Revelation Bible Study on the Mid-Trib

When praying and studying in Revelations, I looked up to the computer and saw a video, called TRUNEWS with the title, "Has the Mark of the Beast started in India?" 

The Beast from the Sea  (Mid-Trib)

Rev. 13:1 - I stood: The preferred reading (see marginal note) is “he stood” (that is, the Dragon). A beast rising up out of the sea is a mirror-image of the Dragon, called forth from the peoples of the world (17:15) as an ally in his war against the saints (v. 7). The crowns are on the ten horns (political power), not on the seven heads (the source of authority), which is the Dragon, who delegates his authority to the monster (vv. 4 & 7). The beast represents an incarnation of politico-social evil.  

Rev. 13:2 - This monster is a composite of Daniel’s pictures of past political powers (see Dan. 7:2–7).  Rev. 13:3, 4 One of his heads . . . wounded is a parody of the Lamb, as he himself suffers a mortal wound and is then brought back to life. The symbol represents either empires or individual emperors (17:10; see Introduction to Revelation: Content). (Note: 17:10 Seven kings represent the complete number of world emperors, however many there might be, and by implication the complete number of political powers that persecute God’s people throughout history).

The spiritual principle is the same with either interpretation.  The first "beast" symbolizes the reality of anti-Christian government and political power (13:1-10, 13); and the second, anti-Christian religion, philosophy and ideology (13:11-17).  Together they produce the ultimately deceptive and seductive anti-Christian secular society, commerce, and culture, the harlot Babylon (chs 17;18), composed of those who dwell on earth.  "These thus bear the "mark" of the monster, and their names are not registered in "the Lamb's Book of Life."  The Dragon continually delegates his restricted power and authority to the monsters and their followers in order to deceive and discourage anyone from God's creative-redemptive purpose.

Rev. 13:5 He was given . . . blasphemies by the Dragon.  He was given authority by God (v. 7), over those “who dwell on the earth” (vv. 7, 8; see note on 3:10).  Rev. 3:10 note:  "The Faithful Church", I will keep you in the Lord's assurance  that according to John 17:6, 11, 12, 15, He is able to preserve His people from the hour of trial, that is in the midst of the Tribulation (8:1 - 19:10).  Forty-two months: See note on 11:2, The temple of God refers to the people of God, the Body of Christ (see I Cor. 3:16; 2 Cor. 6:16; Eph. 2:19-22), not Herod's temple in Jerusalem, destroyed in A.D. 70, nor one purported to be rebuilt in the future.  

Rev. 13:6–8 Blasphemy is irreverent speech that calls what is human “divine,” what is evil “good,” and what is good “evil.” His name is the character of God revealed in the Person of the Lord Jesus Christ. And may also be translated “even” or “that is.” His tabernacle, those who dwell in heaven, are God’s people, the church. They are not those who dwell on the earth (v. 8; see note on 3:10). Rev. 3:10 note:  "The Faithful Church", I will keep you in the Lord's assurance  that according to John 17:6, 11, 12, 15, He is able to preserve His people from the hour of trial, that is in the midst of the Tribulation (8:1 - 19:10), which has been and will continue to be anticipated through many historical manifestations (including such times as Jesus prophesied in Matt. 24:21, 22). Those who dwell on the earth describes humankind in opposition to God (6:10; 8:13; 11:10; 13:3, 8, 12, 14; 14:3, 6; 17:2, 8). Rev. 3:7–13, (v.7) The key of David symbolizes authority (see 5:5; 22:16; Is. 22:22).  (v.8) An open door: Either of service and evangelistic opportunity (1 Cor. 16:9; 2 Cor. 2:12) or of entrance into the consummated kingdom.

Philadelphia was a faithful church in a small town that was established to be a center for Greek culture. The town was renowned for its surrounding vineyards but subject to frequent earthquakes.

The beast from the bottomless pit is pictured as actually functioning before the description of his origin, which is additional evidence that the visions are not in chronological order (see 13:1–10; 17:6–18). Make war is an appropriate description of the persecution of the church militant, as well as of the two individual prophets.  Rev. 13:8 The Book of Life is God’s register of the redeemed. See note on Rev. 3:5. From the foundation of the world refers to before the creation (1 Pet. 1:20).  (Rev. 3:5) note:  White garments are the robes of the righteousness of Jesus Christ, and thus of victorious joy. I will not blot out his name assures the certainty of the Lord’s promise. Book of Life is God’s eternal record of the redeemed (see 13:8; 17:8; 20:12, 15; Ex. 32:32; Ps. 69:28; Dan. 12:1; Mal. 3:16; Luke 10:20; Phil. 4:3).

Rev. 13:9, 10 The Lord’s words of judgment upon Judah (see Jer. 15:2, 3) become words of counsel and encouragement to a suffering church. The persecuted are to maintain a patient trust in God to work out His purposes and are not to adopt the methods of the Beast and the Dragon.  Action:  Understand that the Lord calls His people to faithfulness and patient endurance.  Never give up!  

Revelations 13:11-18  begins talking about the Mark of the Beast,which is the last half of the Tribulation period.  We meet here the Antichrist’s religious spokesperson, who also carries out one of Revelation’s most notorious events, the sealing with the mark . . . of the beast (see note on v. 16). 13:16 - It is not clear whether or not this mark is literal and visible. Most likely, it is not (see 3:13).  Action:  Do not adopt the world's way of thinking or its standards of behavior. What is clear is that one’s allegiance to Christ or the Antichrist will be clear and well defined. 13:18 - Since neither the Hebrew nor Greek language possessed a separate numerical system, the letters of their alphabets carried numerical value.  Hence, the symbolic number of the beast is the sum of the numerical values of the separate letters of his name.  It is known as “gematria.” The monster may be the last of many pseudo-messiahs (see Matt. 24:24; Mark 13:22) to arise in history who manifest the spirit of Antichrist (see 1 John 2:18, 19, 22; 4:3; 2 John 7).

Another beast, identified as the False Prophet (16:13; 19:20; 20:10), is like a lamb, a symbol of all satanic religious cults, as evidenced in the priesthood of the imperial cult, which enforced the worship of Caesar.  He performs great signs (v. 13), such as demonic magic and ventriloquism, which deceive those who dwell on the earth (see Deut. 13:1–5; Matt. 24:24; 2 Thess. 2:9). Out of the earth (v. 11): The imperial cult first arose in provincial Asia. The mark (v. 16) is a counterfeit of “the seal of the living God” (7:2–4), validating a citizen’s loyalty to the emperor. 

The central message of the Revelation is that “the Lord God Omnipotent reigns!” (Rev. 19:6). This theme has been validated in history by the victory of the Lamb who is “Lord of lords and King of kings” (Rev. 17:14).

Yet, those who follow the Lamb are involved in a continuing spiritual conflict, and Revelation thus provides deeper insight into the nature and tactics of the Enemy (Eph. 6:10–12). The Dragon, frustrated by his defeat at the Cross and the consequent restraints placed upon his activity, and desperate to thwart the purposes of God before his inevitable doom, develops a counterfeit trinity “to make war” on the saints (Rev. 12:17). The first “beast” or monster symbolizes the reality of anti-Christian government and political power (Rev. 13:1–10, 13); and the second, anti-Christian religion, philosophy, and ideology (Rev. 13:11–17). Together they produce the ultimately deceptive and seductive anti-Christian secular society, commerce, and culture, the harlot Babylon (chs. 17; 18), composed of those “who dwell on earth.” These thus bear the “mark” of the monster, and their names are not registered in “the Lamb’s Book of Life.” The Dragon continually delegates his restricted power and authority to the monsters and their followers in order to deceive and discourage anyone from God’s creative-redemptive purpose.  (Bible Study Notes from NSFB)

Revelation 1-22 New Living Translation (NLT)

Prologue
This is a revelation from[a] Jesus Christ, which God gave him to show his servants the events that must soon[b] take place. He sent an angel to present this revelation to his servant John, who faithfully reported everything he saw. This is his report of the word of God and the testimony of Jesus Christ. God blesses the one who reads the words of this prophecy to the church, and he blesses all who listen to its message and obey what it says, for the time is near.

~Bits and Pieces of study of Mid-Trib from NSFB

Secret Things Belong Unto The Lord Our God

Deuteronomy 29:29

“Secret things belong unto the Lord our God.”* A secret is something known only to one or to very few. Many things are known to God which are kept secret from man, but all man’s secrets are known to God. It pleases God, however, to reveal some of His sweet secrets to man. Those who love God and serve Him faithfully have the blessed privilege of knowing many things of God and heaven that others do not know. God “revealeth his secrets to his servants.”* 

Jesus said that He would make Himself known to us as He would not unto the world. Oh, how blessed to come near to Christ and have Him tell us some of the precious secrets contained in those mysteries hidden for ages! The angels knew that the mystery of salvation contained many precious things, for they desired to look into it. The revelations of Jesus are heaven to the soul. How the heart that has heard the voice of the Lord longs to know more of the secret things hidden in Him! Such a heart will seek after Him; it will cleave to Him; it will rest only when in His presence and learning more of Him, seeing more of His love, and tasting more of the sweetness of His life.

God usually speaks in a “still small voice,”* and hence to hear Him one must necessarily come very near to Him. God has a secret place in which He tells His secrets. It is only those that “[dwell] in the secret place of the most high”* that can know the secrets of the Lord. If you would know much of the secret things of God, you must live near Him. The Lord has a secret tabernacle, and it is in that secret place with all the world shut out that He tells His secrets. 

It is a narrow passage that leads to this secret pavilion. Houses and lands must be left behind. Those hearts to whom houses and lands can talk cannot hear the still, sweet voice of Jesus. The voice of the Lord might be saying, “Come to me in a quiet hour of prayer”; but houses and lands would be saying, “You will not have time; we must have your service.” If you would hear God speak, you must leave this world so far behind that you cannot hear it when it speaks.

The way into the Lord’s secret pavilion is so narrow that father and mother, brothers and sisters and friends, must be left behind. Jesus may speak; but if you are not deaf to the voice of father or mother, you may not hear Him. Children also must be left behind. God may be calling you to a secret place where He can tell you secret things. It may be far from home; it may be over the stormy seas; but father, mother, brother, sister, or children may talk so loudly to your heart that you cannot hear God’s voice. “The secret of the LORD is with them that fear him.”* To fear God is to keep His commandments (Deuteronomy 5:29).

To enter into the secret chamber of God, your own life must be left behind. Self must be crucified. Oh, how many dear children of God have failed to hear the secrets of the Lord because of the clamorous voice of self! Jesus is talking to your heart, saying, “Here is one of My poor, needy ones to whom you can now give aid, and I will bless you and make you happy”; but that monster self sets up such a din and confusion that you cannot hear the voice of Jesus. So self must be crucified.

There are secret things of God to be learned all along the Christian way. We are to grow not only in the grace but also in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus. It is not in the greatest affairs and concerns of life only that we need to know more of God; but many, I am persuaded, also need to know Him better in the little happenings and circumstances of everyday life. 

When Peter called the Master’s attention to the withered fig tree, he answered, “Have faith in God,”* and then farther said, “What things soever ye desire, when ye pray, believe that ye receive them, and ye shall have them.”*  God will bless the affairs of your everyday life. Do not think anything too hard nor too small for God to do. If you want a mountain removed, ask Him and doubt not, and you shall have what you asked; or if it is only a grain of sand you want removed, ask the Lord and doubt not, and He will remove it. 

It is more difficult for some to have faith for the small things than for the great things. If you have but two pieces of meat, do not hesitate to give one piece to the needy. God can, and will if you ask, make the remaining piece go farther than the two would have gone without His blessing. This is a secret not known by everyone.  

God’s child has nothing to fear. The love of a gracious heavenly parent is over it. Have faith in God, and He will reveal Himself in many wondrous secret ways. Christ fed the multitude from a few loaves. He is the same today, and He will do the same for you literally. Draw near to Him, and He will teach you secret things.

~Bits and Pieces of The Secret Things Of God – Secret Things Belong Unto The Lord Our God – Prophetic Secrets

"Lord, Your Word says, 'The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, and the knowledge of the Holy One is understanding' (Proverbs 9:10). May a healthy fear and knowledge of You be the foundation upon which wisdom and discernment are established in my children and grandchildren. May each one turn to You for all decisions so that they will not make poor choices. Help them to see that all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge are hidden in You and that You give of them freely when we ask for them. As each one seeks wisdom and discernment from You, Lord, pour it liberally upon them so that all their paths will be peace and life." [Amen.]   -S. Omartian

A Bible Study I was Blessed to read and had posted on FB on June 19, 2017

THE NEW BIRTH

JOHN 3:1-21

3:1 There was a man of the Pharisees named Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews.  2 This man came to Jesus by night and said to Him, “Rabbi, we know that You are a teacher come from God; for no one can do these signs that You do unless God is with him.”

Nicodemus (“Conqueror of the People”) was an influential and respected member of the Sanhedrin. As a Pharisee, Nicodemus was thoroughly trained in Jewish law and theology; Jesus therefore called him a “teacher of Israel” (3:10). 

Nicodemus may have come to Jesus at night because he was fearful of losing his reputation and position. More likely he was a particular example of those mentioned in John 2:23; if so, his night visit would indicate a lack of certainty that Jesus was the Messiah Himself. 

Upon repentance, a new order of life opens to the believer in Jesus Christ.  Jesus used the figure of "new birth" to dramatically indicate three things:
  
1) Without New Birth, there is no life and no relationship with God (14:6). 

2) In New Birth, new perspective comes as we see the Kingdom of God" (3:3), God's Word becomes clear and the Holy Spirit's works and wonders are believed and experienced - faith is alive.  

3) Through New Birth we are introduced - literally we "enter (v. 5) - to a new realm, where God's Kingdom new order can be realized (2 Cor. 5:17).  New Birth is more than simply being "saved."  It is a requalifying experience, opening up the possibilities of our whole being to the supernatural dimension of the life and fitting us for a beginning in God's Kingdom order.  (Matt. 3:1, 2; 4:17; 13:1-52)

3:3-4  Jesus answered and said to him, “Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born [a]again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.”   4 Nicodemus said to Him, “How can a man be born when he is old? Can he enter a second time into his mother’s womb and be born?”

The Greek word translated again can also be rendered “from above.” Nicodemus clearly understood it in the former sense, whereas Jesus had both meanings in mind. To enter the kingdom of God, one must be born again, not by experiencing a second biological birth but by spiritual birth from above.

John's Gospel introduces the Holy Spirit's role in spiritual growth.  The New Birth and the baptism with the Holy Spirit endow the believer with the life and gifts of the Holy Spirit, including the ability to pray in Spirit.  The Holy Spirit is our Teacher, Helper, Advocate, and Guide.  He is our source of true spiritual understanding.  He lifts up Jesus and builds up believers, enabling them to live the Christian life.  Understand that perceiving the kingdom of God and entering it are impossible without spiritual rebirth.

3:5  Jesus answered, “Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God. 

Water may refer to physical birth. The Hebrews used terms such as “water” and “drop” in describing natural birth, and such an explanation fits the context. However, some see a reference to the faith that is expressed in water baptism (not “for” but “because of” salvation). Spirit refers to the spiritual birth brought about by the renewing and transforming power of the Holy Spirit. 

3:6 That which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. 7 Do not marvel that I said to you, ‘You must be born again.’ 8 The wind blows where it wishes, and you hear the sound of it, but cannot tell where it comes from and where it goes. So is everyone who is born of the Spirit.”  

3:9 Nicodemus answered and said to Him, “How can these things be?”

3:10-21 Jesus answered and said to him, “Are you the teacher of Israel, and do not know these things? 11 Most assuredly, I say to you, We speak what We know and testify what We have seen, and you do not receive Our witness. 12 If I have told you earthly things and you do not believe, how will you believe if I tell you heavenly things? 13 No one has ascended to heaven but He who came down from heaven, that is, the Son of Man [b]who is in heaven. 14 And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of Man be lifted up, 15 that whoever believes in Him should [c]not perish but have eternal life. 16 For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. 17 For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved. 18 “He who believes in Him is not condemned; but he who does not believe is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God. 19 And this is the condemnation, that the light has come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil. 20 For everyone practicing evil hates the light and does not come to the light, lest his deeds should be exposed. 21 But he who does the truth comes to the light, that his deeds may be clearly seen, that they have been done in God.”

3:14 The deliverance from sin described in Num. 21:4–9 is a type of the Crucifixion. 

3:16 The theme of this summary of the gospel is God’s love made manifest in an infinitely glorious manner. Only begotten can also be translated “unique” and is often used interchangeably with “beloved” (see Matt. 3:17). The remainder of John’s Gospel is given to demonstrating Jesus’ unique relationship to the Father. 
Study with the ~NSFL Bible

Footnotes:
John 3:3 Or from above
John 3:13 NU omits who is in heaven
John 3:15 NU omits not perish but