C J McKnight - Revelation THE BOOK OF REVELATION 1-3 missing Richard. Greetings in Jesus. I hope this will help. The seven fold spirit is listed in Isa. 11:2 The spirit of the Lord, the spirit of wisdom, the spirit of understanding, the spirit of counsel, the spirit of might, the spirit of knowledge, and the spirit of the fear of the Lord. THE BOOK OF REVELATION 4 We see the order of the heavenly, eternal kingdom of God. Then the final destruction of those who are in opposition to the Lord. Obtain and be involved in the BLESSING that is promised in the book of Revelation. Read it again and again until its pages being to come to life in your life. Remember there is a blessing in it. Rev.1:4 THE ETERNAL ONE. WHICH IS, eternal, He is always present in the now. Go where you will, forward or backward in time, He is the present one the now. WHICH WAS, unchanging, He always has been. There has never been a moment of eternity where he did not rule and exist. The Lord is the only constant in eternity. From everlasting to everlasting, thou art God. Ps.90:2 WHICH IS TO COME. Endless, everlasting. The future is all wrapped up in Him. He is very existence. Nothing can exist without him. By Him all things consist. Col. 1:17 The force that maintains the universe is found in Him. When we are in Him and He is in us the whole of the force and power of eternal life dwells within. We become as eternal as He. The message comes from the Lord Jesus. In the prophetic utterance of Micah (5:2) concerning the coming of the king who would rule Israel, there is also an indication of his eternal being. Whose goings forth or origins have been from everlasting. Time beyond recall or eternal. THE SEVEN SPIRITS. Rev.1:4 From the outset, the Holy Spirit is not divided into several parts or sections. The number SEVEN is a Divine complete number and reflects the fullness or the completeness of the Spirit. It is well to say here that the Revelation is written with the language of the symbol and can only be understood as we solve the mystery of the allegory. An interpretation that helps us to understand is found in the Amplified New Testament were the term SEVEN FOLD is used. That accounts for the seven yet leaves us with one. Fold paper or cloth seven times and you have the replica intended by the scripture. BEFORE HIS THRONE. We are going to take a look at the throne of God as it is revealed in the book of Revelation. This throne is called HIS throne. In other words it belongs to the one who was, and is, and is to come. His throne is the very center of all heavenly activity, even now and will be throughout out eternity. This throne is the very heart of eternity and all things eternal. THE BOOK OF REVELATION 5-19 missing THE BOOK OF REVELATION 20 THE SOUND OF HEAVENLY MUSIC. Rev.14:2-3 A sound of a new song of tremendous volume. A great crescendo, an anthem of praise and worship rolling throughout out heaven like the sound of a great blast of thunder. Rev. 1:15b They sing with the volume of HIS voice. The beauty of the scriptures. Isa. 5:1 A song of love. A song of the growth and development of His vineyard. He is the vine and we are the branches. It is planted in an exceedingly fruitful hill, the hill of Zion. What failed with Israel is accomplished in the Church. Isa. 27:1-2 In the last days, in the days of great conflict. Singing of the great harvest of a very fruitful vine. Ps. 98:1 The new song is a song of triumph and victory. It is a song of accomplishment and the ability of the Lord to bring to pass His intent and purpose. A song sung only by this number of the redeemed from the earth. They are earthlings and a special group in the body of Christ. THEY ARE VIRGINS. Rev. 14:4 The Greek word that is used here for virgins is {parthenos}, a female who is a virgin. Mat.1:23, Luke 1:27. These are in the same category as was Mary the Mother of Jesus. She was a virgin {parthenos}. She had not had sexual contact with any man. She was a true virgin, as are these. When preparing to teach the Book of Revelation in the Bible School in Indonesia I became aware that, in Indonesian, there are two words used in reference to virgins. One in relationship to a female and an entirely different word for a male who was a virgin. The same is true in the Greek. The word for virgin, parthenos, can and does relate only to a female. The one hundred forty-four thousand are female. THAT WHICH MEN MAKE TO BE A PROBLEM. Rev.1:4 Not defiled with women. How about, not defiled after the manner of women. How is a woman defiled? Lev. 21:13-15 We find the answer in the laws relating to the marriage of the high priest, who was a type of the Lord Jesus. His wife must be a virgin. The list of those defiled for him is given, even to a widow. The fact of her being a virgin is strongly emphasized. The reasoning behind this is very interesting and that was that his offspring be not defiled. There is an exception given in Eze. 44:22 and that was if she were the widow of a priest. While marriage is not an act of defilement, intercourse outside of the marriage vows is. However, what we must see here is, that the law of the virgin pertained to the high priest. 2 Cor. 11:2 The whole of the body of Christ is recognized as a pure virgin before Christ. Only the sanctifying power of the Lord could make her worthy of being His bride. The one hundred forty-four thousand are the reproductive portion of the Bride and will bring forth the manchild. As sacred as the birth of the Son of God was, even so sacred is this act of the Lord that will introduce a new race. Born of sanctified, perfected parents. Rev. 21:5 I MAKE ALL THINGS NEW. This is a very difficult subject. I sincerely hope you will receive it prayerfully. THE BOOK OF REVELATION 21 WHAT IS A MAN CHILD? Most simply stated it is a male child. MOSES, was a man child. One who was to lead the children of Israel out of bondage into a life where God was to be their king. Acts 7:20 He is stated as being exceeding fair, or no ordinary child. Heb. 11:23 The same word is used but is translated, proper. Ex. 2:2 His mother saw him as a goodly child. Variously translated to mean; Beautiful, best, better, bountiful, joyful, kindly, loving, precious, welfare, well favored and so on. The Lord chose Moses for a specific work. He was a servant to the Lord. He was a leader and deliverer to the people. He took them from bondage into liberty and their own land. SAMUEL,1 Sam.1:20 was a man child. One who would be a prophet in Israel. His birth was in answer to the prayer of his mother, who was childless. She vowed that given a man child he would be dedicated to the Lord. 1 Sam. 2:18 He was raised in the temple from the time that he was weaned. 1 Sam. 3:19 He wore a linen ephod and ministered before the Lord. The words spoken by Samuel were inspired by the Lord. 1 Sam. 3:20 The Lord revealed Himself to Samuel by the Word of the Lord. That is the best way to know the will of the Lord. Samuel was raised as a priest. 1 Sam.7:15 Spoke as a prophet and judged Israel all of his life time. Samuel. He anointed Saul to be king over Israel, according to the word of the Lord. 1 Sam. 10:1 Samuel was a man given by the Lord and born with the purpose of fulfilling the Word and the will of the Lord. He was ordained to lead Israel. He was a spiritual man. JESUS was a man child. He was virgin born. Brought into this world to become the lamb of God, the savior of the whosoever will. He was and is unique, the only one born of deity and man. He was both man and God. He demonstrated both natures but committed his manhood to be subject to the spiritual personality that dwelt within. We are no different. We have been born of the flesh. But we have also been born of the Spirit by the Living Word. We may live our lives in the flesh or in the Spirit. If we choose to live in the Spirit the flesh must come into subjection to the Spiritual side of our nature. The flesh tries to convince us that to live in the spirit is the hard way but just the opposite is true. The flesh is the way that is difficult and filled with troubles. Jesus is Prophet, Priest and King. Of His kingdom and rule there will be no end. He is the Author and Finisher of our salvation. He is the manifest righteousness of the Almighty. He is Holiness personified. He lived as a pauper, but had no needs. He reached out to and associated with sinners but had no sin. He ministered to the sick but was never sick, until he bore our sicknesses and sins on Calvary. He has ascended on high where he is now the only mediator between His Father and sinful man. THE BOOK OF REVELATION 22 missing THE BOOK OF REVELATION 23 THE LORD WILL DO NEW THINGS. With the Lord there are no impossibilities. What He has proclaimed He will fulfill. A woman will compass a man, or a woman will bring forth a manchild. Jer. 31:22 How can it be? Who has heard of such happenings? A nation brought to birth in a day. Isa. 66:8 This is not Israel, for it is Zion who travails. Zion is the bride of Christ. Zion is the birth mother. This moment spoken of here in Isaiah and the woman of Revelation 12 are one and the same. The one-hundred-forty-four thousand are members of the body of Christ. The body of Christ is female. The one-hundred forty-four thousand are virgins, alluding to the fact that they are the womb of the church. The birth of the manchild could be called a nation born in a day. THE LORD WILL HAVE A RIGHTEOUS PEOPLE. All who are His, will be righteous before Him. When we speak concerning the Bride of Christ we are presenting a people who absolutely live in His righteousness. They are the PLANTING of the Lord. They are the work of His hands. They will be on display forever showing forth His glory. Isa. 60:21 This little one, a man child, will become a thousand. (A millennium, is a thousand years.) This small one is to become a strong nation. Isa. 60:22 Once again, that which is natural is not the prime interest and concern of the Lord. That which is spiritual is that which is the result of the creative work of His hands. BORN TO RULE OR SHEPHERDIZE. The manchild is born of a marriage between The King of Kings, Rev. 17:14 and a Bride who has been elevated to the position of kingship and priesthood. Rev. 5:10 This is the ruling class of the millennium and the New Heavens and the New Earth. The manchild will also be a part of this authority of the heavens, for he is to rule, as a shepherd, with a rod of iron or a shepherds crook. The manchild is of royal seed. He is the perfection of that Royal seed. A seed that is eternal. THERE ARE TWO ASPECTS TO THE ROD OF IRON. One, it is to be used in judgment. When the Lord Jesus returns He is seen coming with His armies. From His mouth the sharp two edged sword will be flashing and He will smite all the ungodly nations. He will rule over them with an iron scepter. Rev. 19:15 All the ungodly will be completely annihilated at this time. This power and authority is also delegated to the church. Rev. 2:26-27 The other aspect is that it is a rod of peace. The gentle side of the rod is seen in Revelation seven verse seventeen. The word feed, is the same word that is translated, rule, in our other verses in revelation. The authority and leadership of heaven will be kind, loving and gentle. Nevertheless there will be leadership and structure in eternity. The Lord is a Lord of order. THE BOOK OF REVELATION 24 THE WOMAN AND THE WILDERNESS. The woman is the Wife of Christ. She is married and has just given birth to their first offspring. There is no way that this woman could be Mary for she did not spend a season in the wilderness. This woman will spend the tribulation period sheltered by the Lord in the wilderness. Rev.12:6 Never fear, the wilderness will have a place, PREPARED OF GOD. Any place or any thing made ready by the Lord for His people will always be above first class and be in the heavenly class. Which is perfection. We often refer to the words of Paul which he wrote to the Corinthians as applying to heaven. 1 Cor. 2:9-10 There is ample cause to see their fulfillment in the Church in the wilderness. It is impossible for the human mind to conceive the works of the Lord. The preparation of the wilderness is an act of the love of the Lord. The Spirit of the Lord is faithful to reveal the plan of God to us, if we will listen to Him. A BRIEF SYNOPSIS OF THE WILDERNESS IN ISAIAH. Her wilderness will be like the garden of EDEN. The last Adam and His Eve live in the garden of the Most High. The circuit is completed, the spiritual, the eternal couple are the occupants of the Paradise of God on this earth. They have regained that which man lost when he sinned. The beauty, the colors, the perfume of that place will supersede all that has been. The sounds of a happy people will be heard there. Thanksgiving, rejoicing, great joy and singing will prevail. It will be heaven on earth for those who have fled to His refuge. Isa.51:3 The fullness of the Spirit will be in evidence there. The vegetation of the garden will flourish in abundance and it will become a great fertile field. This is the habitation of justice and righteousness. Peace and quietness prevail. Those dwelling here rest in confidence that the troubles taking place around them cannot reach them in this hiding place prepared of the Lord. The woman, the Bride will dwell peaceable in a secure place, totally undisturbed by any difficulties. Isa. 32:15-18 This is the more miraculous as we know that there is no place to hide on the earth today, thanks to the eyes in the sky, the satellites. EVEN SO, THERE IS A SECRET PLACE OF THE MOST HIGH. A man to be a hiding place from strong winds and a covering from the storms. With the judgments of God taking place in the world and the reign of the antichrist, this world will be in great turmoil. There will be a great abundance of water (a type of the Spirit) in the wilderness. The shadow of that GREAT ROCK, will be there. Isa. 32:2 Concerning protection, we are looking at a reoccurrence of the divine protection given to the children of Israel when they left Egypt. The same cloud and fire that protected them will once again be made manifest. Only this time it will be from the GLORY of the LORD dwelling in the midst of His BRIDE. Isa. 4:5 What a prospective lies before the Church of these last days. THE BOOK OF REVELATION 25 THE SEVENTY WEEK PROPHECY OF DANIEL. The proper understanding and division of the time of this prophecy, is vital to a comprehension of the time element of the book of Revelation. The subject in Daniel nine twenty-six and twenty-seven is the MESSIAH. The Lord Jesus Christ. He was to be CUT OFF, not for His sins but for the sins of others. According to the prophecy of Isaiah the MESSIAH was to be CUT OFF from among the land of the living, for the sins of others. Isa. 53:8 The theme of the MESSIAH is continued in the twenty-seventh verse. For it is HE who is the COVENANT and the confirmation of the same. This is the covenant of salvation. THE SEVENTIETH WEEK WAS TO COVER SEVEN YEARS. In the midst of the week the MESSIAH was to be CUT OFF. Jesus ministered three and one half years and was CUT OFF. Not only was He cut off after three and one-half years ministry but He was cut off in the MIDST OF THE WEEK. Jesus was crucified on Wednesday or the middle day of the week, the MIDST of the week. The MIDST is a word that is frequently found in relationship to the Lord Jesus. For instance, He was crucified in the MIDST of two thieves, this was not an accident, for He is the mediator between God and man. John 19:18 He is found standing in the MIDST of the seven candlesticks or the seven churches. Rev. 1:13 He is in the MIDST of the throne of God as a slain LAMB. Rev. 5:6 HE STOPPED ANIMAL SACRIFICE. The sacrificial ministry of Temple or Tabernacle where offerings are made is over. Never again, will nor can the Lord accept such offerings. To do so would violate His WORD in the worst way. His feelings concerning the re-establishment of sacrifices under the Mosaic Law are very intense and plain. There is no house of worship that can be built unto Him that would satisfy Him. He no longer looks to a structure but to the man of a humble and contrite sprite and that one who honors His Word. A rebuilt Temple where animals were sacrificed is an abomination to Him. Now and until Jesus returns anyone offering an ox is a murderer. The person offering a lamb is like one cutting off a dogs neck. The one bringing of their harvest is offering the blood of a swine. Those burning incense are worshipping idols. The dire warning of the Lord is found here. Because they have chosen to go their owns ways, do their own thing and disregard the will of the Lord, He will do harsh things against them. They rejected His call. Wrought evil in His sight. Choosing that which greatly displeased the Lord. Dare we disregard that which He has declared pertaining to His personal feelings? To renew animal sacrifice would be paramount to trampling under foot the Precious Blood of the Lamb of God. There is just one sacrifice that is acceptable for now and forever. That is the crucified Son of God. There is none other. Isa. 66:1-3 THE BOOK OF REVELATION 26 missing THE BOOK OF REVELATION 27 WHO IS HE. The word covenant is used over three hundred times in the scriptures, in both, the Old and the New Testament. Only once is it used in reference to any covenant other than the covenant made by God for the benefit of man. Covenant in the Old Testament is the Hebrew word; beriyth, covenant, confederacy or league. In the New Testament the Greek word is; diatheke, a contract, a covenant or a testament. The evidence is just a fraction off of one hundred percent usage of the word, for the covenants of the Lord. Satan is a liar and the Father of all lies. It is not possible for him to create a covenant. If it were possible, he could never keep it. The true and only covenant is that which was confirmed by God in Jesus Christ. The covenant of blood. Heb. 13:20 ONLY THE LORD CAN CREATE AND MAINTAIN A COVENANT. The "HE" of Daniel Nine Twenty-seven can be none other than the Lord Jesus Christ. HE, CHRIST shall CONFIRM, {to be strong, prevail, be valiant or be great}, the covenant. The covenant, made by God, was CONFIRMED, ratified in Jesus Christ. Gal. 3:17 The language of the WORD is sometimes subtle but with the help of the Spirit we can surely understand its meanings. These two words COVENANT and CONFIRM belong to the work and ministry of Jesus, the Son of God and to none other. Jesus came to His own. He ministered to them for three and one half years or one half of a week. He came to the lost sheep of Israel. He confirmed the covenant with many, all who would believe in Him. One half of Daniel's seventieth week is Judaeo-Christian history. THE LAST HALF OF DANIELS SEVENTIETH WEEK. This is the portion that waits to be fulfilled in the end of the age. During a period of time designated as "a time, times and the dividing of a time" there will be an ultra world ruler of great power and ability. His amalgamation of nations will embrace the whole world. He is different from anything that has ever been. Three nations will resist him in his take over but they will be defeated. His authority will be absolute. Dan. 7:24 He has a big mouth. He is eloquent, persuasive and an expert at mouthing propaganda. He will persistently blaspheme the Most High God. As much as possible, he will change Holidays (especially religious) and laws (pertaining to religious freedom). Freedom will not exist under his reign. It will be BIG BROTHER PLUS. His anger, in particular will be directed toward THE SAINTS. He will seek to wear {mentally, brain wash} them out. He will have authority over them for the designated period of time. Dan. 7:25 The scripture is telling us that there will be saints who enter into the tribulation period because they did not measure up to the requirements for the bride of Christ. It is an imperative that we commit ourselves to the Lord. Following His Word to the nth degree. Being prepared against the days to come. There is an escape for the qualified. THE BOOK OF REVELATION 27 WHO IS "HE". The word covenant is used over three hundred times in the scriptures, in both the Old and the New Testament. Only once is it used in reference to any covenant other than the covenant made by God for the benefit of man. Covenant in the Old testament is the Hebrew word; beriyth, covenant, confederacy or league. In the New Testament the Greek word is; diatheke, a contract, a covenant or a testament. The evidence is just a fraction off of one hundred percent usage of the word, for the covenants of the Lord. Satan is a liar and the Father of all lies. It is not possible for him to create a covenant. If it were possible, he could never keep it. The true and only covenant is that which was confirmed by God in Jesus Christ. The covenant of blood. Heb. 13:20 ONLY THE LORD CAN CREATE AND MAINTAIN A COVENANT. The "HE" of Daniel Nine Twenty-seven can be none other than the Lord Jesus Christ. HE, CHRIST shall CONFIRM, {to be strong, prevail, be valiant or be great}, the covenant. The covenant, made by God, was CONFIRMED, ratified in Jesus Christ. Gal. 3:17 The language of the WORD is sometimes subtle but with the help of the Spirit we can surely understand its meanings. These two words COVENANT and CONFIRM belong to the work and ministry of Jesus, the Son of God and to none other. Jesus came to His own. He ministered to them for three and one half years or one half of a week. He came to the lost sheep of Israel. He confirmed the covenant with many, all who would believe in Him. One half of Daniel's seventieth week is Judaeo, Christian history. THE LAST HALF OF DANIELS SEVENTIETH WEEK. This is the portion that waits to be fulfilled in the end of the age. During a period of time designated as "a time, times and the dividing of a time" there will be an ultra world ruler of great power and ability. His amalgamation of nations will embrace the whole world. He is different from anything that has ever been. Three nations will resist him in his take over but they will be defeated. His authority will be absolute. Dan. 7:24 He has a big mouth. He is eloquent, persuasive and an expert at mouthing propaganda. He will persistently blaspheme the Most High God. As much as possible, he will change Holidays (especially religious) and laws (pertaining to religious freedom). Freedom will not exist under his reign. It will be BIG BROTHER PLUS. His anger, in particular will be directed toward THE SAINTS. He will seek to wear {mentally, brain wash} them out. He will have authority over them for the designated period of time. Dan. 7:25 The scripture is telling us that there will be saints who enter into the tribulation period because they did not measure up to the requirements for the bride of Christ. It is an imperative that we commit ourselves to the Lord. Following His Word to the nth degree. Being prepared against the days to come. There is an escape for the qualified. THE BOOK OF REVELATION 28 missing THE BOOK OF REVELATION 29 THE TWO WITNESSES. They are identified as being Moses and Elijah. These men carried on a conversation with Jesus. Mt. 17:3 Mk. 9:4 Their conversation was concerning the sacrificial death of Christ at Jerusalem. Moses and Elijah were not at all unfamiliar with altars and animal sacrifices. Moses received the law of sacrifice. Elijah is famous for his alter built when he encountered the prophets of Baal and his subsequent victory over them. Here their conversation is not of type and symbol but of the real sacrifice of the Lamb of God. The two were clothed in the glorious splendor of the Almighty. They represent the Law and the Prophets. They must give a full and complete witness of the manifest RIGHTEOUSNESS of God, The Lord Jesus Christ. Rom. 3:21 These two, being here on the Mount and actuality talking with Jesus poses a question that is answered in the volume of the BOOK. WHAT IS MOSES DOING HERE? Moses is not seen here as a spirit. He is more than spirit. He is here in his physical body which the Lord Himself buried and resurrected. Moses does not have an eternal resurrected body, as yet. He died in the land of Moab. Deut. 34:5 AND HE, who? God buried him and no man knows where until this day, it was kept a secret for a purpose. Deut. 34:6 It is evident that there was a battle over the body of Moses. The devil would have kept the body inactive and dead knowing that the Lord had a future ministry for Moses. It is openly evident that Satan lost the battle. For here is Moses, alive and well conversing with Jesus. Jude 1:9 MOSES AND ELIJAH ARE IDENTIFIED BY THEIR WORKS. Elijah was given the power and ability to shut off the rain for a period of three and one-half years. An interesting use of time arrangement because we are looking at the same length of time. Use your imagination on the consequences of this judgment. It will be even beyond what we can contemplate or imagine. I Ki. 17:1, Luke 4:25, James 5:17 It was Moses to whom, God gave the ability to cause the waters to become blood. This was not a red tide. All the water in Egypt became blood, rivers, pools and reservoirs, even in wooden buckets and stone jars. The fish died and caused the waters that contained them to stink. This is a great catastrophe that is reserved for the tribulation period. Ex. 7:17-21 The remaining plagues that Moses brought upon Egypt can and no doubt will be repeated during the tribulation, on the kingdom of the antichrist. It is important that we note that plagues did not have any effect on the children of Israel. They were protected, and so, in like manner will the church be sheltered. By their works ye shall know them. They will judge the earth with all manner of plague and as often as they see fit. Until they have finished their testimony they are untouchable. None can harm them. Rev. 11:6 THE BOOK OF REVELATION 30 WISE MEN Wise men came to attest to the birth of the child Jesus. Their number is not determined. Because there were three gifts it is assumed that there were three men. We are certain that there were two. If one would insist on three, there is another person who was received up into heaven in miraculous fashion and that is Enoch. Wise men still come to Him. Their journey started in the East (or sun rising). They came to worship the Christ child. Mat.2:1 Their visit did not coincide with His birth, for Herod commanded that they search diligently for the "young child". Mat.2:8 When Herod realized that they were not going to return to bring him the news that he had requested, he ordered all the children two years old and under, in Bethlehem, to be slain. Mat.2:16 This would make the age of Jesus to be two or under at the time of this wanton killing of babes by Herod. Joseph was to escape with the young child into Egypt. Mat.2:13 The wise men were led by a star. All stars are suns, shining of their own light. This star had a specific time and purpose when it appeared and became obvious to them. There are certain characteristics of this star which must be taken into consideration. 1. The star led them. Mat.2:9. Only the wise men were aware of its existence. Were it not so, Herod would have had no need to request their assistance in finding the Christ child. He could have followed the star himself or have sent his soldiers. Things spiritual are spiritually discerned. The blinded eyes of the ungodly cannot see the truths of the WORD. 2. The star stopped over the house where the child was. What an amazing star this is. Which star is over your house? It indicated to those spiritual men the exact location of the child. The star could not have been far out in the universe but it "came and stood" over the place of the child. What a unique star. Certainly diverse from all other heavenly bodies. Num.24:17 This is the star of whom God forced Balaam to prophecy, This is the star out of Jacob. He is the LIGHT of the world. Rev.22:16. He is the bright and morning star. What better way to announce the coming of the God who is LIGHT than that of holy men led by a blazing sun. Consider what our God is (Ps.84:11). The Lord introduced the coming of grace into the world in a blazing, glorious fashion. 3. They rejoiced greatly when they witnessed the house in which the child was to be found. They were godly men, worshipping the Lord. Mat.2:10. These men are witnesses, please keep this in mind. A witness must be an observer of the thing of which he would testify. The Lord will send two witnesses to testify of Christ during the great tribulation. In order to be a true witness, they must have been there and have seen with their own eyes. In our subject we are challenged to compare truth with tradition, myths and just outright untruths. We must be Bereans and search the scriptures in order to find and embrace the truth. Buy the TRUTH and sell it not. Who were the wise men? They were not sorceress nor magicians. For the Lord to have led such men to witness the Christ child would be in direct violation of the Word of the Lord. The word translated "wise" men in Mat.2:1 is the same word that is translated "sorcerer" in Acts 13:6,8. This sorcerer was a false prophet, a Jew, his name was Bar-Jesus (Son of Jesus). Elymas- a wizard. What an interesting person. Paul dealt with him strongly by calling him a child of the devil among other evidences of his unrighteousness. His judgment was to be blind for a season. Is he to be considered equal with the wise men? The usage of the word magos or magus (wise men) is unfortunate in this instant. Firstly; we must remember that language is a living thing. Words change from generation to generation. This is very evident in our world today. The word may have had a different meaning in that day. Moses commanded the children of Israel to chose out wise men to become their leaders. Deut. 1:13 Daniel was a wise man. Dan. 2:48 Secondly; There is no question about the attitude of the Lord against such practices. Anyone with such a wicked spirit was to be put to death by stoning. Lev.20:27 Could the Lord violate His Word by leading such ungodly individuals to the Christ child? It is incongruous that such a thing would be allowed of the Lord. "My two witnesses". Rev.11:3. Tribulation witnesses witnessing to Israel that Christ was their Messiah. Remember, a witness must have been present at the event to which they will give witness. These men are Identifiable by the judgments which they perform. Their works are the same deeds that were performed by Moses and Elijah. As we have already noted these two must attest to the fact of the birth and childhood of Christ. They were there. Moses and Elijah appeared with him on the MT of transfiguration. Mat.17:2. There is no difficulty identifying them here for they are named. They saw Jesus in His eternal glory while He was yet in the body of flesh. The women bringing spices to the sepulcher found it empty. Lk. 24:1-4. Two men with clothing that gleamed like lightning stood by, witnessing of Christ and His resurrection. Mary coming to the sepulcher was met by two angels (messengers, witnesses). The word angel has a broad meaning in the scriptures. It can mean celestial or terrestrial beings. In this case, it was Moses and Elijah. John 20:12 At the ascension of Christ two men stood by and witnessed of His second coming. Acts 1:10-11. These visits by these two men will enable them to give a full and complete witness and testimony of Jesus the Christ, the Messiah. they are Moses and Elijah. It is prophesied of Elijah that he will come before the coming of the Lord. Mal. 4:5 This too, certifies him as one of the two witnesses. He has a future ministry. John the Baptist came in the spirit and power of Elijah. He was to proclaim the coming of Christ. Lk. 1:17 He was not Elijah but functioned in the same anointing as Elijah. The unction and anointing of the Holy Spirit. THE BOOK OF REVELATION 31 SAME MEASURE OF TIME, DIFFERENT CIRCUMSTANCES. The time measurement of one thousand two hundred sixty days is also used in reference to the experience of the Church or the Bride of Christ. Because she is the wise virgin class she will not be a part of the horrible events of the tribulation. It is the unwise virgins who will face the antichrist and die for their testimony. Mt. 25 What will transpire in the life of the Bride during this period of time is indeed a miracle, but not unprecedented in the life of the people of the Lord. ISRAEL FLED EGYPT UNDER THE DIRECTION OF THE LORD. Concerning Israel the Lord stated that He bore them on "eagles wings" and brought them unto himself. Gen. 19:4 To the Bride will be given two wings of a GREAT EAGLE (the enabling power of the Spirit) and she will be transported into the place that the Lord has prepared for her. Rev. 12:14 The Lord cared for Israel by giving them manna from heaven. They ate of manna. Jn. 6:31 But the Bride will eat of that true bread from heaven. Jn. 6:32-33 Their water supply was ample for the people and all their cattle. That rock that supplied them was Christ. 1 Cor. 10:4 The Bridegroom will most certainly be with His Bride and the supply of water (a type of the Spirit) will be more than adequate. Isa. 43:20 "THEY", interesting, who are THEY? Certainly very God Himself. Elijah was fed by the raven, under the directions of the Lord. 1 Ki. 17:4 Angels ministered to the Lord after His temptation. Mt. 4:11 Although it is called a wilderness, the glorious presence of the Lord will make it to be anything but a wilderness. Actually it will be the Eden of the Lord. A place of beauty as only the Lord can beautify an area. Isa. 51:3 A TIME, AND TIMES AND HALF A TIME. This is the same measurement of time expressed by different wording. It is the three and one half years of the great tribulation. The Bride is sheltered in HER PLACE. We are well aware that with the aid of modern technology there is no place on earth where one could safely hide. The antichrist and the world will know where the Bride is but they will not be able to do her harm. This is where the Ninety-first Psalm will become a reality for the whole body of Christ. The Bride is dwelling in the secret place of the Most High. She will abide under the great shadow of the Almighty. She is nourished, fed, protected, pampered and completely sheltered. This element of time is also used by Daniel in referring to the great tribulation. Dan. 7:25 The man in the vision given to Daniel used this same measurement of time in speaking of the end of the age. The time when all prophecies should be accomplished and completed. Dan. 12:7 These event precede the Second Coming of the Christ of God, in exceeding great power and glory. The Lord has a plan and a time schedule from which He will not deviate. In His time. THE BOOK OF REVELATION 32 A GLIMPSE OF WHERE THE BRIDE WILL SPEND THE TRIBULATION. It is called the wilderness and a place prepared by the Lord or her place. Rev. 12:6,14. It is here that she is under the personal care and protection of the Lord Jesus. All during the tribulation the church will be kept safe and from harm. She will dwell in the pavilion (the tent or cottage, indicating a temporary dwelling place) of the Lord. She will be hidden in the secret of His tabernacle. In the Most Holy place, made so by His presence. Established upon the Rock, Christ Jesus. Ps. 27:5 Surrounded by her enemies She is exalted for she is His Bride, His Queen. From that glorious hiding place there will be heard shouts of great joy. Psalms, hymns and a joyful sound accompanied by heavenly music. Ps. 27:6 A LAST DAY REVIVAL WILL RESULT IN A SANCTIFIED CHURCH. The Bride of Christ must measure up to His standard, not ours. That fullness of Spiritual maturity and perfection that is found in Christ Jesus. The achieving of the complete stature or measurement that is found in our Lord. Eph. 4:13 A spiritual revival must contain the elements of repentance and confession of sin and iniquity. The correction of wrongs done. The restitution of things purloined from others. In general an adherence to the principles of the WORD. Isaiah states that it is a work of the Spirit in judgment and by fire. The WORD and the fire of the SPIRIT. Isa. 4:4 Anything short of this, regardless of signs and miracles, is not a real work of restoration. The magicians in Pharaohs court were able to duplicate some of the miracles manifest by Moses. We are warned that in the last days there will be lying signs and wonders. 2 Thes. 2:9 THERE WILL BE A SECOND EXODUS. This time it will be a quick work and a short journey. It is the Bride who will be rescued and delivered from the forces of evil. Isa. 11:11 The same protection that was given to Israel during their sojourn in the wilderness will again be manifest in the protection and shelter of the Bride. The cloud of the Lord and the smoke or vapor of His presence will hover over the Bride as a daytime shelter. The shining, the glow, the brightness, the light or the brilliancy of His presence and glory will cover, be about and be in them at all times. That glory, the glory of the Lord, will be their defense or canopy. {canopy, chuppah, or marriage canopy}. Isa. 4:5 The tabernacle {always a temporary structure} of the Lord will be as a shadow, the shadow of His wings. The same wings that transported the Bride into the wilderness. Wings of refuge during the earths calamity. Ps. 57:1 The only place of hope and refuge. The covert, the hiding place, the place of safety and peace. The storm and judgments of the Lord will be on the earth in their fullness and ferocity. Perfect peace and tranquillity will prevail in the wilderness. The care of the Lord will be beautiful and glorious. Isa. 4:6 incomplete 11:02 03-02-04