John said that he heard the number of those who were sealed on the forehead. There were 144, 000 peopled sealed from the twelve Israelite tribes. Then he enumerated them, 12,000 each from the tribe of Judah, Reuben, and Gad, 12,000 each from the tribe of Asher, Naphtali, and Manasseh, 12,000 each from the tribe of Simon, Levi, and Issachar, and 12,000 each from the tribe of Zebulun, Joseph, and Benjamin. Do you think that the Israelites should be special?
Month: December 2022
The sealed ones (chapter 6)
John then saw four angels standing at the four corners of the earth. They were holding back the wind, so that it could not blow on the land, sea, or trees. The he saw another angel with the seal of the living God, who called out to the four angels, “Do not harm the earth, the sea, or the trees until we have sealed the servants of our God on the forehead.” Are you sealed on the forehead?
The sixth seal of the great earthquake (chapter 6)
The lamb opened the sixth seal. Then John saw a great earthquake. The sun became black, while the moon was like blood. The stars of the sky fell like fig trees shaken by the wind. The sky vanished like a rolled-up scroll. All the mountains and islands were destroyed. Everyone hid in the caves and rocks among the mountains. They wanted the mountains and rocks to fall on them. They said, “Fall on us! Hide us from the face of God, the one seated on the throne, and from the wrath of the lamb. The great day of their wrath has come. Who is able to stand?” Would you be upset in a great earthquake?
The fifth seal of the martyrs (chapter 6)
When the lamb opened the fifth seal, John saw the souls of those who been killed for the word of God. They were under the altar. They had borne witness and cried out with a loud voice, “O Almighty Lord! Holy and true! How long will it be before you judge and avenge our blood on those people on earth?” They all got individual white robes. They were told to rest a while, until the number of their fellow servants and brothers was complete. These were the people who were about to die. Are you willing to be a martyr?
The first four seals of the four horsemen (chapter 6)
John saw the lamb open the first seal. The first of the living creatures told John to come. He then saw a rider with a bow on a white horse, who got a crown to go out to conquer. John saw the lamb open the second seal. The second of the creatures told John to come. He saw a rider on a bright red horse. This rider was given a sword to make peace on the earth by people killing each other. John saw the lamb open the third seal. The third of the living creatures told John to come. He then saw a black horse with a rider. This rider had a balance scale in his hand. Then a voice cried out, “A quart of wheat for a denarius. Three quarts of barley for a denarius. Do not harm oil and wine.” John saw the lamb open the fourth seal. The fourth of the living creatures told John to come. He then saw a pale green horse. The rider’s name was Death, followed by Hades. They were given power over a quarter of the earth to kill people with a sword, and send famine and pestilence by wild beasts of the earth. Have you ever heard of the four horsemen?
The lamb (chapter 5)
John saw a lamb with seven horns and seven eyes, which are the seven spirits sent out to the earth. This lamb took the scroll from the right hand of God on the throne. The four living creatures and the twenty-four presbyters fell down before the lamb. Each of them was holding a harp and golden bowls full of incense. They sang a new song, “Worthy are you to take the scroll and open the seals. You were killed. By your blood you ransomed men for God. From every tribe, tongue, people, and nation, you made them a kingdom of priests to God. They shall rule over earth.” Then John heard many thousands of angels saying with a loud voice, “Worthy is the lamb who was killed, to receive power, wealth, wisdom, might, honor, glory, and blessing.” Then John heard every creature in heaven, earth, and in the sea say, “To God and the lamb be blessing, honor, glory, and might forever.” The four living creatures said, “Amen!”, while the presbyters worshiped. Do you worship God and Jesus Christ?
The scroll (chapter 5)
Then John saw a scroll sealed with seven seals in the right hand of God on the throne. John said that he saw an angel with a loud voice ask, “Who is worthy to open the scroll?” However, no one could open the scroll. John wept because no one was found worthy to open the scroll. One of the twenty-five presbyters said to John, “Do not weep! The lion of Judah, the root of David, has prevailed or conquered. He is able to open the scroll with the seven seals.” Would you be upset if you could not open a scroll?
The four living creatures sing to God (chapter 4)
John said that around the heavenly throne there were four living creatures with eyes all over in the front and the back. They were like a lion, an ox, a human face, and a flying eagle. Each of the four living creatures had six wings. They sung day and night, “Holy, Holy, Holy, is the Lord God Almighty, who was and is and is to come. They give glory, honor, and thanks to the eternal God on the throne. The twenty-four presbyters fell down and worshiped God. They sang, “Worthy are you, Lord and God, to receive glory, honor, and power. You have created all things.” Do you give glory, honor, and thanks to God?
The future
The heavenly worship throne (chapter 4)
Then John saw an open door in heaven. He heard a voice like a trumpet tell him to come up there. This voice said that he was going to show him what was going to take place. He was in the Spirit so that he saw someone seated on a throne in heaven. The throne had a rainbow look with jasper, carnelian, and an emerald. There were twenty-four thrones around this throne, with twenty-fours crowns on their heads, dressed in white. Seven flaming torches with voices of thunder came from the throne. There were seven torches of fire representing the seven spirits of God with a sea of glass crystal before the throne. What do you think the throne of God looks like?
Laodicea (chapter 3)
The Son of Man told the angel of the church in Laodicea that John should write these words down that come from the Son of Man who is the Amen, the faithful and true witness, and the beginning of God’s creation. This is what he said to the church at Laodicea. I know your works. You are neither hot or cold, lukewarm, so that I will vomit you out of my mouth. You say you are rich and do not need anything. When in fact, you are wretched, pitiable, poor, blind, and naked. Buy gold from me that is refined by fire. Then you will be rich with white garments. You need your eyes anointed so that you can see. You need to repent! I am knocking at the door. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with them. He who conquers or prevails, they will sit with me on my throne with my Father. He who has ears, let them hear what the Spirit says. Do you think that you are so rich that you do not need anything?
Eugene Finnegan Bible Project 