The Seven Spirits in the Book of Revelation, Who Is, Who Was, Who Is To Come, Revelation 1

Last week we only got through the first three verses of the Book of Revelation. We combined the first three verses and the last fourteen verses of chapter 22; in doing so we have a more complete perspective of who Revelation is written to. It is unsealed, and should be read aloud to the called out. People (Pastors included), seem to get scared when they have to talk about spiritual matters because we don’t see them with our physical eyes as we do the world around us. But it is not expedient to live in fear. All we really have to do is to report the findings and let the Holy Spirit do the rest. The Holy Spirit authored the book and the vision came from the Father God because the Father wanted these things revealed. Therefore it is simple, speak the truth and let the Holy Spirit work in people. If schisms result, it is because contentious individuals don’t understand the foundation of the Book of Revelation. The foundation of Revelation is a revealing and unveiling to the called out. It is not written to the unbeliever, God hater, or Jesus rejecter. Don’t worry about the ones who reject the message. God has a plan, and it may be that today they argue about it, but tomorrow the Holy Spirit has a hold of their heart. There is power in this book, power in its words.

There are a group of beings called the seven spirits that are around the throne. There are also seven lampstands and seven stars. None of these things are hard to understand. The unseen world is as real as the one we see. This first chapter tells us about what is going on in the earth now. Who are the beings, beside us?

Rev 1:4 From John to the seven churches in Asia. May grace and peace be yours from the one who is, who was, and who is coming, from the seven spirits who are in front of his throne, ISV

Jesus salutes us with grace and peace, and adds that the salutation of grace and peace is also from the seven spirits. Who? Why haven’t we heard about them? Why don’t we hear about them? Someone somewhere mistakenly attributed these seven spirits as aspects of the Holy Spirit. There are six attributes of the Holy Spirit listed in Isaiah 11:2, it is a bit of a stretch to assume that the six characteristics listed, plus the Spirit of the Lord, the Holy Spirit, are the same seven spirits noted here. In context, Isaiah is mentioning that the Holy Spirit will rest upon Jesus, and then includes six attributes of the Spirit of the Lord resting upon the Messiah. Somehow we have the idea that heaven is an empty place, that we are the only beings in all of creation and that everything centers on our existence. Yet there are many other spiritual beings besides humans and there was a story taking place before humanity was even created. The reason we have this conundrum is that we can’t see into the realm of the spirit very well by our five senses.

Let’s explore these seven beings. The first thing we know about the seven spirits is that they are in front of Jesus’ throne. Jesus is seated at the right hand of the father. This salutation is to the assemblies of the called out in Asia and it’s from Jesus and the seven spirits around his throne. What else can we find out about these seven spirits?

Rev 3:1 “To the messenger of the church in Sardis, write: ‘The one who has the seven spirits of God and the seven stars says this: ‘I know what you’ve been doing. You are known for being alive, but you are dead. ISV

Jesus identifies himself as the one who has the seven spirits of God, literally he holds them. There are two types of beings identified here. The spirits and the stars are not the same. Rev 1:20 identifies the seven stars as seven angels over the churches. Therefore the seven spirits are not angels.

Rev 4:5 Flashes of lightning, noises, and peals of thunder came from the throne. Burning in front of the throne were seven flaming torches, which are the seven spirits of God. ISV

Seven burning and consuming torches or lights are the seven spirits of God. It is safe to say they are like lights burning, but they are not inanimate objects, they are beings that look like lights. They are in and of themselves a non-consuming light, they don’t burn out, but that does not mean that they don’t consume things. There is more.

Rev 5:6 Then I saw a lamb standing in the middle of the throne, the four living creatures, and the elders. He looked like he had been slaughtered. He had seven horns and seven eyes, which are the seven spirits of God sent into all the earth. ISV

These beings have seven eyes. Jesus the slaughtered lamb has seven horns and seven eyes that are the seven spirits of God sent into all the earth. The prophet Zechariah wrote about the stone that had seven eyes. If we remember that study which was about Jesus’ name written in the Old Testament, we learned that Jesus, not the high priest Joshua, was given the stone with the seven eyes.

http://musingsofawinsomeheart.blogspot.com/2013/12/jesus-name-in-old-testament-messiah.html

Zech 3:10 For as for the stone which I have set before the face of Jesus, on the one stone are seven eyes: behold, I am digging a trench, saith the Lord Almighty, and I will search out all the iniquity of that land in one day. Septuagint

In order for things to come to pass on earth by Jesus in the future, they are mimicked or shadowed, as well as prophesied by others at an earlier time. Think on Abraham sacrificing Isaac, or the prophetic foretelling of Jesus on the cross in Psalms and Isaiah, as well as the later context in Zechariah where people were told to do certain things. The seven eyes were given to Joshua the Messiah and foretold here. When the plumb line is dropped, it is the seven eyes that look upon all the earth that are noted. They are observing, judging, and rejoicing.

Zech 4:10 For who has despised the small days? surely they shall rejoice, and shall see the plummet of tin in the hand of Zorobabel: these are the seven eyes that look upon all the earth. Septuagint

We know the seven eyes which are the seven spirits of God were given to Jesus, remember that he was in heaven before coming to earth. Whatever his position was before coming to earth, he had the seven spirits to look and observe. Now fast forward to Revelation, Jesus still has the seven spirits. They are sent out into the earth, Rev 5:6. When Jesus walked on earth he had the Holy Spirit resting on him after his baptism. Yet before he was on earth, and after he left earth, we see these seven spirits reporting to him.

There is a characteristic we may sometimes miss regarding the seven spirits. The seven eyes are rejoicing over the plumb line, the plumb line was being used to rebuild the temple and Zerubbabel was in charge of the first returning exiles. These seven spirits are rejoicing seeing the time of rebuilding. They are watching and reporting around the throne which takes us another step further in our understanding.  In Revelation 4:5 we see lightning and thunder around the throne. Lightning is not necessarily flashing light in the sky but glaring light. As lightning during a storm is somewhat blinding, this is light so bright it is hard to see. Thunder is not just a rumble of high voltage rending the air but a roar. Then there are voices. Some Greek translations put the word voices before the word thunder. The voices were roaring. So imagine this; seven beings like pillars of glaring lights that yell or scream like thunder around the throne. Let’s see something else.

Rev 10:3-4 he shouted in a loud voice as a lion roars. When he shouted, the seven thunders spoke with voices of their own. 4 When the seven thunders spoke, I was going to write, but I heard a voice from heaven say, “Seal up what the seven thunders have said, and don’t write it down.” ISV

When the angel with the scroll comes and makes an announcement, the seven voices roar. There are seven thundering voices around the throne and they are yelling something. There were seven thundering voices around the throne in Revelation 4:5, and now there are seven thundering voices again in Revelation 10:3-4. The thundering voices are the seven spirits that have eyes or “see” and that roam the earth. Whatever the seven thunders said in chapter 10, John was not allowed to record it. We have studied that extensively and understand that whatever is being said, it seems to be around the time that satan is cast out of heaven to the earth, and he is mad because he knows his time is short.

It would seem that while these seven spirit/eyes send salutations and rejoice, they also judge, so therefore connecting them to the six characteristics of the Holy Spirit is inaccurate. These seven spirits roam the earth, are bright individual beings that have voices that roar. While they probably have the attributes of the Holy Spirit they do not have the function of the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit indwells people; people are not flaming pillars around the throne. The Holy Spirit is on the earth, but in a different function than these seven spirits.

In Job we see a heavenly meeting. As we previously studied, this is a regularly scheduled gathering of the sons of God. The sons of Elohim are not just angels; the title also includes Cherubim, Seraphim, Ophanim, the seven spirits, and any other spirit beings we have yet to identify. The satan comes to accuse Job at this meeting. You may wonder why I do not capitalize satan, it is because satan is not a name it is a noun, not a proper noun. In the Hebrew it is hassatan, the (ha) attacker (satan) or the accuser, enemy, or opponent. This opponent of Elohim could be Lucifer, or another fallen spirit being. We identify Lucifer as satan or hassatan, and thus make satan a name, but it is not a proper name as much as a descriptive name not an individual’s name. In the book of Job the accuser comes to accuse Job on a regularly scheduled visit before the throne of judgment. This place of meeting, the day the sons of God come to present themselves, is called the “sides of the north”, the mount of the congregation, the very place where Lucifer wanted to put his throne so that he could judge over the sons of God. Many have misunderstood these verses and think that the accuser, satan, wanted to be like God; that he wanted to be the leader of all of creation and sit in the worship temple of God. But Lucifer already had sanctuaries, beings once worshiped him; he really wanted to be like God in judgment.

Now let’s relate that to the seven spirits who roam the earth. Why do the sons of God have to present themselves and why are they judged? Because they have assignments on the earth. The seven spirits, who see and speak loudly around the throne are watching and reporting the events of earth. As we studied a while back, the Holy Spirit is our defense attorney as well as a prosecuting attorney. The seven spirits seem to also call out judgment in Revelation 10. They see it all and are with Jesus. They seem to be higher ranking, as they are around the throne. Have you ever heard this read in the church? It’s time to start teaching people regarding the spirit realm.

So far we have identified God the Father giving Jesus this revealed future, and he gave it to an angel to make it known to John so that John could give it to the called out. Now there are seven spirits that roam the earth. So far in the first four verses of Revelation we have all of these things taking place on earth. The called out are to know that there are seven spirits roaming the earth, which also loudly speak before the throne. Verse 5 tells us Jesus is the prince or first in rank over the kings of the earth. While kings on earth do not all acknowledge Jesus or his authority, the kings or leaders on earth do have someone over them who will judge them, Jesus the Messiah. Don’t think earthly rulers are above Jesus, their deeds are recorded for judgment.

Rev 1:5-6 and from Jesus the Messiah, the witness, the faithful one, the firstborn from the dead, and the ruler over the kings of the earth. To the one who loves us and has freed us from our sins by his blood 6 and has made us a kingdom, priests for his God and Father, be glory and power forever and ever! Amen. ISV

Verse 5 also says that Jesus washed us from our sins by His blood. Now we want to think that through. Who has Jesus washed, or cleansed, or freed from sins? Those who receive him as Messiah. Jesus has not cleansed those who reject him. It is not that he doesn’t want to cleanse those who reject him, it is that those who reject him reject his gift. If you reject the Messiah you have made the choice to keep your sins. You have no atonement for your sins because there is no temple to make sacrifice for your sins. Therefore you choose to stay in your sin. That is why verse 6 is not written to those who reject the Messiah today. It is not written for those who change their minds during the tribulation either. The only people verse six is written to are those people who accept Jesus as Messiah before verse 7.

Rev 1:7-8 Look! He is coming in the clouds. Every eye will see him, even those who pierced him, and all the tribes of the earth will mourn because of him. So be it! Amen. 8 “I am the Alpha and the Omega,” declares the Lord God, “the one who is, who was, and who is coming, the Almighty.”  ISV

Every eye sees him come in the clouds. The first time he comes in the clouds, he calls his called out. The dead in Christ and the living in Christ. This is why the ones who pierced Jesus will see him at the time the dead rise, the others left in Hades will see Jesus come in the clouds for the redeemed on the day of redemption. The second time he comes at the end of the tribulation, he comes on the earth with his Bride to rescue Israel. When he will come in the clouds is a secret, but it is no secret that he comes to redeem as many as two billion living people. It will be hard to miss two billion living humans leaving the earth. All the tribes will mourn, which is why so many are then martyred during the beginning of the tribulation. They saw him in the clouds, then many people were gone. A while back we looked at a map of earth and noted the countries where the people being gathered would come from; we noticed that there were certain places that would hardly be affected by the gathering. Those are the places that Revelation speaks of later. This is why the rest of the world is not mentioned and seems lost in obscurity in the Bible. Every eye sees him, living and dead, and they mourn.

The called out are called up and made a kingdom of priests. These are the things the called out are supposed to be reading in the assemblies.  We have only looked at the first eight verses of Revelation and if we only read this much in the assemblies today we would be much further ahead as the body of Christ. Again we see the cyclical nature of the book of Revelation. Jesus announces he is the Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end, the first and the last, just as it is recorded in Isaiah, and then reiterated again at the end of the book of Revelation. The book is to be read and remain unsealed, then the listeners, the Spirit, and the Bride, say come.  If we only read Rev 1:1-8 and Rev 22:6-21 we would have a lot of material to teach the called out ones. John is told to write what he sees and send it to the seven assemblies in Asia Minor.

Consider how much faster we can type this, rather than writing it all by hand; this was no small undertaking for John. Writing what he saw was important because of the law of shadows and prophecies as I spoke about earlier. The law of shadows means that sometimes people on earth must do things that will be mimicked later by someone else. We noted the comparison of Abraham sacrificing Isaac, to Jesus being sacrificed. Another one is the comparison of the angels telling Lot they cannot do anything to Sodom and Gomorrah until the righteous, Lot and his family, leave. The comparison in this case is to the righteous redeemed; the tribulation cannot start, nor the antichrist come to power while the called out are on earth. As John tells us, greater is the Holy Spirit residing in the redeemed than anyone (including the antichrist leader) in the world. Then there are laws of prophetic announcements where writers have penned foretelling’s that someone later fulfills. John is to write these things, and as we know that synagogues all over the region were equipped with scrolls copied by scribes, the people would have understood Jesus’ declaration being the first and the last. They would have recognized that Isaiah identified the first and the last, and they would have understood Jesus’ words in verse 8 and 22:13. People of the time period would have also recognized that Jesus calling himself “which was and is and is to come” from verse 1:4, 1:8, and 4:8 would have also identified Jesus as the Alpha and Omega, the Alph Tav, and Lamb of God who was slain, but notice that description in 4:8.

 Rev 4:8 Each of the four living creatures had six wings and were full of eyes inside and out. Without stopping day or night they were saying, “Holy, holy, holy is the Lord God Almighty, who was, who is, and who is coming.” ISV

If we only look at that phrase “who was, who is, and who is coming” from verses 1:4 and 1:8, we could say that this “coming” is the gathering of the called out. However, when it is used in 4:8 it is used after the called out are called up and no longer present on earth. Therefore this is not a reference only to the gathering but also to his coming to earth with his army, and then to rule and reign. The understanding of the Alph Tav, was that they were to look for the strong man on the cross, it was a sign or marker for those who studied the Old Testament writings to relate those teachings to Jesus, the Alpha Omega who comes to earth to rule and reign. If people have hardened their hearts to this teaching, when every eye will see Jesus in the clouds, it will make sense to them and their hearts will change. Those who remain on earth will then be able to put this understanding together when they see the gathering of the called out. Then they will confess Jesus as Messiah. That is why so many are martyred during the tribulation.    

Another verse we should look at is Revelation 11:17. The TR and the NA27 vary on the Greek words used here. The NA27 and corresponding translations omit the words “is to come”. But the TR has the Greek words included “is to come”. For perspective, this is Jesus’ coronation ceremony, when he will be crowned king. Once crowned he will give rewards to his servants, the prophets and the saints. Then the wrath of God starts on earth. The first three and one half years was the wrath of the Lamb, the second three and one half years is called the wrath of God. At the end of the wrath of God, Jesus comes back with his armies, his bride.

Rev 11:16-18 Then the twenty-four elders who were sitting on their thrones in God’s presence fell on their faces and worshipped God. 17 They said, “We give thanks to you, Lord God Almighty, who is and who was, because you have taken your great power and have begun to rule.18 The nations were angry, but the time for your wrath has come. It is time for the dead to be judged— to reward your servants, the prophets, the saints, and all who fear your name, both unimportant and important, and to destroy those who destroy the earth.” ISV

Rev 11:16-18 And the four and twenty elders, which sat before God on their seats, fell upon their faces, and worshipped God,17 Saying, We give thee thanks, O Lord God Almighty, which art, and wast, and art to come; because thou hast taken to thee thy great power, and hast reigned.18 And the nations were angry, and thy wrath is come, and the time of the dead, that they should be judged, and that thou shouldest give reward unto thy servants the prophets, and to the saints, and them that fear thy name, small and great; and shouldest destroy them which destroy the earth. KJV

It is unclear whether the phrase “is to come” is included or omitted, from one perspective, the phrase is not needed as these are the events that precede his coming. In other words Jesus is now King. From another perspective, the phrase included reminds us that there is a short period, about 3 ½ years before he comes to earth, so he is coming. Either way, this event is foretold in Daniel 7:13 and following. Jesus first must be crowned as King before the war takes place for the kingdom rule on earth. At our point in time, Jesus was, is, and is to come.

Moving onto verse 12, John sees seven lampstands and the Son of Man in the midst of them.

Rev 1:12-16 Then I turned to see who was talking to me, and when I turned I saw seven gold lamp stands. 13 Among the lamp stands there was someone like the Son of Man. He was wearing a long robe with a gold sash around his chest. 14 His head and his hair were white like wool, in fact, as white as snow. His eyes were like flames of fire, 15 his feet were like glowing bronze refined in a furnace, and his voice was like the sound of raging waters. 16 In his right hand he held seven stars, and out of his mouth came a sharp, two-edged sword. His face was like the sun when it shines with full force. ISV

When Jesus was on earth he didn’t have white hair like wool or snow. This tells us a couple of things. One, if his head was like wool, it would be thick like a sheep before shearing. Not thin or straight. Two, his hair was white like snow, meaning his hair changed color. The reason we know this is that someone would have pointed out that at 30 years old Jesus resembled a vision Daniel had of the Ancient of Days, with white hair, Daniel 7. His eyes like flames similar to Daniel 10:6, as well as bronzed feet like Daniel’s vision. Our mindset of what heavenly beings look like should change to what the Bible tells us. The Messiah as well as other angelic beings, seems to be glowing polished bronze, not pasty white skinned, blue eyes and blond hair. This is what Jesus looked like at that time of John’s vision. John wrote what he saw. Now John points out the seven stars are in Jesus’ hand, and his mouth like a two edged sword, which Jesus himself reiterates in Chapter 2:12.

Rev 1:17-20 When I saw him, I fell down at his feet like a dead man. But he placed his right hand on me and said, “Stop being afraid! I am the first and the last, 18 the living one. I was dead—but look!—I am alive forever and ever! I have the keys of Death and Hades. 19 Therefore, write down what you have seen, what is, and what is going to happen after this. 20 The secret meaning of the seven stars that you saw in my right hand and the seven gold lamp stands is this: the seven stars are the messengers of the seven churches, and the seven lamp stands are the seven churches.” ISV

Jesus amazes us with his words. He says he is the first and the last, the living one. Verse 5 said he was the first born from the dead. Jesus said he was dead but now he is alive forever and he has the keys to Death and Hades. I know I harp on that a lot, but what good would having the keys to Death and Hades be if Jesus wasn’t opening the doors to segregate the righteous from the unrighteous dead. Jesus says the seven stars are the messengers of the seven called out assemblies, and the seven lamp stands are the seven called out assemblies.

Once again, we have seven angels who are messengers to the seven called out assemblies on earth. We (human beings) haven’t moved on to heaven yet. We have called out people in seven different areas of Asia Minor on earth. There are heavenly messengers assigned to the called out on earth. There are seven spirits roaming the earth. The seven spirits, as well as the angelic messengers, also reside in heaven but they also frequent earth. We then have all the dead as well as all the living tribes of the earth seeing Jesus come in the clouds, and then those that are left behind start mourning. Jesus also has control over Death and Hades. This is the first chapter of the Book of Revelation. We can see a lot of correlation to Old Testament prophecies already, in only 20 verses. So far there is no mystery as to what we have read. The next two chapters Jesus is specifically writing to the called out. Remember layers; 1) for that day and time; 2) for our historical timeline; 3) for our day and time. The beauty of an eternal Messiah is that he can write to people for a two thousand year time frame and it is always applicable. As we have already studied the book of Revelation, I will include our previous studies of the seven churches.

I don’t think we have an excuse before God for not reading the Book of Revelation in the assemblies. If we don’t read it, we are liable for those who never heard and are lost. If we do read this book to the called out we will strengthen the body of Christ. Our mission on earth will be clear and we will gather more people into the sheepfold, the body of our Messiah. If we would only start reading this book.

Insight into the Congregation and the Sheepfold, the Seven Churches of Revelation, Part 1

http://musingsofawinsomeheart.blogspot.com/2012/07/insight-into-congregation-and-sheepfold.html

Wolves in the Sheepfold, Ephesus, the Seven Churches

http://musingsofawinsomeheart.blogspot.com/2012/07/wolves-in-sheepfold-ephesus-seven.html

Building UP the Sheepfold; Smyrna, Pergamos, and the Second Death

http://musingsofawinsomeheart.blogspot.com/2012/07/building-up-sheepfold-smyrna-pergamos.html

Thyatira: Serving and Protecting the Sheepfold

http://musingsofawinsomeheart.blogspot.com/2012/07/thyatira-serving-and-protecting.html

Sardis, Measuring Up in the Sheepfold, the Book of Life

http://musingsofawinsomeheart.blogspot.com/2012/07/sardis-measuring-up-in-sheepfold-book.html

Philadelphia; Evangelizing into the Sheepfold

http://musingsofawinsomeheart.blogspot.com/2012/08/philadelphia-evangelizing-into-sheepfold.html

Laodicea, Educating the Sheepfold

http://musingsofawinsomeheart.blogspot.com/2012/08/laodicea-educating-sheepfold.html

Revelation: Unsealed to the Called Out; The Book of Life or the Tree of Life

Unlike the book of Daniel, the book of Revelation was to remain unsealed to the called out. Yet the called out (the church) have been too afraid to read this book in the assemblies. There is a lot of misinformation regarding this book; some believe all the aspects of it have been fulfilled, some pick and choose portions to make entire doctrines out of one or two verses. Truly the book called Revelation is an unveiling or a revealing of what has been stolen and hidden by a kleptomaniac, which is the definition of apocalypse/revelation. The simplicity of the book has been lost due to fear of the events that will take place in the future. Really, the book is a vision of future events, most of which were already prophesied by other Old Testament writers. John saw this all in one vision, and as he asks questions, he is given the backstory. This confuses people who only read snippets of the revealing, rather reading the entirety of the book in context.

This revealing is given to the called out. Why should the called out/churches know this information? It is given to the ones who believe in Jesus as the anointed Messiah, and their future in the heavens is laid out clearly. Anyone who had or has rejected Jesus will live through hard times on earth. The churches however will not live through these events on earth which is what God wanted us to know. If the churches were to teach this book, there would be greater vision for evangelism as truly no one wants their loved ones to suffer. By revealing what has been stolen and hidden to the called out, the called out can uncover spiritual matters to the world. This book shows where the redeemed go and what will happen to those left on earth in the very last seven years before Christ reigns on earth.

Rev 1:1-3 [THIS IS] the revelation of Jesus Christ [His unveiling of the divine mysteries]. God gave it to Him to disclose and make known to His bond servants certain things which must shortly and speedily come to pass in their entirety. And He sent and communicated it through His angel (messenger) to His bond servant John,

Let’s understand this is one revealing, not multiple. It is not Revelations it is Revelation. Singular status is the first understanding we must have. God the Father gave this unveiling to Jesus his son so that Jesus would make this known to his bond servants. A bond servant, doulos, is someone who has sold themselves into submission to Jesus’ Lordship. This is a good time to ask ourselves if we are sold out and submissive to Jesus or not. The Heavenly Father wanted this information given to those who sold out to Jesus. If that is you, then this entire revealing of what has been stolen and hidden by a kleptomaniac, satan, is for you. These things will happen in a short period of time in our Eternal God’s timing, although to us it seems like a long time. One thousand years is like one day to God. Jesus communicated this message to John via an angel.

Rev 1:2 Who has testified to and vouched for all that he saw [in his visions], the word of God and the testimony of Jesus Christ.

John took notes. There are times the angel tells him not to write what he saw. That tells us there are some things that are concealed and some things that are unsealed, or knowledge of things we can have and knowledge we cannot have. But the book of Revelation is filled with knowledge we can have.

Rev 1:3 Blessed (happy, to be envied) is the man who reads aloud [in the assemblies] the word of this prophecy; and blessed (happy, to be envied) are those who hear [it read] and who keep themselves true to the things which are written in it [heeding them and laying them to heart], for the time [for them to be fulfilled] is near. AMP

If you read, hear, and keep the things written in Revelation you will be happy. To “keep” is to “watch with discernment”, it also means to “guard from loss or injury”. Therefore, we are to hear and read these words, then we are to guard and discern what is written to prevent loss. We are to guard the writings within our hearts because the occasion is near. So we are to read and listen to this book in the assemblies. It is for the called out. Let’s jump to the end of the book and notice what is written.

Rev 22:6-7 And he [of the seven angels further] said to me, These statements are reliable (worthy of confidence) and genuine (true). And the Lord, the God of the spirits of the prophets, has sent His messenger (angel) to make known and exhibit to His servants what must soon come to pass.

Again, the reason this is written is for God’s bond servants to know what will be happening soon. We can get the idea that God does not want us to be in the dark over the future. This was stated in the beginning of the book and here again at the end of the book. Like a circle, this book begins and ends with the same announcements. The importance of understanding Revelation is that the called out have things to accomplish in the future, during the time that the wrath of the Lamb and the wrath of God are taking place on the earth. That is a time of preparation for the bond servants as they are to return with Jesus.

Rev 22:7 And behold, I am coming speedily. Blessed (happy and to be envied) is he who observes and lays to heart and keeps the truths of the prophecy (the predictions, consolations, and warnings) contained in this [little] book. AMP

Once more, we will be happy if we guard the logos of these predictions written in the book. We are told to keep, discern and guard from injury or loss, the truths of this prophecy. Then the angel says something interesting, he says not to seal up the words of these predictions, and not to make a secret of them.

Rev 22:10 And he [further] told me, Do not seal up the words of the prophecy of this book and make no secret of them, for the time when things are brought to a crisis and the period of their fulfillment is near. AMP

Once Christ came to earth the knowledge of these prophecies was to be unveiled or unsealed. When something was sealed it was kept secret. If a seal was placed on a document it was to keep the contents hidden until a specific time. People used melted wax and a signet ring to close up a document. Today we use envelopes with adhesive to seal letters and documents. When a letter was unsealed, and for the public, it was placed at the gates of the city, along with other notices. Just as Jesus blotted out the handwriting of ordinances against us and nailed it to the cross (Col 2:14), and it was a public notification that our debt was paid, the book of Revelation is to be a public notification to all people. Today, the internet and social media have taken place of the public message board in each town. Our world is flatter and smaller than ever before which makes our mission of revealing what is written in this book much easier. It would seem that we are created for such a time as this.  

We are not to keep this book a secret. It has been a secret, as we never hear it read in context in our places of meeting. Why? Because the time when things are brought to a crisis and the period of fulfillment is near, it should be declared from the pulpit. These things are given for the churches, the people who are called out, who are bond servants of Christ. Remembering that the Greek language is a very detailed and specific language, we can better understand the words the Apostle Paul used regarding harpazo, episunagoge, and parousia; “catching up”, “above congregation”, and “coming to earth”. All of those aspects are found in Revelation, the apocalypse is the revealing of Jesus on the day he returns with his church, his bride, to rescue Israel. It will be a day of fear and destruction to the unsaved, but not to the saved because the saved won’t be on earth. That is the point, if we read this book we will have this encouragement. This is for the called out.

Rev 22:16-19 I, Jesus, have sent My messenger (angel) to you to witness and to give you assurance of these things for the churches (assemblies). I am the Root (the Source) and the Offspring of David, the radiant and brilliant Morning Star. [Isa 11:1,10.]

Jesus reiterates that he sent his angel to communicate these events to the churches, the called out. Remember, the churches are not buildings, churches are a group of people who are called out. So in our minds’ when we say “the seven churches of Revelation” we think of seven buildings in Asia, but really they are seven places where the called out reside. The called out in those cities were to read, hear, and guard these words, which inevitably would spread the words of this prophecy to other called out people.

Rev 22:17 The [Holy] Spirit and the bride (the church, the true Christians) say, Come! And let him who is listening say, Come! And let everyone come who is thirsty [who is painfully conscious of his need of those things by which the soul is refreshed, supported, and strengthened]; and whoever [earnestly] desires to do it, let him come, take, appropriate, and drink the water of Life without cost. [Isa 55:1.]

Notice that the Holy Spirit and the Bride of Christ are saying “come”. The Bride is the called out, and along with the Holy Spirit they are telling others to come on this journey, come with us to this city, come and be a part of this group. “Accompany us, or enter in with us”, is not only the message of the Spirit and the Bride, but the message of the listeners. Everyone who thirsts should join us. Then everyone is given a stern warning.

Rev 22:18 I [personally solemnly] warn everyone who listens to the statements of the prophecy [the predictions and the consolations and admonitions pertaining to them] in this book: If anyone shall add anything to them, God will add and lay upon him the plagues (the afflictions and the calamities) that are recorded and described in this book.

Don’t add prophetic words, don’t take away any of these prophetic words; don’t delete or add to these words. This is the only book this warning is given. Although it has not stopped people from teaching this book incorrectly, or mistranslating words a time or two, we are warned to leave it intact. That means God does not want us fiddling around with this book. This is an interesting warning, as there was a group that did fiddle with some of the words in other books, to take the “Christianity” out of the Old Testament. We know many places where they “adjusted” the text sometime around 300 AD and following. The Septuagint is more authentic than the Masoretic texts as it was written in 300 BC while the Masoretic text came about between the 7^th and 10^th century AD, which is also the time of the start of Islam and the Crusades. The culture of that day alone lends to misinterpretations, as the Jews of that time were trying to defend Judaism, rather than receive Judah’s Messiah, the Lion of the tribe of Judah. It is just like children who do something wrong such as breaking a neighbor’s window. They then spend lots of time and energy hiding their deed and they have to rewrite history to make themselves look innocent.

                             

Rev 22:19 And if anyone cancels or takes away from the statements of the book of this prophecy [these predictions relating to Christ's kingdom and its speedy triumph, together with the consolations and admonitions or warnings pertaining to them], God will cancel and take away from him his share in the tree of life and in the city of holiness (purity and hallowedness), which are described and promised in this book. AMP

Here is a very strong point, our inheritance in the future city and our eternal life are in jeopardy if we take any of these prophecies out of this book. If we take parts of John’s vision out of this book we may distort the kingdom of God which has been promised to the called out. If we do that we will get a cancellation notice. In other words, after our death we will not get to eat from the tree of life or enter the New Jerusalem. Recognize this, we could lose our eternal reward by taking things out of this book of revealing’s. Lord have mercy. Today we can simply do our best with what we have. This book is to help encourage people while on earth as to the future. We all work so hard on earth to serve the Lord, this book is to help us understand the future. We have such a muddied perspective of death, paradise, and heaven, this book will help us sort that out. As a child I was taught by prominent religions that when we die we float on clouds, wearing long robes, playing harps, and we have wings. That is not quite right. We have a mission.

Revelation 2:7 tells us that Jesus gives the overcomer to eat of the tree of life in the middle of the Paradise of God. What does this mean?

When satan stole Adam’s authority on earth he stole more than the rights to humanity on the planet, he stole the rights to the grave as well. As we have established in previous studies, the only place for humans to go after death was Sheol/Hades. Jesus told us that there were two compartments to Hades, one for the unrighteous and one for the righteous. The compartment for the righteous was called Abraham’s bosom, truly it is Abraham’s’ bay or creek. Once Jesus died he went into the lower parts of the earth, witnessed to the imprisoned spirits, and set the captives free. Jesus took back the keys to hell and death. As we have learned, this was the first part of Jesus’ mission. The righteous dead who passed before Jesus died are now in Paradise, also known as the third heaven. While the unrighteous dead, and those who reject Jesus as Messiah are in Sheol/Hades. Those righteous and redeemed who have died after Jesus came to set the captives free, are now with him in Paradise, where he gives fruit from the tree of life.

We have muddled the issues of death, and every religion and denomination has their own special story about what happens after one dies. Some believe there is no consciousness in the grave, and people are sleeping, which we know is untrue because of what Jesus taught us. We also know that good works are not the criteria of getting into heaven, but a belief in Jesus the Messiah is. No matter what works were done on earth, all of people’s works are judged either by Jesus during the time he is crowned as King (Revelation 11) or at the end of the one thousand years of Jesus’ reign on earth. That means for those rejecting Jesus, they will spend one thousand plus years in Hades awaiting judgment. What we need to realize is that the first century church understood all of this. But two thousand years of religious presumptions have hidden the truth.

There is a discrepancy here in Revelation chapter 22. Of all places, the very verse that tells us not to take away from this book. The difference in wording causes us to look deeper. If we take away from this book will we lose our portion to the tree of life or will we be written out of the book of life?

Rev 22:19 I testify to every one who heareth the words of the prophecy of this book, That if any man shall set upon them, Aloha will set upon him the plagues which are written in this book. And if any man make to cease from the words of the book of this prophecy, Aloha will make to cease his portion of the tree of life, and of the holy city of which is written in this book. He who testifieth these saith, Yes: I come quickly. Amen. Come, Lord Jeshu. 

http://www.aramaicpeshitta.com/AramaicNTtools/Etheridge/etheridge_revelation.htm

Etheridge is a western Aramaic translation and uses the words tree of life in verse 19, while eastern Aramaic texts use the words book of life. Some texts use different translations and we have to look into this.

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. KJV

Rev 22:19 if you subtract from the words of the book of this prophecy, God will subtract your part from the Tree of Life and the Holy City that are written in this book. (from THE MESSAGE: The Bible in Contemporary Language © 2002 by Eugene H. Peterson. All rights reserved.)

Rev 22:19 If anyone takes away any words from the book of this prophecy, God will take away his portion of the tree of life and the holy city that are described in this book. ISV

The translators from the Textus Receptus use the word book, adhering the Strong’s number 976, which is inner bark or papyrus. The NA27 uses the Strong’s number 3586 meaning fuel or timber. We can see the correlation, books are made of paper using trees or papyrus. Is it the tree of life, or the book of life? The NA27 uses the same word for tree as in Revelation 2:7. The TR agrees that Revelation 2:7 is tree. The TR uses the word for book as at the end of verse 19 (which is Strong’s number 975).

As always when there is a discrepancy we have to dig into the context a little deeper. Let’s look at verse 14.

Rev 22:14 Blessed (happy and to be envied) are those who cleanse their garments, that they may have the authority and right to [approach] the tree of life and to enter through the gates into the city. [Gen 2:9; 3:22,24.] AMP

This is where the TR and the NA27 agree and where we find our answer. The context is having the right to approach the tree of life. The context determines which word should be used. Let’s look back just a bit further in the context.

Rev 22:2 Through the middle of the broadway of the city; also, on either side of the river was the tree of life with its twelve varieties of fruit, yielding each month its fresh crop; and the leaves of the tree were for the healing and the restoration of the nations. [Gen 2:9.] AMP

Now we can see the cyclical pattern of the Book of Revelation. In the beginning of the book we see Jesus giving overcomers to eat from the Tree of Life, at the end of the book we see people having the right to the Tree of Life. Then the warning, which is if you take words out of this book you will lose your right to the Tree of Life. What we learn from this is that even though one is an overcomer, if that one takes words out of this unveiling, that one does not have a right to the Tree of Life or the city. That is different than having one’s name written in, or out of, the book of life. This denotes cause and effect, rather than predestination. If we do “A” then “B” rather than “A” or “B” not mattering, “C” is the standard. “C” being predestination because of a prewritten book. This advocates our freedom to choose instead of being destined to a future. We are uncovering what a kleptomaniac has stolen and hidden, and someone who hides the words of this book is stealing and hiding this knowledge just like satan.

Going back to our look at this revealing that is to be unsealed, we have to take the view from 30,000 ft. There are lots of things that are sealed and unsealed in the Bible. We, the redeemed, are sealed with the Holy Spirit and sealed until the day of Redemption. Daniel’s words were sealed because they were a look so far into the future they would not make sense until the time of the end.

Dan 9:24 Seventy weeks [of years, or 490 years] are decreed upon your people and upon your holy city [Jerusalem], to finish and put an end to transgression, to seal up and make full the measure of sin, to purge away and make expiation and reconciliation for sin, to bring in everlasting righteousness (permanent moral and spiritual rectitude in every area and relation) to seal up vision and prophecy and prophet, and to anoint a Holy of Holies. AMP

Dan 12:4 But you, O Daniel, shut up the words and seal the Book until the time of the end. [Then] many shall run to and fro and search anxiously [through the Book], and knowledge [of God's purposes as revealed by His prophets] shall be increased and become great. [Amos 8:12.]  AMP

Dan 12:9 And he [the angel] said, Go your way, Daniel, for the words are shut up and sealed till the time of the end. AMP

As we have looked at in verse 12:4 of Daniel, the Hebrew reads “the knowledge” shall be increased. The word “the” is in the text but not translated and it communicates a great deal to us. It is not just any knowledge that shall be increased, but the knowledge of the time of the end that will be increased. That is what the “the” is signifying.  The book of Daniel makes sense in light of the Book of Revelation. Daniel was written around 530 BC and Revelation was written around 90 AD. At what point in time did things change to become the time of the end? At or about the day of Pentecost. After Jesus died and ascended, and the redeemed and righteous dead were now in Paradise, the time of the end started. Even though that is about two thousand years so far, that is the end as compared to the four thousand years prior to Jesus coming to earth.

This whole era or age lasts a total of 8,000 years as we have studied. We are roughly around the 6,000 year mark, with 1,000 years slated for Jesus’ reign on earth. So, yes this is the time of the end. We know that there are seven years at the very end of the 6,000 year mark for a time of terrible tribulation. But the called out are not a part of that last seven years on earth. Rather they are part of the heavenly realm, making ready to return with Jesus to rescue Israel. The called out are warned regarding being overcomers in the first three chapters of Revelation. Then the called out who have been redeemed are seen in the heavenly realm singing about being redeemed. Prior to that, the dead are not in the upper heavens with angels, beasts, or the elders who are around the throne of God. The dead have to rise first, then the alive redeemed join them on the way to the upper heavenlies. We can see why Paul and John specified Paradise as the third heaven, not the first or second heaven.  

This book of revealings tells us that the redeemed have a place and a mission for the last seven years that is not on the earth. It tells us how to attain to that position. It tells us that the ones who harden their hearts to Jesus will be on earth or in Hades. If we don’t read this book to the called out, the called out might think they would be subject to the same seven year tribulation that the unrighteous and unredeemed will live through. If we don’t read this book out loud in our assemblies the listeners will not also testify along with the Spirit and the Bride. That is the purpose of this unsealed book. Once we start pursuing this book as one whole idea, and we identify the players, all of it falls into place.

The redeemed, called out, overcomers, are the first group of people we are to look at. The book starts and ends with the called out, the church, the ekklesia. The angel is sent to communicate this message to John who in turn is communicating it to the bond servants. At that time, the temple at Jerusalem had been destroyed for twenty years, where were all the Christians? They had moved out to spread the word of God around the world. Therefore sending the book of the Apocalypse to Jerusalem would have been silly.  The people established groups in Asia Minor and John sent the writings there to them. There are layers to the writings to the seven churches. The first layer is that there were seven centers for the called out and each of them had an angel over the church/called out. Each had individual letters written to them. They were commended and warned, and promised something if they overcame. Those letters were also written as seven periods of time; that is another layer. Not simply to those at that time but over two thousand years. They are ages for the called out. Thirdly, they are letters to us today, we all have groups that resemble one of those churches. The promises are for us individually as well. We all walk through life and walk through different churches in our lives that resemble the seven churches and their struggles.  And yes the called out individuals as well as groups all struggle. Why wouldn’t we have to struggle on earth?  The earth is technically controlled by the god of this world, the devil, the prince of this world, the prince of the power of the air. You changed your citizenship to the kingdom of heaven, but until you move there you are an alien or foreigner. You will suffer persecution because you have rejected this world’s governing powers.

It is interesting to note that the ekklesia, the called out are only mentioned through chapter three. They are then spoken of again at the end of the book in chapter twenty two. Why? Because the called out have been called up. Chapter 4 tells us about an opened door, and the call to come up. This tells us of an age change. The book of Revelation is to be read in church, among the called out, in the assemblies. The book is not a mystery, or confusing, or hard to understand. This book reveals the future and we are to have hope, and be encouraged by the chain of events that will take place. If we read this book of unveilings out loud we will be blessed and happy. We will know with surety the things that are to come to pass and their timing. We will identify some more of the players next time so that when we read this unveiling we will understand it. 

Pursuing Happiness; God Is Not Mad At You, But the Devil Is

“Because I’m Happy. Clap along if you feel like a room without a roof. Because I’m Happy. Clap along if you feel like Happiness is the truth”. (Pharrell Williams) 

The god of this world is satan, and satan hates you. You defected from his dark side to Jesus’ side. That explains a lot doesn’t it? The devil is the god of this world and Jesus exposed him. Prior to Jesus’ coming to earth, people had forgotten about the devil, his schemes, and his control. I say forgotten because had they remembered they would have fought against the devil instead of being tempted by him. Hardships we face on earth are because of satan, but we can choose to be happy.

I don’t like denominationalism because once someone joins “the club” they are bound to the ideas of said denomination. Then there are para-ministries that do the same thing, and they try to rip people out of the churches to gain finances and followers. While not naming specific groups, we can be aware that certain doctrines are designed to intimidate, enslave, and bind people. One such doctrine promoted by some denominations and para-ministries is that God is angry with people and is beating people up, or beating people down, and if you don’t follow all the “rules” laid out by the denomination or para-ministry you will be at risk for receiving bad things. First of all, that is called superstition. It is a falsehood attributed to our heavenly Father that gave His only Son for humanity. Why would a bully god allow his only Son to be slaughtered for people he didn’t like? Some people have a twisted perspective, and I want to look at these issues since spring storm season shows us how little we humans’ control, and weather gets the “God is mad at you” rap.

While God the Creator does technically have the world in his hands, or uses the earth as his foot stool, he had turned over the operational tasks of the earth to Adam. We all know how that turned out.  The devil stole authority over the earth from Adam. Adam was deceived into allowing the devil control over what he was in charge of. Since that time, the devil has been in control of the happenings on earth. The devil uses other spirit beings for his purposes, he accuses the righteous before the throne of God day and night, and he schemes and plans for human demise. We know from Jesus’ time of fasting that the devil offered Jesus the whole world; he couldn’t offer what he didn’t have. He attempted trickery to cause Jesus to turn from his allegiance to his heavenly Father. The devil does that to us today. Job made blood sacrifices for himself and his children, but once satan killed off all the animals there wasn’t any blood sacrifice for covering. Finally, when Job was able to make a blood sacrifice again, satan’s attack stopped. We have a better blood covering than that of animals, we have Jesus as our atoning blood covering.

Let’s get some scriptural perspective.

Job 1:6 Now there was a day when the sons of God came to present themselves before the Lord, and Satan came also among them. KJV

Matt 4:1 Then was Jesus led up of the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted of the devil. …8 Again, the devil taketh him up into an exceeding high mountain, and sheweth him all the kingdoms of the world, and the glory of them;9 And saith unto him, All these things will I give thee, if thou wilt fall down and worship me.10 Then saith Jesus unto him, Get thee hence, Satan: for it is written, Thou shalt worship the Lord thy God, and him only shalt thou serve.KJV

Rev 12:10 And I heard a loud voice saying in heaven, Now is come salvation, and strength, and the kingdom of our God, and the power of his Christ: for the accuser of our brethren is cast down, which accused them before our God day and night. KJV

Zech 3:1 And he shewed me Joshua the high priest standing before the angel of the Lord, and Satan standing at his right hand to resist him. KJV

If we look at the Old Testament we find that there were times God was angry with his people. However, in the New Testament God is never angry with his people. Why the difference? Today we have the Holy Spirit residing within us, and Jesus’ blood paid the price for our covering. Remember, there is no temple today, therefore for one to have atonement one has to accept Jesus as Lord and Savior. We have a once and for all covering, we do not have to offer blood sacrifices regularly. If the devil can stay concealed he can blame the Creator God, for all the bad things he does. This is where many are ignorant.

2 Cor 4:4 In whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them. KJV

2 Cor 2:11 Lest Satan should get an advantage of us: for we are not ignorant of his devices. KJV

2 Tim 2:26 And that they may recover themselves out of the snare of the devil, who are taken captive by him at his will. KJV

James 4:7 Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. KJV

Jesus said this:

John 12:31 Now is the judgment of this world: now shall the prince of this world be cast out. KJV

John 14:30 Hereafter I will not talk much with you: for the prince of this world cometh, and hath nothing in me. KJV

Who is the prince of this world? The devil; therefore this prince has control over the world. However, Jesus has overcome the world. Jesus took back the keys to hell and death and we don’t have to be fearful of death. In Revelation 11 we see the time when Jesus will be crowned and then he will take control of the earth. Jesus’ death first set the captives free, now they are in Paradise, aka the third Heaven. Jesus will later come back with the called, chosen, and faithful to rescue Israel. Then Jesus will reside on earth for one thousand years.

Rev 2:10 Fear none of those things which thou shalt suffer: behold, the devil shall cast some of you into prison, that ye may be tried; and ye shall have tribulation ten days: be thou faithful unto death, and I will give thee a crown of life.KJV

Heb 2:14 Forasmuch then as the children are partakers of flesh and blood, he also himself likewise took part of the same; that through death he might destroy him that had the power of death, that is, the devil; KJV

Once, the devil had the power over death, but not any longer. Jesus took back the keys to hell and death. Paul says that the devil is the prince of the power of the air. What does it mean to be in control of the air? It means the devil has the power over what goes on in the air.

Eph 2:2 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 KJV

Now we have to broaden our perspective.  Abraham moved many, many times due to famine and drought. There is nothing unusual or different in our day and time as the earth is groaning and travailing; there are times of drought or times of flood. The only thing that is different is that we do not pick up and move to a different place when the weather is bad. Look at the original Americans, they moved all the time due to weather or when following herds. Jesus rebuked the Pharisees and Sadducees for understanding weather patterns and not knowing God.

Matt 16:1-4 The Pharisees also with the Sadducees came, and tempting desired him that he would shew them a sign from heaven.2 He answered and said unto them, When it is evening, ye say, It will be fair weather: for the sky is red.3 And in the morning, It will be foul weather today: for the sky is red and lowring. O ye hypocrites, ye can discern the face of the sky; but can ye not discern the signs of the times?4 A wicked and adulterous generation seeketh after a sign; and there shall no sign be given unto it, but the sign of the prophet Jonas. And he left them, and departed. KJV

What is even more concerning is that those who believe the Creator God is beating people up with the weather, or is mad and sending bad weather, ignore the fact that Jesus rebuked the storm.

Mark 4:36-41 And leaving the throng, they took Him with them, [just] as He was, in the boat [in which He was sitting]. And other boats were with Him. 37 And a furious storm of wind [of hurricane proportions] arose, and the waves kept beating into the boat, so that it was already becoming filled. 38 But He [Himself] was in the stern [of the boat], asleep on the [leather] cushion; and they awoke Him and said to Him, Master, do You not care that we are perishing? 39 And He arose and rebuked the wind and said to the sea, Hush now! Be still (muzzled)! And the wind ceased (sank to rest as if exhausted by its beating) and there was [immediately] a great calm (a perfect peacefulness). 40 He said to them, Why are you so timid and fearful? How is it that you have no faith (no firmly relying trust)? 41 And they were filled with great awe and feared exceedingly and said one to another, Who then is this, that even wind and sea obey Him?  AMP

If Jesus rebuked the storm, and the storm stopped, he had the authority to do so. The works that Jesus did we can do, and greater since he went to the Father. Now think this through. If God was sending a storm to punish people and Jesus rebuked it, then Jesus must have been sinning; putting his will over the Father’s will, and he must have been rebellious as he did not go along with the plan to punish people with this storm. Really? For people who grew up or have come out of abusive households, serving a god who beats them up with bad weather or calamity, is not a god they will serve. People from abusive situations know there is never a guarantee that the abuser will ever accept or love them. Serving an abusive god would be futile. I know in people’s eagerness to get others saved, the message is preached with this manipulative warning about God being harsh, but that is not the Heavenly Father who created the heavens and the earth and gave His Son for you. What is happening instead is that those who preach the “mean god” view are losing people who would rather not be beat up by a hostile deity. And thus the devil wins. Well played prince of this world. Here are a few articles that will dive into this subject, they are worth the read.

http://www.charismamag.com/spirit/spiritual-growth/16922-god-isn-t-mad-at-you

http://www.christianpost.com/news/is-god-angry-104031/

Calamity should drive us to God the Creator, not away. Jesus points out that tragedies will happen, like killings and murders, buildings collapsing, or rain falling. The wise man builds upon a rock, not in swamps, or on sand, or near fault lines.

Luke 13:1-5 There were present at that season some that told him of the Galilaeans, whose blood Pilate had mingled with their sacrifices.2 And Jesus answering said unto them, Suppose ye that these Galilaeans were sinners above all the Galilaeans, because they suffered such things?3 I tell you, Nay: but, except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish.4 Or those eighteen, upon whom the tower in Siloam fell, and slew them, think ye that they were sinners above all men that dwelt in Jerusalem?5 I tell you, Nay: but, except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish. KJV

Matt 5:45 That ye may be the children of your Father which is in heaven: for he maketh his sun to rise on the evil and on the good, and sendeth rain on the just and on the unjust. KJV

Imagine how slow news traveled in Jesus’ time. Today, we have worldwide news almost instantaneously. The world has become a lot smaller and flatter today. That simply makes things seem as if there is more evil than ever before. Fifty years ago we didn’t hear about hurricanes immediately, but sometimes days after the fact. Just over one hundred and thirteen years ago it took weeks to find out there was a hurricane in Galveston that killed between 6,000 and 12,000 people. Should we believe that there are only deadly storms in our day? Man’s condition has changed, as humans are angrier, more heartless and cruel, and pursue intentional evil due to a lack of God consciousness. Hell is real, but we’re not allowed to teach that anymore as it might hurt someone’s feelings. According to every eulogy, everyone goes to heaven. We know that is not true, but we don’t want anyone to feel sad do we?

Now that we have established that the devil is the one who is in charge of these things, we have the option to either walk around defeated and depressed or to be happy. Circumstances do not have to dictate our hearts’ response.  The word for “happy” in the Bible means blessed, supremely blessed. Once we realize how blessed we truly are our hearts will lighten up.

NT:3107 makarios (mak-ar'-ee-os); a prolonged form of the poetical makar (meaning the same); supremely blest; by extension, fortunate, well off: KJV - blessed, happy (X -ier).(Biblesoft's New Exhaustive Strong's Numbers and Concordance with Expanded Greek-Hebrew Dictionary. Copyright © 1994, 2003, 2006 Biblesoft, Inc. and International Bible Translators, Inc.)

Rom 4:5-8 But to one who, not working [by the Law], trusts (believes fully) in Him Who justifies the ungodly, his faith is credited to him as righteousness (the standing acceptable to God). 6 Thus David congratulates the man and pronounces a blessing [3108] on him to whom God credits righteousness apart from the works he does: 7 Blessed and happy and to be envied [3107] are those whose iniquities are forgiven and whose sins are covered up and completely buried. 8 Blessed and happy and to be envied [3107] is the person of whose sin the Lord will take no account nor reckon it against him. [Ps 32:1,2.] AMP

Let’s look at what David was quoted as saying.

OT:835'esher (eh'-sher); from OT:833; happiness; only in masculine plural construction as interjection, how happy!: KJV - blessed, happy.(Biblesoft's New Exhaustive Strong's Numbers and Concordance with Expanded Greek-Hebrew Dictionary. Copyright © 1994, 2003, 2006 Biblesoft, Inc. and International Bible Translators, Inc.)

Ps 32:1-2 BLESSED (HAPPY, fortunate, to be envied) [833] is he who has forgiveness of his transgression continually exercised upon him, whose sin is covered. 2 Blessed (happy, fortunate, to be envied) [833] is the man to whom the Lord imputes no iniquity and in whose spirit there is no deceit. [Rom 4:7,8.] AMP

The first point Paul makes is that the one who trusts God has his faith accounted as righteousness. Do you believe in Jesus? Do you trust that his death meant your sin could be covered? Then your faith is credited to you as righteousness. Gee, all we have to do is believe that Jesus died and rose again and we are saved, that belief is accounted as righteousness. We are now acceptable to God, the Creator and Father of our Lord Jesus. If you are acceptable to God, He is not going to backhand you. David announces that you are happy. You are happy because your sins are forgiven continually. You are happy because your sin is covered. You are happy because the Lord does not charge you for evil. You are happy because in your spirit is no deceitfulness. God is not punishing us, the devil is. Again, the prince of the power of the air makes the Creator take the blame. Again, well played devil. Here is what Jesus taught us.

Luke 6:20-25 And solemnly lifting up His eyes on His disciples, He said: Blessed (happy — with life-joy and satisfaction in God's favor and salvation, apart from your outward condition — and to be envied) are you poor and lowly and afflicted (destitute of wealth, influence, position, and honor), for the kingdom of God is yours! 21 Blessed (happy — with life-joy and satisfaction in God's favor and salvation, apart from your outward condition — and to be envied) are you who hunger and seek with eager desire now, for you shall be filled and completely satisfied! Blessed (happy — with life-joy and satisfaction in God's favor and salvation, apart from your outward condition — and to be envied) are you who weep and sob now, for you shall laugh! 22 Blessed (happy — with life-joy and satisfaction in God's favor and salvation, apart from your outward condition — and to be envied) are you when people despise (hate) you, and when they exclude and excommunicate you [as disreputable] and revile and denounce you and defame and cast out and spurn your name as evil (wicked) on account of the Son of Man. 23 Rejoice and be glad at such a time and exult and leap for joy, for behold, your reward is rich and great and strong and intense and abundant in heaven; for even so their forefathers treated the prophets. 24 But woe to (alas for) you who are rich (abounding in material resources), for you already are receiving your consolation (the solace and sense of strengthening and cheer that come from prosperity) and have taken and enjoyed your comfort in full [having nothing left to be awarded you]. 25 Woe to (alas for) you who are full now (completely filled, luxuriously gorged and satiated), for you shall hunger and suffer want! Woe to (alas for) you who laugh now, for you shall mourn and weep and wail! AMP

Poor, lowly, afflicted, hungry, weeping, sobbing, despised, excluded, excommunicated, reviled, denounced, defamed, cast out, called evil; these don’t seem like things to be happy about. But maybe they are, maybe we have been trained to think the opposite of what we should be thinking. Maybe our perspective has been distorted which leads people to think the Creator God is harming us, when in fact the devil is doing these things and we will be well rewarded for enduring. Oh boy, we have really been shortsighted. If life on earth was happy clappy flowers and sunshine, what is there for us to overcome? (Revelation 2 & 3)

Let’s take a little review. We, humanity, are not God’s only creation. There are Angels, Cherubim, Seraphim, Ophanim, as well as others described in the ioanit stations of light by Enoch. Each of these beings are different. Angels seem to look like humans. Cherubs are large humanlike beings with six large wings. Seraphs are fiery winged serpents. Ophan are revolving beings that look like humans when still, but have a powerful vortex of energy that transports things. All these beings intermingle in God’s kingdom. The Angels will war with satan (who was a Cherub) and cast him, and those with satan, out of the upper heavens. There were probably various beings that fell along with satan. Some clues are found in old writings of fiery winged serpent beings as deities. Another recognition is in hurricanes, cyclones, and tornados that spin like the Ophan. We are not the soul creation, we are simply a part of this story, and our God and Father is merciful. He has given us a way out, it is the opposite of what we have been trained to think by the world.

God’s glory stayed in the temple, even among idol worship, prostitution, incense and child sacrifice to demonic deities, for over three hundred years. By giving satan a reason to accuse them by not remembering the blood atonement, legally they changed their citizenship from God’s household to satan’s domain. It looked as if God was punishing the people, but God warned them if they didn’t do what they were told they would go into slavery as prophesied by Moses. God had already planned to send the Messiah (Genesis 3:15) and God knew their rebellion would be for a season. Everything we do on earth will either align us to satan, or to Jesus. Jesus told us how we are to lead, and if we remember that we are servants and not greater than God, we will be happy.

John 13:13-17 Ye call me Master and Lord: and ye say well; for so I am.14 If I then, your Lord and Master, have washed your feet; ye also ought to wash one another's feet.15 For I have given you an example, that ye should do as I have done to you.16 Verily, verily, I say unto you, The servant is not greater than his lord; neither he that is sent greater than he that sent him.17 If ye know these things, happy are ye if ye do them. KJV

The devil wants us to believe that we have to dominate and lord over others, even in the church. That is why manipulation tactics enter into the very places we go to learn about God. The strategy is a good one; get witchcraft into the houses of God the Creator so that people get hurt and discouraged. Should I say it again? Well played miserable wretch, satan.

James explains our existence with great imagery. We all are simply like grass among all the other created beings in God’s kingdom. Our lives are very short. In God’s timing, one day to God is like one thousand years to us. The mess satan made will be all cleaned up in seven days. The rich who today are celebrated will come to a most miserable end, they will be subjects of the devil simply because they did not choose Jesus as Messiah. The rich and self-serving didn’t even have to choose the devil, they simply end up with the devil because they didn‘t choose Jesus.

James 1:9-18 Let the brother in humble circumstances glory in his elevation [as a Christian, called to the true riches and to be an heir of God], 10 And the rich [person ought to glory] in being humbled [by being shown his human frailty], because like the flower of the grass he will pass away. 11 For the sun comes up with a scorching heat and parches the grass; its flower falls off and its beauty fades away. Even so will the rich man wither and die in the midst of his pursuits. [Isa 40:6,7.] 12 Blessed (happy, to be envied) is the man who is patient under trial and stands up under temptation, for when he has stood the test and been approved, he will receive [the victor's] crown of life which God has promised to those who love Him. 13 Let no one say when he is tempted, I am tempted from God; for God is incapable of being tempted by [what is] evil and He Himself tempts no one. 14 But every person is tempted when he is drawn away, enticed and baited by his own evil desire (lust, passions). 15 Then the evil desire, when it has conceived, gives birth to sin, and sin, when it is fully matured, brings forth death. 16 Do not be misled, my beloved brethren. 17 Every good gift and every perfect (free, large, full) gift is from above; it comes down from the Father of all [that gives] light, in [the shining of] Whom there can be no variation [rising or setting] or shadow cast by His turning [as in an eclipse]. 18 And it was of His own [free] will that He gave us birth [as sons] by [His] Word of Truth, so that we should be a kind of firstfruits of His creatures [a sample of what He created to be consecrated to Himself]. AMP

Again, happy are we when we are patient under trial. That again is the opposite of everything we are led to believe. We want to place blame on something and since we hardly believe there is a devil, we blame God the Creator. But wait, do not say you are tempted by God the Creator. Tempted means tested. God is not testing you, you have been led away or baited by evil desires. Wait, what evil desires? How about thinking that all of life revolves around your comfort? Have you ever known people who are so caught up in being comfortable that they center their lives on being comfortable? That is a lust, a desire. It is like a child who won’t eat what doesn’t taste good; really, everyone would rather eat ice cream over broccoli. We eat broccoli because it is healthy, which is the right thing to do, get it? Life on earth is about doing what is right. Life is not about human comfort, it is about humans subduing the enemy of the Messiah. What good is someone who is so wrapped up in their own comfort that they forget there is a battle for souls going on around them? If we learn patience through trial, we are rewarded with a crown of life because we love Him. Loving Him means the devil will provoke us.  

Let’s remember Jesus’ last words to us.

Rev 1:3 Blessed (happy, to be envied) is the man who reads aloud [in the assemblies] the word of this prophecy; and blessed (happy, to be envied) are those who hear [it read] and who keep themselves true to the things which are written in it [heeding them and laying them to heart], for the time [for them to be fulfilled] is near. AMP

Rev 22:7 And behold, I am coming speedily. Blessed (happy and to be envied) is he who observes and lays to heart and keeps the truths of the prophecy (the predictions, consolations, and warnings) contained in this [little] book……10 And he [further] told me, Do not seal up the words of the prophecy of this book and make no secret of them, for the time when things are brought to a crisis and the period of their fulfillment is near…..12 Behold, I am coming soon, and I shall bring My wages and rewards with Me, to repay and render to each one just what his own actions and his own work merit. [Isa 40:10; Jer 17:10.] 13 I am the Alpha and the Omega, the First and the Last (the Before all and the End of all). [Isa 44:6; 48:12.] AMP

Happy are we who read the book of Revelation in the assemblies. Happy are we who hear the book of Revelation read. Wow, who does that? That is probably why we are not happy. Happy are we who lay to heart and keep the truths of the prophecy contained in the book of Revelation. Again, who does that? It is the opposite of what we have been led to think. We seem to believe that the book of Revelation is some mysterious book we can’t understand. Yet this book, unlike the book of Daniel, is unsealed, and should be read in the churches. When was the last time someone read the book of Revelation in Church? Truly the book of Revelation is not hard to understand, we simply have to throw off our preconceived religious ideas regarding what we think.

Just in case you wonder about Israel, she will be glad and she will rejoice.

Zeph 3:14-20 Sing, O Daughter of Zion; shout, O Israel! Rejoice, be in high spirits and glory with all your heart, O Daughter of Jerusalem [in that day]. 15 [For then it will be that] the Lord has taken away the judgments against you; He has cast out your enemy. The King of Israel, even the Lord [Himself], is in the midst of you; [and after He has come to you] you shall not experience or fear evil any more. 16 In that day it shall be said to Jerusalem, Fear not, O Zion. Let not your hands sink down or be slow and listless. 17 The Lord your God is in the midst of you, a Mighty One, a Savior [Who saves]! He will rejoice over you with joy; He will rest [in silent satisfaction] and in His love He will be silent and make no mention [of past sins, or even recall them]; He will exult over you with singing. 18 I will gather those belonging to you [those Israelites in captivity] who yearn and grieve for the solemn assembly [and the festivals], on whom [their exile and inability to attend services at Jerusalem have brought derision and] the reproach of it is a burden. 19 Behold, at that time I will deal with all those who afflict you; I will save the limping [ones] and gather the outcasts and will make them a praise and a name in every land of their shame. [Mic 4:6,7.] 20 At that time I will bring you in; yes, at that time I will gather you, for I will make you a name and a praise among all the nations of the earth when I reverse your captivity before your eyes, says the Lord. AMP

God will exult over Israel with singing. They get an opportunity to live under the rule of Jesus and be restored. Not all humans are restored, some will be awaiting the end of the thousand year reign of Jesus in hell. After satan goes out to deceive the world at the end of the one thousand years, death and hell will give up their dead and those people will be judged at the Great White Throne Judgment. There will then be an end to death and hell. If satan goes out to deceive people at the end of the millennial reign, what exactly is satan doing now? He is doing the very same thing. That is why everything seems to be the opposite of what we think. The devil’s plan is to wear you down in your commitment to God the Creator until you reject the Heavenly Father and His Son our Messiah.

How can we be happy? Actually, happiness is a state of thankfulness. When we are thankful and content no matter what our circumstances, we will be happy. The people who whine or complain or expect comfort in life will never be happy.  

Phil 4:12-13 I know how to be abased and live humbly in straitened circumstances, and I know also how to enjoy plenty and live in abundance. I have learned in any and all circumstances the secret of facing every situation, whether well-fed or going hungry, having a sufficiency and enough to spare or going without and being in want. 13 I have strength for all things in Christ Who empowers me [I am ready for anything and equal to anything through Him Who infuses inner strength into me; I am self-sufficient in Christ's sufficiency]. AMP

Paul says I have learned the secret of facing every situation, the secret is recognizing your ability is in Jesus. Here is another way to say it.

Phil 4:13 Whatever I have, wherever I am, I can make it through anything in the One who makes me who I am. (from THE MESSAGE: The Bible in Contemporary Language © 2002 by Eugene H. Peterson. All rights reserved.)

We can endure and be happy through the one who makes us who we are, Jesus the anointed one. Prophesied from the days of Adam to be the Messiah and named by name in Zechariah, Jesus is here to help. If we suffer we will reign.

2 Tim 2:11-12 It is a faithful saying: For if we be dead with him, we shall also live with him:12 If we suffer, we shall also reign with him: if we deny him, he also will deny us: KJV

If all there was to our time on earth is what we live now, then when we die there is nothing, certainly we would be miserable. However, we have more living to do. Eternal life starts the day you confess Jesus as Lord. We are living a never ending life now and what we do matters for the rest of eternity. God is not mad at you, he is not beating you, sending bad things your way, or testing you. God wants you to live with Him, to reign with His Son Jesus. You were worth the Creator sending His Son to the slaughter. You are worth every drop of blood Jesus shed. You are precious. If you are suffering, rejoice and be happy that you will reign with Christ very soon. And as soon as you determine to be happy no matter what, you will be tested, but not by the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. You will be tested by the devil, so remember, in whatever state or condition you are in, you are Happy and Supremely Blessed.