Persecuted for preaching the gospel, around A.D. 95, John was exiled to Patmos, an island on the Aegean Sea where he received a revelation from an angel of Christ.
Previously, Christ spoke to John through a vision that included seven candlesticks which represent the seven churches in Asia; the Loveless Church at Ephesus, the Persecuted Church at Smyrna, the Compromising Church at Pergamos, the Corrupt Church at Thyatira, the Dead Church at Sardis, the Faithful Church at Philadelphia and the Lukewarm Church at Laodicea.
Then, in the vision, Jesus revealed to John the Throne Room of Heaven as well as a scroll, sealed with seven seals which only the Lamb of God was worthy to loosen. Before He open the scroll, the Lamb was praised by all the creatures on the earth and in Heaven, as well as countless angels.
When the first seal was loosen, John saw the anti-christ riding a white horse. Next, the second seal was opened and revealed a rider armed with a sword on a fiery red horse, which meant worldwide bloodshed and inhalation of epic magnitude. When the third seal was loosened, John saw a black horse holding a pair of scales that would bring scarcity on the whole earth. After the fourth seal was loosened, Jesus showed John devastating death that would inflict a quarter or the earth’s population. Then, when the fifth seal was opened, John saw and heard the souls of the Christian martyrs cry for deliverance as each one was sleeping until judgment day. The sixth seal revealed cosmic disturbances and devastation on the earth, as well as the number the children of Israel who would be spared by God to one hundred and forty four thousand. When the seventh seal was loosened, John saw seven angels of God standing before God, each one holding a trumpet. The apostle also witnessed another angel who covered the whole earth with the judgment of God, inflicting pain and suffering throughout the world.
When the first angel sounded his trumpet, hail and fire covered the world, where one third of the trees were burned up, indicating massive destruction through a form of judgments over the whole earth. Then, along with the second trumpet came great devastation as one third of the sea became blood, and one third of the creatures of the sea were killed. Also, a third of the ships in the sea were destroyed. When the third angel sounded his trumpet, God’s judgment came in the way of a star that fell upon the earth where it caused a third of the fresh water on the planet to be ruined. The fourth trumpet caused a third of the sun, followed by a third of the moon then a third of the stars to go dark. The fifth trumpet unleashed smoke and locusts from the bottomless pit, causing pain and suffering throughout the whole earth. When another angel sounded the sixth trumpet, four angels were released from the Euphrates to kill one third of mankind. Then, John saw a mighty angel come down from Heaven holding a open little book, but its content would remain secret as the apostle was commanded to eat the small scroll, which was the word of God. After this, John is called to measure the temple court, or the church, as those not counted as part of the family of Christ as well as two witnesses of God are sent on a 1260 year march around the New Jerusalem. After they concluded their mission, the two witnesses were killed and their dead bodies were left on display in a city that dwelled in sin and bondage. When three and a half years had passed, Yahweh brought His witnesses back to life which overcame many with fear and reverence.
“15 Then the seventh angel sounded: And there were loud voices in heaven, saying, “The kingdoms of this world have become the kingdoms of our Lord and of His Christ, and He shall reign forever and ever!” (Revelation 11:15)
John is now blessed with a vision of the seventh angel, who was chosen to sound the seventh trumpet of the seventh seal. This trumpet would announce the triumphant Kings in God, His Son Jesus, the Savior and Christ, as well as the Holy Spirit who dwells within all those whose name is written in the book of life.
“16 And the twenty-four elders who sat before God on their thrones fell on their faces and worshiped God, 17 saying: “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.” (Revelation 11:16-17)
Next, John sees the twenty-four elders, the twelve apostles joined by the leaders of the twelve tribes of Israel bow before God and worship Him once again, giving thanks for His presence and power.
“18 The nations were angry, and Your wrath has come, And the time of the dead, that they should be judged, And that You should reward Your servants the prophets and the saints, And those who fear Your name, small and great, And should destroy those who destroy the earth.” (Revelation 11:18)
The twenty-four elders continue their worship of the Lord God, as the first and second woes came to pass leaving most of the earth either devastated or destroyed. The twenty-four elders call on the Almighty to reward believers and also punish those who are cruel and deserving of the judgment of God.
“19 Then the temple of God was opened in heaven, and the ark of His covenant was seen in His temple. And there were lightnings, noises, thunderings, an earthquake, and great hail.” (Revelation 11:19)
Lastly, in spite of a number of natural disasters, John is given a vision of the temple of God in Heaven, where the apostle could see the God’s ark of covenant, a rectangular box made of acacia wood that measured four feet long, two and a half feet wide and two and a half feet high. The ark, which was covered with gold, was carried with poles inserted through gold rings located at the four lower corners of the wooden chest that contained both tablets of the Decalogue, stone fragments featuring the Ten Comandments. Also in the ark were a pot of manna and Aaron’s rod. Let’s pray!
Father God;
We thank you for your blessings in our lives and for your servant John,
We praise you Lord for his wisdom and for his works through this scripture,
We ask you Lord to inspire us to use these verses in our lives
As we grow in you through your revelation delivered by your faithful apostle.
Lord we ask you to strengthen us each day as we endure through battles,
Allow us to praise and love each other through faith in you Jesus,
Shield us from evil through truth, the gospel, salvation and prayer,
Guide us to abide by your word as we spread your gospel to one and all
Becoming examples of faith through our character as we walk the narrow path.
God we pray that you will continue to bless us, to bless our lives and fill us with hope
We ask you Lord to guide our footsteps and lead us to the way everlasting,
Through faith in you Lord we seek salvation and a place with you in heaven
According to your word, your everlasting wisdom and strength.
May your will be done
In our lives, for your life.
We thank you for your love and all you bless us with each day.
Praise God,
Amen!
This message was written by Daniel St.Pierre
Email: danielstpierre@thrivethroughchrist.com
