SEEING DEEP
with Denise Pass
BIBLE READING PLAN
The End Times Are Coming
This statement makes many try to figure out the details of the end times. Who is the antichrist? When will the end come? But no man knows the hour. How then should we live? In anticipation. In the fear of the LORD. And in the end, what matters is not what you know but Who you know. The end times are coming . . . ready or not. This is not a fear tactic, but a reality.
Bible Reading: Revelation 6-10, Psalms 139-141, Song of Solomon
God has provided a blueprint for believers so they do not have to be surprised by the end times. The book of Revelation and the book of Daniel are apocalyptic literature and are God’s blueprint for us. There are different positions as to when the tribulation will happen. I am a pre-tribber. This means I believe the church will be raptured before the end times we read about today in the book of Revelation.
Last week we left off with the One worthy One who is able to open the scroll. After the Church has been raptured to safety in Heaven, and Jesus has been handed the title deed to the earth, His wrath begins to fall on the world that has rejected Him.
The End Times Are Coming—The Rapture
1 Thessalonians 4:15-17
“15 According to the Lord’s word, we tell you that we who are still alive, who are left until the coming of the Lord, will certainly not precede those who have fallen asleep. 16 For the Lord himself will come down from heaven, with a loud command, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet call of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first. 17 After that, we who are still alive and are left will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And so we will be with the Lord forever. 18 Therefore encourage one another with these words.”
Are you encouraged by those words, friends?
1 Corinthians 15:52
“In an instant, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, the dead will be raised imperishable, and we will be changed.”
The End Times Are Coming—Fear of God
We can be scared of the end times, but those who have accepted Christ truly do not need to fear. And we need to not listen to lies about those times. We have God’s word.
2 Thessalonians 2:1-4
“Concerning the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ and our being gathered to him, we ask you, brothers and sisters, 2 not to become easily unsettled or alarmed by the teaching allegedly from us—whether by a prophecy or by word of mouth or by letter—asserting that the day of the Lord has already come. 3 Don’t let anyone deceive you in any way, for that day will not come until the rebellion occurs and the man of lawlessness is revealed, the man doomed to destruction. 4 He will oppose and will exalt himself over everything that is called God or is worshiped, so that he sets himself up in God’s temple, proclaiming himself to be God.”
The End Times Are Coming—The Coming Judgment
Friends, there is a righteous wrath coming. Matthew attests to this as well:
Matthew 24:29-30
29 “Immediately after the distress of those days “‘the sun will be darkened, and the moon will not give its light; the stars will fall from the sky, and the heavenly bodies will be shaken.’ 30 “Then will appear the sign of the Son of Man in heaven. And then all the peoples of the earth will mourn when they see the Son of Man coming on the clouds of heaven, with power and great glory.”
God has a right to be angry. The very people He created have rejected Him. As a parent, I have a glimpse of a righteous God who does not want His children hurt. God will judge all evil. And God sees all evil. The book of Revelation is the revelation of this coming judgment.
The End Times Are Coming—Hermeneutics
I cannot do justice to the book of Revelation in the few minutes I have here, but I will have some links for additional study and I want to share a summary from gotquestions.org that helps us in our approach of interpreting the book of Revelation and also provides an overarching summary.
“Question: “How can I understand the Book of Revelation?”
Answer: The key to Bible interpretation, especially for the book of Revelation, is to have a consistent hermeneutic. Hermeneutics is the study of the principles of interpretation. In other words, it is the way you interpret Scripture. A normal hermeneutic or normal interpretation of Scripture means that unless the verse or passage clearly indicates the author was using figurative language, it should be understood in its normal sense. We are not to look for other meanings if the natural meaning of the sentence makes sense. Also, we are not to spiritualize Scripture by assigning meanings to words or phrases when it is clear the author, under the guidance of the Holy Spirit, meant it to be understood as it is written.
The End Times Are Coming—Literal versus Allegorical
One example is Revelation 20. Many will assign various meanings to references to a thousand-year period. Yet, the language does not imply in any way that the references to the thousand years should be taken to mean anything other than a literal period of one thousand years.
A simple outline for the book of Revelation is found in Revelation 1:19. In the first chapter, the risen and exalted Christ is speaking to John. Christ tells John to “write, therefore, what you have seen, what is now and what will take place later.” The things John had already seen are recorded in chapter 1. The “things which are” (that were present in John’s day) are recorded in chapters 2–3 (the letters to the churches). And the “things that will take place” (future things) are recorded in chapters 4–22.
The End Times Are Coming—Judgements After the Rapture
Generally speaking, chapters 4–18 of Revelation deal with God’s judgments on the people of the earth. These judgments are not for the church (1 Thessalonians 5:2, 9). Before the judgments begin, the church will have been removed from the earth in an event called the rapture (1 Thessalonians 4:13-18; 1 Corinthians 15:51-52). Chapters 4–18 describe a time of “Jacob’s trouble”—trouble for Israel (Jeremiah 30:7; Daniel 9:12, 12:1). It is also a time when God will judge unbelievers for their rebellion against Him.
Chapter 19 describes Christ’s return with the church, the bride of Christ. He defeats the beast and the false prophet and casts them into the lake of fire. In Chapter 20, Christ has Satan bound and cast in the Abyss. Then Christ sets up His kingdom on earth that will last 1,000 years. At the end of the 1,000 years, Satan is released and he leads a rebellion against God. He is quickly defeated and also cast into the lake of fire. Then the final judgment occurs, the judgment for all unbelievers, when they too are cast into the lake of fire.
The End Times Are Coming—The Eternal State
Chapters 21 and 22 describe what is referred to as the eternal state. In these chapters, God tells us what eternity with Him will be like. The book of Revelation is understandable. God would not have given it to us if its meaning were entirely a mystery. The key to understanding the book of Revelation is to interpret it as literally as possible—it says what it means and means what it says” (GotQuestions.org).
The End Times Are Coming—The Seven Seals
Revelation 6 opens up with a description of 7 seals. The seven seals are one of a series of end-times judgments from God. The seals are described in Revelation 6:1–17 and 8:1–5. In John’s vision, the seven seals hold closed a scroll in heaven, and, as each seal is broken, a new judgment is unleashed on the earth. Following the seal judgments are the trumpet judgments and the bowl or vial judgments.
The End Times Are Coming—The First Seal
The first seal introduces the Antichrist (Revelation 6:1–2). From the biblical description, we gather several details: he rides a white horse, which speaks of peace; at the beginning of the tribulation, the Antichrist will come under the pretense of bringing peace to the world (cf. Daniel 9:27). He is given a crown, which indicates that the Antichrist will exercise great authority (cf. Daniel 7:24–25). He holds a bow, which shows his true intentions, and he advances “as a conqueror bent on conquest” (Revelation 6:2).
The End Times Are Coming—The Second Seal
This word Antichrist only appears in John’s epistles. It is a spirit that wants all of the praise that only God deserves.
The second seal. When the Lamb opens the second seal, great warfare breaks out on the earth (Revelation 6:3–4). This is symbolized by a rider with a large sword on a fiery red horse.
The End Times Are Coming—The Third Seal
The third seal. In the breaking of the third of the seven seals, it causes famine (Revelation 6:5–6). The rider that John sees is riding a black horse and “holding a pair of scales in his hand.” Then John hears a declaration that people will have to work all day to earn just a little food.
The End Times Are Coming—The First Seal
The fourth seal. When the fourth seal is opened, John sees a pale horse. “Its rider was named Death, and Hades was following close behind him” (Revelation 6:7–8). The result of this fourth seal is that one-fourth of the earth’s population is killed “by sword, famine, and plague, and by the wild beasts of the earth.”
The End Times Are Coming—The Fifth Seal
The fifth seal reveals those who will be martyred for their faith in Christ during the tribulation (Revelation 6:9–11; cf. Matthew 24:9). The souls of these martyrs are pictured as dwelling under the altar in heaven. God hears their cries for justice, and He gives each of them a white robe. The martyrs are told to wait “until the full number of their fellow servants, their brothers, and sisters, were killed just as they had been.” God promises to avenge them, but the time was not yet (cf. Romans 12:19).
The End Times Are Coming—The Sixth Seal
The sixth seal. When the Lamb of God opens the sixth seal, a devastating earthquake occurs, causing massive upheaval and terrible devastation—along with unusual astronomical phenomena: the sun turns black, and the moon turns blood-red, and “the heavens receded like a scroll being rolled up, and every mountain and island was removed from its place” (Revelation 6:12–14). Survivors of the sixth seal, regardless of their social position, take refuge in caves and cry out to the mountains and the rocks, “Fall on us and hide us from the face of him who sits on the throne and from the wrath of the Lamb! For the great day of their wrath has come, and who can stand?” (verses 16–17).
After the opening of the sixth of the seven seals is an interlude in the book of Revelation. John describes the 144,000 Jews who will be protected during the tribulation (Revelation 7:1–8). Then, in heaven, he sees “a great multitude that no one could count, from every nation, tribe, people and language, standing before the throne and before the Lamb” (verse 9). These people wear white robes, holding palm branches, and shout:
The End Times Are Coming—Salvation Belongs to Our God
“Salvation belongs to our God, who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb” (verse 10). John is told who this white-clad multitude is: “These are they who have come out of the great tribulation; they have washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb” (verse 14). They are given the promise that “‘Never again will they hunger; never again will they thirst. The sun will not beat down on them,’ nor any scorching heat. . . . ‘And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes’” (verses 16–17; cf. Isaiah 25:8; 49:10).”
The End Times Are Coming—The Seventh Seal
The seventh seal. When the Lamb opens the seventh seal, “there was silence in heaven for about half an hour” (Revelation 8:1). The judgments that lead up to the close of the tribulation are now visible in the scroll and are so severe that a solemn silence falls upon all of heaven. And the seventh seal obviously introduces the next series of judgments, for John immediately sees seven angels who are handed seven trumpets ready to sound (verse 2). An eighth angel takes a censer and burns “much incense” in it, representing the prayers of God’s people (verses 3–4). The angel then took the same censer, “filled it with fire from the altar, and hurled it on the earth; and there came peals of thunder, rumblings, flashes of lightning and an earthquake” (verse 5).
The End Times Are Coming—The Seven Trumpets
According to www.christianity.com:
The First Trumpet (Revelation 8:7)
Hail, fire, and blood will rain down on the earth and wipe out one-third of all plant life.
The Second Trumpet (Revelation 8:8)
A burning mountain falls into the sea, turns one-third of the ocean to blood, and one-third of all sea life dies.
The Third Trumpet (Revelation 8:10)
A star called wormwood poisons one-third of all the freshwater supply.
The Fourth Trumpet (Revelation 8:12)
One-third of the moon, stars, and sun darkens.
The Fifth Trumpet (Revelation 9:3-11)
Demon locusts with human faces, long hair, lion’s teeth, and the power of a scorpion sting plague and sting nonbelievers for five months. Those who are stung will wish for death.
The Sixth Trumpet (Revelation 9:12-18)
Four fallen angels are released and wipe out people from sulfur and fire pouring out of their mouths. They manage to wipe out one-third of mankind.
The Seventh Trumpet (Revelation 11:15)
Another break from the plagues, and onto the seven bowls of judgment, 24 elders in heaven declare it’s time to destroy those who destroy the earth. The temple in heaven opens, featuring the Ark of the Covenant.
The End Times Are Coming—The Need for Salvation
These judgments will befall those who are on the earth after the rapture. Friends, right now we can know where we will be for eternity. Right now you can ask God to save you if you are not sure of your salvation.
Some people don’t like to teach on the end times because they don’t want people to be afraid. Friends, death is real. God’s judgment is real. It is not a scare tactic. It is a reality. And it is coming soon.
Repent and get right with God if you have not already. Our God is gracious. And He knows you completely.
The End Times Are Coming—God Sees Us
Psalm 139 is one of the most beautiful reminders of just how seen we are by our loving God.
“1 Lord, you have searched me and known me. 2 You know when I sit down and when I stand up; you understand my thoughts from far away. 3 You observe my travels and my rest; you are aware of all my ways. 4 Before a word is on my tongue, you know all about it, Lord. 5 You have encircled me; you have placed your hand on me. 6 This wondrous knowledge is beyond me. It is lofty; I am unable to reach it.
7 Where can I go to escape your Spirit? Where can I flee from your presence? 8 If I go up to heaven, you are there; if I make my bed in Sheol, you are there. 9 If I fly on the wings of the dawn and settle down on the western horizon, 10 even there your hand will lead me;
your right hand will hold on to me. 11 And if I say, “Surely the darkness will hide me, and the light around me will be night”— 12 even the darkness is not dark to you. The night shines like the day; darkness and light are alike to you.”
The End Times Are Coming—Repent and Be Saved
I love the ending verses of this chapter in Psalms. It is a prayer we can pray right now:
Psalm 139:23-24
“23 Search me, God, and know my heart; test me and know my concerns. 24 See if there is any offensive way in me; lead me in the everlasting way.”
When we ask God to search us and to know us and we repent, we do not have to fear judgment. In fact, we have His protection.
Psalm 140:12-13
“I know that the Lord upholds the just cause of the poor, justice for the needy. 13 Surely the righteous will praise your name; the upright will live in your presence.”
Friends, our God loves us! He does not love to punish us. But it is His love that exacts punishment to bring His children back to Him.
Speaking of love, let’s transition to Song of Solomon which you will read on Sunday.
The End Times Are Coming—God’s Love Story
We are starting a new book of the Bible on Sunday and since we are doing a weekend edition on Friday, I will give a brief introduction to this book of the Bible. We can look on the surface and assume this book is just about the marriage between a man and wife. But it is also a representation of God and His bride, the church.
The Easy English Bible Commentary has this to say about Songs of Solomon.
“The Song of Songs is, of course, a poem. It describes wonderful plants and beautiful animals. It describes special places. And it describes processions, dances and gardens. But the Song also has a more important meaning.
Parables and allegories are different types of stories. Both parables and allegories have meaning. But there is a difference. Parables are very simple. And they are easy to understand. But allegories are very complex. Every detail in an allegory is important. And words have secret meanings.
Parables of Love
There are many parables in the Bible. Jesus often used parables to teach the people. The meaning of these parables is never complex.
Allegories became popular many centuries after the time of the Bible. People used to read allegories for entertainment, like novels today. And many people thought that the Song of Songs was an allegory. They tried to find secret meanings in their words. They thought that its real meaning must be very complex. And they tried to find new meaning in every sentence.
We think that the Song of Songs is more like a parable. In other words, its meaning is simple to understand. Its meaning is:
- God loves us. His love does not change.
- But we are not always loyal to him. Perhaps we are selfish. So we do not always want to obey him.
- God wants us to trust him more. Then, in the end, we shall be glad to obey him. And we shall be perfect for him.
Solomon’s Greatest Song
Solomon collected songs and proverbs (wise words). In the end, he had 3000 proverbs and 1005 songs. We still have over 600 proverbs that he collected. They are in the Book of Proverbs. Perhaps the songs in his collection included some Psalms. Or perhaps only one song from this collection still exists. This song is sometimes called the Song of Songs, but sometimes the Song of Solomon. And it was Solomon’s greatest song because it is about the love of God” (Easy English Bible Commentary).
One thing our culture does is glorify romance and sex. It objectifies women. But love in Christ is very different from the lust of the flesh that the world offers. The love in Christ is agape – unconditional. Selfless. And others-focused. Christ demonstrated this love for us. It is when we understand and know Christ and His love that we are able to love people as God intended.
Scripture of the Day: Psalm 140:12-13
“I know that the Lord will maintain the cause of the afflicted, and will execute justice for the needy. 13 Surely the righteous shall give thanks to your name; the upright shall dwell in your presence.”
Application
- It is hard to wrap our brains around the end times, and the greatness of our God. But we know His character. He is good. All the time.
- May we fear His name and live according to His word.
- As sure as judgment is coming, so is forgiveness as we read in Psalm 140.
- God knows us completely (Psalm 139), but He chooses to cover us, anyway.
- Let’s help warn others of the coming judgment so they, too, can escape!
𝗝𝗼𝗶𝗻 𝗺𝗲 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗕𝗶𝗯𝗹𝗲 𝗥𝗲𝗮𝗱𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗣𝗹𝗮𝗻 𝗮𝘁 12 𝗽𝗺 𝗘𝗧.
Day #339: Revelation 6-10, Psalms 139-141, Song of Solomon
𝒱𝑒𝓇𝓈𝑒 𝑜𝒻 𝓉𝒽𝑒 𝒟𝒶𝓎: Psalm 140:12-13
“I know that the Lord will maintain the cause of the afflicted, and will execute justice for the needy. 13 Surely the righteous shall give thanks to your name; the upright shall dwell in your presence.”
Join live: www.facebook.com/deniseduboispass
Missed one of the Bible time lives? No problem! Check it out on my YouTube channel: www.youtube.com/denisepass_seeingdeep
Sign up for the Bible Reading Plan!
The post The End Times Are Coming—December 4 Bible Reading Plan appeared first on Denise Pass.
DENISE PASS BIBLE READING PLAN
You can find Denise’s previous day series posts by clicking the button below.
