The Book Of Revelation

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< > Chapter Six The last few years of this Age. Rev.4v1 to 20v3 The angel and the little book. Rev.10v1-11. God, in His divine wisdom, has inserted three events between the sixth and seventh trumpet; the angel and the little book; the measuring and treading down of the Temple area ; and the account of the two witnesses. The last two events cover a period of 3½ years and happen in Palestine, and the placing of these two events here almost certainly shows that the trumpets cover this same period of 3½ years. The account of the angel and the little book encourages the righteous, that at the seventh trumpet their sufferings and trials will be over; the wrath of the Lamb will fall on the wicked. Judgement will be delayed no longer, for the phrase in Rev.10v6., “that there shall be time no longer,” “hoti chronos ouketi estai,” means, “that there shall be delay no longer.” At the seventh trumpet God’s kingdom will come and the wicked will be judged. Though wickedness appears to reign for a while, its end will be sure. God will perform His Word, and bring in, and establish, His eternal kingdom. A mighty angel confirms the promise of Christ's coming at the seventh trumpet with an oath. This gives a strong consolation to those who will have to endure the time of trouble at the end of this age. Heb.6v16-19. Heaven is full of mighty angels, who are ready to do the will of God and come to our aid. Heb.1v14. Dan.7v9,10. Rev.5v11. Heb.12v22. We are not told the contents of this little book, but it has obviously something to do with the close of this age and the “mystery of God,” “to musterion tou theou,” “God's plan,” which the angel mentions in Rev.10v7.. There must also be a close connection between the little book and the seven thunders, the details of which John also had to keep secret. We see in Rev.10v7., why there has been a delay in the coming of Christ, the secret plan of God has had to be fulfilled before Jesus can return. This plan of God also involves the manifestation of Satan's secret plans, that is, “the mystery of iniquity.” 2Thes.2v7. The following is a synopsis of C. L. Parker’s excellent commentary on these two mysteries. “There is something which is called 'The mystery of God', which is only ended when the Lord returns at the seventh trumpet. Rev.10v7. Eph.3v9.10. 3v9-11. Rom.16v25,26. There is also a reference to 'the mystery of iniquity' which was already working in Paul's day, but was hindered from completion by God until He was ready to allow it. The word 'mystery' does not mean mysterious, but simply a secret hidden from the outsider but revealed to the initiated, e.g. the secret teaching of Freemasons, which is only known to them. Thus both God and Satan have plans which are hidden from the man in the street, but are revealed to their own children. The Christian, of course, knows the truth, but the ordinary Spiritist is deceived by his master. Only a few know the deep things of Satan. Lk.10v24. 1Pet.1v10-12. Jn.15v14,15. Rev.1v1. 2v24. 2Thes.2v7. The Mystery of God. The world does not credit God with any plan at all. To them it all seems a meaningless jumble without any particular purpose. Indeed, the world conceives of God as a fool who can't see His own kingdom. As a matter of fact, however, the intention of God is to put both Heaven and Earth under the rule of His Son Jesus and His bride (i.e. the Church), and to fulfil upon the earth the promise made to Abraham and his seed, Israel, that they should inherit the earth. The inhabited earth to come is not again to be put under angels, but under Christ and His brethren who overcame. Heb.2v5-13. Rom.8v12-39. Lk.19v11-27. Rev.21v7. There must therefore be begotten, educated and tested, a sufficiently large number of overcoming Sons to take the place of the present world rulers, i.e. Satan's angels, now in the first heaven but later to be cast out upon the earth, and finally into Hell. Dan.10v13-21. Rev.12v7-9. Mt.25v41. 1Cor.9v24-27. 12v31. Eph.6v12. 2Tim.4v8. Jam.1v12. 1Pet.5v1-4. Now this depends not upon God but upon His children. If the Church was faithful, then the time would have been shortened, but unfortunately there have been centuries where the Gospel has hardly ever been preached at all, so hardly any overcomers have arisen as kings and priests. Therefore, the length of this period, though known to God, was not revealed to His sons lest they should be tempted to grow slack and say, 'the time is not yet,' or forget that the length of the interval depended on their exertions, and that they would hasten or retard the day of Christ or lose a crown through carelessness. 2Pet.3v12. Rev.3v11. When, however, the Lord knows that the requisite numbers of overcomers is to hand, then He will stand aside and allow Satan to proceed with His plan. 2Thes.2v6-12. The Mystery of Satan. 2Thes.2v7. Rev.2v24. Satan and his angels are already doomed to Hell for the ages of ages (because of their impenitence and wickedness) and therefore have no hope of success, or of establishing any successful kingdom upon earth. However, being filled with a murderous hatred of God and man, they desire to damage them as much as possible before their own final ruin. Therefore, during the last seven years of this age they will stage a kind of mock kingdom of Heaven upon earth, a Devilish parody of God's Millennial kingdom, even using God's city and Temple for this purpose. God will allow Satan to do this fearful thing for the following reasons amongst others. To show mankind the madness of preferring Satan to Jesus, and thus bring them to repentance and a willingness to accept Jesus as Lord. This folly has wrecked the human race since Eden, but this fearful experience will bring to an end to Satan's power of deception during the Millennium, his mask will be torn off and he will be seen for what he is, the enemy of man. Gen.2 all. Acts.3v14. Rev.13v7,10,15. Jn.8v44. To show the Jews the madness of rejecting their Messiah, and so bring them to a willingness to accept Jesus as Lord. To break the pride of the Gentiles by giving them an opportunity one by one, and finally all combined, to govern the world according to their own ideas so that any hope of happiness apart from God may be finally shattered by their own failure. This will make them willing to accept God's plan of learning about Him from the despised Jews. Zech.8v23. Following Antichrist will result in the complete collapse of society and bring the earth to the brink of destruction, from which Christ will deliver them at the last moment, so that the few remaining Jews and Gentiles will enter into the Millennium broken and shocked by the judgement of God. Zech.12. Is.13v9-16. As were Noah and his family when they saw the ruin caused by the flood and obliged, and at any rate happy, to submit to the iron rule of Christ and His Brethren. Ps.2 all. Rev.12v5. 2v27. 19v15. Thus God will use this last plan of Satan to break the pride of man, and when this is accomplished will imprison Him until He has again need of him to test the inhabitants of the Millennial earth. The human race as a whole will have had an experience similar to that of the prodigal son, and will return to God only after the terrible experience of trusting the Devil, having learned to obey God by the things they have suffered. It is of first importance to remember that against God Satan has absolutely no power. No evil being, demon or man can do anything other than what God permits. 2Chron.18v18-22. Job.1v12. Mt.8v31. Ps.76v10. Satan is wholly a tool in the hands of God to punish the wicked, to correct the righteous, 1Tim.1v20. 1Cor.5v5., to bring glory to the Sons of God, Eph.6v10-20. Job.1 and 2. James.1v12., to test the true character of everyone. Rev.20v7,10. Mt.4v1. Against us Satan only has the power that is given to him by God. Job.1 all. Against God he is helpless. Rev.20v1-3. God alone knows the length of this period of waiting, Mt.24v36. Mk.13v32. Acts.1v7., but God’s children will know when the last seven years, and the Great Tribulation begins. Mt.24v15-22. Dan.9v27. 2Thes.2v1-12.” End of C. L. Parker’s synopsis. God restrains Satan until the last 3½ years of this age, the time known as, “The Great Tribulation,” when “the mystery of iniquity” will work. Even those days are shortened by God to protect mankind from Satan's plan to destroy mankind. Mt.24v21,22. 2Thes.2v7. Rev.12v12. Dan.8v24. 12v1-7. This explosion of evil and destruction is allowed, in order to show what Satan and his angels, and the effects of evil are like; and also show the justice and necessity of their eternal judgement, and confinement in everlasting chains of darkness, after the destruction of their bodies in the lake of fire. 2Pet.2v4,17. Jude.v13. Mt.25v41,46. Rev.19v20. 20v10. Every mouth will be stopped by the awesome justice of God. Rom.3v19. The horrific carnage on earth produced by this awful manifestation of evil, produces a stunned and shocked silence in all the inhabitants of the heavenly kingdom. Rev.8v1. The happiness of the eternal “ages of ages” in the kingdom of God; depends on everyone in that kingdom, not only loving righteousness, but also hating evil with all their being. This manifestation of evil produces an eternal hatred of evil in the children of God; and permanently banishes evil from the kingdom of God. John is told to eat the little book and he finds it as sweet as honey in his mouth, but it makes his stomach bitter. This can be interpreted in two ways. When God uses you to proclaim His truth, it gives you great joy, but if God gives you a message of judgement, lamentation and woe, it can give you great sorrow of heart. God’s Word is very precious and sweet, but it can be very costly, and bring great persecution from the world, the Devil, religious hypocrites, and carnal Christians within the Church. Prophets usually suffer for their message, and John certainly suffered for the truth. Ps.19v10. 119v72,111, 157,161. Prov.23v23. Jer.15v16. Ezek.3v1-3. Rev.1v9. 6v9. 22v8,9. Mt.5v11,12. 23v34-39. < >
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Chapter Six

The last few years of this Age. Rev.4v1 to 20v3

The angel and the little book. Rev.10v1-11.

God, in His divine wisdom, has inserted three events between the sixth and seventh trumpet; the angel and the little book; the measuring and treading down of the Temple area ; and the account of the two witnesses. The last two events cover a period of 3½ years and happen in Palestine, and the placing of these two events here almost certainly shows that the trumpets cover this same period of 3½ years.

The account of the angel and the little book encourages the righteous, that at the seventh trumpet their sufferings and trials will be over; the wrath of the Lamb will fall on the wicked. Judgement will be delayed no longer, for the phrase in Rev.10v6., “that there shall be time no longer,” “hoti chronos ouketi estai,” means, “that there shall be delay no longer.” At the seventh trumpet God’s kingdom will come and the wicked will be judged. Though wickedness appears to reign for a while, its end will be sure. God will perform His Word, and bring in, and establish, His eternal kingdom.

A mighty angel confirms the promise of Christ's coming at the seventh trumpet with an oath. This gives a strong consolation to those who will have to endure the time of trouble at the end of this age. Heb.6v16-19. Heaven is full of mighty angels, who are ready to do the will of God and come to our aid. Heb.1v14. Dan.7v9,10. Rev.5v11. Heb.12v22. We are not told the contents of this little book, but it has obviously something to do with the close of this age and the “mystery of God,” “to musterion tou theou,” “God's plan,” which the angel mentions in Rev.10v7.. There must also be a close connection between the little book and the seven thunders, the details of which John also had to keep secret. We see in Rev.10v7., why there has been a delay in the coming of Christ, the secret plan of God has had to be fulfilled before Jesus can return. This plan of God also involves the manifestation of Satan's secret plans, that is, “the mystery of iniquity.” 2Thes.2v7.

The following is a synopsis of C. L. Parker’s excellent commentary on these two mysteries.
“There is something which is called 'The mystery of God', which is only ended when the Lord returns at the seventh trumpet. Rev.10v7. Eph.3v9.10. 3v9-11. Rom.16v25,26. There is also a reference to 'the mystery of iniquity' which was already working in Paul's day, but was hindered from completion by God until He was ready to allow it. The word 'mystery' does not mean mysterious, but simply a secret hidden from the outsider but revealed to the initiated, e.g. the secret teaching of Freemasons, which is only known to them. Thus both God and Satan have plans which are hidden from the man in the street, but are revealed to their own children. The Christian, of course, knows the truth, but the ordinary Spiritist is deceived by his master. Only a few know the deep things of Satan. Lk.10v24. 1Pet.1v10-12. Jn.15v14,15. Rev.1v1. 2v24. 2Thes.2v7.

The Mystery of God.
The world does not credit God with any plan at all. To them it all seems a meaningless jumble without any particular purpose. Indeed, the world conceives of God as a fool who can't see His own kingdom. As a matter of fact, however, the intention of God is to put both Heaven and Earth under the rule of His Son Jesus and His bride (i.e. the Church), and to fulfil upon the earth the promise made to Abraham and his seed, Israel, that they should inherit the earth. The inhabited earth to come is not again to be put under angels, but under Christ and His brethren who overcame. Heb.2v5-13. Rom.8v12-39. Lk.19v11-27. Rev.21v7. There must therefore be begotten, educated and tested, a sufficiently large number of overcoming Sons to take the place of the present world rulers, i.e. Satan's angels, now in the first heaven but later to be cast out upon the earth, and finally into Hell. Dan.10v13-21. Rev.12v7-9. Mt.25v41. 1Cor.9v24-27. 12v31. Eph.6v12. 2Tim.4v8. Jam.1v12. 1Pet.5v1-4.

Now this depends not upon God but upon His children. If the Church was faithful, then the time would have been shortened, but unfortunately there have been centuries where the Gospel has hardly ever been preached at all, so hardly any overcomers have arisen as kings and priests. Therefore, the length of this period, though known to God, was not revealed to His sons lest they should be tempted to grow slack and say, 'the time is not yet,' or forget that the length of the interval depended on their exertions, and that they would hasten or retard the day of Christ or lose a crown through carelessness. 2Pet.3v12. Rev.3v11. When, however, the Lord knows that the requisite numbers of overcomers is to hand, then He will stand aside and allow Satan to proceed with His plan. 2Thes.2v6-12.

The Mystery of Satan. 2Thes.2v7. Rev.2v24.
Satan and his angels are already doomed to Hell for the ages of ages (because of their impenitence and wickedness) and therefore have no hope of success, or of establishing any successful kingdom upon earth. However, being filled with a murderous hatred of God and man, they desire to damage them as much as possible before their own final ruin. Therefore, during the last seven years of this age they will stage a kind of mock kingdom of Heaven upon earth, a Devilish parody of God's Millennial kingdom, even using God's city and Temple for this purpose. God will allow Satan to do this fearful thing for the following reasons amongst others.

To show mankind the madness of preferring Satan to Jesus, and thus bring them to repentance and a willingness to accept Jesus as Lord. This folly has wrecked the human race since Eden, but this fearful experience will bring to an end to Satan's power of deception during the Millennium, his mask will be torn off and he will be seen for what he is, the enemy of man. Gen.2 all. Acts.3v14. Rev.13v7,10,15. Jn.8v44.

To show the Jews the madness of rejecting their Messiah, and so bring them to a willingness to accept Jesus as Lord.

To break the pride of the Gentiles by giving them an opportunity one by one, and finally all combined, to govern the world according to their own ideas so that any hope of happiness apart from God may be finally shattered by their own failure. This will make them willing to accept God's plan of learning about Him from the despised Jews. Zech.8v23. Following Antichrist will result in the complete collapse of society and bring the earth to the brink of destruction, from which Christ will deliver them at the last moment, so that the few remaining Jews and Gentiles will enter into the Millennium broken and shocked by the judgement of God. Zech.12. Is.13v9-16. As were Noah and his family when they saw the ruin caused by the flood and obliged, and at any rate happy, to submit to the iron rule of Christ and His Brethren. Ps.2 all. Rev.12v5. 2v27. 19v15.

Thus God will use this last plan of Satan to break the pride of man, and when this is accomplished will imprison Him until He has again need of him to test the inhabitants of the Millennial earth. The human race as a whole will have had an experience similar to that of the prodigal son, and will return to God only after the terrible experience of trusting the Devil, having learned to obey God by the things they have suffered. It is of first importance to remember that against God Satan has absolutely no power. No evil being, demon or man can do anything other than what God permits. 2Chron.18v18-22. Job.1v12. Mt.8v31. Ps.76v10. Satan is wholly a tool in the hands of God to punish the wicked, to correct the righteous, 1Tim.1v20. 1Cor.5v5., to bring glory to the Sons of God, Eph.6v10-20. Job.1 and 2. James.1v12., to test the true character of everyone. Rev.20v7,10. Mt.4v1. Against us Satan only has the power that is given to him by God. Job.1 all. Against God he is helpless. Rev.20v1-3. God alone knows the length of this period of waiting, Mt.24v36. Mk.13v32. Acts.1v7., but God’s children will know when the last seven years, and the Great Tribulation begins. Mt.24v15-22. Dan.9v27. 2Thes.2v1-12.” End of C. L. Parker’s synopsis.

God restrains Satan until the last 3½ years of this age, the time known as, “The Great Tribulation,” when “the mystery of iniquity” will work. Even those days are shortened by God to protect mankind from Satan's plan to destroy mankind. Mt.24v21,22. 2Thes.2v7. Rev.12v12. Dan.8v24. 12v1-7. This explosion of evil and destruction is allowed, in order to show what Satan and his angels, and the effects of evil are like; and also show the justice and necessity of their eternal judgement, and confinement in everlasting chains of darkness, after the destruction of their bodies in the lake of fire. 2Pet.2v4,17. Jude.v13. Mt.25v41,46. Rev.19v20. 20v10. Every mouth will be stopped by the awesome justice of God. Rom.3v19. The horrific carnage on earth produced by this awful manifestation of evil, produces a stunned and shocked silence in all the inhabitants of the heavenly kingdom. Rev.8v1. The happiness of the eternal “ages of ages” in the kingdom of God; depends on everyone in that kingdom, not only loving righteousness, but also hating evil with all their being. This manifestation of evil produces an eternal hatred of evil in the children of God; and permanently banishes evil from the kingdom of God.

John is told to eat the little book and he finds it as sweet as honey in his mouth, but it makes his stomach bitter. This can be interpreted in two ways.
When God uses you to proclaim His truth, it gives you great joy, but if God gives you a message of judgement, lamentation and woe, it can give you great sorrow of heart.

God’s Word is very precious and sweet, but it can be very costly, and bring great persecution from the world, the Devil, religious hypocrites, and carnal Christians within the Church. Prophets usually suffer for their message, and John certainly suffered for the truth. Ps.19v10. 119v72,111, 157,161. Prov.23v23. Jer.15v16. Ezek.3v1-3. Rev.1v9. 6v9. 22v8,9. Mt.5v11,12. 23v34-39.

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