Future Updates At www.rmcchurch.org!

I started this blog a number of years ago because I greatly appreciated the teaching of Dave Lindstrom, who serves as an Elder at Red Mountain Community Church in Mesa, Arizona, and who has faithfully taught a weekly, in-depth class on the Bible for many years there.

I specifically started this blog to publish his class notes so they could be more widely available to both those attending RMCC and those many others who don't.

I'm pleased to announce that Red Mountain Community Church is now faithfully posting Dave's class notes and also updating them as he adds new material to them!

Since I am spinning many other plates, I'd like to take this as an opportunity to cease updates on this site and simply refer readers to the RMCC website, where they can find updated versions of Dave's class notes, as well as many other thoughtful, biblically reasoned articles on a variety of topics relevant to Christians.

You can find these resources and much more at Red Mountain Community Church!

Thanks for keeping an eye on this blog and I hope you find these other resources just as helpful!

Take care,

Paeter Frandsen

Revelation Timeline

Below you will find a download link for a PDF file. This file presents the timeline described in Dave's teaching for the book of Revelation.

We hope you find it useful and encouraging as we look forward to the amazing future that Yahweh has planned!

Revelation Timeline PDF Download- http://www.spiritblade.net/downloads/revelation_timeline-11x17.pdf

Revelation 21:9 – 22:21

THE NEW JERUSALEM AND THE CONCLUSION TO THE

BOOK OF REVELATION

Revelation 21:9 – 22:21

As taught by Dave Lindstrom

I. The amazing city of the New Jerusalem is revealed to the Apostle John (Rev. 21:9 – 22:5).

A. One of the angels of the seven last bowl judgments is sent to show the Apostle John some of the details of the New Jerusalem just as previously one of these angels showed him the city of the Antichrist. An obvious powerful message of the book of Revelation is that following Satan and his Antichrist will ultimately lead to pride, a destroyed city, death, and the lake of fire (Rev. 17:1 – 18:24, 19:17 – 20:15). Whereas, following Yahweh Father and His Christ will ultimately lead to humility, an eternal city, and eternal life in Yahweh’s presence as His Bride (Rev. 19:1 – 22:21) (Rev. 21:9).

B. The Apostle John was carried away to a very high mountain (on the New Earth which had already been prophetically created, Rev. 21:1) where he saw the holy city Jerusalem (New Jerusalem, Rev. 21:2) coming down out of the New Heaven and presumably landing on the New Earth. For the second time, the Apostle tells us that it is “from God” (also Rev. 21:2). This city has been especially made by Yahweh Father Himself to be the eternal place of fellowship between God and His people (Rev. 21:10; Isa. 66:22; John 14:2-4; I Cor. 2:9).

C. The exterior aspects of the New Jerusalem (Rev. 21:11-21).

1. It radiated the glory of God, Yahweh Father Himself, which looked to the Apostle John like jasper (probably like a translucent diamond). This is also the first description of Yahweh Father’s throne in Rev. 4:3! (Rev. 21:11).

2. It is surrounded by a high wall which according to verse 17 measured out at 144 cubits (216 feet tall, wide, or both) (verse 12a).

a. The wall had 12 large entry gates which could give access into or out of the city. The Millennial Jerusalem had smaller versions of these (Ezek. 48:31-34). The twelve tribes of Israel were inscribed on the gates (three gates to the east, north, south, and west, see Ezek. 42:16-19) and one angel was at each gate (verses 12b-13).

b. The wall had 12 foundations that it was built on with the 12 names of the 12 apostles on each foundation (verse 14; Matt. 19:28; Eph. 2:20).

3. The angel was given a measuring rod of gold to measure the city, its gates and walls. This usually was a piece of bamboo a little over 10 feet long (Rev. 11:1) but for this occasion, the angel was given gold (verse 15).

4. The city itself was laid out foundationally in a square shape with its width, length, and height all equal. Each distance was 12,000 stadia or about 1,380 miles (each stadion was about 607 feet or 85 meters). Therefore, the city itself was most likely cube shaped (possibly triangular). As an item of interest, the holy of holies in Solomon’s Temple and Ezekiel’s Millennial Temple area were cube shaped (verse 16; I Kings 6:20; 2 Chron. 3:8-9; Ezek. 42:15-20, 45:2).

5. Added details on the materials and colors of the city, wall, and street (verses 18-21).

a. The wall was built of jasper (a translucent diamond-like material) and the city was built from a pure gold-like material that was like clear glass (verse 18).

b. The foundations of the wall, which must be above ground enough to be seen, are adorned with every kind of precious stone or jewel. This would reflect a vast array of colors on the translucent wall and clear as glass city including blue (sapphire, jacinth, amethyst), green (chalcedony or onyx, emerald, beryl, topaz, chrysoprase), red (sardonyx or agate, sardius or carnelian), and yellow (chrysolite) (verses 19-20).

c. The 12 gates were made of a single pearl and the street probably running through the gate was pure gold which was transparent (verse 21).

THOUGHT: Any entry or exit into the New Jerusalem will cause people and angels to remember Yahweh’s work in Old Testament Israel and the New Testament church to the praise of His name.

D. The interior aspects to the New Jerusalem (Rev. 21:22 – 22:5).

1. It has no temple in it because Yahweh Father and Yahweh Jesus are its temple (verse 22).

2. It will have the glory of God shining with such intensity that it will be its own light as well as be the source of light for the nations living on the New Earth. If the inhabitants of the New Jerusalem are Old Testament, New Testament, and Tribulational believers that reigned with Christ during His 1,000 year reign (Rev. 20:4), then the nations are probably Millennial believers (verses 23-27).

3. It will have a river of the water of life flowing from the throne of God (Yahweh Father) and the Lamb (Yahweh Jesus). This has some similarities to the Millennium but now the Father’s throne is present also (Rev. 22:1; Ezek. 47:1-12; Zech. 14:8; John 7:38).

4. It will have the tree of life on each side of this river of life running all the way through the middle of the street of the city. Perhaps the tree is single rooted with many trees running on both sides of this river that’s in between the cities main highway system. This again has some similarities to the Millennial time period (Rev. 22:2a; Ezek. 47:7-12). The tree produces 12 kinds of fruit (possibly one kind a month) and leaves which heal (therapeian – Greek) or give health to the nations. Perhaps Millennial believers have resurrected bodies which the leaves and fruit of this tree gives added benefit (Rev. 22:2b; Gen. 2:9, 3:22-24).

5. It will be free of the curse of sin (Gen. 3:14-19), and will rather be full of the service and worship of Yahweh (Rev. 22:3). Yahweh’s servants will see Yahweh’s face and have His name on their foreheads (Rev. 22:4; Rev. 2:11, 12). This eternal service and worship (in and out of the city) will be eternal because Yahweh’s people will reign forever with Him

(Rev. 22:5; Dan. 7:14, 27).

II. The conclusion to the book of Revelation (Rev. 22:6-21).

A. The message of this book is trustworthy and true. It was given by Yahweh Father, in 100% agreement with earlier Scriptural prophets, through angelic messengers and Yahweh Jesus to the Apostle John. The one who keeps the words of this prophecy will be blessed by Yahweh Jesus Himself at His prophetically soon return (Rev. 22:6, 7; Rev. 1:1-3).

B. John heard and saw the things of Revelation, again gets rebuked by an angel (also Rev. 19:10) and is instructed to let others hear this message before it’s too late (Rev. 22:8-10; Dan. 12:4, 9).

C. Yahweh Jesus tells us that He is coming soon several times in these closing verses. When He comes, there is reward and judgment for His creation (verses 12, 13; 2 Cor. 5:10; Rev. 20:12-15). The blessed believers enter the New Jerusalem and unbelievers enter a place outside the New Earth called the Lake of Fire (verses 14, 15; Rev. 20:11 – 22:5).

D. Yahweh Jesus is the promised Messiah (Christ) who will come again and now offers His free gift of the water of life to any and all who want it (verses 16, 17; Isa. 11:1,10; 55:1; John 7:37-39;

Rev. 2:28). The book of Revelation is written to be believed, warns unbelievers, and witnesses to Christ’s soon return for those alive now (verses 18-21).

Revelation 20:7 – 21:8

SATAN’S LAST EARTHLY DECEIT, THE GREAT WHITE THRONE JUDGMENT,

AND THE BEGINNING OF THE NEW HEAVEN AND NEW EARTH

Revelation 20:7 – 21:8

As taught by Dave Lindstrom

I. At the end of Christ’s 1,000 year reign on this earth, Satan is released from his prison for a short time of deceit before his final destruction (Revelation 20:7-10).

A. Satan is released from his prison (the Abyss, Rev. 20:1) after the 1,000 year (sixth time this is used in six verses) reign of Christ on this earth is ended (verse 7).

B. During the 1,000 year reign, the mortal believers that started Christ’s Kingdom with Him (the sheep, Matt. 25:31-34) had children which would still be born in sin. These new children need to believe personally in Yahweh Jesus (who would at that time be reigning in Jerusalem) for their eternal life or they would remain unsaved. Evidently, many people after 1,000 years have been led, ruled, and controlled during Christ’s reign who have refused to believe. These people Satan deceives into trying to overthrow Christ and His people at a great end time Millennial battle (verse 8).

1. The earth’s population will skyrocket due to less death, more protection, less disease, healthier bodies, and better nutrition (Isa. 65:18-25; Ezek. 47:22). If as little as 10 million adult couples began having children at the beginning of the Millennium at 10 kids per couple (remember there will be less pain in childbirth and a decreased death rate since the curse will be reversing), then there could be 100 million more people within 20-30 years. Depending on the death rate during the Millennium, the earth’s population could reach 10 billion after only 100 years. What will the earth’s population be after 1,000 years of Christ’s reign on this earth?

2. Gog and Magog in the Old Testament comes from Ezekiel 38:1-39:29 where Gog is the ruler and Magog is the land and/or people that fight against Israel during an end time battle. There are some similarities to this Millennial battle (i.e. fire from heaven, Ezek. 37:22) but also many differences (i.e. Ezekiel’s battle involves a few nations and comes from the north whereas the Millennial battle involves all nations). The Ezekiel battle seems to fit better into a time before Christ’s return (perhaps a battle in the series of battles before Armageddon – Rev. 16:12-21) but probably prefigures this end time Millennial battle. Many Jewish Rabbi’s have referred to any opponents of Israel as Gog and Magog from the Ezekiel passage.

C. Satan brings his vast army against Israel and Jerusalem (the beloved city, also Christ’s capital city) but before there is any battle, fire came down out of heaven and consumed them. Evidently, Yahweh has had enough of Satan’s deceit and lies (verse 9).

D. The devil (Greek diabolos, Hebrew Satan) is now thrown into the lake of fire where he will spend eternity, joining the beast (Antichrist) and the false prophet who have already been there 1,000 years (Rev. 19:20). This, along with many other verses of Scripture, teaches us that the wicked will not be annihilated but rather will exist forever. The English word hell in the New Testament came from the Greek words Gehenna or Gehenna of fire (the place south of Jerusalem used for burning refuse, Matt. 5:22, 29-30; 10:28; 18:9; 23:15, 33; Mark 9:43, 45, 47; Luke 12:5) and is now the place called “the lake of fire” in Revelation for the place of eternal punishment

(verse 10).

II. Yahweh’s Great White Throne Judgment happens after the Millennium, Satan’s last earthly deception, and Satan’s judgment (Revelation 20:11-15).

A. After the preceding events, Yahweh Jesus (John 5:22) sits upon His Great White Throne in a place designated for the judgment of all the wicked dead. Scripture tells us that our present

earth and heaven will be destroyed and replaced by a New Heaven and New Earth (verse 11;

Isa. 65:17, 66:22, 24; Matt. 24:35; Mark 13:31; Luke 16:17, 21:33; 2 Peter 3:10-13).

B. The righteous Old Testament, New Testament, and Tribulational saints have already received their bodily resurrection over 1,000 years previously (Rev. 6:9-17, 20:4, 6). This is the resurrection of the wicked dead and possibly the Millennial saints (unless they had an undisclosed special resurrection). There were books (scrolls) that recorded everything done by everyone and there was “the book of life” which is the record of believers in Yahweh Jesus (Rev. 3:5, 13:8, 17:8, 20:15, 21:27) (verse 12a).

C. Anyone not recorded in “the book of life” (as a believer) was thrown into the lake of fire

(verse 15) but each was judged fairly according to what they had done (verse 12). This is similar to the Bema of Christ for the righteous (2 Cor. 5:10) that happened 1,000 years previously for the purpose of reward and Millennial position. In the case of unbelievers this judgment of works could determine an assignment or position in hell. Whatever is happening in the lake of fire or hell, it is “outside” (Isa. 66:24; Rev. 22:15) the realm of the coming New Earth, eternally separated from the life of fellowship with Yahweh, and full of torment and regret (see the verses on hell in Rev. 20:10). The sea, Death and Hades all appear to be holding areas for the departed dead bodies and souls according to their context (verses 12b-15).

III. The beginning of the promised and prophesied New Heaven and New Earth (Revelation 21:1-8).

A. The New Heaven and New Earth are now in existence before the Apostle John’s eyes and one of the distinguishing features of this New Earth is that it no longer contains a sea or ocean (verse 1; Isa. 65:17, 66:22; 2 Peter 3:10-13).

B. The Apostle John next sees the New Jerusalem, the holy city, descending out of heaven from God which will be the special home for God and His people throughout eternity (verse 2;

John 14:1-3; Heb. 11:16; 12:22; Rev. 2:12).

C. A loud voice, probably an angel, speaks from the throne saying: (verses 3, 4)

1. God will dwell with His people from this time on. In other words, there will no longer by any separation or lack of intimacy (verse 3; Ezek. 37:27).

2. God will rid His people of suffering, pain, and death (verse 4; Isaiah 25:8, 65:17;

I Cor. 15:20-56).

D. Yahweh Father speaks from His throne now that all has been accomplished and sin and His previous creation have prophetically passed away (verse 5-8; Rev. 1:4, 8; Rev. 4:2).

1. Yahweh Father proclaims the trustworthiness and truthfulness of the message of the coming New Heaven and New Earth, tells John to write it down for others to read, and says that the events of the old creation are prophetically over because He alone is the beginning and the end (verses 5, 6a; Isa. 44:6, 48:12; Rev. 1:8).

2. Yahweh Father promises the blessing of salvation and eternal life with Him to all His people who drink of His free gift of the water of life (the gift of Jesus) (verse 6b; Isaiah 55:1; John 4:14, 7:38; Rev. 22:17). He promises His conquering ones or overcomers inheritance with Him (verse 7; Rev. 2:11, 17, 26-28; 3:5, 12, 21).

3. Yahweh Father warns anybody who refuses to receive His water of life (contextually from verse 6) and rather chooses a mortal life opposed to Yahweh’s truth, character, and plan will receive their portion in the lake of fire (verse 8; Rev. 20:15).

Revelation 20:6c

REIGNING WITH CHRIST FOR 1,000 YEARS

Revelation 20:6c

As taught by Dave Lindstrom

I. King Jesus the Messiah (Christ) will rule over this entire earth in fulfillment of Scripture.

A. This will fulfill all the Old Testament covenants perfectly. The Abrahamic (Gen. 12:1-3, 15:1-15), Davidic (2 Sam. 7:1-16), New (Jer. 31:31-40), and Palestinian (Deut. 1:6-8) covenants will all be perfectly fulfilled during the Millennial reign and Eternal reign of Yahweh King Jesus.

B. Old and New Testament prophecy tells us that the Messiah (Christ) was also going to be the promised King of Israel on this earth and then on into eternity (2 Sam. 7:16; Ps. 89:20-27; Isa. 11:1-16; Jer. 33:19-21; Zech. 14:9; Luke 1:32, 33; Rev. 19:16).

C. King Jesus will rule on this earth as Yahweh’s appointed Anointed ruler and will rule the entire earth including its kings with a rod of iron (with a strength that cannot be overcome) (Ps. 2:1-12, Ps. 72:1-20; Ezek. 39:25-29; Dan. 2:44, 45, 7:14, 27; Zech. 14:9; I Cor. 15:24-28).

THOUGHT: When has this or will this happen if not in the literal millennial reign of Christ? Is Christ ruling with a rod of iron right now? How will all these Scriptures be fulfilled which speak of this literal earth, literal Israel, literal kings and kingdoms, and a literal rule with a literal 1,000 year reign of Christ upon this earth?

II. King Jesus will rule the earth from the nation of Israel in His capital city Jerusalem.

A. Israel will be established with its full prophesied borders (Gen. 15:18-21; Deut. 1:6-8;

Ezek. 47:13 – 48:29).

B. There will be many topographical changes on the earth due to the violent earthquakes, meteors, and hailstones during the Great Tribulation.

1. Islands will have vanished and mountains will have been leveled (Zech. 14:10; Rev. 16:20).

2. Jerusalem will have been split into three parts (Rev. 16:19) and rebuilt (Jer. 31:37-40).

3. Jerusalem and Mount Zion will rise above the other mountains (Isa. 2:2; Micah 4:1;

Zech. 14:10).

4. The Mount of Olives will be split in two (Zech. 14:3, 4) and fresh water will flow from Jerusalem to a western (currently Mediterranean) and eastern (currently the Dead) sea (Zech. 14:8). This “living water” brings life wherever it touches and revitalizes the Dead Sea (Ezek. 47:1-12).

5. An enlarged temple will be rebuilt and Israel will be the place of worship for the world (Ezek. 40:1 – 48:35; Zech. 14:16-21).

6. If a nation or “family of the earth” does not worship the King, the Yahweh of hosts (Sabaoth), then that group of people will receive no rain (Zech. 14:16-21).

III. King Jesus’ reign on earth begins with only believers in Him (Matt. 25:31-34).

A. There will be many people at His return that have refused the mark of the beast and have believed or will believe in Him (Rev. 1:7, 14:9-13, 16:15). These will go into the 1,000 year kingdom in their mortal bodies.

B. There will be many people who will return with Jesus in their resurrected bodies to rule and reign with Him (Rev. 1:6, 11:18, 14:13, 19:9, 14, 20:4, 6).

IV. King Jesus’ 1,000 year reign will be a kingdom of:

A. Righteousness (right and correct Yahweh honoring decisions and actions).

1. It will have a righteous King (Ps. 72:1-19, 96:10; Isa. 11:4, 5, 16:5, 32:1).

2. It will start out with righteous people (Isa. 26:2, 60:21; Matt. 25:37).

3. The King will rule righteously bringing true justice to the poor (Isa. 11:4) and swift judgment (Isa. 16:5) so that all nations see that Yahweh (Jesus) is ruling this earth and glorifying His name (Ps. 96:10; Isa. 62:1, 2). The people of this earth receive the true blessing of the beatitudes (Matt. 5:2-12).

4. He will appoint the people with the perfect gifting and leadership abilities to be His

under-shepherds and under-leaders (Isa. 61:3-11, 66:20, 21; Matt. 10:40-42; 25:14-30;

Luke 19:11-27; I Cor. 3:5-15; Rev. 11:17, 18, 19:4, 6).

B. Peace (Shalom – Isa. 9:6, 7), holiness (Ezek. 44:23, Zech. 14:20, 21), truth (Ps. 98:3, Isa. 16:5, Zech. 8:3), obedience (Ps. 2:9, Mal. 1:11), and a full outpouring of the Holy Spirit bringing extra knowledge of Yahweh (Jer. 31:31-34, Joel 2:28-32).

V. With King Jesus ruling the world from Jerusalem, the curse of Genesis 3:14-19 begins a process of lifting and reversing. With Satan bound (Rev. 20:1-3a) and Jesus and His saints in charge, many good changes will come to this earth. Mortal people will still be born in sin and be able to choose unbelief and wickedness which will have an effect at the end of the 1,000 year reign (Rev. 20:3, 7-9). However, most unrighteousness will be overwhelmingly contained.

A. The earth will have abundance. It will be well watered with rain (Isa. 30:23, 35:7) and unproductivity under the curse will turn into productivity (Isa. 62:8-9; Jer. 31:5; Ezek. 48:18, 19). Agricultural and economic abundance characterizes the age (Mic. 4:1-5; Zech. 8:9-12).

B. There will be a unified language reversing the curse of Babel (Gen. 11:6-9, Zeph. 3:9).

C. There will be healing of sickness, deformity of body and mental disease (Isa. 29:17-19, 33:24, Isa. 35:3-6, 61;1-2, 65:20; Jer. 30:17, 31:8; Ezek, 34:16; Micah 4:6, 7; Zeph. 3:19). People will live longer again (Isa. 65:20).

D. There will be protection from violence and oppression from evil people (Isa. 14:3-6, 41:8-14,

Isa. 42:6-7; Ezek. 34:27; Zech. 8:14-15, 9:8-12).

E. Animals will be changed to be more peaceful, less aggressive, less venomous, and less harmful (Isa. 11:6-9, 35:9, 65:25; Rom. 8:20-22).

F. The earth’s population will skyrocket due to less death, more protection, less disease, healthier bodies, and better nutrition (Isa. 65:20; Ezek. 47:22).

THOUGHT: Knowing more about the 1,000 year reign of Christ should make us, as believers, more grateful (that we will be part of it), more prayerful for those who have not yet believed, and more patient as we wait for the next phase of Yahweh’s plan to unfold.

Revelation 20:1-6

SATAN IS BOUND AND KING JESUS BEGINS HIS 1,000 YEAR REIGN

UPON THIS EARTH

Revelation 20:1-6

As taught by Dave Lindstrom

I. Satan is bound in the Abyss for most of the 1,000 year reign of King Jesus on this earth (Rev 20:1-3).

A. The most natural reading of the book of Revelation places the binding of Satan and the Millennial reign (1,000 years) of Christ after the events of the seal, trumpet, and bowl judgments (Rev. 6:1 – 19:21) and before the New Heaven and New Earth (Rev. 21:1 – 22:5).

1. This was the accepted method of interpreting the book of Revelation by the early church for greater than the first 300 years of church history. The Greek word for 1,000 is “chilia” and people that believed in a literal 1,000 year reign of Christ were called Chiliasts. The Latin word for 1,000 is “mille” and the Latin word for year is “annum” so the 1,000 years of Christ’s reign became known as the Millennium.

a. A person who believes that Christ will return to this earth “before” setting up and reigning 1,000 years literally and physically on this earth is called a Premillennialist.

b. An Amillennialist is a person who believes that the 1,000 year time period is not literal but symbolic. Many of them believe that if there is a millennial reign of Christ, it is already happening during this present time of the church. They also would believe that Satan was bound at the time of Christ’s death and resurrection and, therefore, Satan’s power in this world was very much reduced (see if you agree with this – Acts 5:3; I Cor. 5:5, 7:5; 2 Cor. 2:11, 11:14, 12:7; I Tim. 1:20).

c. A Postmillennialist is a person who believes that the church will usher in the restoration and millennial reign of Christ on this earth under Christ’s invisible direction. Christ will then return visibly after this millennial work on earth (by the church) to judge the wicked and set up His New Heaven and New Earth (see if you agree with this – Matt. 24:1-31; 2 Thes. 2:1-12; 2 Tim. 3:1-13).

B. After King Jesus has returned with His armies to this earth (Rev. 19:1-14), conquered the armies of the Antichrist (Rev. 19:15-19), and judged the Antichrist and False Prophet (Rev. 19:20, 21), He now turns His attention to Satan himself before setting up His earthly kingdom (verse 1).

C. An angel comes down from heaven (like Rev. 10:1, 18:1) having the key to the Abyss (the demonic or fallen angels prison Rev. 9:1) and a great chain in his hand. Satan had been thrown out of heaven about 3 ½ years earlier (verse 1; Rev. 12:9).

D. This angel laid hold of Satan (“adversary”) who was also known by the names of the dragon (Rev. 12:9), that old serpent (Gen. 3:1-15), and the devil (“accuser or slanderer” Rev. 12:9). The angel bound Satan with the chain (made from something that could hold powerful spiritual beings in a similar way that the Abyss contains fallen angels), threw him into the Abyss, and the Abyss was shut and sealed (insured of no escape). This is where Satan will be for almost all of the 1,000 year reign of King Jesus except for a time of short deception (Rev. 20:7) and finally being eternally banished to the lake of fire (Rev. 20:10) (verses 2, 3).

THOUGHT: Think of what life on earth will be like with King Jesus ruling the entire earth and Satan being bound. Thank Yahweh that you will be a part of it. Pray for those who do not yet believe that their minds would be opened and that they can discern truth from error (2 Cor. 4:4).

II. King Jesus sets up His rule on this earth with His saints which will last 1,000 years (Rev. 20:4-6).

A. The Apostle John sees two different groups that are going to be with King Jesus during His 1,000 year earthly reign. The first group is going to judge on thrones which seems to be a reference to his resurrected Old and New Testament saints ruling with Him as His co-heirs (verse 4a; Dan. 7:9-10, 22-27; Matt. 19:28; Rom. 8:16; I Cor. 6:3; 2 Tim. 2:12; Rev. 11:18). The second group is the saints that have died in the Great Tribulation by martyrdom (after the rapture by axe beheading) because they refused to take the mark of the beast, and stuck to the word of God and the message of Jesus (verse 4b; Rev. 13:1-18, 14:9-13, 16:15). These two groups receive their new bodies before the 1,000 year reign of Christ for the purpose of living and reigning with Him (verse 4).

B. The rest of the dead (which would be the Old Testament, New Testament, Tribulational, and Millennial unbelievers) do not receive resurrected bodies until the 1,000 year reign of Christ is completed (verse 5).

C. Believers in Yahweh Jesus (Old, New, Tribulational) are blessed and holy (favored by Yahweh and set apart for His service) because they are free from the second death (lake of fire,

Rev. 20:14) and will be priests of God forever and reign with Christ for 1,000 years (verse 6;

Isa. 61:6; I Pet. 2:5-11; Rev. 1:6, 5:10, 22:3-5).

D. Through the book of Revelation, Yahweh has given to His believers increased understanding concerning the phasing of the bodily resurrections and duration of the reign of King Jesus from what is found in I Corinthians 15:20-28.

THOUGHT: John uses the term “thousand years” six times in seven verses in Revelation 20:1-7. From a contextual, grammatical, literal, and historical standpoint, what Biblical information causes you to take this number literally or figuratively?

Revelation 19:6-21

EIGHT CHAPTERS EXPLAINING THE SPIRITUAL BATTLES, PEOPLES, AND

EVENTS OF THE GREAT TRIBULATION TO THE RETURN OF

KING JESUS TO RULE THIS EARTH:

PART VIIII: THE MARRIAGE SUPPER OF THE LAMB, THE RETURN

OF KING JESUS TO RULE THIS EARTH, AND THE ANTICHRIST’S END

Revelation 19:6-21

As taught by Dave Lindstrom

I. The Hallelu-Yah chorus in heaven increases in loudness as the events of the marriage and marriage supper of the Lamb are contemplated (Revelation 19:6-10).

A. The great multitude are the raptured New Testament saints in heaven along with the redeemed believers of all time according to the pre-wrath rapture view (Rev. 7:9, 19:1). This great multitude now cries out with an even louder voice than in Revelation 19:1 which is now likened to the loudness of a mighty river or waterfall and mighty thunder. They shout out Hallelu-Yah (Praise Yahweh!) for the Lord our God the Almighty reigns! In other words, King Yahweh Jesus is about to take His rightful place as Yahweh’s anointed ruler of this earth along with His saints! (verse 6; Dan. 7:13, 14, 27; Amos 7:14, 9:8-15; Rev. 1:8; 4:8, 11:17; 15:3; 16:7; 14; 19:15; Rev. 21:22)

B. The great multitude spur themselves on to offer rejoicing and gladness at the thought that the event they have been longing and waiting for is finally here! They desire for all the glory to go to Yahweh alone even though they are the Lamb’s wife, have clothed themselves with His righteous deeds, and are included in the marriage supper (verses 7-9).

1. The Jewish marriage at the time of the writing of Revelation consisted of three main parts: 1) the marriage contract, 2) the marriage ceremony, and 3) the marriage supper. The marriage contract was signed by the parents with the giving of the dowry (by the bride’s side) legalizing the marriage many times while the boy and girl were very young (Luke 1:27). The marriage ceremony took place many times years later. At the marriage ceremony, the bridegroom, accompanied by his friends, would go to the bride’s house, get the bride, and escort her back to his house (Matt. 25:1-13). The marriage supper would then take place at the groom’s house with guests invited and could last for several days (John 2:1-11).

2. The relationship between Yahweh and His people is illustrated with the metaphor of marriage in both the Old and New Testament (Isaiah 62:4; Hosea 2:16-20; 2 Cor. 11:2; Eph. 5:22-33; Rev. 21:2). The three phases of the Jewish marriage ceremony seem to be perfectly represented by the events of Christ. Phase I - the legal contract was represented in Christ’s death, burial, and resurrection (Rom. 3:1-30). Phase 2 - the marriage ceremony will be represented in the rapture of the church. Christ comes to get His believers, takes them to His home, and clothes them with their new bodies (John 14:1-3; 2 Cor. 5:1-10, 11:2; I Thes. 4:13-18; Rev. 7:9-17). Phase 3 – the marriage supper (long feast) seems to take place on earth at Christ’s return with His Bride (resurrected saints).

a. The marriage of the Bride to the Lamb (Phases 1 and 2) has already happened before Christ’s return to this earth (verse 7b).

b. The Bride has made herself ready by already being clothed in her new resurrected bodies (I Cor. 15:35-58; 2 Cor. 5:1-10; I Thes. 4:13-18) and by putting on those bodies the fine linen which appears to be part of the rewards for faithful service while living for Yahweh Jesus on this earth (verses 7c, 8; Dan. 12:10, Matt. 22:11, 12; I Cor. 3:10-15; Rev. 3:5; Rev. 6:11, 11:18).

c. The angel (either 17:1 or 18:1) gives John the fourth of seven blessings in the book of Revelation (Rev. 1:3, 14:13, 16:15, 19:9, 20:6, 22:9, 14). There is a special blessing given to an individual invited to the marriage supper of the Lamb. If this takes place on earth, then the invited guests would be the remaining people on earth that have not taken the mark of the beast at the time of Christ’s return and receive Jesus as their Savior and King (verse 9; Dan. 12:12; Zech. 12:10; Rev. 1:7).

C. John is so overwhelmed and awestruck by the events that he has just witnessed that he falls down to worship the angel and is rebuked. Worship belongs to God alone, Yahweh who has prophesied all these things and will accomplish His word through His servant Jesus (verse 10; Ex. 20:3-5; Isa. 42:8, Rev. 22:8, 9).

THOUGHT: Take a moment to thank Yahweh for the glorious future He has planned for us in Christ. Pray that we as His believers and disciples will faithfully accomplish His work and will on this earth.

II. King Jesus, in all His glory, returns to this earth to rule, reign, and put an end to the false rule of the Antichrist (Rev. 19:11-21).

A. The true King Jesus comes on His white horse (at the end of the Great Tribulation) to conquer the unrighteousness of the Antichrist (false Christ) who came on another white horse at the beginning of the seven year period known as Daniel’s 70^th week (verses 11-16; Daniel 9:27; Rev. 6:1, 2).

1. As the seven years have unfolded, more and more of Yahweh’s authority from heaven is exerted on the earth “to bring in everlasting righteousness (Daniel 9:24).” We saw an open heavenly temple (Rev. 11:19), an open heavenly holy of holies along with the ark (Rev. 15:5), and now a completely open heaven (Rev. 19:11a).

2. Jesus is the One called Faithful and True (Rev. 3:14), the righteous judge and righteous warrior (Psalm 2:1-12; John 5:27), the pure discerner with flaming eyes (Rev. 1:14), the true king who bears a name beyond His creation

(I Tim. 6:15, 16) (verses 11, 12).

3. Jesus is the One with a robe dipped in blood (Isa. 63:1-3; Joel 2:12 – 3:21;

Rev. 14:14-20) called The Word of God (John 1:1, 14) with the armies of heaven following Him (Dan. 7:13, 14; Zech. 14:1-5; Matt. 25:31, 32) (verses 13, 14).

4. Jesus is the One who fulfills Psalm 2 and will conquer the nations opposed to Him by the sword of His mouth (like a javelin or long throwing sword), rule them with an iron rod (strong, unthwarted), and fulfill Yahweh’s righteous judgment (Isaiah 63:1-3; 65:8-16; Rev. 14:14-20) as the only King of kings and Lord of lords (supreme ruler, Dan. 4:25, Dan. 4:34-37; Rev. 17:14) (vs 15, 16).

B. An angel standing in direct alignment with the sun calls out with a loud voice for the birds of the air to gather for the great end time supper judgment of God

(verses 17-21).

1. This is the very end of the Great Tribulation and probably during the 30-75 days after the Great Tribulation spoken by Daniel in Daniel 12:11, 12. The Great Tribulation has been discussed in detail in Revelation chapters 12 - 19 and Christ’s return in glory correlates to Rev. 14:14-20, Rev. 16:12-21, and Rev. 18:21-24. At Christ’s return, all remaining evil is judged and only believers will be allowed into Jesus’ Kingdom (verses 17, 18; Zech. 14:1-21; Matt. 25:31-34).

2. The Antichrist (beast) and false prophet are captured and eternally judged first because of their satanically inspired deception on the earth (verses 19, 20;

Rev. 13:1-18, 17:14). They will be the first people thrown into the eternal lake of fire judgment of Yahweh (verse 20). The rest of Antichrist’s kings, armies, supporters, and beast-marked people were killed by Jesus’ mouth sword and His heavenly armies and sent to Hades where they will be eternally judged after King Jesus’ 1,000 year (millennial) reign on this earth (verse 21;

Rev. 20:13-15).