The ApocalypseWritten by Rev.Anthony Smith
The Apocalypse Revelation 6:2-6:8 The Apocalypse ; I will bring thee down, saith LORD. Something disclosed, especially something not previously known or realized: disclosure, exposé, exposure, and revelation. Apocalyptic eschatology is marked by conviction that God will intervene decisively in present evil age and vindicate his suffering elect over their oppressors, raising dead, consigning wicked to eternal destruction, and establishing a new creation. In Bible, apocalyptic elements are present in books of Ezekiel, Isaiah, Joel, Zechariah, and Daniel. The collection known as Pseudepigrapha [1. Spurious writings, especially writings falsely attributed to biblical characters or times. 2. A body of texts written between 200 b.c. and a.d. 200 and spuriously ascribed to various prophets and kings of Hebrew Scriptures. ETYMOLOGY: Greek, from neuter pl. of pseudepigraphos, falsely ascribed: pseud s, false; see pseudo–+ epigraphein, to inscribe (epi-, epi- + graphein, to write] Contains a number of early Jewish apocalypses, including 1 Enoch, 4 Ezra, and 2 Baruch. In New Testament book of Revelation is often called Apocalypse. ( pŏk´ lĭps), allegorical figures in Book of Revelation in Bible. The Four Horsemen of Apocalypse; rider on white horse has many interpretations–one is that he represents Christ; [This view has its skeptics thou, for rider on white horse was Given a Crown, meaning that He had no power until after it was given to Him, as with other three horsemen, second point here is that whenever Jesus is mentioned, He is always mentioned having a Sword and never a bow. This is my interpretation of this.], rider on red horse is war; on black horse is famine; and on pale horse, death. The Apocalyptic nature of man has come from years of indecisiveness in worshiping of creature instead of creator. The spiritual battle ground is Israel and especially Jerusalem, lets read; Tuesday, July 27, 2004 TEHRAN (AFP) - Iran will wipe Israel "off face of earth" if it dared to attack Islamic republic’s nuclear facilities, a spokesman for Iran’s powerful Revolutionary Guards was quoted as saying. "The United States is showing off by threatening to use its wild dog, Israel," public relations head of Revolutionary Guards, Commander Seyed Masood Jazayeri, was quoted as saying by Iranian student news agency ISNA. Rev 6:2-8; And I saw, and behold a white Horse: and he that sat on him had a bow; and a crown was given unto him: and he went forth conquering, and to conquer. And when he had opened second seal, I heard second beast say, Come and see. And there went out another horse that was red: and power was given to him that sat thereon to take peace from earth, and that they should kill one another: and there was given unto him a great sword. Here we see that writer John, stated that he saw a Great Sword, not just a sword. A great sword is to signify, great death was inevitable. And when he had opened third seal, I heard third beast say, Come and see. And I beheld, and lo a black horse; and he that sat on him had a pair of balances in his hand. And I heard a voice in midst of four beasts say, A measure of wheat for a penny, and three measures of barley for a penny (An average daily wage, penny, not to be misunderstood, At this time a days wages will be needed to sustain food for people); and see thou hurt not oil and wine. Olive Oil (trees) and Grape wine (Vineyards), two main commercial staples of Israel. And when he had opened fourth seal, I heard voice of fourth beast say, Come and see. And I looked, and behold a pale horse: and his name that sat on him was Death, and Hell followed with him. (Death was rider but after rider came Hell, speaking of destination of those who met Death.) And power was given unto them over fourth part of earth, to kill with sword, and with hunger, and with death, and with beasts of earth. If you notice in Revelations 6:2-8 , there are words ; power or crown was given unto, them, him, and orders of see thou hurt not oil and wine, who was giving these things power, crown and stipulations of what to leave unhurt? God. Because of totality unrighteousness of man, God will have His day of Vengeance.
| | The Land of Suffering Written by Dot McGinnis
The Land of Suffering "Joseph named his firstborn Manasseh and said, It is because God has made me forget all my trouble and all my father's household. The second son he named Ephraim and said, it is because God has made me fruitful in land of my suffering." Genesis 41:51-52 Joseph was 17 years old when he was sold by his brothers, he was 30 years old when he entered service of Pharaoh King of Egypt. For 13 years he dwelt in "the land of suffering." He endured deception, slavery, was falsely accused by Potiphar's wife, imprisoned, and it was all will of God! (Genesis Chapters 37-50) God had a purpose, a plan to be carried out that could only be accomplished by Joseph. And, it was God's will that it be carried out in "the land of suffering." Sometimes, God's perfect plan often leads us through a land filled with pain, misery, heartache and despair that we, like Joseph, are forced to endure. Would to God that we could be like Joseph and not only forget our troubles while we're in land of suffering, but become fruitful like he did and become a blessing to those around us.
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