Exodus 5 “Pharaoh Mocks God’s Call To Worship”

“Who is the LORD, that I should obey His voice to let Israel go? I do not know the LORD, nor will I let Israel go.” (v.2)

Here in chapter 5 Pharaoh referred to Moses’ request to worship as, “vain words” or lies (v.9). Implying that Moses and Aaron had falsely pretended that their God had commanded them to go and worship, a crafty design of their own to advance themselves in the eyes of the people.

Pharaoh treated all he had heard from them with contempt. He had no knowledge of Jehovah, no fear of him, and therefore refused to obey Him. Thus Pharaoh's pride, ambition, covetousness, and political knowledge, hardened him to his own eventual destruction. 

What Moses and Aaron asked was very reasonable, to go three days' journey into the desert, and that on a good errand. Yet Pharaoh’s response was very unreasonable, “make them work harder so they will pay no attention to these vain words,”or to the things of God.

Today there are many who, because they do not know God, see those who do as unreasonable, having vain words, and consequently work very hard to silence our beliefs, and treat us with contempt. Though they may challenge us, and try to make our lives more difficult, we still have the freedom to worship Him. 

The Truth: “Seek the Lord while He may be found, Call upon Him while He is near.” (Isaiah 55:6)

Exodus 4 “Moses Doubts His Call”

And he (Moses) said, “O my Lord, send, I pray thee, by the hand of whomever else You May send.” (v.13)

Forty years earlier Moses was jumping the gun to deliver God’s people. But now he’s in a completely different place saying, “I’m not the man for the job. Send whomever else You want, someone more qualified, more capable, someone more worthy than I. 

To be humble is one thing but to argue against the command of God (v.12) and give God counsel on whom to choose, that’s a different story. 

As we see in verse 14 God’s anger kindled against Moses, a man who doubted His call. True the Lord was angry with Moses but He did not give up on him. He simply expanded His call to include Aaron (v.14-16) as Moses’ mouthpiece. Aaron would be the voice to the people, and Moses would relay God’s message to Aaron. 

Understand this, just as the Lord did not give up on Moses so He will not give up on you. If He has you in mind for a task, He will remove all your objections and clear the way for His will to be accomplished through you.

The Truth: “Oh, the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are His judgments and His ways past finding out!” (Romans 11:33)

Exodus 3 "Moses Is Called"

"Therefore, come now, and I will send you to Pharaoh, so that you may bring My people, the sons of Israel, out of Egypt." (v.10)

During the early decades of Moses' life, he decided to his pleasure that he was being prepared to deliver Israel out of bondage. It seemed logical—the circumstances of his birth and subsequent adoption by the house of Pharaoh, his education, mental abilities, oratorical skills—it all fit! But then he was forced out of Egypt in disgrace and became a mere sheepherder, an occupation loathed by the Egyptians (Genesis 46:34). And now, four decades had passed and his pride was trampled in the dust of Midian.

Now it happened when Moses was tending the flock of Jethro his father-in-law, the priest of Midian, as he was leading the flock to the back of the desert, and came to Mount Horeb, the mountain of God, that the Angel of the LORD appeared to him in a flame of fire from the midst of a bush. So he looked, and behold, the bush was burning with fire, but the bush was not consumed. Then Moses said, “I will now turn aside and see this great sight, why the bush does not burn” (vv.1-3).

Then, when the LORD saw that Moses had turned aside to look, God called to him from the midst of the bush and said, “Moses, Moses!” And he said, “Here I am.” Then God said, “Do not draw near this place. Take your sandals off your feet, for the place where you stand is holy ground.” Moreover He said, “I am the God of your father—the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob” (vv.4-6). And Moses hid his face, for he was afraid to look upon God.

Then the LORD said: “I have surely seen the oppression of My people who are in Egypt, and have heard their cry because of their taskmasters, for I know their sorrows. So I have come down to deliver them out of the hand of the Egyptians, and to bring them up from that land to a good and large land, to a land flowing with milk and honey, to the place of the Canaanites and the Hittites and the Amorites and the Perizzites and the Hivites and the Jebusites. Come now, therefore, and I will send you to Pharaoh that you may bring My people, the children of Israel, out of Egypt” (vv.7-10). His (Moses) response, "Who am I that I should go to Pharaoh, and that I should bring the children of Israel out of Egypt?"

Forty years before, Moses thought he knew who he was: he was a prince of Egypt and a Hebrew, God’s chosen instrument to deliver Israel. After forty years of chasing sheep around the desert, Moses didn’t have the same self-sure confidence that he once had. He shows his doubts here to be used of God (v.11).  Ah, finally, humility! In God's eyes he is now ready.

Truth be told who are any of us, that we should do or say anything on behalf of God? ALL of us are disqualified for ministry, but when we are called we should go because He will do the work in and through us. His strength is perfected in our weakness. We can't do it, but He can - "So send I you."

The Truth: ‘And He said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore most gladly I will rather boast in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.’ (2 Corinthians 12:9)

Exodus 2 "Moses Flees Egypt"

"When Pharaoh heard of this matter, he tried to kill Moses. But Moses fled from the presence of Pharaoh and settled in the land of Midian, and he sat down by a well." (v.15)

Back in chapter 1, the Pharaoh began a genocide campaign against God's people. He worked them very hard under taskmasters to the demise of the weak, he ordered the midwives to kill every male born to the Hebrew women at birth, and finally he commanded all of his people to throw every son born to the Hebrews into the river (vv.15-22). 

Now here in chapter 2 we see that a man and a woman from the tribe of Levi conceive and gave birth to a son, whom they hid from the Pharaoh for three months. After that period of time, the woman put the child in a sealed wicker basket and floated down the river to where Pharaoh’s daughter was bathing. And when Pharaoh’s daughter saw the baby she had pity on it. Then the sister of this baby asked Pharaoh’s daughter, “Shall I go and call a nurse for you from the Hebrew women that she may nurse the child for you?" The Pharaoh's daughter agreed and promised to give wages to the woman who nursed the baby. Then she named the baby ‘Moses’ because she had drew him out of the water. 

Now when Moses had grown up he went out and walked among his people, and looked on their hard labors; he saw an Egyptian beating a Hebrew, one of his brethren. At that moment Moses chose to identify himself with his own people, by killing the Egyptian who was mercilessly beating an Israelite. As a result, Moses had to flee Egypt (and the comforts of the palace) for his life, and spent the next 40 years as a sheepherder in Midian.

Now it wasn't until eighty years after Moses left Egypt, that he finally realized why God had allowed him to be humiliated - run out of town. He also understood why the Lord had permitted the Israelites to go through 40 more years of oppression and then 40 years of wilderness wandering. Just before the Jews crossed the Jordan River into the Promised Land (which Moses never saw), he told them that God’s goal was to humble them and strengthen them through the long years of testing (Dt. 8:2) so they would know God in a new way and rely fully on Him.

The Lord places a higher value on our long-term moral and spiritual development than on our short-term happiness. He often puts us through the fire to refine us and strengthen us. While calm waters in life are comfortable, they do not stir us to action, they do not test our patience nor strength. Even though we may never know (this side of heaven) why we had to experience some of the things we have, we can rest assured they were for our good. Remember - God uses life's setbacks to help us move ahead.

In looking back over your journey, what have you learned in your days of testing?  Now praise Him for them. 

The Truth: "There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under the heavens." (Ecclesiastes 3:1)

Exodus 1 “The Midwives Feared God”

 “But the midwives feared God, and did not do as the king of Egypt had commanded them, but let the boys live.” (v.17)

Genesis ends with the death of Joseph. His last words to his brethren were, “God will surely visit you, and bring you out of this land (Egypt) to the land of which He swore to Abraham, to Isaac, and Jacob, and you shall carry up my bones from here (Egypt).” (vv.24-25)

This prophetic word would seem impossible to fulfill  when a new king came to power in Egypt who did not know Joseph, who began to deal treacherously with the people of Israel because of their increasing numbers, by setting taskmasters over them to afflict them. 

Furthermore, in an attempt to decrease the next generation of Israelites the king of Egypt spoke to the midwives saying, “When you do your duties of a midwife for the Hebrew women, if it is a son, then you shall kill him; but if it is a daughter, then she shall live” (vv.15-16). 

Romans 13:1-5 tells us to obey those in authority over us because, “they have been placed there by God.” Here in our text two midwives (Shiphrah and Puah v.15) refuse to obey the command of their King (to kill newborn male children) because they feared the LORD more. 

So what should we do? Obey those in authority over us or obey God’s Word? Genesis 9:6 says, "Whoever sheds human blood, by humans shall their blood be shed; for in the image of God, has God made mankind.” 

The answer is, we are to do both. We are to submit to those in authority over us, realizing it is by God’s will they are placed in those positions. But when their commands clearly violate the Word of God, we are to obey God rather than man.

The Truth: “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom; A good understanding have all those who do His commandments. His praise endures forever.” (Psalm 111:10)

Revelation 22 “Who May Enter”

“And, behold, I come quickly; and my reward is with me, to give every man according as his work. I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end, the first and the last. Blessed are they that do his commandments, that they may have the right to the tree of life, and may enter in through the gates into the city.” (vv. 12-14)

Here in chapter 22 the LORD is testifying of Himself. If you have a “red letter” Bible, verses 12-13 have been recorded in red ink indicating just that. Therefore by recognizing who is speaking, the great “I AM”, the “Alpha” and “Omega”, the beginning and the end of all things, God Almighty, we become blessed by doing His will, "believing on the name of LORD Jesus Christ whom the Father has sent" (John 6:28). Through faith in His Son, we as Christians then may enter the gates into the city and have the right to the tree of life.

Our text also indicates that when He comes it will be quickly and He will have rewards to give every believer according to their works. Meaning, there will be degrees of rewards in heaven according to the works that we do in His name (with a pure motivation). Remembering what Jesus said in Matthew’s gospel, "Take heed that you do not your righteousness before men to be seen of men, because then you have your reward"( Matt. 6:1 ), you can be sure motives will be tested by fire before rewards are handed out. 

The greatest work we can do is, sharing the “good news” (Mark 16:15) with others. It should be a natural outpouring from our redeemed lives, given in love and humility. Then if accepted, “the right to the tree of life, and entry through the gates into the heavenly city” will be recorded in the Book of Life.

If you find yourself ready to receive His Son, and inherit all that comes with that, read the prayer to the left on this page, believe it, live it, and I'll see you one day in the heavenly city.

The Truth: “Blessed is he who reads and those who hear the words of this prophecy, and keeps those things which are written in it; for the time is near.” (Revelation 1:3)

Revelation 21 “The New Heaven And New Earth”

“And I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth were passed away. Also there was no more sea.” (v.1)

We are now beyond the events of chapter 20 with the rebellion crushed, the earth polluted, and judgment handed out. John now sees "a new heaven and a new earth.” Due to the catastrophic events which polluted and destroyed our planet in the battle against satan, one could easily see the need for a new one. And God, having spoke the first one into and out of existence, could just as easily speak into existence a new one. Whether that means completing the greatest “home makeover” of all time, or just speaking into existence a “new universe," John records in verse five that He who sat on the throne said, "Behold, I make all things new.”

Personally I believe that God will create a new heaven and a new earth. Peter tells us in his second epistle that, “The day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night; in which the heavens shall pass away with a great noise, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat, the earth also and the works that are therein shall be burned up and all things shall be dissolved” (2 Peter 3:10-11). Look closely at highlighted words in this verse, they describe total annihilation. It just makes sense to create a new one. Additionally, the prophet Isaiah recorded (700 years before the birth of Christ) what the Spirit of the Lord spoke to him concerning a “glorious new creation”, “For behold, I create new heavens and a new earth; And all the former shall not be remembered or come to mind” (Isaiah 65:17).

All this speaks to me of a “new creation” a new heaven and a new earth, all things made new. But regardless of whether the old is made new or something new is created, it will truly be glorious.

The Truth: "He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away.” (Revelation 21:4)

Revelation 20 “Satan Bound For 1000 Years”

“Then I saw an angel coming down from heaven, having the key to the bottomless pit and a great chain in his hand. He laid hold of the dragon, that serpent of old, who is the Devil and Satan, and bound him for a thousand years.” (vv.1-2).

Wow! So much in this chapter: 1) Satan bound for 1000 years, and cast into the bottomless pit. The first resurrection (Going back to the time of Adam and Abel, those righteous of the Old Testament who waited for the promos of God, to those martyred saints during the Great Tribulation), 2) The millennial reign of Christ, 3) Satan released for a time to test those who have never been tested (those born during during the thousand-year reign of Christ who have never really had an opportunity to express their rebellion against God), 4) Satan deceiving many and gathering them together to battle against God (the number of whom is as the sand of the sea), and finally 5) the satanic rebellion crushed by fire from heaven, and satan cast into the lake of fire [Gehenna] where the beast and the false prophet are, tormented there day and night forever and ever.

The chapter then ends with God’s great white throne judgment of all the dead (second resurrection) for their evil deeds. And death, hell, and anyone not found written in the “Book of Life” is cast into the lake of fire. But this is not the end of His story, for John writes in Chapter 21, “And I saw a new heaven and a new earth” (v.1), which we will look at tomorrow.

The Truth: "To him that overcometh will I grant to sit with me on my throne even as I have sat down with my Father on his throne.” (Revelation 3:21) 

Revelation 19 “Christ’s Return”

 "And I saw heaven open, and behold a white horse; and He that sat upon him was called Faithful and True, and in righteousness He judges and makes war.” (v.11)

The time has now come for the Lord Jesus Christ Himself to return in power and great glory and establish God’s kingdom upon the earth - the “Day of the Lord” as  described by the prophet Isaiah in which, “man will hide from the terror of the Lord and the glory of His majesty” (Isaiah 2:19-22).

Throughout time, history has been dated, by the life of Jesus Christ - B.C. (before Christ), and A.D. (after His death). So, world history as we know it is really “His story,” recorded for us in the ancient scrolls which became the Bible. In the 260 chapters of the New Testament, there are 318 references to the second coming of Christ—an amazing 1 out of every 30 verses. Twenty-three of the 27 New Testament books refer to this great event. And, for every prophecy in the Bible concerning the Messiah’s first coming, there are 8 which look forward to His second!

For centuries satan has been working through man to try and discredit God’s Word. Some going so far as, trying to predict what the Bible says “no man knows” and have failed miserably. However, even though no man knows the day or the hour of Christ's return, we can know the story. We have the road map, we’ve been given prophetic insight to the signs of His coming. Therefore, "we are not in darkness, that that day should overtake you as a thief” (1 Thess. 5:4), "nor are we appointed unto wrath, but to obtain salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ" (1 Thess. 5:9). Hallelujah!

In this we have great hope looking for His return not fearing the Day of the Lord, for we will be with Him. But, Wow to those who stand against Him or His Word, for they will experience His righteous judgment and great wrath (Matthew 25:31-41).

The Truth: “He shall strike the earth with the rod of His mouth, And with the breath of His lips He shall slay the wicked.” (Isaiah 11:4b)

Revelation 18 "The Overflow of Commercial Babylon"

“And the kings of the earth who committed fornication and lived luxuriously with her (Babylon) will weep and lament for her, when they see the smoke of her burning, standing at a distance for fear of her torment, saying, “Alas, alas, that great city Babylon, that mighty city! For in one hour your judgment has come.” (vv. 9-10)

Rulers throughout history have lived in luxury at the expense of others by waging war on them, enslaving them, taking their spoils, burning cities to the ground, and have not batted an eye at their plight. Babylon had not only acquired great wealth, but had deceived many through her false doctrines. She also had the blood of the saints and the prophets in her ledger, as well as all who were slain on the earth during the tribulation period (v.24).

Seeing these kings then so concerned about their economic loss (by weeping and wailing, throwing dust on their heads, because all who had ships on the sea became rich by her wealth v.19), is not to surprising, for they had been deceived as well. And while the earth mourns over the destruction of this economic center, heaven rejoices saying, “Alleluia!” (Revelation 19:1), "For true and righteous are His judgments, for He has judged the great harlot who captured the earth with her fornication; and God has avenged the blood of His servants shed by her.” (Revelation 19:2). Meaning, they rejoiced in the righteous resolution God’s judgment brought, not in the destruction.

This speaks to us on many levels; that God is a righteous judge, that He will avenge His servants, that He is mighty in power and none can stand against Him, and that we should rejoice and give Him glory, "for He alone is worthy to open the scroll and loose its seals."

The Truth: "Therefore behold, the days are coming that I will bring judgment on the carved images of Babylon; Her whole land shall be ashamed, And all her slain shall fall in her midst. Then the heavens and the earth and all that is in them Shall sing joyously over Babylon; For the plunderers shall come to her from the north,” says the Lord. (Jeremiah 51:47-48) 

Revelation 17 "Babylon, The Great Harlot Destroyed"

“Then one of the seven angels who had the seven bowls came and spoke with me, saying, "Come here, I will show you the judgment of the great harlot who sits on many waters, with whom the kings of the earth committed acts of immorality, and those who dwell on the earth were made drunk with the wine of her immorality." (vv.1-2)

The judgment of the great harlot mentioned here in our text refers to Babylon. To those familiar with the Old Testament, the name Babylon is associated with organized idolatry, blasphemy and the persecution of God’s people. Thus Babylon has from its inception symbolized evil, rebellion, and false worship against God. 

Babylon was founded by Nimrod (Gen. 10:9), a proud, powerful, God-rejecting ruler. Babel (Babylon), became the site of the first organized system of idolatrous false religion (Gen.11:1-4). The Tower of Babel, the expression of that false religion, was designed to facilitate the idolatrous worship of the stars. God then judged the people’s idolatry (You shall have no other Gods before Me) and rebellion by confusing their language and scattering them over the globe (Gen. 11:5-9). 

The seeds of idolatry and false religion were then spread around the world from Babylon, where the kings of the earth adopted the practices (and many others) and committed acts of immorality, thereby making all who dwelt on the earth, "drunk with the wine of her immorality." I see Babylon itself is a symbol of man's rebellion against the Lord. Which makes chapter 17 a prophetic look into the overthrow of all false religions (that which had their beginning in the ancient city of Babylon and its religion). 

In this final judgment which will come against her, we will see those who have divorced themselves from God and followed after false God's, believing in the great deceiver, be suddenly and catastrophically destroyed, like that of Sodom and Gomorrah. This destruction will be sudden, complete, and permanent. 

Whoa to those who play the harlot against God. 

The Truth: “Wail, for the day of the LORD is at hand! It will come as destruction from the Almighty. Therefore all hands will be limp, every man’s heart will melt, and they will be afraid. Pangs and sorrows will take hold of them; they will be in pain as a woman in childbirth; they will be amazed at one another; their faces will be like flames. Behold, the day of the LORD comes, cruel, with both wrath and fierce anger, to lay the land desolate; and He will destroy its sinners from it. For the stars of heaven and their constellations will not give their light; the sun will be darkened in its going forth, and the moon will not cause its light to shine. I will punish the world for its evil, and the wicked for their iniquity; I will halt the arrogance of the proud, and will lay low the haughtiness of the terrible. I will make a mortal more rare than fine gold, a man more than the golden wedge of Ophir. Therefore I will shake the heavens, and the earth will move out of her place, in the wrath of the LORD of hosts and in the day of His fierce anger. “(Isa. 13:6-13)

Revelation 16 "The Seven Bowls of God's Wrath"

 "I heard a great voice out of the temple saying to the seven angels, Go your ways, pour out the vials of the wrath of God upon the earth.” (v.1)

John now records for us the voice of God who dispatches the seven angels with the seven final plagues, with which He will smite the earth. This will be done prior to the sending of His Son to take control and to rule over the earth. Sin must be judged one way or another. The sickness, the cancer, the perversion and carnality which permeates and pollutes the world will now reap what it has sown.

Scripture tells us, “if you sow to the wind, you will reap the whirlwind” (Hosea 8:7). The whirlwind now comes upon the earth in the final outpouring of God’s wrath in the form of the seven bowl judgments. The last of which are the 100 lb. hail stones which fall down upon the people gathered there in the valley of Armageddon (v.21).  These hail stones are unlike any hailstones that have ever fallen upon the earth, for they come from the fury of God Almighty and are deadly upon impact. 

Someone once said about this judgment, “You can either hail Him as the King of Kings, or get hail “from” Him as the King of Kings!  It is your choice...” Better to proclaim the former, than to receive the latter. 

The Truth: "Sow for yourselves righteousness and reap the fruit of loving devotion; break up your unplowed ground. For it is time to seek the LORD until He comes and sends righteousness upon you like rain.” (Hosea 10:12)

Revelation 15 “The Prelude Song”

 "Great and marvelous are thy works, Lord God Almighty; just and true are thy ways, thou King of saints. Who shall not fear thee, O Lord, and glorify thy name? for only thou art holy: for all nations shall come and worship before thee; for thy judgments are made manifest.” (vv.3-4)

Once again John takes us into the heavenly scene where we hear those who had gotten the victory over the beast, and over the image, and over the mark, and over the number of his name. And they are standing on the sea of glass, having the harps of God singing the song of Moses the servant of God (vv.2-3). They are from the nation of Israel, those saved during the Great Tribulation period, who received Jesus Christ as the result of the two witnesses and the hundred and forty-four thousand.

This song will proceed the final judgments of God (the seven bowls) to be poured out upon the earth. The lyrics speak of the Holiness of God, the Righteousness of God, and the Judgment of God. Indicating His time of waiting is over, His grace and patience with mans rejection of His Son has come to an end. His final judgments will now be poured out upon the earth.

Whoa to those who have followed the beast, who have taken his mark, and have worshiped his image. The prelude song is about to be sung.

The Truth: "For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men who suppress the truth in unrighteousness, because that which is known about God is evident within them; for God made it evident to them. For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes, His eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly seen, being understood through what has been made, so that they are without excuse.” (Romans 1:18-21)

Revelation 14 “The Point of No Return”

 “And I looked, and behold a white cloud, and upon the cloud there was one sitting like the Son of man, having on his head a golden crown, and in his hand a sharp sickle. And another angel came out of the temple, crying with a loud voice to him that sat on the cloud, Thrust in thy sickle, and reap: for the time is come for thee to reap; for the harvest of the earth is ripe. And he that sat on the cloud thrust in his sickle on the earth; and the earth was reaped.” (vv.14-16)

And another angel came out from the altar, which had power over fire; and cried with a loud cry to him that had the sharp sickle, saying, Thrust in thy sharp sickle, and gather the clusters of the vine of the earth; for her grapes are fully ripe. And the angel thrust in his sickle into the earth, and gathered the vine of the earth, and cast it into the great winepress of the wrath of God. And the winepress was trodden without (outside) the city, and blood came out of the winepress, even unto the horse bridles, by the space of a thousand and six hundred furlongs.” (vv.17-20)

According to our passage, there will come a time during the great tribulation when salvation is no longer possible. At that time, two harvests will take place on the earth separating those who have accepted God’s message of salvation (vv.14-16), from those who have not ( vv.17-20). While you and I will more than likely not be on this earth when this event takes place, we still need to choose whom we will serve. And while you may think to yourself, “I have plenty of time to get right with Jesus," I would say to you, “No man knows what tomorrow may bring.”

Therefore, we too must understand that there can come a time when our salvation opportunities have run out. That after multiple attempts by God to soften our hearts, to call us to salvation, it could reach the point of no return, becoming fixed, set in its rejection against God’s call. If so, He will tug at your heart no longer, but leave you to yourself, missing out on the harvest of salvation, but reaping the harvest of eternal destruction. Do not miss His heavenly harvest, accept Him now and avoid the point of no return. (see connection with God to the right on this page)

The Truth: “If you confess with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. For with your heart you believe and are justified, and with your mouth you confess and are saved.” (Romans 10:9-10)

Revelation 13 "The Mark"

 "And he (the beast from the land, the false prophet) causes all both small and great, rich and poor, free and slave, to receive a mark on their right hand or on their foreheads, and no one may buy or sell except one who has the mark, or the name of the beast, or the number of his name (666).” (vv.16-17)

Here in chapter 13 John describes two “Beasts," one from “the sea” and one from “the land.” Most Bible scholars believe the “beast from the sea” to be the “anti-christ,” and the “beast from the land” to be the "false prophet.” 

The beast from the sea will more than likely come out from one of the European nations. John describes this beast as having, "seven heads, ten horns, and upon his horns ten crowns, and upon his heads the name of blasphemy" (v. 1). We are told in the book of Revelation that the seven heads are the seven mountains upon which the beast sits (rules), and that the ten horns are ten kings (also reinforced by the 10 crowns). He shall speak blasphemous things against God and "the world will marvel and follow the beast (anti-christ)” (v.3).

Now the beast from the land, the "false prophet,” will testify of the anti-christ causing many upon the earth to worship the first beast (v.12). He (the 2nd beast) will, "perform great signs, call fire down from heaven, deceive all those who dwell on the earth, and cause them to make an image of the first beast, and to worship the image or be killed” (vv.13-15). Finally we read in our text that, “he (the 2nd beast) causes all, both small and great, rich and poor, free and slave, to receive a mark on their right hand or on their foreheads, and no one may buy or sell except one who has the mark, or the name of the beast, or the number of his name (666).” 

Amazingly enough, there will be those during this tribulation period who will receive Jesus Christ as Lord: through the witness of the 144,000 who were sealed and sent out, and the two witnesses from chapter 7 who prophesied in Jerusalem for 1,260 days. These will refuse to worship the beast or take the mark of his name and become martyrs for Christ, but will enjoy everlasting life. Conversely, those who deny Christ and take the mark of the beast we are told in Revelation 14, "will drink of the wine of God's fury, which has been poured full strength into the cup of his wrath. He will be tormented with burning sulfur in the presence of the holy angels and of the Lamb” (vv.9-10). 

As believers, we are sealed (marked) by the Holy Spirit, marking us as people belonging to Him, and preserving us for His kingdom. The mark of the beast similarly identifies men as his servants, and this mark will bring God’s full fury upon them. So, one who walks the earth during the tribulation period can either: 1) take the mark of Christ, probably die a martyr but rule and region with Him forever, or 2) take the mark of the beast, live for 1,260 days, but suffer for eternity. Everyone will be marked, the question is, which one will mark you?

The Truth: “A third angel followed them and said in a loud voice: "If anyone worships the beast and his image and receives his mark on the forehead or on the hand, he, too, will drink of the wine of God's fury, which has been poured full strength into the cup of his wrath. He will be tormented with burning sulfur in the presence of the holy angels and of the Lamb.” (Revelation 14:9-10)

Revelation 12 "The Woman, The Child, and The Dragon"

 “And the the dragon stood before the woman who was ready to give birth, to devour her Child as soon as it was born. And she bore a male Child who was to rule the nations with a rod of iron. And her Child was caught up to God and to His throne.” (vv. 4-5)

Here in chapter 12 John digresses from the continuing story of the seventh trumpet (the seven vial judgments) to give us a broader look into both past and future events. In it, we shall find great insight about our enemy, how his master plan was thwarted, and what his future plans entail.

The identity of the woman in our text is believed to be the nation of Israel. This fits theologically with Genesis 37 (Joseph’s dream), contextually with the church as the bride of Christ (Isaiah 62), and  also geographically with the birth of the Child Jesus, in Bethlehem. The dragon then, who stands ready to devour the Child, is none other than Satan.

We know from Matthew’s gospel that Jesus’s linage came through Jacob, to Joseph, to the husband of Mary (Matthew 1:1-16). And, that some time after the Child was born, the evil king Herod ordered that all the baby boys in Bethlehem area be killed (who were two years and under Matthew 2:16). Thus the dragon was ready to devour the child using king Herod’s paranoia to do it. If the Child could be killed, then no one would ever be found worthy to, "open the scroll and loose its seals" and redeem the title deed to the earth (Rev.5). But, Joseph was divinely warned in a dream to “take the young Child and His mother by night and depart for Egypt” (Matthew 2:13), thus thwarting the original plan of Satan. 

This was just the beginning of Satan’s efforts to derail the messiah’s life. He tempted Him with all manner of sin to slip-up, to miss the mark of a sinless life, just once, so he could keep his power and earthly reign (Matthew 4). But Jesus prevailed. He lived a sinless life, not giving into temptation, enduring the death of the cross, rose to life again, and now sits at the right hand of God’s throne, ready to redeem His property. However, because Satan could not defeat the Child, he now turns his attention to the woman, to deceive the whole world (v.9).

Scripture tells us that the “day of the Lord” will not come unless, "the falling away" (departure from the faith) comes first, and the man of sin is reveled" (2 Thessalonians 2:3-4). This falling away will be led by Satan’s right hand man, the “anti-christ.” He will come with the power of Satan, with signs and lying wonders, and with unrighteous deception and will lead many to their deaths because they will not receive the love of the truth, that they might be saved” (2 Thessalonians 2:8-10).

Today's passage should indicate the importance of making sure you haven’t been deceived by Satan. That he has not turned you away from God and the truth that He has for you in Christ. For in that day many will cry Lord, Lord, but shall not enter the kingdom of heaven.

Therefore, "Seek the Lord while he may be found; call upon him while he is near, for He will abundantly pardon." (Isaiah 55:6-7)

The Truth: “Jesus answered and said, "Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born again he cannot see the kingdom of God.” (John 3:3)

“Believe in the Lord Jesus and you will be saved, you and your household.” (Acts 16:31)

Revelation 11 "The Two Witnesses"

 And the LORD said to John, "I will give power unto my two witnesses, and they will prophesy one thousand two hundred and threescore days, clothed in sackcloth." (v.3)

Here we have two witnesses that will; possess great power, prophesy of God for 1,260 days, be protected from death until their testimony is finished, be publicly executed and their bodies left in the street (vv. 7-8), who’s deaths will be celebrated by their enemies (v.10), and after 3 1/2 days come to life again (v.11). They will then be called up into heaven in a cloud in view of their enemies (v.12), and in that same hour a earthquake will strike the city (Jerusalem) killing 7,000 men. The remnant of the people will be frightened, but will give glory to the God of heaven because of what they witnessed (v.13).

Sound familiar? For you bible students, it should. Jesus Himself had great power, prophesied, was protected from death until His ministry was completed. He was publicly humiliated, beaten, crucified, His death was celebrated by His enemies, after 3 days He rose again, two witnesses (Mary Magdalene and the other Mary) were given a heavenly charge to testify of this,  and on that day there was a great earthquake causing fear in the Priestly guards (Jews). Then after a time of commission and encouragement to His disciples, ascended into heaven.

This shouts that our God is the master planner of the universe. It reinforces to me that God has a plan for our lives, that He enables us and protects us until His plan is finished, then calls us home unto Himself. It also shows me that not only are our lives a witness to others, but our passing can be as well. Now, while I do not believe there will be any earth shaking event when my time comes, I do hope my passing will cause others to believe it was spent in His service.

The Truth:  "The second woe is pasted; and, behold the third woe comes quickly. And then the seventh angel sounded: and there were great voices in heaven, saying, The kingdoms of this world are become the kingdoms of our Lord, and of his Christ; and he shall reign for ever and ever.” (Rev. 11:14-15 ).