Another
Coffee Break:
Pictures
of Tribulation & Wrath,
Part 3
Good Morning,
Good Morning, Good Morning!
And the best day
of your life to you!
Before
we get started today, let me first begin by expressing my very great
appreciation to Rich Hoffman for his diligent labors in creating a new website
for the Coffee Breaks. As already noted,
all 30 of the Multiply.com sites that host these Coffee Breaks (for some
100,000 readers) will vanish as of December 1.
Rich is gifted in creating websites and he stepped up to offer his
services in creating a new site for us.
When his labors and efforts are completed, these Coffee Breaks will take
on a new identity, and we will change them from Another Coffee Break to
Regner's Morning Coffee. All of our
archives will move to the new site, along with a fistful of praise and worship
music that we have recorded live during the past couple of decades. We will keep you posted as to the shift and
timing of the move.
That
said, let's resume our discussion from Revelation 6, 7 & 8.
We've talked briefly about the first five of the seals being opened, along with the four horsemen being released upon the earth; namely, (1) the rider on the white horse going forth with the spirit of antichrist; (2) the rider on the red horse going forth with the kind of death, persecution, and tribulation that comes with a religious spirit (such as seen during the Inquisition); (3) the black horse with its rider causing major weather disturbances and changes, resulting in famine and disease being released in unprecedented proportions; and (4) the pale (green) horse with its rider empowered to rain death and destruction through even more famine (than the rider on the black horse), rare and exotic diseases, wars on every scale, pestilence and animal attacks.
I
need to insert some commentary here that should have been included in the past
Coffee Break. It is important to
remember what Jesus said when the disciples asked Him what would be the signs
and the indicators of His return and the end of this sinful age.
And Jesus answered and said to them, “See to it that no one
misleads you. For many will come in My name, saying, ‘I am the Christ,’ and
will mislead many. You will
be hearing of wars and rumors of wars.
See that you are not frightened, for those things must take
place, but that is not yet the end. For nation will rise against nation, and
kingdom against kingdom, and in various places there will be famines and
earthquakes. But all these things are merely
the beginning of birth pangs. Then they
will deliver you to tribulation, and will kill you, and you will be hated by
all nations because of My name. At
that time many will fall away and will betray one another and hate one
another. Many false prophets will arise
and will mislead many. Because
lawlessness is increased, most people’s love will grow cold. But the one who endures to the end, he
will be saved. This gospel
of the kingdom shall be preached in the whole world as a testimony to all the
nations, and then the end will come." (Matthew 24:4-14 NASB)
Jesus
is making it abundantly clear that the same events He showed to John (in the
Revelation) would precede His return. He
says of believers in particular, "Then they will deliver
you to tribulation, and will kill you, and you will be hated by all nations
because of My name." Do you see it? Tribulation is a natural part of our
existence as believers -- and in particular, what literally any reasoning
individual would refer to as "great tribulation." But Jesus is not coming -- NOT YET anyway!
Ever
notice that there's no such thing as a "seven-year great tribulation"
anywhere in Revelation? That's because
tribulation has been ongoing since the first century. This "seven-year tribulation"
teaching is a total misapplication of Daniel's prophecy in Daniel 9 -- and I'll
probably get to that before I'm done with this discussion.
Returning
to Jesus' statement from Matthew 24, He makes a critical statement that
believers today need to get a hold of: "This Gospel of the
Kingdom shall be preached in the whole world as a testimony to all the nations,
and then the end (of the age) will come."
The "Gospel of the Kingdom" is NOT the message of Salvation,
although the message of Salvation must certainly be included. The Gospel of the Kingdom is the message AND
the demonstration of the Kingdom of Heaven ruling in the midst of a wicked and
perverse generation, along with the signs and wonders that come through and
with, accompanying the citizens of the Kingdom -- Sons and Daughters of God who
boldly and uncompromisingly show forth every aspect of the Glory of the
Lord! It is -- as John clearly demonstrates
in Revelation -- the teaching, the preaching, the practice AND the
demonstration of all that Jesus is DURING a darkening age with gross darkness
falling on people.
Jesus
goes on to say, "But the one who endures to the end, he will be
saved." Endures? Yes Sir!
Yes Ma'am! Endures AND overcomes
all things! Tribulation. Trial. Testing. Persecution.
Temptation. The rebellion of our
flesh in the midst of it all.
Yesssirrrreeee! Endures and
overcomes all things.
OK! My inserted commentary got a bit long, but let's continue with our pictures.
The
opening of the fifth seal made clear that there were many more believers -- and
especially those who spoke out prophetically against the sins in the earth
being committed by nations and leaders of nations -- to suffer persecution,
opposition and death because of the Word of the Lord in them at the hand of
those who were rebuked and conscienceless.
Yet the promise of the Lord was that He would personally avenge the
deaths of all those slain for their testimony.
Now we come to the sixth seal. Although the unfolding events will cause men and women to blame the catastrophes on the wrath of God, it is clear that this is nothing more than a colossal wrap-up of "great" tribulation in and upon the earth because of the weight of sin upon creation.
Let's
first take a look at the reference in Revelation 6:12-17: "I
watched as he opened the sixth seal. There was a great earthquake. The sun
turned black like sackcloth made of goat hair, the whole moon turned blood red,
and the stars in the sky fell to earth, as late figs drop from a fig tree when
shaken by a strong wind. The
sky receded like a scroll, rolling up, and every mountain and island was
removed from its place. Then the kings
of the earth, the princes, the generals, the rich, the mighty, and every slave
and every free man hid in caves and among the rocks of the mountains. They called to the mountains and the
rocks, “Fall on us and hide us from the face of him who sits on the throne and
from the wrath of the Lamb! For
the great day of their wrath has come, and who can stand?” (NIV)
Now,
take a look at how Isaiah prophesies with a nearly identical picture: "And
it shall come to pass, that he who fleeth from the noise of the fear
shall fall into the pit; and he that cometh up out of the midst of the pit
shall be taken in the snare: for the windows from on high are open, and the
foundations of the earth do shake. The
earth is utterly broken down, the earth is clean dissolved, the earth is moved
exceedingly. The earth shall
reel to and fro like a drunkard, and shall be removed like a cottage; and the
transgression thereof shall be heavy upon it; and it shall fall, and not rise
again. And it shall come to
pass in that day, that the LORD shall punish the host of the high ones that
are on high, and the kings of the earth upon the earth. And they shall be gathered together, as
prisoners are gathered in the pit, and shall be shut up in the prison, and
after many days shall they be visited. Then the moon shall be confounded, and
the sun ashamed, when the LORD of hosts shall reign in mount Zion, and in
Jerusalem, and before his ancients gloriously.” (Isaiah 24:18-23 KJV)
Isaiah
makes some clarification here as to why these events are taking place when he
says, "The earth shall reel to and fro like a drunkard, and it
shall be removed like a cottage; and the transgression (Hebrew: pesha': sin,
rebellion)
thereof shall be heavy upon it; and it shall fall, and not rise
again." He thus makes it clear that it is the weight
of sin that is causing the earth to reel to and fro, causing the massive
earthquakes and upheavals, along with the catastrophic hurricanes and flooding
rains ("the windows from on high are open") [e.g.,
Hurricanes Andrew, Hugo, Katrina, Isaac, just to name a few].
There
is a piece of hidden manna in Isaiah's revelation that I personally find
extremely exciting, and it comes in the form of Isaiah's statement, "And
it shall come to pass in that day, that the LORD shall punish the host
of the high ones that are on high, and the kings of the earth upon the
earth.” This is a picture of highly
successful spiritual warfare being waged on demonic princes (Paul refers to
them in the Greek text of Ephesians 6:12 as kosmokrator -- world
rulers of darkness) who exercise their influence over certain cities,
states, nations, and regions of the world.
Isaiah's
prophecy is a picture of a portion of Jesus' prayer (we often call it "The
Lord's Prayer") where He instructs believers to pray, "Thy
Kingdom come, Thy will be done on earth as it is in Heaven." Believers who engage in spiritual warfare
through prayer and intercession dethrone wicked princes in heavenly places, and
at the same time effect visible change in the governance of cities, states,
nations and regions of the world. When
intercessors exercise the authority delegated to them by a rhema word from the
Lord, and rip out the pinions of the thrones upon which demonic princes
exercise power and influence over the affairs of the areas of their
responsibility, they bring the Kingdom of Heaven, along with the authority of
the Lord Jesus Christ, to bear upon events, circumstances and the governance of
those areas.
Are
you seeing it, folks? This is happening
now, as we speak! What an exciting time
to be alive! These events are unfolding
all around us, and we're on the verge of a massive increase in this
activity. Tribulation? Yup!
It is, but it is also a gorgeous time of victory for those saints who
overcome. I wouldn't trade this time for
any other time in all of history!
There's
a whole lot more to share in these pictures from Isaiah's prophecy, and from
John's Revelation, but it really would take us afield from today's discussion
so we'll save that for another time.
That said, let's take a break from these pictures of tribulation for a
bit -- and Revelation 7 does just that.
John
makes is very clear that he sees an interruption to the opening of the seven
seals when he writes, "After this [the opening of the sixth seal] I saw four
angels standing at the four corners of the earth, holding back the four winds
of the earth, so that no wind would blow on the earth or on the sea or on any
tree." (Revelation 7:1 NASB)
Numerous
times throughout the Word we see references to "the four winds" or
the four angels who stand at the four corners of the earth. Obviously the concept of "the four
corners of the earth" is a metaphor since the earth is a globe without
corners per se. Each time throughout the
Word where we see a reference to the four winds, it involves either a change of
government or a holding back of the government(s) of the earth. I don't have time in this discussion to go
there today, and exhaustively demonstrate this, but suffice it to say that John
-- in giving us a picture of the angels holding back the four winds -- is
communicating a pause in world governmental affairs while the Lord does
something extraordinary among the Jewish people.
We
know that the Bride of Christ is comprised of two parts: the Jews and the
Gentiles (or other nations of the world).
Metaphorically and pictorially throughout Scripture, we see these two
parts of the Bride represented by fig trees (of which the fig, the sycamore and
the mulberry are often illustrated) and olive trees. The apostle Paul drew the analogy in Romans
11 of the Gentiles being illustrated as a wild olive tree whose branches were
cut off and grafted (contrary to nature) into the cultivated olive tree
(representing the Jews) so as to make one new and productive fruitful olive
tree.
Here's
an interesting illustration for you.
Remember the 24 Elders who are worshiping before the Throne of God (seen
throughout Revelation)? That's two sets
of 12. (I'll amplify this a bit more
shortly.) Twelve come from Israel and
twelve come from among "the children of men."
Now,
scientifically -- horticulturally -- speaking,
the practice of grafting wild and cultivated olive trees together has
produced 24 separate genus of olive trees resulting in 900 separate species. Think that's just a coincidence? Nope! (That bit of
information comes compliments of Microsoft Encarta.)
Moving
right along with the Revelation John sees (chapter 7) we are told, "And
I saw another angel ascending from the east, having the seal of the living God:
and he cried with a loud voice to the four angels, to whom it was given to hurt
the earth and the sea, Saying, Hurt not the earth, neither the sea, nor the
trees, till we have sealed the servants of our God in their foreheads. And I heard the number of them which
were sealed: and there were sealed an hundred and forty and
four thousand of all the tribes of the children of Israel."
Notice
the command given the four angels: "Hurt
not the earth, neither the sea, nor the trees, till we have sealed the
servants of our God in their foreheads."
The command is very specific: DON'T
HURT THE TREES! What trees? The olive trees!
How
do we know this, and why do I single out the olive tree? Because of the rest of the command, and the
action which follows the command. The
angels are sent to gather out and mark (seal) the foreheads of twelve thousand
servants of God out of each of the twelve tribes of Israel.
[Let
me pause parenthetically to note that the mark in the forehead of the servants
of God in the Greek text is the word, sphragizo (pronounced,
sfragidzo). This word differs from the
mark in the forehead that people take from the Beast. That word is charagma. Charagma is a
mark or badge of servitude.
It is something which stamps itself indelibly in the character or
mindset of an individual. Sphragizo on the other
hand, is a mark of security and preservation: literally and figuratively,
to
attest to, to keep secret.]
Thus,
we have 144,000 (the number twelve taken to completion or perfection) gathered
from Israel -- a number which represents that portion of the Bride taken from
Israel -- who are to be protected and preserved from injury or destruction
during the horrific events that are about to unfold. Revelation 14 reveals to us the second half
of the Bride as the 144,000 "redeemed from among men, being the
firstfruits unto God and the Lamb."
We'll get to this group in due time, but that's not part of today's
discussion.
By
the way, we are still NOT at the wrath of God being poured out! We're still in the midst of great
tribulation, stress, persecution and opposition. We're still in the middle of events unfolding
upon the earth as a result of the weight of sin and rebellion.
The
singular difference is that for the first time we are seeing the protection,
the safety and security of the Bride of Christ taking place so that, no matter
what befalls the earth as a result of the unfolding destruction and chaos, the
Bride of Christ -- that set apart and holy, glorious people of God -- is
protected! Understand, folks, that they
are not taken OUT OF, but rather PROTECTED -- SEALED BY THE WORD OF THE LORD --
IN THE MIDST OF tribulation!
Consider
now the next thing that John sees along with the 144,000 redeemed from Israel: "After
this I beheld, and, lo, a great multitude, which no man could number, of all
nations, and kindreds, and people, and tongues, stood before the throne, and
before the Lamb, clothed with white robes, and palms in their hands; And cried
with a loud voice, saying, Salvation to our God which sitteth upon the throne,
and unto the Lamb."
I'm
getting ahead of myself, but before we quit for today, compare that statement
to this one from Revelation 14:1-5: "And I looked, and, lo,
a Lamb stood on the mount Sion, and with him an hundred forty and four
thousand, having his Father’s name written in their foreheads. And I heard a voice from heaven, as the voice
of many waters, and as the voice of a great thunder: and I heard the voice of
harpers harping with their harps: And
they sung as it were a new song before the throne, and before the four beasts,
and the elders: and no man could learn that song but the hundred and
forty and four thousand, which were redeemed from the earth. These are they which were not defiled
with women; for they are virgins. These are they which follow the Lamb
whithersoever he goeth. These were redeemed from among men, being
the firstfruits unto God and to the Lamb. And in their mouth was found no guile:
for they are without fault before the throne of God."
Here
we have a second distinct group of 144,000 who are redeemed from among men --
NOT from the 12 tribes of Israel. We'll
get into this more in our next Coffee Break, but it confirms the picture of the
wild olive being grafted into the cultivated olive.
We've
got a long ways to go yet in this discussion, so let me point out that John is
told by the Angel of the Lord, "These are they which came out of
great tribulation, and have washed their robes, and made them white in the
blood of the Lamb." The significance of this is that these are the
overcomers. They have overcome
tribulation, testing, opposition, and persecution. They have overcome the same
demonic principalities described in the seven letters. By virtue of their overcoming (and that
overcoming is a spiritually disciplined decision and effort) they have
"washed their robes" and made themselves ready for the Marriage of
the Lamb.
OK. Have to stop there. We'll continue this discussion again.
"Fresh and exceptional things are about to take place in the Church around the world. It will stretch our faith, but it will uniquely prepare us for an awesome demonstration of God's glory. The Bible foretells that the spirit of this generation will be as it was during the days of Noah. The Scriptures portray Noah as one who found favor in God's sight.
Through a divine visitation, God specifically prepared Noah for unprecedented events that unfolded in his generation. No human reasoning or natural wisdom could have provided the necessary insight and strategic blueprint for survival. Noah prevailed only by the Spirit of Revelation and obedience to the spoken word of the Lord.
Only in the supernatural realm can we receive the provision for our generation. This spiritual reality requires a far greater faith than we presently possess on a corporate level. Therefore, we must set our faith in order to access God's end-time promises to the Church. Jesus is the Resurrection and the Life and He desires to display His resurrection power and life, so we may behold God's glory. (Prophetic Word from Paul Keith Davis)
Blessings on you!
Regner
Regner A. Capener
CAPENER MINISTRIES
CAPENER MINISTRIES
709 South 7th
Street
Sunnyside, Washington 98944
(509) 515-0133
All Coffee Break articles are copyright by Regner A. Capener, but authorization for reprinting, reposting, copying or re-use, in whole or in part, is granted – provided proper attribution and this notice are included intact. Older Coffee Break archives are now available at http://regnersrangers.multiply.com/journal/ and are being slowly added at http://www.AnotherCoffeeBreak.com. Coffee Break articles are normally published weekly.
If you would like to have these articles arrive each morning in your email, please send a blank email to: Subscribe@AnotherCoffeeBreak.com. To unsubscribe, send a blank email to Unsubscribe@AnotherCoffeeBreak.com.
CAPENER MINISTRIES is a tax-exempt church ministry. Should you desire to participate and covenant with us as partners in this ministry, please contact us at either of the above email or physical addresses, or visit http://www.RiverWorshipCenter.org.
Sunnyside, Washington 98944
(509) 515-0133
All Coffee Break articles are copyright by Regner A. Capener, but authorization for reprinting, reposting, copying or re-use, in whole or in part, is granted – provided proper attribution and this notice are included intact. Older Coffee Break archives are now available at http://regnersrangers.multiply.com/journal/ and are being slowly added at http://www.AnotherCoffeeBreak.com. Coffee Break articles are normally published weekly.
If you would like to have these articles arrive each morning in your email, please send a blank email to: Subscribe@AnotherCoffeeBreak.com. To unsubscribe, send a blank email to Unsubscribe@AnotherCoffeeBreak.com.
CAPENER MINISTRIES is a tax-exempt church ministry. Should you desire to participate and covenant with us as partners in this ministry, please contact us at either of the above email or physical addresses, or visit http://www.RiverWorshipCenter.org.
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