Wrapping Up the Roman Year

Day 353
F. Book of Revelation ~ cont.
4. Vision of the church and her foes ~ cont.
b. The leopard (sea) and lamb (earth) beasts - Revelation 13:1-18
c. Doom to the foes of God with angel assistance - Revelation 14:1-20
5. Vision of the seven vials - Revelation 15:1-8; 16:1-21
6. Judgment and fall of Babylon
a. Babylon described - Revelation 17:1-18

Day 354

F. Book of Revelation ~ cont.
6. Judgment and fall of Babylon ~ cont.
b. Babylon destroyed - Revelation 18:1-24
c. Marriage supper of lamb - Revelation 19:1-10
7. The last vision
a. Doom of the enemy - Revelation 19:11-21
b. The millennium - Revelation 20:1-15

Day 355

F. Book of Revelation ~ cont.

7. The last vision ~ cont.
c. New heaven and new earth - Revelation 21:1-27
d. Last message of the Bible - Revelation 22:1-21
8. Death of John and Revelation completed

I was struggling to wrap up a years worth of reading through the Bible.  The Book of the Revelation of Jesus Christ unto His servant John contains so much, and I feel wholly inadequate to comment further.  There are a variety of positions held regarding Revelation.  I have not read the articles referenced below (in their entirety), but thought I would share them for those who are interested in studying further.  A few of the comments I particularly liked:

Robert Clouse states that, “Regardless of the perspective on Revelation each holds, many students of prophecy are intolerant of those who cannot in good conscience agree with them.” Gregg states, “I once believed that there were two types of prophecy enthusiasts – those who shared my views on Revelation and those who had not yet heard them convincingly presented.” Perhaps you can identify with that statement. I know I can.  From the article found here.

The book is there for us to mine its benefits, not to bash each other over differences as to its meaning. While we must be cautious, we do have the liberty to seek to understand and to urge others to consider what we discover.  From the article found here.

One more from my google search can be found here.  These articles are just a few that I found.  This is in no way an endorsement for or against any position held by those authors and/or websites.  This is in NO way an exhaustive list of articles and/or books available on the subject.

I will leave you with these parting words:

Revelation 1:3  Blessed is he that readeth, and they that hear the words of this prophecy, and keep those things which are written therein: for the time is at hand. 

Rev 22:18  For I testify unto every man that heareth the words of the prophecy of this book, If any man shall add unto these things, God shall add unto him the plagues that are written in this book: 

Rev 22:19  And if any man shall take away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God shall take away his part out of the book of life, and out of the holy city, and from the things which are written in this book. 

Rev 22:20  He which testifieth these things saith, Surely I come quickly. Amen. Even so, come, Lord Jesus. 

Rev 22:21  The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all. Amen. 

I encourage everyone to take the time to read the Book of the Revelation (as well as the whole counsel of God contained in the Writ) and to study the issues/positions for themselves.  Be not afraid to question and ask, seek and ye shall find.  May Father richly bless each as they study HIS word, with understanding, growth, wisdom, knowledge, discernment and an ever and growing love for the One who is, was and always will be, the Lord Christ Jesus (Yeshua).

Day 351

F. Book of Revelation ~ cont.

2. Vision of God

a. Throne - Revelation 4:1-11
b. Sealed book - Revelation 5:1-14
c. Six seals - Revelation 6:1-17
d. The multitude in heaven - Revelation 7:1-17
3. Vision of seven angels with trumpets
a. Seventh seal - Revelation 8:1-6

I underlined so many things in these passages, I am at a loss as to what to share.  The number seven is predominant in these chapters.

This verse struck me:

And when he had taken the book, the four beasts and four and twenty elders fell down before the Lamb, having every one of them harps, and golden vials full of the odors, which are the prayers of saints.  (Revelation 5:8)

There is the misconstrued idea that when someone dies, they go to heaven, laying upon a cloud, clothed in white, with wings, playing a harp.  While some of the items may be accurate, the picture, in its totality, is not.

Thought I would share Gill's commentary on the harps and vials.

having everyone of them harps; which were instruments of music, and with which the saints formerly used to praise God, Psa_33:2; and so may here intend the praises and thanksgivings of the saints, of everyone of them, greater or lesser, upon the present occasion; having their hearts in right tune, making melody with them to the Lord, and giving thanks unto him for all their blessings, temporal and spiritual, and particularly for the Lamb, and his worthiness to open the book, and unloose the seals:

and golden vials full of odours, which are the prayers of saints; this is said in allusion to the golden censers full of incense, which ascended upwards, and was of a sweet smell; the vessels on the shewbread table, in which incense was put, are by Josephus (h) called "golden vials", as here; his words are, upon the loaves were put two φιαλαι χρυσεαι, "golden vials", full of incense: the prayers of the saints are compared to "odours", or "incense", as the word may be rendered, and as they are called, Psa_141:2; partly because as incense goes upwards, so do they go up to God, and are received, regarded, and had in remembrance by him; and partly because as incense is of a sweet smell, so the prayers of the saints, put up in the name and faith of Christ, are very grateful and acceptable to God: the "golden vials" said to be "full" of them, may design the hearts of believers, in which they first are, and from whence they proceed; true prayer is that which is inwrought in the soul, and comes from the heart, even from a heart pure like gold, purified by faith in the blood of Christ, a true heart, that asks in faith, nothing wavering; such as are really saints, true believers in Christ, are praying souls; they are full of prayers for themselves and others; they pray always, and for all saints: this makes nothing for praying to angels and saints departed; for these prayers were their own, and not others; and besides, these four living creatures, and four and twenty elders, were not angels, for they are said to be redeemed by the blood of Christ, and are distinguished from angels in the following verses; nor the saints in heaven, but ministers and churches on earth, and who were to reign with Christ on earth, Rev_5:10; it may be observed, that the Jews sometimes represent prayer in such like figures as here;

"prayer (they say) ascends with those spices which are mentioned in Son_4:14; and at the time that prayer ascends it is perfumed with myrrh and frankincense, and of this the holy blessed God asks, "who is this that comes up", &c. (i) Son_3:6;''

and they say, prayer is greater than all offerings (k). See Rev_8:3.

I am glad that Father hears and keeps our prayers - what an intriguing thought that the prayers are like incense  ascending up to the throne.