General Articles

Book of Revelation is not Allegory :: By Daymond Duck

Published on: by RR7

I have been away from my computer for a TV interview and a conference, but I will get back to current events next week.

Some professors, pastors and others say no one understands the Book of Revelation.

The idea that Jesus would give His people a meaningless book of symbols that no one can understand and promise to bless those that read, hear and keep it does not make sense.

Matthew Chapter 24 is like a sermon outline, and the Book of Revelation is a commentary on what Jesus said in Matthew Chapter 24.

In Matthew Chapter 24, Jesus went out to the Mount of Olives and “the disciples came unto him privately, saying, Tell us, when shall these things be? and what shall be the sign of thy coming, and of the end of the world?” (Matt. 24:3)

Mark records that the disciples that went to Jesus privately were Peter, James, John and Andrew (Mark 13:3).

There is no question that John heard what Jesus said on the Mount of Olives or that it was John that wrote what Jesus said in the Book of Revelation (Rev. 1:1).

One, on the Mount of Olives Jesus said, “For many shall come in my name, saying, I am Christ; and shall deceive many” (Matt. 24:5).

In Rev. 6:1-2, Jesus revealed that the first horseman of the Apocalypse (a false Christ; the Antichrist) will come forth on a white horse (like the Second Coming of Jesus in Rev. 19:11) with a bow and no arrows (deceiving people into thinking he is a man of peace), but he will go forth conquering and to conquer.

More in Revelation: The Antichrist will try to destroy Israel (Rev. 12:13-17), be given power over a world government, be a Satan worshipper (Rev. 13:1-7), be cast into the Lake of Fire (Rev. 19:20), and more.

Two, on the Mount of Olives Jesus said, “Ye shall hear of wars and rumors of wars . . . For nation shall rise against nation” (Matt. 24:6-7).

In Rev. 6:3-4, Jesus revealed that the second horseman of the Apocalypse will remove peace from the earth (cause wars and rumors of wars; nation to rise against nation).

More in Revelation: the kings of the east will go to the Middle East, demons will gather the nations for the Battle of Armageddon (Rev. 16:12-16), and more.

Three, on the Mount of Olives Jesus said, “There shall be famines” (Matt. 24:7).

In Rev. 6:5-6, Jesus revealed that the third horseman of the Apocalypse (famine) will come forth.

More in Revelation: Food will be weighed on scales, it will take a day’s wages to buy enough food for one meal, families will try to survive by buying cheaper food, (Rev. 6:6), and more.

Four, on the Mount of Olives Jesus said, “There will be pestilences” (Matt. 24:7).

In Rev. 6:7-8, Jesus revealed that the fourth horseman of the Apocalypse will be Death, and he will be followed by Hell.

More in Revelation: Death and Hell will kill with war, famine, plagues (or pestilences) and wild animals, kill one-fourth of those on earth (Rev. 6:8), and more.

Five, on the Mount of Olives Jesus said, “There will be earthquakes in divers places” (Matt. 24:7).

In Rev. 6:12, Jesus revealed that a great earthquake will darken the earth and cause the sun to turn red.

More in Revelation: An earthquake in Jerusalem will kill 7,000 people (Rev. 11:13), and the greatest earthquake of all time will occur during the Tribulation Period (Rev. 16:17-21).

Six, on the Mount of Olives Jesus said, “Then shall they deliver you up to be afflicted, and shall kill you” (Matt. 24:9).

In Rev. 6:9, Jesus revealed that there will be souls under the altar in heaven that will be killed for the Word of God and the testimony they hold.

More in Revelation: The Antichrist will kill the Two Witnesses (Rev. 11:7), he will persecute the saints (Rev. 13:7), the Antichrist and False Prophet will behead saints (Rev. 20:4), Satan will persecute Israel (Rev. 12:13), etc.

Seven, on the Mount of Olives Jesus said, “Many false prophets shall rise, and shall deceive many” (Matt. 24:11).

In Rev. 16:13, Jesus revealed that an unclean spirit will come out of the mouth of the False Prophet.

More in Revelation: The False Prophet will help gather the kings of the earth for the Battle of Armageddon (Rev. 16:14), he will order people on earth to worship the Antichrist, order people to take the Mark of the Beast, etc. (Rev. 13:11-18).

Eight, on the Mount of Olives Jesus said, “The gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in all the world” (Matt. 24:14).

In Rev. 14:6, Jesus said an angel will preach the everlasting gospel “to every nation, and kindred, and tongue and people.”

More in Revelation: 144,000 servants of God from the 12 tribes of Israel will be sealed, and they will win a great multitude that no one can number from all nations, tribes, peoples and tongues (Rev. 7:3-9).

Nine, on the Mount of Olives Jesus implied that the Temple will be rebuilt (Matt. 24:15).

In Rev. 11:1 an angel told John to measure the Temple.

More in Revelation: John was told not to measure the court outside the Temple because it will be given to the Gentiles (Rev. 11:2).

Ten, on the Mount of Olives Jesus said when people see the abomination of desolation stand in the holy place “let them that be in Judea flee into the mountains” (Matt. 24:15-16).

In Rev. 12:14 it is written that Israel will flee into the wilderness where she will be protected for 42 months (3 ½ years; 1260 days).

More in Revelation: Satan will try to stop the flight of the Jews, but God will help them, and Satan will fail (Rev. 12:15-17).

Eleven, on the Mount of Olives Jesus told the Jews that flee into the wilderness if they are on top of their house not to try to get anything, if they are in the field not to go home for clothes, it will be bad for women that are expecting and those with small children, and they should pray that they don’t have to flee in the winter or on the Sabbath (Matt. 24:17-20).

In Rev. 12:15-16 Jesus revealed that the Jews need to flee as fast as they can (without burdens, children slowing them down, breaking the Law, etc.) because Satan will try to catch and destroy them.

More in Revelation: Satan will persecute the Jews that don’t flee and are trying to obey God and follow Jesus (Rev. 12:17).

Twelve, on the Mount of Olives Jesus said this is when the great tribulation will start.

In Rev. 12:14 Jesus revealed that the Jews that flee will be in the wilderness for 42 months, so the great tribulation starts at the middle of the seven-year tribulation period and ends 42 months later with the Second Coming of Jesus.

More in Revelation: At the Second Coming of Jesus, the Antichrist will be captured and cast into the Lake of Fire (Rev. 19:20), and Satan will be bound and chained and cast into the Bottomless Pit for one thousand years (Rev. 20:1-3).

Thirteen, on the Mount of Olives Jesus said when the great tribulation starts “There shall arise false Christs, and false prophets, and shall show great signs and wonders; and if it was possible, they will deceive the very elect” (Matt. 24:24).

In Rev. 13:13-14) Jesus revealed that the beast out of the earth (the False Prophet) will perform great signs, call fire down from heaven and deceive people on earth.

More in Revelation: The False Prophet will tell people to make an image of the Antichrist, cause it to breathe and speak, command people to worship it, etc. (Rev. 13:13-15).

Fourteen, on the Mount of Olives Jesus said, “For as the lightning cometh out of the east, and shineth even unto the west; so shall also the coming of the Son of man be” (Matt. 24:27); and He said people will see Him coming in the clouds with power and great glory (Matt. 24:30).

In Rev. 1:7 Jesus revealed that every eye will see Him including those that crucified Him, and everyone on earth will cry.

More in Revelation: Jesus will come back on a white horse, others will come back with Him, King of kings and Lord of lords will be written on His thigh, He will destroy those that are attacking Israel at the Battle of Armageddon, and more (Rev. 19:11-19); He will come quickly (Rev. 22:12, 20).

Fifteen, Jesus said “Heaven and earth shall pass away, but my words shall not pass away” (Matt. 24:35).

In Rev. 21:1 Jesus revealed that there will be “a new heaven and a new earth: for the first heaven and the first earth were passed away.”

More in Revelation: New Jerusalem will come down to the new earth, God and Jesus will dwell there with His people, there will be no more death (Rev. 21:2-22:21); the Tree of Life will be there (Rev. 22:22).

More examples could probably be cited, but this article is longer than I like.

It is sad that some professors and pastors wasted their time getting an education under people that teach that the Book of Revelation is just a book of symbols or allegory that no one understands.

They are the ones that don’t understand it; they are not studying it, teaching false doctrine, and hindering others from studying that part of the Word of God.

Part of what Jesus said on the Mount of Olives is also recorded in the Gospels of Mark and Luke.

To infer that what Jesus said in parts of Matthew, Mark and Luke is meaningless symbolism or allegory is not of God.

Humankind is approaching the Tribulation Period, people need to know the truth about the future, and it is the Church’s responsibility to tell them.

Incidentally, did you notice that the first four signs that Matthew recorded are the first four signs (and in the same sequence) that John recorded in the Book of Revelation (the first four signs in Matthew are the four horsemen of the Apocalypse in the Book of Revelation)?

That is not likely meaningless or accidental.

Prophecy Plus Ministries, Inc.
Daymond & Rachel Duck
duck_daymond@yahoo.com

‘Twas The Night Before Christmas :: By Nathele Graham

Published on: by RR7

This time of year is filled with many warm memories. Families gather and gifts are exchanged. Did you write a letter to Santa when you were a child? Did that letter tell Santa how good you had been all year and then list everything that would make you happy? The Christmas tree goes up and the bright lights and sparkling ornaments add an air of childish anticipation. When we’re older, there’s a bit more hassle involved. Sending Christmas cards, buying gifts on that list to Santa, baking cookies, making fudge, and somehow you manage to put up decorations. It can be a time of great stress. Sometimes there are Christmas parties to attend, which is just one more thing on the “to do” list. We have to make time to attend a Christmas play and maybe do some Christmas caroling. By the time it’s over, we’ve over-spent our budget and are exhausted. The question is, what are you celebrating?

We’ve moved away from the real meaning of what we say we celebrate and get caught up in what the world dictates. Do we celebrate the birth of Jesus or try to create a Hallmark moment?

Another tradition many families practice is to gather all the children around Grandpa to hear him read that famous poem, “A Visit from St. Nicholas” by Clement Moore. This poem starts with the famous line, “’Twas the night before Christmas when all through the house, not a creature was stirring not even a mouse.” It’s a whimsical poem about a man who wakes up on Christmas Eve to see Santa putting gifts under the tree. Parents want so much for their children to believe in Santa, but he’s a myth. Something made up out of the imagination of the human mind.

Shouldn’t we be more concerned that our children believe in Jesus?

What would happen if, instead of this fanciful poem, you read the true story of Christmas?

The real story begins long ago in a garden. God created everything; and on the sixth day, He created man, then made a woman to be his wife. It was a perfect place, but it wasn’t long until sin entered. There was one rule that God gave to Adam: don’t eat the fruit from a certain tree. Satan deceived Eve into eating it, and she convinced Adam to also eat it. Adam chose to sin. That sin separated man from God, and Paradise was lost. God never stopped loving His creation, even though we continue to choose to sin. God had a plan to mend the separation that’s caused by sin.

Through the years that followed Adam’s original sin, things became very corrupt and sinful. Satan gripped the hearts of many people, and the sinful ways of man have continued to grow worse. God made sure that people would know that there would be a Redeemer who would bring a way to bridge the separation caused by sin. He spoke through prophets. King David was from the little town of Bethlehem, and the prophet Micah said that the Messiah would be born there.

“But thou, Bethlehem Ephratah, though thou be little among the thousands of Judah, yet out of thee shall he come forth unto me that is to be ruler in Israel; whose goings forth have been from of old, from everlasting” (Micah 5:2).

The prophet Isaiah disclosed that the Messiah would be born of a virgin.

“Therefore the Lord himself shall give you a sign; Behold, a virgin shall conceive, and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel” (Isaiah 7:14).

Isaiah also told that the child the virgin would bear would be the Son of God. This means that Jesus was fully human, but also fully God.

“For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace. Of the increase of his government and peace there shall be no end, upon the throne of David, and upon his kingdom, to order it, and to establish it with judgement and with justice from henceforth even for ever. The zeal of the LORD of hosts will perform this” (Isaiah 9:6-7).

Many more prophecies described the Messiah and what He would do. People who studied the Scriptures anticipated the coming Messiah, but through their own blindness they missed Him.

Time went on, and the Jewish people came under oppression by the Romans. They longed for a conquering king to free them from the heavy yoke the Romans put upon them. They longed for the Messiah because they thought He would come as a mighty warrior and free them from the Roman tyranny. Little did they know that miracles were happening. Prophecy was being fulfilled. In Nazareth, a small town in Galilee, a young girl named Mary was engaged to a man named Joseph. There was nothing unusual about this couple. Joseph was a carpenter and would provide for Mary after they were married, and Mary would be his wife. Their lives would soon change drastically.

“And in the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent from God unto a city of Galilee, named Nazareth, to a virgin espoused to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David; and the virgin’s name was Mary” (Luke 1:26-27).

Gabriel had surprising news for Mary. He told her that she would conceive and give birth to a son and that the child would be “the Son of the Highest” and given the throne of David forever. Joseph and Mary were both descendants of David…Joseph from the royal line through Solomon, and Mary from another son, Nathan.

“Then said Mary unto the angel, How shall this be, seeing I know not a man?” (Luke 1:34).

Mary was a virgin, and she would give birth to the Son of God, just as Isaiah had foretold. The Holy Spirit would come upon Mary, and she would conceive a son. His name would be Jesus, which means “Jehovah is salvation,” and He would be fully human because of Mary, and fully God because He would be conceived by the Holy Spirit. Mary agreed and became pregnant by the Holy Spirit. Through Him, the sin that came into the world because of Adam could be forgiven.

Being pregnant prior to marriage is never good, but it was a capital offense when Mary was an unwed mother. Joseph could have refused to marry her, and she could have been stoned. While Joseph was considering what he should do, Gabriel also visited him.

“But while he thought on these things, behold, the angel of the Lord appeared unto him in a dream, saying, Joseph, thou son of David, fear not to take unto thee Mary thy wife: for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Ghost. And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shall call his name JESUS: for he shall save his people from their sins” (Matthew 1:20-21). 

Joseph believed the angel. He chose to protect Mary and the Child in her womb. Prophecy was being fulfilled. This child would be born of a virgin, and He was of the House of David. The only complication was that Mary and Joseph lived many miles from Bethlehem. This didn’t surprise God. He knew the Romans would help to fulfill prophecy.

“And it came to pass in those days, that there went out a decree from Caesar Augustus, that all the world should be taxed. (And this taxing was first made when Cyrenius was governor of Syria.) And all went to be taxed, everyone into his own city” (Luke 2:1-3).

Since Joseph was of the House of David, he and Mary traveled to Bethlehem. There must have been many relatives there, but no home opened their doors to this young couple. Was it because Mary was an unwed mother? Or did they just get there too late and all the homes were full and there was no room at the inn? Movies usually show Joseph and Mary arriving at Bethlehem just as she was ready to deliver the baby, but that may not actually be the case.

“And so it was, that, while they were there, the days were accomplished that she should be delivered. And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn” (Luke 2:6-7).

The journey must have been hard for Mary since she was “great with child,” as verse 5 tells us. Joseph did the best he could to provide shelter and safety. So, on that night before Christmas so long ago, the scene wasn’t as warm and cozy as the poem about the mythical Santa placing gifts under a tree while his reindeer waited on the roof.

Jesus grew into adulthood. He healed many people, cast out demons, and forgave sin. When the time was right, He fulfilled prophecy by willingly shedding His blood on the cross…a sacrifice to atone for our sin. The sin that entered the world through Adam and separated us from God was nailed to the cross.

Salvation is a free gift from God, but you need to accept the sacrifice Jesus made on your behalf.

“Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father but by me” (John 14:6).

Instead of making sure your children believe the myth of Santa Claus, be sure they believe the truth of Christ. On the night before Christmas, read them the truth from Scripture. Tell them how much Jesus loves them.

The greatest gift ever given wasn’t wrapped in shiny paper and put under a tree. The Greatest Gift was wrapped in swaddling clothes and laid in a manger. Accept that Gift today and be eternally blessed.

God bless you all,

Nathele Graham

twotug@embarqmail.com

www.straitandnarrowministry.com

ron@straitandnarrowministry.com

Ron and Nathele Graham’s previous commentaries archived at https://www.raptureready.com/featured/graham/graham.html

All original scripture is “theopneustos” – God breathed.

If you’d like to be on my mailing list to receive the commentaries, just drop me an email and let me know.