1 When He opened the seventh seal, there was silence in heaven for about half an hour. 2 And I saw the seven angels who stand before God, and to them were given seven trumpets. 3 Then another angel, having a golden censer, came and stood at the altar. And he was given much incense, that he should offer it with the prayers of all the saints upon the golden altar which was before the Throne. 4 And the smoke of the incense, with the prayers of the saints, ascended before God from the angel's hand. 5 Then the angel took the censer, filled it with fire from the altar, and threw it to the earth. And there were noises, thunderings, lightnings, and an earthquake. 6 So the seven angels who had the seven trumpets prepared themselves to sound. (Rev. 8:1-6)
A. The seventh seal judgment on the Antichrist is the strengthening of the prayer movement by angels offering heavenly incense as directed by the Spirit (v. 3-4) that results in fire being cast to the earth (v. 5). It is followed by seven angels preparing to sound their trumpets (Rev. 8:6).
B. The five specific aspects of the seventh seal include: (1) Seven angels are given trumpets; (2) An angel is given heavenly incense to strengthen the prayers of the saints; (3) Fire is cast to the earth; (4) Cosmic disturbances occur in the sky; (5) An earthquake occurs on earth.
C. Premise: The power of our prayers ultimately come from the generosity of God’s heart in desiring to answer them, the work of Jesus on the cross that makes them acceptable, and the ministry of the Spirit on earth and in heaven throughout the entire process of our praying.
D. Our access in prayer to the Father is given to us by the cross and the name of Jesus and the ministry of the Holy Spirit who apparently uses angels. Saints have a superior status to angels.
E. Heavenly incense: I see the heavenly incense as consisting of the intercession of Jesus and the Spirit with “much” incense offered by the angel. Together they strengthen the prayer movement. The fifth seal focuses on the prayer movement being strengthened by the prayers of the martyrs.
F. The prayers of the saints are imperfect because of human weakness. Even so, what best helps our prayers are the intercessory prayers of Jesus and the Holy Spirit arising as heavenly incense.
Monday, November 16, 2009
Crying Out for Death and Barrenness
A. Jesus applied two aspects of Hosea’s prophecy (Hos. 9:14; 10:8: crying for death and barrenness) to the time of Jerusalem’s judgment in 70 AD (Lk. 23:29-31) and in the Tribulation (Mt. 24:19).
28 Jesus, turning to them, said, "Daughters of Jerusalem, do not weep for Me, but weep for yourselves and for your children. 29 For indeed the days are coming in which they will say, 'Blessed are the barren, wombs that never bore, and breasts which never nursed!' 30 Then they will begin 'to say to the mountains, "Fall on us!" and to the hills, "Cover us!"' 31 For if they do these things in the green wood, what will be done in the dry?" (Lk. 23:28-31)
B. The destruction of Jerusalem is presented using two proverbial sayings concerning anguish in being childless and in facing such destruction that many would rather die than live through it. This prophecy was partially fulfilled in 70 AD. Its fullness occurs in the Tribulation.
C. In the sixth seal, some hide to be protected from death and others are overwhelmed with despair. Both the “death wish” of Hos. 10:8 and the desire to hide for safety of Isa. 2:10 will be present.
D. Jesus called the women to weep for their children and Jerusalem in light of the destruction of Jerusalem by the Romans as He prophesied (Lk. 13:34-35; 19:41-44; 21:20-24). Their tears would not change God’s plan concerning Jesus’ death, but could change what happens in them.
E. Joel prescribed weeping in repentance and intercession as part of God’s way to change the course of events. God is willing to relent, or to cancel judgment if His people cry out.
12 Turn to Me with all your heart, with fasting, with weeping, and with mourning." 13 So rend your heart…for He is gracious and merciful…and He relents from doing harm. (Joel 2:12-13)
F. Jesus applied this to the women of Jerusalem in the End Times. Children are God’s blessing. However, childlessness will be a blessing to those in Jerusalem in the final 3½ years.
19 Woe to those who are pregnant and to those who are nursing babies in those days! 20 Pray that your flight may not be in winter or on the Sabbath. (Mt. 24:15-20)
G. In v. 30, they will just begin to speak with despair at the destruction of Jerusalem in 70 AD. This will reach a far more intense level during the Great Tribulation.
30 Then they will begin 'to say to the mountains, "Fall on us!" and to the hills, "Cover us!"' 31 For if they do these things in the green wood, what will be done in the dry?" (Lk. 23:30-31)
H. Jesus prophesied about the unprecedented judgment of Jerusalem by using a proverbial saying (v. 31). The obvious principle is that fire destroys trees, yet its destructiveness varies depending on the condition of the tree. When it is dry the fire is more destructive. When green, the fire is not as fierce. A dry tree is more quickly and easily set on fire. The proverb relates to fire burning with greater intensity at the later time when the conditions are worse.
I. The green and dry trees are parallel with Jerusalem being set on fire in different hours of history. This proverb is given to explain the exhortation to weep in intercession for Jerusalem because of the fire of destruction that will come on her in varying intensity. “They” refers to wicked men (Jews and Romans). Wicked men set a fire by betraying Jesus, then by worshiping the Antichrist.
J. Two applications of Jesus’ general principle: The time of the green wood is when sin has not yet ripened in the global and historical sense (as it will under the Antichrist). If God allowed the Romans to destroy Jerusalem, what will He allow when all nations worship the Antichrist?
K. Near fulfillment: The “green tree” represented that hour in which civil unrest was caused by Jesus’ good ministry. What did the “dry tree” season bring after the nation put Him to death? It brought fierce judgment on Jerusalem by the Romans in 70 AD.
L. Distant fulfillment: The “green tree” season of history may be represented by the oppression of Israel and other nations by Rome in the first century before the guilt of the nations had fully ripened. What will the “dry tree" season be like after all the nations worship the Antichrist?
28 Jesus, turning to them, said, "Daughters of Jerusalem, do not weep for Me, but weep for yourselves and for your children. 29 For indeed the days are coming in which they will say, 'Blessed are the barren, wombs that never bore, and breasts which never nursed!' 30 Then they will begin 'to say to the mountains, "Fall on us!" and to the hills, "Cover us!"' 31 For if they do these things in the green wood, what will be done in the dry?" (Lk. 23:28-31)
B. The destruction of Jerusalem is presented using two proverbial sayings concerning anguish in being childless and in facing such destruction that many would rather die than live through it. This prophecy was partially fulfilled in 70 AD. Its fullness occurs in the Tribulation.
C. In the sixth seal, some hide to be protected from death and others are overwhelmed with despair. Both the “death wish” of Hos. 10:8 and the desire to hide for safety of Isa. 2:10 will be present.
D. Jesus called the women to weep for their children and Jerusalem in light of the destruction of Jerusalem by the Romans as He prophesied (Lk. 13:34-35; 19:41-44; 21:20-24). Their tears would not change God’s plan concerning Jesus’ death, but could change what happens in them.
E. Joel prescribed weeping in repentance and intercession as part of God’s way to change the course of events. God is willing to relent, or to cancel judgment if His people cry out.
12 Turn to Me with all your heart, with fasting, with weeping, and with mourning." 13 So rend your heart…for He is gracious and merciful…and He relents from doing harm. (Joel 2:12-13)
F. Jesus applied this to the women of Jerusalem in the End Times. Children are God’s blessing. However, childlessness will be a blessing to those in Jerusalem in the final 3½ years.
19 Woe to those who are pregnant and to those who are nursing babies in those days! 20 Pray that your flight may not be in winter or on the Sabbath. (Mt. 24:15-20)
G. In v. 30, they will just begin to speak with despair at the destruction of Jerusalem in 70 AD. This will reach a far more intense level during the Great Tribulation.
30 Then they will begin 'to say to the mountains, "Fall on us!" and to the hills, "Cover us!"' 31 For if they do these things in the green wood, what will be done in the dry?" (Lk. 23:30-31)
H. Jesus prophesied about the unprecedented judgment of Jerusalem by using a proverbial saying (v. 31). The obvious principle is that fire destroys trees, yet its destructiveness varies depending on the condition of the tree. When it is dry the fire is more destructive. When green, the fire is not as fierce. A dry tree is more quickly and easily set on fire. The proverb relates to fire burning with greater intensity at the later time when the conditions are worse.
I. The green and dry trees are parallel with Jerusalem being set on fire in different hours of history. This proverb is given to explain the exhortation to weep in intercession for Jerusalem because of the fire of destruction that will come on her in varying intensity. “They” refers to wicked men (Jews and Romans). Wicked men set a fire by betraying Jesus, then by worshiping the Antichrist.
J. Two applications of Jesus’ general principle: The time of the green wood is when sin has not yet ripened in the global and historical sense (as it will under the Antichrist). If God allowed the Romans to destroy Jerusalem, what will He allow when all nations worship the Antichrist?
K. Near fulfillment: The “green tree” represented that hour in which civil unrest was caused by Jesus’ good ministry. What did the “dry tree” season bring after the nation put Him to death? It brought fierce judgment on Jerusalem by the Romans in 70 AD.
L. Distant fulfillment: The “green tree” season of history may be represented by the oppression of Israel and other nations by Rome in the first century before the guilt of the nations had fully ripened. What will the “dry tree" season be like after all the nations worship the Antichrist?
Wednesday, November 11, 2009
The Wicked Cry Out for Death
A. Hosea prophesied of judgments so severe that Israel would cry for a quick death to end the anguish (Hos. 10:8) and for barrenness (Hos 9:12-14) so their children would be spared anguish.
13 So Ephraim will bring out his children to the murderer. 14 Give them, O LORD-- what will You give? Give them a miscarrying womb and dry breasts! (Hos 9:13-14)
8 The sin of Israel shall be destroyed. The thorn and thistle shall grow on their altars; they shall say to the mountains, "Cover us!" and to the hills, "Fall on us!" (Hos. 10:8)
B. Thorn and thistles grew on Israel’s altars because they were used for idol worship. This speaks of Israel’s destruction when all the people were taken captive by the invading Assyrian in 722 BC.
13 So Ephraim will bring out his children to the murderer. 14 Give them, O LORD-- what will You give? Give them a miscarrying womb and dry breasts! (Hos 9:13-14)
8 The sin of Israel shall be destroyed. The thorn and thistle shall grow on their altars; they shall say to the mountains, "Cover us!" and to the hills, "Fall on us!" (Hos. 10:8)
B. Thorn and thistles grew on Israel’s altars because they were used for idol worship. This speaks of Israel’s destruction when all the people were taken captive by the invading Assyrian in 722 BC.
Monday, November 2, 2009
Sixth Seal: Signs of Harvest
A. The shaking of the heavens in the sixth seal is related to the nations coming to Jesus.
6 Thus says the LORD of hosts… "I will shake heaven and earth, the sea and dry land; 7 and I will shake all nations, and they shall come to the Desire (Jesus) of all nations. (Hag. 2:6-7)
B. The sixth seal events were prophesied by Joel in context to the outpouring of the Spirit before Jesus returns. I honor, but do not agree with those who equate the sixth seal with Jesus’ Coming.
28 I will pour out My Spirit on all flesh; your sons and your daughters shall prophesy…31 The sun shall be turned into darkness…before the coming of the great…day of the Lord. (Joel 2:28-31)
29 Immediately after the tribulation of those days (first five seals) the sun will be darkened, and the moon will not give its light; the stars will fall…30 Then…they will see the Son of Man coming on the clouds of heaven (seventh trumpet) with power and great glory. (Mt. 24:29-30)
C. Summary: The sixth seal describes God’s glory being released in context to martyrdom resulting in the shaking of the nations, the outpouring of the Spirit and the great Harvest.
6 Thus says the LORD of hosts… "I will shake heaven and earth, the sea and dry land; 7 and I will shake all nations, and they shall come to the Desire (Jesus) of all nations. (Hag. 2:6-7)
B. The sixth seal events were prophesied by Joel in context to the outpouring of the Spirit before Jesus returns. I honor, but do not agree with those who equate the sixth seal with Jesus’ Coming.
28 I will pour out My Spirit on all flesh; your sons and your daughters shall prophesy…31 The sun shall be turned into darkness…before the coming of the great…day of the Lord. (Joel 2:28-31)
29 Immediately after the tribulation of those days (first five seals) the sun will be darkened, and the moon will not give its light; the stars will fall…30 Then…they will see the Son of Man coming on the clouds of heaven (seventh trumpet) with power and great glory. (Mt. 24:29-30)
C. Summary: The sixth seal describes God’s glory being released in context to martyrdom resulting in the shaking of the nations, the outpouring of the Spirit and the great Harvest.
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