Transcription

1 Creation Revelation Robert & Mary Tozier Tel/Fax Hoalii Place, Kapolei, HI

2 Opening Prayer 2

3 Luke 16:19-31 & Revelation 20:1-15 3

4 {Luke 16:19-31} Jesus tells us about the rich man and the beggar, Lazarus, in the following verses of Luke 16: 4

5 Heaven and Hell LUK 16:19 There was a certain rich man, which was clothed in purple and fine linen, and fared sumptuously every day: 20 And there was a certain beggar named Lazarus, which was laid at his gate, full of sores, 21 And desiring to be fed with the crumbs which fell from the rich man's table: moreover the dogs came and licked his sores. (Continued) 5

6 Heaven and Hell 22 And it came to pass, that the beggar died, and was carried by the angels into Abraham's bosom: the rich man also died, and was buried; 23 And in hell [Hades] he lift up his eyes, being in torments, and seeth Abraham afar off, and Lazarus in his bosom. (Continued) 6

7 Heaven and Hell 24 And he cried and said, Father Abraham, have mercy on me, and send Lazarus, that he may dip the tip of his finger in water, and cool my tongue; for I am tormented in this flame. 25 But Abraham said, Son, remember that thou in thy lifetime receivedst thy good things, and likewise Lazarus evil things: but now he is comforted, and thou art tormented. (Continued) 7

8 Heaven and Hell 26 And beside all this, between us and you there is a great gulf fixed: so that they which would pass from hence to you cannot; neither can they pass to us, that would come from thence. 27 Then he said, I pray thee therefore, father, that thou wouldest send him to my father's house 28 For I have five brethren; that he may testify unto them, lest they also come into this place of torment. (Continued) 8

9 Heaven and Hell 29 Abraham saith unto him, They have Moses and the prophets; let them hear them. 30 And he said, Nay, father Abraham: but if one went unto them from the dead, they will repent. 31 And he said unto him, If they hear not Moses and the prophets, neither will they be persuaded, though one rose from the dead. 9

10 {The Abode of the Dead} 10

11 Sheol or Hades [133] From these verses in Luke, Jesus makes it clear that there is a place of torment and a place of comfort after death. Jesus described a two-compartment abode, an intermediate state (not purgatory) where people went after they died. This was the situation that existed for all those that died prior to Christ s death and ascension. 11

12 Sheol or Hades [133] This intermediate state is called Sheol or Hades. Both Sheol (Hebrew) and Hades (Greek), as well as Abraham s bosom, refer to the same place, the abode of the dead. 12

13 Sheol or Hades [133] Jesus spoke of this state when He told the story of the rich man and Lazarus. [133] After Christ s death and ascension a change took place whereby all the righteous in Christ are taken to heaven when they die. The unrighteous remain in the place of torment, and the unrighteous who die go to that same place. 13

14 Sheol or Hades [133] Christ descending to Sheol (Hades) after He died on the cross can be seen by the words of Peter: 1 PE 3:19 By which also he went and preached unto the spirits in prison; 14

15 Sheol or Hades [133] After Christ s death and ascension it is clear from Scriptures that the righteous who die are immediately in heaven. Speaking to the good thief on the cross, Jesus said this: LUK 23:43 And Jesus said unto him, Verily I say unto thee, Today shalt thou be with me in paradise. 15

16 Present With The Lord Paul assured the Corinthians and the Philippians: 2 CO 5:8 We are confident, I say, and willing rather to be absent from the body, and to be present with the Lord. PHI 1:23 For I am in a strait betwixt two, having a desire to depart, and to be with Christ; which is far better: 16

17 17

18 Soul Sleep? Some people believe in the concept of soul sleep where those who have died sleep in their body in the grave until they are resurrected. But, all of the verses we have seen indicate that while the body of man is still in the grave, his spirit is present with the Lord until the resurrection. There is no soul sleep. [133] 18

19 19

20 Glorified Bodies at the Rapture It is clear that the raptured Church will receive glorified (resurrection) bodies at the Rapture (the resurrection of the Church). 1CO 15:51 Behold, I shew you a mystery; We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed, 52 In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed. 20

21 Glorified Bodies According to John Walvoord: The saved will receive their resurrection bodies in a series of resurrections that begins with the Rapture of the Church and continues with the later resurrection of other saints at the Second Coming. The unsaved will not be raised until the end of the millennium. [133] 21

22 {Revelation 20:1-3} 22

23 The Pit There will be a period time after the Second Coming of our Lord that Satan will be chained in a pit for a thousand years (a millennium). Paul describes this Millennium as the dispensation of the fullness of times. EPH 1:10 That in the dispensation of the fullness of times he might gather together in one all things in Christ, both which are in heaven, and which are on earth; even in him: 23

24 The Pit Revelation 20 refers to this Millennium: REV 20:1 And I saw an angel come down from heaven, having the key of the bottomless pit and a great chain in his hand. 2 And he laid hold on the dragon, that old serpent, which is the Devil, and Satan, and bound him a thousand years, 3 And cast him into the bottomless pit, and shut him up, and set a seal upon him, that he should deceive the nations no more, till the thousand years should be fulfilled: and after that he must be loosed a little season. 24

25 The Pit During this 1000 years, men will not be able to blame Satan for their disobedience. If they sin, it will be because of their selfwill and the lust of their own hearts, not on account of being deceived. [56] Revelation 20 shows that after 1000 years Satan will once more be released from the pit. What is this "pit"? 25

26 {The Place of Demons and Fallen Angels} 26

27 The Evil Abyss The Evil Abyss (the Bottomless Pit) REV 9:1 And the fifth angel sounded, and I saw a star fall from heaven unto the earth: and to him was given the key of the bottomless pit. The wording of this verse makes it obvious that the star is not a literal star. 27

28 The Evil Abyss Stars in Scripture are often symbolic for angels. Notice this meaning as explained in Revelation 1:20. REV 1:20 The mystery of the seven stars which thou sawest in my right hand, and the seven golden candlesticks. The seven stars are the angels of the seven churches. 28

29 The Evil Abyss Many believe that Revelation 9:1 refers to Satan falling from heaven. This interpretation requires Jesus to turn over the Keys of the pit to Satan. [72; 83] This is not necessarily so. Revelation 9:1 does not specifically refer to a fallen angel, but only that an angel appeared to fall, come down, or descended. [72; 134] 29

30 The Evil Abyss The angel of Revelation 9:1 was "given" the key to the bottomless pit, which he uses to unlock it. This might be the same angel that we saw in Revelation chapter 20, who uses the same key to lock the pit after first casting Satan into it. [70; 72] Jesus Christ, who had the keys in Revelation 1:18, has most likely given this angel the key. REV 1:18 I am he that liveth, and was dead; and, behold, I am alive for evermore, Amen; and have the keys of hell and of death. 30

31 The Evil Abyss Next, in Revelation 9, we see the angel with the key opens the pit to release the next torment: REV 9:2 And he opened the bottomless pit. The "bottomless pit," or the "abyss," is a place of confinement of "fallen angels," or "demons." The "bottomless pit" is the place where Satan will later be bound for a thousand years as we saw earlier in Revelation 20:2 and 3. 31

32 The Evil Abyss This pit most likely was a foul place with fire, smoke, and brimstone. The smoke belching forth from the open pit would be thick, darkening the sky. Rev 9:2 And he opened the bottomless pit; and there arose a smoke out of the pit, as the smoke of a great furnace; and the sun and the air were darkened by reason of the smoke of the pit. 3 And there came out of the smoke locusts upon the earth: and unto them was given power, as the scorpions of the earth have power. 32

33 33

34 Fallen Angels The pit is a place of confinement for fallen angels, from which comes demon driven locusts in Revelation 9. These fallen angels may be the angels ("sons of God") that left their "first estate" in the pre-flood period that produced offspring with the daughters of men. 34

35 Fallen Angels GEN 6:1 And it came to pass, when men began to multiply on the face of the earth, and daughters were born unto them, 2 That the sons of God saw the daughters of men that they were fair; and they took them wives of all which they chose. 4 There were giants in the earth in those days; and also after that, when the sons of God came in unto the daughters of men, and they bare children to them, the same became mighty men which were of old, men of renown. 35

36 Fallen Angels These "fallen angels" were chained in the pit unto the judgment of the great day, and their offspring were destroyed in the Flood. JUDE 6 And the angels which kept not their first estate, but left their own habitation, he hath reserved in everlasting chains under darkness unto the judgment of the great day. The Judgment of the Great Day refers to the Tribulation. 36

37 The Place of Eternal Torment Jesus says this about the place of eternal punishment, everlasting fire, when He separates the sheep (righteous) from the goats (unrighteous) at the end of the Tribulation. Matt 25:41 Then shall he say also unto them on the left hand, Depart from me, ye cursed, into everlasting fire, prepared for the devil and his angels: It was prepared for the Devil and his angels. 37

38 38

39 Fallen Angels Free & Imprisoned The Bible refers to two types of evil spirits, free and imprisoned. [70] We have seen that some were imprisoned as described in Jude 6. 39

40 Fallen Angels Free & Imprisoned Now look at 2 Peter where "God spared not the angels that sinned." 2PE 2:4 For if God spared not the angels that sinned, but cast them down to hell [Tartaros], and delivered them into chains of darkness, to be reserved unto judgment; The Greek word Tartaros refers to the deepest abyss of Hades [*]. 40

41 Fallen Angels Free & Imprisoned Some fallen angels are imprisoned, but, there are free evil spirits that torment and possess men today. Jesus said this: MAT 12:43 When the unclean spirit is gone out of a man, he walketh through dry places, seeking rest, and findeth none. 44 Then he saith, I will return into my house from whence I came out; and when he is come, he findeth it empty, swept, and garnished. (Continued) 41

42 Fallen Angels Free & Imprisoned 45 Then goeth he, and taketh with himself seven other spirits more wicked than himself, and they enter in and dwell there: and the last state of that man is worse than the first. Even so shall it be also unto this wicked generation. (See also Luke 8:26-30) 42

43 {Revelation 20:4} 43

44 Millennium Who Will Reign? Who will reign in the Millennial Kingdom? REV 20:4 And I saw thrones, and they sat upon them, and judgment was given unto them: and I saw the souls of them that were beheaded for the witness of Jesus, and for the word of God, and which had not worshipped the beast, neither his image, neither had received his mark upon their foreheads, or in their hands; and they lived and reigned with Christ a thousand years. 44

45 Millennium Who Will Reign? In Revelation 20:4, those to whom judgment is given are those that are raptured in the Rapture of the Church. [40] 1 Cor 6:2 Do ye not know that the saints shall judge the world? and if the world shall be judged by you, are ye unworthy to judge the smallest matters? 3 Know ye not that we shall judge angels? how much more things that pertain to this life? 45

46 Millennium Who Will Reign? In Revelation 20:4, those that are beheaded are those that did not take the mark and were martyred. [40] The Saints shall possess the kingdom and reign with Christ, who reigns in righteousness for 1000 years. A question we should ask is, who are the saints? 46

47 Millennium Who Will Reign? ISA 32:1 Behold, a king shall reign in righteousness, and princes shall rule in judgment. DAN 7:18 But the saints of the most High shall take the kingdom, and possess the kingdom for ever, even for ever and ever. Those who reign will include all who are Christ's together with those who persevere through the Great Tribulation, and are martyred, and will themselves receive glorified bodies at the Lord's return. [56] 47

48 Millennium Who Will Reign? We will reign with Christ as kings and priests. REV 5:10 And hast made us unto our God kings and priests: and we shall reign on the earth. We are a royal priesthood. 1PE 2:9 But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light; 48

49 {Revelation 20:5-6} 49

50 The Resurrections of the Dead In Scriptures we are told that there will be resurrections of the dead. In Revelation 20:4 we saw those that would reign in the Millennial Kingdom, but in verse 5 we see what happens to the rest of the dead. Let s begin in verse 4: 50

51 The Resurrections of the Dead Rev 20:4 And I saw thrones, and they sat upon them, and judgment was given unto them: and I saw the souls of them that were beheaded for the witness of Jesus, and for the word of God, and which had not worshipped the beast, neither his image, neither had received his mark upon their foreheads, or in their hands; and they lived and reigned with Christ a thousand years. (Continued) 51

52 The Resurrections of the Dead 5 But the rest of the dead lived not again until the thousand years were finished. This is the first resurrection. 6 Blessed and holy is he that hath part in the first resurrection: on such the second death hath no power, but they shall be priests of God and of Christ, and shall reign with him a thousand years. 52

53 The Resurrections of the Dead Rev 20:5 and 6 indicates that the first resurrection refers to those that will reign with Christ during the Millennium, thus, as soon will be made clear, this also includes Old Testament saints. Those that are not resurrected until the end of the Millennium are resurrected at the second resurrection, to their shame. 53

54 The Resurrections of the Dead To clear up a point, look at verse 5. The statement at the end of verse 5, This is the first resurrection refers to the description in verse 4, not to the statement in verse 5 But the rest of the dead did not live again until the thousand years were finished. 54

55 55

56 The First Resurrection [31; 70; 133] Various Resurrections are described in Scripture, and are categorized differently by various commentators. In this lesson we will describe the First Resurrection as having six phases, as alluded to in Revelation 20:5-6. In general, the First Resurrection is the resurrections of believers. The Second Resurrection is the resurrection of the damned. 56

57 The First Resurrection [31; 70; 133] First Resurrection (phase 1) The resurrection of Christ the firstfruits. 1 Cor 15:20 But now is Christ risen from the dead, and become the firstfruits of them that slept. 21 For since by man came death, by man came also the resurrection of the dead. 22 For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive. (Continued) 57

58 The First Resurrection [31; 70; 133] 23 But every man in his own order: Christ the firstfruits; afterward they that are Christ's at his coming. First Resurrection (phase 2) Some Old Testament Saints immediately after Christ s resurrection. MAT 27:52 And the graves were opened; and many bodies of the saints which slept arose, 53 And came out of the graves after his resurrection, and went into the holy city, and appeared unto many. 58

59 The First Resurrection Slept in Matthew 27:52 does not refer to soul sleep. It only means that they were Old Testament saints who had died. We have already seen that they were in Abraham s bosom (Luke 16:19-31). 59

60 The First Resurrection [31; 70; 133] First Resurrection (phase 3) The resurrection of the Church at the Rapture, before the seven-years Tribulation, involving both dead Christians and those that are still alive 1Thessalonians 4:

61 The First Resurrection [31; 70; 133] 1 Thess 4:13 But I would not have you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning them which are asleep, that ye sorrow not, even as others which have no hope. 14 For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so them also which sleep in Jesus will God bring with him. 15 For this we say unto you by the word of the Lord, that we which are alive and remain unto the coming of the Lord shall not prevent them which are asleep. (Continued) 61

62 The First Resurrection [31; 70; 133] 16 For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first: 17 Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord. 18 Wherefore comfort one another with these words. 62

63 The First Resurrection [31; 70, 133] First Resurrection (phase 4) The resurrection of the two witnesses at Mid-Tribulation. REV 11:11 And after three days and an half the spirit of life from God entered into them, and they [the two witnesses] stood upon their feet; and great fear fell upon them which saw them. 12 And they heard a great voice from heaven saying unto them, Come up hither. And they ascended up to heaven in a cloud; and their enemies beheld them. 63

64 The First Resurrection [31; 70; 133] First Resurrection (phase 5) The resurrection of the Tribulation Saints at the end of the Tribulation Period, after Christ s Second Coming. The martyrs, that came out of the Tribulation, seen under the throne in Revelation 7:9-17 will be resurrected at this time. [134] The Tribulation martyrs are specifically mentioned as being part of the First Resurrection in Revelation 20:1-6 (Rev 20:4) 64

65 The First Resurrection REV 20:4 And I saw thrones, and they sat upon them, and judgment was given unto them: and I saw the souls of them that were beheaded for the witness of Jesus, and for the word of God, and which had not worshipped the beast, neither his image, neither had received his mark upon their foreheads, or in their hands; and they lived and reigned with Christ a thousand years. 65

66 The First Resurrection [31; 70; 133] First Resurrection (phase 6) the remaining Old Testament Saints at the end of the Tribulation, after the Second Coming. [133] DAN 12:1 And at that time shall Michael stand up, the great prince which standeth for the children of thy people: and there shall be a time of trouble, such as never was since there was a nation even to that same time: and at that time thy people shall be delivered, every one that shall be found written in the book. (Continued) 66

67 The First Resurrection 2 And many of them that sleep in the dust of the earth shall awake, some to everlasting life, and some to shame and everlasting contempt. The time of trouble is the Tribulation through which God will deal with the Jews. Again, Sleep does not refer to soul sleep. It only means that they were Old Testament saints who had died. We have already seen that they were in Abraham s bosom (Luke 16:19-31). 67

68 The First Resurrection [*] The sense of the Hebrew of Daniel 12:2 appears to sharply separate the two classes of those being resurrected. It may be better understood as referring to two separate resurrections and may be rendered as follows: 68

69 The First Resurrection [*] And many from among the sleepers of the dust of the earth shall awake; these shall be unto everlasting life; but those the rest of the sleepers, those who do not awake at this time, shall be unto shame and everlasting contempt. Dan 12:2 69

70 The First Resurrection [31; 40; 70; 133] Isaiah refers to the fact of resurrection: ISA 26:19 Thy dead men shall live, together with my dead body shall they arise. Awake and sing, ye that dwell in dust: for thy dew is as the dew of herbs, and the earth shall cast out the dead. 20 Come, my people, enter thou into thy chambers, and shut thy doors about thee: hide thyself as it were for a little moment, until the indignation be overpast. 70

71 {Revelation 20:4-6} 71

72 The Millennium In Revelation 20:4-6 a theme that is repeated, is that there will be a thousand years called the Millennium that will be a wondrous time of righteous rule by Jesus Christ. Scripture has much to say about this time. Hab 2:14 For the earth shall be filled with the knowledge of the glory of the Lord, as the waters cover the sea. 72

73 The Millennium Look now at some of the other verses that deal with the future Millennial Kingdom: ISA 11:6 The wolf also shall dwell with the lamb, and the leopard shall lie down with the kid; and the calf and the young lion and the fatling together; and a little child shall lead them. 73

74 The Millennium ISA 65:19 And I will rejoice in Jerusalem, and joy in my people: and the voice of weeping shall be no more heard in her, nor the voice of crying. 20 There shall be no more thence an infant of days, nor an old man that hath not filled his days: for the child shall die an hundred years old; but the sinner being an hundred years old shall be accursed. 22 They shall not build, and another inhabit; they shall not plant, and another eat: for as the days of a tree are the days of my people, and mine elect shall long enjoy the work of their hands. (Continued) 74

75 The Millennium 24 And it shall come to pass, that before they call, I will answer; and while they are yet speaking, I will hear. HEB 8:11 And they shall not teach every man his neighbour, and every man his brother, saying, Know the Lord: for all shall know me, from the least to the greatest. EZE 48:35 and the name of the city from that day shall be, The LORD is there. ZEC 8:5 And the streets of the city shall be full of boys and girls playing in the streets thereof. 75

76 The Millennium MIC 4:2 And many nations shall come, and say, Come, and let us go up to the mountain of the LORD, and to the house of the God of Jacob; and he will teach us of his ways, and we will walk in his paths: for the law shall go forth of Zion, and the word of the LORD from Jerusalem. 3 And he shall judge among many people, and rebuke strong nations afar off; and they shall beat their swords into plowshares, and their spears into pruninghooks: nation shall not lift up a sword against nation, neither shall they learn war any more. 76

77 {Revelation 20::7-10} 77

78 After the Millennium [12; 94] At the end of the Millennium, Satan will lead a final rebellion: REV 20:7 And when the thousand years are expired, Satan shall be loosed out of his prison, 8 And shall go out to deceive the nations which are in the four quarters of the earth, Gog, and Magog, to gather them together to battle: the number of whom is as the sand of the sea. 78

79 Rebellion s End 9 And they went up on the breadth of the earth, and compassed the camp of the saints about, and the beloved city: and fire came down from God out of heaven, and devoured them. 10 And the devil that deceived them was cast into the lake of fire and brimstone, where the beast and the false prophet are, and shall be tormented day and night for ever and ever. 79

80 Gog and Magog Some believe that Revelation 20:7 is the battle of Gog and Magog described in Ezekiel [12; 94] These battles are not the same. J. Vernon McGee says: Because the rebellion is labeled "Gog and Magog," many Bible students identify it with the Gog and Magog of Ezekiel This is not possible at all, for the conflicts described are not parallel as to time, place, or participants--only the names are the same. [31; 80] 80

81 Gog and Magog According to Genesis, Magog is a son of Japheth, not of a Semitic race. GEN 10:2 The sons of Japheth; Gomer, and Magog, and Madai, and Javan, and Tubal, and Meshech, and Tiras. Magog represents the northern nations of the sons of Japheth whose ideal head is Gog. Ezekiel's Gog and Magog battle is premillennial, it can t be the same as the battle of Armageddon during the Tribulation either. [57] 81

82 Gog and Magog [57] This REV 20:7 battle clearly occurs at the end of the Millennium, thus is a different conflict. Also, the Gog and Magog of Ezekiel comes from the north (Eze 38:15). The armies of Armageddon come from the east (Rev 16:12-16). This final rebellion army comes from the four quarters of the earth (Rev 20:8). This battle represents Satan's final attempt to overthrow God at Millennium s close. 82

83 People are Willing to be Deceived It has never been difficult for Satan to find those who are willing to be deceived. There will be no difference in the Millennium. Mankind as a whole has always failed when tested. They failed in the garden, they failed under the law, and they crucified the Lord of glory. [56] 83

84 Righteous Reign Still Carnal So, mankind will ultimately see that even the righteous reign of Christ will not overcome the un-regenerated mind of the carnal man. Man MUST be born again. ROM 8:7 Because the carnal mind is enmity against God: for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be. JOH 3:7 Marvel not that I said unto thee, Ye must be born again. 84

85 {Revelation 20:11-15} 85

86 The Second Resurrection [31; 70; 133] The Millennium and final rebellion are over. The six phases of the First Resurrection is called the Resurrection of Life. The Final Resurrection, or Second Resurrection, is called the Resurrection of the Damned. [31] Second Resurrection (Final Resurrection and Judgment) The unbelievers at the end of the Millennium. [133] 86

87 The Second Resurrection Rev 20:11 And I saw a great white throne, and him that sat on it, from whose face the earth and the heaven fled away; and there was found no place for them. 12 And I saw the dead, small and great, stand before God; and the books were opened: and another book was opened, which is the book of life: and the dead were judged out of those things which were written in the books, according to their works. 87

88 The Second Resurrection Notice that those that stand at the White Throne Judgment are judged only by their works, since they are not covered by the righteousness of Christ. These are the damned. 88

89 The Second Resurrection Rev 20:13 And the sea gave up the dead which were in it; and death and hell [Hades] delivered up the dead which were in them: and they were judged every man according to their works. 14 And death and hell [Hades] were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death. 15 And whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire. 89

90 The Second Resurrection Remember that two compartment abode that Jesus spoke about in Matthew 16 that was called Sheol or Hades. It is this Sheol or Hades that will be cast into the lake of fire at this time. The lake of fire is equated with the Greek Gehenna, and is the ultimate separation from God. Of course, Abraham s Bosom will be empty but the occupants of the place of torment will be cast into the lake of fire. 90

91 {Revelation 21:1} 91

92 Time Ends Eternity Begins At Millennium s end, the fire from heaven will purify the earth, thwarting Satan's final attempt against God and man (Rev 20:9). This will close out time, and begins the unending age of eternity. [56] Heaven Rev 21:1 And I saw a new heaven and a new earth: for the first heaven and the first earth were passed away; and there was no more sea. 92

93 Time Ends Eternity Begins Where are we headed? Charles Feinberg has this to say concerning the consuming power of sin. Sin destroys not only all we have, but all that we are or could hope to be. It is an incurable virus. [*] Man has no cure, but God has sent his Son as the cure for the sins of the world. (see John 3:16) 93

94 Closing Prayer 94

95 Creation Revelation Robert & Mary Tozier Tel/Fax Hoalii Place, Kapolei, HI