The Swift Messenger

We left our last post by quoting the following passage of scripture, from the Holy Bible:

“6) And I saw another angel fly in the midst of heaven, having the everlasting gospel to preach unto them that dwell on the earth, and to every nation, and kindred, and tongue, and people, 7) Saying with a loud voice, Fear God, and give glory to him; for the hour of his judgment is come: and worship him that made heaven, and earth, and the sea, and the fountains of waters.” Revelation 14:6-7

In an earlier post, we explained that angels were called messengers: they carry important communications from God to human beings. The way most people commune with God is through prayer. The scriptures give us specific instructions for communing with the divine; here are a few of them:

1.     “After this manner therefore pray ye: Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name…” Matthew 6:9 (This was instruction given by Christ to His disciples)

2.     “…when thou prayest, enter into thy closet, and when thou hast shut thy door, pray to thy Father which is in secret; and thy Father which seeth in secret shall reward thee openly” Matthew 6:6

3.     “Therefore I say unto you, what things soever ye desire, when ye pray, believe that ye receive them, and ye shall have them.” Mark 11:24

4.     Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you: 8 For every one that asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh findeth; and to him that knocketh it shall be opened. Matthew 7:7-8 (All scriptures are taken from the KJV Bible)

However, when God has an extremely important message to give to His people, He will send it through a prophet, a spokesperson for God; or by an angel messenger. The scripture that we read in Revelation 14:6 declares that the writer/prophet John saw another angel flying in the midst of heaven having the everlasting gospel to preach unto them that dwell on the earth; additionally, it was to go to every nation, and kindred, and tongue, and people.

First of all, did you note that this angel is flying in the midst of heaven and he is using a “loud” voice? What does that indicate? His flying is indicative of the speed that accompanies the message. He is flying in the midst of heaven, because the entire world can readily see and hear him, although this is really symbolic of God’s ministers, at all levels, who are to take this message all over the world and they are to do it quickly! It is urgent! The fact that he is saying it loudly indicates that he doesn’t want anyone to fail of hearing it. It is easier to hear a loud voice than a soft one.

Also, that message sounds as if NO ONE is to be left out when it comes to having this message of the everlasting gospel, (which is the truth that God loves everyone and has made provision for everyone, who is willing, to be salvaged from this sinful world) preached to them.

So now, what is this special message that must be given to EVERY LIVING CREATURE under the heavens? “Fear God and give glory to him…” Wow! What does it mean to “fear God?” are we to be afraid of Him? No! We are to “reverence” or “honor” Him through our obedience to Him. To give Him glory is to acknowledge Him as the sovereign Lord of All.

We are distinctly told by John that: “There is no fear in love; but perfect love casteth out fear: because fear hath torment. He that feareth is not made perfect in love.” I John 4:18 - Additionally, because “God is love”, according to I John 4:8, we can safely conclude that reverence is what God truly desires.

Next, we are warned – “…for the hour of his judgment is come…” This sounds extremely important! Judgment implies a legal ruling of some kind – Hummm? If that is what it sounds like to you, then hold on to your seat. We shall discuss this judgment hour message in the very next post.

More: Ginger's World.net

Defining "Time"

I went on the Internet to acquire the definition of the word “time”, so that you might be able to better follow my reasoning. I decided to use Webster’s online dictionary for this purpose. I was amazed to find 64 different idioms and definitions for the word – time and times – it was amazing.  

However, I settled upon two specific definitions that more closely define my intentions, for this series. They are:

1.             “Duration regarded as belonging to the present life as distinct from the life to come or from eternity; finite duration.”

2.             “A limited period or interval, as between two successive events” (http://www.dictionary.com/browse/time?s=t)

Let us begin with definition #1: The duration of time, to which I initially referred did have to do with our present lives; the times in which we are now living. I believe that life on this planet earth, as we now know it, will soon be over. I do not believe that we, as human beings, can continue to live in a world that is filled with violence, chaos, dishonor, disrespect, dictatorships, inhumanity, political factions, religious differences, war, environmental instability, etc. Additionally, let me quickly state that I am not advocating a new world order, as we have heard it talked about from various political or world leaders; nor a new world government run by finite human beings. However, I will discuss this idea more fully in a future blog.

With reference to definition #2: I do see time as being limited to the period that finite human beings are “apparently” in charge of what happens, in this world. The period of time that is presently being occupied by us now is a period of time, which lies between two successive events – the beginning and the ending of the world. Now before you give up on me and say that I’m being illogical, give this some serious thought.

Each of us might have a different theory regarding how the world actually started, however, based on my theory regarding this series, as a creationist, I believe that a divine being created the heavens and the earth, along with human beings. None of us were here when it began; we all were born into this chaotic mess. However, there is a very good story behind how this perfectly “good” world, turned into this horrible mess. At some point, I shall visit that concept also; but for now, let us move on to the next point.

Having been born into this world, which was already created, we must admit that it had a “beginning”. Now, some of you may think that when you die, for you that will be the end of the world – but I beg to differ. I believe that there is a definite, set time, for this physical world to end, just like it began. I do not believe that any human being knows when that exact time will be, but according to my reference book, the Bible, it gives some definite time markers, which indicate when the time is getting close. As I looked at some of those time markers, I made the following statement in my January 30, blog:

“The Christian church is living in a time of divine judgment, not sinners (let me quickly clarify that sinners will be judged as well). If there ever was a time that the Christian believer should draw close to God; return to Bible based teachings; to put known sin out of his or her life and to seek the well-being of others, it is now. “

I made that statement based on a Scripture found in the book of Revelation 14:6-7, which reads:

“6) And I saw another angel fly in the midst of heaven, having the everlasting gospel to preach unto them that dwell on the earth, and to every nation, and kindred, and tongue, and people, 7) Saying with a loud voice, Fear God, and give glory to him; for the hour of his judgment is come: and worship him that made heaven, and earth, and the sea, and the fountains of waters.”

To be continued in the next blog; don’t miss it!

Sanctuary Language

The term “sanctuary language” is indicative of the religious activity described in the Old Testament relative to how God’s chosen people worshipped.

The Lord God had called a man named Moses to lead His people out of bondage, in the country of Egypt, where they had bee enslaved for many generations. After the people were freed, God instructed Moses to have the people build Him a place of worship, called the sanctuary or tabernacle of God.

God was very specific concerning this building, for it was to explain the various attributes and activities concerning the coming Messiah/Savior, Jesus Christ. The people of God having been enslaved for so many years, and having been exposed to so many other gods, had lost much of the sanctity associated with worship of the Creator God. I will not explain it in full detail; if you would like to understand this worship style more fully, please click on this link:  http://bit.ly/2k1ddHH

There were three parts to the sanctuary meeting place: The outer court, which surrounded a tent that had two sections; the first section in the tent called the Holy Place and the second section of the tent called the Most Holy Place.

There were six items located within the meeting areas: The brazen altar of sacrifice and the laver (located in the outer court); the table of showbread; the seven golden candlesticks and the altar of incense (located in the Holy Place); plus the Ark of the Covenant (located in the Most Holy Place).

Each of these pieces of furniture had a very special meaning; each represented some aspect of the coming Messiah; each section of the meeting place, beginning with the brazen altar of sacrifice, showed the progression in the plan of salvation.

There were seven specific feasts of worship; each one representing a specific role that the Messiah or other divine being would play in the role of mankind’s redemption.

Consequently, as we read through the book of Revelation and we see certain terminology depicting the sanctuary service, we are being referred back to that time in the Jewish worship history and what that particular piece of furniture stood for, or the feast associated with the sanctuary worship. We need to understand that John is trying to help us to make a connection; sanctuary language means worship!

I know that this is a great deal to absorb at one time. However, as we continue this series, more and more things will become clearer. Also, I plan to repeat and refer to the former blogs; therefore you may want to flag them in your email box, so that you will have them for references.

This will end today’s session. Be sure to tune in next time. For additional Bible Study, click the link below. Goodbye!

Study Link: http://bit.ly/2k7LVQN