Jehoshua is on the throne of David in New Jerusalem and He is the King of a New Israel
Let's now get back to book of Revelation. We are now done looking at the first three chapters which contain the seven letters to the seven churches.
Revelation 4 and 5 feature the throne room in the heavenly sanctuary which appears to be after the ascension of the Messiah into heaven. Let's identify some key things in these chapters. Revelation 4:6 6And before the throne there was a sea of glass like unto crystal: and in the midst of the throne, and round about the throne, were four beasts full of eyes before and behind. One area that is important to understand is that in heaven before the throne of Jehovah is a sea of glass. This is important because later on in the book of Revelation we see the resurrected and translated saints standing on the sea of glass worshipping Jehovah God. This is important because some premillennialists teach that the saints will never go to heaven and are destined only for the earth after Messiah's second advent and then the subsequent new earth after a thousand years. This will also help us in understanding the timing of the rapture and whether or not God's people will be on the earth when His wrath is poured out. All these tie into the millennium and whether or not it is now or future and also if the hope of the saints is in New Jerusalem or earthly Jerusalem. Revelation 5:5 5And one of the elders saith unto me, Weep not: behold, the Lion of the tribe of Juda, the Root of David, hath prevailed to open the book, and to loose the seven seals thereof. I just wanted to show this verse to point out the running theme throughout the book of Revelation in terms of the Davidic covenant and it's fulfillment in Jehoshua Messiah. Jehoshua is the seed of David proven in this verse as well as many others. In the beginning of chapter 5 we see that Jehovah has a book sealed with seven seals. John was weeping because no man was found worthy to open the book. This is where Jehoshua comes on the scene after His ascension into heaven. Revelation 5:7 "And he came and took the book out of the right hand of him that sat upon the throne." Jehoshua is worthy to open the book because He overcame the world and shed His blood for our sins. Also, His Davidic royal Kingship makes Him the only one authorized to open the book. It's important to note that the seven seals are opened right after the Son of God takes the book out of the Father's hand. This is shown in Revelation 6: 1 And I saw when the Lamb opened one of the seals, and I heard, as it were the noise of thunder, one of the four beasts saying, Come and see. This is only 8 verses after Revelation 5:7 in which the Lamb takes the book out of God's hand. Verses 8-14 of Revelation 5 show the angels worshipping both God the Father and His Son Jehoshua. It is fairly reasonable to conclude that when the Son of God opens the seals in verse 1 of Revelation chapter 6 that there is not a 2,000year gap as futurists teach. In other words the opening of the seals happens shortly after the Messiah's ascension into heaven not 2,000 years later. In looking at 5 of the seven seals we can see that the things mentioned in the first 5 seals have been taking place during the whole new covenant church age. Let's look at the first seal: Revelation 6:2 2And 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. This first seal symbolizes the Messiah as the Warrior King who rides the white horse and wears the Davidic crown. The going forth to conquer is the gospel of the Kingdom being preached unto the ends of the earth. This has obviously been taking place throughout the whole new covenant church age. Now the 2nd seal in Revelation 6: 3And when he had opened the second seal, I heard the second beast say, Come and see.4And there went out another horse that was red: and power was given to him that sat thereon to take peace from the earth, and that they should kill one another: and there was given unto him a great sword While futurists dispute that the first seal is about the Son of God and is really about the anti-Messiah, the description of both seals show otherwise. Notice that both seals have a horse which is sat on by someone. Compare the results of the white horse (1st seal) with that of the red horse (2nd seal) and we will clearly see which one is ridden on by the anti-Messiah and which one ridden on by the Son of God. Notice that death does not result from the rider on the white horse conquering. Also, the rider on the white horse has a bow instead of a sword. During Jehoshua's earthly ministry, He did not come to destroy men's lives but save them. He also said those who live by the sword die by the sword. We as His followers are not to bear the sword and are instead to be meek and gentle. Also, the rider on the white horse wears a crown whereas the riders of the other three horses do not wear crowns. We see a similar description of the Messiah in Revelation 19: 11And I saw heaven opened, and behold a white horse; and he that sat upon him was called Faithful and True, and in righteousness he doth judge and make war.12His eyes were as a flame of fire, and on his head were many crowns; and he had a name written, that no man knew, but he himself. At Jehoshua's second advent He comes on a white horse and has many crowns. Of course at His second advent He comes bearing the sword but during the new covenant church age His gospel conquers peaceably with a bow. Nowhere in the description of the first seal is there anything negative but rather we see an already enthroned King conquering the earth through the churches gospel witness. Futurists cannot have this interpretation because it exposes their false doctrine that Jehoshua is not already the King of Israel and sitting on the throne of David. It also supports the Historicist view of the book of Revelation that these seals run concurrent with the new covenant church age. Let's look at the results of the second seal, peace is taken from the earth in the form of murder i..e men killing each other. This of course is the fruit of hell and the devil. This seal symbolizes wars which have obviously been taking place throughout the whole new covenant Church age. A look back at the history of this world since the first advent of Jehoshua shows that indeed the earth has been ravaged by war. There is an absolute contrast between the first and second seal. The first shows a conquering Warrior King that conquers the earth through a bow which does not result in anything negative. The second brings war and killing. Let's look at the 3rd seal now: Revelation 6:5-6 5And when he had opened the third seal, I heard the 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.6And I heard a voice in the midst of the four beasts say, A measure of wheat for a penny, and three measures of barley for a penny; and see thou hurt not the oil and the wine. The third seal represents poverty and famine and anyone that is honest knows that poverty and famine have been ever present during the duration of the church age. The 4th seal: Revelation 6:7-8 7And when he had opened the fourth seal, I heard the voice of the fourth beast say, Come and see.8And I looked, and behold a pale horse: and his name that sat on him was Death, and Hell followed with him. And power was given unto them over the fourth part of the earth, to kill with sword, and with hunger, and with death, and with the beasts of the earth. The fourth seal brings together the effects of the previous 2 seals which are death by the sword and famine and adds disease (death) and the beasts of the earth as things that will kill men. Again, these are all things that have been ever present during the duration of the church age. Even today disease is a big factor in many people dying in third world countries. The fifth seal: Revelation 6:9-11 (KJV) 9And when he had opened the fifth seal, I saw under the altar the souls of them that were slain for the word of God, and for the testimony which they held:10And they cried with a loud voice, saying, How long, O Lord, holy and true, dost thou not judge and avenge our blood on them that dwell on the earth?11And white robes were given unto every one of them; and it was said unto them, that they should rest yet for a little season, until their fellowservants also and their brethren, that should be killed as they were, should be fulfilled. The fifth seal symbolizes the martyr's prayers and cries for justice. The reference to them being under the altar is symbolic not literal as the altar of incense represents prayer, specifically the prayers of God's saints. These souls are those who have been slain for the word of God and the testimony which they held. That testimony is the spirit of prophecy which is Jehoshua Messiah. They died for their faith. Although this seal specifically mentions the martyr's, I believe it also represents all true believers who have suffered for their faith. If we go back into history, it undoubtedly shows that this seal has already been opened. Millions of Christians were killed by the Roman empire, some figures say about 10 million in the first 3 centuries. During the dark ages of the Papal church, around 50 million Christians were martyred by the Catholic Church. Even today, multitude of Christians are being killed all over the world for their faith. American Churchianity has let their Luke warmness blind them to the reality that the 5th seal has already been opened and that the great tribulation has been going on throughout the whole new covenant church age. Just because the American church has had relative ease doesn't mean that there isn't severe persecution of the church all over the world. The 6th seal has not been opened yet although some say it has and attributes things like the blood moons as part of the 6th seal along with other supernatural events that have taken place in the sky. Even the Lisbon earthquake is attributed by some as a fulfillment of the 6th seal. While it is possible to attribute those things to the 6th seal I hold that the 6th seal to be still be a fully future thing. Now on to Revelation 7, this is a very important chapter in terms of understanding who is true Israel, which then also determines whether or not earthly Jerusalem is the future hope or New Jerusalem which has implications in our understanding of the millennium and whether or not prophecy is historic or futurist. Revelation 7 appears to be speaking about the events preceding the resurrection of the dead saints and rapture of the living ones. There is an angel from the east that is commanded to seal the saints before the winds of strife come upon the earth. It's possible the four winds represent the seven last plagues that are going to be poured out on the earth. Revelation 7:1-3 (KJV) 1And after these things I saw four angels standing on the four corners of the earth, holding the four winds of the earth, that the wind should not blow on the earth, nor on the sea, nor on any tree.2And I saw another angel ascending from the east, having the seal of the living God: and he cried with a loud voice to the four angels, to whom it was given to hurt the earth and the sea,3Saying, Hurt not the earth, neither the sea, nor the trees, till we have sealed the servants of our God in their foreheads. The last living saints on the earth will be sealed by the angel with the seal of the living God. It's a seal of ownership and protection. It's a spiritual seal, this is noteworthy because it helps understand the nature of the mark of the beast. Even though this passage is specifically related to the events immediately preceding the wrath of Jehovah God, saints of all time are sealed with Jehovah God's seal of ownership. I believe this passage also helps us determine the timing of the resurrection and rapture. Are the saints being sealed because they will be here on earth to witness the seven last plagues or are they being sealed because they will be part of the great multitude that is translated to glory up to heaven right before these plagues fall? First let's determine the identity of the 144,000. Many American Christians believe the 144,000 are literal number of fleshly Israelites. The problem is that most of 12 tribes are untraceable and have blended in with the nations of the world. Theoretically, we can all have some Israelite in us. Some like myself believe that the 144,000 are Christians. I believe the bible proves this view. Taking the literal view has led the American church to almost idolize Jews of the flesh and the secular nation of Israel. This is the view of dispensationalism and is rather new as traditional premillennialism did not take this view and believed the 144,000 to be the church. Verses 4-8 of Revelation 7 list the 12 tribes numbering 12,000 for each one. We have to remember that the book of Revelation is codified (signified) in symbols. The 144,000 is likely a symbolic number representing the fulness of God's redeemed people. The 144,000 is the spiritual Israel of God. All believers, whether Jew or Gentile, are God's Israel. Even the naming and order of the tribes here differs from the old testament lending support to the symbolic view. However, the new testament actually supports the symbolic view emphatically. Let's go to James 1: 1 James, a servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ, to the twelve tribes which are scattered abroad, greeting.2My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations; In James letter to the brethren, which are obviously fellow believers in the Son of God, he identifies them as the 12 tribes of Israel. James is obviously not writing to the literal 12 tribes as they had long since been dispersed all over the world and many if not most had by this point had never heard the gospel. James is clearly talking to bonafide born again Christian/Messianic's. Peter the apostle also echoes James identification of the new covenant church as the true Israel: 1 Peter 2:9 (KJV) 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: Peter is applying Israelite covenant language to the church as the new covenant believers are the holy nation of Israel. They are kings and priests solely because of the Son of God's shedding of blood not because of ethnic distinction. Paul agrees with both Peter and James in their identification of the new covenant Church as God's true Israel: Galatians 6:14-16 (KJV) 14But God forbid that I should glory, save in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom the world is crucified unto me, and I unto the world.15For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision availeth any thing, nor uncircumcision, but a new creature.16And as many as walk according to this rule, peace be on them, and mercy, and upon the Israel of God. Paul identifies those who glory in the cross of our King Jehoshua Messiah as those who are the Israel of God. He denies that circumcision avails anything. It is solely those who walk according to this rule who are God's Israel. Paul further states this principle elsewhere: Galatians 3:26-28 (KJV) 26For ye are all the children of God by faith in Christ Jesus.27For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ.28There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither bond nor free, there is neither male nor female: for ye are all one in Christ Jesus.29And if ye be Christ’s, then are ye Abraham’s seed, and heirs according to the promise. What makes us children of God is having faith in Jehoshua Messiah not our ethnic identity. It is all about putting on Messiah. Paul is clear that there is neither Jew nor Greek in the body of Jehoshua but the only identification that matters is being in covenant with the Son of God. Paul said that if we are Messiah's then we are the seed of Abrahamic and heirs of the promise. Paul is clear that ethnic identity has nothing to do with being a heir of the promise nor having to do with being a seed of Abrahamic. It is all about Jehoshua the Son of God and whether one has faith in Him. Colossians 3:11-12 (KJV) 11Where there is neither Greek nor Jew, circumcision nor uncircumcision, Barbarian, Scythian, bond nor free: but Christ is all, and in all.12Put on therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, bowels of mercies, kindness, humbleness of mind, meekness, longsuffering; Again, Paul emphasizes that in the body of Jehoshua there is no such thing as Jew or Gentile but rather the identity that matters is being in Messiah. Paul calls those in Jehoshua the elect of God and again this has absolutely nothing to do with being Jew or Gentile. In the book of Ephesians Paul makes clear who the true Israel of God is: Ephesians 2:11-21 (KJV) 11Wherefore remember, that ye being in time past Gentiles in the flesh, who are called Uncircumcision by that which is called the Circumcision in the flesh made by hands; 12That at that time ye were without Christ, being aliens from the commonwealth of Israel, and strangers from the covenants of promise, having no hope, and without God in the world:13But now in Christ Jesus ye who sometimes were far off are made nigh by the blood of Christ.14For he is our peace, who hath made both one, and hath broken down the middle wall of partition between us;15Having abolished in his flesh the enmity, even the law of commandments contained in ordinances; for to make in himself of twain one new man, so making peace;16And that he might reconcile both unto God in one body by the cross, having slain the enmity thereby:17And came and preached peace to you which were afar off, and to them that were nigh.18For through him we both have access by one Spirit unto the Father.19Now therefore ye are no more strangers and foreigners, but fellowcitizens with the saints, and of the household of God;20And are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner stone;21In whom all the building fitly framed together groweth unto an holy temple in the Lord:22In whom ye also are builded together for an habitation of God through the Spirit. This passage is rarely ever mentioned by dispensationalists because destroys any doctrine that makes a distinction between Israel and the Church. Paul here says that believing Gentiles, who were once foreigners to the Commonwealth of Israel, are now fellow citizens by way of the Son of God's blood shed on the cross. Paul says that Jehoshua made both Jew and Gentile one by abolishing the carnal (temporal) ordinances having to do with the temple system of worship. In verse 16, Paul says that Jehoshua reconciled both Jew and Gentile into One body. This is significant because destroys the false teachers of dispensationalism with their separation of the church and Israel or any fleshly distinctions of Jews and Gentiles. Verse 18 of Ephesians 2 says that both Jew and Gentile have access to God by one Spirit. Verse 19 says that we as believing Gentiles are now fellow citizens with believing Jews in the Commonwealth of Israel. This is a clear statement by Paul that there is no absolutely no distinction between Jew and Gentile or between Israel and the Church. There is only legitimate Israel in the eyes of God and that is the Commonwealth made up solely of those who have faith in the Son of God and trust in His shed blood regardless of ethnic distinction. The doctrine of dispensationalism has caused many Christians to deny their own inheritance in the Commonwealth of Israel and make themselves second class citizens to Messiah rejecting Jews. This Commonwealth is built upon the chief corner stone Jehoshua Messiah and the apostles and prophets as the foundation stones. Only those who break themselves on the chief corner stone are fit to be part of the Commonwealth of Israel which is the holy temple of Jehovah. There is no room for Messiah rejecting Jews in the Commonwealth of Israel unless they repent. John 3:5-6 5Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God.6That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. Jehoshua denied that the flesh meant anything in terms of entering the Kingdom of God. He said one must be begotten from above by the Spirit of Jehovah. Ethnicity means nothing in terms of salvation. Jehoshua Himself also spoke of the union of both Jew and Gentile in His sheepfold: John 10:16 16And other sheep I have, which are not of this fold: them also I must bring, and they shall hear my voice; and there shall be one fold, and one shepherd. Jehoshua makes it clear that the other sheep (Gentiles) will be in one sheepfold with the sheep that are of Israel. He is their shepherd. Jehoshua says they will be one not two, He doesn't make a distinction between the lost sheep of Israel and the Gentile lost sheep in terms of salvation plans, covenant promises and in terms of being different aspects of the church. Jehoshua makes it clear that these sheep regardless of ethnic distinction will comprise one singular body, church, temple, sheepfold etc. Let's go back to the Jerusalem council of Acts 15: 13And after they had held their peace, James answered, saying, Men and brethren, hearken unto me:14Simeon hath declared how God at the first did visit the Gentiles, to take out of them a people for his name.15And to this agree the words of the prophets; as it is written,16After this I will return, and will build again the tabernacle of David, which is fallen down; and I will build again the ruins thereof, and I will set it up:17That the residue of men might seek after the Lord, and all the Gentiles, upon whom my name is called, saith the Lord, who doeth all these things. Circumcision was at the point of controversy at the Jerusalem council. James makes the decision that Gentiles do not need to get circumcised and says that the prophecy was being fulfilled before their eyes in that God was taking out for Himself a people among the Gentiles. James then quotes Amos 9:11-12 in verses 15-17 of Acts 15. James attributes the bringing in of the Gentiles into the faith as the fulfillment of the prophecy that the tabernacle of David would be rebuilt and established. In the Gentile mission, God was restoring the Kingdom (tabernacle) of David through His offspring, Jehoshua Messiah. This proves that in the bringing in of the Gentiles, God wasn't establishing a separate plan or covenant for the Gentiles but rather bringing them into the newly established Kingdom of David in which the believing Jews had already been a part of since the baptism of Jehoshua and more concretely since the day of Pentecost. The Kingdom (tabernacle) of David is the Commonwealth of Israel or the Church of Jehoshua Messiah, they are all the same thing and they are made up of believing Jews and Gentiles who have faith in the Son of God Jehoshua. Now that we have established a foundation on what constitutes the new covenant Israel, let's go back to Revelation 7: The 144,000 represent the fullness of God's people, the spiritual Israel of all believers as the church is referred to as the 12 tribes of Israel in James 1. Some historicists believe that the 144,000 spoken of here represent all of God's people of all time however I disagree with this to a point. What is taking place here is in the new testament as the old testament saints have long died. So the 144,000 here specifically represent the new covenant church where ethnic distinctions are nullified (Romans 2:29). The moniker 144,000 certainly applies to the old testament saints but here in Revelation we are dealing specifically with events transpiring in the new covenant church age. 144,000 of the old testament are included in the great multitude which we will discuss shortly. However, while all the new covenant Church can be identified as the 144,000, Revelation 7 is discussing things that are taking place either after the sixth seal has been opened or it is back tracking right before it has opened. I believe Revelation 7 is backtracking before the sixth seal has been opened because of the language in the first few verses: 1And after these things I saw four angels standing on the four corners of the earth, holding the four winds of the earth, that the wind should not blow on the earth, nor on the sea, nor on any tree.2And I saw another angel ascending from the east, having the seal of the living God: and he cried with a loud voice to the four angels, to whom it was given to hurt the earth and the sea,3Saying, Hurt not the earth, neither the sea, nor the trees, till we have sealed the servants of our God in their foreheads. The sixth seal opens and there are severe travails poured out on the earth and this is only the beginning because the seventh seal still remains which is the day of Jehovah's wrath. So the 144,000 appear to be God's people who are living at the very end of this age. Again, the number is symbolic and the 12 tribes of Israel are the church. These verse state that these saints will be sealed before the earth and the sea, the trees are hurt. The four winds of strife are held back on account of the saints. Why is this? The bible tells us why the saints are being protected from these last two seals: 1 Thessalonians 5:9 (KJV) 9For God hath not appointed us to wrath, but to obtain salvation by our Lord Jesus Christ, We as believers are not appointed to endure God's wrath. As much as the pre tribulation secret rapture is false, it doesn't mean the very opposite is true either. Many Christians who are turned off by the pre tribulation secret rapture despise any thought of us being raptured out to escape of the things that God will pour out on the earth. I will touch on the great tribulation in a little bit as we progress through this chapter. Basically the great tribulation began after the ascension of the Messiah and continues throughout the whole new covenant until the day of the resurrection and rapture of the just. So a pre tribulation is false as for it to be true it would have had to taken place back in the 1st century. History proves that the Church has been in tribulation since it's inception and continues even today. American Churchianity often interprets the book of Revelation through their western eyes and comfortable ease thinking that the church isn't going through tribulation. Notice that right after the sealing of the 144,000 there is seen a great multitude in heaven before the throne of God and before the Lamb in white robes holding palm branches. What does this mean? It means the next event to happen are the sealing of the last living saints on earth is the rapture (144,000 living saints) and resurrection (multitude of dead saints). Both of these groups comprise the great multitude as remember the bible says that they are joined together in the air to meet Jehoshua. Once they are joined in the air then there is absolutely no distinction between them. They comprise the great multitude and also the fullness of God's 144,000 both old and new testament saints. So the terms great multitude and 144,000 are interchangeable once the living saints (end time 144,000) and dead saints (the rest of the 144,000) are joined together in the air to meet Jehoshua. Too many people try to make a sharp distinction between these two groups. Much of this of this distinction is a result of the dispensationalism which is a new teaching. There is so much rich truth here in chapter 7 it's unreal. The fact that the saints are seen in heaven shows that we have the heavenly not earthly hope. Our hope is in New Jerusalem not earthly Jerusalem as many teach. This proves that the rapture is very biblical as some even deny this and say we will not be raptured to heaven but rather stay on earth after the resurrection. Chapter seven proves this to be absolutely false.
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