Soon

Here is a link to last week’s study of Revelation, “Soon”.

“Holy, holy, holy is the Lord God, the Almighty—the one who always was, who is, and who is still to come.”

Revelation 4:8

Seed Basket continues to journey through the book of Revelation. Don’t get discouraged over what you don’t understand. Just keep going. The Holy Spirit will help us all to understand what we need to know.

Chapter four graphically illustrates God’s throne, the functions of the Holy Spirit and the whereabouts of all believers who were born again before the rapture.

One question you may have is, who are the twenty-four elders?

Take a look.

Around the throne were twenty-four thrones.

On the thrones were twenty-four elders sitting,

dressed in white garments, with crowns of gold on their heads. 

Revelation 4:4 (NLT)

If you will read trustworthy sources, they all agree that the image in verse 4 is the Old Testament and New Testament Church. They represent you and me, reigning with Christ instead of facing the Tribulation.

Do you know that there is a difference between the rapture and the second coming of Christ Jesus? Many believers think the rapture is the second coming. But it isn’t. Click the links below

The rapture. 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18

The second coming of Jesus is. Revelation 19:11-16

What do you think? Where will you be for both events?

Jesus replied, “I assure you that when the world is made new and the Son of Man sits upon his glorious throne, you who have been my followers will also sit on twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel.”

Matthew 19:28 (NLT)

The verse above, is a description of the saints of God reigning with Jesus when the earth is made new. The earth won’t be made new until the second coming of Christ. This is the event that will end the tribulation.

God’s inerrant Word is harmonious. Each chapter and verse fit together perfectly.

Do you see how Matthew 19 and the passage from Revelation below fit our study for today?

 ^“To all who are victorious, who obey me to the very end, To them I will give authority over all the nations They will rule the nations with an iron rod and smash them like clay pots.”

Revelation 2:26-27 (NLT)

Jesus is talking about all believers in this passage.

Look at the next verse from today’s study.

Out of the throne proceed lightnings, sounds, and thunders.

There were seven lamps of fire burning before his throne,

which are the seven Spirits of God. 

Revelation 4:5 (WEB)

What is so special about the number 7 in this verse?

If you have studied the Bible, you know that everything matters, including numbers. This isn’t a mystical game of numerology; it’s one way that God reveals important truths in His Word.

In the Bible the number seven is representative of perfection. In this verse we are told about the seven Spirits of God. Well, we know there is only one perfect Holy Spirit. So, what does this mean? Here is what I discovered.

This is another harmonious text. Isaiah 11:2 helps us see that the perfect Holy Spirit of God will empower Christ in seven ways. Take a look.

• The Holy Spirit
• The Spirit of Wisdom
• The Spirit of Understanding
• The Spirit of Counsel
• The Spirit of Might
• The Spirit of Power
• The Spirit of the fear of the Lord

And guess what. If you belong to Jesus, then you have the same Spirit living in you, too!

Read Isaiah 11:2-5

And the Spirit of the Lord will rest on him—
    the Spirit of wisdom and understanding,
the Spirit of counsel and might,
    the Spirit of knowledge and the fear of the Lord.
He will delight in obeying the Lord.
    He will not judge by appearance
    nor make a decision based on hearsay.
He will give justice to the poor
    and make fair decisions for the exploited.
The earth will shake at the force of his word,
    and one breath from his mouth will destroy the wicked.
He will wear righteousness like a belt
    and truth like an undergarment.

Don’t be afraid of the end of the age. If you are a child of God, love and serve Him. Share His life-saving Gospel in your world.

If you don’t know Jesus I have provided some resources below.

Check out John 3:16 & 17

Below is a link to Billy Graham’s article, Peace with God.

Billygraham.net/peacewithgod

World English Bible (WEB)

by Public Domain. The name “World English Bible” is trademarked.

New Living Translation (NLT)

Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.