Reflections
Brit Hadashah Reflections
Brit Hadashah Reflections 35
Hebraic understanding Hebrews and Revelation
This is a part of Scripture which is avoided by many people because of its seeming complexity. It is the only book in our Bible attributed to Yeshua Ha’mashiach Himself. Written by the Apostle John late in his life during a visionary encounter with the Holy Spirit of God. At times John is prompted, even directed, by the Lord to write what he is witnessing. One can only guess at the amazing spectacle of being so directed. What he describes is sometimes very difficult to imagine. There are quite unusual events and situations, such as have never before been encountered by mankind, to be considered, evaluated, and reckoned with. But it all comes with a promise!
An amazing revelation opens our ‘reflection’ today. Firstly though, we need to understand that the chapter and verse divisions appeared only in the mid 16th century C.E.. The flow of the revelation of events to John was uninterrupted by these divisions, and so the narrative jumps directly from the mystery of the number of the name of Anti-Christ, to the vision of the one hundred and forty four thousand Jewish martyrs, complete with the name of YHWH Elohim on their foreheads. They stand there on Mount Zion with the triumphant Yeshua Ha’Mashaich, ready to serve with Him when He returns to this earth to commence His millenial reign. They were singing to the accompaniment of the music of harpists and the voice from heaven. But there is more. We now discover more detail about these Jewish martyrs. The song they were singing was a new song that no-one else could learn. Furthermore, they were virginal men. Unmarried. No commitment outside of Yeshua. Dedicated men, who had committed themselves completely to His service. They were of the first fruits of Messianic believers. Redeemed by the Lamb. Names written in the Lamb’s Book of Life. Righteous in His sight because their sin was forgiven. Ready to rule with Him on earth in His new Kingdom.
The sequence of events which follow is not easy to discern. The reason being that there are other passages of Scripture, notably Ezekiel 38 and 39, Daniel 9 and 12, and Zechariah 12 to 14, which make reference to the battles which occur in the last days of this age. I am of the view that there is no disharmony in the Scriptures, and I do not see any, but there is some lack of discernment in my understanding at times! In John’s vision, at this point, there are a number of angels seen flying through heaven, each with a different, but complementary, message. The first angel has the gospel message to proclaim to those left on the earth. To “to every nation, tribe, tongue, and people.” It seems like a ‘one last chance’ message. “Fear God and give glory to Him, for the hour of judgement has come; and worship Him who made the heaven and the earth, the sea and the springs of water.” It is not difficult to imagine the fear, the terror even, which people would feel. It must be palpable. But fear of whom? The “beast” who demands their obeisance and worship? Probably so. Then a second angel follows. His message is one of hope. “Babylon is fallen, is fallen, that great city.” In the Scriptures “Babylon” is invariably equated to evil. Jeremiah 51 has something to say about that. So the message of this angel is that ‘Evil has been defeated, you need have no fear if that again.’ In paraphrase here the message is “You are right to be afraid, but not of the one who takes your life, but of Him who can GIVE you life, eternal life. The Creator of heaven and earth.” To complement that message, a third angel proclaims in a loud voice so that all can hear. “If anyone worships the beast and his image, and receives his mark on his forehead or his hand, he himself shall also drink of the wrath of God etc.” This is followed by a voice from heaven. John seems dumbstruck at this point because he has to be prompted to write the message. “Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord from now on.” Why? Because they too will join the band of martyrs who will reign with Him upon His return.
Then the scene takes another turn. There, on a white cloud, “One like the Son of Man, having on His head a golden crown, and in His hand a sharp sickle.” Almost, as if discerning His unwillingness, a hesitancy to use the sharp sickle, delaying until he last possible moment, providing yet another moment of decision, another angel appears and said with a loud voice, “Thrust in Your sickle and reap, for the time has come for You to reap, for the harvest of the earth is ripe.” So He did. And we are able to see, in that act of reaping, the fulfilment of the prophetic utterances of Isaiah 63 and Joel 3. But it is not pretty is it? It is an act of judgement in Scripture. The time of giving account. The rest of the text today deals with the great scope of that sad harvest.
It is not possible to leave this account without ‘reflecting’ on the available alternative for mankind. This whole vision, given to John, was not merely to gloat over the grizzly end for those who fall under the spell of the Anti-Christ, the beast. Countless millions will be in that category. The purpose of this revelation is to serve as a gracious, loving, warning. Yeshua, the One who opened the scroll, unlocking the ‘seals’ that we might see these future events, and all that horror, was able to do so because He gave His life in order to provide the warning. It is clearly written in Revelation 13:8. The beast has NO authority over those who have their names written in the Lamb’s Book of Life. Make sure that your name is written in that Book.
Shabbat Shalom
RS
Brit Hadashah Reflections
Brit Hadashah Reflections 34
Hebraic understanding Hebrews and Revelation
This is a part of Scripture which is avoided by many people because of its seeming complexity. It is the only book in our Bible attributed to Yeshua Ha’mashiach Himself. Written by the Apostle John late in his life during a visionary encounter with the Holy Spirit of God. At times John is prompted, even directed, by the Lord to write what he is witnessing. One can only guess at the amazing spectacle of being so directed. What he describes is sometimes very difficult to imagine. There are quite unusual events and situations, such as have never before been encountered by mankind, to be considered, evaluated, and reckoned with. But it all comes with a promise!
The scene which John now saw in his vision, returns us to the future. The beast which he witnessed rising out of the sea is quite symbolic. He describes a horrible multi-headed creature with seven heads, on which are a blasphemous name. The picture is symbolic of the person we identify as Anti-Christ. He suddenly appears. In quite recent days, and for a number of years past, many have attached that title to well-known persons, usually with strong political connections. But, just like the creature in John’s vision, we are unlikely to have such a warning of his appearance on earth. He comes from the very pit of hell. Note carefully that John said that he would operate with complete authority from the Dragon, Satan himself. How was he wounded I ask myself? Well I speculate that would have occurred when he was ejected out of his heavenly place when he challenged the authority of God. But somehow, the deadly wound was healed. And as he exercised his authority, the people who were deceived by him (we don’t have to look very far today to see that a majority worship him, and not the living God) worshipped him. Even quite religious people, yes, people who regularly attend churches, worship him due to the deception which pervades our society. Many times under the banner of “fairness” and “equality” and other high sounding imperatives. It seems as though the ground work has already been done!
His deceptive actions, which we know from other Scriptures, also involve making a seven year peace treaty (Daniel 9:27) with Israel. In our visionary explanation today we see that he has free reign for the first half of that time, 42 months. I suspect that he will be treated with immense respect and honour, but then he will start to “ride a horse of a different colour”. We have already been acquainted of this as the seven ‘seals’ were opened. By this time he will exercise immense power and control over the world’s population. We can barely comprehend the scope of this person’s influence. He is given authority over every tribe, tongue, and nation. Absolutely incredible. John is shown that everyone will be taken in by him, EXCEPT those who have their names inscribed in the Lamb’s Book of Life. They, because they have read the book, and know the end from the beginning, because they have taken heed to the unblemished word of Almighty God, because they have taken the trouble to understand this prophetic vision of John in Revelation, will reject the demand to worship this “man of peace”. They will be martyred for their faith and will reign with Yeshua on this earth for one thousand years.
And then an accomplice appears. He looks like a lamb, and acts like a dragon. Ruthless. He is referred to later in Revelation as “the false prophet”. He is gifted with miraculous powers. Impressive. Irresistible. Persuasive. Demanding. Fearful and fearless. He commands an image to be made of the “man of peace”. In an awesome feat of powerful magic he causes that statue to speak. It is absolutely beyond human understanding. Try to imagine if you can, the spectacle confronting the people who stand in front of that statue. (I recall some years ago visiting Disneyland, going into a theatre there and seeing a statue of Abraham Lincoln, his lips moved, and the Gettysburg Address came from his image. But that was ‘smoke and mirrors stuff!! And everyone knew it.) I am firmly of the opinion that we are not in ‘smoke and mirrors’ territory with this ‘man of peace’. This will be the deceptive, destructive, power of Satan at work. I do not say that in reverence of him, but in recognition that he is a powerful adversary, not to be treated lightly.
And then, from this awe-inspiring display of power will come the demand that he be worshipped in the temple, on threat of death. Can you imagine any Jew acquiescing to that? I can’t. And so countless numbers of them will lose their lives, and from them, I believe, will come the 144,000 who will also reign with Yeshua in the millennial kingdom.
The final act will be to require everyone to bear his mark on their body. Hand or forehead. Without that mark it will not be possible to purchase food. A cashless society for which the world has been preparing for decades. More martyrs will be made in this period. It is called “enduring to the end.”
The last verse contains a mystery. The number of his name, 666. Every Hebrew letter has a numeric value. The first ten letters 1 to 10. The next ten letters 20, 30 40 etc. and the remainder 200, 300, 400. When you have worked it out, please let me know the answer.
Shabbat Shalom
RS
Brit Hadashah Reflections
Brit Hadashah Reflections 33
Hebraic understanding Hebrews and Revelation
This is a part of Scripture which is avoided by many people because of its seeming complexity. It is the only book in our Bible attributed to Yeshua Ha’mashiach Himself. Written by the Apostle John late in his life during a visionary encounter with the Holy Spirit of God. At times John is prompted, even directed, by the Lord to write what he is witnessing. One can only guess at the amazing spectacle of being so directed. What he describes is sometimes very difficult to imagine. There are quite unusual events and situations, such as have never before been encountered by mankind, to be considered, evaluated, and reckoned with. But it all comes with a promise!
After the seventh trumpet was sounded, and victory was being celebrated in heaven, there was another demonstration of God’s power on earth with sounds of thunder, great hail, lightenings, and an earthquake. And in heaven, a great sign appeared. It was an unusual sign. A pregnant woman, “clothed with the sun, the moon under her feet, and on her head a garland of twelve stars. And the woman cried out in labour as she was about to give birth.”
This is one of those places in Revelation where our human understanding gets a shock! We quite naturally read the text sequentially, expecting that this is will be an event in the chronology of the future, which is what we have just been ‘reflecting’ upon. But scholars appear united in the view that this is almost certainly a ‘flash back’ to the time when Yeshua was born, and continues in a few short sentences until His triumphant return to the throne room of heaven when He was able unlock the ‘seals’ of the scroll. So it is a parallel account of the past, the present, and the future. It is an illustration of the timelines of God in comparison to our own limitations. In effect, it is a kind of ‘scene setter’, putting the context to the whole story of God’s plan for mankind.
As the story unfolds, we are given an account of the battle which took place for supremacy. “The great dragon of our text, that serpent of old, the Devil and Satan (lots of descriptive text for him), who deceives the whole world, was cast out of heaven with his angels.” This is the battle that took place in the heavenlies when it was decided that Yeshua would come to earth to rule ‘with a rod of iron’. (sound familiar?) Now we might conclude here that the time we are now living in, and all the time for centuries past, has been an interruption to God’s original plan. An interruption caused by that battle in the heavenlies which caused Satan to be thrown out of heaven. And, at the risk of being overly simplistic, in order to get that plan ‘back on track’ it was necessary for another battle to take place here on earth. Death and Hell, the domain of Satan, had to be conquered. The victory in that battle was accomplished in the life, death, and resurrection of Yeshua and His triumphant return to the throne room of heaven. And it was upon that triumphant return that He was the only one able to unlock the scroll that we might know how Satan’s role will come to an end. And that, in a proverbial ‘nutshell’ is what this Revelation vision, given to John, is really all about.
But, as we read this account of things still to take place, we see that Satan is not giving up that easily. He is putting up a strenuous fight to survive. The revelation of the events to take place to bring about his complete defeat, things which must occur to restrain him completely, are going to be utterly devastating for the earth. But then, and only then, will Yeshua return to this earth to rule for a thousand years ‘with a rod of iron’, as was the original plan. We also know that those who will rule with Him are those who continue to resist Satan to the end, those who refuse to bow down to him in worship, those who will be, and have been, martyred for their faith, together with 144,000 Jews, 12,000 from each of the twelve tribes.
We can readily recognize the events of our present day as this chapter of Scripture continues. Although there is concentration on the last three and one half years, (in our text “a time and times and half a time” quoting from the prophecy of Daniel) which we identify as the great tribulation period, there is also reference to the whole of mankind, and particularly to those who through the ages have come to put their trust in Yeshua. They are the ones who have borne, and who still bear, the brunt of Satan’s attacks. And if anyone cares to think about it, we cannot escape the fact that the people group who, through the ages, have known the greatest indescribable and most continuous persecution are those who are called by God’s name, the Jews. These are people who outwardly, overtly, obviously, wear their allegiance to YHWH Elohim as a badge of honour.
Many commentators have bravely attempted to explain the imagery and detail of the descriptive language of these visions given to John. I do not claim such insight, but as I ‘reflect’ on the words I read, I trust God to provide me with the sense of what His message is for us today. I trust God to show you the message He has for you, and to bless you, as He promised He would, as you read the words of the text.
Shabat Shalom
RS
Brit Hadashah Reflections
Brit Hadashah Reflections 32
Hebraic understanding Hebrews and Revelation
Revelation seals and trumpet judgments (a review)
This is a part of Scripture which is avoided by many people because of its seeming complexity. It is the only book in our Bible attributed to Yeshua Ha’mashiach Himself. Written by the Apostle John late in his life during a visionary encounter with the Holy Spirit of God. At times John is prompted, even directed, by the Lord to write what he is witnessing. One can only guess at the amazing spectacle of being so directed. What he describes is sometimes very difficult to imagine. There are quite unusual events and situations, such as have never before been encountered by mankind, to be considered, evaluated, and reckoned with. But it all comes with a promise!
Over the last few weeks we have been alerted, in our ‘reflections’, to a series of major events which are destined to occur as this present age comes to a cataclysmic close. They are events which are almost unimaginable to our humanly ordered mind. This week I choose to ‘reflect’ on them again, in the order they are presented to us in this Spirit inspired vision given to the Apostle John. There was lament in heaven because no-one was found to break open the ‘seals’. No-one to utter the dire warnings of things to come so that people on this earth may be warned and prepare themselves. Then Yeshua, our Saviour, having conquered sin and death, who was dead and is alive, returned to take His place in the very throne room of God. He is the One who opened the seals.
(The timing of the “seals” and the “trumpets” covers the period of the last seven years for this age. It seems likely that the turning point, whilst in evidence from the second and third “seals”, comes with a vengeance at the sounding of the fourth seal. This would appear to be the commencement of the final 3 ½ years, which we identify as ‘the great tribulation’. Daniel’s seventieth week.)
The first seal. A man appears on a White Horse. Friendly, compassionate, a man of peace. The man who we can all later recognize as Anti-Christ is revealed. Most of the people will be deceived by him.
The second seal. The same man appears on a Red Horse. Symbolic of a man of war. Disruptive, divisive, pitting man against his neighbour. The ‘man of peace’ is peaceful no longer. Anti-Christ begins his destructive work.
The third seal. Now he rides a Black Horse. Famine and hardship. Those not bearing his mark on their bodies denied the right to buy food. The martyrs of the tribulation begin to mount up. They will reign with the risen Lord Yeshua in the millennial kingdom on earth.
The fourth seal. See Anti-Christ now on a Pale Horse. Death is visited upon one fourth of the earth’s population. Terror reigns. Fear is the weapon used to subdue people. No-one is safe from this ‘beast’ of death.
The fifth seal. The martyrs are identified, their souls resting under the shadow of the heavenly altar. “How much longer O Lord?” is their cry. But the end is not yet. They are given robes of white, identifying their status. The full number of these martyrs still to be brought.
The sixth seal. Natural disaster wreaks more havoc on earth as the full quota of death is visited upon a wicked world. Then another seal is produced in heaven. The seal of God as the one hundred and forty four thousand of the twelve tribes are sealed for God’s purpose. Heaven rejoices in worshipful glory, but on earth complete fear and trembling.
The seventh seal. Total silence in heaven for about half an hour. Then seven angels are handed a trumpet each. At his appointed hour the trumpets will be sounded, and that will herald a new round of disaster for those remaining alive on the earth.
The first trumpet. Hail, fire and blood descends. One third of the earth’s vegetation is destroyed.
The second trumpet. Something like a burning mountain falls into the sea. One third of all sea creatures die. One third of all ships are destroyed.
The third trumpet. A great fiery like star falls to the ground. One third of the rivers are contaminated and many die from drinking the water.
The fourth trumpet. The earth is darkened as one third of the sun, the moon, and the stars are dimmed.
The fifth trumpet. Also sometimes known as the first “woe” introduces the locust like creatures rising from the ‘bottomless pit” bringing great torment to those not protected by 'the seal of God'.
The sixth trumpet. The second “woe”. One third of all mankind will be put to death during this devastating plague of fire, smoke, and brimstone.
The seventh trumpet. A victory trumpet. The kingdoms of this world have become the kingdoms of our Lord. However, there is still another “woe” to come. That is when the ‘bowls of the wrath of God’ are released. And there are seven of them before the end.
It is not comforting reading is it? But it is a solemn warning for any who know that what God says, God will do. Get yourself ready and prepared.
Shabbat Shalom
RS
Torah Reflections “Shavuot”
Torah Reflections “Shavuot”
Torah portions Exodus 19:1 to 20:23 and Numbers 28 :26 - 31
Haftarah portion Ezekiel 1 : 1-28 and 3 : 12
The Torah of YHWH given to Moses
Leviticus 23 and Deuteronomy 16 have the commandments about annual observances of the “mo’edim”. (The Hebrew word for “appointed times”, which in turn is usually translated into English as “feasts”). These are times when God specified He would meet with His chosen ones.
Today, they are most often referred to as “Jewish Feasts”. That correctly describes the fact that they are observances remembered by Jews. But it is an incorrect understanding of the Scriptures.
When God gave these instructions to Moses, He carefully worded these ‘appointed times’ (mo’edim) as MY ‘mo’edim’. They may be characterized as times when God says, in effect, “I will be there to meet with you on these specific occasions”. Those who choose not to attend miss an opportunity of blessing through meeting with Him at His invitation.
This ‘appointed time’ is fixed in relation to Pesach. Seven Sabbaths plus one day later.( In the Christian reckoning, it is called “Whitsun” and is seven weeks after Palm Sunday, but it bears no relationship at all to the ‘mo’ed’ of the Lord specified in Leviticus 23.) Some pretty exciting things happened at Shavuot, and the festival (also known as the Feast of Weeks) figures most significantly in the prophetic calendar as it relates to Yeshua.
Firstly, by Jewish calculation, and there is good evidence for it, this was the time when Moses was on the mountain communing with the Lord and receiving the instructions for righteous living, which we know as Torah. (see Exodus 19:1) That, in my view is cause enough to celebrate. The very Word of God, which is ‘sharper than any two-edged sword’, came to us at this time of the year. An immeasurable blessing. My Bible tells me that Moses spoke “all that the Lord had told him” and wrote it in a book.(Exodus 24: 3 and 7). More importantly, that was the exact time that the first covenant was sealed, when the people voluntarily agreed as they said “all that the Lord has said we will do, and be obedient”.
Secondly, according to Acts 1, Yeshau returned to His Father 40 days after his resurrection from the grave. But He told his disciples to wait in Jerusalem. Just 10 days later was the festival of Shavuot. Jerusalem was overflowing with people, there for the festival from all over the known world (as it is today for the three pilgrimage festivals). Then came a sound ‘like a mighty rushing wind’. The Comforter, the Holy Spirit of God, the One who points to Messiah, was sent to minister His blessing to those who would receive it.
The disciples, already emboldened at meeting the resurrected Lord Yeshua, were imbued with power from on high. No longer the ‘shrinking violets’ who were shattered by the death of Yeshua on that cruel Roman cross. They spoke boldly to the throngs of people in the Temple courtyard, and miracle of miracles, the foreigners present all heard these fishermen from Galilee speaking in their own several languages. It is almost impossible to imagine. But by the power of the Holy Spirit of God, over three thousand were added to the company of believers that very day. Now that surely is another reason to celebrate.
But there’s more!! Both events related above did not stop.
Today, we have the precious Holy Scriptures, written in so many of the world’s languages. The faithful Jews who were entrusted with those Scriptures have carefully preserved them for our blessing and instruction down through the ages. In the early days, meticulously copying by hand every ‘jot and tittle’. Every yod and vav.
The Holy Spirit of God is alive and well in the earth today. His role on earth is to point us to Messiah Yeshua, by any and all means possible. He brings strength to the ‘weary’, comfort to the ‘afflicted’, guidance to those who seek, and blessing to all who ask.
So if any still wonder why we should celebrate Shavuot, I trust that this ‘reflection’ will provide some answers. But there is a much greater and compelling reason. God commanded it. His promise, is included in the introductory remarks of this ‘reflection’. He will be there to meet all who come. It is a special time. It has never been revoked.
You will be blessed as you meet together and thank Him for His unspeakable gift.
Shabbat Shalom
RS
Brit Hadashah Reflections
Brit Hadashah Reflections 31
Hebraic understanding Hebrews and Revelation
This is a part of Scripture which is avoided by many people because of its seeming complexity. It is the only book in our Bible attributed to Yeshua Ha’mashiach Himself. Written by the Apostle John late in his life during a visionary encounter with the Holy Spirit of God. At times John is prompted, even directed, by the Lord to write what he is witnessing. One can only guess at the amazing spectacle of being so directed. What he describes is sometimes very difficult to imagine. There are quite unusual events and situations, such as have never before been encountered by mankind, to be considered, evaluated, and reckoned with. But it all comes with a promise!
The angel, from whom John had taken the ‘little book’ and ate it, told John that he would “prophecy again about many peoples, nations, tongues and kings.” And so it seemed that John was being prepared for that task. He was given a ‘measuring rod’ and instructed to “measure the temple of God, the altar, and those who worship there.” However, he was clearly told NOT to measure the outer court because that would be given over to the Gentiles to be trampled underfoot for three and one half years. So we should attempt here to identify to which temple this refers.
The Temple which Yeshua knew in Jerusalem, had been destroyed by the Romans about 20 years before John had this vision. We know from Daniel 9:27 that the one identified as Anti-Christ, will demand to be worshipped in a temple in Jerusalem, so we conclude that a new temple will be built before these things can occur. Ezekiel also describes a temple (Ezekiel 40 -48) which is of massive scale, and obviously not yet in existence. Scholars and others have tried to identify the relationship (if any) between these two future temples. A possible crucial clue may be found in Daniel 8:14. This declares that the temple which is “trampled underfoot for 2,300 days”, and desecrated by Anti-Christ “will be cleansed”. That means that it could again be used for proper and regular worshipful activity. In the temple described by Ezekiel, there are several square miles of outer court!! It is generally understood that this will be the temple in use during the earthly millennial reign of Messiah Yeshua. But the study of the various temples mentioned in Scripture is a subject in its own right, and other than the remarks already made, I will not attempt to cover that topic in this ‘reflection’.
We are then advised that there will be TWO witnesses who will prophecy (at this time) for 1260 days. That is very close to the three and one half years we are familiar with in relation to the great tribulation. Daniels 70th week (seven years) is divided into two 3 ½ year periods in which the “man of peace” will make a peace treaty with Israel and the Nations. Now during this time, the two witnesses will be protected to go about their task, and they will possess supernatural powers. Their prophetic pronouncements against the unrepentant on the earth will be a source of great anguish for them, and they will be severely challenged as a result. However, after the 1260 days the two witnesses will be overcome and will be killed and their bodies will be left in the streets to rot. This will be cause for much rejoicing on the earth over their demise. There will be unbridled celebration among the unrepentant.
This is not easy to understand and the reasons are somewhat obscure. Never-the less, after 3 ½ days, to the dismay and horror of these joyous celebrants, the two witnesses will be restored to life. In amazement, the people will hear a loud voice calling the two witnesses to heaven. Then without further warning, the two witnesses will be transported, in a cloud, much as Yeshua was in Acts 1, into heaven. A great earthquake will occur. Seven thousand people will die instantly, a tenth of the city will be wrecked, and then, at last, those left on the earth will recognize that God Almighty is to be praised. He is the one in control. Immediately, the angel sounded the seventh trumpet. At last. The time has come.
“The kingdoms of this world have become the kingdoms of our Lord and Saviour, and He shall reign forever and ever.” The battles are won. Satan has been defeated. There is great rejoicing, praise and worship of Almighty God. He has established His authority. But there is still one more act to take place. We read about it much later in this prophetic Book of Revelation. Satan has still to meet his ultimate destiny.
At this stage however, we, whose trust is in Him, could join with the twenty four elders in their rejoicing. The events are still future, but the promise of God can be relied upon. “We give you thanks O Lord God Almighty, the One who is and who was and who is to come. Because You have taken Your great power and reigned.”
Despite currently being in isolation, we live our lives today in relative tranquillity and comfort. It is not difficult to avoid the prospect of dealing with what we have just read. We blot it out. It is just too hard. But dear Christian friend, there are places in this world today, 2020, where similar atrocities are a way of life for believers. Join me in praying God’s mercy love, grace and Shalom to be with those so perilously challenged for their faith. Our turn might come, and sooner than we think.
Shabbat Shalom
RS
Brit Hadashah Reflections
Brit Hadashah Reflections 30
Hebraic understanding Hebrews and Revelation
This is a part of Scripture which is avoided by many people because of its seeming complexity. It is the only book in our Bible attributed to Yeshua Ha’mashiach Himself. Written by the Apostle John late in his life during a visionary encounter with the Holy Spirit of God. At times John is prompted, even directed, by the Lord to write what he is witnessing. One can only guess at the amazing spectacle of being so directed. What he describes is sometimes very difficult to imagine. There are quite unusual events and situations, such as have never before been encountered by mankind, to be considered, evaluated, and reckoned with. But it all comes with a promise!
We are still in the period of the sixth trumpet sounded by an angel of God. That trumpet released four angels of Satan who were at the ready to bring great devastation, carnage, and loss of life. One third of the earth’s population slaughtered by a mighty army of two hundred million creatures who arose, like ‘locusts’, out of the ‘bottomless pit’. Those who remain on the earth are the ones who have steadfastly rejected the hand of salvation. Those who worship ‘the beast’, have taken his mark on their bodies, and are now completely in his control.
But then another angel of God appeared out of heaven. The description of this ‘mighty angel’ suggests a number of things. His task is very important in the context of the happenings which had just taken place. The rainbow on his head is indicative that his mission is a peaceful one, and his face and his feet are characteristic of the manner which has previously been descriptive of the risen Yeshua. But look! He is holding a booklet in his hand. His feet are spread so as to stand on both land and sea. His message is for all who are left. As he opened his mouth to speak, his voice was like seven thunders, and those seven thunders proclaimed a message. John quickly took up his pen to write the message, as he had been commanded to do previously, but immediately another voice came from heaven. From the reaction of the mighty angel, we may assume that voice to be the voice of Him who sits on the throne. “Do not write what you have just heard from the seven thunders.”
We can only speculate why. God is in absolute control and He had determined that the end was not to be revealed yet. But the mighty angel had been assigned a task. He had fulfilled that task. The programme of events were progressing according to plan. They still are. But God was not ready for John to reveal the next phase just yet. So He stopped him. The ‘mighty angel’ raised his hand to heaven. “Lord, do not delay any longer.” Can you hear him continue? “It is time for the seventh trumpet Lord.” The righteous had been tested and removed from the earth. The angel thought everything was ready for the mystery of God to be revealed. But God had one more thing for John to experience as he was consumed by this Spirit led vision of events to take place at the end of the age.
God spoke directly to John. “Go, take the little book which is open in the hand of the angel who stands on the sea and on the land.” And He continued. “Take and eat it; and it will make your stomach bitter, but it will be as sweet as honey in your mouth.”
Wouldn’t it be good to know precisely what this means? And to have the interpretation of it clearly spelled out in our Bible? Well, yes it would. But God has not told us ‘precisely’, so we don’t know ‘precisely’ do we? And neither is there much of a clue in the text to give us a reasonable start to our investigation. Many commentators have bravely attempted an interpretation, but in all honesty, we are left to speculate if we require some explanation. It is a booklet, so it is not the Bible, which contains many books. It is not the “Lamb’s Book of Life” because that is never referred to as anything else. It is not a “NEW book of Scripture” as some have speculated (in the manner of the Book of Mormon, or the Quoran of Islam). Others, taking a cue from Revelation 9:20,21 have suggested that it is a book recording the sin of man, which appears sweet to some, but in the end goes horribly bitter in the end. Again we should take heed to the caution contained at the end of this Revelation, not to add to nor take away from, anything which is written herein. Best we leave it at that eh?
Finally, in our reading this week, the angel spoke to John about what he must do as a result of the experience he was having by being given this visionary guided tour of the heavens. “You must prophecy again about many peoples, nations, tongues and kings.” We all know that John the Apostle was a faithful prophet of God, having penned the gospel account which bears his name and had written three loving letters of encouragement to the saints on earth. His record is a good one. Certainly countless numbers of people can attest to that. One can only think that this is a statement of reference to this Book of Revelation, which might almost be considered to be all prophetic. It definitely refers to a time still future to us today, and possibly to generations still to come. The fact that we are ‘reflecting’ on it today is proof that John was faithful to the command of that angel on his visionary journey.
Shabbat Shalom
RS
Brit Hadashah Reflections
Brit Hadashah Reflections 29
Hebraic understanding Hebrews and Revelation
This is a part of Scripture which is avoided by many people because of its seeming complexity. It is the only book in our Bible attributed to Yeshua Ha’mashiach Himself. Written by the Apostle John late in his life during a visionary encounter with the Holy Spirit of God. At times John is prompted, even directed, by the Lord to write what he is witnessing. One can only guess at the amazing spectacle of being so directed. What he describes is sometimes very difficult to imagine. There are quite unusual events and situations, such as have never before been encountered by mankind, to be considered, evaluated, and reckoned with. But it all comes with a promise!
Our human understanding leads us to see events in sequence as they are reported, but in this Book of Revelation, I believe that we are told of some events which are simultaneous, even though they are textually sequential. The events heralded by this fifth trumpet is one such. The ‘star’ fallen from heaven to earth is Satan himself. He is the one given the key of the ‘abyss’ (the bottomless pit). Remember the demon possessed Gadarene man? (Luke 8:38). Those demons begged Yeshua not to send them into that pit. The scene at the sounding of this fifth trumpet is at the beginning of the 42 months of the tribulation period, as, at “the end of this age”, things continue to go horribly wrong on the earth. The ‘smoke’ from the pit further darkens the scene which is already significantly dimmed at the previous trumpet call. Some, using a symbolic rather than an actual interpretation of these events, have equated this ‘darkness’ to the absence, on the earth, of the light of the righteous who have been slain because of their faith. It may even be a combination of both, but because of the dire warnings contained at the end of this Revelation, I prefer not to “add or take away” anything from the words as they appear.
From this pit there will arise ‘locusts’. There is enough of a description of these creatures to conclude that whilst their swarming and destructive behaviour may be similar, their appearance is quite different and their target is people. But the ‘faithful’ are protected from this torment by the 'seal of God', who do not yield to the ‘beast’ by having his mark on their body. They are certainly not like the locusts who plagued the Egyptians in Moses’ day (Exodus 10:14). And unlike the normal locust, who has no king (Proverbs 30:27) these are led and directed by one of Satan’s angels. This is graphically descriptive of the complete power on this earth which will be gained by Anti-Christ, ‘man of peace’, ‘the Beast’ who will deceive nations to trust him when he first appears. John was shown that these creatures have power, not to kill, but to harass, hurt, and torment men for five months. That is a very long test of endurance for those who remain ‘faithful’ to the Lord at the end of this age. The reward is eternal life in the presence of Him who sits on the throne. But the end is not yet. Two more angels have trumpets to sound!
The angel holding the sixth trumpet was summoned to his task. There are four other angels, securely bound, waiting for this call. The fact that they are ‘bound’ speaks of the fact that they are angels of Satan. But they cannot go about their task until the God appointed time. I find that so interesting. They are released to create great havoc. The word tells us that one third of the world’s population will perish at the hands of the armies commanded by these four angels. An army of two hundred million equipped and trained for slaughter. Their weapons, referred to as plagues in this passage of Scripture, are fire, smoke and brimstone. Staggering. In very broad terms that is equivalent to a world with no-one living in China and India combined!! Or perhaps a world with no-one alive in Europe, U.S.A., and Africa combined. The scale of the carnage is mind-boggling. And, my dear friends, it is written in God’s word. Treat it lightly at your peril.
The question that then remains is “Who are those who are not killed in this carnage?” Who are the two thirds that are left? The Scripture is quite unequivocal on this. One might be tempted to think of them as being the ‘favoured ones’. But that is not how they are described. They are ones who are unrepentant of their lifestyle choices. They are demon worshippers, idolaters, murderers, fornicators, adulterers, thieves, and the like. They are just like many walking our streets today. Outwardly joyful and self-confident, fulfilled, the ‘life and soul of the party’. Envied by many. But, they are destined to spend eternity in the ‘bottomless pit’ with their sin intact. A most unenviable situation brought about by wrong choices.
It is not difficult to see why many teachers shy away from the subject matter of this revelation because of the content of this exposition from John. It is horrible. It is depressing. It is avoidable and avoided because there is much else to teach. But it is also important. It is important because God wants us to know, to be prepared, to get ready, to resolve to endure to the end. It is important because it heralds life eternal …. in heaven … or in the bottomless pit. No middle ground.
And there is still another trumpet to sound! What will that bring? Be blessed as you continue to study God’s word, and we will shortly find out!
Shabbat Shalom
RS
Brit Hadashah Reflections
Brit Hadashah Reflections 28
Hebraic understanding Hebrews and Revelation
This is a part of Scripture which is avoided by many people because of its seeming complexity. It is the only book in our Bible attributed to Yeshua Ha’mashiach Himself. Written by the Apostle John late in his life during a visionary encounter with the Holy Spirit of God. At times John is prompted, even directed, by the Lord to write what he is witnessing. One can only guess at the amazing spectacle of being so directed. What he describes is sometimes very difficult to imagine. There are quite unusual events and situations, such as have never before been encountered by mankind, to be considered, evaluated, and reckoned with. But it all comes with a promise!
“When He opened the seventh seal there was silence in heaven for about half an hour.” That, to me, is an amazing observation. Bear in mind that the whole scene in heaven up till this moment was of loud praise and worship. Everyone there was intent on offering their verbal tributes to Him who sat on the throne and to the Lamb. Then silence. And for half an hour. Wow!! That is a long time to maintain silence with such a large gathering. But, as we will see, this is the calm before the storm! It is as though, as that seventh seal was opened, everyone knew what was about to take place, and held their breath waiting for the action to commence.
There were seven angels standing before the throne, each was given a trumpet. A golden altar stood in front of the throne, and another angel, who had a golden censer, was given much incense which, together with the prayers of the saints, he offered on that altar as a sacrifice to God. The smoke of the incense ascended before God. Then the angel took fire from the altar, put it into the censer and he threw it to the earth. Then the noise and the action commenced. Loud thunder, lightning, and an earthquake. The angels with the trumpets raised them to their lips.
There is a brief description of the chaos on earth at the breaking of the sixth seal. Men hiding themselves as best they could from the carnage taking place around them. But as the angels, in turn, begin to sound their trumpets, those trumpet sounds herald new horrific waves of destruction. It is not difficult to see why some people find this passage of Scripture so confronting, even to the point of denial. The events described are beyond our imagination, and with the possible exception of the “Sodom and Gomorrah” incident in Lot’s day, there has never been anything like it. That was localised. This is on a global scale. It is terrifying. But God in His infinite love, mercy and grace, is providing this warning. It will happen. Be prepared. These events are still future to us.
When the first trumpet sounded, there was great hail and fire mingled with blood. One third of the trees were burned up and all the grass caught fire and was consumed by it. (In recent years, in Israel, the terror group Hamas has sent hundreds of incendiary kites into Southern Israel, consuming thousands of acres of fertile crop land. It is most destructive. The event described here is on a global scale) At the very least, we can imagine that can’t we?
At the sound of the second trumpet “something like a great mountain burning” (we could equate it to a VERY large blazing meteorite) plunged from space into the sea “and a third of it turned into blood” (that is a LOT of sea). One third of all sea creatures killed. A third of all ships at sea lost (that would amount to about 18,000 ships today, and some millions of shipping containers cast into the sea!!)
The third trumpet brought catastrophe to rivers and streams. Fresh water contamination on a huge scale. The word “Wormwood” is used to describe this invasion from space. It is a word associated with ‘bitterness’. This phenomenon will be responsible for the death of many who drink this contaminated water.
There is so much of God’s bountiful provision on this earth which is taken for granted, almost as of a ‘right’ by all of us living on this planet. The events which John is witnessing in this visionary visit into the heavenlies should be enough to jog all mankind out of complacency. Instead, even within our ‘churches’ there are many who teach that these declarations of the coming “day of the Lord” are fanciful and fictitious. But, my friends, just as the Lord is fulfilling prophecies before our eyes in regard to Israel today, so in these events, He has a purpose. The purposes of God are to show mankind that “I AM THE LORD” (to quote His own words). In that day, there will be no more doubting.
The fourth trumpet will bring devastating consequences. One third of the sun, moon and stars darkened. The whole of this earth is sustained by the energy emitted by the sun. The resultant devastation is truly hard to quantify. And if that weren’t enough to cause men to cry out for mercy and relief, John was then shown another angel flying around heaven shouting with a loud voice. “Woe, woe, woe o the inhabitants of the earth, because of the remaining blasts of the trumpet of the three angels which are about to sound.” Can things get any worse? Well they can, and they will. It is no wonder that people WANT to believe that these things won’t happen. But these are the words of the living God. They are a warning. There is still time to get right with God. That is the blessing offered to those who read and take careful note of the words of this prophecy.
Shabbat Shalom
RS
Brit Hadashah Reflections
Brit Hadashah Reflections 27
Hebraic understanding Hebrews and Revelation
This is a part of Scripture which is avoided by many people because of its seeming complexity. It is the only book in our Bible attributed to Yeshua Ha’mashiach Himself. Written by the Apostle John late in his life during a visionary encounter with the Holy Spirit of God. At times John is prompted, even directed, by the Lord to write what he is witnessing. One can only guess at the amazing spectacle of being so directed. What he describes is sometimes very difficult to imagine. There are quite unusual events and situations, such as have never before been encountered by mankind, to be considered, evaluated, and reckoned with. But it all comes with a promise!
The seventh seal is not yet. But an angel appears having “the seal of the living God”. After the treachery and turmoil and chaos and death revealed by the opening of the first six seals, visited on this earth by the person who first represented himself as ‘a man of peace’, which he was not, John is now shown some real peace. Four angels appear, holding back the elements so that there was complete calm in the earth. They were charged with causing weather and climate to influence times and seasons on the earth. Then the angel holding ‘the seal of the living God’ cried out to them with a loud voice to maintain some degree of peace and tranquillity in the earth (holding back the full force of God’s wrath) because there is an important job to be concluded.
However, our understanding of these events is constrained by our human measure of time. We naturally progress through these events as though they are sequential. It is difficult for us to perceive these events as being coincidental or combined in some other order. None more so than our attempt to place the seals in some correct perspective. Scholars suggest that the revelation of the happenings described in our reading today covers a time scale which overlaps and coincides with the events between the third and sixth seal. The reason for this being that the 144,000 must come from that time, probably from the time of the fifth seal. This might explain the words of Revelation 6:11. “Then a white robe was given to each of them; and it was said to them that they should rest a little while longer, until both the number of their fellow servants and their brethren who would be killed, as they were, was completed.” And there is much more to be observed about these 144,000.
Firstly, we note that this number is to come from “all the tribes of Israel”. Now that is significant. This 144.000 are sealed by God for an express purpose as His servants in the Kingdom to come. They are all Jews. His special treasure. But as we read the list there appear to be some anomalies, hard to explain, maybe unnecessary to explain even. But we note that the tribe of Dan is not there. The tribe of Levi is there, but they were treated separately for priestly duties in former times. And the tribe of Ephraim is renamed as the tribe of Joseph. But the 144,000 were not alone. There were multitudes of others present too. People from every tribe and nation and tongue. So there will be a mixed multitude martyred in the chaos and mayhem in the last days of the anti-Christ, which we broadly identify as ‘the great tribulation’.
It is an amazing sight. John was given a preview of events still future to us today. Multitudes of people standing before God seated on the throne, and before our precious Saviour Yeshua, the Lamb slain for us, palm branches waving in our hands and shouting out aloud “Salvation belongs to our God who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb”. And as we shout our praise to Him, the elders, the four living creatures, and all the angels around the throne join in, falling on their faces before the throne in worship. Then one of the elders asked John the question “Who are these people in white robes, and where did they come from?” John said “You know who they are.”
The elder confirmed what John already knew too. And followed up his confirmation with the words of promise which we trust our God to perform. In many respects it is the reward of our faith. The promise for which we placed our trust in Yeshua in the first place. “He who sits on the throne will dwell among them. They shall neither hunger anymore nor thirst anymore; the sun shall not strike them, nor any heat; for the Lamb who is in the midst of them will shepherd them and lead them to living fountains of water. And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes.” What a promise. On a personal note, so precious a promise for me, having so recently lost the love of my life on this earth. But it is personal for every believer.
The events John is witnessing ‘in the Spirit’, the events still future to us as I write this ‘reflection’, are amazing. But we should take note that the promises we have just read are specific to those who overcome. To those who remain faithful in the day of fiery trial. As for those who leave this earth before that happens, we will be required to stand before that throne of which we have read so much, and give account. But the good news is that those who have their names written in the Lamb’s Book of Life will receive the welcoming words “well done, good and faithful servant.” Safe for eternity.
Shabbat Shalom
RS