Saul of Tarsus (the future Apostle Paul) was the berserker, who wreaked havoc on the Early Church, but the churches “were multiplied” (Acts 9:31 KJV); nonetheless, because persecution grew the Church. Likewise, a “great multitude, which no man could number, of all nations, and kindreds, and people, and tongues” (Revelation 7:9 KJV) will respond to the Gospel witnessed by the 144,000. That multitude will be those martyred by antichrist. “These are they which came out of great tribulation, and have washed their robes, and made them white in the blood of the Lamb” (7:14). A seeming paradox is the blood of Christian martyrs grows the Church. Tertullian (155-240 AD) defended the Christian faith before the governors of the Roman Empire. He said, “The oftener we are mown down by you, the more in number we grow; the blood of Christians is seed” (The Apology, 50.13). Though the Vanity Fair approach has been enormously successful in limiting Spiritual Christianity, even such measures will become unnecessary during the final end game of the Tribulation Week. LORD, grant unto Your children the patience of faith of Christ, Stephen, Antipas, and Your Two Witnesses that we may, too, witness a good confession for You, even unto death. In Jesus’ name, we ask it. Amen.
Fear of Prophecy
144,000 Israelites Are Sealed (Revelation 7:3)
Revelation 7 depicts an unearthly calming of the “four winds of the earth” (Revelation 7:1 KJV) in order to seal 144,000 “servants of our God in their foreheads” (7:3). These Jewish Tribulation Believers later appear in Heaven towards the latter part of the Tribulation Week (14:1), apparently unscathed and are living testament to the grace of God even in times of “great tribulation” (7:14). These represent a continuation of Jehovah’s harvest of Israel, in keeping with Paul’s desire and prayer. “Brethren, my heart’s desire and prayer to God for Israel is, that they might be saved” (Romans 10:1). The LORD’s reclamation of Israel will climax with the spiritual rebirth of the nation at the Second Coming of Christ. “Who hath heard such a thing? who hath seen such things? Shall the earth be made to bring forth in one day? or shall a nation be born at once? for as soon as Zion travailed, she brought forth her children” (Isaiah 66:8). LORD, we love Israel, not because of their rejection of You, but because You have chose them with an everlasting love. Redeem the 144,000. Save Israel. In Jesus’ name, we pray. Amen.
Great Earthquake (Revelation 6:12)
The sixth seal judgment of the Book of Revelation is a “great earthquake; and the sun became black as sackcloth of hair, and the moon became as blood” (Revelation 6:12 KJV). This is an apocalyptic shaking of the entire earth. Here, interpreting the “stars of heaven [that] fell unto the earth” (6:13 KJV) as Fallen Angels (compare Job 38:7) prepares for the Mid-Tribulational worship of Antichrist as God at the Abomination of Desolation (Matthew 24:15; Mark 13:14; 2Thessalonians 2:8). We live what we believe, and what we believe about prophecy affects our decisions today. If apocalyptic shaking of the planet and strange displays in the cosmos are scheduled for the future, then we should be more concerned about our heart’s interaction with God. After all, that alone we control. LORD, may all our understanding of Your judgments cause us to walk righteously before You, and cause us to warn others. In Jesus’ name, amen.
Black Horse of the Cost of Living (Revelation 6:6)
The third seal judgment of the Book of Revelation reveals the third horseman of the Apocalypse, which is famine or the insanity of the cost of living. Unlike the Father caring for us like He does the “birds of the air” (Matthew 6:26 KJV), food insecurity under the Antichrist will require more than an ordinary job can provide. “And I heard a voice in the midst of the four beasts say, A measure of wheat [what a laboring man would eat in only one meal] for a penny [a day’s wage], and three measures of barley [a lesser grain that a laboring man would eat in three meals] for a penny [a day’s wage]; and see thou hurt not the oil and the wine” (Revelation 6:6). No doubt there will be peace enough for building again the Third Jewish Temple, but food insecurity will prevail to fulfill this prophecy. LORD, we appreciate what You have already given us to do Your will. May Your tribulations teach righteousness in the earth. In Jesus’ name, amen.
Fiery Red Horse of Conflict (Revelation 6:4)
The second horseman of the Apocalypse rides a fiery red horse representing warfare, which normally comes after the failed diplomacy of man. Just as our Father desires earth to reflect heaven, Antichrist’s world will reflect hell. No doubt “a great sword” represents a proliferation of weapons, smart weapons, as well as weapons of mass destruction. “And there went out another horse that was red: and power was given to him that sat thereon to take peace from the earth, and that they should kill one another: and there was given unto him a great sword” (Revelation 6:4 KJV). The unpleasantness of hearing the judgments of God upon the world is motivation to spread the good news of a second chance before it’s too late. LORD, energize and motivate us to share Your Word, Your Gospel, and Your prophecies that You might be magnified, and they might be benefited. In Jesus’ name, amen.
Movies With Bad Endings
No one likes a movie with a bad ending. God especially knows it. The devil even admits it, so his antichrist attempts to masquerade as God in the Temple. But, in the end, “fire came down from God out of heaven, and devoured them. 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” (Revelation 20:9-10 KJV). Then, why does all the rest of angelic and human history have to transpire before then? The Almighty knows everything He has to accomplish to fulfill all righteousness to get to the point it could be said, “And I heard a great voice out of heaven saying, Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and He will dwell with them, and they shall be His people, and God Himself shall be with them, and be their God. And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away” (21:3-4). Though we look at all the upcoming events with concern, we want this final outcome. Even so, come, Lord Jesus. Amen.
Behold A White Horse (Revelation 6:2)
The first seal judgment of the Book of Revelation opens at the beginning of Daniel’s Seventieth Week. “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” (Revelation 6:2 KJV). This first of the four horseman of the Apocalypse most likely represents Antichrist with veiled military power (“a bow”) diplomatically consolidating power worldwide. What has just disrupted the world? Was it a Pre-Tribulational Rapture of the Church? Could it be the revelation of the first horseman as a supernatural alien/Nephilim (UFO alien)? LORD, You are our teacher of things to come. Give us understanding that we may hasten Your return. In Jesus’ name, amen.
Thou Art Worthy (Revelation 4:11)
Humanism at its zenith is a fascination with self — falling in love with the picture in the mirror. No worse punishment can be pronounced for the humanist than taking the emphasis upon self and gazing upon the Almighty. John shows us a picture of eternity with a scene around the throne of God. “Thou art worthy, O Lord, to receive glory and honour and power: for Thou hast created all things, and for Thy pleasure they are and were created” (Revelation 4:11 KJV). His glory is His pleasure; and, our purpose for existence is for the pleasure of God. For this reason, how could we not be more delighted than to find the attention He lavishes upon us? “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” (1Corinthians 2:9). How could Heaven be more attractive? LORD, You are worthy of the praise, honor, and glory given You. Satisfy our soul in giving You this worship. Teach us our poverty of Spirit, when we restrain our praise of You. In Jesus’ name, amen.
Come Up Hither (Revelation 4:1)
Did Laodicea open the door in repentance to Christ’s invitation (Revelation 3:20)? There must have been repentance, for immediately after the invitation, we witness the Tribulation Week from a heavenly perspective (4:1). This perspective includes the Marriage Supper of the Lamb (Revelation 19:6-10), to which Christ previously alluded — “Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear My voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with Me” (Revelation 3:20 KJV). Twice in the Book of Revelation the expression “Come up hither” (Revelation 4:1; 11:12) occurs. The Laodicean Church was invited to open a Pre-Tribulational Rapture door to a royal throne scene (3:20-21); likewise, the two witnesses (11:3, 12) are resurrected to a Pre-Wrath Rapture before the vial judgments (16:1-21). Though both raptures are escapes for God’s people, they are a miracle and wonder to magnify Almighty God in full view of an unbelieving world. LORD, help us not to give up on the Backslidden Church, since You did not give up on Lukewarm Laodicea. May we trust, as You do, that if a “good work” (Philippians 1:6) was truly begun, that “You will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ” (Philippians 1:6). Perform this miraculous work of restoration on the Prodigal Church that the Pre-Tribulational Come Up Hither [Rapture] would justify Your trouble in continuing to seek to restore her. Return quickly, Lord Jesus. Amen.
The Final Call (Revelation 3:20)
If the Church of Laodicea can be compared to the final stage of Church History, then lukewarmness is its trademark. “I know thy works, that thou art neither cold nor hot: I would thou wert cold or hot. So then because thou art lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spue [vomit] thee out of My mouth” (Revelation 3:15-16 KJV). In spite of Laodicea’s lukewarmness, Christ gives her an invitation, the final call to repentance before He unfolds tribulation upon the earth. “Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear My voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with Me” (3:20). We have been comfortable in the world, rationalizing Christ can benefit from our riches, but blinded by self-interest, we have not seen the glories of the Invisible Christ in the Unseen Realm. O LORD, awaken Your people! May we acknowledge Your displeasure because of the slowness of our heart in believing You. Be merciful to us and cause us to make an impression on those left behind. Even so, come quickly, Lord Jesus. Amen and amen.
We Need A Miracle 
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