Interpretive Study of Revelation 19-20

The Revelation of Jesus Christ

Chapter links: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, God.

Revelation Chapter 19

links to sentences in this chapter:

C19-S1 (Verse 1-2), C19-S2 (Verse 3), C19-S3 (Verse 3), C19-S4 (Verse 4), C19-S5 (Verse 5), C19-S6 (Verse 6), C19-S7 (Verse 7), C19-S8 (Verse 8), C19-S9 (Verse 9), C19-S10 (Verse 9), C19-S11 (Verse 10), C19-S12 (Verse 10), C19-S13 (Verse 11), C19-S14 (Verse 12), C19-S15 (Verse 13), C19-S16 (Verse 14), C19-S17 (Verse 15), C19-S18 (Verse 16), C19-S19 (Verse 17-18), C19-S20 (Verse 19), C19-S21 (Verse 20), C19-S22 (Verse 20), C19-S23 (Verse 21)'.

Chapter Summary: Preparation for the return of our Lord Jesus Christ.

C19-S1 : Praise before the return of our Lord Jesus Christ..
C19-S2 : Praise doubled.
C19-S3 : God will leave the evidence of His judgment of Babylon the great.
C19-S4 : the four and twenty elders and the four beasts join the praise.
C19-S5 : the command for all in heaven to worship our God.
C19-S6 : A great multitude in Heaven joined the worship.
C19-S7 : the marriage of the Lamb is announced.
C19-S8 : How the bride is presented.
C19-S9 : Blessing for serving God's kingdom after initial salvation.
C19-S10 : Verification that God backs what came before this in this Bible book.
C19-S11 : John's reaction to the statement of the prior sentence.
C19-S12 : the angel told John to only worship God.
C19-S13 : What happens after the marriage supper of the Lamb.
C19-S14 : More description of our Lord Jesus Christ as He prepares to return and rule this Earth.
C19-S15 : Further description of our Lord Jesus Christ as He prepares to return and rule this Earth.
C19-S16 : the witnesses to the victory by our Lord Jesus Christ follow Him.
C19-S17 : How our Lord Jesus Christ will deal with the nations.
C19-S18 : the true power and authority of our Lord Jesus Christ is revealed.
C19-S19 : God invites the birds to eat all of the dead bodies.
C19-S20 : the armies led by Satan, and his two beasts, gather to fight our Lord Jesus Christ.
C19-S21 : the armies of this world, including all of the devils, lose the war.
C19-S22 : What happens to Satan's two beasts.
C19-S23 : What happens to the armies of this world.

As noted at the start of all notes for chapters 17 and 18, those chapters tell of the judgment of the great whore by the Lord our God and the first 6 verses of this chapter tell us that many people in Heaven worshipped the Lord our God because of that judgment. This worship leads into the worship that precedes the marriage of the Lamb which includes the honeymoon that is the 1,000 years reign of Christ on Earth (19:7 - 20:15). However, the new worship in 19:7, which starts with Let us is separate from the worship found in 19:1-6 because it starts a new reason for the worship.

As 18:6 said, God said to Reward her even as she rewarded you and this sentence says that she was judged for the sin she did. That is, God always relates the judgment to the sin which brought the sin. The third part of our sentence tells us that she did corrupt the earth with her fornication and we saw in the verses and notes for Chapter 17 and Chapter 18 explain that the fornication, which she did, was the joining of false religion to the governments of this world (kings of the earth) which did corrupt the worship of the people on the earth. We also see that this judgment was because the Lord God hath avenged the blood of his servants at her hand. Back in Revelation 6:10 we saw his servants crying for the Lord to judge and avenge our blood on them that dwell on the earth. Now we see that He has done so and we see that all of these things are interrelated and not disjoint acts of God.

In the general note for this epistle it was noted that this epistle is the Revelation of the person Who is Jesus Christ and that future events are revealed only in that they show us Who this person is. When people are concentrating upon the events and ignoring the person, they tend to deal with the events as disjointed acts of God. However, when we look at this epistle to see what it is teaching us about the person of Jesus Christ, we see the relationship between different acts because those relationships show us why our Lord God does what He does.

Our chapter starts with our Lord Jesus Christ preparing to return to this World and conquer all devils and lost people before He sets up His kingdom. The first thing that we read about is a big celebration in heaven because it is time for the marriage supper of the Lamb. That immediately precedes our Lord Jesus Christ returning to conquer and then set up His kingdom. The 1,000 years reign of Christ is, essentially, His honeymoon. After the marriage supper of the Lamb, we read about how our Lord Jesus Christ will be seen by all of the devils and armies of the lost when He returns. This is also how people will see Him as He rules this world. At the end of the chapter, we have a simple statement that our Lord Jesus Christ wins the war. God does not have John spend a lot of effort reporting the details because all that we really need to know is that He wins the war with no loss on His side.

C19-S1 (Verse 1-2) Praise before the return of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Equivalent Section: Recognition of what he will do.

First Step: A shout of victory.

And after these things I heard a great voice of much people in heaven,
saying,
Alleluia;.

Second Step: What He will bring to Earth.

Salvation,
and glory,
and honour,
and power,
unto the Lord our God :

Equivalent Section: Why He will be victorious.

For true and righteous are his judgments:

Equivalent Section: the victory He already won.

for he hath judged the great whore,
which did corrupt the earth with her fornication,
and hath avenged the blood of his servants at her hand.

Our sentence starts with the word And, which adds this chapter to the prior chapter. In addition, every sentence in this chapter starts with the word And, which makes this entire chapter single report and all of it need to be considered together for contextual reasons.

Our sentence has three Equivalent Sections with the First Equivalent Section recognizing what our Lord Jesus Christ will do. The Second Equivalent Section recognizes why He will have victory, and the third Equivalent Section recognizes what he has already won. Notice that, in true faith, they praise Him for what he has done before they praise Him for what he will do.

The First Step, of our First Equivalent Section, tells us that much people in heaven gave this shout of victory. I imagine that included all who will return with Christ. And, the word Alleluia is a shout of victory.

The Second Step, of our First Equivalent Section, actually means 'to give recognition to what He already has and will bring to the Earth'. The Word Studies, below, provide more details on these words, if the reader needs or desires the details.

In our Second Equivalent Section, we read: For true and righteous are his judgment. While this applies to His judgment of Babylon the great, as reported in the prior two chapters, it also applies to the saved. One of the lies of false religion is that saved people will receive rewards which they did not earn. in this book alone, we see that judgment, and rewards, are according to works in: 2:2, 2:5, 2:9, 2:13, 2:19, 2:23, 2:26; 3:1, 3:2, 3:8, 3:15; 9:20; 14:13; 18:6; 20:12, 20:13. In addition, in spite of the lie which many believe, only the saved people who have proven that they are chosen, and faithful (17:14) are allowed to return with Christ. over and over in this book we see that our Lord God's judgments are true and righteous. They give reward and punishment in proportion to the works produced by every man. As a result, all through this book we see that the saved worship the Lord and the lost people fear Him because of His judgments.

Our last Equivalent Section gives us two reasons why His judgments are Equivalent Section. He destroyed the source ofgreat corruption on the Earth and kept His promises to His faithful people that he would avenge their being treated wrong. As the saying goes: 'It's not over yet' and people need to realize the truth of judgment by God before they mistreat the people of God.

Dr. Jeff Wilson writes about this sentence: 'After all these things occur, after the destruction of ch17 and 18, John now hears… what does he hear? A great voice! A loud voice! A powerful voice! But not just one voice, but a voice of many, of much people, what people? the people in heaven! the saved, those that have believed, the Old Testament saints, the Jews who looked for the Messiah and trusted in Him, the church, the born again, the tribulation saints, those who suffered greatly but still chose to believe. this is the picture of a vast heaven filled with the children of God. We will be in this number, we will be voicing these very words, for we are there, either by rapture or by death.
This scene sets the stage for a time of great celebration for the time of the marriage of the Lamb is come, the beast is almost totally defeated, the world and sin have been judged by wrath, the marriage supper of the Lamb is soon, the second coming of Christ is at hand, Satan is about to be bound, and the millennial reign is about to begin. What an exciting time, a joyous time, and as the untold multitude of the heavens unite in one thunderous voice, they respond to the command to rejoice, and they cry one word, Alleluia!
“Alleluia” is the Greek spelling of the Hebrew word Hallelujah and means Praise the Lord! this is the first time in the entire New Testament that this word appears. It was not cried at the birth of Christ, it was not cried at the crucifixion of Christ, it was not cried at the resurrection of Christ, it was not even cried at his ascension and promise to return, but it is cried at the beginning of the final victory of Christ, at the marriage supper of the Lamb, at the return of the King of kings and Lord of lords. the heavens can not contain their excitement anymore, and so the cry goes out to praise the Lord. the word “alleluia” appears 4 times in this single chapter, and what a chapter for it to be used, so many wonderful things culminate in ch19. And so the voice of much people in heaven cry out Praise ye the Lord, praise him, praise him? Why? (Ref v1b) Because of salvation, the salvation granted by God, because of glory, the glory of God, for in all this HE will receive all glory due Him. Praise Him because of honor, His honor, His character and keeping of His promises, He has seen us through, He has brought all things He has spoken of since the foundations of the world were laid to fruition, and finally praise the Lord for His power, His power to defend, His power to defeat, power to fulfill, His power to save, power to create, power to love and bestow mercy and grace and bestow everlasting life. Alleluia to God and Christ our King! forwho He is and what He has done! And what other reason does John give that the cry of praise rings throughout heaven?
The cry of praise goes forth because of God's justice. His truthful, right and fair justice has dealt with the corruption and supremely vulgar sin of Babylon, the harlot, the liar, the murderer. Now no one rejoices or celebrates at the perishing of the lost, but they rejoice only because God has shown His supreme sovereignty, His patience, His longsuffering, His mercy, His love, His grace; He gave mankind every chance to turn to Him, to unite with Him, to draw near to Him, but so many rejected such love, such salvation, glory, honor, and power, and so they faced His wrath instead, not because God hates them but that He hates their sin, their distrust, their unbelief, their rejection of His most beloved Son. He gave everything to mankind, yet so many spurned the gifts and blessings of God and chose to reject Him, yet they embraced one that was anything but godly or good or true or right. they worshipped a lesser power, a lesser being, one who was created instead of the Creator, they worshipped a fallen wicked person, and so God grants them what they have truly wished for, ultimate separation from Him instead of infinite union with Him. And so now the cry goes up, for God has judged the great whore Babylon, because of her corruption of man and the blood of the saints that are upon her hands. God's Justice has been done, He has dealt with her truthfully and righteously. We can apply the words of Moses to such praise, Nu 32:23 But if ye will not do so, behold, ye have sinned against the LORD: and be sure your sin will find you out. And due to this realization another alleluia echoes thru the heavens…'.

Please see the notes for 1Corinthians C12S14 and Galatians C3-S7 about the word hear. Webster's 1828 dictionary defines this word as: 'Perceiving by the ear. This word is often used symbolically for hearing the spiritual message of the word of God, as sound. 1. Listening to; attending to; obeying; observing what is commanded. 2. Attending to witnesses or advocates in a judicial trial; trying'. Please pay attention to the word 'obey' within this definition. That is what most people refuse to do when the Bible says that they do not hear. Please also see the note for James 2:5 about the word hearken. Please also see the note for Mark 4:9 about the phrase He that hath ears to hear, let him hear.

Please see the note for 1Corinthians C14S11 about the word voice. Webster's 1828 dictionary defines this word as: 'n. L. vox; voco. the sense of the verb is to throw, to drive out sound; and voice is that which is driven out. 1. Sound or audible noise uttered by the mouth, either of human beings or of other animals. We say, the voice of a man is loud or clear; the voice of a woman is soft or musical; the voice of a dog is loud or harsh; the voice of a bird is sweet or melodious. the voice of human beings is articulate; that of beasts, inarticulate. the voices of men are different, and when uttered together, are often dissonant. 2. Any sound made by the breath; as the trumpet's voice. 3. A vote; suffrage; opinion or choice expressed. Originally voice was the oral utterance of choice, but it now signifies any vote however given. Some laws ordain, and some attend the choice of holy senates, and elect by voice. I have no words; my voice is in my sword. 4. Language; words; expression. Let us call on God in the voice of his church. 5. In Scripture, command; precept. Ye would not be obedient to the voice of the Lord your God. Deut. 8. 6. Sound. After the fire, a still small voice. 1Kings 19. Canst thou thunder with a voice like him? Job. 40. the floods have lifted up their voice. Ps. 93. 7. Language; tone; mode of expression. I desire to be present with you now, and to change my voice. Gal. 4. 8. In grammar, a particular mode of inflecting or conjugating verbs; as the active voice; the passive voice.
VOICE, v.t. 1. to rumor; to report. It was voiced that the king purposed to put to death Edward Plantagenet. Little used. 2. to fit for producing the proper sounds; to regulate the tone of; as, to voice the pipes of an organ. 3. to vote'. Please also see the note for Luke 3:21-22 about the phrase voice from heaven Please also see the note for Revelation 20:9 about the phrase fire from heaven.

Please see the note for Revelation 5:9 about the word people. Webster's 1828 defines this word as: 'n. L. populus. 1. the body of persons who compose a community, town, city or nation. We say, the people of a town; the people of London or Paris; the English people. in this sense, the word is not used in the plural, but it comprehends all classes of inhabitants, considered as a collective body, or any portion of the inhabitants of a city or country. 2. the vulgar; the mass of illiterate persons. The knowing artist may judge better than the people. 3. the commonalty, as distinct from men of rank. Myself shall mount the rostrum in his favor, And strive to gain his pardon from the people. 4. Persons of a particular class; a part of a nation or community; as country people. 5. Persons in general; any persons indefinitely; like on in French, and man in Saxon. People were tempted to lend by great premiums and large interest. 6. A collection or community of animals. The ants are a people not strong, yet they prepare their meat in the summer. Prov.30. 7. When people signified a separate nation or tribe, it has the plural number. Thou must prophesy again before many peoples. Rev.10. 8. In Scripture, fathers or kindred. Gen.25. 9. the Gentiles. --To him shall the gathering of the people be. Gen.49.
PEOPLE, v.t. to stock with inhabitants. Emigrants from Europe have peopled the United States'.

Please see the note for Philippians 2:9-11 about the word heaven. Easton's Bible Dictionary this word as: '(1.) Definitions. the phrase "heaven and earth" is used to indicate the whole universe (Ge 1:1; Jer 23:24; Ac 17:24). According to the Jewish notion there were three heavens, (a) the firmament, as "fowls of the heaven" (Ge 2:19; 7:3,23; Ps 8:8, etc.), "the eagles of heaven" (La 4:19), etc. (b) the starry heavens (De 17:3; Jer 8:2; Mt 24:29). (c) "The heaven of heavens," or "the third heaven" (De 10:14; 1Ki 8:27; Ps 115:16; 148:4; 2Co 12:2). (2.) Meaning of words in the original, (a) the usual Hebrew word for "heavens" is shamayim, a plural form meaning "heights," "elevations" (Ge 1:1; 2:1). (b) the Hebrew word marom is also used (Ps 68:18; 93:4; 102:19, etc.) as equivalent to shamayim, "high places," "heights." (c) Heb galgal, literally a "wheel," is rendered "heaven" in Ps 77:18 (R.V., "whirlwind"). (d) Heb shahak, rendered "sky" (De 33:26; Job 37:18; Ps 18:11), plural "clouds" (Job 35:5; 36:28; Ps 68:34, marg. "heavens"), means probably the firmament. (e) Heb rakia is closely connected with (d), and is rendered "firmamentum" in the Vulgate, whence our "firmament" (Ge 1:6; De 33:26, etc.), regarded as a solid expanse. (3.) Metaphorical meaning of term. Isa 14:13-14; "doors of heaven" (Ps 78:23); heaven "shut" (1Ki 8:35); "opened" (Eze 1:1). (See 1Ch 21:16.) (4.) Spiritual meaning. the place of the everlasting blessedness of the righteous; the abode of departed spirits. (a) Christ calls it his "Father's house" (Joh 14:2). (b) It is called "paradise" (Lu 23:43; 2Co 12:4; Re 2:7). (c) "The heavenly Jerusalem" (Ga 4:1; 6:18; Heb 12:22; Re 3:12). (d) the "kingdom of heaven" (Mt 25:1; Jas 2:5). (e) the "eternal kingdom" (2Pe 1:11). (f) the "eternal inheritance" (1Pe 1:4; Heb 9:15). (g) the "better country" (Heb 11:14,16). (h) the blessed are said to "sit down with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob," and to be "in Abraham's bosom" (Lu 16:22; Mt 8:11); to "reign with Christ" (2Ti 2:12). In heaven the blessedness of the righteous consists in the possession of "life everlasting," "an eternal weight of glory" (2Co 4:17), an exemption from all sufferings for ever, a deliverance from all evils (2Co 5:1-2) and from the society of the wicked (2Ti 4:18), bliss without termination, the "fulness of joy" for ever (Lu 20:36; 2Co 4:16,18; 1Pe 1:4; 5:10; 1Jo 3:2). the believer's heaven is not only a state of everlasting blessedness, but also a "place", a place "prepared" for them (Joh 14:2)'. Please also see the note for Matthew 3:2 about the phrase kingdom of Heaven. Please also see the note for Hebrews 12:2-LJC about the phrase treasure in Heaven. Please also see the Message called Laying up Treasure in Heaven. Please also see the note for Luke 3:21-22 about the phrase voice from heaven Please also see the note for 1Peter 1:2-LJC about the phrase things in Heaven. There are 57 references to this word just in this Bible book. Therefore, this note does not provide links to all of them.

We find forms of the phrase fire from Heaven in: Genesis 19:24; 2Kings 1:10; 2Kings 1:12; 2Kings 1:14; 1Chronicles 21:26; 2Chronicles 7:1; Job 1:16; Luke 9:54; Luke 17:29; Revelation 10:1; Revelation 13:13; Revelation 20:9. In every reference it is speaking, directly or indirectly, of: 'judgment from God visible to men'.

Please see the note for Revelation 1:8 about the word saith. The functional definition for this word is: 'lifestyle speaking. A saying that never changes when said by God'. Please also see the note for Romans 11:1 about the phrase I say. The functional definition is: 'Uttering in articulate sounds or words; speaking; telling; relating; reciting'. Please also see the note for Revelation 1:8 about the word saith. Please also see the note for Romans C10S28 about the word gainsaying. Please also see the note for Matthew 26:1 about the word sayings (plural). Please also see the notes for Romans C15S15 and 2Corinthians 2:17 about the word speak. Please also see the note for 2Corinthians 3:12-14 about the word speech. Please also see the notes for Ephesians C4S15 and 1Peter 2:1 about the phrase evil speaking. The words speaketh and saith mean that the person 'keeps on keeping on doing the saying'.

We find forms of the word Alleluia only in Revelation (Revelation 19:1; Revelation 19:3; Revelation 19:4; Revelation 19:6), which was written in Greek, but the dictionaries tell us that some Psalms have the equivalent in the Hebrew. Fausset's Bible Dictionary defines this word as: '("Praise ye Jehovah".) Never found in the palms of David and his singers, Asaph, Heman, and Jeduthun: but in later psalms, namely, those of the captivity and the return, the Fifth Book. So "Selah" is restricted to his and their psalms. Used in the temple liturgy; at the beginning, close, or both, of Psalm 106; 111; 113; 117; 135. So in the heavenly perfect liturgy (Re 19:1,3-4,6), the triumphant shout of the great multitude, the 24 elders, and four living creatures at the judgment on the whore.
The Hebrew form may imply the special interest of the Jews in the destruction of antichrist (Ps 149:8-9). Psalm 113-118 were called by the Jews the Hallel: sung on the first of the month, at the Feast of Dedication, that of Tabernacles, that of Weeks, and that of Passover. they sang Psalm 142 and Psalm 114 before the supper (according to Hillel's school, or only Psalm 113 according to Shammai's school), the rest after the last cup. this was the hymn sting by Christ and His disciples (Mt 26:30). As the full choir of Levites in the temple service took up the Alleluia, so in heaven the multitude in mighty chorus respond Alleluia to the voice from the throne, "Praise our God, all ye His servants," etc. (Re 19:1-6.)'.

Please see the note for Philippians 1:19-20 for links to every place in that epistle where we find the word salvation along with definitions from three different dictionaries and links from other commentators. The functional definition is: 'to exclude. When used spiritually, it means to exclude from the damned by having God's life in you. When used physically, it means to exclude from what is endangering physical life'. As we see in the Bible and in this book, our continuing spiritual growth, and our sanctification is part of true Biblical salvation. Please see the note for Main Menu item for Salvation about the word save. Please also see the notes for 2Thessalonians 2:13-LJC and Hebrews 12:2-LJC about the phrase salvation through sanctification. Please also see the note for John 8:30 about the phrase non-saving belief Please also see verses in the New Testament. Summary on the name / role of Saviour. Please also see the note for James 1:21 about the phrase save your soul.

Please see the notes for Romans C15S14; 1Corinthians C15S36; Ephesians C1S2; 2Corinthians 10:14-LJC and Colossians C1S6 about the word glory. The functional definition for this word is: 'bright, shining. Glory, then, is brightness, splendor. the L. floreo, to blossom, to flower, to flourish, is probably of the same family. 1. Brightness; luster; splendor'. Please also see the note for Matthew 17:1 about the phrase Jesus Christ return in glory.

Please see the note for Romans C12S8 about the word honour. The functional definition for this word is: 'To revere; to respect; to treat with deference and submission, and perform relative duties to'. Please also see the note for Romans C12S8 about the word dishonour.

Please see the note for Romans C13S2 about the word power. The functional definition for this word is: 'The primary sense of the verb is to strain, to exert force. 1. In a philosophical sense, the faculty of doing or performing anything; the faculty of moving or of producing a change in something; ability or strength' Please also see the note for John 5:41 about the phrase power of God. Please also see the notes for Romans C8S40 and Ephesians C6S8 about the phrase spiritual powers.

Please see the note for Romans C1S10 and Galatians C2-S16 about the words righteous / righteousness. The functional definition for this word is: 'doing the right thing, as defined by God, the right way and at the right time with the right purpose'. Please also see the note for Ephesians 4:7-LJC about the phrase righteousness of the Law. Please also see the notes for Philippians 1:9-11; James 3:18 about the phrase fruit of righteousness. Please also see the note for Romans C4S7 about the phrase imputeth righteousness. Please also see the notes for Romans 3:5 and Romans C1S16 about the word unrighteousness. Please also see the note for Romans C2S5 about the phrase obeying unrighteousness.

Please see the notes for Matthew 7:1 about the word judge. The functional definition for this word is: 'To hear and determine, as in causes on trial; to pass sentence'. Please also see the notes for 1Corinthians C4S5 and Ephesians C5S6 about the phrase we are to judge. Please also see the notes for Romans 8:1-LJC; Galatians C5-S6 and Revelation 19:2-LJC about the phrase judged by works. Please also see the notes for Romans C2S2; Philippians 1:9-11 and Psalms 119 about the word judgment. Please also see the note for 2Corinthians 5:10 about the phrase judgment Seat. Please also see the notes for Romans 14:10 and 2Corinthians 5:10 about the phrase judgment Seat of Christ. Please also see the note for Romans 14:8-LJC and 2Thessalonians 1:9-LJC about the phrase judgment without mercy.

Please see the note for Revelation 17:1 about the word whore. Webster's 1828 defines this word as: 'WHORE, n. Hore. G. the correct orthography is hore. A harlot; a courtesan; a concubine; a prostitute.
WHORE, v.i. supra. to have unlawful sexual commerce; to practice lewdness.
WHORE, v.t. to corrupt by lewd intercourse. Little used.'. Please also see the note for Ephesians 5:5 about the words whoremonger / whoremaster. Please also see the note for 1Corinthians 6:15 about the word harlot.

Please see the note for 1Corinthians 9:25 for links to every verse in 1Corinthians which uses a form of the word corrupt, along with the definition from Webster's 1828 and links to where this word is also found in other Bible books. While the reader should look at all of the verses within the Bible which use this word, in order to truly understand the long-term effects, we can say that the main application of this word, from the Webster's 1828 definition, is: 'To change from a sound to a putrid or putrescent state; to separate the component parts of a body, as by a natural process, which accompanied by a fetid smell'. In addition, to this word, we also need to consider the opposite words. The word uncorruptible is defines as: 'that cannot be corrupted. But incorruptible is the word now used'. The word incorruptible is defined as: 'a. 1. that cannot corrupt or decay; not admitting of corruption. thus gold, glass, mercury, etc., are incorruptible. Spirits are supposed to be incorruptible. Our bodies shall be changed into incorruptible and immortal substances. 2. that cannot be bribed; inflexibly just and upright'. Please also see the note for John 19:39 about the phrase no corruption.

Please see the note for Philippians 2:9-11 about the word earth. Easton's Bible Dictionary defines this word as: '(1.) In the sense of soil or ground, the translation of the word adamah'. In Ge 9:20 "husbandman" is literally "man of the ground or earth." Altars were to be built of earth (Ex 20:24). Naaman asked for two mules' burden of earth (2Ki 5:17), under the superstitious notion that Jehovah, like the gods of the heathen, could be acceptably worshipped only on his own soil. (2). As the rendering of 'erets, it means the whole world (Ge 1:2); the land as opposed to the sea (Ge 1:10). Erets also denotes a country (Ge 21:32); a plot of ground (Ge 23:15); the ground on which a man stands (Ge 33:3); the inhabitants of the earth (Ge 6:1; 11:1); all the world except Israel (2Ch 13:9). In the New Testament "the earth" denotes the land of Judea (Mt 23:35); also things carnal in contrast with things heavenly (Joh 3:31; Col 3:1-2)'. Please also see the note for 2Corinthians 4:7 about the word earthen. Please also see the note for 2Corinthians 5:1 about the word earthly. Please also see the note for Luke 21:10-11 about the word earthquake. Please also see the note for Luke 21:10-11 about the word earthquake. Please also see the note for Revelation 10:11-LJC about the phrase kings of the earth. Please also see the note for Matthew 32-33 about the phrase Judge of all the earth.

Please see the note for 1Corinthians C5S1; Galatians C5S20 and Ephesians C5S2 about the word fornication. Webster's 1828 dictionary defines this word as: 'the incontinence or lewdness of unmarried persons, male or female; also, the criminal conversation of a married man with an unmarried woman. 2. Adultery. Matt. 5. 3. Incest. 1Cor. 5. 4. Idolatry; a forsaking of the true God, and worshipping of idols. 2Chron. 21. Rev. 19'. Note: religions, and even dictionaries, define adultery as a form of fornication. Adultery is a spiritual sin and a violation of a covenant oath. all sexual sins are a form of fornication. However, fornication involves more than just sexual sins. The true Biblical definition of fornication is: 'the violation of a spiritual covenant relationship.'. Where adultery is a spiritual sin fornication is a physical sin.

Please see the note for Acts 7:24 about the word avenge The functional definition for this word is: 'To take satisfaction for an injury by punishing the injuring party; to vindicate by inflicting pain or evil on the wrong doer. Also see revenge and revenger'.

Please see the note for Colossians C1S3 about the word blood. The functional definition for this word is: 'The fluid which circulates through the arteries and veins of the human body, and of other animals, which is essential to the preservation of life'. Please also see the note for Matthew 26:28 about the phrase blood of Christ. Please also see the note for 1Corinthians 10:16-LJC about the phrase Christ and blood.

Please see the notes for Romans C16S21 and 2Timothy C1-S2 about the word serve. The functional definition for this word is: 'To work for; to bestow the labor of body and mind in the employment of another'. Please also see the note for Philippians 2:17 about the word service. Please also see the notes for Romans C14S4; 1Corinthians C7S27 and Ephesians C6S4 about the word servant. The functional definition is: 'To command another to help or to cry for help, hence to pray (Ge 4:26)'.

Please see the notes for 1Corinthians C12S12 and Colossians C2S7 about the word hand. The functional definition for this word is: 'In man, the extremity of the arm, consisting of the palm and fingers, connected with the arm at the wrist; the part with which we hold and use any instrument. Often used symbolically for ability'. Please also see the note for Matthew 18:28 about the phrase laid hands. Please also see the note for 1Peter 5:6-7 about the phrase hand of God. Please also see the note for Mark 16:19 about the phrase right hand of God. Please also see the note for Luke 1:38 about the word handmaid. Please also see the note for 1John 1:1-3 about the word handle. Please also see the note for Matthew 3:1-2 about the phrase at hand. This phrase is defined as: 'it will happen very soon'. Please also see the note for Matthew 18:28 about the phrase laid hands. The functional definition for this word is: 'To physically grab with the intention of doing great harm which, usually, ends in death'.

The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge provides Bible references for this sentence as: 'after. Re 18 I heard. Re 11:15; 18:20 Alleluia. Re 19:3-4,6; Ps 106:1; 111:1; 115:18; 146:1; 148:1; 149:1; 150:1 (margin) Salvation. Re 4:10-11; 5:9-13; 7:10-12; 11:15; 12:10; 1Ch 29:11; Ps 3:8; Jon 2:9; Mt 6:13; 1Ti 1:16-17 General references. exp: Ex 18:10; 2Ch 23:21; Ps 98:4; Isa 14:3; 65:18.
true. Re 15:3; 16:5-7; De 32:4; Ps 19:9; Isa 25:1 judged. Re 17:1-2,15-16; 18:3,9-10,23 and hath. Re 6:10; 18:20,24; De 32:35,43 General references. exp: Ex 18:10; 2Ch 23:21; Ps 119:137; Isa 14:3; 34:8; 65:18; Jer 51:24; 2Th 1:6.'.

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C19-S2 (Verse 3) .

Praise doubled.
And again they said,
Alleluia.

Our sentence starts with the word And, which adds it to the prior sentence. Both sentences need to be considered together for contextual reasons. . . .

The repeat of this praise makes it a truth equal to God's law. The truly saved in heaven will praise God for all that He has done and for all that he will do including everything which we are told in this book of prophecy.

Dr. Jeff Wilson writes about this sentence: 'The multitude cries once more Praise ye the Lord, Alleluia! for God's justice has left the abode of the beast, the temple of the false prophet, the habitat of devils and unclean spirits in ruins, Babylon is a burning heap, and the smoke of her burning rises to unseen heights, forever and ever. the only reminder that she ever existed…And now look who joins in this celebration of praise…'.

The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge provides Bible references for this sentence as: 'Alleluia. Re 19:1 General references. exp: Ge 19:28; Ex 18:10; 2Ch 23:21; Isa 14:3; 65:18; Jer 51:24'.

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C19-S3 (Verse 3) God will leave the evidence of His judgment of Babylon the great.
And her smoke rose up for ever and ever

Our sentence starts with the word And, which adds it to the prior sentence. Both sentences need to be considered together for contextual reasons. . . .

Technically, there is a difference between the word everlasting and the phrase ever and ever. Technically, the phrase ever and ever means; 'the author never saw the end'. However, since her smoke comes from this earth, and God will destroy this earth before making a new one, her smoke is not actually everlasting, but it appears to be that way.

Think about this. We are told that Satan is loosed for a little while at the end of the 1,000 years reign of Christ. He leads another rebellion and gets many people to join in. Not only have they been enjoying the results of the peaceful rule by Christ, but they have ignored the ever-present evidence of the judgment brought the last time that Satan led a rebellion.

Dr. Jeff Wilson wrote about this sentence in the note for the prior sentence.

Please see the note for Matthew 12:20 about the word smoke. Webster's 1828 defines this word as: 'n. 1. the exhalation, visble vapor or substance that escapes or is expelled in combustion from the substance burning. It is paricularly applied to the volatile matter expelled from vegetable matter, or wood coal, peat, etc. the matter expelled from metallic substances is more generally called fume,fumes. 2. Vapor; water exhalations'.

The phrase ever and ever has the same application as the word everlasting except that it seems to never end as opposed to actually never ending. Please see the note for Luke 16:9 about the word everlasting. The functional definition for this word is: 'ever and lasting. Lasting or enduring for ever; eternal; existing or continuing without end; immortal'. Please see the note for 1:6 for links to where this phrase and this word are used in this Bible book.

The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge provides Bible references for this sentence as: 'And her. Re 14:11; 18:9,18; Ge 19:28; Isa 34:10; Jude 1:7 General references. exp: Ge 19:28; Ex 18:10; 2Ch 23:21; Isa 14:3; 65:18; Jer 51:24'.

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C19-S4 (Verse 4) the four and twenty elders and the four beasts join the praise.

First Step: they worshipped.

And the four and twenty elders and the four beasts fell down and worshipped God that sat on the throne,
saying,
Amen;

Second Step: They shouted the victory.

Alleluia.

Our sentence starts with the word And, which adds it to the prior sentence. Both sentences need to be considered together for contextual reasons. Here we see the leaders added to the worship and praise of all of the saints. Notice that they worshipped before they shouted the victory. That is, they first recognized that our Lord Jesus Christ won the victory before they claimed the right to enjoy the victory.

Dr. Jeff Wilson writes about this sentence: 'The 24 elders that sit upon thrones around the heavenly throne of God, along with the four beasts of Revelation ch4, that were full of eyes, each having six wings, and either looked like a lion, a man, a calf or a flying eagle, they all now join the chorus of millions and cry Amen! Let it be so! Alleluia! Praise the Lord! those that represent believers from both the Old and New Testament and the angelic cherubim, servants around the throne, burst out in new praise of God, for they whole heartedly agree with the reasons given to praise God and so they exclaim their own joy with the third use of Alleluia.
And believe it or not, over all this rejoicing John hears another voice coming from the throne of God calling for yet more praise…'.

Please see the note for 1Timothy 5:1 about the word elder. The true Biblical definition for this word is: 'An older saved person within the church who has Godly wisdom and is accepted as a leader in the church even if he has no formal position within the church'. Please be careful about this definition as there are several wrong religious definitions which are strongly held by people including 'Good, Godly, fundamental, KJV only Baptists'. In addition, many man-written dictionaries have different definitions, and many of those have parts that did not match the Biblical usage.

The four beasts of Revelation are described in Revelation 4:6-8. Please see the notes for those sentences abour their descriptions and the symbolism involved in those descriptions. We find the four beasts of Revelation mentioned in: 4:6; 4:8; 5:6; 5:8; 5:14; 6:1; 6:6; 7:11-12; 14:2-3; 15:7 and 19:4.

Please see the note for Acts 7:42 about the word beast. The The functional definition for this word is: 'Any animal that is not man. Sometimes it means quadrupeds, and not creeping things'.

Please see the note for 1Timothy 3:6 about the word fall. The functional definition for this word is: 'To drop from a higher place; to descend by the power of gravity alone. Rain falls from the clouds; a man falls from his horse; ripe fruits fall from trees; an ox falls into a pit. I beheld Satan as lightning fall from Heaven. Luke 10. 2. to drop from an erect posture. I fell at his feet to worship him. Rev. 19'. The word fell is the past-tense form of the word fall.

Please see the note for Colossians C1S3 about the word throne. Easton's Bible Dictionary defines this word as: 'a royal chair or seat of dignity (De 17:18; 2Sa 7:13; Ps 45:6); an elevated seat with a canopy and hangings, which cover it. It denotes the seat of the high priest in 1Sa 1:9; 4:13, and of a provincial governor in Ne 3:7; Ps 122:5. the throne of Solomon is described at length in 1Ki 10:18-20'.

This Amen provides the agreement in worship that the prior sentence described.

The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge provides Bible references for this sentence as: 'the four. Re 4:4-10; 5:8-11,14; 11:15-16; 15:7 Amen. Re 5:14; 1Ch 16:36; Ne 5:13; 8:6; Ps 41:13; 72:19; 89:52; 106:48; Jer 28:6; Mt 6:13; 28:20; 1Co 14:16 exp: Re 7:12. Alleluia. Re 19:1 General references. exp: Ex 18:10; 2Ch 23:21; Isa 65:18; Jer 51:24; Re 11:16.'.

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C19-S5 (Verse 5) the command for all in heaven to worship our God.

And a voice came out of the throne,
saying,
Praise our God,
all ye his servants,
and ye that fear him,
both small and great.

Our sentence starts with the word And, which adds it to the prior sentence. Both sentences need to be considered together for contextual reasons. This is presented as a command but it is actually permission for angels and all others to join in the ongoing praise. There are times, in this book, when John reports that only a certain group, such as the hundred and forty four thousand virgin male Jews, could participate in the ongoing worship because only they had experienced what they were worshipping God for doing. However, here, all of Heaven experiences the upcoming victory when our Lord Jesus Christ returns and conquers all devils and all of the armies of the lost and all that rejected Him as their personal Lord.

Please notice the end of our sentence which says: ye that fear him, both small and great. That is; 'each and every person who personally stopped their sin because they knew the punishment they would receive from God if they didn't stop'. Too many saved people refuse to truly fear the Lord because they believed the lie that fear is: 'deep abiding respect'. The one central message of this book is that God will punish all who refuse to submit and obey. Yet, lost and carnal people refuse to submit and obey even as they flock to hear liars claim that this book says something totally different from what it really says.

Dr. Jeff Wilson writes about this sentence: '“Praise our God” cries the voice, all of God's servants, men, angels, created beings, saints of all ages, the heroes of faith, saved Jews and saved Gentiles, the prophets, apostles and the hosts of heaven, the martyred, the persecuted, all that serve the Almighty, all that fear Him, who revere Him, who honor Him, who glorify Him, who look to Him, from the smallest to the greatest of servants, from the least little action of service to the greatest sacrifice given, all together Praise our God! that is the command that issues forth, and the response to such a call shakes John to his core…'.

Please see the note for 1Corinthians C11S2 about the word praise. The functional definition for this word is: 'ommendation bestowed on a person for his personal virtues or worthy actions, on meritorious actions themselves, or on anything valuable; approbation expressed in words or song. Praise may be expressed by an individual, and in this circumstance differs from fame, renown, and celebrity, which are the expression of the approbation of numbers, or public commendation. When praise is applied to the expression of public approbation, it may be synonymous with renown, or nearly so. A man may deserve the praise of an individual, or of a nation. there are men who always confound the praise of goodness with the practice. 2. the expression of gratitude for personal favors conferred; a glorifying or extolling. He hath put a new song into my mouth, even praise to our God. Ps.40. 3. the object, ground or reason of praise. He is thy praise, and he is thy God. Deut.10'. Please also see the note for Romans C15S9 about the phrase praise the Lord.

Please see the notes for Romans C11S25 and Philippians 1:12-14 about the word fear. The functional definition for this word is: 'A painful emotion or passion excited by an expectation of evil, or the apprehension of impending danger. Fear expresses less apprehension than dread, and dread less than terror and fright. the force of this passion, beginning with the most moderate degree, may be thus expressed, fear, dread, terror, fright. Fear is accompanied with a desire to avoid or ward off the expected evil. Fear is an uneasiness of mind, upon the thought of future evil likely to befall us'. Please also see the Study called Fear the Lord. In addition, please see the note for John 6:19 about the word afraid. Webster's 1828 dictionary defines this word as: 'Impressed with fear or apprehension; fearful. this word expresses a less degree of fear than terrified or frightened. It is followed by of before the object of fear; as, to be afraid of death. Joseph was afraid to sin against God'.

The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge provides Bible references for this sentence as: 'a voice. Re 7:15; 11:19; 16:17 Praise. Ps 103:20-22; 134:1; 135:1,19-20; 148:11-13; 150:6 exp: Ps 86:12. both. Re 11:18; 20:12 exp: Re 13:16. General references. exp: Ex 18:10; Ps 115:11; 118:4; 135:19; Isa 65:18; Lu 1:50; Ro 3:18.'.

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C19-S6 (Verse 6) A great multitude in Heaven joined the worship.

Equivalent Section: .

And I heard as it were the voice of a great multitude,
and as the voice of many waters,
and as the voice of mighty thunderings,
saying,
Alleluia:.

Equivalent Section: Why.

for the Lord God omnipotent reigneth.

Our sentence starts with the word And, which adds it to the prior sentence. Both sentences need to be considered together for contextual reasons. Here we read the true volumeans excitement in Heaven because the Lord God omnipotent reigneth. Again, we see that true worship. is done in true Biblical faith. It is done before the actual act is accomplished and recognizes that nothing. an no one, can prevent the Lord God omnipotent from getting the victory and reigneth ('having a never-ending reign'). Satan, devils and sin have reigned on Earth so that God can test the souls of men. Now, the time of testing is over. Satan, devils and sin will be removed from the Earth and our Lord Jesus Christ will usher in 1,000 years of peace.

Dr. Jeff Wilson writes about this sentence: 'A mighty roar erupts in heaven from much people, a great multitude, all those gathered around the throne, the entire population of Glory and Heaven with a united voice, a voice of 1000’s of mighty waterfalls and earth shaking thunderings, that voice cries once more in perfect unison Alleluia, Praise ye the Lord! Why?
For the Lord God, the Almighty, the All powerful, the Omnipotent God, reigns and rules, He has judged, He has redeemed, He has dealt justly with all and has demonstrated His power, His power that is without end, without limits, without question. Praise God for what He has done for His servants and to his enemies!
What a day that will be when the heavens rejoice and celebrate, and we that are saved will be right there in the midst of it all. Filled with fervor, desire, excitement, love, purity, holiness, glory, and we will praise the one who made us so. fornow the time has come for a wedding to take place in heaven, the marriage of the Lamb and his bride…'.

Please see the note for John 6:2 about the word multitude. Webster's 1828 dictionary defines this word as: 'the state of being many; a great number. 2. A number collectively; the sum of many. 3. A great number, indefinitely. It is a fault in a multitude of preachers, that they utterly neglect method in their harangues. 4. A crowd or throng; the populace; applied to the populace when assembled in great numbers, and to the mass of men without reference to an assemblage. He the vast hissing multitude admires. the multitude have always been credulous, and the few artful'.

Please see the note for Luke 3:16 about the word water. The functional definition for this word is: 'The basic liquid of life. It is used symbolically for more than one meaning. Consideration of the context is required in order to determine the usage in any Bible reference'. Please also see the note for John 4:10 about the phrase living waters. Please also see the note for John 7:38 about the phrase rivers of living water.

Please also see the note for 2Corinthians 10:3-6 about the word might. . The functional definition for this word is: 'aving great bodily strength or physical power; very strong or vigorous; as a mighty arm'. Please see the note for Revelation 4:8-LJC about the word Almighty.

Please see the note for John 12:29 about the word thunder. The American Tract Society Dictionary defines this word as: 'And lightning are significant manifestations of the power of God, and emblems of his presence, Ex 19:16; 1Sa 2:10; 12:17; Ps 18:13. thunder is poetically called "the voice of the Lord" in the sublime description of a thunder-storm in Ps 29:11; "The voice of the Lord is upon the waters; the God of glory thundereth; the Lord is upon many waters. the voice of the Lord is powerful; the voice of the Lord is full of majesty. the voice of the Lord breaketh the cedars; Yea, the Lord breaketh the cedars of Lebanon," etc. See also Job 37:1-5; 40:9; Jer 10:13. In illustration of Ps 29:9, Moffat, while describing the thunder-storms of South Africa, say that the antelopes flee in consternation; and that he has observed the Bechuanas starting off early on the morning following such a storm in quest of young antelopes prematurely born. In Ps 78:48, "hot thunderbolts" means lightning'.

This sentence is the only place in the word of God where we find the word omnipotent. It is defined as: 'Almighty; possessing unlimited power; all powerful. the being that can create worlds must be omnipotent. One dictionary said the Greek word is also interpreted as Almighty'.

Please see the note for Romans C6S12 about the word reign. Webster's 1828 defines this word as: 'v.i. rane. L. regno, a derivative of rego, regnum. 1. to possess or exercise sovereign power or authority; to rule; to exercise government, as a king or emperor; or to hold the supreme power. George the third reigned over Great Britain more than fifty years. Behold, a king shall reign in righteousness. Is. 32. 2. to be predominant; to prevail. Pestilent diseases which commonly reign in summer or autumn. 3. to rule; to have superior or uncontrolled dominion. Romans 6. this word is never applied to the exercise of supreme power by a legislative body or the executive administration, in the United States.
REIGN, n. rane. L. regnum. 1. Royal authority; supreme power; sovereignty. He who like a father held his reign. 2. the time during which a king, queen or emperor possesses the supreme authority. the Spanish armada was equipped to invade England in the reign of queen Elizabeth. Magna Charta was obtained in the reign of king John. 3. Kingdom; dominion. Saturn's sons received the threefold reign of heav'n, of ocean, and deep hell beneath. 4. Power; influence. 5. Prevalence'. The note in Romans has links to every place where this word is used in the New Testament along with a short note on each application.

The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge provides Bible references for this sentence as: 'and as the voice of many. Re 1:15; 14:2; Eze 1:24; 43:2 and as the voice of mighty. Re 4:5; 6:1; 8:5; 14:2; 19:6; Job 40:9; Ps 29:3-9; 77:18 for. Re 11:15-18; 12:10; 21:22; Ps 47:2,7; 93:1; 97:1,12; 99:1; Isa 52:7; Mt 6:13 General references. exp: Ex 18:10; Ps 98:4; Isa 65:18.'.

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C19-S7 (Verse 7) the marriage of the Lamb is announced.

Equivalent Section: the reaction in heaven to the announcement.

Let us be glad and rejoice,
and give honour to him:.

Equivalent Section: Why the praise.

for the marriage of the Lamb is come,
and his wife hath made herself ready.

There is a whole lot of doctrinal error preached and taught about this event. Although I have not personally heard it preached, there were supposedly people who preached that only Baptists will be in the bride. What I have heard preached, often, is that everyone who makes a profession will be included. Following this paragraph, I show the references in the word of God which prove that to be one of the many lies from devils to encourage God's people to refuse to truly serve God, in this life, because they can 'claim' this reward while refusing to fulfill God's requirements for receiving it. And, yes, that does include a lot of 'Good Godly Bible believing KJV only Baptists'.

In addition to other claims, some people contend that only those saved during the Church Age will be there. That is like claiming that only the bride and groom will be at a marriage supper. Some preachers have said that some will be in Heaven but not attend the marriage supper of the Lamb because of Revelation 19:9. (Please see note below.)

in this sentence we read ...his [Lamb's] wife hath made herself ready. In the next sentence we read And (in addition to making herself ready) to her was granted that she should be arrayed in fine linen, clean and white: for the fine linen is the righteousness of saints. Notice that the colon makes the qualifiers of the fine linen in the First Equivalent Section, in the next sentence, equivalent to the righteousness of saints in the Second Equivalent Section. That is: clean and white is equivalent to the righteousness of saints and this is what his[Lamb] wife was granted that she should be arrayed in.

Now we can get into the argument about those who (supposedly) get into Heaven but never have any righteousness of saints that they can claim as their own. However, this note will only present a summary.

Such saved people, in Heaven, have not made herself ready, as our current sentence says, and they have nothing to be arrayed in, as our next sentence says. Further, the end of the parable of Matthew 22:1-14 says For many are called, but few are chosen as the conclusion of judgment brought upon a person who came to the wedding not having a wedding garment and the King ordered His servants to Bind him hand and foot, and take him away, and cast him into outer darkness. (Please see the message called outer darkness which deals with the claim that it is in Hell and that saved people are not punished for over 1,000 years instead of receiving blessings like attending this wedding of the Lamb.

So we see there is a lot of Biblical evidence for the position that some will be in Heaven but not attend the marriage supper of the Lamb, even though most people are sure that they will be there in spite of the fact that they are doing nothing to have the righteousness of saints. This fits with what other Bible references and notes say about the unjust. Rather than getting into an argument over doctrinal error that people hold onto very emotionally, I will stick with the subject of our current sentence. It can be proved conclusively from the Bible. That is, you don't want to show up in Heaven in the condition of being saved but having no righteousness of your own. (Romans 3:10 says: As it is written, there is none righteous, no, not one. We only receive righteousness when we do what God requires in order for Him to add it to our Heavenly record (Genesis 15:6; Psalms 106:31; Romans 2:26; Romans 4:3; Romans 4:5).

Marriage and Lamb occur together only in Revelation 19:7 and Revelation 19:9. These verses are covered in this note and the next note. Wedding occurs in the New Testament in Matthew 22:3, Matthew 22:8, Matthew 22:10-12; Luke 12:36; Luke 14:8. Marriage occurs in the New Testament in Matthew 22:2, Matthew 22:4, Matthew 22:9, Matthew 22:30; 24:38; 25:10; Mark 12:25; Luke 17:27; Luke 20:34, Luke 20:35; John 2:1; John 2:2; 1Corinthians 7:38; Hebrews 13:4; Revelation 19:7, Revelation 19:9. Supper occurs in the New Testament in Mark 6:21; Luke 14:12, Luke 14:16, Luke 14:17, Luke 14:24; Luke 22:20; John 12:2; John 13:2; John 13:4; John 21:20; 1Corinthians 11:20-21; Revelation 19:9; Revelation 19:17.

In the Bible, wedding is the one-time event that starts the ongoing personal relationship that is called a marriage. The marriage supper immediately follows the wedding and all of this requires proper planning as the mother of most brides can tell you. It also involves a considerable cost, as the father of many brides can tell you. I will now quickly go through the verses mentioned above for a quick summary of what they teach us about wedding, marriage and marriage supper. Obviously, there is far more on these subjects than what is covered in this light summary. Every reference, below, will take thereader to where each reference is dealt with in context andin detail.

In the following references, please keep in mind that the Gospel of Matthew presents the legal perspective of the life of Jesus. Therefore, the following references, from the Gospel of Matthew, give us a legal perspective and marriage is 'the start of an ongoing legal relationship'. Therefore, since God always obeys His own laws, there are no variations allowed for what Matthew presents.

In Matthew 22:1-14 we have a parable that Jesus introduced with The kingdom of Heaven is like unto a certain king, which made a marriage for his son (Matthew 22:2). This parable tells us about the words: wedding and marriage and ends with For many are called, but few are chosen. . As was already mentioned earlier in this note, only those saved people who are chosen will be allowed to attend. Obviously there is a lot more to this parable, but we will move on.

In Matthew 22:30 and in Luke 20:34-36 we read For in the resurrection they neither marry, nor are given in marriage, but are as the angels of God in Heaven. the main lesson for our current study comes from matching this to Matthew 22:1-14. The lesson is that the ongoing personal relationship that the Bible calls a marriage is for this life in the flesh (in the resurrection they neither marry, nor are given in marriage). Therefore: the kingdom of Heaven, which is like unto a marriage, is also for this life in the flesh.

Matthew 24:38 is part of Matthew 24:37-39 and tells us that a marriage is a joyous time of celebration, which is why the marriage supper is included. This parable is also in Mark 12:25 and in Luke 17:27 and warns us that in the time of Noah, people were so busy concentrating on the celebration that they missed the most important warning of their day. So also do we see people today celebrating going to Heaven and how wonderful it is while ignoring God's warnings and instructions to be prepared as God says to prepare.

Matthew 25:10 is part of another parable about the kingdom of Heaven in Matthew 25:1-13 which teaches us that we have to have oil in [our] vessels if we want to be in the marriage supper of the Lamb. This is only one of the preparations warned about above.

Luke 12:36 is part of a parable in Luke 12:35-48 that teaches us that we need to be prepared and willing to serve after the marriage supper is ended. It ends with a type of the Judgment Seat of Christ (Romans 14:10; 2Corinthians 5:10). The Judgment Seat of Christ includes 2Corinthians 5:11 which tells us that the terror of the Lord is a possible direct consequence (Knowing therefore) of the Judgment Seat of Christ. So also in Luke 12:35-48 do we find a judgment which includes the warning of And that servant, which knew his lord's will, and prepared not himself, neither did according to his will, shall be beaten with many stripes. Those saved people who were not willing to serve while in this life in the flesh will not be allowed to serve in the 1,000 years reign of Christ. Instead, they will remain in Heaven and be punished during that time.

Luke 14:8 is part of a parable in Luke 14:7-11 which teaches us For whosoever exalteth himself shall be abased; and he that humbleth himself shall be exalted. That is, salvation in and of itself does not guarantee us the top position in the church and Heaven but we should take the lowest position of service and wait for God to raise us.

John 2:1-2 are part of the account about the marriage in Cana of Galilee and almost everyone misses the main point of the story. Please see the associated notes for these verses in the notes for the Gospel of John. The main point, as stated by John is This beginning of miracles did Jesus in Cana of Galilee, and manifested forth his glory; and his disciples believed on him. Most people are arguing about the meaning of the water that was made wine and miss that proper interpretation of this story must show that Jesus is the Son of God (This beginning of miracles and John's stated purpose of writing the gospel) and must manifested forth his glory and must cause His his disciples [to believe] on him. His disciples went on from this event and proved their belief by the life they lived and by the personal relationship they had with Him. A wedding is the start of an ongoing personal relationship just as a profession of salvation is the start of an ongoing personal relationship with Christ (Ephesians 5:32).

1Corinthians 7:38 is part of teaching in 1Corinthians 7:27-40 about marriage and includes So then he that giveth her in marriage doeth well; but he that giveth her not in marriage doeth better. Basically, if a man can serve the Lord without the help of a helpmeet he is better off without the distractions of dealing with fleshly needs. However, if the fleshly needs are too much of a distraction, then he should get married and the two are to work together to serve the Lord. This section, as we have seen in this note above, teaches us that marriage and salvation are given so that we can serve the Lord. Our time of major celebration is after we get to the marriage of the Lamb.

Hebrews 13:4 is a stand-alone sentence among other stand-alone verses which give very explicate instructions as to how we are to live our life in the flesh. It basically tells us that if we keep our marriage within God's rules we will be blessed but if we pervert it (by not keeping God's rules) we will be judged by God.

We could provide a summary overview for the verses that use supper but the main things that we learn is that it is a celebration that is (usually) given for a specific purpose, such as celebrating the Lord's Supper. We also learn that there are responsibilities and duties tied to such events and that if we are not careful, they can lead to a devil entering someone like happened to Judas Iscariot.

There are not a lot of verses that directly tell us about the marriage of the Lamb. However, we can learn about it by studying verses that are related by subject. As we saw in Matthew 24:37-39, they were celebrating with marriages and missed the main warning of their day. They were not prepared and many of the Bible references that we examined above warned us to be properly prepared or we will miss out on the celebration that we are sure that we can't miss. We need to take proper Biblical warning.

The main point in all of this, for what is necessary if the saved are to be part of the bride is that they need to properly prepare themselves. Those saved who do not obey God on how to properly prepare themselves will not be allowed to be part of the bride.

The only objection, that I have, to what Dr. Jeff Wilson writes in his note, below , is that he recognizes that some in Haven will not be part of the marriage supper of the lamb. But he includes all of the church, which most Baptist preachers include and he is a Baptist preacher.

In addition to the point above, Dr. Jeff Wilson does correctly say that 'It is thru the Judgment Seat of Christ that the impurities of the bride are burned away and the righteousness of the saints allowed to shine forth, for what remains is precious, the worthless is gone, and so the bride is bedecked in her good works, her services to God, her rewards, that is what the bride is arrayed in, that is how she is made ready to be presented to the Lamb'. This is very true. However, those saved people, who act like Lot and have no good works, are excluded. Dr. Jeff Wilson does not deal with those people but I feel it is critical that people know the truth about them because so many people have been deceived and believe that saved, but unrighteous people, also receive the rewards which the word of God clearly excludes them from.

Dr. Jeff Wilson writes about this sentence: 'All in heaven are to be glad for what is about to happen, all are to rejoice for the privilege of the bride, and are to give honor to the bridegroom, for the marriage of the Lamb, the wedding of the Lord Jesus, of the Son of God, is about to take place. Notice here it is the groom who gets the attention, not the bride. We have reversed it here on earth, always referring to a wedding as the bride’s special day, it being all about her, and the groom being an afterthought. But in heaven this wedding will be all about the groom, the Lord Jesus. forit is thru his actions of love for the bride that made all this possible. It is He who loved the bride, who fought for the bride, who sacrificed for the bride, who died for the bride, it is he who demonstrated his power over death and hell and sin for the bride, it is he who called the bride, who came and took his bride home so that he may now wed his bride.
And who is this bride? Its none other than the church, those who were saved by faith in the Lord Jesus during the age of grace upon the earth. Please note, the bride does not include all believers in heaven, for she does not consist of the Old Testament saints nor the tribulation saints. She consists only of the church, this is a special privilege for the believers of this age, but all the others are not left out of this celebration, for in v9 all these others are invited to the marriage supper of the Lamb, they get to join the celebration of such a union, Blessed are they which are called unto the marriage supper of the Lamb. A bride is not invited/called to her own wedding, the guests are, but the bride has other things to do, such as to ready herself for the ceremony, which has come to pass as we see at the end of v7, and his wife hath made herself ready. the heavens rejoice for the marriage of the Lamb is come! Christ’s union with His bride, the church, has either just happened or is about to happen, which will be immediately followed by the marriage supper of the Lamb, which is the celebration of this union.
But did you know that many make the mistake of thinking it is Israel, but that can not be for the Bible clearly teaches that Israel is the bride of God the Father and that they were married by a legal covenant, the promise to Abraham. We read such scriptures as Jer 3:14 Turn, O backsliding children, saith the LORD; for I am married unto you:… Isa 54:5 forthy Maker is thine husband; the LORD of hosts is his name; and thy Redeemer the Holy One of Israel; the God of the whole earth shall he be called. But because of Israel’s unfaithfulness as a wife, because of her whoredom with other gods, she was put away or divorced by God when He removed His protective hand from them… Jer 3:8 And I saw, when for all the causes whereby backsliding Israel committed adultery I had put her away, and given her a bill of divorce; yet her treacherous sister Judah feared not, but went and played the harlot also. Jer 3:20 Surely as a wife treacherously departeth from her husband, so have ye dealt treacherously with me, O house of Israel, saith the LORD.
Eze 16:35 Wherefore, O harlot, hear the word of the LORD:36 thus saith the Lord GOD; Because thy filthiness was poured out, and thy nakedness discovered through thy whoredoms with thy lovers, and with all the idols of thy abominations, and by the blood of thy children, which thou didst give unto them;37 Behold, therefore I will gather all thy lovers, with whom thou hast taken pleasure, and all them that thou hast loved, with all them that thou hast hated; I will even gather them round about against thee, and will discover thy nakedness unto them, that they may see all thy nakedness.38 And I will judge thee, as women that break wedlock and shed blood are judged; and I will give thee blood in fury and jealousy. 39 And I will also give thee into their hand, and they shall throw down thine eminent place, and shall break down thy high places: they shall strip thee also of thy clothes, and shall take thy fair jewels, and leave thee naked and bare. 40 they shall also bring up a company against thee, and they shall stone thee with stones, and thrust thee through with their swords.41 And they shall burn thine houses with fire, and execute judgments upon thee in the sight of many women: and I will cause thee to cease from playing the harlot, and thou also shalt give no hire any more.42 So will I make my fury toward thee to rest, and my jealousy shall depart from thee, and I will be quiet, and will be no more angry.43 Because thou hast not remembered the days of thy youth, but hast fretted me in all these things; behold, therefore I also will recompense thy way upon thine head, saith the Lord GOD: and thou shalt not commit this lewdness above all thine abominations.
Israel as the wife of God was divorced from God, put away by Him (for a while at least) because of her whoredom, her spiritual adultery, her worshipping of other gods, so in this sense she is not spotless, nor a virgin, and that is one reason why Israel can not be the bride of the Lamb. In addition to this, Jesus as our high priest is expressly forbidden to marry a divorced woman or widow according to God's Law…Le 21:10 And he that is the high priest among his brethren, upon whose head the anointing oil was poured, and that is consecrated to put on the garments, shall not uncover his head, nor rend his clothes;…13 And he shall take a wife in her virginity.14 A widow, or a divorced woman, or profane, or an harlot, these shall he not take: but he shall take a virgin of his own people to wife.
But the good news is, Israel the wife of God the Father will be reconciled with Jehovah, they will be reunited as husband and wife as prophesied… Isa 62:1 forZion's sake will I not hold my peace, and for Jerusalem's sake I will not rest, until the righteousness thereof go forth as brightness, and the salvation thereof as a lamp that burneth.2 And the Gentiles shall see thy righteousness, and all kings thy glory: and thou shalt be called by a new name, which the mouth of the LORD shall name.3 thou shalt also be a crown of glory in the hand of the LORD, and a royal diadem in the hand of thy God.4 thou shalt no more be termed forsaken; neither shall thy land any more be termed Desolate: but thou shalt be called Hephzibah, and thy land Beulah: for the LORD delighteth in thee, and thy land shall be married. 5 foras a young man marrieth a virgin, so shall thy sons marry thee: and as the bridegroom rejoiceth over the bride, so shall thy God rejoice over thee.
Jer 31:31 Behold, the days come, saith the LORD, that I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel, and with the house of Judah:32 Not according to the covenant that I made with their fathers in the day that I took them by the hand to bring them out of the land of Egypt; which my covenant they brake, although I was an husband unto them, saith the LORD:33 But this shall be the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel; After those days, saith the LORD, I will put my law in their inward parts, and write it in their hearts; and will be their God, and they shall be my people. So Israel is God's wife and the church is the bride of the Lamb.
So back to the Marriage of the Lamb where many wonder what the order of events are here? When does all this take place? Let’s see if I can give you my limited understanding of it with biblical support…
First off we of course have the rapture taking place before the tribulation, before the beast is revealed, before the judgment upon the world takes place. this, as we all know, is when the church, those who make up the body/bride of Christ, is taken to heaven when the Lord Jesus comes in the air to take her home. 1Th 4:16 forthe Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first:17 then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord.
Now once in heaven, the bride needs to finish being made ready for the wedding ceremony, for what does v7 say? for the marriage of the Lamb is come, and his wife hath made herself ready. How is this done? How does the bride ready herself? Well, there are two portions to this, first God has a hand in this, with the plan of salvation, for the process of salvation begins the engagement period and establishes that the saved individual will be part of the bride, in that aspect the bride is made ready, but the bride also has a responsibility in this readying of herself. While on earth during her engagement period, the bride, the church, is suppose to be drawing closer to God, growing in the Lord, working out her own salvation (Phil 2:12), doing good works, which are all part of the sanctification process. But it is quite impossible for the bride to become absolutely perfect since we are dealing with carnal mankind, right? And so once the bride has been gathered in her totality in heaven she has thus brought many of her works with her to show that she has been readying herself for this event, she brings a lot of baggage with her in the form of works, but some of those works were done in selfishness, pride and for misguided reasons, not for the glory or honor of the bridegroom. So how does God separate the good works and the bad? How are final preparations made for the bride for her presentation to her groom? She goes thru a final inspection, what we call the Judgment Seat of Christ. So the second event to happen that immediately follows the rapture is this judgment, where the church as individuals are judged in their readiness for the marriage, rewarded for their good works and their bad works are burned away, Ro 14:10 … for we shall all stand before the judgment seat of Christ.
1Co 3:11 forother foundation can no man lay than that is laid, which is Jesus Christ.12 Now if any man build upon this foundation gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, stubble; 13 Every man's work shall be made manifest: for the day shall declare it, because it shall be revealed by fire; and the fire shall try every man's work of what sort it is. 14 If any man's work abide which he hath built thereupon, he shall receive a reward.15 If any man's work shall be burned, he shall suffer loss: but he himself shall be saved; yet so as by fire.
2Co 5:10 forwe must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ; that every one may receive the things done in his body, according to that he hath done, whether it be good or bad
1Jo 2:28 And now, little children, abide in him; that, when he shall appear, we may have confidence, and not be ashamed before him at his coming.
1Co 4:5 therefore judge nothing before the time, until the Lord come, who both will bring to light the hidden things of darkness, and will make manifest the counsels of the hearts: and then shall every man have praise of God.
Re 22:12 And, behold, I come quickly; and my reward is with me, to give every man according as his work shall be.
Remember back in ch4 when John was told to come up hither and he is peering around the throne room of heaven he sees the 24 elders, Re 4:4 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. they have their robes, they have their crowns, they are representatives of the saved, John just got there and it seems the Judgment Seat of Christ has already taken place, this lends support that the judgment seat is before the marriage.
It is thru the Judgment Seat of Christ that the impurities of the bride are burned away and the righteousness of the saints allowed to shine forth, for what remains is precious, the worthless is gone, and so the bride is bedecked in her good works, her services to God, her rewards, that is what the bride is arrayed in, that is how she is made ready to be presented to the Lamb.'.

Please see the note for Hebrews 1:9 about the word glad. Webster's 1828 dictionary defines this word as: 'pleased; affected with pleasure or moderate joy; moderately happy. A wise son maketh a glad father. Prov.10. It is usually followed by of. I am glad of an opportunity to oblige my friend. It is sometimes followed by at. He that is glad at calamities shall not be unpunished. Prov.17. It is sometimes followed by with. the Trojan, glad with sight of hostile blood-- With, after glad, is unusual, and in this passage at would have been preferable. 2. Cheerful; joyous. they blessed the king, and went to their tents, joyful and glad of heart. 1 Kings 8. 3. Cheerful; wearing the appearance of joy; as a glad countenance. 4. Wearing a gay appearance; showy; bright. the wilderness and the solitary place shall be glad for them. Is.35. Glad evening and glad mourn crown'd the fourth day. 5. Pleasing; exhilarating. Her conversation More glad to me than to a miser money is. 6. Expressing gladness or joy; exciting joy. Hark! a glad voice the lonely desert cheers. GLAD, v.t. the pret. and pp. gladed is not used. See Gladden. to make glad; to affect with pleasure; to cheer; to gladden; to exhilarate. Each drinks the juice that glads the heart of man'.

Please also see the notes for John 1:4 lists 16 attributes of joy; John 15:11; Romans C14S23 and 1John C1S2 about the word joy. The functional definition for this word is: 'a spiritually based sense that we will be blessed by God for enduring current circumstances in a way that brings God glory'. Please see the notes for Romans C12S8; Galatians C4-S24 and Philippians 4:4-LJC about the word rejoice. The functional definition for this word is: 'To experience joy and gladness in a high degree; to be exhilarated with lively and pleasurable sensations; to exult'. Please also see the note for 1Timothy 6:17-19 about the word enjoy.

Please see the notes for 2Corinthians 5:5 and Philippians 4:15 about the word give. The functional definition for this word is: 'Bestowing; conferring; imparting; granting; delivering'. Please also see the note for 2Corinthians 9:8-11 about the word given. Please also see the note for 2Corinthians 9:7 about the word giver. Please also see the notes for 1Corinthians C14S19 and Ephesians C5S2 about the phrase giving of thanks.

Please see the notes for Mark 10:11 and Revelation 19:7-LJC about the word marriage / wedding. Easton's Bible Dictionary defines this word as: 'was instituted in Paradise when man was in innocence (Ge 2:18-24). Here we have its original charter, which was confirmed by our Lord, as the basis on which all regulations are to be framed (Mt 19:4-5). It is evident that monogamy was the original law of marriage (Mt 19:5; 1Co 6:16). this law was violated in after times, when corrupt usages began to be introduced (Ge 4:19; 6:2). We meet with the prevalence of polygamy and concubinage in the patriarchal age (Ge 16:1-4; 22:21-24; 28:8-9; 29:23-30, etc.). Polygamy was acknowledged in the Mosaic law and made the basis of legislation, and continued to be practised all down through the period of Jewish histroy to the Captivity, after which there is no instance of it on record.
It seems to have been the practice from the beginning for fathers to select wives for their sons (Ge 24:3; 38:6). Sometimes also proposals were initiated by the father of the maiden (Ex 2:21). the brothers of the maiden were also sometimes consulted (Ge 24:51; 34:11), but her own consent was not required. the young man was bound to give a price to the father of the maiden (Ge 31:15; 34:12; Ex 22:16-17; 1Sa 18:23,25; Ru 4:10; Ho 3:2) On these patriarchal customs the Mosaic law made no change.
In the pre-Mosaic times, when the proposals were accepted and the marriage price given, the bridegroom could come at once and take away his bride to his own house (Ge 24:63-67). But in general the marriage was celebrated by a feast in the house of the bride's parents, to which all friends were invited (Ge 29:22,27); and on the day of the marriage the bride, concealed under a thick veil, was conducted to her future husband's home.
Our Lord corrected many false notions then existing on the subject of marriage (Mt 22:23-30), and placed it as a divine institution on the highest grounds. the apostles state clearly and enforce the nuptial duties of husband and wife (Eph 5:22-33; Col 3:18-19; 1Pe 3:1-7). Marriage is said to be "honourable" (Heb 13:4), and the prohibition of it is noted as one of the marks of degenerate times (1Ti 4:3).
The marriage relation is used to represent the union between God and his people (Isa 54:5; Jer 3:1-14; Ho 2:9,20). In the New Testament the same figure is employed in representing the love of Christ to his saints (Eph 5:25-27). the Church of the redeemed is the "Bride, the Lamb's wife" (Re 19:7-9)'. Please also see the note for Mark 10:11 about the word marry.

Please see the note for Colossians C3S13 about the words wife / wives. The functional definition for this word is: 'Webster's 1828 dictionary defines wife as: '1. the lawful consort of man; a woman who is united to man in the lawful bonds of wedlock; the correlative of husband. the husband of one wife. 1 Timothy 3. Let every one of you in particular, so love his wife even as himself, and let the wife see that she reverence her husband. Ephesians 5.' Easton's Bible Dictionary defines WIFE as: 'The ordinance of marriage was sanctioned in Paradise (Ge 2:24; Mt 19:4-6). Monogamy was the original law under which man lived, but polygamy early commenced (Ge 4:19), and continued to prevail all down through Jewish history. the law of Moses regulated but did not prohibit polygamy. A man might have a plurality of wives, but a wife could have only one husband. A wife's legal rights (Ex 21:10) and her duties (Pr 31:10-31; 1Ti 5:14) are specified. She could be divorced in special cases (De 22:13-21), but could not divorce her husband. Divorce was restricted by our Lord to the single case of adultery (Mt 19:3-9). the duties of husbands and wives in their relations to each other are distinctly set forth in the New Testament (1Co 7:2-5; Eph 5:22-33; Col 3:18-19; 1Pe 3:1-7)'.

Please see the note for Acts 17:11 about the words readiness / ready. Webster's 1828 defines the word ready. as: 'a. red'y. Eng. to rid; redo, ready; rida, to ride; bereda, to prepare. Gr. easy. the primary sense is to go, move, or advance forward, and it seems to be clear that ready, ride, read, riddle, are all of one family, and probably from the root of L. gradior. See Read and Red. 1. Quick; prompt; not hesitating; as ready wit; a ready consent. 2. Quick to receive or comprehend; not slow or dull; as a ready apprehension. 3. Quick in action or execution; dextrous; as an artist ready in his business; a ready writer. Ps. 45. 4. Prompt; not delayed present in hand. He makes ready payment; he pays ready money for every thing he buys. 5. Prepared; fitted; furnished with what is necessary, or disposed in a manner suited to the purpose; as a ship ready for sea. My oxen and fatlings are killed, and all things are ready. Matt 22. 6. Willing; free; cheerful to do or suffer; not backward or reluctant; as a prince always ready to grant the reasonable requests of his subjects. the spirit is ready, but the flesh is weak. Mark 14. I am ready not to be bound only, but also to die at Jerusalem for the name of the Lord Jesus. Acts 21. 7. Willing; disposed. Men are generally ready to impute blame to others. they are more ready to give than to take reproof. 8. Being at the point; near; not distant; about to do or suffer. A Syrian ready to perish was my father. Deut. 26. Job 29. Ps. 88. 9. Being nearest or at hand. A sapling pine he wrench'd from out the ground, the readiest weapon that his fury found. 10. Easy; facile; opportune; short; near, or most convenient; the Greek sense. Sometimes the readiest way which a wise man has to conquer, is to flee. through the wild desert, not the readiest way. the ready way to be thought mad, is to contend you are not so. 1. to make ready, to prepare; to provide and put in order. 2. An elliptical phrase, for make things ready; to make preparations; to prepare. READY, adv. red'y. In a state of preparation, so as to need no delay. We ourselves will go ready armed before the house of Israel. Num. 32'.

The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge provides Bible references for this sentence as: 'be glad. De 32:43; 1Sa 2:1; Ps 9:14; 48:11; 95:1-3; 100:1-2; 107:42; Pr 29:2; Isa 66:10,14; Zec 9:9; Joh 3:29; Php 3:3 for. Re 21:2,9; Ps 45:10-16; Song 3:11; Isa 62:5; Ho 2:19-20; Mt 22:2; 25:1-10; 2Co 11:2; Eph 5:32 and his. Isa 52:1 General references. exp: Mt 24:44; Lu 12:40.'.

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C19-S8 (Verse 8) How the bride is presented.

Equivalent Section: How the bride is dressed.

and to her was granted that she should be arrayed in fine linen,
clean and white:.

Equivalent Section: Why.

for the fine linen is the righteousness of saints.

Our sentence starts with the word And, which adds it to the prior sentence. Both sentences need to be considered together for contextual reasons. . . .

Our sentence has two Equivalent Sections with the First Equivalent Section describing how the bride is dressed and the Second Equivalent Section telling us why she is dressed this way. However, as I have shown with many Bible references, in the note for the prior sentence, there are many saved during the 'Church Age' who never let our Lord Jesus Christ use their life to do true spiritual work. Therefore, they have on righteousness to be clothed with. In addition, our sentence says that this righteousness is of saints ('belongs to fully spiritually mature saved people'). Please see the message called; What is Your Level of Spiritual Maturity? for the true Biblical definitions of various spiritual maturity levels of saved people. We are spiritually matured as we let our Lord Jesus Christ work through our personal life to build God's kingdom on Earth. Saved people who refuse to let Him do that do not achieve spiritual maturity and are not qualified to be part of the bride.

Once again, in the note below, Dr. Jeff Wilson includes all who are 'in the church'. While I have already shown that there will be saved people who live like Lot and have no righteousness to be clothed in. But, he is a preacher and his position is accepted by preachers while what I write is rejected by many.

Dr. Jeff Wilson writes about this sentence: 'This verse says the bride’s dress is fine linen, which later in the same verse, is defined as the righteousness of saints, which again refers to the good works, righteous deeds and praiseworthy acts of the believers. this of course includes not only the inner righteousness we find in Christ (which covers our filthy rags of righteousness) but also the righteous works produced in our life due to our relationship with Christ. 1Co 15:58 therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye stedfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labour is not in vain in the Lord. So the bride is adorned with righteous works, all the impurities are now gone, and so she is now beautiful and ready to be presented to the bridegroom.
And something I want you to notice is the contrast we see here, for we do see lots of contrasts presented in this chapter, the contrast of the bride and the great whore, the contrast of judgments of the saved and of the world, the reward of the bride and the punishment of the whore, the contrast of the marriage supper of the Lamb and in v17 the supper of the great God. But take note of the contrast of the bride and the great whore, the bride is clean and white, bright and pure and arrayed in righteousness and heavenly reward, while the great whore of the beast is described in Re 17:4 And the woman was arrayed in purple and scarlet colour {power, murder}, and decked with gold and precious stones and pearls {luxury, pleasure, greed, earthly treasures}, having a golden cup in her hand full of abominations and filthiness of her fornication {ungodly, sinful, idolatrous}: 5 And upon her forehead was a name written, MYSTERY, BABYLON thE GREAT, thE MOTHER OF HARLOTS AND ABOMINATIONS OF thE EARTH. 6 And I saw the woman drunken with the blood of the saints, and with the blood of the martyrs of Jesus:
As the bride stood before the Judgment seat of Christ she was not all that beautiful, she was spotted, wrinkled and blemished but after the cleansing of fire, after her true beauty is revealed, after she is bedecked with her rewards, she is able to stand before the Lord pure and holy. And is that not how the bride is to be presented to the groom?
Eph 5:25 Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it; 26 that he might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word, 27 that he might present it to himself a glorious church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing; but that it should be holy and without blemish.
Eph 1:4 According as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before him in love:
2Co 11:2 forI am jealous over you with godly jealousy: for I have espoused you to one husband, that I may present you as a chaste virgin to Christ.
Speaking of Christ…Col 1:28 Whom we preach, warning every man, and teaching every man in all wisdom; that we may present every man perfect in Christ Jesus:
Now while the bride is being readied for her wedding, while the church is being judged for their good works in heaven, the world is being judged for its sinful works below. the great whore of Babylon suffers God's wrath and burns with actual fire while the bride of Christ is dressed in robes of righteousness and only has her worthless works burned away.
So with that, we have had the rapture and then the Judgment Seat of Christ to make the bride ready and then thirdly we have the Marriage of the Lamb, the actual ceremony, where the bride, the church, is presented to Christ, and the full union of the church with Christ commences. And I think that has just taken place here in ch19, for now after the union of Christ and the church, the wedding celebration begins, the guests are invited to join the bride and groom in their rejoicing, in the fourth event, the Marriage Supper of the Lamb.'.

Please see the note for Mark 10:37 about the word grant. Webster's 1828 defines this word as: 'to admit as true what is not proved; to allow; to yield; to concede. We take that for granted which is supposed to be true. Grant that the fates have firmed, by their decree-- 2. to give; to bestow or confer on without compensation, particularly in answer to prayer or request. thou hast granted me life and favor. Job.10. God granted him that which he requested. 1. Chron.4. 3. to transfer the title of a thing to another, for a good or valuable consideration; to convey by deed or writing. the legislature have granted all the new land. Grant me the place of this threshing floor. 1 Chron.21.
GR`ANT, n. the act of granting; a bestowing or confering. 1. the thing granted or bestowed; a gift; a boon. 2. In law, a conveyance in writing, of such things as cannot pass or be transferred by word only, as land, rents, reversions, tithes, etc. A grant is an executed contract. 3. Concession; admission of something as true. 4. the thing conveyed by deed or patent'.

Please see the note for Luke 12:27 about the word array. The functional definition for this word is: 'Set in order, or in lines; arranged in order for attack or defense; dressed; adorned by dress; impaneled, as a jury; enveloped'.

Please see the note for Luke 16:19-21 about the word linnen. The functional definition for this word is: 'Flax was early cultivated in Egypt (Ex 9:31), and also in Palestine (Jos 2:6; Ho 2:9). Various articles were made of it: garments (2Sa 6:14), girdles (Jer 13:1), ropes and thread (Eze 40:3), napkins (Lu 24:12; Joh 20:7), turb and (Eze 44:18), and lamp-wicks (Isa 42:3)'.

Please see the note for James 4:8 about the word cleanse. Webster's 1828 dictionary defines this word as: 'v.t. 1. to purify; to make clean; to remove filth, or foul matter of any kind, or by any process whatever, as by washing, rubbing, scouring, scraping, purging, ventilation, etc.; as, to cleanse the hands or face to cleanse a garment; to cleanse the bowels; to cleanse a ship; to cleanse an infected house. 2. to free from a foul or infectious disease; to heal. Lev. 14:4, 8; Mark 1:42. 3. to free from ceremonial pollution, and consecrate to a holy use. Numb. 8:15; Exek. 43:20. 4. to purify from guilt. 1 John 1:7. 5. to remove; as, to cleanse a crime'. Please also see the note for Hebrews 9:13-14 about the word unclean. The functional definition for this word is: ' 'polluted from the world; influenced by devils; never doing the right religious practice; doing anything that would make us less than 100% committed to obeying God; accepting anything that is even questionable as being right; accepting all influences that corrupt'. Please also see the notes for Word Study on Spirit; Romans C14S20 and Colossians C3S5 about the phrase unclean spirits. The doctrine from them is: 'the ongoing corruption from associating with devils and following their error'. Please also see the notes for Galatians C5S20 and Colossians C3S5 about the word uncleanness.

Please see the note for Matthew 5:36 about the word white. Easton's Bible Dictionary defines this word as 'a symbol of purity (2Ch 5:12; Ps 51:7; Isa 1:18; Re 3:18; 7:14). Our Lord, at his transfiguration, appeared in raiment "white as the light" (Mt 17:2, etc.)'.

Please see the notes for Matthew 27:51-53; Romans C16S1; 2Corinthians C1S1 and Colossians C1S1 about the word saint. The functional definition for this word is: 'a spiritually mature saved person who is actively involved in the ministry of the church'. The note in Romans has links to every place in the New Testament where this word is used along with a short note for each application.

The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge provides Bible references for this sentence as: 'to her. Re 3:4-5,18; Ps 45:13-14; Isa 61:10; Eze 16:10; Mt 22:12; Ro 3:22; 13:14; Eph 5:26-27 white. or, bright. Mt 17:2; Mr 9:3; Lu 24:4; Ac 1:10 exp: Re 3:18. The fine. Re 7:13-14; Ps 132:9 General references. exp: Zec 3:3.'.

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C19-S9 (Verse 9) Blessing for serving God's kingdom after initial salvation.

And he saith unto me,
Write,
Blessed are they which are called unto the marriage supper of the Lamb .

Please pay attention to the fact that this is the marriage supper of the Lamb and not of King nor of Lord nor of Christ. As Lamb He not only lived and died as a literal physical man to pay the dowry, but he also paid for the right to clean up the bride. Despite popular doctrine, those saved people who refused His cleansing, while in this life, are not part of the bride. Their refusal make a mockery of His sacrifice. Think of all of the judgment just brought upon lost people who did the sameans had the same attitude. He does not change. The fact that someone said a 'prayer of salvation' does not make it OK for them to make a mockery of His sacrifice while people who did not say a 'prayer of salvation' get sent to the lake of fire for eternity. No. As I have explained is several prior notes, our rewards in Heaven, including being part of the bride, require us to serve God and His kingdom while in this life, even if He requires a martyr's death.

Dr. Jeff Wilson writes about this sentence: 'Now the guests, those who are blessed because they are called to this occasion, are the Old Testament saints, the apostles, prophets, the heroes of faith, those who are espoused to God the Father, not the Lamb. Also included in this are the tribulation saints, the angels, and a few others of which I’ll point out later. But what a feast, what a party this is, and some think Christians can’t have a good time; this is a celebration like the earth has never ever seen!
And notice how John is so enraptured by the groom and the bride and the guests that he doesn’t even see what the marriage supper consists of. He makes no mention of the heavenly delicacies spread across the Father’s table, but what a feast this will be. “The Lord’s first miracle was at a wedding when, earth’s resources having failed, He transformed water into wine. Now it is His wedding feast, and He drinks the new wine of the kingdom as he promised long ago; lo, He has kept the best wine until last!” {John Phillips}. Remember the institution of the Lord’s Supper, where Jesus said in Mt 26:27 And he took the cup, and gave thanks, and gave it to them, saying, Drink ye all of it; 28 for this is my blood of the new testament, which is shed for many for the remission of sins. 29 But I say unto you, I will not drink henceforth of this fruit of the vine, until that day when I drink it new with you in my Father's kingdom. Well, at the Marriage Supper of the Lamb Jesus partakes of the fruit of the vine once more with His bride.
And John is so overwhelmed by all he sees that he falls down once again at the feet of the angel that is showing him all this…'.

Please see the note for Romans 4:23-25 about the word written. The functional definition for this word is: 'a retained record which can be used for judgment in a court of law'. Please also see the notes for Romans C15S13; 2Corinthians 1:13-14; Galatians C3-S12; John 20:31-LJC about the word write Please also see the notes for Luke 6:3-4; the Study called Prove; Ephesians C1S3 and Romans C3S15 about the phrase it is written.

Please see the notes for Galatians C3-S10 about the word bless. In particular, please see the note for Galatians which explains why the commonly accepted dictionary definition is wrong. The functional definition for this word is: 'receiving, or wishing another to receive, the spiritual good from God which produces spiritual joy even while it might make us less happy in the flesh'.

Please see the note for John 12:2 about the word supper. The Morrish Bible Dictionary defines this word as: 'In the East this is the chief meal of the day; it is enjoyed in the evening when the labours of the day are over and the partakers have only rest before them. Mr 6:21; Joh 12:2. It is typical of the fulness of grace set forth in our Lord Jesus Christ, to enjoy which Israel were first invited, and afterwards the poor and outcast were compelled to come and taste in God's house. Lu 14:16-24. See LORD'S SUPPER. the destruction of the two beasts and their armies is spoken of as providing a supper for the birds that fly in mid-heaven. Re 19:17'. Please also see the note for Luke 22:7 about the phrase symbols of the Lord's Supper in Passover. Please also see the notes for Matthew 26:26-30; Mark 14:22-46; Luke 22:17-20 and 1Corinthians 11:23-34 about the phrase Lord's Supper. Please also see the note for 1Corinthians 11:25 about the word sup.

The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge provides Bible references for this sentence as: 'Write. Re 1:19; 2:1,8,12,18; 3:1,7,14; 10:4; 14:13; Isa 8:1; Hab 2:2 Blessed. Re 19:7-8; 3:20; Mt 22:2-4; Lu 14:15-16 exp: Mt 5:3.'.

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C19-S10 (Verse 9) Verification that God backs what came before this in this Bible book.

And he saith unto me,
These are the true sayings of God .

Our sentence starts with the word And, which adds it to the prior sentence. Both sentences need to be considered together for contextual reasons. Our sentence is adding a confirmation that whatJohn wrote before this are the true sayings of God.

Dr. Jeff Wilson wrote about this sentence in the note for the prior sentence.

The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge provides Bible references for this sentence as: 'These. Re 19:11; 21:5; 22:6; 1Ti 1:15; 4:9; 2Ti 2:11; Tit 3:8'.

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C19-S11 (Verse 10) John's reaction to the statement of the prior sentence.
And I fell at his feet to worship him

Our sentence starts with the word And, which adds it to the prior sentence. Both sentences need to be considered together for contextual reasons. It adds John's reaction and the next sentence reports the correction of John by the angel.

Dr. Jeff Wilson writes about this sentence in the note for the next sentence.

The word feet is the plural form of the word foot. Please see the note for Matthew 4:5 about the word foot. The functional definition for this word is: 'The orientals used to wash the feet of strangers who came off a journey, because they commonly walked with their legs bare, and their feet defended only by sandals, Ge 24:32; 43:24. So Abraham washed the feet of the three angels, Ge 18:4. this office was usually performed by servants and slaves; and hence Abigail answers David, who sought her in marriage, that she should think it an honor to wash the feet of the king's servants, 1Sa 25:41'. Please also see the note for Hebrews 1:13 about the word footstool. Please also see the note for Luke 1:76 about the word feet.

The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge provides Bible references for this sentence as: 'I fell. Re 22:8-9; Mr 5:22; 7:25; Ac 10:25-26; 14:11-15; 1Jo 5:21 General references. exp: Ex 20:3; Jer 33:14; Heb 10:15'.

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C19-S12 (Verse 10) the angel told John to only worship God.

Equivalent Section: Do not worship anyone but God.

And he said unto me,
See thou do it not:.

Equivalent Section: Why.

I am thy fellowservant,
and of thy brethren that have the testimony of Jesus :.

Equivalent Section: Who to truly worship.

worship God :

Equivalent Section: Live the testimony of Jesus.

for the testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy.

Our sentence starts with the word And, which adds it to the prior sentence. Both sentences need to be considered together for contextual reasons. . . .

What we read here is that we are to not worship any being except God. Some pastors accept worship of the people in the church, especially if those church members are spiritual babes and the pastor is vain.

The second thing that we read is that the angel told John: See thou do it not (don't worship angels): I am thy fellowservant. Galatians 1:8-9 says: But though we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel unto you than that which we have preached unto you, let him be accursed. As we said before, so say I now again, If any man preach any other gospel unto you than that ye have received, let him be accursed. The Roman Catholic Church tells people to worship Mary and the saints. Islam tells people to worship Mohammed. And many religions tell people to worship a variety of spirits with the main difference being which devil supports their particular doctrinal error. Any religion which tells people to worship any Being other than God is from a devil.

The next thing that we read is: the testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy. The word of means: 'belongs to'. Thus, our phrase is telling us that: 'Jesus prophesied everything which we see revealed in this Bible book'. Be careful of people telling you that this phrase means something else. (Please see the Sections on Prophecies and Prophecies Fulfilled in the Significant New Testament Events Study about these prophecies made by Jesus.) When saved people do that, and spiritually mature, this sentence says that the saved can have a spirit that wants to tell people God's message. People who are newly saved do not understand the word of God enough to know the abstract spiritual laws that never change in the word of God. That takes spiritual maturing and study of the word of God to the point of understanding not just what is said in a given place but also understanding how different parts of the word of God fit together according to spiritual rules which never change.

Now, those saved people who actually follow Jesus for how to act in the flesh end up receiving true spiritual understanding, which is the spirit of prophecy. (Please see the Doctrinal Study called What Did Jesus Do? for what examples we are to follow in the flesh.)

Dr. Jeff Wilson writes about this sentence: '(testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy: what Jesus foretells, what he testifies as truth is the very substance of prophecy, for a prophecy means nothing if it does not come to pass. So when Jesus says something will happen it will happen, no doubt about it, his words are so true that even when he speaks of future events it is like they have already come to pass).
Following the supper, the fifth event to take place is the second coming of Christ but before we move on I wanted to address the participants who attend the Marriage of the Lamb. Some of them we have already discussed and went over in great detail, so I’ll just mention them and move on. First we know the Father of the groom, the one whose house the bride and bridegroom are united in, is of course God the Father. the bridegroom is the Lamb, the Lord Jesus Christ. the bride is of course the church. And the guests include the Old Testament saints and tribulation saints. Now, at very formal weddings there are servants that minister to the guests and the wedding party, so the servants in heaven will of course be many of the angels, we read speaking of angels in Hebrews 1:14 reads… Are they not all ministering spirits, sent forth to minister for them who shall be heirs of salvation? Following that, many think that the best man will be none other than John the Baptist, who says in Joh 3:28 Ye yourselves bear me witness, that I said, I am not the Christ, but that I am sent before him. 29 He that hath the bride is the bridegroom: but the friend of the bridegroom, which standeth and heareth him, rejoiceth greatly because of the bridegroom's voice: this my joy therefore is fulfilled. 30 He must increase, but I must decrease. And then there is the messenger who takes messages back and forth between the bride and groom during their time of separation (when the bride makes herself ready and the groom prepares a home), and this could be none other than the Holy Spirit, who is sent to comfort the bride in the absence of the groom, who speaks to the bride of Christ’s love through the love letters he has sent his church, the word of God. then we have the herald of the wedding who makes the announcement “the bridegroom cometh” and sounds the trumpet when the bridegroom comes forth for his bride, this could very well be the angel Gabriel. And I’m sure we could think of others that could fill other positions but for the most part a lot of this is speculation, so I’ll leave it at that…
Now we’ll move on to one of the most magnificent passages in the Bible, the event that so many down thru the ages have looked for, prayed for, prophesied of, anticipated and hoped for: the second coming of Jesus Christ, and what an entry he makes, for what we see depicted here in ch19 is Christ’s literal return to the earth, because remember, in the rapture he did not come all the way to the earth, he met his bride in the air and took her home, but in this event, the second coming, the Lord Jesus comes with his bride back to earth to set up his long awaited kingdom, thus fulfilling the prayer of untold multitudes… Mt 6:9…Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name. 10 thy kingdom come. thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven. And so here we see the heavens open and the king appear, coming forth to establish his kingdom on earth…'.

Please see the notes for 1Corinthians C13S9; 2Corinthians 2:17 and Colossians C1S6 about the words see / sight. The functional definition is: 'perception of objects by the eye; view. this word is often used symbolically for spiritual understanding'. Please also see the note for John 6:40-LJC about the phrase see the Son. Please also see the note for Acts 2:25 about the words foresee / foresaw. Please also see the note for Romans C11S10 about the phrase works are seen of men.

Please see the note for Matthew 11:16-17 about the word fellow. Webster's 1828 defines this word as: 'n. Heb. to tie or connect, to be joined or associated. 1. A companion; an associate. In youth I had twelve fellows, like myself. Each on his fellow for assistance calls. 2. One of the same kind. A shepherd had one favorite dog; he fed him with his own hand, and took more care of him than of his fellows. 3. An equal. Awake, O sword, against my shepherd, and against the man that is my fellow, saith Jehovah of hosts. Zech. 13. 4. One of a pair, or of two things used together and suited to each other. Of a pair of gloves, we call one the fellow of the other. 5. One equal or like another. Of an artist we say, this man has not his fellow, that is, one of like skill. 6. An appellation of contempt; a man without good breeding or worth; an ignoble man; as a mean fellow. Worth makes the man, and want of it the fellow. 7. A member of a college that shares its revenues; or a member of any incorporated society. 8. A member of a corporation; a trustee.'. Please also see the note for 2Corinthians 8:23 about the word fellowhelper. Please also see the note for Philippians 4:3 about the word fellowlabourers. Please also see the notes for Ephesians C5S7; Philippians 1:3-7 and Philippians 2:1 about the word fellowship.

Please see the notes for 1Corinthians C6S10 and Galatians C1-S1 about the word brother. The functional definition for this word is: 'A human male born of the same father and mother'. Please also see the note for Romans C12S8 about the word brotherly. Please also see the note for Matthew 1:2 about the word brethren. The functional definition for this word is: 'Spiritually used for God's people: the Jews and the people are saved, baptized and active members of the church'.

Please see the note for Psalms 119 about the words testimony / testimonies. The functional definition for this word is: 'statements that are used in a court of law to judge the legality of someone's actions. These require first-hand experience because anything else would be rumor and not legal to present in court'. Please also see the note for Matthew 19:21 about the phrase testimonies of the LORD. Please also see the note for Galatians 5:3 about the word testify. Please also see the Message called Testimony of God. Forms of this word are used, in this book, in: Acts 13:22; Acts 14:3; Acts 22:18.

Please see the notes for Luke 1:76; Romans C16S33; Romans C12S5 and Jude about the word prophet. In addition, false prophets are covered in the Study called False things according to the Bible. The most popular religious definition for this word is: 'someone who foretells the future'. However, that definition tends to limit the thinking of people to only those statements when, actually, the majority of their message was doctrinal. Please also see the note for John 1:45 about the phrase law and the prophets. Please also see the links for Prophecies and Prophecies Fulfilled in the Gospel Significant Events Study and the New Testament Significant Events Study.

The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge provides Bible references for this sentence as: 'See. 2Co 8:7; Eph 5:15,33; 1Th 5:15; Heb 12:25 exp: Re 22:9. I am. Ps 103:20-21; Da 7:10; Lu 1:19; Heb 1:14 the testimony. Re 1:9; 12:11,17; 22:9; 1Jo 5:10 exp: Isa 8:16; 1Co 2:1; 2Ti 1:8. worship. Re 4:10; 14:7; 15:4; Ex 34:14; 2Ki 17:36; Ps 45:11; Mt 4:10; Joh 4:22-24; Php 3:3 for the. Lu 24:25-27,44; Joh 5:39; Ac 3:12-18; 10:43; 13:27; Ro 3:21-22; 1Pe 1:10-12; 2Pe 1:19-21 General references. exp: Ex 20:3; Jer 33:14; Heb 10:15.'.

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C19-S13 (Verse 11) What happens after the marriage supper of the Lamb.

First Step: John sees that our Lord Jesus Christ is carried on a horse which symbolically represents purity.

And I saw heaven opened,
and behold a white horse;.

Second Step: John sees our Lord Jesus Christ presented as He will make war.

and he that sat upon him was called Faithful and True,
and in righteousness he doth judge and make war.

Our sentence starts with the word And, which adds it to the prior sentence. Both sentences need to be considered together for contextual reasons. The prior sentence told us about the marriage supper of the Lamb. This sentence is adding what happens right after that. Please notice that our Lord Jesus Christ marries His bride before returning with her to this Earth. A Godly man does not travel with a woman unless she is His legal relative. Thus, the bride needed to be married to our Lord Jesus Christ before she could return with Him to this Earth. And that lets us know that saved people who do not fulfill God's requirements to be part of the bride will also not be allowed to return with our Lord Jesus Christ.

As the title, above, says, the First Step tells us that our Lord Jesus Christ is carried on a horse which symbolically represents purity. Satan and all devils push doctrines which bring corruption and death. The foundation of our Lord Jesus Christ is the opposite of the foundation of devils.

In our Second Step we see two titles for our Lord Jesus Christ. The first is that he is Faithful and all who follow Him and will represent Him in His kingdom must also be faithful. Back in Revelation 17:14 we read that the saved who follow our Lord Jesus Christ are called, and chosen, and faithful. And, as I explained in the note for that sentence, many saved people object very emotionally to that truth. They want to believe the doctrines of devils that everyone who makes a profession receives all of the promises regardless of how they live and even if they refuse to fulfill God's requirements to receive the promise. They want to believe the lie that we are all going to a communistic Heaven.

Next, in our Second Step we see the second title, for our Lord Jesus Christ, which is; True. Where devils lie and deceive, He only tells the truth and he personally defines all that is true. As the Truth, He is not going to take anyone to be part of His kingdom, and represent Him, who has lived a life which was a lie. That is, he will not take someone who claimed to be saved while living like a lying hypocrite. Please see the Minor Titles of the Son of God in the Significant Gospel Events Study for both of these titles and other titles.

The last phrase of our sentence says: and in righteousness he doth judge and make war. He certainly not going to be taking anyone who refused to let Him make their life righteous while they lived in the flesh.

Dr. Jeff Wilson writes about this sentence: 'Remember in the early part of Revelation we saw a different rider and white horse appear, Re 6:1 And I saw when the Lamb opened one of the seals, and I heard, as it were the noise of thunder, one of the four beasts saying, come and see. 2 And I saw, and behold a white horse: and he that sat on him had a bow; and a crown was given unto him: and he went forth conquering, and to conquer. Who was that? the antichrist. the one who would deceive and lie to obtain power, the one who said he came in peace but who would break that treaty with Israel when he revealed himself as the beast. He is part of the satanic trinity, the offspring of the Father of Lies. He is unfaithful and full of lies. But here in v11 we have another contrast, for this rider on a white horse is called Faithful and True, he does not lie or deal deceitfully, he does not break his word or promises. He is the one who bore those very names when he spoke to the Laodicean church in Re 3:14 And unto the angel of the church of the Laodice and write; these things saith the Amen, the faithful and true witness, the beginning of the creation of God; he is the very one who proclaimed he is the way, the truth and the life. this rider is none other than the Lord Jesus whose faithfulness and truthfulness we read of in Isa 11:1 And there shall come forth a rod out of the stem of Jesse, and a Branch shall grow out of his roots:2 And the spirit of the LORD shall rest upon him, the spirit of wisdom and understanding, the spirit of counsel and might, the spirit of knowledge and of the fear of the LORD;3 And shall make him of quick understanding in the fear of the LORD: and he shall not judge after the sight of his eyes, neither reprove after the hearing of his ears: 4 But with righteousness shall he judge the poor, and reprove with equity for the meek of the earth: and he shall smite the earth with the rod of his mouth, and with the breath of his lips shall he slay the wicked.5 And righteousness shall be the girdle of his loins, and faithfulness the girdle of his reins.
John here sees none other than the Lord Jesus, Faithful and True, riding upon a white horse out from heaven, and keep in mind the mention of horses carries the meaning of battle and warfare in the Bible, so Jesus is prepared to righteously, to justly and fairly, judge and make war upon the world, upon those gathered against him.
-Jesus here has returned to wage war with the Beast and his armies. the Prince of Peace has come to judge and conquer… Ac 17:30 And the times of this ignorance God winked at; but now commandeth all men every where to repent: 31 Because he hath appointed a day, in the which he will judge the world in righteousness by that man whom he hath ordained; whereof he hath given assurance unto all men, in that he hath raised him from the dead.
-Jesus has come to destroy the wicked and to deliver his people, Ro 11:25 forI would not, brethren, that ye should be ignorant of this mystery, lest ye should be wise in your own conceits; that blindness in part is happened to Israel, until the fulness of the Gentiles be come in. 26 And so all Israel shall be saved: as it is written, there shall come out of Sion the Deliverer, and shall turn away ungodliness from Jacob: 27 for this is my covenant unto them, when I shall take away their sins.
-Jesus has come to put down evil and to bring righteousness and peace to the earth 1Jo 3:8 He that committeth sin is of the devil; for the devil sinneth from the beginning. for this purpose the Son of God was manifested, that he might destroy the works of the devil.'.

Please see the note for Philippians 2:9-11 about the word heaven. Easton's Bible Dictionary this word as: '(1.) Definitions. the phrase "heaven and earth" is used to indicate the whole universe (Ge 1:1; Jer 23:24; Ac 17:24). According to the Jewish notion there were three heavens, (a) the firmament, as "fowls of the heaven" (Ge 2:19; 7:3,23; Ps 8:8, etc.), "the eagles of heaven" (La 4:19), etc. (b) the starry heavens (De 17:3; Jer 8:2; Mt 24:29). (c) "The heaven of heavens," or "the third heaven" (De 10:14; 1Ki 8:27; Ps 115:16; 148:4; 2Co 12:2). (2.) Meaning of words in the original, (a) the usual Hebrew word for "heavens" is shamayim, a plural form meaning "heights," "elevations" (Ge 1:1; 2:1). (b) the Hebrew word marom is also used (Ps 68:18; 93:4; 102:19, etc.) as equivalent to shamayim, "high places," "heights." (c) Heb galgal, literally a "wheel," is rendered "heaven" in Ps 77:18 (R.V., "whirlwind"). (d) Heb shahak, rendered "sky" (De 33:26; Job 37:18; Ps 18:11), plural "clouds" (Job 35:5; 36:28; Ps 68:34, marg. "heavens"), means probably the firmament. (e) Heb rakia is closely connected with (d), and is rendered "firmamentum" in the Vulgate, whence our "firmament" (Ge 1:6; De 33:26, etc.), regarded as a solid expanse. (3.) Metaphorical meaning of term. Isa 14:13-14; "doors of heaven" (Ps 78:23); heaven "shut" (1Ki 8:35); "opened" (Eze 1:1). (See 1Ch 21:16.) (4.) Spiritual meaning. the place of the everlasting blessedness of the righteous; the abode of departed spirits. (a) Christ calls it his "Father's house" (Joh 14:2). (b) It is called "paradise" (Lu 23:43; 2Co 12:4; Re 2:7). (c) "The heavenly Jerusalem" (Ga 4:1; 6:18; Heb 12:22; Re 3:12). (d) the "kingdom of heaven" (Mt 25:1; Jas 2:5). (e) the "eternal kingdom" (2Pe 1:11). (f) the "eternal inheritance" (1Pe 1:4; Heb 9:15). (g) the "better country" (Heb 11:14,16). (h) the blessed are said to "sit down with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob," and to be "in Abraham's bosom" (Lu 16:22; Mt 8:11); to "reign with Christ" (2Ti 2:12). In heaven the blessedness of the righteous consists in the possession of "life everlasting," "an eternal weight of glory" (2Co 4:17), an exemption from all sufferings for ever, a deliverance from all evils (2Co 5:1-2) and from the society of the wicked (2Ti 4:18), bliss without termination, the "fulness of joy" for ever (Lu 20:36; 2Co 4:16,18; 1Pe 1:4; 5:10; 1Jo 3:2). the believer's heaven is not only a state of everlasting blessedness, but also a "place", a place "prepared" for them (Joh 14:2)'. Please also see the note for Matthew 3:2 about the phrase kingdom of Heaven. Please also see the note for Hebrews 12:2-LJC about the phrase treasure in Heaven. Please also see the Message called Laying up Treasure in Heaven. Please also see the note for Luke 3:21-22 about the phrase voice from heaven Please also see the note for Revelation 20:9 about the phrase fire from heaven. Please also see the note for 1Peter 1:2-LJC about the phrase things in Heaven. There are 57 references to this word just in this Bible book. Therefore, this note does not provide links to all of them.

Please see the note for John 18:20 about the words open / openly. The functional definition for this word is: 'Unclosed; not shut; as, the gate is open; an open door or window; an open book; open eyes. to unclose; to unbar; to unlock; to remove any fastening or cover and set open; as, to open a door or gate; to open a desk'.

Please see the note for Colossians C2S3 about the word behold. Webster's 1828 Dictionary defines this word as: 'to fix the eyes upon; to see with attention; to observe with care. Behold the lamb of God which taketh away the sin of the world. John 1. 2. In a less intensive sense, to look upon; to see. When he beheld the serpent of brass, he lived. Num. 21. BEHO'LD, v.i. to look; to direct the eyes to an object. And I beheld, and lo, in the midst of the throne, a lambdas it had been slain. Rev.5. 1. to fix the attention upon an object; to attend; to direct or fix the mind. Behold, I stand at the door and knock. Rev.3.word is much used in this manner for exciting attention, or admiration. It is in the imperative mode, expressing command, or exhortation; and by no means a mere exclamation'. Please also see the note for Colossians 2:18-19 about the word hold. Please also see the note for Luke 24:15 about the word holden.

Please see the note for Revelation 6:2 about the word horse. The Morrish Bible Dictionary defines this word as: 'The horse was used among the Israelites only for war, either in chariots or for what is now called cavalry; but its use betokened failure in confidence on the Lord: see Ho 14:3. they had been forbidden to multiply horses, De 17:16; and at first they hamstrung the horses, and burnt the chariots of the Canaanites. Jos 11:6,9. David, however, after the defeat of Hadadezer, reserved 100 horses for chariots. 2Sa 8:4. (See a description of the war-horse in Job 39:19-25.) Solomon had 40,000 stalls of horses for his chariots and 12,000 horsemen. 1Ki 4:26.
Symbolically the horse represents careering imperial power, in general providentially controlled. In the early part of Zechariah the prophet had visions of horses of different colours, they are called spirits of the heavens, and as such they acted in the four great Gentile empires described by Daniel. When these are further spoken of, the red horses are not named, for the Chaldean empire had passed away when Zechariah saw the vision. Zec 1:8; 6:1-7.
In the Revelation also there are horses and riders thereon, representing the powers engaged in the providential course of God's dealings. Re 6:1-8; cf. Re 9:7,9,17. In Rev. 19 the Lord Jesus, the Faithful and True, comes forth on a white horse, to make war in righteousness. Re 19:11-21'.

Please see the note for 1Corinthians C1S3 about the word call. That note has links to notes in every New Testament book where there are links to every place where the particular book uses this word. The functional definition is: 'To command another to help or to cry for help, hence to pray (Ge 4:26)'. In this sentence, this word is used to identify our Lord jesus Christ and His relationship with the written word of God. Please also see the note for Romans 10:13; 2Thessalonians 3:1-LJC; Ephesians 5:8-LJC and 1John 4:14-LJC about the phrase call upon the Lord. The note for Romans 10:13 has links to every place in the Bible where we find the words call and Lord used together, along with a small note on each reference.

Revelation 3:14 tells us that our Lord Jesus Christ is the faithful and true witness. Our current sentence tells us that His title is Faithful and True and Revelation 22:6 tells us that the words of the prophecy which reveals Jesus Christ as Lord of all are also faithful and true. Please use the link in the sentence outline, above, to access the Word Study on true. Please see the note below about the word faithful.

Please see the notes for 1Corinthians C1S3; 2Corinthians C1S17; Galatians C3S27; Ephesians 6:23-LJC; Philippians 1:25-26 and 2Timothy C1S2 about the word faith. The functional definition is: 'an action word that is based upon a belief in a promise found within the Bible with the action dictated by the Bible and the understanding that our action does not force God to act nor determines when or how God acts but proves that of our own free will we are giving God permission to act in and through our life to do what He promised within His Word'. Please also see the notes for Colossians 1:1 and Titus 1:1 about the word faithful. The functional definition is: 'Firm in adherence to the truth and to the duties of religion. Full of faith, trustful, and not simply trustworthy. being true to oneself, to one's nature, to any promise given, and to any trust committed'. Please also see the note for Hebrews 3:1-LJC about Christ Jesus is faithful. Please also see the notes for Romans 4 and James 2:21-LJC about Abraham's faith. Please also see the note for 2Timothy C1S2 about the phrase faith: unfeigned. Please also see the note for 2Peter 2:3 about the word feign. Please also see the note for Romans C10S12 about the phrase faith makes us not ashamed. Please also see the note for Ephesians C1S2 about the phrase just shall live by faith. Please also see the note for Romans C11S6 about the phrase just shall live by his faith. Please also see the note for Romans C3S29 about the phrase justification by faith. Please also see the note for Romans C3S25 about Law and faith. Please also see the note for Romans C9S28 about live / walk by faith. Please see the note for James 2:14 for links to every verse in the New Testament where the words faith and works contained within the same verse.

Please see the note for 2Corinthians 10:3-6 about the words warfare / war. Webster's 1828 dictionary defines this word as: 'war and fare. 1. Military service; military life; war. the Philistines gathered their armies for warfare. 1 Samuel 28. 2. Contest; struggle with spiritual enemies. the weapons of our warfare are not carnal. 2 Corinthi and 10. WARFARE, v.i. to lead a military life; to carry on continual wars. In that credulous warfaring age. Little used'.

The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge provides Bible references for this sentence as: 'heaven. Re 4:1; 11:19; 15:5 a white. Re 6:2; Zec 1:8 Faithful. Re 1:5; 3:7,14; Joh 14:6 and in. Re 15:3-7; Ps 45:3-7; 50:6; 72:2-4; 96:13; 98:9; 99:4; Isa 11:3-5; 32:1; 45:21; 63:1-5; Jer 23:5-6; 33:15; Zec 9:9-10; Heb 7:1-2 General references. exp: De 23:9; Jg 1:2; Pr 31:9; Ac 3:20.'.

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C19-S14 (Verse 12) More description of our Lord Jesus Christ as He prepares to return and rule this Earth.

First Step: He wore the symbols of judgment.

His eyes were as a flame of fire,
and on his head were many crowns;.

Second Step: No one could use the power and authority of His name.

and he had a name written,
that no man knew,
but he himself.

The things in this sentence must be understood using symbolic meanings. The first phrase, of the First Step, speaks of purifying judgment. Dr. Jeff Wilson, in his note below, gives several references, which I will not repeat. In addition, the Word Studies, below, have further references. Those references provide the evidence for the symbolic meanings identified.

The second phrase, of the First Step, speaks of His absolute authority in all things of life.

Our Second Step tells us that no one can use the power nor the authority of His hidden name. There are seventeen Bible references where we read the phrase; in my name. That phrase means: 'using the power and authority of our Lord Jesus Christ'. Right now, the caved can ask things from God the father using the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. However, when He returns to rule and reign this Earth, no one will go above His head nor will they ask anything of God that Father in His name. No request can go any higher than our Lord Jesus Christ.

Dr. Jeff Wilson writes about this sentence: 'Since Jesus is coming to judge and make war, his eyes reveal the power and burning judgment within, for his eyes burn with a holiness that no sin or iniquity, no matter how well hidden, can escape, for he sees all. Nothing escapes his gaze, as God he knows all, sees all, which makes his judgments truly fair. What John describes matches the description that he spoke of in Rev ch1 where Jesus was walking amongst the seven golden candlesticks… Re 1:14 His head and his hairs were white like wool, as white as snow; and his eyes were as a flame of fire; …And then John wrote in Re 2:18 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;
Now concerning Jesus as the judge that is all seeing, we know he also holds the title of the Word of God as we see in v13b and his name is called the Word of God., as well as in Joh 1:1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God and 1Jo 1:1 that which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we have looked upon, and our hands have handled, of the Word of life;. And it is this Christ, the Word, who discerns and judges the heart of man, for notice the description of the Word of God and how he sees all in order to judge sin… Heb 4:12 forthe word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.13 Neither is there any creature that is not manifest in his sight: but all things are naked and opened unto the eyes of him with whom we have to do. No sin, no evil will escape his judgment.
We also see in v12 that Christ wears upon his head many crowns, golden diadems, and on his head were many crowns; which speak of his absolute authority, his sovereignty, his kingship, his right to judge, make war and rule and reign, for as we see in v16 he is the King of kings and Lord of lords.
But before we go that far we also see in v12 that Jesus bears another name, and he had a name written, that no man knew, but he himself. In v11 he is called Faithful and True, in v16 he is the King of kings and Lord of lords, and throughout the Bible he is given many, many different names and titles, but here he has a name written upon him that only he knows, a secret name, a name of mystery. And I wonder If this name is connected with the new name he mentioned when he spoke to the church of Philadelphia? Re 3:11 Behold, I come quickly: hold that fast which thou hast, that no man take thy crown. 12 Him that overcometh will I make a pillar in the temple of my God, and he shall go no more out: and I will write upon him the name of my God, and the name of the city of my God, which is new Jerusalem, which cometh down out of heaven from my God: and I will write upon him my new name. 13 He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches. Its exciting that we will learn even more about our Savior in heaven, 1Co 2:9 But as it is written, Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him.'.

Please see the note for Revelation 1:14 for every place where we find the words eyes and fire used in the same verse. In every one of these verses, the context is telling us about judgment by God. 1Corinthians 3:13-15 also warns us that the works of all saved will be made manifest...by fire. Thus, this phrase is also dealing with our Lord Jesus Christ being prepared to judge.

Please see the note for 1Corinthians C12S13 about the word eye. The functional definition for this word is: ' the organ of sight or vision; properly, the globe or ball movable in the orbit'. Man written dictionary definitions, for this word, have multiple applications presented as definitions, which leads to doctrinal error when people use those applications to build Bible doctrine. Please also see the note for John 12:45 about the phrase eyes to see.

Please see the note for Hebrews 1:7 about the word flame. Webster's 1828 defines this word as: 'n. L. flamma. 1. A blaze; burning vapor; vapor in combustion; or according to modern chimistry, hydrogen or any inflammable gas, in a state of combustion, and naturally ascending in a stream from burning bodies being specifically lighter than common air. 2. Fire in general. 3. Heat of passion; tumult; combustion; blaze; violent contention. One jealous, tattling mischief-maker will set a whole village in a flame. 4. Ardor of temper or imagination; brightness of fancy; vigor of thought. Great are their faults, and glorious is their flame. 5. Ardor of inclination; warmth of affection. Smit with the love of kindred arts we came, And met congenial, mingling flame with flame. 6. the passion of love; ardent love. My heart's on flame. 7. Rage; violence; as the flames of war.
FLAME, v.t. to inflame; to excite.
FLAME, v.i. 1. to blaze; to burn in vapor, or in a current; to burn as gas emitted from bodies in combustion. 2. to shine like burning gas. In flaming yellow bright. 3. to break out in violence of passion'. Easton's Bible Dictionary defines flames of fire as: 'the chosen symbol of the holiness of God (Ex 3:2; Re 2:18), as indicating "the intense, all-consuming operation of his holiness in relation to sin."'.

Please see the note for James 3:6 about the word fire. The functional definition for this word is: 'In the Bible, it is mainly used symbolically for the presence and judgment of God'. Please also see the note for Romans C12S18 about the phrase coals of fire.

Please see the note for Colossians C1S4 about the word head. The functional definition for this word is: 'The part of the body which holds the brain. It is also used, symbolically, for the main source of control'. Please also see the note for Matthew 14:10 about the word beheaded. Please also see the note for 1Corinthians 11:3-LJC about the phrase Christ: the head of.

Please see the note for James 1:12 about the word crown. The functional definition for this word is: 'Crowns show that the person wearing them has authority and a special position'. Some saved people will be in Heaven but will not be allowed to return with Christ, to this Earth, for His 1,000 years reign. Anyone with a crown will be returning with Him and ruling under Him.

Please see the notes for 1Corinthians C1S1 and Philippians 2:9-11 about the word name. The functional definition is: 'How a person or thing is identified. In the Bible, the power and authority which is associated with the name is always part of the message where this word is used'. Please see the note for 1Corinthians C1S4 about the phrase the name. That note has links to every place in the New Testament where the phrase in the name. occurs along with links to where similar phrases occur in the New Testament. Please see the note for 1Peter 4:14-LJC about the name of Christ. Please see the note for Luke 13:35 about the phrase name of the Lord. Please also see the Summary and verses documents about the use of this word for the Son of God. Please also see the note for Acts 1:23 about the word surname.

Please see the notes for Romans C10S25; 1Corinthians C1S11; 2Corinthians C1S5; Galatians C3-S9; Colossians C1S3 and know in 1John about the word know. The word knew is the past-tense form of the word know. The functional definition is: 'A clear and certain perception of that which exists, or of truth and fact; and the perception of the connection and agreement, or disagreement between various truths and acts. Within the Biblical usage is the knowledge that comes only from personal intimate experience'. Please see the notes for 2Peter 1:2-LJC; 2Peter 2:20-LJC and Philippians 1:9-11 about the word knowledge. Please see the note for Romans 6:3 about the phrase Know ye not. Please see the note for 1Corinthians C16S17 about the word acknowledge. Please also see the note for Romans C11S4 about the word foreknow.

The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge provides Bible references for this sentence as: 'eyes. Re 1:14; 2:18 on his. Re 6:2; 12:3; 13:1; Ps 8:5; Song 3:11; Isa 62:3; Zec 9:16; Mt 21:5; 28:18; Heb 2:9 a name. Re 19:16; 2:17; 3:12; Ge 32:29; Ex 23:21; Jg 13:18; Isa 9:6; Mt 11:27; Lu 10:22 General references. exp: De 23:9; Jg 1:2; Ac 3:20.'.

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C19-S15 (Verse 13) Further description of our Lord Jesus Christ as He prepares to return and rule this Earth.

Equivalent Section: His clothes show the results of the Judgment that he will bring.

And he was clothed with a vesture dipped in blood:

Equivalent Section: He is the book of the law personified.

and his name is called the Word of God .

Our sentence starts with the word And, which adds it to the prior sentence. This is the third sentence which describes how our Lord Jesus Christ prepared to return to this Earth and reign and rule it. All three sentences need to be considered together for contextual reasons. In addition, all three sentences are full of symbols which speak of the judgment that He will bring upon the devils and lost men who are on Earth.

Again, Dr. Jeff Wilson writes about the significance of our First Equivalent Section (he was clothed with a vesture dipped in blood). Our Second Equivalent Section tells us that He is The Word of God. He is the book of the law personified. The word of God condemns everyone to Hell and the lake of fire because of the sin that they do if they refuse to accept Him as their personal Lord. And, everyone He is going to fight against, and defeat, has rejected Him as their personal Lord. Therefore, they have personally chosen to go to Hell and the lake of fire.

Dr. Jeff Wilson writes about this sentence: 'Christ’s garments are coated in blood as he comes from heaven, but it is not his blood that stains his vesture, for his blood was not wasted, was not splattered or spilt, it was shed, every drop used to cover the sins of mankind, which can only mean one thing, the blood that coats his garments here, is the blood of his enemies, those he has been judging throughout the tribulation. We reference Isa 63:1 Who is this that cometh from Edom, with dyed garments from Bozrah? this that is glorious in his apparel, travelling in the greatness of his strength? I that speak in righteousness, mighty to save. 2 Wherefore art thou red in thine apparel, and thy garments like him that treadeth in the winefat? 3 I have trodden the winepress alone; and of the people there was none with me: for I will tread them in mine anger, and trample them in my fury; and their blood shall be sprinkled upon my garments, and I will stain all my raiment. 4 forthe day of vengeance is in mine heart, and the year of my redeemed is come. 5 And I looked, and there was none to help; and I wondered that there was none to uphold: therefore mine own arm brought salvation unto me; and my fury, it upheld me.6 And I will tread down the people in mine anger, and make them drunk in my fury, and I will bring down their strength to the earth. these blood stained garments were foreshadowed back in Rev ch14 where we saw the Lord identified as the reaper and the one who trods the winepress… Re 14:14 And I looked, and behold a white cloud, and upon the cloud one sat like unto the Son of man, having on his head a golden crown, and in his hand a sharp sickle. 15 And another angel came out of the temple, crying with a loud voice to him that sat on the cloud, thrust in thy sickle, and reap: for the time is come for thee to reap; for the harvest of the earth is ripe.16 And he that sat on the cloud thrust in his sickle on the earth; and the earth was reaped.17 And another angel came out of the temple which is in heaven, he also having a sharp sickle.18 And another angel came out from the altar, which had power over fire; and cried with a loud cry to him that had the sharp sickle, saying, thrust in thy sharp sickle, and gather the clusters of the vine of the earth; for her grapes are fully ripe.19 And the angel thrust in his sickle into the earth, and gathered the vine of the earth, and cast it into the great winepress of the wrath of God. 20 And the winepress was trodden without the city, and blood came out of the winepress, even unto the horse bridles, by the space of a thousand and six hundred furlongs. this is the blood of his enemies from the judgment being poured out upon the earth that stains Christ’s clothing, even to the bridle of his horse, and yet he is not done yet, for the greatest battle the world has ever seen is about begin, v15c: …and he treadeth the winepress of the fierceness and wrath of Almighty God.; a battle he is very prepared for, for he does not come alone, even though he needs no help…'.

Please see the note for 2Corinthians 5:2-3 about the word clothed. The functional definition for this word is: 'Covered with garments; dressed; invested; furnished with clothing'.

Please see the note for Matthew 27:35 about the word vesture. Webster's 1828 defines this word as: 'polish'd chests embroider'd vesture grac'd. 2. Dress; garments in general; habit; clothing; vestment; as the vesture of priests. 3. Clothing; covering. Rocks, precipices and gulfs appareled with a vesture of plants. - And gild the humble vestures of the plain. 4. In old law books, the corn with which land was covered; as the vesture of an acre'.

Please see the note for Mark 14:20 about the word dip. The functional definition for this word is: 'To plunge or immerse, for a moment or short time, in water or other liquid substance; to put into a fluid and withdraw'.

Please see the note for 1Corinthians C1S3 about the word call. That note has links to notes in every New Testament book where there are links to every place where the particular book uses this word. The functional definition is: 'To command another to help or to cry for help, hence to pray (Ge 4:26)'. In this sentence, this word is used to identify the saved people who are allowed to return with Christ and the relationship which is required in order to return. Please also see the note for Romans 10:13; 2Thessalonians 3:1-LJC; Ephesians 5:8-LJC and 1John 4:14-LJC about the phrase call upon the Lord. The note for Romans 10:13 has links to every place in the Bible where we find the words call and Lord used together, along with a small note on each reference.

Please see the note for Colossians 2S2 about the word word. The functional definition is: 'a single component part of human speech or language'. However, the word of God is the holy scriptures and in the English language, it is only the KJV-1611. Please also see the notes for Romans C10S22 and Word in 1John about the phrase word of God. Please also see the note for John 1:1 for an extensive note explaining the differences, and similarities, between the capitalized and the non-capitalized word word. When a Bible reference uses an uppercase word, it is referring to Jesus Christ. The uppercase makes this a formal name of the Son of God. However, while the exact definition is different, the properties are spiritually similar to the lowercase word. Please also see the note for 1Thessalonians 1:8 about the phrase word of the Lord. Please note that the word of the Lord is a sub-set of the word of God. the word of God contains all of God's written truth including recording the lies of Satan. The word of the Lord is that part of the word of God which will be used to judge us. The lies from Satan are not included within the word of the Lord.

The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge provides Bible references for this sentence as: 'clothed. Re 14:20; Ps 58:10; Isa 9:5; 34:3-8; 63:1-6 the. Joh 1:1,14; 1Jo 1:1; 5:7 General references. exp: De 23:9; Jg 1:2; Ac 3:20.'.

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C19-S16 (Verse 14) the witnesses to the victory by our Lord Jesus Christ follow Him.

And the armies which were in heaven followed him upon white horses,
clothed in fine linen,
white and clean.

Our sentence starts with the word And, which adds it to the prior sentence. Both sentences need to be considered together for contextual reasons. . . .

Notice the difference between how these witnesses are dressed and how our Lord Jesus Christ was dressed in the prior sentence. He was dressed for war and judgment. These witnesses are dressed to watch but not participate. They will participate in His kingdom, after the war and judgment are completed. But they will not participate before then.

Dr. Jeff Wilson writes about this sentence: 'Here we see the bride of the Lamb coming with the bridegroom, these are the saints, the church, for notice how they are clothed… in fine linen, white and clean, and how was the bride just described earlier in this chapter? Re 19:7 Let us be glad and rejoice, and give honour to him: for the marriage of the Lamb is come, and his wife hath made herself ready. 8 and to her was granted that she should be arrayed in fine linen, clean and white: for the fine linen is the righteousness of saints. this army also most likely contains all the guests of the wedding celebration, all the participants, even the holy ones of heaven, the heavenly host, the angelic armies. Jude 14…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. this army rides forth with the Lord from heaven opened above, yet this army will only be spectators to the battle to come, for they will not raise one hand, fire one shot, because the Lord Jesus alone will defeat his enemies by his own power…'.

Please see the note for Luke 21:20 about the words army / armies. Easton's Bible Dictionary defines this word as: 'The Israelites marched out of Egypt in military order (Ex 13:18, "harnessed;" marg., "five in a rank"). Each tribe formed a battalion, with its own banner and leader (Nu 2:2; 10:14). In war the army was divided into thousands and hundreds under their several captains (Nu 31:14), and also into families (Nu 2:34; 2Ch 25:5; 26:12). From the time of their entering the land of Canaan to the time of the kings, the Israelites made little progress in military affairs, although often engaged in warfare. the kings introduced the custom of maintaining a bodyguard (the Gibborim; i.e., "heroes"), and thus the nucleus of a standing army was formed. Saul had an army of 3,000 select warriors (1Sa 13:2; 14:52; 24:2). David also had a band of soldiers around him (1Sa 23:13; 25:13). to this band he afterwards added the Cherethites and the Pelethites (2Sa 15:18; 20:7). At first the army consisted only of infantry (1Sa 4:10; 15:4), as the use of horses was prohibited (De 17:16); but chariots and horses were afterwards added (2Sa 8:4; 1Ki 10:26,28-29; 9:19). In 1Ki 9:22 there is given a list of the various gradations of rank held by those who composed the army. the equipment and maintenance of the army were at the public expense (2Sa 17:28-29; 1Ki 4:27; 10:16-17; Jg 20:10). At the Exodus the number of males above twenty years capable of bearing arms was 600,000 (Ex 12:37). In David's time it mounted to the number of 1,300,000 (2Sa 24:9)'.

Please see the note for 1Corinthians C4S16 about the word follow. The functional definition for this word is: 'To go after or behind; to walk, ride or move behind, but in the same direction. Soldiers will usually follow a brave officer'. That note has the definition from Webster's 1828 dictionary and it provides several more applications, if they will help the reader to understand this word. Please also see the note for Romans C14S25 about the phrase follow after. Please also see the note for Mark 2:14 about the phrase follow me.

Please see the note for 2Corinthians 5:2-3 about the word clothed. The functional definition for this word is: 'Covered with garments; dressed; invested; furnished with clothing'.

The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge provides Bible references for this sentence as: 'the armies. Re 14:1,20; 17:14; Ps 68:17; 149:6-9; Zec 14:5; Mt 26:53; 2Th 1:7; Jude 1:14 white horses. Re 19:11 clothed. Re 19:8; 4:4; 7:9; Mt 28:3 General references. exp: De 23:9; Jg 1:2; Ac 3:20.'.

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C19-S17 (Verse 15) How our Lord Jesus Christ will deal with the nations.

Equivalent Section: How He will judge sin now and during His 1,000 years reign.

And out of his mouth goeth a sharp sword,
that with it he should smite the nations:

Equivalent Section: How He will deal with individual sin now and in the future.

and he shall rule them with a rod of iron:

Equivalent Section: How He will deal with sinners currently on the Earth.

and he treadeth the winepress of the fierceness and wrath of Almighty God .

Our sentence tells us the prophecy of how our Lord Jesus Christ will judge sin when He arrives on the Earth and during His 1,000 years reign as Christ. Psalms 2:9; Revelation 2:27; Revelation 12:5 and Revelation 19:15 all tell us that he shall rule them with a rod of iron. There will be instant and fierce discipline for disobedience that that will instill true fear of the Lord.

Our sentence has three Equivalent Sections telling us how our Lord Jesus Christ will deal with sin and sinners in three different circumstances. In all circumstances, He deals with sin and sinners the same way.

Please see the Word Study called: The End of the World for links to every place where this phrase is used and an explanation of how the phrase is used within the context where it is found. This phrase is used to identify 'the return of our Lord Jesus Christ to rule and reign this world for 1,000 years.'

The phrase treadeth the winepress of the fierceness and wrath of Almighty God lets us know that everyone who is in the armies of the nations which war against God will all go to Hell and the lake of fire. There will be no mercy. Please see the notes for Romans 14:8-LJC and 2Thessalonians 1:9-LJC about judgment without mercy.

P{lease also be sure the read the note from Dr. Jeff Wilson, below, for more references on this sentence.

Dr. Jeff Wilson writes about this sentence: 'We have seen this description of Jesus before, Re 1:16 And he had in his right hand seven stars: and out of his mouth went a sharp twoedged sword: and his countenance was as the sun shineth in his strength….
Re 2:12 and to the angel of the church in Pergamos write; these things saith he which hath the sharp sword with two edges;…
Re 2:16 Repent; or else I will come unto thee quickly, and will fight against them with the sword of my mouth.
Isa 11:4 But with righteousness shall he judge the poor, and reprove with equity for the meek of the earth: and he shall smite the earth with the rod of his mouth, and with the breath of his lips shall he slay the wicked.
And then Paul writes in 2Th 2:8 And then shall that Wicked be revealed, whom the Lord shall consume with the spirit of his mouth, and shall destroy with the brightness of his coming:
The sharp sword is a symbol of God's Word, and we have already seen that Christ is the Word, so to him, the Lord Jesus, belongs the battle; the victory is the Lord’s.
The rod of iron is a symbol of his justice and supreme power. Nothing will stand in the way of his rule, no opposition, his word is law, and his commands stand above all. Once his enemies are smitten his rule will be established, his kingdom set up, the millennial reign begun. And then lastly notice one more name for Jesus, the name that is above every name…'.

Please see the note for Luke 1:64 about the word mouth. The American Tract Society Dictionary defines this word as: 'Is sometimes used in Scripture for speaker, Ex 4:16; Jer 15:19. God spoke with Moses "mouth to mouth," Nu 12.8, that is, condescendingly and clearly. the law was to be "in the mouth" of the Hebrews, Ex 13:9, often rehearsed and talked of. "The rod of his mouth," Isa 11:4, and the sharp sword, Re 1:16, denote the power of Christ's word to convict, control, and judge; compare Isa 49:2; Heb 4:12. the Hebrew word for mouth is often translated "command," Ge 45:21; Job 39:27; Ec 8:2; and the unclean spirits out of the mouth of the dragon, Re 16:14, are the ready executors of his commands'.

Please see the note for Acts 15:39 about the word sharp. Webster's 1828 defines this word as: 'a. 1. Having a very thin edge or a fine point; keen; acute; not blunt. thus we may say, a sharp knife, or a sharp needle. A sharp edge easily severs a substance; a sharp point is easily made to penetrate,it. 2. Terminating in a point or edge; not obtuse; as, a hills terminates in a sharp peak, or a sharp ridge. 3. forming an acute or too small angle at the ridge; as a sharp roof. 4. Acute of mind; quick to discern or distinguish; penetrating; ready at invention; witty; ingenious. Nothing makes men sharper than want. Addison. Many other things belong to the material world, wherein the sharpest philosophers have not yet obtained clear ideas. Watts. 5. Being of quick or nice perception; applied to the senses or org and of perception; as a sharp eye; sharp sight. 6. Affecting the org and of taste like fine points; piercing; penetrating; shrill; as sharp vinegar; sharp tasted citrons. 7. Affecting the org and of hearing like sharp points; poercing; penetrating; shrill; as a sharp sound or voice; a sharp not or tone; opposed to a flat note or sound. 8. Severe; harsh; biting; sarcastic; as sharp words; sharp rebuke. -Be thy words severe'.

Please see the note for Romans C8S37 about the word sword. Easton's Bible Dictionary defines this word as: 'of the Hebrew was pointed, sometimes two-edged, was worn in a sheath, and suspended from the girdle (Ex 32:27; 1Sa 31:4; 1Ch 21:27; Ps 149:1; Pr 5:4; Eze 16:40; 21:3-5).
It is a symbol of divine chastisement (De 32:25; Ps 7:12; 78:62), and of a slanderous tngue (Ps 57:4; 64:3; Pr 12:18). the word of God is likened also to a sword (Heb 4:12; Eph 6:17; Re 1:16). Gideon's watchword was, "The sword of the Lord" (Jg 7:20)'.

Please see the note for John 18:23 about the word smite. Webster's 1828 defines this word as: 'to strike; to throw, drive or force against, as the fist or hand, a stone or a weapon; to reach with a blow or a weapon; as, to smite one with the fist; to smite with a rod or with a stone. Whoever shall smite thee on the right cheek, turn to him the other also. Matt. 5. 2. to kill; to destroy the life of by beating or by weapons of any kind; as, to smite one with the sword, or with an arrow or other engine. David smote Goliath with a sling and a stone. the Philistines were often smitten with great slaughter. this word, like slay, usually or always signification, that of beating, striking, the primitive mode of killing. We never apply it to the destruction of life by poison, by accident or by legal execution. 3. to blast; to destroy life; as by a stroke or by something sent. the flax and the barley were smitten. Ex. 9. 4. to afflict; to chasten; to punish. Let us not mistake God's goodness, nor imagine, because he smites us, that we are forsaken by him. 5. to strike or affect with passion. See what the charms that smite the simple heart. Smit with the love of sister arts we came'.

Please see the note for Romans 1:5 about the word nation. Webster's 1828 dictionary defines this word as: 'A body of people inhabiting the same country, or united under the same sovereign or government; as the English nation; the French nation. It often happens that many nations are subject to one government; in which case, the word nation usually denotes a body of people speaking the same language, or a body that has formerly been under a distinct government, but has been conquered, or incorporated with a larger nation. thus, the empire of Russia comprehends many nations, as did formerly the Roman and Persian empires. Nation, as its etymology imports, originally denoted a family or race of men descended from a common progenitor, like tribe, but by emigration, conquest and intermixture of men of different families, this distinction is in most countries lost'.

Please see the note for 2Corinthians 10:14-16 about the word rule. The functional definition for this word is: ' Webster's 1828 dictionary defines rule as: '1. Government; sway; empire; control; supreme command or authority. A wise servant shall have rule over a son that causeth shame. Prov. 17. And his stern rule the groaning land obey'd. 2. that which is established as a principle, standard or directory; that by which anything is to be adjusted or regulated, or to which it is to be conformed; that which is settled by authority or custom for guidance and direction. thus, a statute or law is a rule of civil conduct; a canon is a rule of ecclesiastical government; the precept or command of a father is a rule of action or obedience to children; precedents in law are rules of decision to judges; maxims and customs furnish rules for regulating our social opinions and manners. the laws of God are rules for directing us in life, paramount to all others. A rule which you do not apply, is no rule at all. 3. An instrument by which lines are drawn. Judicious artist will use his eye, but he will trust only to his rule. 4. Established mode or course of proceeding prescribed in private life. Every man should have some fixed rules for managing his own affairs. 5. In literature, a maxim, canon or precept to be observed in any art or science. 6. In monasteries, corporations or societies, a law or regulation to be observed by the society and its particular members. 7. In courts, rules are the determinations and orders of court, to be observed by its officers in conducting the business of the court. 8. In arithmetic and algebra, a determinate mode prescribed for performing any operation and producing a certain result. 9. In grammar, an establish form of construction in a particular class of words; or the expression of that form in words. thus, it is a rule in English, that s or es, added to a noun in the singular number, forms the plural of that noun; but man forms its plural men, and is an exception to the rule. Rule of three, is that rule of arithmetic which directs, when three terms are given, how to find a fourth, which shall have the same ratio to the third term, as the second has to the first.
RULE, v.t. 1. to govern; to control the will and actions of others, either by arbitrary power and authority, or by established laws. the emperors of the east rule their subjects without the restraints of a constitution. In limited governments, men are ruled by known laws. If a man know not how to rule his own house, how shall he take care of the church of God? 1Tim. 3. 2. to govern the movements of things; to conduct; to manage; to control. that God rules the world he has created, is a fundamental article of belief. 3. to manage; to conduct, in almost any manner. 4. to settle as by a rule. that's a ruled case with the schoolmen. 5. to mark with lines by a ruler; as, to rule a blank book. 6. to establish by decree or decision; to determine; as a court.
RULE, v.i. to have power or command; to exercise supreme authority. By me princes rule. Prov. 8. It is often followed by over. they shall rule over their oppressors. Is. 14. We subdue and rule over all other creatures'. Please also see the note for John 7:26 about the word ruler.

Please see the note for 2Corinthians 11:25 about the word rod. The American Tract Society Dictionary defines this word as: 'An offshoot from the trunk of a tree, Ge 30:37; Isa 11:1; Eze 37:15-22. It also denotes a staff, used by one walking, Isa 3:1; Eze 29:6; by a diviner, Ho 4:12; by a surveyor, Ps 74:2; by a shepherd, Le 27:32; Zec 11:10-14; as an instrument of correction, Pr 23:13; 29:15; as a sceptre, Es 8:4; Isa 14:5; and as a symbol of power, Ps 2:9, support and direction, Ps 23:4'.

Please see the note for Revelation 2:27 about the word iron. The functional definition for this word is: 'Easton's Bible Dictionary defines this word as: 'Tubal-Cain is the first-mentioned worker in iron (Ge 4:22). the Egyptians wrought it at Sinai before the Exodus. David prepared it in great abundance for the temple (1Ch 22:3; 29:7). the merchants of Dan and Javan brought it to the market of Tyre (Eze 27:19). Various instruments are mentioned as made of iron (De 27:5; 19:5; Jos 17:16,18; 1Sa 17:7; 2Sa 12:31; 2Ki 6:5-6; 1Ch 22:3; Isa 10:34). Figuratively, a yoke of iron (De 28:48) denotes hard service; a rod of iron (Ps 2:9), a stern government; a pillar of iron (Jer 1:18), a strong support; a furnace of iron (De 4:20), severe labour; a bar of iron (Job 40:18), strength; fetters of iron (Ps 107:10), affliction; giving silver for iron (Isa 60:17), prosperity'.

Please see the note for Revelation 11:2 about the word tread. Webster's 1828 defines this word as: 'v.i. tred. pret. trod; pp. trod, troden. L. trudo. 1. to set the foot. Where'er you tread, the blushing flow'rs shall rise. Fools rush in where angels fear to tread. 2. to walk or go. Every place whereon the soles of your feet shall tread, shall be yours. Deut.11. 3. to walk with form or state. Ye that stately tread, or lowly creep. 4. to copulate, as fowls. Totread or tread on, to trample; to set the foot on in contempt. Thou shalt tread upon their high places. Det.33.
TREAD, v.t. tred. to step or walk on. Forbid to tread the promis'd land he saw. 1. to press under the feet. 2. to beat or press with the feet; as, to tread a path; to tread land when too light; a well trodden path. 3. to walk in a formal or stately manner. He thought she trod the ground with greater grace. 4. to crush under the foot; to trample in contempt or hatred, or to subdue. Ps.44. 60. 5. to compress, as a fowl. Totread the state, to act as a stage-player; to perform a part in a drama. Totread or tread out, to press out with the feet; to press out wine or wheat; as, to tread out grain with cattle or horses. They tread their wine presses and suffer thirst. Job.24.
TREAD, n. tred. A step or stepping; pressure with the foot; as a nimble tread; cautious tread; doubtful tread. 1. Way; track; path. Little used. 2. Compression of the male fowl. 3. Manner of stepping; as, a horse has a good tread.'.

Please see the note for Mark 15:23 about the word wine. That note had a large definition and men argue that there were six original language words which are rendered wine. Therefore, there are many arguments about the symbolic meaning of this word. Some of those arguments are perversions of the truth which are intended to justify sin. The functional definition for this word is: 'A basic drink of people where the Bible was written. It was also used for medicine'. Please also see the note for Luke 7:34 about the word winebibber. Please also see the note for Matthew 21:33-34 about the word winepress.

Please see the note for 2Timothy 3:3 about the word fierce. Webster's 1828 dictionary defines this word as: 'the primary sense of which is wild, running, rushing. 1. Vehement; violent; furious; rushing; impetuous; as a fierce wind. 2. Savage; ravenous; easily enraged; as a fierce lion. 3. Vehement in rage; eager of mischief; as a fierce tyrant; a monster fierce for blood. 4. Violent; outrageous; not to be restrained. Cursed be their anger, for it was fierce. Gen. 49. 5. Passionate; angry; furious. 6. Wild; staring; ferocious; as a fierce countenance. 7. Very eager; ardent; vehement; as a man fierce for his party'.

Please see the notes for Romans C4S16; Galatians C5S20; Ephesians 4:26-27 and Colossians C3S6 about the word wrath. The functional definition for this word is: 'Violent anger; vehement exasperation; indignation'.

Please see the note for Revelation 4:8-LJC about the word Almighty. The definition from the Morrish Bible Dictionary for this word is: 'The learned are not agreed as to the derivation of the word shaddai and its signification: some giving it as 'all bountiful,' others 'all sufficient,' 'all mighty,' etc. this is not at all surprising, for any name of God must be above mere human learning or definition, yet it was the ground of faith to those who had the revelation. the name first occurs in Ge 17:1; God said to Abraham "I am the Almighty God." this links it with the Patriarchs: it is the name by which God was known to them; and except to them, and in Job where it occurs very often, it is seldom found in the O.T. the title 'the Almighty' without the name of God being added, occurs first in Jacob's address to his twelve sons before he died: the blessings upon Joseph were to be by "'the Almighty,' . . . . blessings of Heaven above, blessings of the deep that lieth under, blessings of the breasts and of the womb." Ge 49:25. Balaam uses the name in Nu 24:4; Naomi also in her lamentations. Ru 1:20-21. See also Ps 68:14; 91:1; Isa 13:6; Eze 1:24; 10:5; Joe 1:15. In the N.T. the name Lord Almighty occurs in 2Co 6:18 in a quotation from Jeremiah, and a few times in the Revelation, but only once as 'the Almighty' in Re 1:8: "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." On the whole it is clear that the name was one of special relationship with the Patriarchs as that of Jehovah was with Israel . this is plainly declared: "I appeared unto Abraham, unto Isaac, and unto Jacob by the name of GOD ALMIGHTY; but by my name JEHOVAH was I not known to them." Ex 6:3. that of Father is now the revealed name of God by which Christians know Him, being brought by the work of Christ and through the operation of the Spirit into the relationship of children, and of sons. See Joh 20:17; 1Jo 3:1; Ga 4:4-5. the name Almighty will appear again when God works out his purposes in power and judgement. It was revealed in connection with promises made in time, as Father is in connection with eternal counsels. the four living creatures cry day and night "Holy, holy, holy, Lord God Almighty, which was, and is, and is to come." Re 4:8. See also Re 21:22'. Please also see the note for 2Corinthians 10:3-6 about the word might.

The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge provides Bible references for this sentence as: 'out. Re 19:21; 1:16; 2:12,16; Isa 11:4; 30:33; 2Th 2:8 and he shall. Re 2:27; 12:5; Ps 2:9 exp: Isa 11:4. and he treadeth. Re 14:17-20; Isa 63:2-6 General references. exp: Jg 1:2; Ps 21:8; Ac 3:20.'.

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C19-S18 (Verse 16) the true power and authority of our Lord Jesus Christ is revealed.

And he hath on his vesture and on his thigh a name written,
KING OF KINGS,
and LORD OF LORDS .

Our sentence starts with the word And, which adds it to the prior sentence. Both sentences need to be considered together for contextual reasons. The prior sentence told us how He will conquer and judge all of the people and devils on the Earth. Our current sentence adds His authority to do so.

in this sentence we read that he hath on his vesture and on his thigh a name written. This clearly identifies His power and authority. No one will be able to claim that they didn't know or didn't realize His power and authority. Even the slightest challenge to His power and authority will be dealt with severely.

A king 'puts his character on his kingdom'. Satan's kingdom is evil because Satan is evil. God's kingdom is holy and righteous because those are the main character traits of God. The 1,000 years reign of Christ is part of the kingdom of Heaven because our Lord Jesus Christ will enforce the laws and character of heaven on this Earth. our Lord Jesus Christ is our KING OF KINGS because all kingdoms on this Earth will be required to have the character of God.

A lord has authority under a king. A lord sets up a government, makes laws and judges people for obedience or disobedience to those laws. The laws are to enforce the character of the king on the kingdom. As LORD OF LORDS, our Lord Jesus Christ will make laws which require all lords under Him to make and enforce laws which require all people, in their area of responsibility, to have the character of their King (God). All saved people who return with Christ, to help Him rule and reign, must do this work. That is why they are required to be chosen and faithful. Unless they personally have these character traits, they will not be able to do the job properly. That is one of the reasons why saved, but carnal, people will be left in heaven and not allowed to return with Christ.

We see Lord of Lords used in Deuteronomy 10:17; Psalms 136:3; 1Timothy 6:15; Revelation 17:14; Revelation 19:16.

We see King of kings used in Ezra 7:12; Ezekiel 26:7; Daniel 2:37; 1Timothy 6:15; Revelation 17:14; Revelation 19:16.

Dr. Jeff Wilson writes about this sentence: 'He is emblazoned with this name, this title. It is this Lord and this King that will have the victory, Re 17:14 these shall make war with the Lamb, and the Lamb shall overcome them: for he is Lord of lords, and King of kings: and they that are with him are called, and chosen, and faithful.
Paul speaks to Timothy of such 1Ti 6:13 I give thee charge in the sight of God, who quickeneth all things, and before Christ Jesus, who before Pontius Pilate witnessed a good confession; 14 that thou keep this commandment without spot, unrebukeable, until the appearing of our Lord Jesus Christ:15 Which in his times he shall shew, who is the blessed and only Potentate, the King of kings, and Lord of lords;
It is this Lord, and this King that all other lords and kings must submit to, for he is a saving king, a living king, a faithful and true king, a just king, a mighty king, a conquering king. It is Jesus Christ who has dominion over all creation, who has the title deed to creation, who gave his all to save mankind, and has returned to set up his kingdom in righteousness and holiness, and all honor and all glory are due his name! He is the King of kings and Lord of Lords and he has returned to make everything right.
Prophetic Psalm of the Anointed, the Messiah, the Christ
Ps 2:1 Why do the heathen rage, and the people imagine a vain thing? 2 the kings of the earth set themselves, and the rulers take counsel together, against the LORD, and against his anointed, saying, 3 Let us break their bands asunder, and cast away their cords from us.4 He that sitteth in the heavens shall laugh: the Lord shall have them in derision {mocked}.5 then shall he speak unto them in his wrath, and vex them in his sore displeasure. 6 Yet have I set my king upon my holy hill of Zion. 7 I will declare the decree: the LORD hath said unto me, thou art my Son; this day have I begotten thee. 8 Ask of me, and I shall give thee the heathen for thine inheritance, and the uttermost parts of the earth for thy possession. 9 thou shalt break them with a rod of iron thou shalt dash them in pieces like a potter's vessel {Re 2:27 And he shall rule them with a rod of iron; as the vessels of a potter shall they be broken to shivers: even as I received of my Father. … Re 19:15… and he shall rule them with a rod of iron:};. 10 Be wise now therefore, O ye kings: be instructed, ye judges of the earth.11 Serve the LORD with fear, and rejoice with trembling.12 Kiss the Son, lest he be angry, and ye perish from the way, when his wrath is kindled but a little. Blessed are all they that put their trust in him.
This psalm speaks of the time we are studying in Rev ch19, the raging and ungodliness of the heathen, the alliance together and defiance against Christ and how the Lord will laugh at their pitiful attempts. It also speaks of the coming of Christ, the battle of Armageddon, when Christ in his wrath judges and makes war with the armies of the Beast, dashes them into pieces, breaks them with a rod of iron, and sets up his kingdom. forin ch19 of Revelation the kings of the earth and its rulers are gathered in the valley of Megiddo for battle, a gathering we saw foreshadowed back in…Re 16:12 And the sixth angel poured out his vial upon the great river Euphrates; and the water thereof was dried up, that the way of the kings of the east might be prepared.13 And I saw three unclean spirits like frogs come out of the mouth of the dragon, and out of the mouth of the beast, and out of the mouth of the false prophet.14 forthey are the spirits of devils, working miracles, which go forth unto the kings of the earth and of the whole world, to gather them to the battle of that great day of God Almighty.15 Behold, I come as a thief. Blessed is he that watcheth, and keepeth his garments, lest he walk naked, and they see his shame.16 And he gathered them together into a place called in the Hebrew tongue Armageddon.
So now the pieces are all in place: the church has been called home to heaven, the bride is with the bridegroom, the Lamb has the little book in his possession, the 7 seals have been opened, the 7 trumpets have sounded, the 7 vials of God's wrath poured out, the marriage and the celebration supper of the Lamb have been concluded, and now the armies of heaven have assembled and begin to ride forth behind the Lamb that comes back to earth as a Lion. And upon earth, Israel is under siege by the armies of the beast and the false prophet, Israel is ready to be overtaken by such overwhelming force of the nations and kings of the earth. But suddenly the heavens open up, the sky and clouds peel back and Christ the King of Kings and Lord of Lords rides out upon a white horse to do battle with the antichrist and destroy the works of the devil once and for all. Mt 24:29 Immediately after the tribulation of those days shall the sun be darkened, and the moon shall not give her light, and the stars shall fall from heaven, and the powers of the heavens shall be shaken: 30 And then shall appear the sign of the Son of man in heaven: and then shall all the tribes of the earth mourn, and they shall see the Son of man coming in the clouds of heaven with power and great glory.'.

We find forms of the word thigh in: Genesis 24:2; Genesis 24:9; Genesis 32:25; Genesis 32:31; Genesis 32:32; Genesis 47:29; Exodus 28:42; Numbers 5:21; Numbers 5:22; Numbers 5:27; Judges 3:16; Judges 3:21; Judges 15:8; Psalms 45:3; Song 3:8; Song 7:1; Isaiah 47:2; Jeremiah 31:19; Ezekiel 21:12; Ezekiel 24:4; Daniel 2:32; Revelation 19:16. The American Tract Society Dictionary defines this word as: 'The mode of taking an oath, alluded to in Ge 24:2-9; 47:29-31, was significant of the swearer's obligation to obedience. Jacob's thigh was disabled by the Angel, to show the patriarch that his prevalence was through his faith and prayer, not through force, Ge 32:25-31. Smiting the thigh was a gesture of self-condemnation and grief, Jer 31:19; Eze 21:12. Warriors wore their swords upon the left thigh, unless left-handed in readiness for use, Jg 3:15-21; Ps 45:3; Song 3:8; so too they may have borne their names and titles, not only on their shields, but on their swords, or on the rove or mailed coat covering the thigh, Re 19:16. "Hip and thigh," Jg 15:8, seems to mean utterly and irrecoverably'.

The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge provides Bible references for this sentence as: 'on his vesture. Re 19:12-13 KING. Re 17:14; Ps 72:11; Pr 8:15-16; Da 2:47; Php 2:9-11; 1Ti 6:15 General references. exp: Jg 1:2; Job 12:18; Ac 3:20.'.

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C19-S19 (Verse 17-18) God invites the birds to eat all of the dead bodies.

First Step: Where the angel made his call from.

And I saw an angel standing in the sun;

Second Step: All of the birds are called.

and he cried with a loud voice,
saying to all the fowls that fly in the midst of heaven,
come and gather yourselves together unto the supper of the great God;.

Third Step: Why the birds were called.

That ye may eat the flesh of kings,
and the flesh of captains,
and the flesh of mighty men,
and the flesh of horses,
and of them that sit on them,
and the flesh of all men,
both free and bond,
both small and great.

Our sentence starts with the word And, which adds it to the prior sentence. Both sentences need to be considered together for contextual reasons. Our prior sentence told us the power and authority of our Lord Jesus Christ. This sentence is adding God's plan to clean up all of the dead bodies which will be generated by His conquest.

Isaiah 11:6 says: The wolf also shall dwell with the lamb, and the leopard shall lie down with the kid; and the calf and the young lion and the fatling together; and a little child shall lead them. Our Lord Jesus Christ will end animals preying on other animals. However, He will still need a way to clean up dead bodies and, according to our sentence, that will be the future job of birds.

Our sentence has three Steps. The First Step tells us that God used an angel for His messenger to all of the birds on Earth. Our Second Step tells us that all of the birds are called because there will be a lot of dead bodies to be cleaned up. Our third Step makes it clear that the position which someone had on this Earth will not matter. If they fought against our Lord Jesus Christ as part of Satan's armies, then they will die and be sent to Hell. In addition, Matthew 25:31-46 tells us about 'The Sheep and Goat Judgment'. As a result of that judgment, all people who were not part of Satan's army, but also did not help the truly saved during the great tribulation, will also die and be sent into Hell. Therefore, the birds will also have to eat their bodies.

Dr. Jeff Wilson writes about this sentence: 'Here John sees an angel, silhouetted by the sun (remember the heavens are opened, the darkness and clouds have been peeled back), and John hears this angel cry out, not to the men of the earth or to the kings and armies gathered in the valley, nor to the army coming from heaven, but this angel cries to the fowls of the air, the scavengers and predators of the sky. He bids these birds of prey to come from the far reaches of the earth and gather themselves here above the battlefield, to prepare themselves for a great feast is about to be served…
the feast of the great God. God is going to demonstrate his power over all the earth, over all the might gathered against Him, over the devil himself, for a great slaughter is about to ensue and the flesh of men to be offered up to the gathering flocks.
If you recall in heaven there was a great celebration of unity and life, a great feast of joy {the Marriage Supper}, but here upon earth there will be a great feast of sorrow and pain and death. Down thru time when man has went to battle, and his armies have gathered across the field from one another to make war, the skies above them were darkened with carrion eagerly awaiting to feast upon the fallen dead, such a gathering of men would attract these scavengers, and as these birds descended upon the dead bodies scattered across the battlefield, they would not care who they feasted upon, whether it be servant, slave, captain, or king, these birds of death paid no heed to titles or rank, they just wanted to satisfy their hunger and fill their bellies, and so here we have the largest gathering of fowl the earth has ever seen, scavengers from all over obey the command of this angel in the sun, they come hungry, starving, maddened and driven by a divine command, they come in the thousands, possibly millions, for remember much of their sustenance has been wiped out with all the plagues poured out upon the earth, so the chance to gorge their empty gullets can not be passed up. So they gather and their cries and caws echo over the valley of Megiddo as they wait to be served a feast from their God.
Alluding to this we read in Mt 24:28 forwheresoever the carcase is, there will the eagles be gathered together. As well as in Eze 39:17 And, thou son of man, thus saith the Lord GOD; Speak unto every feathered fowl, and to every beast of the field, Assemble yourselves, and come; gather yourselves on every side to my sacrifice that I do sacrifice for you, even a great sacrifice upon the mountains of Israel, that ye may eat flesh, and drink blood. 18 Ye shall eat the flesh of the mighty, and drink the blood of the princes of the earth, of rams, of lambs, and of goats, of bullocks, all of them fatlings of Bashan. 19 And ye shall eat fat till ye be full, and drink blood till ye be drunken, of my sacrifice which I have sacrificed for you. 20 thus ye shall be filled at my table with horses and chariots, with mighty men, and with all men of war, saith the Lord GOD. 21 And I will set my glory among the heathen, and all the heathen shall see my judgment that I have executed, and my hand that I have laid upon them. 22 So the house of Israel shall know that I am the LORD their God from that day and forward.
So these fowls of the air are bid to come to feast upon the upcoming slaughter…'.

Please see the notes for 1Corinthians C13S1; Significant Gospel Events; Significant New Testament Events about the word angel. The functional definition for this word is: 'Literally, a messenger; one employed to communicate news or information or do a job for God'. Please also see the note for Jude 1:7 about the word archangel.

The word stood is the past-tense form of the word stand. Please see the notes for Romans C14S5 and 1Corinthians C15S1 about the word stand. The functional definition for this word is: 'to be upon the feet, as an animal; not to sit, kneel or lie'. Please also see the note for Philippians 1:18 about the word notwithstanding. Please also see the note for 1Corinthians C14S2 about the word understand. Please also see the note for Galatians C5S1 about the phrase stand fast.

Please see the note for Matthew 5:45 about the word sun. Fausset's Bible Dictionary defines this word as: 'Ge 1:14 translated "let there be luminaries," literally, "light bearers". Genesis only tells what the sun, moon, and stars are in relation to the earth. When the mists were dispelled, and the seas confined within bounds, the heavenly bodies assumed their natural functions, marking days and nights, seasons and years, and God appoints the sun to rule the day and the moon the night. "Let them be for signs," as eclipses, portents of extraordinary events (Mt 2:2; Lu 21:25) and divine judgments (Joe 2:30; Jer 10:2; Mt 24:29), and indicating the four quarters of the heavens (Ps 50:1) and also the changes in the weather; "and for seasons, days, and years." the sun regulated the length of the Israelite year by the recurrence of Pentecost at a fixed agricultural season, namely, when the grain was ripe'. This word is used symbolically for: 'Our Lord Jesus Christ providing: wisdom, understanding, knowledge, guidance and related gifts which are regarded as being intellectual'.

The word cried is the past-tense form of the word cry. Please see the note for Mark 1:3 about the word cry. The functional definition for this word is: 'Loud notorious exclamation as a crying sin or warning'.

Please see the note for Mark 4:2 about the word fowl. The functional definition for this word is: 'birds'.

Please see the note for Luke 6:47-48 about the word flying. Webster's 1828 defines this word as: 'FLYING, ppr. 1. Moving in air by means of wings; passing rapidly; springing; bursting; avoiding. 2. a. Floating; waving; as flying colors. 3. a. Moving; light, and suited for prompt motion; as a flying camp. Flying colors, a phrase expressing triumph'.

Please see the note for John 20:19 about the word midst. Webster's 1828 defines this word as: 'The middle. there is nothing said or done in the midst of the play, which might not have been placed in the beginning. the phrase, in the midst, often signifies involved in, surrounded or overwhelmed by, or in the thickest part, or in the depths of; as in the midst of afflictions, troubles or cares; in the midst of our contemplations; in the midst of the battle; in the midst of pagan darkness and error; in the midst of Gospel light; in the midst of the ocean; in the midst of civil dissensions. From the midst, from the middle, or from among. Deut.18.
MIDST, adv. In the middle. On earth, join all ye creatures to extol Him first, Him last, Him midst, and without end'.

Please see the note for Philippians 2:9-11 about the word heaven. Easton's Bible Dictionary this word as: '(1.) Definitions. the phrase "heaven and earth" is used to indicate the whole universe (Ge 1:1; Jer 23:24; Ac 17:24). According to the Jewish notion there were three heavens, (a) the firmament, as "fowls of the heaven" (Ge 2:19; 7:3,23; Ps 8:8, etc.), "the eagles of heaven" (La 4:19), etc. (b) the starry heavens (De 17:3; Jer 8:2; Mt 24:29). (c) "The heaven of heavens," or "the third heaven" (De 10:14; 1Ki 8:27; Ps 115:16; 148:4; 2Co 12:2). (2.) Meaning of words in the original, (a) the usual Hebrew word for "heavens" is shamayim, a plural form meaning "heights," "elevations" (Ge 1:1; 2:1). (b) the Hebrew word marom is also used (Ps 68:18; 93:4; 102:19, etc.) as equivalent to shamayim, "high places," "heights." (c) Heb galgal, literally a "wheel," is rendered "heaven" in Ps 77:18 (R.V., "whirlwind"). (d) Heb shahak, rendered "sky" (De 33:26; Job 37:18; Ps 18:11), plural "clouds" (Job 35:5; 36:28; Ps 68:34, marg. "heavens"), means probably the firmament. (e) Heb rakia is closely connected with (d), and is rendered "firmamentum" in the Vulgate, whence our "firmament" (Ge 1:6; De 33:26, etc.), regarded as a solid expanse. (3.) Metaphorical meaning of term. Isa 14:13-14; "doors of heaven" (Ps 78:23); heaven "shut" (1Ki 8:35); "opened" (Eze 1:1). (See 1Ch 21:16.) (4.) Spiritual meaning. the place of the everlasting blessedness of the righteous; the abode of departed spirits. (a) Christ calls it his "Father's house" (Joh 14:2). (b) It is called "paradise" (Lu 23:43; 2Co 12:4; Re 2:7). (c) "The heavenly Jerusalem" (Ga 4:1; 6:18; Heb 12:22; Re 3:12). (d) the "kingdom of heaven" (Mt 25:1; Jas 2:5). (e) the "eternal kingdom" (2Pe 1:11). (f) the "eternal inheritance" (1Pe 1:4; Heb 9:15). (g) the "better country" (Heb 11:14,16). (h) the blessed are said to "sit down with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob," and to be "in Abraham's bosom" (Lu 16:22; Mt 8:11); to "reign with Christ" (2Ti 2:12). In heaven the blessedness of the righteous consists in the possession of "life everlasting," "an eternal weight of glory" (2Co 4:17), an exemption from all sufferings for ever, a deliverance from all evils (2Co 5:1-2) and from the society of the wicked (2Ti 4:18), bliss without termination, the "fulness of joy" for ever (Lu 20:36; 2Co 4:16,18; 1Pe 1:4; 5:10; 1Jo 3:2). the believer's heaven is not only a state of everlasting blessedness, but also a "place", a place "prepared" for them (Joh 14:2)'. Please also see the note for Matthew 3:2 about the phrase kingdom of Heaven. Please also see the note for Hebrews 12:2-LJC about the phrase treasure in Heaven. Please also see the Message called Laying up Treasure in Heaven. Please also see the note for Luke 3:21-22 about the phrase voice from heaven Please also see the note for Revelation 20:9 about the phrase fire from heaven. Please also see the note for 1Peter 1:2-LJC about the phrase things in Heaven. There are 57 references to this word just in this Bible book. Therefore, this note does not provide links to all of them.

Please see the note for 2Corinthians 8:13-15 about the word gather. The functional definition for this word is: ''Collected; assembled; contracted; plaited; drawn by inference'.

Please see the notes for Romans C14S2; 1Corinthians C11S37 and Hebrews 13:10 about the word eat. The functional definition for this word is: 'Besides the common use of this word, it is employed symbolically for to 'consume, destroy:' they "eat up my people as they eat bread." Ps 14:4; cf. Pr 30:14; Hab 3:14; 2Ti 2:17. Also for receiving, digesting, and delighting in God's words'.

Please see the notes for Romans C8S1; 2Corinthians C1S7; Galatians C6S8; Philippians 1:22 and Colossians C1S6 about the word flesh. The functional definition for this word is: ' A compound substance forming a large part of an animal, consisting of the softer solids, as distinguished from the bones and the fluids. Under the general appellation of flesh, we include the muscles, fat, glands etc., which invest the bones and are covered with the skin. It is sometimes restricted to the muscles. 2. Animal food, in distinction from vegetable'.

Please see the note for Luke 22:4 about the word captain. The functional definition for this word is: 'the man who goes with a military or police force and is in charge of them'.

Please see the note for 1Corinthians C7S16 about the word bond. Please also see the note for 2Peter 2:19 about the word bondage. The functional definition for both of these words is: 'Slavery or involuntary servitude; captivity; imprisonment; restraint of a person's liberty by compulsion'. In John 8:33 we are told that sin puts us into bondage. Please also note that our personal relationship with Christ can make us free.

Please see the note for 1Corinthians C7S29 about the word free. The functional definition for this word is: ' Being at liberty; not being under necessity or restraint, physical or moral; a word of general application to the body, the will or mind, and to corporations'.

The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge provides Bible references for this sentence as: 'an angel. Re 8:13; 14:6; Isa 34:1-8 saying. Re 19:21; Isa 56:9; Jer 12:9; Eze 39:17-20 General references. exp: Isa 18:6; 56:9; Jer 7:33; Eze 31:13; 32:4.
ye. De 28:26; 1Sa 17:44,46; Ps 110:5-6; Jer 7:33; 16:4; 19:7; 34:20; Eze 29:5; 39:18-20; Mt 24:28; Lu 17:37 of all. Re 6:15; 13:16 General references. exp: Isa 18:6; 40:23; 56:9; Jer 7:33; 51:21; Eze 31:13; 32:4; 39:20.'.

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C19-S20 (Verse 19) the armies led by Satan, and his two beasts, gather to fight our Lord Jesus Christ.

And I saw the beast,
and the kings of the earth,
and their armies,
gathered together to make war against him that sat on the horse,
and against his army.

Our sentence starts with the word And, which adds it to the prior sentence. Both sentences need to be considered together for contextual reasons. Our prior sentence told us how God had an angel gather all of the birds of the earth to eat all of the dead bodies which will be created when our Lord Jesus Christ conquers Satan, His beasts, and all of the armies of this Earth. This sentence adds the source of most of those dead bodies.

The context makes it clear that the beast, in this sentence, is the devil who possesses seven heads of government. He is the one who gets the governments of this world to send all of their armies to fight against our Lord Jesus Christ.

Notice that our last phrase says: and against his arm. They think they will fight against all of the saints who come with our Lord Jesus Christ. But they will only be witnesses as our Lord Jesus Christ defeat all devils and all armies all by Himself.

Dr. Jeff Wilson writes about this sentence: 'Here John sees the armies of man spread out across the valley of Megiddo, like a large table covered in all sorts of edible delicacies, among them is the beast and the false prophet, most likely speaking lies to the men in order to encourage them for the upcoming fight. Remarkably the earth’s kings and nations are in alignment and agreement here, but not surprisingly they are allied together against God, and now they see their target, the one upon the horse and the army that follows behind. You can imagine that the air is tense, nerves are on edge, soldiers making final preparations to engage, they believe this is going to be a long drawn out bloody fight, that they have a chance, that they can win, but little do they know they are staring death in the eye, for before the armies of the Beast even get a chance to pull a trigger or react to a command, their leader and second-in-command are surprisingly taken prisoner…'.

Please see the note for 2Corinthians 8:13-15 about the word gather. The functional definition for this word is: ''Collected; assembled; contracted; plaited; drawn by inference'.

The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge provides Bible references for this sentence as: 'I saw. Re 13:1-10; 14:9; 16:14,16; 17:12-14; 18:9; Eze 38:8-18; Da 7:21-26; 8:25; 11:40-45; Joe 3:9-14 him. Re 19:11-14 General references. exp: Job 12:19; Ps 18:37; Isa 40:23; Da 7:21'.

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C19-S21 (Verse 20) the armies of this world, including all of the devils, lose the war.

And the beast was taken,
and with him the false prophet that wrought miracles before him,
with which he deceived them that had received the mark of the beast,
and them that worshipped his image.

Our sentence starts with the word And, which adds it to the prior sentence. Both sentences need to be considered together for contextual reasons. The prior sentence told us about all of Satan's forces gathering to fight this war. This sentence adds that they lose. When men write about war they include all kinds of details. God has John report only this simple statement because that is all that we need to know. We don't need a bunch of details for lost and carnal people to use to cause confusion and arguments. In addition, when we compare this simple statement top what God does provide details on, we can see what God considers to be important and what is relatively unimportant.

The false prophet is Satan's second beast and is a literal physical man who is Judas Iscariot resurrected, or someone with the same character. This is who men wrongly call 'the Antichrist'.

Here we see that no one who comes to fight against our Lord Jesus Christ escapes. And, while the armies of this world are sent to Hell, our next sentence tells us that both of Satan's beasts are cast alive into a lake of fire burning with brimstone. Satan's first beast is a devil and his second beast is a literal physical man, but they both end up where Satan will, eventually, be cast.

Our sentence tells us that Satan's second beast wrought miracles before Satan's first beast, using the power of Satan's first beast. However, no matter how much power they displayed, it was not enough to challenge out Lord Jesus Christ.

Dr. Jeff Wilson writes about this sentence: 'Notice these two, the most powerful, the miracle workers, the Satan empowered, are taken captive, taken alive, and are immediately cast into the lake of fire, their judgment already decided. they are immediately condemned. Now in the Old Testament we read of two who did not die but were taken to heaven, Enoch and Elijah, and here these two do not die but are cast alive into hell. they are the first of many to be thrown into such a horrible devastating place, a place where torment never ends, where time stands still, and eternal judgment is forever endured. Re 20:10 And the devil that deceived them was cast into the lake of fire and brimstone, where the beast and the false prophet are, and shall be tormented day and night for ever and ever. the beast and false prophet will suffer the vengeance of eternal fire, they are not annihilated nor is there a chance for pardon, their fate is forever set, to perpetually drown in flameans fury. these adversaries of the Lamb struck no blow, gave no command, hurt not one soul from the army of heaven, but immediately with the coming of Christ two thirds of the satanic trinity are defeated, taken and cast out. Following this, as the armies of the earth look on in fear and confusion, the Lord Jesus speaks a word, a phrase, and that remnant is consumed with the brightness of his coming and the sword of his mouth, and the buzzards begin their feast.'.

Please see the note for Acts 7:42 about the word beast. The The functional definition for this word is: 'Any animal that is not man. Sometimes it means quadrupeds, and not creeping things'.

Please see the notes for 1Corinthians C12S28; Matthew 14:16-LJC and Luke 4:41-LJC about the word miracle. The functional definition for this word is: 'A miracle is when something happens, in this physical reality, which is outside of the laws of nature.'. Please also see the Study called: Miracles in Gospels miracles in OT. Please also see the the Miracles section of the Significant Events in the New Testament.

Please see the notes for Romans C7S15 and 1Corinthians C3S18 about the word deceived. Webster's 1828 dictionary defines deceived as 'pp. Misled; led into error; beguiled; cheated; deluded.'. Please also see the note for Galatians C6S3 about the phrase deceiveth himself.

Please see the notes for Romans C14S1; 1Corinthians C15S1; Colossians C2-S4 about the word receive. Webster's 1828 dictionary defines this word as: 'v.t. L. recipio; re and capio, to take. 1. to take, as a thing offered or sent; to accept. He had the offer of a donation, but he would not receive it. 2. to take as due or as a reward. He received the money on the day it was payable. He received ample compensation. 3. to take or obtain from another in any manner, and either good or evil. Shall we receive good at the hand of God, and shall we not receive evil? Job 2. 4. to take, as a thing communicated; as, to receive a wound by a shot; to receive a disease by contagion. the idea of a solidity we receive by our touch. 5. to take or obtain intellectually; as, to receive an opinion or notion from others. 6. to embrace. Receive with meekness the engrafted word. James 1. 7. to allow; to hold; to retain; as a custom long received. 8. to admit. thou shalt guide me with thy counsel, and afterward receive me to glory. Ps. 73. 9. to welcome; to lodge and entertain; as a guest. they kindled a fire and received us every one, because of the present rain and because of the cold. Acts 28. 10. to admit into membership or fellowship. Him that is weak in the faith, receive ye. Rom. 14. 11. to take in or on; to hold; to contain. the brazen altar was too little to receive the burnt-offering. 1Kings 8. 12. to be endowed with. Ye shall receive power after that the Holy Spirit has come upon you. Acts 1. 13. to take into a place or state. After the Lord had spoken to them, he was received up into heaven. Mark 16. 14. to take or have as something ascribed; as, to receive praise or blame. Rev. 4. Rev. 5. 15. to bear with or suffer. 2Cor. 11. 16. to believe in. John 1. 17. to accept or admit officially or in an official character. the minister was received by the emperor or court. 18. to take stolen goods from a thief, knowing them to be stolen'. In addition, please see the note for Matthew 10:41, which explains that in order to truly receive a person, we must receive their character as our own.

Please see the note for Revelation 13:16-17 about the word mark (sign). Webster's 1828 defines this word as: 'n. L. mercor, the primary sense of which is to go, to pass; Gr. to pass; Eng. fair, and fare. 1. A visible line made by drawing one substance on another; as a mark made by chalk or charcoal, or a pen. 2. A line, groove or depression made by stamping or cutting; an incision; a channel or impression; as the mark of a chisel, of a stamp, of a rod or whip; the mark of the finger or foot. 3. Any note or sign of distinction. The Lord set a mark upon Cain. Gen.4. 4. Any visible effect of force or agency. There are scarce any marks left of a subterraneous fire. 5. Any apparent or intelligible effect; proof, evidence. The confusion of tongues was a mark of separation. 6. Notice taken. The laws Stand like the forfeits in a barber's shop, As much for mock as mark. 7. anything to which a missile weapon may be directed. France was a fairer mark to shoot at than Ireland. 8. Any object used as a guide, or to which the mind may be directed. the dome of the State house in Boston is a good mark for seamen. 9. anything visible by which knowledge of something may be obtained; indication; as the marks of age in a horse. Civility is a mark of politeness or respect. Levity is a mark of weakness. 10. A character made by a person who cannot write his name, and intended as a substitute for it. 11. A weight of certain commodities, but particularly of gold and silver, used in several states of Europe; in Great Britain, a money of account, equal to thirteen shillings and four pence. In some countries, it is a coin. 12. A license of reprisals. See Marque.
M`ARK, v.t. 1. to draw or make a visible line or character with any substance; as, to mark with chalk or with compasses. 2. to stamp; to impress; to make a visible impression, figure or indenture; as, to mark a sheep with a brand. 3. to make an incision; to lop off a part; to make any sign of distinction; as, to mark sheep or cattle by cuts in their ears. 4. to form a name or the initials of a name for distinction; as, to mark cloth; to mark a handkerchief. 5. to notice; to take particular observation of. Mark them who cause divisions and offenses. Rom.16. Mark the perfect man, and behold the upright, for the end of that man is peace. Ps.37. 6. to heed; to regard. Tomark out, to notify, as by a mark; to point out; to designate. the ringleaders were marked out for seizure and punishment.
M`ARK, v.i. to note; to observe critically; to take particular notice; to remark.
Mark, I pray you, and see how this man seeketh mischief. l Kings 20'. The functional definition for this word is: 'the physical indication that this person has committed their eternity to the service of the Devil and his beasts'.

Please see the note for 2Corinthians 4:3-4 about the word image. The functional definition for this word is: 'A representation or similitude of any person or thing, formed of a material substance; as an image wrought out of stone, wood or wax'.

The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge provides Bible references for this sentence as: 'the beast. Re 19:19; 13:1-8,18; 17:3-8,12; Da 2:40-45; 7:7,12-14,19-21,23 exp: Re 11:7. The false. Re 13:11-17; 16:13-14; 20:10; 22:15; Da 7:8-11,24-26; 8:24,26; 2Th 2:8-11 General references. exp: Jos 8:23; Job 12:19; Ps 18:37; 48:4; Isa 34:9; 40:23; Mic 5:12; Mt 24:11.'.

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C19-S22 (Verse 20) What happens to Satan's two beasts.
These both were cast alive into a lake of fire burning with brimstone

The important thing to realize, in this sentence, is that they went there alive. The men in the armies are sent to Hell. At the great white throne judgment, (20:14), everyone in Hell will be given their new bodies before they also are cast into the lake of fire.

The phrase lake of fire can be found in: 19:20; 20:10; 20:14; 20:15; 21:8. People preach about 'eternal Hell', but it is not eternal. Hell is in the center of the Earth and is destroyed when God creates a new heaven and new earth. But before that, everyone is removed from Hell and cast into the lake of fire. Everyone in it will be tormented for evermore because they have their eternal bodies which can burn but can not burn up. Everyone who is there is so because they rejected our Lord Jesus Christ as their personal Lord.

Dr. Jeff Wilson wrote about this sentence in the note for the prior sentence.

Please see the note for Luke 1:29 about the word cast. The The functional definition for this word is: 'In general "to throw," with various degrees of violence; usually, with force, but not so necessarily, as e.g. in cast a net," cast lots'. Please also see the note for Romans C11S19 about the phrase cast away. Please also see the note for 2Corinthians 4:8-10 about the phrase cast down. Please also see the note for Mark 9:28 about the phrase cast out. Please also see the note for Romans C11S1 about the phrase God will not cast away his people.

Please see the notes for 2Corinthians 2:15; Philippians 1:19-20; Life in 1John about the word life. The functional definition is: 'Life is that by which a created being enjoys the place in which the Creator has set it'. Please also see the note for Life in 1John about the phrase eternal life. Please also see the notes for Hebrews 1:8-LJC; Philippians 1:27-LJC about the phrase life everlasting. Please note that eternal life is different from everlasting life in that while eternal life is 'Without beginning or end of existence', everlasting life 'has a beginning but is without end of existence'. Please see the note for John 5:24 about the phrase everlasting life. Please also see the note for Life in 1John about the phrase eternal life. Please also see the note for Romans C10S15 about the phrase belief changes life. Please also see the note for 1Corinthians C6S16 about the phrase kingdom of God rejected by lifestyle sins. Please also see the note for Matthew 9:10 about the word sinners. Please also see the notes for Romans C14S11; Galatians C2-S14 and Philippians 1:21 about the word live. The word livest means everlasting or eternal life. Please also see the note for Colossians C3S4 about the phrase Christ lives through us. Please also see the note for Ephesians C1S2 about the phrase just shall live by faith. Please also see the note for Romans C11S6 about the phrase just shall live by his faith. Please also see the note for Romans C9S28 about the phrase live / walk by faith.

Please see the note for Luke 5:1 about the word lake. Webster's 1828 defines this word as: 'A large and extensive collection of water contained in a cavity or hollow of the earth. It differs from a pond in size, the latter being a collection of small extent; but sometimes a collection of water is called a pond or a lake indifferently. North America contains some of the largest lakes on the globe, particularly the lakes Ontario, Erie, Huron, Michigan and Superior'.

Please see the note for Luke 24:32 about the word burn. Webster's 1828 defines this word as: 'The primary sense is, to rage, to act with violent excitement. 1. to consume with fire; to reduce to ashes by the action of heat or fire; frequently with up; as, to burn up wood. 2. to expel the volatile parts and reduce to charcoal by fire; as, to burn wood into coal. Hence, in popular language, to burn a kiln of wood, is to char the wood. 3. to cleanse of soot by burning; to inflame; as, to burn a chimney; an extensive use of the word. 4. to harden in the fire; to bake or harden by heat; as, to burn bricks or a brick kiln. 5. to scorch; to affect by heat; as, to burn the clothes or the legs by the fire; to burn meat or bread in cookery. 6. to injure by fire; to affect the flesh by heat. 7. to dry up or dissipate; with up; as, to burn up tears. 8. to dry excessively; to cause to wither by heat; as, the sun burns the grass or plants. 9. to heat or inflame; to affect with excessive stimulus; as, ardent spirits burn the stomach. 10. to affect with heat in cookery, so as to give the food a disagreeable taste. Hence the phrase burnt to. 11. to calcine with heat or fire; to expel the volatile matter from substances, so that they are easily pulverized; as, to burn oyster shells, or lime-stone. 12. to affect with excess of heat; as, the fever burns a patient. 13. to subject to the action of fire; to heat or dry; as, to burn colors. to burn up, to consume entirely by fire. to burn out, to burn till the fuel is all consumed.
BURN, v.i. to be on fire; to flame; as, the mount burned with fire. 1. to shine; to sparkle. O prince! O wherefore burn your eyes? 2. to be inflamed with passion or desire; as, to burn with anger or love. 3. to act with destructive violence, as fire. Shall thy wrath burn like fire? 4. to be in commotion; to rage with destructive violence. the groan still deepens and the combat burns. 5. to be heated; to be in a glow; as, the face burns. 6. to be affected with a sensation of heat, pain or acidity; as, the heart burns. 7. to feel excess of heat; as, the flesh burns by a fire; a patient burns with a fever. to burn out, to burn till the fuel is exhausted and the fire ceases.
BURN, n. A hurt or injury of the flesh caused by the action of fire. 1. the operation of burning or baking, as in brickmaking; as, they have a good burn'.

Please see the note for Luke 17:28-29 about the word brimstone. Easton's Bible Dictionary defines this word as: 'an inflammable mineral substance found in quantities on the shores of the Dead Sea. the cities of the plain were destroyed by a rain of fire and brimstone (Ge 19:24-25). In Isa 34:9 allusion is made to the destruction of these cities. this word figuratively denotes destruction or punishment (Job 18:15; Isa 30:33; 34:9; Ps 11:6; Eze 38:22). It is used to express the idea of excruciating torment in Re 14:10; 19:20; 20:10'.

Please see the note for 1Peter 2:4-5 about the word stone. The functional definition for this word is: 'he same composition as a rock or a pebble but with a size between them'. Please also see the note for Luke 17:28-29 about the word brimstone. Please also see the note for Ephesians 2:20 about the phrase corner stone. Please also see the note for Luke 17:2 about the word millstone. Please also see the note for 1Corinthians C3S13 about the phrase precious stones. Please see the Minor Titles of the Son of God in the Significant Gospel Events Study for the title of stone.

Please see the note for 1Peter 1:7 about the word precious. Webster's 1828 dictionary defines this word as: 'Of great price; costly; as a precious stone. 2. Of great value or worth; very valuable. She is more precious than rubies. Prov.3. 3. Highly valued; much esteemed. the word of the Lord was precious in those days; there was no open vision. 1 Sam.3. 4. Worthless; in irony and contempt. Precious metals, gold and silver, so called on account of their value'.

The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge provides Bible references for this sentence as: 'These. Re 20:10,14; Da 7:11; 11:45 burning. Re 14:10; 21:8; Ge 19:24; De 29:23; Job 18:15; Ps 11:6; Isa 30:33; 34:9; Eze 38:22 General references. exp: Jos 8:23; Job 12:19; Ps 18:37; 48:4; Isa 34:9; 40:23; Mic 5:12; Mt 24:11.'.

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C19-S23 (Verse 21) What happens to the armies of this world.

Equivalent Section: Everyone in all of the armies of this world die.

And the remnant were slain with the sword of him that sat upon the horse,
which sword proceeded out of his mouth:

Equivalent Section: the birds eat the dead bodies.

and all the fowls were filled with their flesh.

Our sentence starts with the word And, which adds it to the prior sentence. Both sentences need to be considered together for contextual reasons. The prior sentence told us what happenes to Satan's two beasts. This sentence adds what happens to the rest of satan's armies.

Our sentence has two Equivalent Sections and the titles in the sentence outline, above, clearly say what each Equivalent Section tells us. In our First Equivalent Section, we read that our Lord Jesus Christ uses the sword of him that sat upon the horse to slay all of the armies of this world. Ephesians 6:17 says: And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. Thus, our Lord Jesus Christ only has to speak the word of God in order to conquer. He does not have to get down and lop off heads with His sword. Remenber that he created everything with His word. Therefore, His word is also sufficient to slay armies.

Dr. Jeff Wilson writes about this sentence: 'With a word the Lord Jesus has instant victory, just a word. A word from God has absolute power. God spoke creation into existence. When Jesus as God in the flesh spoke to the fig tree it withered, when he spoke to the wind and the storm, both fell silent, when he spoke to the legion of demons they obeyed his command and fled from his presence. And now Jesus demonstrates once more his equality with God, his position in the godhead, his place in the trinity, for with one word the ultimate war is over before it began. the armies of the antichrist fall where they stand and all that Satan has strived for collapses, his pl and lay in ruins, his schemes have come to naught. forSatan can not overcome God, he tried once, failed miserably, and was cast out of heaven with those who followed him, and now he has tried the same thing upon the earth and has failed yet again, so he and his earthly followers will now be dealt with in similar fashion as before, they once again will be cast down, cast out, to a lower existence. And so the Great Tribulation comes to an end. Something we can take from these verses is that if we notice that the word “flesh” appears multiple (5) times here, flesh is very present, flesh has amassed in power, flesh stands against God, but no matter how much flesh is brought to bear in defiance, it still fails because the flesh has no power, not even the flesh of kings, captains or mighty men, not the flesh of horses or those that ride upon them, not the flesh of all men. forthe flesh is carnal, is weak, is sinful, fallen, and defeated.
Ro 7:18 forI know that in me (that is, in my flesh,) dwelleth no good thing:
Ro 8:8 So then they that are in the flesh cannot please God.
Ro 8:13 forif ye live after the flesh, ye shall die:
And since that is the condition of all flesh, all mankind, how could it ever assume that it could stand before its creator in defiance? Isa 45:9 Woe unto him that striveth with his Maker! So we must learn not to depend upon flesh, trust in the flesh, or work in the flesh, but instead we are to look to the one that overcomes all flesh, the one that gives life to that flesh.'.

Please see the note for Romans C11S9 about the word remnant. Webster's 1828 defines this word as: 'n. contracted from remnant. See Remain. 1. Residue; that which is left after the separation, removal or destruction of a part. the remnant that are left of the captivity. Neh. 1. 2. that which remains after a part is done, performed, told or passed. the remnant of my tale is of a length to tire your patience. Where I may think the remnant of my thoughts. REM'NANT, a. Remaining; yet left. And quiet dedicate her remnant life to the just duties of a humble wife. Little used'.

Please see the note for Luke 9:22 about the word slain. The functional definition for this word is: 'pp. of slay; so written for slayen. Killed'. Please also see the note for Luke 11:49-51 about the word slay.

Please see the note for John 15:26-7 about the word proceed. Webster's 1828 defines this word as: 'to move, pass or go forward from one place to another; applied to persons or things. A man proceeds on his journey; a ship proceeds on her voyage. this word thus used implies that the motion, journey or voyage had been previously commenced, and to proceed is then to renew or continue the motion or progress. 2. to pass from one point, stage or topic to another. the preacher proceeds from one division of his subject, and the advocate from one argument, to another. 3. to issue or come as from a course or fountain. Light proceeds from the sun; vice proceeds from a depraved heart; virtuous affections proceed from God. 4. to come from a person or place. Christ says, "I proceeded forth and came from God." John 8. 5. to prosecute any design. He that proceeds on other principles in his inquiry into any sciences, posts himself in a party. 6. to be transacted or carried on. He will, after his sour fashion, tell you, What hath proceeded worthy note to-day. Not now in use. 7. to make progress; to advance. 8. to begin and carry on a series of actions or measures. the attorney was at a loss in what manner to proceed against the offender. in this sense, the word is often followed by against. 9. to transact; to act; to carry on methodically. From them I will not hide My judgments, how with mankind I proceed. 10. to have a course. this rule only proceeds and takes place, when a person cannot of common law condemn another by his sentence. 11. to issue; to be produced or propagated. From my loins thou shalt proceed. 12. to be produced by an effectual cause. All created things proceed from God.'. the functional definition for this word is: 'This word incorporates a series of sets which move us from one place to another'.

Please see the note for Mark 4:2 about the word fowl. The functional definition for this word is: 'birds'.

The word fill means 'made full'. Please see the note for Philippians 4:18 about the word full. Please also see the note for Colossians 2:9 about the word fullness. The functional definition for this word is: 'Replete; having within its limits all that it can contain'. Please also see the notes for Romans C15S11 and Galatians C5-S15 about the word fulfill.

The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge provides Bible references for this sentence as: 'the remnant. Re 19:11-15; 1:16 and all. Re 19:17-18; 17:16 General references. exp: Job 12:19.'.

Home Overview of Revelation Chapter Summary Start of Chapter

Revelation Chapter 20

links to sentences in this chapter:

C20-S1 (Verse 1), C20-S2 (Verse 2-3), C20-S3 (Verse 4), C20-S4 (Verse 5), C20-S5 (Verse 5), C20-S6 (Verse 6), C20-S7 (Verse 7-8), C20-S8 (Verse 9), C20-S9 (Verse 10), C20-S10 (Verse 11), C20-S11 (Verse 12), C20-S12 (Verse 13), C20-S13 (Verse 14), C20-S14 (Verse 14), C20-S15 (Verse 15)'.

Chapter Summary: the 1,000 years reign of Christ.

C20-S1 : What John sees after our Lord Jesus Christ defeat all of the devils and armies of Satan.
C20-S2 : the length of time for this imprisonment of Satan.
C20-S3 : Some people returning with Lord Jesus Christ will be made judges and some will have positions in His government.
C20-S4 : the exception to the prior sentence.
C20-S5 : this is the first resurrection.
C20-S6 : Why we want to be part of the first resurrection.
C20-S7 : Satan's last rebellion.
C20-S8 : How the rebels attacked our Lord Jesus Christ and His saints.
C20-S9 : the final judgment of Satan His beasts.
C20-S10 : the final judgment all lost.
C20-S11 : Who is judged and how.
C20-S12 : the dead were resurrected to face judgment.
C20-S13 : And death and hell were cast into the lake of fire.
C20-S14 : this is the second death.
C20-S15 : And whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire.

Our chapter starts with Satan being locked up for the 1,000 years reign of Christ. It ends with the great white throne judgment where everyone in Hell is judged according to the Heavenly legal record of their suns and according to the word of God. As a result of that judgment, everyone is removed from Hell and cast into the lake of fire. In addition, there is a second legal basis for casting them into the lake of fire. We read that: And whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire. They not only violated God's law by sinning but they also refused God's plan of salvation because their name was not written in the book of life.

Between the beginning and the end of our chapter, we read what little John writes about the 1,000 years reign of Christ. There is more written in other places of the word of God, so the reader needs to reference those other places in order to learn more about this time. For example, Matthew 25:31-46 tells us about 'The Sheep and Goat Judgment' where those people who helped God's people, during the great tribulation, and who did not take the mark of the beast, nor worshipped Satan's beast, were allowed to go into the 1,000 years reign of Christ in their literal physical bodies. They will have children which need to be tested by God at the end of Christ's reign.

In addition to those people, John also writes about the four and twenty elders becoming judges, for the reign of Christ. He also writes that the tribulation martyrs will be part of the government of Christ. And, elsewhere, we are also told that the saved people within the church, who proved to be chosen and faithful, will also be part of the government of Christ. Our chapter also tells us that anyone who is part of the government of Christ, is also Blessed and holy. All honest people have to admit that there are people who claim to be saved but who are definitely not holy. All of these people hath part in the first resurrection and are assured of their everlasting salvation. Other saved people are not resurrected until the 1,000 years reign of Christ is ended. They also are not allowed to return, to Earth, with Christ for His reign.

Dr. Jeff Wilson writes about this chapter: 'With the end of Rev ch19 the Day of the Lord and the Great Tribulation have drawn to a close. From ch6 all the way thru ch19 we have taken a quick look at the events that will transpire during that time, some wonderful and some terrifying, but it all ends as the heavens opened up and the second coming of Jesus tok place, the armies of Satan were defeated where they stood and the dragon’s top two lieutenants, the beast and the false prophet, were taken captive, taken alive and cast into the lake of fire. And beginning in ch20 we find out what happens to the third portion of the satanic trinity, the dragon, Satan himself and thus begins the millennial reign of Christ. The Apostle John has just witnessed the antichrist and the false prophet being taken at their pinnacle of power and cast into eternal torment, John has seen the armies of the earth slain and turned into bird food, and now we see God dealing with Satan. But Satan is neither killed nor cast into eternal torment, at least not yet, for God still has use of him before it’s all over.'.

C20-S1 (Verse 1) What John sees after our Lord Jesus Christ defeats all of the devils and armies of Satan.

And I saw an angel come down from heaven,
having the key of the bottomless pit and a great chain in his hand.

Our sentence starts with the word And, which adds it to the prior sentence. Both sentences need to be considered together for contextual reasons. Our sentence adds this chapter to the prior chapter. In the prior chapter we saw our Lord Jesus Christ conquer all devils and armies of Satan and send them to Hell or the lake of firs. Now, this sentence is telling us what happens to Satan at the start of the 1,000 years reign of Christ. The rest of our chapter tells us about the 1,000 years reign of Christ. So, this chapter is added to the prior chapter where we were told about our Lord Jesus Christ conquering this world before setting up His kingdom.

In his note, below, Dr. Jeff Wilson speculates about the identity of this particular angel. And, his speculations have merit but can not be said to be a conclusive doctrine of the Bible. We are given the name of Michael, but of no other angel. The Roman Catholic Church claims to name others, but God does not provide any other names for His angels, even though he gives them names just like He names men and stars. Therefore, while we can speculate about these things, God does not provide enough for us to 'take a doctrinal stand' because God does not want us arguing about these things. There is enough in the word of God that He does want us to pay attention to, but that too many of God's people ignore.

With the above written, please understand that this is not a criticism of Dr. Jeff Wilson. He, obviously, put some serious thought and study into this matter. But he also makes it clear that he is speculating and i only warn people to not take his speculation beyond where he goes with it.

Dr. Jeff Wilson writes about this sentence: 'Here John sees an unnamed angel descend from heaven, most likely this is the same angel we saw all the way in back in ch9 during the 5th trumpet judgment, Re 9:1 And the fifth angel sounded, and I saw a star fall from heaven unto the earth: and to him was given the key of the bottomless pit. 2 And he opened the bottomless pit; and there arose a smoke out of the pit, as the smoke of a great furnace; and the sun and the air were darkened by reason of the smoke of the pit. 3 And there came out of the smoke locusts upon the earth: and unto them was given power, as the scorpions of the earth have power… Re 9:11 And they had a king over them, which is the angel of the bottomless pit, whose name in the Hebrew tongue is Abaddon, but in the Greek tongue hath his name Apollyon.
That star that fell from heaven was an angel who has the key to the bottomless pit, just like we see here in ch20. this angel must be very mighty, for he is the jailor of powerful demonic forces, he keeps them bound, locked away, in the abyss or bottomless pit, for it is from this place that the demonic locusts issued forth, and it is from here that the demonic force that possesses the one who is the antichrist comes from… as we see in the portion of scripture that deals with the antichrist and the two witnesses Re 11:7 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. As well as is in Re 17:8 the beast that thou sawest was, and is not; and shall ascend out of the bottomless pit, and go into perdition: and they that dwell on the earth shall wonder, whose names were not written in the book of life from the foundation of the world, when they behold the beast that was, and is not, and yet is. As we see, dark and powerful things are kept hidden and locked away in the pit. the bottomless pit is a special place for super powerful fallen angels to be imprisoned, as some angels were bound or chained there when they were cast out of heaven. 2Pe 2:4 forif God spared not the angels that sinned, but cast them down to hell, and delivered them into chains of darkness, to be reserved unto judgment;
Jude 1:6 And the angels which kept not their first estate, but left their own habitation, he hath reserved in everlasting chains under darkness unto the judgment of the great day.
When Jesus confronted the demons of Legion, those demons begged to not be sent to this pit... Lu 8:31 And they besought him that he would not command them to go out into the deep. the pit is a reference to a specific, inescapable portion or area of hell (not the lake of fire). the Greek word used for such a place is Tartarus, and describes the deepest, darkest abyss of hell. the actual meaning of the word “bottomless pit” is abyss and is defined as depthless. And it is in this bottomless pit that the angel of ch20:1 casts the Devil into. So Satan is cast into the lowest of the low, the darkest of the dark, and is in a sense the furthest away from God as he can get for now.'.

Please see the note for Philippians 2:9-11 about the word heaven. Easton's Bible Dictionary this word as: '(1.) Definitions. the phrase "heaven and earth" is used to indicate the whole universe (Ge 1:1; Jer 23:24; Ac 17:24). According to the Jewish notion there were three heavens, (a) the firmament, as "fowls of the heaven" (Ge 2:19; 7:3,23; Ps 8:8, etc.), "the eagles of heaven" (La 4:19), etc. (b) the starry heavens (De 17:3; Jer 8:2; Mt 24:29). (c) "The heaven of heavens," or "the third heaven" (De 10:14; 1Ki 8:27; Ps 115:16; 148:4; 2Co 12:2). (2.) Meaning of words in the original, (a) the usual Hebrew word for "heavens" is shamayim, a plural form meaning "heights," "elevations" (Ge 1:1; 2:1). (b) the Hebrew word marom is also used (Ps 68:18; 93:4; 102:19, etc.) as equivalent to shamayim, "high places," "heights." (c) Heb galgal, literally a "wheel," is rendered "heaven" in Ps 77:18 (R.V., "whirlwind"). (d) Heb shahak, rendered "sky" (De 33:26; Job 37:18; Ps 18:11), plural "clouds" (Job 35:5; 36:28; Ps 68:34, marg. "heavens"), means probably the firmament. (e) Heb rakia is closely connected with (d), and is rendered "firmamentum" in the Vulgate, whence our "firmament" (Ge 1:6; De 33:26, etc.), regarded as a solid expanse. (3.) Metaphorical meaning of term. Isa 14:13-14; "doors of heaven" (Ps 78:23); heaven "shut" (1Ki 8:35); "opened" (Eze 1:1). (See 1Ch 21:16.) (4.) Spiritual meaning. the place of the everlasting blessedness of the righteous; the abode of departed spirits. (a) Christ calls it his "Father's house" (Joh 14:2). (b) It is called "paradise" (Lu 23:43; 2Co 12:4; Re 2:7). (c) "The heavenly Jerusalem" (Ga 4:1; 6:18; Heb 12:22; Re 3:12). (d) the "kingdom of heaven" (Mt 25:1; Jas 2:5). (e) the "eternal kingdom" (2Pe 1:11). (f) the "eternal inheritance" (1Pe 1:4; Heb 9:15). (g) the "better country" (Heb 11:14,16). (h) the blessed are said to "sit down with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob," and to be "in Abraham's bosom" (Lu 16:22; Mt 8:11); to "reign with Christ" (2Ti 2:12). In heaven the blessedness of the righteous consists in the possession of "life everlasting," "an eternal weight of glory" (2Co 4:17), an exemption from all sufferings for ever, a deliverance from all evils (2Co 5:1-2) and from the society of the wicked (2Ti 4:18), bliss without termination, the "fullness of joy" for ever (Lu 20:36; 2Co 4:16,18; 1Pe 1:4; 5:10; 1Jo 3:2). the believer's heaven is not only a state of everlasting blessedness, but also a "place", a place "prepared" for them (Joh 14:2)'. Please also see the note for Matthew 3:2 about the phrase kingdom of Heaven. Please also see the note for Hebrews 12:2-LJC about the phrase treasure in Heaven. Please also see the Message called Laying up Treasure in Heaven. Please also see the note for Luke 3:21-22 about the phrase voice from heaven Please also see the note for Revelation 20:9 about the phrase fire from heaven. Please also see the note for 1Peter 1:2-LJC about the phrase things in Heaven. There are 57 references to this word just in this Bible book. Therefore, this note does not provide links to all of them.

Please see the note for Matthew 16:19 about the word key. Easton's Bible Dictionary defines this word as: 'frequently mentioned in Scripture. It is called in Hebrew maphteah, i.e., the opener (Jg 3:25); and in the Greek New Testament kleis, from its use in shutting (Mt 16:19; Lu 11:52; Re 1:18, etc.). Figures of ancient Egyptian keys are frequently found on the monuments, also of Assyrian locks and keys of wood, and of a large size (comp. Isa 22:22).
The word is used figuratively of power or authority or office (Isa 22:22; Re 3:7; 1:8; comp. Re 9:1; 20:1; comp. also Mt 16:19; 18:18). the "key of knowledge" (Lu 11:52; comp. Mt 23:13) is the means of attaining the knowledge regarding the kingdom of God. the "power of the keys" is a phrase in general use to denote the extent of ecclesiastical authority'.

Please see the note for Revelation 9:1 about the word bottomless. Webster's 1828 defines this word as: 'a, Without a bottom; applied to water, caverns etc., it signified fathomless, whose bottom cannot be found by sounding; as a bottomless abyss or ocean.'. The Morrish Bible Dictionary defines this word as: 'lit. 'without a bottom,' an abyss. From the passages in the Revelation we learn that the abyss is where the Satanic powers are shut up, not where they will be punished, which is in the lake of fire. the demons cast out by the Lord in Lu 8:31 besought Him that He would not send them into the abyss. In Ro 10:7 it is put in contrast to the heavens. In Re 9:1-11, to a star fallen from heaven the key of the abyss is given, and on its being opened great moral darkness rises, out of which destructive agents proceed: Abaddon (Apollyon) 'the destroyer' is their king. the future Roman empire is represented as a beast rising out of (receiving in its last head power from) the abyss. Re 11:7; 17:8. Satan will be confined in the abyss during the thousand years of the millennium. Re 20:1,3. (The above are all the passages where the Greek word occurs.)'. We have a problem with this definition. Revelation 9:2 says: the sun and the air were darkened by reason of the smoke of the pit. If this word represents the lake of fire, and not Hell, then how does it affect the air on Earth? However, since Hell is a globe, it can not be said to have a bottom.

Please see the note for Luke 14:4-5 about the word pit. The Morrish Bible Dictionary defines this word as: 'There are several Hebrew words translated 'pit.' the principle are: 1. sheol, 'the grave, hades, hell.' Nu 16:30,33; Job 17:16. 2. shachath, 'a pit, a pitfall to entrap animals,' place of doom and corruption. Job 33:18,24,28,30; Ps 9:15; 30:9; 35:7; Eze 28:8; etc. 3. bor, beer, 'pit or well dug for water,' but which could be used for a dungeon. Ge 37:20-29; Ps 28:1; 40:2; 88:4,6; Eze 26:20; Zec 9:11; etc'.

Please see the note for Mark 5:2-4 about the word chain. The functional definition for this word is: 'Chains were also used as fetters wherewith prisoners were bound (Jg 16:21; 2Sa 3:34; 2Ki 25:7; Jer 39:7). Paul was in this manner bound to a Roman soldier (Ac 28:20; Eph 6:20; 2Ti 1:16). Sometimes, for the sake of greater security, the prisoner was attached by two chains to two soldiers, as in the case of Peter (Ac 12:6)'.

The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge provides Bible references for this sentence as: 'I saw. Re 10:1; 18:1 having. Re 1:18; 9:1-2; Lu 8:31 a great. 2Pe 2:4; Jude 1:6 General references. exp: Mt 8:31; 12:29; Mr 3:27; Lu 11:22.'.

Home Overview of Revelation Chapter Summary Start of Chapter

C20-S2 (Verse 2-3) the length of time for this imprisonment of Satan.

Equivalent Section: Where Satan was imprisoned and why.

And he laid hold on the dragon,
that old serpent,
which is the Devil,
and Satan,
and bound him a thousand years,
And cast him into the bottomless pit,
and shut him up,
and set a seal upon him,
that he should deceive the nations no more,
till the thousand years should be fulfilled:

Equivalent Section: How long Satan was imprisoned.

and after that he must be loosed a little season.

Our sentence starts with the word And, which adds it to the prior sentence. Both sentences need to be considered together for contextual reasons. . . .

We see Satan referenced, in this book, in: 2:9; 2:13; 2:24; 3:9; 12:9; 20:2 and 20:7.

Our sentence tells us that Satan is also called the Devil and the dragon and that old serpent (who deceived Adam and Eve in the garden). Each of these names tell us something about his character, for those people who wish to know the character of our main enemy. (God tells us about him so that we can avoid being deceived by him.

Our sentence also tells us that he should deceive the nations no more. That is the main way that Satan deals with man.

Our sentence also tells us that this imprisonment lasts till the thousand years should be fulfilled: and after that he must be loosed a little season. He is loosed a little season so that he can test people born during the 1,000 years reign of Christ. We are told about 'The Sheep and Goat Judgment' in Matthew 25:31-46. As a result of that judgment, all people who were not part of Satan's army, and also did help the truly saved during the great tribulation, will go into the 1,000 years reign of Christ in their physical human bodies. They will still have sex and generate children. Isaiah 65:20 says: There shall be no more thence an infant of days, nor an old man that hath not filled his days: for the child shall die an hundred years old; but the sinner being an hundred years old shall be accursed. So, the people born during the 1,000 years reign of Christ still need to be tested by God, if they did not sin and get killed for their sin by our Lord Jesus Christ during His reign. (We saw earlier that he will rule with a rod of iron). Therefore, those born but not killed need to be tested before they go into Heaven for eternity and Satan is loosed a little season for the purpose of providing that testing.

Dr. Jeff Wilson writes about this sentence: 'Notice in v2 the angel laid hold of Satan, one of the most powerful created beings of God. the angel overpowers Satan and casts him into the pit, then closes the door behind him and seals or locks that doorway which will not be opened again for a period of 1000 years. this demonstrates the sheer power of this angel, the divine strength he has, the purpose God created him for, to battle and wrestle the dragon, as King David battled the bear and the lion, to overcome the dragon and hurl Satan into the void. I can imagine Satan fights back, when he is grappled By this angel he thrashes and twists and tries his very best to escape, almost like trying to give a cat a bath, but that old serpent is overcome By this keeper of the keys and thrown from the earth and is now shut out, much like he was cast out from heaven. Satan has been free to roam earth for thousands and thousands of years, but now his freedom has been taken, now Satan experiences something he has never felt before, absolute helplessness. forno matter what he does or how much he struggles he can not escape his prison. Isa 24:21 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. 22 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. 23 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. So Satan is sent to the bottomless pit, he is imprisoned here to suffer and to scheme, but his incarceration only lasts for 1000 years. But while Satan is imprisoned he will have no influence upon the earth, he will not tempt, he will not corrupt, he will have no control whatsoever upon mankind, he will deceive the nations no more, not until this 1000 year time period is completed. And what a time period this will be, a time referred to as the Millennial Reign of Christ, the Millennium, for while Satan is locked away, the Lord Jesus sits upon the throne of David and reigns and rules the earth along with his bride. V4 to v7 of Rev ch20 covers a period of at least 1000 years. We call this time period the Millennial Reign, even though that word or title does not appear in scripture, simply because the Latin word for 1000 (which is similar to the Greek word which is actually used in Scripture for 1000 years) is millennium.
It is this time period that is addressed in v4-6. Now these verses do not describe a whole lot of what happens during this time, but throughout the Bible many prophetic texts do and give greater detail of what will transpire. But before we look at those references, lets address what we are presented with in v4-6.'.

The word held is the past-tense form of the word hold. The functional definition for this word is: 'To stop; to confine; to restrain from escape; to keep fast; to retain'. Please see the note for Colossians 2:18-19 about the word hold. The functional definition for this word is: 'Stopping; confining; restraining; keeping; retaining; adhering; maintaining, etc'. Please also see the note for Luke 24:15 about the word holden. Please see the note for Luke 24:15 about the word holden. Please also see the note for 1Timothy 6:17-19 about the phrase lay hold.

Please see the note for Revelation 12:3 about the word dragon. The Morrish Bible Dictionary defines this word as: 'tannin, δράκων. It may signify any great serpent or sea monster, symbolical of a huge destructive creature. Nations doomed to destruction and desolation, including Jerusalem, are said to become habitations of dragons. Isa 34:13; 35:7; Jer 9:11; 10:22; 51:37. Pharaoh, king of Egypt, is called the great dragon. Eze 29:3. As one of God's creatures the dragon is called upon to praise Jehovah. Ps 148:7. In the N.T. the dragon is a type of Satan and those energised by him. In Re 12:3 the "great red dragon, having seven heads and ten horns," is symbolical of Satan's power in the form of the Roman empire: it endeavoured, in the person of Herod, to destroy Christ when born. In Re 13:2,4 it is Satan who gives the resuscitated Roman empire in a future day its throne and great authority. In Re 13:11 the Antichrist, who has two horns like a lamb, speaks as a dragon. In Re 16:13 it is Satan, and in Re 20:2 he is described as "that old serpent, which is the Devil and Satan."'. Smith's Bible Dictionary defines this word as: 'The translators of the Authorized Version, apparently following the Vulgate, have rendered by the same word "dragon" the two Hebrew words tan and tannin, which appear to be quite distinct in meaning. 1. the former is used, always in the plural, in: Job 30:29; Ps 44:19; Isa 34:13; 43:20; Jer 9:11. It is always applied to some creatures inhabiting the desert, and we should conclude from this that it refers rather to some wild beast than to a serpent. the syriac renders it by a word which, according to Pococke, means a "jackal". 2. the word tannin seems to refer to any great monster, whether of the land or the sea, being indeed more usually applied to some kind of serpent or reptile, but not exclusively restricted to that sense: Ex 7:9-10,12; De 32:33; Ps 91:13. In the New Testament it is found only in the Apocalypse: Re 12:3-4,7,9,16-17. etc., as applied metaphorically to "the old serpent, called the devil, and Satan."'.

Please see the note for 12:9 about the word devil. That note has an extensive definition from Fausset's Bible Dictionary. Please note that there are no daemons' within the Bible. That word is doctrinal error deliberately taught by devil-motivated men to cause God's children to ignore or think less about the true danger that true devils are. Please also see the Word Study on Spirit for links to every place in the Bible where we find 'Other Spirits', which are devils. Please see the note for 2Corinthians 2:10-11 about Satan. Please also see the section called Jesus and Devils, in the Study called Significant Gospel Events, for links to every place where Jesus dealt with devils and separates the references according to how He dealt with them.

Please also see the note for Luke 8:29 about the word bound. Please also see the note for Mark 3:27 about the word bind. The functional definition of the word bound is: 'Past-tense of bind. As a participle, made fast by a band, or by chains or fetters; obliged by moral ties; confined; restrained'. The functional definition of the word bind is: 'To tie together, or confine with a cord, or anything that is flexible; to fasten as with a band, fillet or ligature'. Please also see the Word Study on Word Study on abound. It means: 'not bound'.

Please see the note for Luke 1:7 about the word year. Easton's Bible Dictionary defines this word as: 'Heb shanah, meaning "repetition" or "revolution" (Ge 1:14; 5:3). Among the ancient Egyptians the year consisted of twelve months of thirty days each, with five days added to make it a complete revolution of the earth round the sun. the Jews reckoned the year in two ways, (1) according to a sacred calendar, in which the year began about the time of the vernal equinox, with the month Abib; and (2) according to a civil calendar, in which the year began about the time of the autumnal equinox, with the month Nisan. the month Tisri is now the beginning of the Jewish year'.

Please see the note for Luke 14:4-5 about the word pit. The Morrish Bible Dictionary defines this word as: 'There are several Hebrew words translated 'pit.' the principal are: 1. sheol, 'the grave, hades, hell.' Nu 16:30,33; Job 17:16. 2. shachath, 'a pit, a pitfall to entrap animals,' place of doom and corruption. Job 33:18,24,28,30; Ps 9:15; 30:9; 35:7; Eze 28:8; etc. 3. bor, beer, 'pit or well dug for water,' but which could be used for a dungeon. Ge 37:20-29; Ps 28:1; 40:2; 88:4,6; Eze 26:20; Zec 9:11; etc'.

Please see the note for Matthew 25:10 about the word shut. Webster's 1828 defines this word as: 'to close so as to hinder ingress or egress; as, to shut a door or gate; to shut the eyes or the mouth. 2. to prohibit; to bar; to forbid entrance into; as, to shut the ports of the kingdom by a blockade. Shall that be shut to man, which to the beast Is open? Milton. 3. to preclude; to exclude. But shut from every shore. Dryden. 4. to close, as the fingers; to contract; as, to shut the hand'. Please note that the word in our sentence is: shutteth, which is: 'a lifestyle shutting'. Men and devils might shut a spiritual door for a short time, such as when the leaders of the Church of Jerusalem tried to shut the door of salvation to Gentiles by claiming that someone had to be circumcised and become a Jew in order to be spiritually saved. But, as the New Testament teaches us, our Lord Jesus Christ worked around them and opened the door of salvation to Gentiles. Likewise, the phrase shutteth, and no man openeth means that when our Lord Jesus Christ permanently closes a door, no one is going to open it again. For example, the message of the books called Left Behind is doctrinal error. After the 'Rapture', no one received the indwelling Holy Spirit and true salvation is only given to people who obey the Mosaic Law.

Please see the note for 1Corinthians C9S5 about the word seal. The functional definition for this word is: ' 'n. L. sigillum. 1. A piece of metal or other hard substance, usually round or oval, on which is ingraved some image or device, and sometimes a legend or inscription. this is used by individuals, corporate bodies and states, for making impressions on wax upon instruments of writing, as an evidence of their authenticity. the king of England has his seal and his privy seal. Seals are sometimes worn in rings'.

Please see the note for Mark 11:4 about the word loose. The functional definition for this word is: 'To untie or unbind; to free from any fastening'.

Please see the note for Mark 12:2 about the word season. The functional definition for this word is: 'A fit or suitable time; the convenient time; the usual or appointed time; as, the messenger arrived in season; in good season'.

The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge provides Bible references for this sentence as: 'he laid. Ge 3:15; Isa 27:1; 49:24-25; Mt 8:29; 19:29; Mr 5:7; Lu 11:20-22; Joh 12:31; 16:11; Ro 16:20; Heb 2:14 the dragon. Re 9:11; 12:9,13,15,17; 13:2,4; Job 1:7; 2:1-2; 1Pe 5:8; 2Pe 2:4; Jude 1:6 exp: Ps 91:13; Isa 27:1; Re 12:7. General references. exp: Mt 8:31; 12:29; Mr 3:27; Lu 11:22; Re 20:7.
cast. Re 20:1; 17:8 and set. Da 6:17; Mt 27:66 should deceive. Re 20:8; 12:9; 13:14; 16:14-16; 17:2; Mt 24:24; 2Co 11:3,13-15; 2Th 2:9-11 the thousand. Ps 90:4; 2Pe 3:8 and after. Re 20:7-10 General references. exp: Mt 12:29; Mr 3:27; Lu 11:22.'.

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C20-S3 (Verse 4) Some people returning with Lord Jesus Christ will be made judges and some will have positions in His government.

Equivalent Section: this is referencing the four and twenty elders.

And I saw thrones,
and they sat upon them,
and judgment was given unto them:.

Equivalent Section: this Section identifies people in the government of our Lord Jesus Christ.

First Step: this identifies the tribulation martyrs.

and I saw the souls of them that were beheaded for the witness of Jesus,
and for the word of God,
and which had not worship the beast,
neither his image,
neither had received his mark upon their foreheads,
or in their hands;

Second Step: this tells how long they kept their positions.

and they lived and reigned with Christ a thousand years.

Our sentence starts with the word And, which adds it to the prior sentence. Both sentences need to be considered together for contextual reasons. The prior sentence told us about the disposition of the final enemy, Satan. Then, this sentence adds who will have major jobs in the Kingdom which our Lord Jesus Christ will set up.

This sentence, in the Second Equivalent Section, says that those with the witness of Jesus will reigned with Christ. This sentence uses Jesus for the physical man who was God in human flesh. The tribulation martyrs, who are mentioned in the first phrase of the Second Equivalent Section, suffered for saying that physical man named Jesus was God in human flesh. This sentence uses Christ for promised King who would rule the world. This fits the differences we see in these roles throughout the word of God.

Notice that the church is not mentioned. Yes, there will be more than just the tribulation martyrs, but those others are only indirectly indicated. Look at what the rest of the First Step, in the Second Equivalent Section, says about these tribulation martyrs. People who claim to be saved but never suffered for the testimony of Jesus, in their personal life, will not be grouped with these tribulation martyrs by God. I'm not writing that people have to die a martyr's death to return with our Lord Jesus Christ. However, those who do return must, at least, know how Jesus would act in circumstances of life. And, they need to act in a similar manner is they truly want the witness of Jesus in their own personal life.

While there is not universal agreement about the bride, this verse clearly says that those on thrones are the saved who died during the great tribulation. They will be part of the first resurrection. While the bride, is not limited to them, they will be part of the government of our Lord Jesus Christ. In addition, please notice that the witness of Jesus is linked with those that suffered for their witness. This testimony distinguishes them from those saved people who claim the name of Jesus but never have His witness in their life.

The saved of today, who have the witness of Jesus act like Jesus. John 5:39 says: Search the scriptures; for in them ye think ye have eternal life: and they are they which testify of me. Like the religious people in the days of Jesus, many think that they have the witness of Jesus simply because they claim to be saved and have joined the church and are religious. But that is not the true witness of Jesus. Consider what Jesus told the religious leaders in His day. We find the phrase witness of me (Jesus) in: John 1:15; John 5:31; John 5:32; John 5:36; John 5:37; John 8:18; John 10:25; John 18:23; Acts 1:8; Acts 23:11. Please also see the Doctrinal Study called: What Did Jesus Do?. It has almost 750 Gospel references which tell us what Jesus did in different circumstances and He is our example of how to act in similar circumstances. If we want to have the witness of Jesus in our own life, we need to follow His example for how to live in the flesh and not just obey religious leaders.

This sentence says that those with the witness of Jesus will reigned with Christ. This verse uses Jesus for the physical man who was God in human flesh. These Tribulation martyrs suffered for saying that physical man named Jesus was God in human flesh. This verse uses Christ for promised King who would rule the world. This fits the differences we see in these roles through out the Bible.

Many preachers claim that the church will be the bride. However, we need to look at the other verses and associated notes about the bride and make sure that we meet God's qualifications. There are many people who claim to be saved and are church members but who also do not fulfill God's requirement to make themselves ready with the righteousness of saints (19:7-8).

With that in mind, we can go back and look at our First Equivalent Section. It tells us that the people on thrones will be judges during the 1,000 wars reign of Christ. Being a judge is a different job from being part of the government. These judges will include the eleven apostles, Paul and Old Testament leaders. While there maybe others, these will include the four and twenty elders.

Note that Dr. Jeff Wilson, in his note below, includes 2Timothy 2:12 (If we suffer, we shall also reign with him: if we deny him, he also will deny us:). A whole lot of people ignore the if in that Bible reference. Please see the Section on Promises in to Significant New Testament Events Study for links to other promises in the New Testament. In EVERY case, these promises include a requirement to be fulfilled in order to receive the promise. Please also notice that Dr. Jeff Wilson also says that these are the faithful.

The rest of his note deals with Old Testament prophecies about the 1,000 years reign of Christ and not who will return with Christ.

Dr. Jeff Wilson writes about this sentence: 'Once Satan is bound, and taken care of, John’s view takes him to see the faithful of Christ, serving their Lord as they reign and watch and judge the earth, just as Daniel prophesied in Da 7:18 But the saints of the most High shall take the kingdom, and possess the kingdom for ever, even for ever and ever. this time is also prophesied of in 1Co 6:2 Do ye not know that the saints shall judge the world? and if the world shall be judged by you, are ye unworthy to judge the smallest matters?3 Know ye not that we shall judge angels? how much more things that pertain to this life?
2Ti 2:12 If we suffer, we shall also reign with him: if we deny him, he also will deny us:
Re 5:10 And hast made us unto our God kings and priests: and we shall reign on the earth.
So the faithful will be sitting upon thrones on earth, much like what we saw in ch4 of Revelation where 24 elders sat upon thrones in heaven, those elders being symbolic of the saved and saints of old. And upon these thrones John sees the martyred, the tribulation saints, along with all of those who are a part of the first resurrection. John sees all those that v6 makes reference to, which includes the bride of Christ (the church) (see also Rev 5:10, 2:26-28, 3:12, 21; I thes 4:13-18, II Tim 2:12), the Old Testament saints (Dan 12:1-4), and the tribulation saints, all who are blessed and holy, who by the blood of Christ are made immune to the second death, by the blood they are saved from such condemnation, and are instead made priests of God and of Christ, made kings and priests (Rev 1:6) and servants to the most high, all who have been granted everlasting life and rule and reign for a period of a 1000 years with Christ. Please take careful note here, these are the only ones who are resurrected at this moment, only believers, the faithful, for as v5 points out, the rest of the dead, the unbelievers, the unsaved, are not resurrected until the Millennial Reign is over, at which point they too will be raised, but not for reward but instead for final judgment.
So here we clearly see there are two separate resurrections, separated by the 1000 year reign of Christ. We refer to these as the 1st and 2nd resurrections, or the resurrection of life and the resurrection of damnation as Jesus names them in Joh 5:28 Marvel not at this: for the hour is coming, in the which all that are in the graves shall hear his voice, 29 And shall come forth; they that have done good, unto the resurrection of life; and they that have done evil, unto the resurrection of damnation. those that are saved, whose names are written in the book of life, are part of the resurrection of life of which Christ was the first fruits of {We also see reference to this in Luke 14:14 as the resurrection of the just}, while the unsaved those whose names are not written in the book, are part of the resurrection of damnation and will face judgment before the Great White throne.
So those who are a part of the first resurrection, the resurrection of life will actively participate in the Millennial Reign of Christ, so the question is what will transpire during that time, what is in store for those who are privileged enough to experience this? We know believers will rule and reign, peace will abound, the promises to Israel will be fulfilled, and man will live and prosper like never before but what else? the easiest way for me to tell you is to let the Bible speak for itself…
Isa 2:1 the word that Isaiah the son of Amoz saw concerning Judah and Jerusalem. 2 And it shall come to pass in the last days, that the mountain of the LORD'S house shall be established in the top of the mountains, and shall be exalted above the hills; and all nations shall flow unto it. 3 And many people shall go and say, Come ye, and let us go up to the mountain of the LORD, to the house of the God of Jacob; and he will teach us of his ways, and we will walk in his paths: for out of Zion shall go forth the law, and the word of the LORD from Jerusalem. 4 And he shall judge among the nations, and shall rebuke many people: and they shall beat their swords into plowshares, and their spears into pruninghooks: nation shall not lift up sword against nation, neither shall they learn war any more.
Isa 11:1 And there shall come forth a rod out of the stem of Jesse, and a Branch shall grow out of his roots: 2 And the spirit of the LORD shall rest upon him, the spirit of wisdom and understanding, the spirit of counsel and might, the spirit of knowledge and of the fear of the LORD; 3 And shall make him of quick understanding in the fear of the LORD: and he shall not judge after the sight of his eyes, neither reprove after the hearing of his ears: 4 But with righteousness shall he judge the poor, and reprove with equity for the meek of the earth: and he shall smite the earth with the rod of his mouth, and with the breath of his lips shall he slay the wicked. 5 And righteousness shall be the girdle of his loins, and faithfulness the girdle of his reins. 6 the wolf also shall dwell with the lamb, and the leopard shall lie down with the kid; and the calf and the young lion and the fatling together; and a little child shall lead them.7 And the cow and the bear shall feed; their young ones shall lie down together: and the lion shall eat straw like the ox. 8 And the sucking child shall play on the hole of the asp, and the weaned child shall put his hand on the cockatrice' den. 9 they shall not hurt nor destroy in all my holy mountain: for the earth shall be full of the knowledge of the LORD, as the waters cover the sea.
Isa 35:1 the wilderness and the solitary place shall be glad for them; and the desert shall rejoice, and blossom as the rose. 2 It shall blossom abundantly, and rejoice even with joy and singing: the glory of Lebanon shall be given unto it, the excellency of Carmel and Sharon, they shall see the glory of the LORD, and the excellency of our God. 3 Strengthen ye the weak hands, and confirm the feeble knees. 4 Say to them that are of a fearful heart, Be strong, fear not: behold, your God will come with vengeance, even God with a recompence; he will come and save you. 5 then the eyes of the blind shall be opened, and the ears of the deaf shall be unstopped. 6 then shall the lame man leap as an hart, and the tongue of the dumb sing: for in the wilderness shall waters break out, and streams in the desert.7 And the parched ground shall become a pool, and the thirsty land springs of water: in the habitation of dragons, where each lay, shall be grass with reeds and rushes. 8 And an highway shall be there, and a way, and it shall be called the way of holiness; the unclean shall not pass over it; but it shall be for those: the wayfaring men, though fools, shall not err therein. 9 No lion shall be there, nor any ravenous beast shall go up thereon, it shall not be found there; but the redeemed shall walk there:10 And the ransomed of the LORD shall return, and come to Zion with songs and everlasting joy upon their heads: they shall obtain joy and gladness, and sorrow and sighing shall flee away.
Isa 65:17 for, behold, I create new heavens and a new earth: and the former shall not be remembered, nor come into mind. 18 But be ye glad and rejoice for ever in that which I create: for, behold, I create Jerusalem a rejoicing, and her people a joy.19 And I will rejoice in Jerusalem, and joy in my people: and the voice of weeping shall be no more heard in her, nor the voice of crying. 20 there shall be no more thence an infant of days, nor an old man that hath not filled his days: for the child shall die an hundred years old; but the sinner being an hundred years old shall be accursed. 21 And they shall build houses, and inhabit them; and they shall plant vineyards, and eat the fruit of them. 22 they shall not build, and another inhabit; they shall not plant, and another eat: for as the days of a tree are the days of my people, and mine elect shall long enjoy the work of their hands. 23 they shall not labour in vain, nor bring forth for trouble; for they are the seed of the blessed of the LORD, and their offspring with them. 24 And it shall come to pass, that before they call, I will answer; and while they are yet speaking, I will hear. 25 the wolf and the lamb shall feed together, and the lion shall eat straw like the bullock: and dust shall be the serpent's meat. they shall not hurt nor destroy in all my holy mountain, saith the LORD.
Jer 33:14 Behold, the days come, saith the LORD, that I will perform that good thing which I have promised unto the house of Israel and to the house of Judah.15 In those days, and at that time, will I cause the Branch of righteousness to grow up unto David; and he shall execute judgment and righteousness in the land. 16 In those days shall Judah be saved, and Jerusalem shall dwell safely: and this is the name wherewith she shall be called, the LORD our righteousness.
Da 7:13 I saw in the night visions, and, behold, one like the Son of man came with the clouds of heaven, and came to the Ancient of days, and they brought him near before him.14 And there was given him dominion, and glory, and a kingdom, that all people, nations, and languages, should serve him: his dominion is an everlasting dominion, which shall not pass away, and his kingdom that which shall not be destroyed.
Zec 8:3 thus saith the LORD; I am returned unto Zion, and will dwell in the midst of Jerusalem: and Jerusalem shall be called a city of truth; and the mountain of the LORD of hosts the holy mountain.4 thus saith the LORD of hosts; there shall yet old men and old women dwell in the streets of Jerusalem, and every man with his staff in his hand for very age. 5 And the streets of the city shall be full of boys and girls playing in the streets thereof.
Mic 4:3 And he shall judge among many people, and rebuke strong nations afar off; and they shall beat their swords into plowshares, and their spears into pruninghooks: nation shall not lift up a sword against nation, neither shall they learn war any more. 4 But they shall sit every man under his vine and under his fig tree; and none shall make them afraid: for the mouth of the LORD of hosts hath spoken it.
Israel:
Am 9:14 And I will bring again the captivity of my people of Israel, and they shall build the waste cities, and inhabit them; and they shall plant vineyards, and drink the wine thereof; they shall also make gardens, and eat the fruit of them.15 And I will plant them upon their land, and they shall no more be pulled up out of their land which I have given them, saith the LORD thy God.
Jer 24:6 forI will set mine eyes upon them for good, and I will bring them again to this land: and I will build them, and not pull them down; and I will plant them, and not pluck them up.7 And I will give them an heart to know me, that I am the LORD: and they shall be my people, and I will be their God: for they shall return unto me with their whole heart.
Jer 23:3 And I will gather the remnant of my flock out of all countries whither I have driven them, and will bring them again to their folds; and they shall be fruitful and increase.4 And I will set up shepherds over them which shall feed them: and they shall fear no more, nor be dismayed, neither shall they be lacking, saith the LORD. 5 Behold, the days come, saith the LORD, that I will raise unto David a righteous Branch, and a King shall reign and prosper, and shall execute judgment and justice in the earth. 6 In his days Judah shall be saved, and Israel shall dwell safely: and this is his name whereby he shall be called, thE LORD OUR RIGHTEOUSNESS. 7 therefore, behold, the days come, saith the LORD, that they shall no more say, the LORD liveth, which brought up the children of Israel out of the land of Egypt;8 But, the LORD liveth, which brought up and which led the seed of the house of Israel out of the north country, and from all countries whither I had driven them; and they shall dwell in their own land.
Jer 31:31 Behold, the days come, saith the LORD, that I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel, and with the house of Judah:32 Not according to the covenant that I made with their fathers in the day that I took them by the hand to bring them out of the land of Egypt; which my covenant they brake, although I was an husband unto them, saith the LORD: 33 But this shall be the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel; After those days, saith the LORD, I will put my law in their inward parts, and write it in their hearts; and will be their God, and they shall be my people. 34 And they shall teach no more every man his neighbour, and every man his brother, saying, Know the LORD: for they shall all know me, from the least of them unto the greatest of them, saith the LORD: for I will forgive their iniquity, and I will remember their sin no more. Ho 3:5 Afterward shall the children of Israel return, and seek the LORD their God, and David their king; and shall fear the LORD and his goodness in the latter days.
In addition to the unsaved dead being absent during this reign of 1000 years, Satan will also be bound and locked away in the bottomless pit where his influence can not further corrupt mankind, for as we discussed, there will be human beings living and prospering during this time, the believers that have made it thru the tribulation period without dying will bear children under the most perfect circumstances this world has ever seen. And those children will experience very long lives for war will be no more, the earth will be rejuvenated, predators and prey will lay down with each other, crops and food will be plentiful, peace and justice will abound, disease, disaster and death will be extremely rare. this will be similar to the time before the fall of man. And what a wonderful time this will be with the Lord Jesus in charge. But just as Satan ruined the first paradise upon earth, so too will he try once more to do the same here. forafter the 1000 year reign of Jesus Christ upon the throne of David, where he rules the world by a rod of iron, we now see that Satan will be freed from the bottomless pit to tempt man one last time.'.

Please see the notes for Romans C13S1 and Psalms 119:20 about the word soul. The functional definition for this word is: 'The long-term result of the short-term actions of our heart in deciding how we will think, how we will act emotionally to circumstances of life and how we will decide the issues of life'. Please also see the note for James 1:21 about the phrase save your soul.

Please see the note for Hebrews 11:4 about the word witness. The functional definition for this word is: 'someone who is qualified to testify in court and is available to do so if the court requests'. Please also see the notes for John 8:17; 2Corinthians 13:1 and Colossians C3S13 about the phrase witnesses, two or three. The functional definition for this phrase is: 'Basically, if the Bible literally says something in at least two places, that is a law that will be enforced by the court of God and is something that all must accept and obey'. Please also see the note for John 5:1 about the phrase witnesses given by Jesus to show that He is God.

Please see the note for Acts 7:42 about the word beast. The The functional definition for this word is: 'Any animal that is not man. Sometimes it means quadrupeds, and not creeping things'.

The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge provides Bible references for this sentence as: 'thrones. Da 7:9,18,22,27; Mt 19:28; Lu 22:30; 1Co 6:2-3 the souls. Re 6:9; Mal 4:5; Mt 17:10-13; Mr 9:11; Lu 1:17; 9:7-9 beheaded. Mt 24:10; Mr 6:16,27; Lu 9:9 the witness. Re 1:9; 11:3,7; 12:11 and which. Re 13:12-17; 14:11; 15:2; 17:8 and they. Re 5:9; 11:11,15; Da 2:44; 7:18,27; Ro 8:17; 11:15; 2Ti 2:12 General references. exp: De 4:4; Da 12:12'.

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C20-S4 (Verse 5) the exception to the prior sentence.
But the rest of the dead lived not again until the thousand years were finished

Our sentence starts with the word But, which connects it to the prior sentence while going in a different direction. Our prior sentence told us about the first resurrection, which our next two sentences also clarify. This sentence separates those who will not participate in the first resurrection. This group includes the lost in hell and the saved who remain in Heaven and are not allowed to return to this Earth with our Lord Jesus Christ. They were saved but, during their life, they did not display the witness of Jesus in their life. The prior sentence, which identifies the saved people who are not part of the group in this sentence, did display the witness of Jesus while they lived.

Dr. Jeff Wilson wrote about this sentence in the note for the prior sentence.

Please see the note for 2Corinthians 2:12-13 about the word rest. The functional definition for this word is: ' Cessation of motion or action of any kind, and applicable to any body or being; as rest from labor; rest from mental exertion; rest of body or mind. Also ceasing the action of separation'.

Please see the notes for Romans C6S4; 2Corinthians 2:15; Philippians 1:19-20 and Colossians C1S4 about the words dead / death / die. The functional definition for this word is: 'Physical death is separation of soul and spirit from body and the second death is eternal separation from God'. Please also see the notes for Revelation 2:11; Revelation 20:6; Revelation 20:14 and Revelation 21:8 about the phrase death, second.

Please see the note for Matthew 19:1 about the word finish. Webster's 1828 defines this word as: 'Completed; ended; done; perfected. 2. a. Complete; perfect; polished to the highest degree of excellence; as a finished poem; a finished education'.

The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge provides Bible references for this sentence as: 'the rest. Re 20:8-9; 19:20-21'.

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C20-S5 (Verse 5) This is the first resurrection

Our sentence is clarifying the distinction made by the prior two sentences

Dr. Jeff Wilson wrote about this sentence in the note for 20:4.

Please see the note for Revelation 1:8 about the word first. Webster's 1828 defines this word as: 'a. furst. See fare and for. 1. Advanced before or further than any other in progression; foremost in place; as the first man in a marching company or troop is the man that precedes all the rest. Hence, 2. Preceding all others in the order of time. Adam was the first man. Cain was the first murderer. Monday was the first day of January. 3. Preceding all others in numbers or a progressive series; the ordinal of one; as, 1 is the first number. 4. Preceding all others in rank, dignity or excellence. Demosthenes was the first orator of Greece. Burke was one of the first geniuses of his age. Give God the first place in your affections. FIRST, adv. furst. 1. Before anything else in the order of time. Adam was first formed, then Eve. 1Tim. 2. 2. Before all others in place or progression. Let the officers enter the gate first. 3. Before anything else in order of proceeding or consideration. First, let us attend to the examination of the witnesses. 4. Before all others in rank. He stands or ranks first in public estimation. At first, at the first, as the beginning or origin. First or last, at one time or another; at the beginning or end. And all fools and lovers first or last.'. Please also see the note for Hebrews 1:5-LJC about the word firstbegotten. Please also see the note for Colossians 1:15 about the word firstborn. Please also see the note for Romans C8S21 about the word firstfruits. Please also see the note for John 20:1 about the phrase first day of the week.

Please see the note for 1Peter C1S2 about the word resurrection. The functional definition for this word is: 'returned to live from the dead by the power of God'. Please also see the Prophecies and Prophecy Fulfilled Sections for Bible references to resurrection. Please also see the note for Romans C8S11 about the phrase resurrection of Jesus. Please also see the note for Romans C8S11 about the phrase resurrection of Christ. Please see the Appearances of Jesus Christ After the Resurrection Section within the Time Sequence of Gospel Events Study.

The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge provides Bible references for this sentence as: 'This. Re 11:11,15; Eze 37:2-14; Ro 11:15'.

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C20-S6 (Verse 6) Why we want to be part of the first resurrection.

Equivalent Section: this is the testimony of all who are part of the first resurrection.

Blessed and holy is he that hath part in the first resurrection:

Equivalent Section: the reward of all such.

on such the second death hath no power,
but they shall be priests of God and of Christ,
and shall reign with him a thousand years.

Our sentence has two Equivalent Sections with the First Equivalent Section telling us the main identifying characteristic of these saved people. The Second Equivalent Section tells us their reward for becoming this way.

Our First Equivalent Section tells us that they are Blessed and holy. (Please see the Word Studies, below, about the word holy.) there are many people who claim to be saved, and even are church members, but God would not judge them to be holy. Our third prior sentence told us that these people had the witness of Jesus. I have met lots of church members who claim to be saved for more that twenty years and, yet, never have led someone else to salvation. It should be obvious that they do not have the witness of Jesus in their life. In addition, one of the main characteristic of God is that he is holy and He demands that His true people also become holy (Le 11:44-45; Ps 86:2; 1Pe 1:16). {Please also use the links below to see the Bible references for the phrases: Holy Spirit / Holy Ghost and Holy One.}.

Our First Equivalent Section also tells us that these people are blessed. But, they are blessed because they are holy. You hear people who claim to be saved and also claim to be 'suffering for Jesus' when they are actually receiving the consequences of their own sinful lifestyle.

Our First Equivalent Section also tells us that these people hath part in the first resurrection. Our next sentence distinguishes them from people who are not resurrected until the thousand years are expired.

The first phrase, in our Second Equivalent Section, tells us on such the second death hath no power. There are many other places in the word of God which also give this assurance to saved people who are truly using their life to serve God and to build His kingdom. At the same time, the word of God denies the same assurance to people who claim to be saved but refuse to use their physical life to serve God and build His kingdom here in this life. Saved people can not lose their salvation but they can definitely lose their assurance of salvation. In fact, the word of God promises that loss to saved people who refuse to use their life to serve God. Therefore, the only solution to people who are not sure if they are saved or not is for them to dedicate their life to the service of God. I did not write to become religious. Most people who are not sure about their salvation are religious. No, such people need to study the word of God in order to learn the character of Jesus and then ley God change their character to be like Him.

The second phrase, in our Second Equivalent Section also tells us that but they shall be priests of God and of Christ. This means that they will represent people to God and Christ. Remember that there will be people who are judged to be sheep. in the 'The Sheep and Goat Judgment'. They will go into the 1,000 years reign of Christ in their physical human bodies and have children. All such will not be allowed to go directly to God and Christ but must go through these priests of God and of Christ. In addition, any answer from priests of God and of Christ will be returned through these priests.

The third phrase, in our Second Equivalent Section also tells us that they shall reign with him a thousand years. None of them will get fired. Luke 18:28-30 says: Then Peter said, Lo, we have left all, and followed thee. And he said unto them, Verily I say unto you, there is no man that hath left house, or parents, or brethren, or wife, or children, for the kingdom of God's sake, Who shall not receive manifold more in this present time, and in the world to come life everlasting. God wants the saved to know His promises for their service. Notice that this assurance is given to saved people who truly serve God in this life but is denied to people who claim to be saved but refuse to serve God with their current physical life.

Dr. Jeff Wilson wrote about this sentence in the note for 20:4.

Please see the notes for Romans C7S16; 1Corinthians C3S17; Philippians 1:3-7 and Colossians C1S6 about the word holy. Webster's 1828 dictionary defines this word as: 'a. 1. Properly, whole, entire or perfect, in a moral sense. Hence, pure in heart, temper or dispositions; free from sin and sinful affections. Applied to the Supreme Being, holy signifies perfectly pure, immaculate and complete in moral character; and man is more or less holy, as his heart is more or less sanctified, or purified from evil dispositions. We call a man holy, when his heart is conformed in some degree to the image of God, and his life is regulated by the divine precepts. Hence, holy is used as nearly synonymous with good, pious, Godly. Be ye holy; for I am holy. 1 pet.1. 2. Hallowed; consecrated or set apart to a sacred use, or to the service or worship of God; a sense frequent in Scripture; as the holy sabbath; holy oil; holy vessels; a holy nation; the holy temple; a holy priesthood. 3. Proceeding from pious principles, or directed to pious purposes; as holy zeal. 4. Perfectly just and good; as the holy law of God. 5. Sacred; as a holy witness. Holy of holies, in Scripture, the innermost apartment of the Jewish tabernacle or temple, where the ark was kept, and where no person entered, except the high priest, once a year. Holy Ghost, or Holy Spirit, the Divine Spirit; the third person in the Trinity; the sanctifier of souls. Holy war, a war undertaken to rescue the holy land, the ancient Judea, from the infidels; a crusade; an expedition carried on by Christians against the Saracens in the eleventh, twelfth and thirteenth centuries; a war carried on in a most unholy manner'. Please also see the note for Matthew 4:5 about the phrase holy city. Please also see the Word Study on the Holy Ghost for links to every place in the Bible where we find the phrase Holy Ghost. Please also see the note for 1John 2:20 about the phrase Holy One. Please also see the Significant Gospel Events for this, and other, Minor Titles of the Son of God. Please also see the note for John 7:39 about the phrase indwelling Holy Spirit.

Please see the note for Hebrews 4:14 about the word priest. The functional definition for this word is: 'One who represents men before God'. Please also see the note for Mark 14:63 about the phrase high priest.

The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge provides Bible references for this sentence as: 'Blessed. Re 20:5; 14:13; 22:7; Isa 4:3; Da 12:12; Lu 14:15 the second. Re 20:14; 2:11; 21:8 priests. Re 1:6; 5:10; Isa 61:6; Ro 12:1; 1Pe 2:5,9 and shall. Re 20:4; 1:6; 5:10; Ro 8:17; 2Ti 2:12 General references. exp: Isa 66:21.'.

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C20-S7 (Verse 7-8) Satan's last rebellion.

Equivalent Section: When it will happen.

And when the thousand years are expired,
Satan shall be loosed out of his prison,
And shall go out to deceive the nations which are in the four quarters of the earth,
Gog and Magog,
to gather them together to battle:.

Equivalent Section: How many will join Satan.

the number of whom is as the sand of the sea.

Our sentence starts with the word And, which adds it to the prior sentence. Both sentences need to be considered together for contextual reasons. Our prior sentence told us about the 1,000 years reign of Christ. This sentence adds what happens at the end of that reign.

In his note, below, Dr. Jeff Wilson explains why this sentence happens. I agree with him 100% and will not add to what he writes except to write that Gog and Magog is Russia and those people have always wanted to rule the world. As such, they will be very tempted by Satan.

A Dr. Jeff Wilson writes, below, these rebels are from the four quarters of the earth. It is not just Gog and Magog but is people from everywhere with them leading under Satan.

Dr. Jeff Wilson writes about this sentence: 'Now the question most people ask is why does God set Satan , blow, free? Why not just get rid of him like He did the beast and the false prophet? What we must understand is God always has a good reason for doing what He does whether we understand it or not. But I think the reason for this action is quite simple. forduring this time Christ has ruled justly and rightly upon the throne, people have grown up under his divine reign, sin and wrongdoing is dealt with quickly and severely, but just because man lives under Christ does not mean they all accept or trust him. Remember, God gave man free will, so He will not force Himself upon anyone, Christ will not force anyone to receive Him or accept Him, even though He loves them and gave himself for them. So man, as he is born into a near perfect world and lives and prospers during these 1000 years, will still have the choice to believe or not, for man is still a “whosoever”. So the children who are born during the Millennial Reign and grow into adults will still have the choice to believe or not believe. And those that do not choose to accept Christ as King and Lord, due to the strict rule of the King, will basically just go thru the motions, they will obey the laws, do what is expected of them, yet in their heart there is no faith, no trust, no sincerity, no relationship, no change. they are still sinners playing/pretending they are believers, playing as good citizens of the kingdom, they feign obedience and allegiance but heir hearts are just not in it.
And many wonder how could anyone be like that during that time? How could anyone not choose Jesus? But I could ask the same question about this day and age, the age of grace, why do so many reject Christ, why do so many profess to be believers, sit under biblical preaching and teaching, but never give their heart to God? Why do so many play at church and being a Christian? We have no good answer, all we can do is point at the nature of mankind. forthe reason man rejects Christ is because man is sinful, Jer 17:9 the heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked:, man is full of pride, man is carnal and fleshly and weak and easily gives in to ungodly desires. And thus sin during the Millennial Reign will be due to self-will and giving in to fleshly lusts, Satan will not cause man to sin, but man himself will, as it is in his nature. Eph 2:1 And you hath he quickened, who were dead in trespasses and sins; 2 Wherein in time past ye walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that now worketh in the children of disobedience: 3 Among whom also we all had our conversation in times past in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind; and were by nature the children of wrath, even as others. So sin will exist in the Millennial Reign but it will be dealt with quickly and justly, which could cause some hearts to harden against such a strict Judge. And since there will be many who do not truly affiliate themselves with the King of Kings and Lord of Lords, something will have to happen to pull them out of their hiding, out of their pretending, and that is where the release of Satan upon the earth comes in.
For when Satan is loosed for a short time he will go out to deceive and seduce the nations, to pull those nonbelievers out and convince them to follow him in rebellion to the King. And because of the length of the 1000 year reign and death being a rare incident and birth being very frequent, the world will be greatly populated, and that is how Satan amasses one last army with numbers as the sand of the sea (v8). this isn’t just a mob of a few unbelievers, but it is a vast multitude whose hearts are not subject to God, not tender to His Son, not indwelled by the Spirit, who have sided with the Dragon, that Old Serpent. With so many unregenerate hearts Satan will find it quite easy to gather many to his side.
So once more we see man fails the test, even under near perfect conditions. It’s the same old story. When man was tested in the Garden of Eden man broke the one rule given to him, and man failed his first test. Under the age of conscience, the antediluvian age, man filled the earth wickedness and violence and so the great purging flood came, again man failed; When living under divinely appointed government man slipped into idolatry and turned his back on God (time of the tower of Babel and Nimrod), and so man failed; Under the Law man crucified his Savior, therefore man failed; When man was tested under grace, man did not appreciate mercy and rejected the gospel, once more man failed. And now tested under the personal reign of Christ, under the rule of glory, man still sides with a defeated, imprisoned, cast out foe. Man fails yet again. 1Co 2:14 But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned. And in that failing, do we not see man’s absolute need for Christ? for man is a failure without him, empty without him, lost without him, most miserable without him, but with him man has everything.
Now do not let the mention of Gog and Magog confuse you, as this IS NOT a reference to the Gog and Magog invasion spoken of in the book of Ezekiel (in Ezekiel the army came from the north, here it comes from the four corners of the earth, also the time and judgments are different Ezk 38:16, 19-22). this simply refers to the armies of Satan made up of a rebellious people, with hearts that are similar to the hearts of those that were part of the previous Gog and Magog invasions, as both armies come with ill intent to Israel and Jerusalem. But this invading army, Satan’s last grasp of some form of victory, is defeated by God himself…'.

We see Satan referenced, in this book, in: 2:9; 2:13; 2:24; 3:9; 12:9; 20:2 and 20:7.

Please see the note for Acts 7:30 about the word expire. Webster's 1828 defines this word as: 'v.t. L. expiro, for exspiro; ex and spiro, to breathe. . to breathe out; to throw out the breath from the lungs; opposed to inspire. We expire air at every breath. 2. to exhale; to emit in minute particles, as a fluid or volatile matter. the earth expires a damp or warm vapor; the body expires fluid matter from the pores; plants expire odors. 3. to conclude'.

Please see the note for Mark 11:4 about the word loose. The functional definition for this word is: 'To untie or unbind; to free from any fastening'.

Please see the note for Matthew 4:12 about the word prison. The functional definition for this word is: 'The place of detainment and confiment used by a government'. Please also see the note for Philemon 1:1 about the word prisoner. Please also see the note for 2Corinthians 6:3 about the word imprisonment.

Please see the note for Mark 1:45 about the word quarter. The functional definition for this word is: ' the fourth part; as the quarter of an hour or of a mile; one quarter of the expense'.

Please see the note for 2Corinthians 8:13-15 about the word gather. The functional definition for this word is: ''Collected; assembled; contracted; plaited; drawn by inference'.

Please see the note for Revelation 9:7 about the word battle. The functional definition for this word is: 'A fight, or encounter between enemies, or opposing armies; an engagement'.

The number given in our sentence is more than could be counted. Please see the note for Matthew 10:30 about the word number. The functional definition for this word is: 'Used to count things. Also used symbolically in the Bible'. The note from the Morrish Bible Dictionary is extensive and includes 'Numbers are used as Symbols'. Be very careful about the use of this information. Much doctrinal error and division has been caused in God's church by preachers claiming that the symbolical meaning of numbers provided the single interpretation of the word of God and that the symbolic meaning actually corrected the word of God. All symbolic meanings provide the many applications, must be understood within the context where they are found, and can vary from one application to another. Be careful to not use these symbols beyond their God-given purpose.

Please see the note for John 6:16-17 about the word sea. Webster's 1828 dictionary defines this word as: 'A large bason, cistern or laver which Solomon made in the temple, so large as to contain more than six thousand gallons. this was called the brazen sea, and used to hold water for the priests to wash themselves. 1 Kings 7. 2 Chron. 4 2. A large body of water, nearly inclosed by land, as the Baltic or the Mediterranean; as the sea of Azof. Seas are properly branches of the ocean, and upon the same level. Large bodies of water inland, and situated above the level of the ocean, are lakes. the appellation of sea, given to the Caspian lake, is an exception, and not very correct. So the lake of Galilee is called a sea, from the Greek. 3. the ocean; as, to go to sea. the fleet is at sea, or on the high seas. 4. A wave; a billow; a surge. the vessel shipped a sea. 5. the swell of the ocean in a tempest, or the direction of the waves; as, we head the sea. 6. Proverbially, a large quantity of liquor; as a sea of blood. 7. A rough or agitated place or element. In a troubled sea of passion tost. Milton'. Please also see the note for Hebrews 11:29 about the phrase Red Sea. Please also see the note for John 21:1 about the phrase sea of Tiberias.

The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge provides Bible references for this sentence as: 'General references. Re 20:2 exp: Mt 12:29.
to deceive. Re 20:3,10 Gog. Eze 38-39 to gather. Re 16:14 the number. Jg 7:12; 1Sa 13:5; 1Ki 4:20; Isa 10:22; Jer 33:22; Heb 11:12 General references. exp: Ge 10:2; Ps 48:4; Mt 12:29.'.

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C20-S8 (Verse 9) How the rebels attacked our Lord Jesus Christ and His saints.

Equivalent Section: they completely surrounded Jerusalem and the army of the saints.

And they went up on the breadth of the earth,
and compassed the camp of the saints about,
and the beloved city:.

Equivalent Section: God the Father ended the rebellion.

and fire came down from God out of heaven,
and devoured them.

Be careful of this sentence combined with the prior sentence. It is popular to preach that Gog and Magog are Russia and China. And they are. But people also preach that the rebellion against God is only in those places on the Earth while our sentence says that it happens on the breadth of the earth ('from everywhere on the Earth').

Our sentence has two Equivalent Sections with the First Equivalent Section telling us that the rebel army thought they would overcome our Lord Jesus Christ and the army of the saints. They, obviously, considered only the physical perspective and otally ignored the physical perspective. And, our Second Equivalent Section tells us that fire came down from God out of heaven, and devoured them. They, apparently, believed that God, and His spiritual power, did not matter. Further, God totally disabused them of that lie.

Dr. Jeff Wilson writes about this sentence: 'As Satan’s army, composed of men who have seen no warfare for 1000 years, surrounds Jerusalem and the camp of the saints, fire comes down from heaven and devours the entire invading force. God fights and wins the battle for His own. And so left alone and defeated Satan is now taken and finally cast into the lake of fire and brimstone, a place created for him, a place of torment, of fire, of pain, of eternal separation.'.

We find forms of the word breadth occurring 89 times in 80 verses of the Bible and, in the New Testament, in: Ephesians 3:18; Revelation 20:9; Revelation 21:16; Revelation 21:16. Webster's 1828 defines this word as: 'n. bredth. the measure or extent of any plain surface from side to side; a geometrical dimension, which, multiplied into the length, constitutes a surface; as, the length of a table is five feet, and the breadth, three; 5x3=15 feet, the whole surface'.

Please see the note for Luke 19:43-44 about the word compass.. The functional definition for this word is: 'To look all around as in a complete circle. Also, to stretch; reach; extent; the limit or boundary of a space, and the space included; applied to time, space, sound, etc'. In this sentence, the application is that the saved will be surrounded by the lost that Satan will lead in Hisfinal rebellion.

We find forms of the word camp occurring 144 times in 130 verses of the Bible and, in the New Testament, in: Hebrews 13:11; Hebrews 13:13; Revelation 20:9. Webster's 1828 defines this word as: 'n. 1. the ground on which an army pitch their tents, whether for a night or a longer time. 2. the order or arrangement of tents, or disposition of an army, for rest; as, to pitch a camp. Also, the troops encamped on the same field. 3. An army.
CAMP, v.t. or I. to rest or lodge, as an army, usually in tents; to pitch a camp; to fix tents; but seldom used. See Encamp'.

Please see the notes for Romans 8:39-LJC; Galatians C5-S14; Philippians 1:9-11; love in 1John and 2John 1:3-LJC about the word love. In particular, the note for 2John 1:3-LJC has links to every place where John writes about the word love. Please also see the note for Revelation 8:35-LJC for a table which divides the various roles of God and gives Bible references for how God loves us through each of His roles. Please also see the note for Revelation 8:35-LJC for a table which divides the various roles of God and gives Bible references for how God loves us through each of His roles. Please see the note for 1John C3S26 about the phrase love one another. Please see the note for Matthew 19:19 about the phrase love thy neighbour. Please see the note for 1John C4S13 about the phrase perfect love. Please see the notes for Romans C9S23 and Colossians C3S8 about the word beloved. Please also see the note for Matthew 17:5 for links to every place where the phrase beloved Son is applied to Jesus. The true Biblical doctrine of this word is very complex since it is a character trait of God. That said, the functional definition, of the word love, is: 'Doing what brings the greatest ultimate good to another being without any consideration of cost to self and not consideration of any response by the other and a willingness to even bring short-term pain if that is what is required in order to bring the ultimate long-tern good'. The functional definition, of the word beloved, is: 'be and loved, from love. Greatly loved; dear to the heart'.

Please see the note for Mark 11:19 about the word city. The functional definition for this word is: 'An area where many people live together and have a local government rule over them'. Please also see the note for Romans C13S12 about the phrase city of refuge. Please also see the note for Matthew 4:5 about the phrase holy city.

Please see the note for Philippians 2:9-11 about the word heaven. Easton's Bible Dictionary this word as: '(1.) Definitions. the phrase "heaven and earth" is used to indicate the whole universe (Ge 1:1; Jer 23:24; Ac 17:24). According to the Jewish notion there were three heavens, (a) the firmament, as "fowls of the heaven" (Ge 2:19; 7:3,23; Ps 8:8, etc.), "the eagles of heaven" (La 4:19), etc. (b) the starry heavens (De 17:3; Jer 8:2; Mt 24:29). (c) "The heaven of heavens," or "the third heaven" (De 10:14; 1Ki 8:27; Ps 115:16; 148:4; 2Co 12:2). (2.) Meaning of words in the original, (a) the usual Hebrew word for "heavens" is shamayim, a plural form meaning "heights," "elevations" (Ge 1:1; 2:1). (b) the Hebrew word marom is also used (Ps 68:18; 93:4; 102:19, etc.) as equivalent to shamayim, "high places," "heights." (c) Heb galgal, literally a "wheel," is rendered "heaven" in Ps 77:18 (R.V., "whirlwind"). (d) Heb shahak, rendered "sky" (De 33:26; Job 37:18; Ps 18:11), plural "clouds" (Job 35:5; 36:28; Ps 68:34, marg. "heavens"), means probably the firmament. (e) Heb rakia is closely connected with (d), and is rendered "firmamentum" in the Vulgate, whence our "firmament" (Ge 1:6; De 33:26, etc.), regarded as a solid expanse. (3.) Metaphorical meaning of term. Isa 14:13-14; "doors of heaven" (Ps 78:23); heaven "shut" (1Ki 8:35); "opened" (Eze 1:1). (See 1Ch 21:16.) (4.) Spiritual meaning. the place of the everlasting blessedness of the righteous; the abode of departed spirits. (a) Christ calls it his "Father's house" (Joh 14:2). (b) It is called "paradise" (Lu 23:43; 2Co 12:4; Re 2:7). (c) "The heavenly Jerusalem" (Ga 4:1; 6:18; Heb 12:22; Re 3:12). (d) the "kingdom of heaven" (Mt 25:1; Jas 2:5). (e) the "eternal kingdom" (2Pe 1:11). (f) the "eternal inheritance" (1Pe 1:4; Heb 9:15). (g) the "better country" (Heb 11:14,16). (h) the blessed are said to "sit down with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob," and to be "in Abraham's bosom" (Lu 16:22; Mt 8:11); to "reign with Christ" (2Ti 2:12). In heaven the blessedness of the righteous consists in the possession of "life everlasting," "an eternal weight of glory" (2Co 4:17), an exemption from all sufferings for ever, a deliverance from all evils (2Co 5:1-2) and from the society of the wicked (2Ti 4:18), bliss without termination, the "fulness of joy" for ever (Lu 20:36; 2Co 4:16,18; 1Pe 1:4; 5:10; 1Jo 3:2). the believer's heaven is not only a state of everlasting blessedness, but also a "place", a place "prepared" for them (Joh 14:2)'. Please also see the note for Matthew 3:2 about the phrase kingdom of Heaven. Please also see the note for Hebrews 12:2-LJC about the phrase treasure in Heaven. Please also see the Message called Laying up Treasure in Heaven. Please also see the note for Luke 3:21-22 about the phrase voice from heaven Please also see the note for Revelation 20:9 about the phrase fire from heaven. Please also see the note for 1Peter 1:2-LJC about the phrase things in Heaven. There are 57 references to this word just in this Bible book. Therefore, this note does not provide links to all of them.

Please see the note for Galatians 5:15 about the word devour. The functional definition for this word is: 'To destroy; to consume with rapidity and violence'.

The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge provides Bible references for this sentence as: 'went. Isa 8:7-8; Eze 38:9,16; Hab 1:6 and compassed. 2Ki 6:15; Mic 2:13; Mt 16:16-18; Lu 19:43; 21:20 the camp. Ps 48:1-3; 74:2-4; 125:1-2; Heb 13:13 and fire. Re 11:5; 13:13; Ge 19:24; Ex 9:23-24; Le 10:2-3; Nu 11:1; 16:35; 2Ki 1:10-15; Ps 97:3; 106:18; Isa 30:33; 37:36; Eze 38:22; 39:6; Lu 9:54; 17:29; 2Th 1:8 General references. exp: Job 38:18; Ps 48:4; Mt 12:29.'.

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C20-S9 The final judgment of Satan His beasts.(Verse 10) .

And the devil that deceived them was cast into the lake of fire and brimstone,
where the beast and the false prophet are,
and shall be tormented day and night for ever and ever.

Our sentence starts with the word And, which adds it to the prior sentence. Both sentences need to be considered together for contextual reasons. Our prior sentence told us about the destruction of the army which followed Satan. This sentence adds the destruction of Satan.

Satan is put where all devils and sinners will spend the rest of eternity. Please pay attention to our last phrase which says: and shall be tormented day and night for ever and ever. This is the future for anyone who is not saved. And, the truth is that God makes sure that everyone has at least one chance to be saved but does not promise more than one chance. Unfortunately, most people respond with: 'I don't believe you'. However, what we choose to believe does not change reality. And, we saw this truth in the prior sentence.

Notice that Satan's two beasts (the beast and the false prophet) are already there. Further on in this chapter, we read that all lost will join them. The beast and the false prophet knew that they were deliberately deceiving people who would end up in the lake of fire and brimstone. That is why they went there before anyone else.

Dr. Jeff Wilson writes about this sentence: 'Finally after 1000 years the satanic trinity is united once more, united as eternal prisoners that forever endure the wrath of God.'.

Please see the note for Acts 7:42 about the word beast. The The functional definition for this word is: 'Any animal that is not man. Sometimes it means quadrupeds, and not creeping things'.

Please see the note for Luke 8:28 about the word torment. Webster's 1828 defines this word as: 'Extreme pain; anguish; the utmost degree of misery, either of body or mind. the more I see pleasure about me, so much I feel torment within me. Lest they also come into this place of torment. Luke 16. Rev.9. 14. 2. that which gives pain, vexation or misery. they brought to him all sick people that were taken with divers diseases and orments. Matt. 4'.

Please see the note for Luke 1:5 about the word day. Easton's Bible Dictionary defines this word as: 'The Jews reckoned the day from sunset to sunset (Le 23:32). It was originally divided into three parts (Ps 55:17). "The heat of the day" (1Sa 11:11; Ne 7:3) was at our nine o'clock, and "the cool of the day" just before sunset (Ge 3:8). Before the Captivity the Jews divided the night into three watches, (1) from sunset to midnight (La 2:19); (2) from midnight till the cock-crowing (Jg 7:19); and (3) from the cock-crowing till sunrise (Ex 14:24). In the New Testament the division of the Greeks and Romans into four watches was adopted (Mr 13:35). (See Watches.) the division of the day by hours is first mentioned in Da 3:6,15; 4:19; 5:5. this mode of reckoning was borrowed from the Chaldeans. the reckoning of twelve hours was from sunrise to sunset, and accordingly the hours were of variable length (Joh 11:9). The word "day" sometimes signifies an indefinite time (Ge 2:4; Isa 22:5; Heb 3:8, etc.). In Job 3:1 it denotes a birthday, and in Isaiah 2:12; Acts 17:31; 2Timothy 1:18, the great day of final judgment.'. The functional definition, of the phrase last day is: '(end of the) Church Age. However, in the life of the individual, it can be used for the day that he dies'. Please see the note for Hebrews 3:13 about the word today. The functional definition is: 'obey immediately'. Please also see the note for Matthew 26:55 about the word daily. Please also see the notes for Philippians 1:6-LJC and 1Thessalonians 5:2 about the phrase day of. Please also see the note for 1Thessalonians 5:2 about the phrase day of the Lord. Please also see the note for John 20:1 about the phrase first day of the week.

Please see the note for John 11:10 about the word night. The Morrish Bible Dictionary defines this word as: 'Used symbolically for: 1. Death, a time "when no man can work." Joh 9:4. 2. the moral darkness of the world, in which men sleep and are drunken. 1Th 5:7. 3. the period of Christ's rejection, which is far spent, and the 'day' at hand. Ro 13:12. there will be no night of moral or spiritual darkness in the heavenly Jerusalem. Re 21:25; 22:5'. It is used in this sentence to identify the complete period of time. Please also see the note for Matthew 25:6 about the word midnight.

The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge provides Bible references for this sentence as: 'the devil. Re 20:2-3,8 exp: 1Pe 5:8. The lake. Re 20:14-15; 19:20 tormented. Re 14:10; Mt 25:41,46 General references. exp: Da 7:26.'.

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C20-S10 (Verse 11) the final judgment of all lost.

First Step: the judgment seat which John saw.

And I saw a great white throne,
and him that sat on it,
from whose face the earth and the heaven fled away;

Second Step: the corrupt earth and heaven fled away because they could not stay in the presence of a holy God.

and there was found no place for them.

Our sentence starts with the word And, which adds it to the prior sentence. Both sentences need to be considered together for contextual reasons. Our prior sentence told us about the judgment of Satan. This sentence adds the first preparation for the judgment of all who followed Satan.

Please see 1:14 for references to every place where the word white is used in this book. With the exception of the being on a white horse, who was sent to deceive lost people, every other reference to the word white is used for spiritually pure and associated with spiritually clean. Our sentence tells us that God sat on a spiritually pure and spiritually clean judgment seat because all judgments rendered will be pure and clean. Nothing other than the true facts will be allowed to affect the judgment.

Our First Step told us that the earth and the heaven could not face the pure judgment of God. That is why our First Step continues with the fact that they fled away. And, our Second Step tells us there was found no place for them. In addition, our next chapter starts with: And I saw a new heaven and a new earth: for the first heaven and the first earth were passed away. Thus, to old corrupt earth and the heaven are destroyed and replaced. In addition, the next three sentences tell us that everyone who was corrupted by sin, and not cleansed by our Lord Jesus Christ, are also cast into the lake of fire, where they are forever separated from God. Therefore, only the pure and holy will remain.

Dr. Jeff Wilson writes about this sentence: 'Following such a victory, John now sees a new scene, and what he sees is stark, dreadful, with an overcast of doom upon it, it is simply a great white throne, pure and holy, an emblem of all that is just and fair, and upon that throne John sees none other than the great judge himself, the Lord Jesus Christ. Joh 5:22 forthe Father judgeth no man, but hath committed all judgment unto the Son:… 27 And hath given him authority to execute judgment also, because he is the Son of man.
2Ti 4:1 I charge thee therefore before God, and the Lord Jesus Christ, who shall judge the quick and the dead at his appearing and his kingdom;
This is no court room scene that John sees, for even though there is a judge with the accused before him, there is no jury, no defense attorney, no prosecution, for all judgment falls to the one who knows all, sees all, for as v9 states the earth and heaven flee away and so there remains no place for man to hide from the judge’s piercing gaze, no where to hide from his searching of hearts. All will be revealed, all will be dealt with fairly and justly for Christ is the omniscient judge. But please note, no believer will be here, no saved will ever stand before the great white throne, for believers stand before the Judgment Seat of Christ where their rewards are determined. Before the great white throne is where the damned will stand and receive their sentence. foras Christ readies himself to judge, the second resurrection, the resurrection of the damned, takes place in order to summon the unbelieving dead of all the ages.'.

Please see the note for 2Corinthians 4:6 about the word face. The functional definition for this word is: 'The power, position, authority and presence of the being that is presented to us'.

Please see the note for Philippians 2:9-11 about the word heaven. Easton's Bible Dictionary this word as: '(1.) Definitions. the phrase "heaven and earth" is used to indicate the whole universe (Ge 1:1; Jer 23:24; Ac 17:24). According to the Jewish notion there were three heavens, (a) the firmament, as "fowls of the heaven" (Ge 2:19; 7:3,23; Ps 8:8, etc.), "the eagles of heaven" (La 4:19), etc. (b) the starry heavens (De 17:3; Jer 8:2; Mt 24:29). (c) "The heaven of heavens," or "the third heaven" (De 10:14; 1Ki 8:27; Ps 115:16; 148:4; 2Co 12:2). (2.) Meaning of words in the original, (a) the usual Hebrew word for "heavens" is shamayim, a plural form meaning "heights," "elevations" (Ge 1:1; 2:1). (b) the Hebrew word marom is also used (Ps 68:18; 93:4; 102:19, etc.) as equivalent to shamayim, "high places," "heights." (c) Heb galgal, literally a "wheel," is rendered "heaven" in Ps 77:18 (R.V., "whirlwind"). (d) Heb shahak, rendered "sky" (De 33:26; Job 37:18; Ps 18:11), plural "clouds" (Job 35:5; 36:28; Ps 68:34, marg. "heavens"), means probably the firmament. (e) Heb rakia is closely connected with (d), and is rendered "firmamentum" in the Vulgate, whence our "firmament" (Ge 1:6; De 33:26, etc.), regarded as a solid expanse. (3.) Metaphorical meaning of term. Isa 14:13-14; "doors of heaven" (Ps 78:23); heaven "shut" (1Ki 8:35); "opened" (Eze 1:1). (See 1Ch 21:16.) (4.) Spiritual meaning. the place of the everlasting blessedness of the righteous; the abode of departed spirits. (a) Christ calls it his "Father's house" (Joh 14:2). (b) It is called "paradise" (Lu 23:43; 2Co 12:4; Re 2:7). (c) "The heavenly Jerusalem" (Ga 4:1; 6:18; Heb 12:22; Re 3:12). (d) the "kingdom of heaven" (Mt 25:1; Jas 2:5). (e) the "eternal kingdom" (2Pe 1:11). (f) the "eternal inheritance" (1Pe 1:4; Heb 9:15). (g) the "better country" (Heb 11:14,16). (h) the blessed are said to "sit down with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob," and to be "in Abraham's bosom" (Lu 16:22; Mt 8:11); to "reign with Christ" (2Ti 2:12). In heaven the blessedness of the righteous consists in the possession of "life everlasting," "an eternal weight of glory" (2Co 4:17), an exemption from all sufferings for ever, a deliverance from all evils (2Co 5:1-2) and from the society of the wicked (2Ti 4:18), bliss without termination, the "fulness of joy" for ever (Lu 20:36; 2Co 4:16,18; 1Pe 1:4; 5:10; 1Jo 3:2). the believer's heaven is not only a state of everlasting blessedness, but also a "place", a place "prepared" for them (Joh 14:2)'. Please also see the note for Matthew 3:2 about the phrase kingdom of Heaven. Please also see the note for Hebrews 12:2-LJC about the phrase treasure in Heaven. Please also see the Message called Laying up Treasure in Heaven. Please also see the note for Luke 3:21-22 about the phrase voice from heaven Please also see the note for Revelation 20:9 about the phrase fire from heaven. Please also see the note for 1Peter 1:2-LJC about the phrase things in Heaven. There are 57 references to this word just in this Bible book. Therefore, this note does not provide links to all of them.

Please see the note for Luke 8:34 about the words flee / fled. The functional definition for this word is: 'To run with rapidity, as from danger; to attempt to escape; to hasten from danger or expected evil'.

The word found is the past-tense form of the word find. Please see the note for John 1:41 about the word find. The functional definition for this word is: 'Literally, to come to; to meet; hence, to discover by the eye; to gain first sight or knowledge of something lost; to recover either by searching for it or by accident'.

The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge provides Bible references for this sentence as: 'I saw. Re 20:2; 19:11; Ge 18:25; Ps 9:7-8; 14:6-7; 47:8; 89:14; 97:2; Mt 25:31; Ac 17:30-31; Ro 2:5 exp: Re 20:12. from. Re 6:14; 16:20; 21:1; Jer 4:23-26; Da 2:35; Mt 24:35; 2Pe 3:7,10-12 and there. Re 12:8; Job 9:6 General references. exp: 2Ch 9:17; Ps 114:4; Ec 12:14; Isa 24:19; 42:15; Da 7:26; Mr 13:24; Lu 9:29; 12:2; 21:33; Joh 5:22; Re 16:20.'.

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C20-S11 (Verse 12) Who is judged and how.

Equivalent Section: the basis of condemnation and who is condemned.

First Step: John saw the people who are to be judged.

And I saw the dead,
small and great,
stand before God;

Second Step: the legal records and the word of God are opened and used for the judgment.

and the books were opened:.

Equivalent Section: the book of exception to condemnation is checked to verify that none of these people have a legal exception.

and another book was opened,
which is the book of life:.

Equivalent Section: the basis of each level of punishment.

and the dead were judged out of those things which were written in the books,
according to their works.

Our sentence starts with the word And, which adds it to the prior sentence. Both sentences need to be considered together for contextual reasons. Our prior sentence told us about the final judgment. This sentence adds who is judged and how.

Our sentence has three Equivalent Sections which tell us that a true and impartial standard of judgment is used to judge everyone. Our First Equivalent Section tells us the basis of condemnation and who is condemned. Our Second Equivalent Section tells us that the book of exception to condemnation is checked to verify that none of these people have a legal exception. Our third Equivalent Section tells us the basis of each level of punishment. Thus, every possible method us used to verify that each judgment is righteous. Many people want things to be 'fair'. But, what people consider to be truly 'fair' actually gives them an advantage. The big guy says that a be 'fair' fight is in a limited space where the small guy can not run around. The small guy says that a be 'fair' fight is one where he can get away and can use his speed to dodge the deadly, but slow, swings from the big guy. So, no, God is not be 'fair' but His judgments are righteous.

The First Step, of our First Equivalent Section, tells us that the dead stand there to be judged. No body gets to sit around or lay around. In addition, the phrase: the dead includes everyone who is not alive in Jesus Christ. That is, it includes everyone who is not saved.

The First Step, of our First Equivalent Section, also tells us that there is no personal consideration given to anyone. It does not matter if you are small, or if you are great, everyone is judged by the same standard.

In the second Step, of our First Equivalent Section, we are told that the books were opened. And the titles in the sentence outline, above, tell us which books were opened. God keeps a record of everything done by everyone throughout their entire life. Therefore, there is no personal opinion nor memory used. And, these books not only have full four dimensional video and sound, but that also have the record of our heart decisions and the attitudes and motivations of the actions done. Some action might seem right, but it can be done for the wrong reason. Likewise, some action might seem wrong, but it can be done for the right reason. Therefore, God includes these things in His heavenly legal record.

In our Second Equivalent Section, we read that the book of life is also opened. There is absolutely no chance that a truly saved person was placed with the dead. However, God proves that he is righteous in His condemnation by verifying one last time that each person's name is not written in the book of life because everyone who is there is not condemned but is allowed to remain in Heaven.

In our third Equivalent Section, we read that the dead were judged out of those things which were written in the book. Everything is done according to the legal records in Heaven and no one can accuse our Lord Jesus Christ of partiality in His judgment. In addition, we are told that the judgment is according to their works. That means that: 'the amount of everlasting suffering increases or decreases according to the spiritual judgment of their works'. A preacher of a false religion will suffer more than a mass murderer because the preacher kills souls and spirits while the mass murderer only kills bodies.

In addition to that, we see that all judgment, by our Lord Jesus Christ, is according to their works including the amount of rewards which the saved receive in Heaven. One of the popular lies from devils is that it does not matter how we live our life, we will get everlasting rewards simply for being saved.

One last point is that the judge will be our Lord Jesus Christ according to Romans 2:16 (In the day when God shall judge the secrets of men by Jesus Christ according to my gospel). He lived as a literal physical man. He knows and understands our weaknesses and temptations. God the Father does not because God the Father never lived as a literal weak human man. That is why all judgment of men is done by our Lord Jesus Christ.

Dr. Jeff Wilson writes about this sentence: 'Here as death delivers up the physical bodies of each and every unbeliever and as hell coughs up their tormented souls to be united once more as body and spirit, each individual stands before the great judge, before the very one their sins crucified, the very one they rejected, the very one they mocked and jeered, the one they hated and scorned, all will stand there terrified with the shadow of doom overhanging them as they look upon the face of Christ in fear. then we see that the books are opened, a book for each individual, a book of record of all things done and not done, for good or for evil, in his or her lifetime. Along with those books, we also know that the Word of God will be one of the books used to judge as well, for Jesus says in Joh 12:48 He that rejecteth me, and receiveth not my words, hath one that judgeth him: the word that I have spoken, the same shall judge him in the last day. Ro 2:16 In the day when God shall judge the secrets of men by Jesus Christ according to my gospel. And one other book that will be opened will be the Book of life, the Lamb’s Book of life, and as v15 states…'.

Please see the note for Luke 3:4 about the word book. The functional definition for this word is: 'A general name of every literary composition which is printed; but appropriately, a printed composition bound; a volume. the name is given also to any number of written sheets when bound or sewed together, and to a volume of blank paper, intended for any species of writing, as for memorandums, for accounts, or receipts. 1. A particular part of a literary composition; a division of a subject in the same volume. 2. A volume or collection of sheets in which accounts are kept; a register of debts and credits, receipts and expenditures.'. Please also see the note for Galatians 3:10 about the phrase book of the law. Please also see the note for Revelation 13:8-LJC about the phrase book of the life.

Please see the note for Philippians 2:1 about the word accord. Webster's 1828 dictionary defines according as: 'ppr. 1. Agreeing; harmonizing when two notes are in a music chord, they move together, up or down, to the next note. th' according music of a well mixt state. 2. Suitable; agreeable; in accordance with. In these senses, the word agrees with or refers to a sentence. Our zeal should be according to knowledge. Noble is the fame that is built on candor and ingenuity, according to those beautiful lines of Sir John Denham. Here the whole preceding parts of the sentence are to accord, i.e. agree with, correspond with, or be suitable to, what follows. According, here, has its true participial sense, agreeing, and is always followed by to. It is never a preposition'. The functional definition for this word is: 'Think of music where two or more notes move together in a cord. Likewise, two or more things move together when they are according'. Please also see the note for Psalms 119:23 about the phrase according to works.

Please see the notes for Romans C9S8; 1Corinthians C3S13; 2Corinthians 4:8-12; Galatians C2-S10 and Philippians 1:1 about the word works. The functional definition for this word is: ' In a general sense, to move, or to move one way and the other; to perform'. Please also see the note for Romans C11S10 about the phrase works are seen of men. Please also see the note for Psalms 119:23 about the phrase according to works. Please also see the note for Philippians 3:2 about the phrase evil workers. Please also see the note for Hebrews 4:12 about the phrase evil heart. Please also see the notes for Romans 8:1-LJC; Galatians C5-S6 and Revelation 19:2-LJC about the phrase judged by works. Please also see the note for Romans C3S27 about the phrase law of works. Please also see the note for 2Corinthians 6:1 about the word workers. Please also see the note for Matthew 10:9-10 about the word workman.

The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge provides Bible references for this sentence as: 'I saw. Re 20:11; Da 12:2; Joh 5:28-29; 11:25-26; Ac 24:15; 1Co 15:21-23; 1Th 4:15-17 small. Re 19:5 stand. Ro 14:10-12; 1Co 4:5; 2Co 5:10 the books. Da 7:10 and another. Re 3:5; 13:8; 17:8; 21:27; Ps 69:28; Da 12:1; Lu 10:20; Php 4:3 according. Re 20:13; 2:23; 22:12; Ps 28:4; 62:12; Pr 24:12,29; Ec 12:14; Jer 17:10; 32:19; Mt 16:27; Ro 2:6; 2Co 5:10 exp: Isa 59:18. General references. exp: Ge 3:9; De 29:10; 32:34; Ps 9:8; Ec 12:14; Lu 12:2; Joh 5:22; Ro 2:6; Ga 6:5.'.

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C20-S12 (Verse 13) the dead were resurrected to face judgment.

Equivalent Section: Where the dead came from.

First Step: If physical remains existed, the bodies were restored.

And the sea gave up the dead which were in it;

Second Step: Souls and spirits were br4ought up from Hell.

and death and hell delivered up the dead which were in them:

Equivalent Section: the basis of judgment.

and they were judged every man according to their works.

Our sentence starts with the word And, which adds it to the prior sentence. Both sentences need to be considered together for contextual reasons. Our prior sentence told us who is judged and how. Our current sentence tells us where the dead came from.

The titles in our sentence outline, above, clearly tell us what each phrase is about. In addition, the note for the prior sentence explained tyhe phrase; according to their works.

Dr. Jeff Wilson wrote about this sentence in the note for the prior sentence.

In our sentence, we read the basis of our own personal judgment. We read the word according, in the same verse as the word work, in 43 verses of the Bible, 21 verses of the New Testament and, in Revelation, in: 2:23; 18:6; 20:12; 20:12 and 22:12. Devils have convinced many people that all of these places in the word of God lie and that they will be rewarded for a life of sin. If you believe that lie then you are a Biblical fool who deserved the punishment that will be given for more that 1,000 years in Heaven.

Please see the note for James 3:6 about the word hell. Easton's Bible Dictionary defines this word as: 'derived from the Saxon helan, to cover; hence the covered or the invisible place. In Scripture there are three words so rendered: (1.) Sheol, occurring in the Old Testament sixty-five times. this word sheol is derived from a root-word meaning "to ask," "demand;" hence insatiableness (Pr 30:15-16). It is rendered "grave" thirty-one times (Ge 37:35; 42:38; 44:29,31; 1Sa 2:6, etc.). the Revisers have retained this rendering in the historical books with the original word in the margin, while in the poetical books they have reversed this rule. In thirty-one cases in the Authorized Version this word is rendered "hell," the place of disembodied spirits. the inhabitants of sheol are "the congregation of the dead" (Pr 21:16). It is (a) the abode of the wicked (Nu 16:33; Job 24:19; Ps 9:17; 31:17, etc.); (b) of the good (Ps 16:10; 30:3; 49:15; 86:13, etc.). Sheol is described as deep (Job 11:8), dark (Job 10:21-22), with bars (Job 17:16). the dead "go down" to it (Nu 16:30,33; Eze 31:15-16,17). (2.) the Greek word hades of the New Testament has the same scope of signification as sheol of the Old Testament. It is a prison (1Pe 3:19), with gates and bars and locks (Mt 16:18; Re 1:18), and it is downward (Mt 11:23; Lu 10:15). the righteous and the wicked are separated. the blessed dead are in that part of hades called paradise (Lu 23:43). they are also said to be in Abraham's bosom (Lu 16:22). (3.) Gehenna, in most of its occurrences in the Greek New Testament, designates the place of the lost (Mt 23:33). the fearful nature of their condition there is described in various figurative expressions (Mt 8:12; 13:42; 22:13; 25:30; Lu 16:24, etc.). (See Hinnom.)'. Please also see the note for Matthew 16:18 about the phrase gates of hell.

Please see the note for Mark 9:31 about the word delivered. The functional definition for this word is: ''Freed; released; transferred or transmitted; passed from one to another; committed; yielded; surrendered; rescued; uttered; pronounced'.

The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge provides Bible references for this sentence as: 'the sea. Joh 5:28-29 and death. Re 20:14; 6:8; Ho 13:14; 1Co 15:50-58 hell. or, the grave. 1Co 15:55 (margin) exp: Isa 5:14. and they. Re 20:12 General references. exp: Ge 3:9; De 32:34; Ps 9:8; Ec 12:14; Ga 6:'.

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C20-S13 (Verse 14) And death and hell were cast into the lake of fire

Our sentence starts with the word And, which adds it to the prior sentence. Both sentences need to be considered together for contextual reasons. Our prior sentence told us about the judgment of the dead. Our current sentence adds what happened each and every one of them after their judgment.

Some preachers, foolishly, preach about: 'Eternal Hell'. However, our current sentence tells us that Hell is emptied out and cast into the lake of fire. In Numbers 16 and Numbers 26, we are told; the earth open her mouth, and swallow them up, with all that appertain unto them, and they go down quick into the pit. That is, Korah and those who helped him challenge Moses dropped into Hell alive. Hell is in the center of the Earth. And, it must be emptied our before the earth is destroyed with fire (Zephaniah 3:8). And, that has to happen before God creates a new heaven and a new earth, as our next chapter tells us.

Dr. Jeff Wilson writes about this sentence: ''.

The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge provides Bible references for this sentence as: 'death. Re 19:20; Ho 13:14; 1Co 15:26,53 exp: 1Co 15:54. General references. exp: Ec 12:14; 1Co 15:26; Ga 6:5.'.

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C20-S14 (Verse 14) This is the second death

The second death is spending an eternity tourmented in the lake of fire and forever separated from God. We find the phrase; second death in Revelation 2:11; Revelation 20:6; Revelation 20:14 and Revelation 21:8.

Dr. Jeff Wilson writes about this sentence: 'And so as each one shown to be guilty is cast into the lake of fire, death and hell are cast in along with them. Neither death nor hell are needed any longer. forin eternity with the Lord there will be no death and there will be no need of a hell to store unbelieving souls until judgment, for now all that are left are believers, and they are forever united with their Lord, while those in the lake of fire are forever separated from God, and as v14 says, this is the second death, the lake of fire is the place of eternal separation, because those who have experienced the second birth are eternally united with God.'.

The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge provides Bible references for this sentence as: 'This. Re 20:6; 21:8 General references. exp: Ec 12:14; 1Co 15:26; Ga 6:5.'.

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C20-S15 (Verse 15) And whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire

Our sentence adds a second basis for someone being cast into the lake of fire. The first reason was the sins they were found guilty of doing. This second reason is that they failed to do what God required in order for them to be saved.

Dr. Jeff Wilson writes about this sentence: 'Whosoever could choose to believe Joh 3:16 forGod so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. And whosoever could choose not to believe, Joh 3:18 He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God. these whosoevers will have no defense for their rejection of Christ, no argument, no appeal, they will each reluctantly accept the ruling against them as just. Both small and great, rich and poor, mighty and weak, religious and infidel will stand and have their life and choices played outbefore them and then they will receive their sentence. that is why its so important to know that your name is written there, in the book of life, for the sinner can either ask God for a free pardon or demand a fair trial, and I would much prefer freedom rather than a death sentence, for every one that stands at this judgment is condemned already, they stand here to be judged according to their works to see what kind of sentence they will receive not to have their guilt or innocence determined. And that brings me to a question that came up last time, if there are different degrees of punishment for these unbelievers who will forever be separated from God. And it seemed that there must be as God is a just God, a fair God, and if believers receive varying degrees of reward it makes sense that unbelievers would receive varying degrees of punishment, for v12 and v13 both end with the expression the dead will be judged “according to their works”, and since all deeds are not the same in quantity or quality, this must mean there are varying degrees of punishment. And according to Scripture this assumption seems to be true… Ro 2:5 But after thy hardness and impenitent heart treasurest up unto thyself wrath against the day of wrath and revelation of the righteous judgment of God; 6 Who will render to every man according to his deeds:
Mt 11:20 then began he to upbraid the cities wherein most of his mighty works were done, because they repented not: 21 Woe unto thee, Chorazin! woe unto thee, Bethsaida! for if the mighty works, which were done in you, had been done in Tyre and Sidon, they would have repented long ago in sackcloth and ashes. 22 But I say unto you, It shall be more tolerable for Tyre and Sidon at the day of judgment, than for you. 23 And thou, Capernaum, which art exalted unto heaven, shalt be brought down to hell: for if the mighty works, which have been done in thee, had been done in Sodom, it would have remained until this day.24 But I say unto you, that it shall be more tolerable for the land of Sodom in the day of judgment, than for thee.
Mr 6:11 And whosoever shall not receive you, nor hear you, when ye depart thence, shake off the dust under your feet for a testimony against them. Verily I say unto you, It shall be more tolerable for Sodom and Gomorrha in the day of judgment, than for that city.
Lu 12:46 the lord of that servant will come in a day when he looketh not for him, and at an hour when he is not aware, and will cut him in sunder, and will appoint him his portion with the unbelievers. 47 And that servant, which knew his lord's will, and prepared not himself, neither did according to his will, shall be beaten with many stripes. 48 But he that knew not, and did commit things worthy of stripes, shall be beaten with few stripes. forunto whomsoever much is given, of him shall be much required: and to whom men have committed much, of him they will ask the more.
Along with these verses the book of Romans actually teaches that one will be judged based on the amount of light they have received, not in those exact words, but the principle is there. Now we do not know exactly what all this entails, but we can trust that God will do right by everyone because as Ac 17:31 states… he hath appointed a day, in the which he will judge the world in righteousness… But the sad fact remains that all those that stand before the great white throne are sent to the lake of fire, and it will be worse for some than it will for others.'.

The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge provides Bible references for this sentence as: 'whosoever. Mr 16:16; Joh 3:18-19,36; 14:6; Ac 4:12; Heb 2:3; 12:25; 1Jo 5:11-12 was cast. Re 19:20; Mt 25:41; Mr 9:43-48 General references. exp: Ps 97:3; Ec 12:14; Ga 6:5.'.

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Interpretive Study of Revelation 19-20

The Revelation of Jesus Christ

Revelation Chapter 19

links to sentences in this chapter:

Chapter Summary: Preparation for the return of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Revelation Chapter 20

links to sentences in this chapter:

Chapter Summary: the 1,000 years reign of Christ.

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