This throng preserved <i>through</i> (sealed) the Tribulation, not “<i>kept out</i> ” of it, as in <a onclick="return mV('Rev',3,10)">Rev 3:10</a>.</p>
|
||
<p>Note: Gifts and calling of God are without repentance (<a onclick="return mV('Rom',11,29)">Rom 11:29</a>): Dan shall judge his people as one of the tribes of Israel (<a onclick="return mV('Gen',49,16)">Gen 49:16</a>); in <a onclick="return mV('Eze',48,1)">Ezekiel 48:1</a>, Dan is mentioned first.</p>
|
||
<h5>Ephraim (also)</h5>
|
||
<p>Ephraim is also referred to only elliptically: Joseph, minus Manasseh = Ephraim. Ephraim also associated with Jeroboam’s idolatry (<a onclick="return mV('Hos',4,17)">Hos 4:17</a>). The 144,000 are destined to be the glorious Temple “bodyguard” (<a onclick="return mV('Rev',14,4)">Rev 14:4</a>).</p>
|
||
<p class="hangIndent">[9] “After this I beheld, and, lo, a great multitude, which no man could number, of all nations, and kindreds, and people, and tongues, stood before the throne, and before the Lamb, clothed with white robes, and palms in their hands”: Here, the greatest harvest of souls the world has ever seen will take place! (Written in <a onclick="return mV('Isa',49,'10-12')">Isa 49:10-12</a>; <a onclick="return mV('Isa',60,'1-3')">Isa 60:1-3</a>.)</p>
|
||
<p><a onclick="return mV('Joe',2,'28-32')">Joel 2:28-32</a> (quoted in <a onclick="return mV('Act',2,'16-21')">Acts 2:16-21</a>) links with these prophecies of the Great Tribulation.</p>
|
||
<p>Palm branches: as on “Palm Sunday,” Cf. <a onclick="return mV('Jhn',12,13)">Jhn 12:13</a>. Also, possible link with Feast of Tabernacles (<a onclick="return mV('Lev',23,39,43)">Lev 23:39, 43</a>,; <a onclick="return mV('2Ch',20,19)">2Ch 20:19</a>; <a onclick="return mV('Ezr',3,11,12)">Ezra 3:11-12</a>; <a onclick="return mV('Jhn',12,12,13)">Jhn 12:12-13</a>; <a onclick="return mV('Neh',8,'15-17')">Neh 8:15-17</a>).</p>
|
||
<p class="hangIndent">[13] “And one of the elders answered, saying unto me, What are these which are arrayed in white robes? and whence came they?”</p>
|
||
<p class="hangIndent">[14] “And I said unto him, Sir, thou knowest. And he said to me, These are they which came out of great tribulation, and have washed their robes, and made them white in the blood of the Lamb”: [John apparently doesn’t recognize who they are. Why are they distinguished from those <i>prior</i> to the tribulation? Are their predecessors already in heaven?]</p>
|
||
<p class="hangIndent">[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”: The Millennial Temple. In heaven there is no night (<a onclick="return mV('Rev',21,25)">Rev 21:25</a>; <a onclick="return mV('Rev',22,5)">Rev 22:5</a>).</p>
|
||
<p class="hangIndent">[16] “They shall hunger no more, neither thirst any more; neither shall the sun light on them, nor any heat.”</p>
|
||
<p class="hangIndent">[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.” Cf. <a onclick="return mV('Isa',49,10)">Isa 49:10</a>.</p>
|
||
<h5>Church vs. the Fruits of the 144,000</h5>
|
||
<p style="margin:0px 0px 0px 20px;">Church is <i>kept out</i> of the tribulation, <a onclick="return mV('Rev',3,10)">Rev 3:10</a></p>
|
||
<p style="margin:0px 0px 0px 40px;">These <i>came out</i> of the tribulation,</p>
|
||
<p style="margin:0px 0px 0px 40px;">(John didn’t recognize them!)</p>
|
||
<p style="margin:0px 0px 0px 20px;">Church will <i>sit on</i> thrones (<a onclick="return mV('1Co',6,'2-3')">1Cr 6:2-3</a>; <a onclick="return mV('1Pe',2,9)">1Pe 2:9</a>; <a onclick="return mV('Rev',1,6)">Rev 1:6</a>)</p>
|
||
<p style="margin:0px 0px 0px 40px;">These stand <i>before</i> thrones</p>
|
||
<p style="margin:0px 0px 0px 20px;">Church is crowned; these are uncrowned.</p>
|
||
<p style="margin:0px 0px 0px 20px;">Harps vs. palms; sing new song vs. cry, loud voice</p>
|
||
<p style="margin:0px 0px 0px 40px;">(Palms: <a onclick="return mV('Lev',23,40)">Lev 23:40</a>; <a onclick="return mV('Jhn',12,13)">Jhn 12:13</a>; <a onclick="return mV('Neh',8,17)">Neh 8:17</a>)</p>
|
||
<p style="margin:0px 0px 0px 20px;">Church reigns as kings & priests (<a onclick="return mV('1Co',6,'2-3')">1Cr 6:2-3</a>; <a onclick="return mV('1Pe',2,9)">1Pe 2:9</a>;</p>
|
||
<p style="margin:0px 0px 0px 40px;"><a onclick="return mV('Rev',1,6)">Rev 1:6</a>); These serve Him day and night...</p>
|
||
</div></div>
|
||
</div></div>
|
||
<div class="return"><strong><a href="#top" style="color:#ffffff;">Return to Top</a></strong></div>
|
||
<div class="return"><b><a href="./Comm/chuck_missler/Rev/index.html#top" style="color:ffffff;">Return to Table of Contents</a></b></div>
|
||
<script src="./js/MainFooter.js" type="text/javascript"></script> |