The Heroes of The Tribulation
Notes
Transcript
24 Elders
24 Elders
Listed 4 times in the Book of Revelation.
Revelation 4:4 (KJV 1900)
4 And round about the throne were four and twenty seats: and upon the seats I saw four and twenty elders sitting, clothed in white raiment; and they had on their heads crowns of gold.
Revelation 4:10–11 (KJV 1900)
10 The four and twenty elders fall down before him that sat on the throne, and worship him that liveth for ever and ever, and cast their crowns before the throne, saying,
11 Thou art worthy, O Lord, to receive glory and honour and power: for thou hast created all things, and for thy pleasure they are and were created.
24 Elders wearing white robes casting their crowns before the throne of God worshipping the Lord (remember our study in Philippians. Jesus’ new name).
Revelation 5:8 (KJV 1900)
8 And when he had taken the book, the four beasts and four and twenty elders fell down before the Lamb, having every one of them harps, and golden vials full of odours, which are the prayers of saints.
Revelation 5:9 (KJV 1900)
9 And they sung a new song, saying, Thou art worthy to take the book, and to open the seals thereof: for thou wast slain, and hast redeemed us to God by thy blood out of every kindred, and tongue, and people, and nation;
The 24 are carrying harps and golden vials filled with the prayers of the saints.
Revelation 11:16 (KJV 1900)
16 And the four and twenty elders, which sat before God on their seats, fell upon their faces, and worshipped God,
Revelation 11:16 (KJV 1900)
16 And the four and twenty elders, which sat before God on their seats, fell upon their faces, and worshipped God,
These elders are worshipping God nonstop.
Now we know what they do, but who are they?
Are they Angels?
Are they Angels?
Some suggest Angels.
They are not Angels.
Scripture never pictures angels with crowns on their head.
They are wearing the Martyr’s Crown.
stephanos - crowns promised to martyrs and to those who are faithfully enduring tempation even to their deaths.
Revelation 2:10 (KJV 1900)
10 Fear none of those things which thou shalt suffer: behold, the devil shall cast some of you into prison, that ye may be tried; and ye shall have tribulation ten days: be thou faithful unto death, and I will give thee a crown of life.
2. They're sitting on thrones, which is what Jesus promised to believers (Rev 3:21);
Revelation 3:21 (KJV 1900)
21 To him that overcometh will I grant to sit with me in my throne, even as I also overcame, and am set down with my Father in his throne.
3. They have white robes, the same as believers (Rev 3:3, 18).
3 Remember therefore how thou hast received and heard, and hold fast, and repent. If therefore thou shalt not watch, I will come on thee as a thief, and thou shalt not know what hour I will come upon thee.
Revelation 3:18 (KJV 1900)
18 I counsel thee to buy of me gold tried in the fire, that thou mayest be rich; and white raiment, that thou mayest be clothed, and that the shame of thy nakedness do not appear; and anoint thine eyes with eyesalve, that thou mayest see.
Also, Angels do not die.
Scripture mentions 5 crowns that we may win at the Judgment Seat of Christ.
the imperishable crown,
the crown of rejoicing,
the crown of righteousness,
the crown of glory,
and the crown of life
If they are not angels, then they must be men.
Are they men?
Are they men?
Revelation 5:9–10 (KJV 1900)
9 And they sung a new song, saying, Thou art worthy to take the book, and to open the seals thereof: for thou wast slain, and hast redeemed us to God by thy blood out of every kindred, and tongue, and people, and nation;
10 And hast made us unto our God kings and priests: and we shall reign on the earth.
They
Can’t be Israel
Can’t be Israel
because they are not going to be completed in Heaven at the beginning of the tribulation period and their conversion will not be until the end of the tribulation period.
Some suggest
Can’t be 12 representing Old Testament Saints and 12 representing New Testament Saints.
Can’t be 12 representing Old Testament Saints and 12 representing New Testament Saints.
There is no scriptural basis for dividing this group of 24. They always appear as one group of 24 and never as 2 groups of 12.
Some suggest
Can’t be Tribulation Saints.
Can’t be Tribulation Saints.
Remember, none of the Tribulation saints have been saved yet. We are at the very beginning of the Tribulation Period.
This leaves
The Church in their priestly ministry.
The Church in their priestly ministry.
The only completed group of redeemed is the church. Only the church is robed in white garments. Only the church is seated on thrones to reign.
1 Peter 2:5 (KJV 1900)
5 Ye also, as lively stones, are built up a spiritual house, an holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices, acceptable to God by Jesus Christ.
1 Peter 2:9 (KJV 1900)
9 But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light:
This also seems to support the Pre-tribulational Rapture since the saints would already have been raptured and stood at the Judgment Seat of Christ to receive their rewards and crowns.
144,000 witnesses
144,000 witnesses
Revelation 7:1–8 (KJV 1900)
1 And after these things I saw four angels standing on the four corners of the earth, holding the four winds of the earth, that the wind should not blow on the earth, nor on the sea, nor on any tree.
2 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,
3 Saying, Hurt not the earth, neither the sea, nor the trees, till we have sealed the servants of our God in their foreheads.
4 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.
5 Of the tribe of Juda were sealed twelve thousand. Of the tribe of Reuben were sealed twelve thousand. Of the tribe of Gad were sealed twelve thousand.
6 Of the tribe of Aser were sealed twelve thousand. Of the tribe of Nepthalim were sealed twelve thousand. Of the tribe of Manasses were sealed twelve thousand.
7 Of the tribe of Simeon were sealed twelve thousand. Of the tribe of Levi were sealed twelve thousand. Of the tribe of Issachar were sealed twelve thousand.
8 Of the tribe of Zabulon were sealed twelve thousand. Of the tribe of Joseph were sealed twelve thousand. Of the tribe of Benjamin were sealed twelve thousand.
Judgment of the opening of the 7 Seals is interrupted by an offer of Grace and mercy to 144,000.
This is the first of 4 parenthetical sections of Revelation where the general chronological flow of the book is interrupted by topical sections which explain major events and characters of the book.
Rev. 7 - The 144,000 and their Converts
Rev. 10 - A Heavenly Announcement
Rev. 11:1-13 - The Two Witnesses
Rev. 12-13 - Satan, the Antichrist, and the False Prophet
Rev. 14 - Heavenly Pronouncements.
Rev. 17-18 - Mystery Babylon
6 seals have now been opened and we find 2 significant events.
1 The Sealing of the 144,000 of Israel.
Again,
Who They are not?
Who They are not?
They are not the only saved of the Tribulation.
They are not the only saved of the Tribulation.
We are told both Jews and Gentiles will be saved during tribulation period.
Revelation 7:9 (KJV 1900)
9 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;
Revelation 7:14 (KJV 1900)
14 And I said unto him, Sir, thou knowest. And he said to me, These are they which came out of great tribulation, and have washed their robes, and made them white in the blood of the Lamb.
They are not 144,000 Jehovah Witnesses.
They are not 144,000 Jehovah Witnesses.
or any modern religious sect.
Why? because they are Jews -
Revelation 7:4 (KJV 1900)
4 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.
They were men and virgins.
Revelation 14:4 (KJV 1900)
4 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.
Lastly, they are all lost today or they would have been taken by the Rapture.
Who They Are!
Who They Are!
144,000 Jews from each of the 12 tribes of Israel.
They are Hebrew evangelist sent to preach the Gospel to all the world.
14 And this gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in all the world for a witness unto all nations; and then shall the end come.
How Are They Converted?
How Are They Converted?
Since all Christians are removed at the Rapture and there is therefore no one left to tell lost people how to be saved and since all those who have already heard, but rejected the Gospel because of strong delusion.
11 And for this cause God shall send them strong delusion, that they should believe a lie:
12 That they all might be damned who believed not the truth, but had pleasure in unrighteousness.
How will the lost people who haven’t heard hear and receive the Gospel?
Lets look at
1 Corinthians 15:8 (KJV 1900)
8 And last of all he was seen of me also, as of one born out of due time.
“Out of due time” means premature birth.
Paul was saying he was born prematurely. I think these 144,000 will be saved just like the Apostle Paul was saved on the road to Damascus.
What is The Seal -
What is The Seal -
A royal ruler’s signet from their ring.
Revelation 14:1 (KJV 1900)
1 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.
Robert Thomas says:
A seal was not uncommon for a soldier or a guild member to receive such a mark as a religious devotee. The mark was a sign of consecration to deity. The forehead was chosen because it was the most conspicuous, the most noble, and the part by which a person is usually identified. It will be obvious to whom these slaves belong and whom they serve.
Many will be Saved.
9 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;
10 And cried with a loud voice, saying, Salvation to our God which sitteth upon the throne, and unto the Lamb.
11 And all the angels stood round about the throne, and about the elders and the four beasts, and fell before the throne on their faces, and worshipped God,
12 Saying, Amen: Blessing, and glory, and wisdom, and thanksgiving, and honour, and power, and might, be unto our God for ever and ever. Amen.
13 And one of the elders answered, saying unto me, What are these which are arrayed in white robes? and whence came they?
14 And I said unto him, Sir, thou knowest. And he said to me, These are they which came out of great tribulation, and have washed their robes, and made them white in the blood of the Lamb.
15 Therefore are they before the throne of God, and serve him day and night in his temple: and he that sitteth on the throne shall dwell among them.
16 They shall hunger no more, neither thirst any more; neither shall the sun light on them, nor any heat.
17 For the Lamb which is in the midst of the throne shall feed them, and shall lead them unto living fountains of waters: and God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes.
2 Witnesses
2 Witnesses
Revelation 11:1–12 (KJV 1900)
1 And there was given me a reed like unto a rod: and the angel stood, saying, Rise, and measure the temple of God, and the altar, and them that worship therein.
2 But the court which is without the temple leave out, and measure it not; for it is given unto the Gentiles: and the holy city shall they tread under foot forty and two months.
3 And I will give power unto my two witnesses, and they shall prophesy a thousand two hundred and threescore days, clothed in sackcloth.
4 These are the two olive trees, and the two candlesticks standing before the God of the earth.
5 And if any man will hurt them, fire proceedeth out of their mouth, and devoureth their enemies: and if any man will hurt them, he must in this manner be killed.
6 These have power to shut heaven, that it rain not in the days of their prophecy: and have power over waters to turn them to blood, and to smite the earth with all plagues, as often as they will.
7 And when they shall have finished their testimony, the beast that ascendeth out of the bottomless pit shall make war against them, and shall overcome them, and kill them.
8 And their dead bodies shall lie in the street of the great city, which spiritually is called Sodom and Egypt, where also our Lord was crucified.
9 And they of the people and kindreds and tongues and nations shall see their dead bodies three days and an half, and shall not suffer their dead bodies to be put in graves.
10 And they that dwell upon the earth shall rejoice over them, and make merry, and shall send gifts one to another; because these two prophets tormented them that dwelt on the earth.
11 And after three days and an half the Spirit of life from God entered into them, and they stood upon their feet; and great fear fell upon them which saw them.
12 And they heard a great voice from heaven saying unto them, Come up hither. And they ascended up to heaven in a cloud; and their enemies beheld them.
During the Tribulation period, God will raise up 2 special witness, who will minister on his behalf in the midst of the darkness and devastation.
Who Are These Witnesses?
Who Are These Witnesses?
They are actual people.
They
wear sackcloth
perform miracles
prophesy for God for 1,260 days
die and lie in the street for 3 1/2 days.
Come back to life
Ascend to heaven.
Revelation 11:4 (KJV 1900)
4 These are the two olive trees, and the two candlesticks standing before the God of the earth.
This is the same 2 phrases we find used of Joshua and Zerubbabel in Zech 4. picturing them as burning brightly fueled by the Holy Spirit. These 2 men were the leaders during Zechariah’s time.
The 2 witnesses here in Revelation will also execute their prophetic office. Their ministry is not because of human ability but in the power of God.
The next question is if these are real people,
Have they lived before?
Have they lived before?
Early Christians, such as Tertullian, Irenaeus, and Hippolytus, believed they would be Enoch and Elijah.
Other have held Moses with either Enoch or Elijah.
Why Enoch?
Why Enoch?
Enoch never died. Gen 5:23-24.
27 And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment:
However, this verse is simply establishing the general truth that all must die. However, there will be millions of exceptions at the Rapture.
2. Enoch was a prophet of judgment, in the days before the Flood, who announced the coming of the Lord.
14 And Enoch also, the seventh from Adam, prophesied of these, saying, Behold, the Lord cometh with ten thousands of his saints,
15 to execute judgment upon all, and to convince all that are ungodly among them of all their ungodly deeds which they have ungodly committed, and of all their hard speeches which ungodly sinners have spoken against him.
Why Moses?
Why Moses?
The witnesses will turn the rivers to blood and bring other plagues on the earth.
6 These have power to shut heaven, that it rain not in the days of their prophecy: and have power over waters to turn them to blood, and to smite the earth with all plagues, as often as they will.
2. Moses was with Elijah on the mount of transfiguration, which pictured the second coming of Jesus Christ. Matthew 17:1-9.
3. Moses was a prophet.
Why Elijah?
Why Elijah?
like Enoch, he never tasted physical death. 2 Kings 2:11
11 And it came to pass, as they still went on, and talked, that, behold, there appeared a chariot of fire, and horses of fire, and parted them both asunder; and Elijah went up by a whirlwind into heaven.
2. Like Moses, he was present at the Transfiguration.
3. Scripture predicts that Elijah will come before the great and dreadful day of the Lord.
5 Behold, I will send you Elijah the prophet Before the coming of the great and dreadful day of the Lord:
4. Like the 2 Witnesses, Elijah was a prophet.
The fact that they are not named in Revelation 11 causes me to reject any of these theories. The fact is that since the Lord doesn’t tell us who they are, we really don’t know for sure.
Have they Not Lived Before?
Have they Not Lived Before?
Therefore, while it is possible that the 2 witnesses may be two of these great men from the past brought back to earth, it seems best to view the two witnesses as men who have never lived before, whom God will raise up as his special witnesses in the Tribulation.
What will they Do?
What will they Do?
They will be Prophets.
They will be Prophets.
Revelation 11:3 (KJV 1900)
3 And I will give power unto my two witnesses, and they shall prophesy a thousand two hundred and threescore days, clothed in sackcloth.
1,260 days = 3 1/2 years.
Will it be the first half or the second half?
1. Rev 11:2-3 strongly favors the last half of the Tribulation.
Revelation 11:2 (KJV 1900)
2 But the court which is without the temple leave out, and measure it not; for it is given unto the Gentiles: and the holy city shall they tread under foot forty and two months.
They will minister during the same half that the temple will be trampled under foot.
42 months is the same time as 3 1/2 years.
2. The Seventh Trumpet is blown signifying the 2nd Coming of Christ at the end of the tribulation period.
15 And the seventh angel sounded; and there were great voices in heaven, saying, The kingdoms of this world are become the kingdoms of our Lord, and of his Christ; and he shall reign for ever and ever.
16 And the four and twenty elders, which sat before God on their seats, fell upon their faces, and worshipped God,
17 Saying, We give thee thanks, O Lord God Almighty, which art, and wast, and art to come; because thou hast taken to thee thy great power, and hast reigned.
18 And the nations were angry, and thy wrath is come, and the time of the dead, that they should be judged, and that thou shouldest give reward unto thy servants the prophets, and to the saints, and them that fear thy name, small and great; and shouldest destroy them which destroy the earth.
19 And the temple of God was opened in heaven, and there was seen in his temple the ark of his testament: and there were lightnings, and voices, and thunderings, and an earthquake, and great hail.
3. Whenever the Bible uses the term 42 months it refers to the last half of the tribulation period.
They will be Powerful
They will be Powerful
3 And I will give power unto my two witnesses, and they shall prophesy a thousand two hundred and threescore days, clothed in sackcloth.
6 These have power to shut heaven, that it rain not in the days of their prophecy: and have power over waters to turn them to blood, and to smite the earth with all plagues, as often as they will.
They will be Persecuted
They will be Persecuted
The whole world will hate these 2 Witnesses. They will be pronouncing plague after plague upon the earth, the beast, and his followers.
However, God will surround them with supernatural protection.
5 And if any man will hurt them, fire proceedeth out of their mouth, and devoureth their enemies: and if any man will hurt them, he must in this manner be killed.
God will, however, allow the Antichrist to kill them after they have finished their 3 1/2 years ministry.
The world will rejoice over their deaths and their bodies will be seen on worldwide television lying in the streets of Jerusalem.
They will be so excited over their deaths that they will hold celebrations and exchange gifts.
Revelation 11:7–10 (KJV 1900)
7 And when they shall have finished their testimony, the beast that ascendeth out of the bottomless pit shall make war against them, and shall overcome them, and kill them.
8 And their dead bodies shall lie in the street of the great city, which spiritually is called Sodom and Egypt, where also our Lord was crucified.
9 And they of the people and kindreds and tongues and nations shall see their dead bodies three days and an half, and shall not suffer their dead bodies to be put in graves.
10 And they that dwell upon the earth shall rejoice over them, and make merry, and shall send gifts one to another; because these two prophets tormented them that dwelt on the earth.
They will be Preserved
They will be Preserved
11 And after three days and an half the Spirit of life from God entered into them, and they stood upon their feet; and great fear fell upon them which saw them.
12 And they heard a great voice from heaven saying unto them, Come up hither. And they ascended up to heaven in a cloud; and their enemies beheld them.
They will be resurrected.
Jesus Christ
Jesus Christ
Jesus Christ is the key person in Biblical prophecy. He is the supreme figure of all history. He is the King of kings and Lord of lords.
He is the one who is revealed in Bible prophecy.
Revelation 19:10 (KJV 1900)
10 And I fell at his feet to worship him. And he said unto me, See thou do it not: I am thy fellowservant, and of thy brethren that have the testimony of Jesus: worship God: for the testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy.
35 names and titles are given to Jesus Christ in Revelation alone.
Revelation 1:1 (KJV 1900)
1 The Revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave unto him, to shew unto his servants things which must shortly come to pass; and he sent and signified it by his angel unto his servant John:
Revelation 1:5 (KJV 1900)
5 And from Jesus Christ, who is the faithful witness, and the first begotten of the dead, and the prince of the kings of the earth. Unto him that loved us, and washed us from our sins in his own blood,
Revelation 1:8 (KJV 1900)
8 I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the ending, saith the Lord, which is, and which was, and which is to come, the Almighty.
Revelation 1:13 (KJV 1900)
13 And in the midst of the seven candlesticks one like unto the Son of man, clothed with a garment down to the foot, and girt about the paps with a golden girdle.
Revelation 1:17 (KJV 1900)
17 And when I saw him, I fell at his feet as dead. And he laid his right hand upon me, saying unto me, Fear not; I am the first and the last:
Revelation 1:18 (KJV 1900)
18 I am he that liveth, and was dead; and, behold, I am alive for evermore, Amen; and have the keys of hell and of death.
Revelation 2:1 (KJV 1900)
1 Unto the angel of the church of Ephesus write; These things saith he that holdeth the seven stars in his right hand, who walketh in the midst of the seven golden candlesticks;
Revelation 2:8 (KJV 1900)
8 And unto the angel of the church in Smyrna write; These things saith the first and the last, which was dead, and is alive;
Revelation 2:12 (KJV 1900)
12 And to the angel of the church in Pergamos write; These things saith he which hath the sharp sword with two edges;
Revelation 2:18 (KJV 1900)
18 And unto the angel of the church in Thyatira write; These things saith the Son of God, who hath his eyes like unto a flame of fire, and his feet are like fine brass;
Revelation 3:1 (KJV 1900)
1 And unto the angel of the church in Sardis write; These things saith he that hath the seven Spirits of God, and the seven stars; I know thy works, that thou hast a name that thou livest, and art dead.
Revelation 3:7 (KJV 1900)
7 And to the angel of the church in Philadelphia write; These things saith he that is holy, he that is true, he that hath the key of David, he that openeth, and no man shutteth; and shutteth, and no man openeth;
Revelation 3:14 (KJV 1900)
14 And unto the angel of the church of the Laodiceans write; These things saith the Amen, the faithful and true witness, the beginning of the creation of God;
Revelation 5:5 (KJV 1900)
5 And one of the elders saith unto me, Weep not: behold, the Lion of the tribe of Juda, the Root of David, hath prevailed to open the book, and to loose the seven seals thereof.
Revelation 5:8 (KJV 1900)
8 And when he had taken the book, the four beasts and four and twenty elders fell down before the Lamb, having every one of them harps, and golden vials full of odours, which are the prayers of saints.
28 times He is called the Lamb
Revelation 6:10 (KJV 1900)
10 And they cried with a loud voice, saying, How long, O Lord, holy and true, dost thou not judge and avenge our blood on them that dwell on the earth?
Revelation 11:8 (KJV 1900)
8 And their dead bodies shall lie in the street of the great city, which spiritually is called Sodom and Egypt, where also our Lord was crucified.
Revelation 12:5 (KJV 1900)
5 And she brought forth a man child, who was to rule all nations with a rod of iron: and her child was caught up unto God, and to his throne.
Revelation 15:3 (KJV 1900)
3 And they sing the song of Moses the servant of God, and the song of the Lamb, saying, Great and marvellous are thy works, Lord God Almighty; just and true are thy ways, thou King of saints.
Revelation 19:11 (KJV 1900)
11 And I saw heaven opened, and behold a white horse; and he that sat upon him was called Faithful and True, and in righteousness he doth judge and make war.
Revelation 19:13 (KJV 1900)
13 And he was clothed with a vesture dipped in blood: and his name is called The Word of God.
Revelation 19:16 (KJV 1900)
16 And he hath on his vesture and on his thigh a name written, KING OF KINGS, AND LORD OF LORDS.
Revelation 22:16 (KJV 1900)
16 I Jesus have sent mine angel to testify unto you these things in the churches. I am the root and the offspring of David, and the bright and morning star.