Trumpet Judgments - Part 4 - Revelation 9:1-4

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Now, in honor of the one and only true God, the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob left doing fine. See Thomas for today's message. Welcome to the program. My name is Brian Thomas and it is a joy to join you on God first program well today I am answering listener questions. If you have a question that you would like for us to answer on the air. You can email them to us at questions@god1.org that's questions at GLD.

The number one ST.war Jeep. You can also mail them to us by writing to God first Bible Fellowship, PO Box 266, Knightdale, NC 27545 where we begin in night deal with Brian Brian Rice Jesus said in Matthew chapter 16 verse 28 that some standing there would not die until they saw him coming in his kingdom all that were there, have died in Jesus is not yet returned. So how can the statement of Christ be true. I personally struggle with this for quite some time to make sense of this verse many years ago.

So let's look first at Matthew chapter 16 verse 28 it reads surely I say to you, there are some standing here who shall not taste death until they see the Son of Man coming in his kingdom that most interpret the words of Christ, the apostles to say.

To paraphrase some of you standing here will not die until you see me return to establish my kingdom will as of today, all of the apostles have died. We all died more than the thousand years ago, but Christ is not yet return as King will we know that God cannot lie as numbers chapter 23 verse 19 declares so how do we make sense of this. I believe they are actually two possible answers to this question. The parallel quotes of Jesus's declaration in Matthew 1628 are Luke chapter 9 verse 27 and Mark chapter 9 verse one. So for the first possible answer.

Note that in each of the synoptic Gospels. The next event that is recorded immediately after the statement of Jesus was the Transfiguration. The Transfiguration is the event in which Jesus led Peter James and John up a high mountain.

Jesus was transfigured before them as his face shone like the sun, and his clothes became white as light as is recorded in Matthew 17 verse two Moses and Elijah. Representations of the law and the prophets of the Old Testament and spoke with Jesus.

The three apostles therefore saw Jesus in all of his splendor and glory.

The Greek word translated kingdom can also mean royal splendor. Another way of seeing King.

So Matthew chapter 16 verse 28 could be translated to read some standing here, shall not taste death until they see the Son of Man coming in his royal splendor, which is why some translations read see the Son of Man coming as King.

So it is possible that Jesus was referring to the Transfiguration rather than his coming to establish his kingdom on the earth. Three disciples at the Transfiguration witness him as he really was in war you splendor as King. Now to the second possible answer. I was an apostle who did see Jesus Christ return to establish his earthly kingdom that you probably saying you just said Christ is not yet returned but now you say one of the apostles saw him return will turn to the book of Revelation chapter 19 LS look at verse 11. Now I saw heaven opened, and behold a white horse and he who sat on him was called faithful and true, and in his righteousness he judges and makes war. His eyes were like a flame of fire, and on his head were many crowns had a name written that no one knew except himself. He was close with a robe dipped in blood, his name is called the word of God and the armies in heaven, clothed in fine linen, white and clean, followed him on white horses out of his mouth goes a sharp sword, that with it he should strike the nations. And he himself will rule them with a rod of iron. He himself treads the winepress of the fierceness and wrath of Almighty God and he has on his robe and on his thigh a name written, King of Kings and Lord of lords, so there was one that was standing there that saw the return of Jesus Christ. That was the apostle John wrote the book of Revelation.

While in exile on the island of Patmos for preaching the gospel of Christ, the Lord sent his angel to John in Revelation chapter 1 verse one and the angel literally took John into the future to the time of the tribulation and return of Christ.

So the apostle John saw all the events of Revelation that are yet still future for us, so he witness Christ's coming in his kingdom before his death. So thank you Brian for sending in that question. Next, we have a question from Rhonda in Wake Forest, North Carolina. She writes why does the Roman Catholic Church say that Peter was the first pope. Well, I certainly do not claim to be a scholar on the Catholic faith, but it is true that the Roman Catholic Church considers the apostle Peter to be the first pope, upon whom God chose to build his church. The holes of the believe that Peter had authority over the other apostles, becoming the first Bishop of Rome at some point after the recorded events of the book of acts they declare that the Roman bishop was accepted as the central authority within all churches. There is a teaching call apostolic succession, which is the believe that Peter's apostolic authority was given by God and passed along to subsequent bishops in the Catholic Church. Their faith teaches that Peter and the subsequent popes were and are infallible given them the ability to oversee the church without error. The Roman Catholic Church claims to be able to trace the line of popes back to Peter as evidence that it is the true church, they proclaim the God build his church upon Peter pointing to Matthew chapter 16 verse 18 which reads, and I also say to you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church and the gates of Hades shall not prevail against it. Now the apostle Peter certainly was a key figure in the spreading of the gospel in the early church, but there is no Scripture that designates him as having authority over the other apostles. Scripture also does not teach that Peter was the Bishop of Rome. There was even a Scripture that explicitly states that Peter was ever in Rome, there is one reference in the Bible of Peter writing from Babylon, which is first Peter chapter 5 verse 13 what was sometimes used as a codename for Rome what this question really boils down to is the long-running debate on who the Rocky is in Matthew chapter 16 verse 18, the Catholics argue that using a play on words because Jesus in Mark 316 changes disciple Simons name to Peter which is Pedro's in Greek. Thus promised to build the Messiah's church on this rock Petro in Greek. Now the Protestant counterargument is that where's Peter is Petros a small stone Jesus is Petra the rock. Thus Jesus was speaking of himself as the cornerstone of the church which is recorded in Ephesians chapter 2 verses 19 through 20.

Now therefore you are no longer strangers and foreigners, but fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God, having been built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief cornerstone. Now a second popular Protestant interpretation states. The rock is Peter's confession about the identity of Jesus Christ. For in Matthew chapter 16 verse 16 he says you are the Christ, the son of the living God.

But regardless of the rocks true identity.

Nowhere that the Bible teach the apostles were infallible if they had been Peter would have not been called out by Paul for what he deemed hypocritical behavior in attempting to hide fellowship with the Gentiles. The Roman Catholic Church taken a lot of liberties and proclaiming Peter as the first pope.

The Bible warns us about false teachings. Yes, the apostle Peter healed a leadership role among the apostles. Yes, his role was very important in the early church spread of the gospel. But even if he was the rock that Christ would build his church upon none of it supports the idea that Peter was the first pope rather than declaring himself as an infallible authority over the church. Peter, in his own words instead pointed us all to Jesus Christ as the chief cornerstone, which was rejected by men but chosen by God and precious, that's first Peter chapter 2 verses four through eight. Rhonda, thank you for sending in that question. Next will go to Stacy in Wake Forest, North Carolina. She writes how are we supposed to know when to take something in the Bible literally or spiritually. For example, greet one another with a holy kiss. I would assume should be observed as the spirit behind it, rather than the exact letter do we observe the spirit or the letter, and who is the authority on wind we should take something literally or spiritually. One of my ministry mentors corner freeze restated when the plain sense makes sense.

Look for no other sense or else you will end up with nonsense. That is a very important measuring tool to guide us when interpreting Bible passages, especially when it comes to prophetic scriptures. For example in the book of Isaiah chapter 55 verse 12 he states that mountains and heels was seen in trees will clap their hands. Will we know that mountains and heels do not have voices to sing with and and trees do not have hands the clap so we can easily conclude that this is symbolic language. Another good rule of thumb is to allow Scripture to interpret Scripture in the book of Revelation.

An account is given of a beast with 10 horns Revelation chapter 17 verse three so he carried me away in the spirit into the wilderness and I saw a woman sitting on a scarlet beast, which was full of names of blasphemy, having seven his and 10 horns.

Now I don't know about you but I've never seen a creature with tin horned, but it could be that in the.

The tribulation that is yet to come. Maybe God will created a creature that would fit that description to me that is about valid possibility, but as we read further into the chapter we come to the following verse in verse 12 of Revelation 17 the 10 horns which you saw are 10 kings who have received no kingdom as yet they receive authority for one hour as kings with the beast.

So right there we see Scripture interpreting Scripture, and that is why folks it is so important to read passages in its full context.

People often end up with errors in interpretation of Scripture because the pool one passes out without reading the surrounding text. This is called pulling out of context.

The Bible further confirms the meaning of the 10 horns with parallel passages in the book of Daniel.

Daniel chapter 7 verse seven. After this us all in the night vision, and behold, 1/4 beast, dreadful and terrible, exceedingly strong. It had huge iron teeth. It was devouring, breaking in pieces, and trampling the residue with its feet. It was different from all the beasts that were before and it had 10 horns will further down in the same chapter and verse 24 refine the 10 horns are 10 kings who shall arise from this kingdom.

So since the plain sense did not make complete sense. We dug further and found that the 10 horns of the beast, symbolically or spiritually represent 10 kings so as for the greet one another with a kiss.

This is recorded in four places in the New Testament Romans chapter 16 verse 16. First Corinthians chapter 16 verse 22nd Corinthians chapter 13 verse 12 and first Thessalonians chapter 5 verse 26 the Greek words denote the curious as to be sacred not physically impure, not lustful. Apparently it was the norm in the culture of the people to which these letters were written to greet each other with the kids.

We must keep in mind that these letters by Paul were written to specific congregations from a historical vantage point now that is not to say that they do not apply to us today, but understanding the culture of who was being addressed in the Bible is critical in this case that many cultures today still greet each other with a kiss when I referred to kisses again that are romantic in nature, not lips to lips, but instead cheek to cheek. It is done. Upon seeing someone to display sincere affection and joy for one another would be the equivalent of a handshake.

In our culture. The holy kiss was to be genuine, not deceitful as the one Judas gave to Jesus during the betrayal in Luke chapter 22 verses 47 through 48.

The biblical account of greeting with a holy kiss was to display brotherly love and unity. It was common that new converts of the early church were deemed outcast by their families for their acceptance of Christianity. So it meant a lot to them to feel sincere love and acceptance by their new spiritual family. Also, we must keep in mind that Judaizers during this time were prominent in falsely teaching the Gentiles needed to go to the Mosaic law for acceptance into the faith. A holy kiss from a Jewish believer to a Gentile believer displayed acceptance that they were brothers and sisters in the family of Jesus Christ.

So I do not believe that we are in violation of Scripture. We as believers in Christ do not carry on the tradition of a literal holy kiss.

As a matter fact, many would be offended by literal kiss in our culture. Although the plain sense makes sense in some cultures, it would not make sense in our American culture to greet one another with a literal kiss so I think you are correct Stacy is stating that we are to follow the spirit of the command wears again in our culture that would mean greeting believers with a warm handshake or hug.

The key is to demonstrate sincere love in Christian Fellowship and the Holy Spirit is our authority and guide as to whether to interpret something literally or spiritually.

We must always follow the leading of the Holy Spirit. So Stacy, I want to thank you for sending in that question and again to all of you out there. You have a question that you want answered on the air please email it to us at questions@god1.org and also write God first Bible Fellowship, PO Box 266.

Night deal, NC 27545 who love to get your questions. We would love to put them on the air so that everyone can learn the great things that the Bible has to say. The Bible is so full and so deep and so rich in the word of God globally coming back with the sermon of the week.

On the other side who assumed into God first program you're listening to Brian on God for more wine please visit God.org browse our offensive library. There you'll find articles and messages available as MP3 downloads on various topics such as salvation, Bible marriage lesson is just to name a few. Also, sign up for our monthly newsletter and visit our web store visit God.org there is a great attack against truth that is taken place in the world today.

This attack is coming by the hands of lying in and deceiving spirits and the reason these lien and deceiving spirits are attacking truth is because of their hatred for Jesus Christ.

Jesus is truth as the Bible tells us in the words of Jesus. I am the way the truth and the life. No one comes to the father except through me.

So we are in a time in which lien and deceiving spirits or are twisting things around to deceive people, and sadly many a society of falling for these things as we see this this flood right now in the world of things that are not true, but they're being promoted there being pushed forward as as propaganda and many are going along with it. Folks, we're in a spiritual battle. We're in the deep deep spiritual warfare that is real and we're going to see today that in the time that is yet to come in with the Bible says the worst time that this world will ever see.

There will be demonic forces that will torment those who have rejected Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior. You want to draw your attention to the book of Revelation chapter 9 below to look today beginning with verse one and the fifth angel sounded, and I saw a star fallen from heaven to the earth. To him was given the key to the bottomless pits we look at Scripture, we must always interpret literally when it makes sense to do so. But here, the WordStar is obviously symbolic as it is referred to as him to think about in our society way we often refer to celebrities as a star, and so this star. This angel is given the key to the bottomless pits. Apparently this is the same angel of Revelation chapter 20 verse one where we find and I saw an angel come down from heaven, having the key of the bottomless pit and a great chain in his hand so whoever this angel is that was selected to be given this key to the bottomless pit. Apparently he held his key throughout the tribulation.

Which is a great responsibility because in this bottomless pits, also known as the abyss, there are these demonic spirits. This is not hail. This is not Hades because we must remember that there's this great golf that is fixed in Hades between the place of comfort in the place of torment. Jesus spoke about this is, as the abode of the dead.

In the book of Luke chapter 16 verses 19 through 31. The Bible tells us of two types of demons, those that have free will to dwell and seek bodies and then there are those who are confined to gloomy dungeons to be healed for judgment second Peter chapter 2 verse four tells us.

For if God did not spare the angels who sin, but cast them down to the earth, and delivered them into chains of darkness, to be reserved for judgment. Jesus Christ poker free name is in Matthew chapter 12 verses 43 through 45 when an unclean spirit goes out of a man, he goes through dry places, seeking rest, and finds none.

Any says I will return to my house from which I came in when he comes, he finds it empty, swept, and put in order.

Then he goes and and and taken with him seven other spirits more wicked than himself. In the interim dwell there and the last leg of the man is worse than the first.

So we shall also be with this wicked generation. That is why folks it is so important that when you are delivered from a demonic spirit that you do not let your guard down. That is why when you have been been preyed upon elite hands upon who will free you should not let your guard down because of that demonic spirit leaves and can't find a place to dwell is going to look to return is going to bring even more severe is even worse than the one that you had before and they will seek to dominate your life.

It appears that over a thousand demons possess the man in Luke chapter 8 verse 30 as they call themselves Legion.

Apparently some of these demons travelers packs are in groups and this could indicate that one evil spirit cannot dominate a person, but when you get multiple evil spirits that is when they began to dominate a person.

These demons are likely angels who reveal was Satan which are described in the book of Ezekiel chapter 28 verses 11 through 19 and in the book of Isaiah chapter 14, but one thing we must remember that if we remain in an abiding relationship with Christ. We need not fear demonic possession we find it in John chapter 15 verses one through 11. There are some Christians out there that are so worried. They are so soul bent out of shape and uptight word about demonic possession, but if you're saved if you have the Holy Spirit dwelling in you, which is what happens when you become born again.

When you accept Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior. You do not have to worry about a demon taken possession in your life because the Bible tells us that you are of God, little children, and have overcome them because he who is in you is greater than he who is in the world so what we have in us. The Holy Spirit is greater than what is in the world. We need not worry about demonic possession but didn't. Demons can influence a believer they can torment you and that is why we must deal pray and seek the Holy Spirit at all times to keep demonic spirits at bay. The antichrist will produce miracles through evil spirits during the tribulation. Second Thessalonians chapter 2 verses nine through 10 says the coming of the lawless one is according to the working of Satan with all power signs and lying wonders, and with all unrighteous deception among those who perish, because they did not receive the love of the truth that they might be saved. Unrighteous deception we see that already taken place in our society today is going to continue is going to increase as we get closer to the return of our Lord in the book of Jude verse six he speaks of angels who abandoned their position of authority and the angels who did not keep their proper domain, but left their own abode who has reserved in everlasting chains under darkness for the judgment of the great day. These are likely the angels that produce children with the daughters of men in Genesis chapter 6 verse two through seven.

They were so wicked they look down on the earth, and his fallen Angels they came down and they contaminated mankind by having children with women so therefore God sent the flood in Noah's day to destroy them because of the wickedness that came upon the land. Well, I strongly believe that these demons being so wicked are the ones that God has confined to this bottomless pit that we see here in Revelation chapter 9. Then, as we look at verses two through three and he opened the bottomless pit, and smoke arose out of the pit like the smoke of a great furnace. So the sun and the air were darkened because of the smoke of the pit. Then out of the smoke locusts came upon the earth, and to them was given power, as scorpions of the earth have power with his angel opens this bottomless pit. Smoke arises to create smog like conditions is so intense that it just colors the Aaron partially blocks out the sunlight in these locusts, scorpion type of creatures arise from the pit and this seems to fulfill Joel chapter 1 verses to which he speaks of these locusts coming upon the land and as we look at verse four of chapter 9. They were commanded not to harm the grass of the earth, or any green thing, or any tree, but only those men who do not have the seal of God on therefore heads just as Jesus protected the nation of Israel to the Hebrews in Goshen during the plagues in the land of Egypt, he will protect his people. During this judgment. Those seal will be the 144,000, in which God says that they cannot be harmed during the great tribulation. Matthew chapter 24 verse 13 says for those who do not have the seal but he who endures to the end shall be saved. There will be meaning that will be martyred for their belief in Jesus Christ. During the seven year tribulation and that is why John he saw under the altar the souls of those who have been slain for the word of God but those who have been murdered will receive great possessions during the millennium in the fifth trumpet judgment may very well be an act of mercy from God to convince people to accept Christ and therefore gain eternal life. There's on the may say this is terrible of God to do this, but we must remember that in Matthew chapter 20 and 10 verse 28 our losses and do not fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul but rather fear him who is able to destroy both soul and body inhale.

Listen folks a great day of judgment is coming a time in which is going to be. The Bible says when to be the worst time that ours has ever seen or ever will see and that is why today is the day to give your heart to Jesus Christ because this just judgment that is coming. These demonic spirits out of the bottomless pit are going to be one of many judgment that is going to come to torment mankind for his rejection of Jesus Christ and so I am urging you today to give your heart to Jesus while you have time so you can be taken away by way of the rapture.

You do not have to to be here to suffer. During this time that is coming because the Bible says that one day there will be the shout of the archangel and the trumpet will sound, and then abolishes the dead in Christ will rise first out of the grays and then those of us who are alive and remain will be caught up together with them to meet the Lord in the air. And thus we shall always be with the Lord. Therefore comfort one another with these words is the message of comfort is a message of hope, because for the most there is great torment that is coming will you give your heart to Jesus Christ today. Give your heart to God values the you have breast your body you can think of the Bible to blank the boundary of God for Ryan and I first was a right protected under our copyright is available@ourwebsite.org until next time great nation of Israel first picking