Easter Message & Original Poem

The Greatest Event of All Times!

What is it?  It’s the first Easter!  What is Easter?  It isn’t Easter bunnies or Easter eggs.  Springtime and eggs were used as fertility celebrations throughout history.  We Christians do have Easter eggs hunts and give Easter baskets to our children on Easter morning, but view the Easter egg as a symbol of joy and celebration of new life and resurrection.  

Easter is about Jesus’ resurrection on the third day after his crucifixion.   It is the single most important event of the Christian faith.  We celebrate this glorious day each year remembering the suffering he went through and his willingness to die on the cross to pay the debt of all those who would believe and trust in Him.  Just as Jesus rose from the dead to new life and ascended into Heaven, we Christians believe we too will rise from the dead to receive new life after death and ascend into Heaven. 

Jesus’ resurrection has changed the world. 

There are at least 12 different appearances of Christ in the resurrection accounts in scripture.  They were physical, tangible experiences with Christ eating, speaking and allowing himself to be touched.  Jesus' resurrected body was no longer subject to the same laws of nature.  He could transcend locked doors, and yet he could still be touched and he could eat.

The tomb was sealed with a large stone so Jesus could not get out.  On the third day the stone was rolled away miracleously so that everyone could see that he was risen.  He was able to walk through walls in his resurrected body.  John 20:19 – “On the evening of that first day of the week, when the disciples were together, with the doors locked for fear of the Jews, Jesus came and stood among them and said, ‘Peace be eith you!’ ”

Before Jesus ascended into heaven he gave the Great Commission, telling his followers to go and make disciples of all nations.  Matthew 28:19  -“Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you.  And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”
 

John 11:25-26
Jesus said to her, "I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in me will live, even though he dies; and whoever lives and believes in me will never die.  

1 Peter 1:3
”Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead... “

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He Is Risen

 (Taken from 1 Corinthians 15)

If we hold firm to the word

   By the gospel we are saved.

Jesus died on the cross for us,

        And with His blood for us He paid.

He was buried. On the third day was raised.

He appeared to many, some have fallen asleep.

He sent His Holy Spirit to be with us

   To comfort, guide, and for us to keep,

Till He comes again in clouds with power

   That we might see His great glory.

We must continue to tell others

Of the wonderful story.

How He loved us so much

          And paid the ultimate price for our sins.

Someday He’ll come back to get us.

   In heaven together we will enter in.

So stand firm. Let nothing move you.

Do His work and your labor will not be in vain.

He will always stand by you

And in you, He will remain.

For by His love He has set us free

From life’s worldly prisons.

For HE IS RISEN, INDEED!

       INDEED, HE IS RISEN!

                                 -- by Linda Vittitow

What is Worship?

At church Sunday my pastor, Randy had another wonderful message.  It was on worship.  As always he makes me think and search myself.  I want to share some of his thoughts with you.

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Worship is not just on Sunday morning -

We think worship is coming together on Sunday morning with other believers to praise God.  It is that, but much more.  When we leave the church, we then should scatter for action.  Do we leave church saying, “Let’s go out and worship.”  If Monday – Saturday were spent focusing our attention on God, our worship on Sunday morning would be much more meaningful.  The worship service is a big part of worshiping God – preaching, giving, baptizing, communion, praying together, reading scripture, music, and singing.  We need to make it a priority to come together to worship.  However, worship is where we put our focus and attention of what is important to us. 

Every thing is from, through and for God and we are to live as living sacrifices. 

Romans 11:36 -“For from him and through him and to him are all things.” 

Romans 12:1 -“I urge you, brothers, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God – this is your spiritual act of worship.”

We all worship something.  What or where is the # 1 thing you give most of your attention?  Where we spend most of our time, money and energy is worship.  Is it shopping, TV, golf, sports, sports events, hobbies, food, our children?  If we focus on these things more and put them before than God, that’s idolatry.   

Romans 1:25 “They exchanged the truth of God for a lie, and worshiped and served created things rather than the Creator – who is forever praised. Amen.”

God wants our worship -

We take a good thing and make it an idol.  What are your idols that compete with God?  Who makes the decisions for you?  Who sets your schedule?  Where or who does your approval come from?  Who gets your first fruits?  Do you tithe?  What do we long for or desire?  What’s your god? 

Exodus 20:3-5a “You shall have no other gods before me.  You shall not make for yourself an idol in the form of anything in heaven above or on the earth beneath or in the waters below.  You shall not bow down to them or worship them…”

Worship is – offering our life to God and doing specific acts of adoration and praise.

Biblical principles for corporate worship -

God centered – We don’t have to feel good about everything that happens at the service.  It's not about us.
Gospel focused – It should always be about the birth, death, and resurrection of Jesus.

Seeker sensible – Be respectful to other people.  Maybe they are not use to coming to church.

Unselfish – It’s not what I want all the time.  It probably ministers to someone else.

Missionial – It should bring the message of Christ in some way.

Why is worship so important?

It is a commandment and we’re made for it.  We become like what we worship. 

If we love money we become greedy.

If we love power we become corrupt.

If we love religion we become religious and self-righteous.

If we love Jesus we become like Christ.  Anything else is idolatry.

Romans 12:2 “Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind.  Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is – his good, pleasing and perfect will.”         

What false gods are you seeking instead of the one true God?  What consumes your thoughts, time, energy, and emotions?  Is it God Himself, or is it some idol which leaves you with nothing to give to the Lord?  We all have idols today.  I hope this has helped you identify your idols.  I know it opened my eyes.

Psalm 23

I ran across this a while ago and thought you might enjoy it.  It explains Psalm 23 very well.

The Lord is my Shepherd = That’s Relationship

I shall not be in want = That’s Supply

He makes me to lie down in green pastures = That’s Rest

He leads me beside the still waters = That’s Refreshment

He restores my soul = That’s Healing

He guides me in the paths of righteousness = That’s Guidance

For His name sake = That’s Purpose

Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death = That’s Testing

I will fear no evil = That’s Protection

For You are with me = That’s Faithfulness

Your rod and your staff they comfort me = That’s Discipline

You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies = That’s Hope

You anoint my head with oil = That’s Consecration

My cup overflows = That’s Abundance

Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life – That’s Blessings

And I will dwell in the house of the Lord = That’s Security

Forever = That’s Eternity

Plan of Salvation - How to be born again.

Are you going to heaven when you die?  It’s not how good you are or if you go to church, or how much money you give to charity.  In John 3:3 Jesus said, “I tell you the truth, no one can see the kingdom of God unless he is born again”.

To be born again means to receive salvation, to believe and trust in the name of Jesus Christ.  When we do that, we bury the old life of sin and begin anew.

There is only one way to heaven. 

John 10:29b – Jesus said, “I and the Father are one.”

John 14:6-7a - Jesus said, “I am the way, the truth, and the life.  No one comes to the Father except through me.  If you really knew me, you would know my Father as well.” 

If you are unsure of your relationship with Jesus, take you Bible some place quiet where you can be alone.  Ask God to speak to you and to reveal Himself to you.  Take time to listen as you read the words.  Know that God created you and is always with you.  He decides what is right and wrong because He is holy, perfect, and pure.  God has authority over your life.  He watches over and provides for you.

His simple plan:

Acknowledge God as Creator of everything, and accept our humble position in God’s creation.  Revelation 4:11 – “You are worthy, our Lord and God, to receive glory and honor and power, for you created all things, and by your will they were created and have their being.”

Admit to yourself and God that you are a sinner.  You have ignored God and wanted to do your own thing leaving God out completely.    

Romans 3:23 – “All have sinned and fall short of the glory of God”.

Romans 6:23 – “For the wages of sin is death.” (because you are a sinner, you are condemned to death – eternal separation from God in Hell)

Romans 5:12 – “Therefore, just as sin entered the world through one man, and death through sin, and in this way death come to all men, because all sinned.” (that one man was Adam)

1 John 1:10 – “If we claim we have not sinned, we make Him out to be a liar and His word has no place in our lives.”

Confess your sins (try to name them specifically – don’t forget pride and self-righteousness).  

Psalm 139:23-34 – “Search me, O God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts.  See if there is any offensive way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting”.

1 John 1:8-10 – “If we claim to be without sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us.  If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.  If we claim we have not sinned, we make Him out to be a liar and His word has no place in our lives”.

Romans 10:9 – “That if you confess with your mouth, ‘Jesus is Lord,’ and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved”.

Repent 

Luke 13:5 – Jesus said: “I tell you, no!  but unless you repent, you too will all perish”.

Acts 17:30 – “…. He commands all people everywhere to repent.”  (repent means a change of mind that agrees with God you are a sinner and agrees with what Jesus did for us on the cross)

Acts 20:21 – “I have declared to both Jews and Greeks that they must turn to God in repentance and have faith in our Lord Jesus.”

Believe that Christ went to the cross for you, taking your guilt upon Himself and enduring God’s judgment in your place.  He took God’s judgment of our sins on Himself.  This means that God has pardoned and cleared you from any guilt.  

John 3:16 – “For God so loved the world, that He gave His one and only Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life.”

Romans 5:8 – “But God demonstrates His own love for us in this:  While we were still sinners, Christ died for us”.

Romans 10:13 – “for, everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.”

John 5:24 – “I tell you the truth, whoever hears my word and believes Him who sent me has eternal life and will not be condemned; he has crossed over from death to life”.

A Sinner’s Prayer

If you realize you are a sinner, right now lift your head to God in prayer.

“Oh God, I know I am a sinner.  I believe Jesus died on the cross as a substitute for my sins.  I believe His death, burial, and resurrection were for me.  I want to receive Him as my Savior.  Thank you for the forgiveness of my sins – the gift of salvation.  Amen.”

It can’t be that simple.

It’s hard to believe it’s that simple, but it is.  Don’t trust your feelings.  They change.  Stand on God’s promises.  They never change.  After you are saved you should be baptized in obedience to the Lord Jesus as a public testimony of your salvation, and then unite with a Bible-believing church.  Other Christians will be there for you with encouragement and will pray for you as you walk closer with God.  Remember - don’t judge other Christians, because they are not perfect.  If they were, they wouldn’t need to go to church.  Only God and Jesus are perfect.

Then there are three things to practice daily for spiritual growth:

          Pray – you talk with God

          Read your Bible – God will speak to you

          Witness – you talk for God telling others about Him

How do I know the Bible is true?

The Bible was written over 1500 years ago.  It was written by 40 different people, in 3 different languages and on 3 different continents.  It is 1 big story and 1 author, God.  There are 66 books in the Bible – 39 in Old Testament, 27 in the New Testament.  It has high standards of morality and is the best selling book in the world has ever known.  No book has ever been more analyzed or criticized.  Why is it attacked?  It’s the revelation of God whose message demands must be destroyed - or - obeyed.  Many times people have tried to destroy it.  The Bible is God’s Word.  God reveals himself in many ways, but mainly He chose to reveal himself through his word.

The Bible is about:

How the universe and the human race started, how humans sinned and how the suffering started, and how the human rescue plan of God started - Gen 3:15 (the promise).

The Bible reveals:

God, his creation, his unlimited power and wisdom, his laws, a God of moral standards, history with God in control, Jesus as a God of compassion, God’s solution to sin, his special people in a special place, a special family, a special child:  John 3:16  (fulfillment of his promise)

It also reveals the future with a new heaven and a new earth without pain and cruelty.  Only the righteous will be there with the Lord.

75 % of the Bible is Old Testament.  Jesus came to fulfill the OT prophecy.  God tells how, why and when Jesus, the Messiah would come.  Proverbs 30:5-6 tells us His word is flawless.  Revelation 22:19 tells us not to add or take words away from it.  We should not sit around and argue about what it says.  It implies complete authority and we should not debate over it. 

Hebrews 4:12 – “For the word of God is living and active.  Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart.”   So matter what your age, 10 – 110, it can speak to us.

The purpose of the Bible is essential for:

          Salvation – it reveals God, ourselves, our Savior

          Teaching – foundation of what we believe

          Conviction – it’s the test of our action

          Training – the rod of discipline

Why do we believe it’s true?

          The Prophets – spoke for God.

          Jesus – the spirit will guide you into all truth.

          Paul – we speak in words taught by the Spirit.

          Peter – not clearly invented myths, but an eyewitness.

          John – we proclaim what we’ve seen.

          It speaks with authority.

          Many gave their lives for it.

          By listening and weighing the evidence.

 

2 Timothy 3:16-17 – “All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.”

2 Peter 1:20-21– “Above all, you must understand that no prophecy of Scripture came about by the prophet’s own interpretation.  For prophecy never had its origin in the will of man, but men spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit “.

When you read the word of God, do you believe it is God speaking to you or do you read it and then just go back to your regular life?  If God came in person and told you to stop stealing or cheating, or whatever, wouldn’t you say, “OK, I will”?  Why wouldn’t you do it if God’s word says to do the same thing - that is, if you believe it’s God’s word?

I’ve always believed that the Bible is God’s word, but never really read it like I believed it.  I don’t know about you, but I will never just read scripture the same way again.  It is God speaking to me!

 

Basic Truths About The Trinity

Last Sunday our sermon was on the Trinity.  I though it was explained so well that I wanted to share with all of you.

“Trinity” means three in one.   The term “Trinity” is not found in the Bible, but most Christians agree it’s meaning is clear.  The Trinity is one God who externally exists as three distinct persons: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.  Each one is fully God. 

There is only one true God.  The Father, Son and Holy Spirit are equally declared in the Bible to be God.  Through my BSF (Bible Study Fellowship) Isaiah study this year, God declares himself to be the one true living God over and over.  Here are a few of these passages.

Isaiah 41:4 - “I, the Lord – with the first of them and with the last – I am he.”

Isaiah 43:11 – “I, even I, am the Lord, and apart from me there is no savior.”

Isaiah 43:15 – “I am the Lord, you Holy One, Israel’s Creator, your King.”

Isaiah 45:5  - “I am the Lord, and there is no other; apart from me there is no God.” 

Isaiah 45:6 – “I am the Lord, and there is no other”.

Isaiah 45:18 – “I am the Lord, and there is no other”.

There are several places in scripture where God refers to “us” or “we”.

There are several in Genesis alone --- 

Genesis 1:26 – "Then God said, 'Let us make man in our image, in our likeness, and let them rule over the fish of the sea and the birds of the air ………' ”.

Genesis 3:22 - "And the Lord God said, 'The man has now become like one of us, knowing good and evil...'".

John 1:1-2 - “In the beginning was the Word (Jesus), and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.  He was with God in the beginning.”

John 1:14a – “The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us.”

Genesis 1:1-2 – “In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth.  Now the earth was formless and empty, darkness was over the surface of the deep, and the Spirit of God was hovering over the waters”.

Luke 1:35 calls the Holy Spirit the Son of God.

Matthew 28:19 – “Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.”

Jesus is God -
There are people who followers cults and are taught that Jesus is “just a prophet”, “a great teacher”, or “only the son of God” – not God.  This view can be clarified by looking at Isaiah 9:6 and Isaiah 43:12.  I could go on and on with scripture references, but you get the picture.  Just open up God’s word and start reading and He will reveal Himself to you. Jesus said himself, "I and the Father are one."  -  John 10:30

God bless you all.

Order of The End Times

My goal is to tell you how I believe the main events of the last days will play out.  The book of Daniel is very good in prophesying what will take place on the earth (chapters 2,7, & 9) in the last days. The prophecy indicates that it will take 70 weeks or 70 units of 7s = 490 for all of the events to be fulfilled.  Revelation 11, 12, & 13 describes the last week of Daniel's prophecy as a period of time lasting 7 literal years, half of the week is described as 1260 days or 42 months, which both amount to 3.5 years. 
All of Daniel's prophecies has been fulfilled except for the final 7 years in the prophecy that will begin sometime in the future, on the day that the Antichrist will enforce a false covenant with Israel.

Antichrist will come into power.  (Satan attempts to be like God and presents himself as a fale trinity which Satan is god, the Antichrist is the messiah and the false prophet is like the Holy Spirit - Rev. 13). The Antichrist is a powerful world leader who comes to power and promises world peace, which happens but lasts only for a short while.  Then he sets himself up as God in the temple and commands all to worship him and take his mark (666).  He does everything he can to destroy the nation of Israel.

The Tribulation starts.  It starts at the signing of the covenant between the Antichrist and Israel, which begins the 7 years of Tribulation (Daniel 9:26-27).

The Rapture will occur.  The Church (all believers) will be raptured sometime prior to 7 years of the  Tribulation - (1 Thess. 1:10, 5:1-11, Rev. 3:10) .  (Some believe the rapture will occur just before the 3.5 year mark which marks the Great Tribulation.) Those "Dead in Christ"  are not the saints from the Old Testament for Christ had not yet come to earth.  The Church (all believers since the Church in Acts 2 both dead and alive) will be taken to be with Him in heaven - (John 14:1-4, 1 Thess. 4:13-17, 1 Corin. 15:51-58)

Resurrection falls into 2 categories:

1st resurrection or resurrection of life in John 5:28-29 includes the redeemed of all the ages - OT saints, Christians who lived before or at the time of the Rapture, or Christians martyred during the Tribulation.  All are part of the resurrection of life.  People who become believers during the Millennium will be resurrected at the end of the Millennium even though they are alive.
2nd resurrection is resurrection of judgment will include the unredeemed of all the ages and will happen at the end of the Millennium called the Great White Throne Judgment (Rev. 20:11-15).  The unredeemed will be cast into the lake of fire.

The Judgment Seat of Christ.  Although there is no condemnation for believers, all believers must be judged on what is due to him for things done good or bad - (2 Corn. 5:10-11).   Rev. 19:7-8 happens in heaven so the Church that was raptured with Jesus could be adorned as His bride, when the Church descends with Him at the Glorious Appearing.  Those who remain alive will be judged by Christ soon, before the Millennium actually begins.

Tribulation begins.  21 judgments during the 7 years.  Zechariah 13 says 2/3 of Israel would die and those left will be saved.
1st half of Tribulation - 2 witnesses (Rev. 11:1) ministry will last 1260 days (Rev. 11:3).
The Antichrist promises peace and security.  Then he will defile the temple of God, called abomination of desolation (Matt. 24:15, Dan. 9:27, 2 Thess 2:4, Rev. 13:131-14.  He declares himself to be god.  He demands everyone to worship his image, breaks the covenant with Israel and wages war ( Dan. 9:27)  Believers are persecuted and many are martyred for their faith (Rev. 7:9-17).  Israel refuses to worship him and flees where God can protect the remnant of Israel (Matt. 24:16-28, Rev. 12:6, 13-17).
2nd half of Tribulation is called the Great Tribulation (Matt 24:15-21).  There will be earthquakes, plagues, wars, disasters, and persecutions against Israel.

144,000  - These are Jews who came to believe and that God marked or sealed so no harm would come to them during the Tribulation.  144,000 are from the 12 tribes of Israel.

Goirious Appearing or 2nd Coming of Jesus - When Jesus returns, all the remnant of Israel repents and believes that Jesus is the Messiah (Zech. 3:9,12:10, Rom. 11:26).  When He returns all who were raptured (the Church) will return with Him.  The Resurrection of the Dead  (Isaiah 26:19) OT saints will be resurrected with the return of the Messiah at the end of the Tribulation and all those who believe and died during the Great Tribulation will be raised to life at the 2nd coming of Christ (Rev. 29:4-6).
Jesus will be a rider on a white horse who slays the nations with a sharp sword and alll the birds gorged themselves on their flesh called ,Wedding Supper of the Lamb.  He captures the beast (Satan) and false prophet and throws them into the Lake of Fire.  Those who return to earth with the Lord Jesus have been given a new body (Col. 3-4; 1 Thess. 3:13). 

1,000 Reign (Millenium) - Jesus will rule the world and all nations surrender to His authority. Satan is bound for the 1,000 in the abyss and can not deceive the nations. 

End of the 1,000 year reign - Satan is released so he can deceives many people on earth.  Anyone born during the Millennium must make the decision to follow God or Satan.

Satan thrown into the Lake of Fire - After Satan tries to deceive the nations for a time, he will be thrown into the Lake of Fire along with the false prophet and will be tormented day and night forever and ever (Rev. 20:7-10).

Great White Throne Judgment - The final judgment for unbelievers (Rev 20).  Before the final judgment unbelievers who died will go to Hades, a compartment of Hell, where they will suffer until the final judgment and then they will be cast into the Lake of Fire, known as the 2nd death.
The books were opened for all  unbelievers to be judged.  There are at least 3 books (Rev. 20:12-13).
Book of Deeds - book of your deeds
Book of Life - name in written in book when you are born.
Lamb's Book of Life - name written in book before foundation of the world.  If you don't become a believer, your name will be blotted out of the book.

New Jerusalem (on earth) - For all whose names that are written in the Lamb's Book of Life.  God destroys the old creation that has been corupted by sin and replaces it with a new heaven and a new earth (Rev. 21).  There will be no need for a moon or a sun.  Jesus Himself is its light (Rev. 21:23).

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Are you a believer?

I believe there is one Creator, one true God.  He is in control of the universe.  We are born into sin since sin entered the world through Adam and Eve.  Sin separates us from God, because God is holy and can not be in the presence of sin.  OT sinners were required to offer up sacrifices for forgivness of their sins, but this forgiveness did not last because it was not perfect.  God sent His Son, Jesus the prophecied Messiah to earth in human form to atone for the sins of man. He lived as a man and was tempted in every way, but did not sin. He served as a willing perfect sacrifice and was cruified on the cross, died, and was buried.  Then 3 days later God raised Him from the dead. Because of Jesus' atoning death, God forgives those who repent of their sins.  Then they become part of His family and will live with Him in heaven for eternity.  If you are not a believer, turn to God in prayer, confess your sins, and ask Him to forgive you.  God is faithful to His promises.  Believe in Him and you will see Him in the new heaven.

Overview of Revelation

People don't read or study Revelation as much as other books of the Bible, because they don't understand or they are fearful of what it says. Revelation is the only place in the Bible that blesses those who read it; "Blessed is the one who reads the words of this prophecy, and blessed are those who hear it and take to heart what is written in it, because the time is near." - Rev. 1:3  Do you want to be blessed?  Then read it.

Why does God say this? I think it's because He wants us to know the ending, be aware of what's going to happen so we're not afraid, and we can stand firm when the Anti-Christ come and tries to deceive us. He wants us to be steadfast in our Christian walk, have sound doctrine, and be separated from false teachings.

Revelation has 3 sets of 7 (denotes divine completeness) Judgements - Seals, Trumpets, and Bowls. I will explain as much as I can - or that is humanly possible (only God knows what it all really means).

Theme -The Revelation book theme is in verse 19: "Write therefore the things which you have seen, and the things which are, and the things which shall take place after these things."

Author - Revelation was written by the Apostle John while he was in exile on Island of Patmos.

Chapter 1 - Things you have seen.
1:1 - tells us that this book is the Revelation of Jesus Christ and is from God to Jesus to the Angel and then to John and then to us. (Revelation means to unveil.)
1:11 - the angel told John to write in a book what he sees and send it to the 7 churches.
1:13 - Jesus was in the middle of the lampstands (churches) to protect them.
Chapter 2-3 - Things which are (message to the churches).
Chapter 4-22 - Things which shall take place after these things.
Chapter 5 - The Lamb (Jesus) is the only one worthy to break the seal of the scrolls. God couldn't open it. God had a plan. He had given the right to man to rule the earth. Jesus took human form and came to earth. He is the only perfect man and has overcome the devil so He had to be the one to open the scrolls.
Chapter 6 - Starts the 7 Judgements - 6 seals are broken. John sees what the future holds.
1st seal - one on a white horse with bow, crown given to him, went our conquering
2nd seal - one on a red horse to take peace from earth, and that men should slay one another, had a great sword.
3rd seal - one on a black horse with a pair of scales (sounds like famine to follow)
4th seal - one on ashen horse named Death and Hades followed him, he was given authority to kill with sword, famine, pestilence, and wild beasts.
(These horsemen are usually referred to as the 4 Horsemen of the Apocalypse)
5th seal - John saw those killed during the tribulation
6th seal - was a great earthquake, sun became black, moon became like blood, stars fell, sky was split apart, mountains and islands moved from their places.
6:17 - "great day of wrath has come..."
Chapter 7 - 144,000 sealed - these are Jews from the 12 tribes of Israel that are sealed during the Great Tribulation.
Chapter 8 - There was silence in heaven for 1/2 hour. Worship stopped. God's wrath is coming!
7th seal - 7 angels with 7 trumpets
1st angel - sounded his trumpet and there came hail and fire mixed with blood, they were thrown to earth, 1/3 of earth burned up, 1/3 of trees burned up and all green grass burned up.
2nd angel - sounded his trumpet and something like a great mountain burning with fire thrown into sea, 1/3 of sea became blood, 1/3 of the creatures in the sea died, 1/3 of ships destroyed.
3rd angel - sounded his trumpet and a great star called Wormwood fell from heaven burning like a torch, 1/3 fell on rivers and streams making with waters become wormwood, men died from the water which was made bitter.
4th angel - sounded his trumpet and 1/3 of the sun and 1/3 of the moon and 1/3 of the stars were darkened so 1/3 of the day and night were darkened.
Then an eagle with a loud voice, "Woe, woe, woe to those who dwell on the earth, because of the remaining blasts of the trumpet of the 3 angels who are about to sound!"
Chapter 9 -
5th angel - sounded his trumpet and a star from heaven fell to earth with key to bottomless pit (the Abyss - confinement of supernatural beings, the earth was safe as long as pit was locked) which opened, smoke went up like a furnace, sun and sir were darkened. Out of the pit came locust as big as horses and power was given them as scorpions. They could only hurt men who didn't have the seal of God. They could not kill anyone, only torment them for 5 months.
1st WOE is past, 2 more to come.
6th angel - sounded his trumpet and told to release 4 angels who are bound at the river Euphrates. They were released to kill 1/3 of mankind. 200 million horsemen with fire, smoke, and brimstone coming out of their mouths and killed 1/3 of mankind. The rest of mankind did not repent.
Chapter 10 - Another strong angel with a little book told John to eat the book and that it would make his stomach bitter (could be because the contents were so awful and terrible)
Chapter 11 - 2 witnesses given authority to prophesy 1260 days (Some believe that is Elijah is one of the witnesses - Malachi 4:1-5 "Behold, I will send you Elijah the prophet before the coming of the great and dreadful day of the Lord").
The Beast will come out of the Abyss and attack them and kill them, their bodies lie in street for 3 1/2 days, God will give them breath and they go to heaven. At that hour a great earthquake - 1/10th of the city fell. 7,000 killed and the rest were terrified and gave glory to God (They gave God respect or acknowledge, but the Bible didn't say they repented).
2nd WOE is past, 3rd WOE is coming quickly.
7th angel - This starts the 3rd WOE - "Thou hast begun to reign". Nations were enraged, God's wrath has come, time for the dead to be judged, saints to be rewarded, time to destroy those who destroy the earth. The temple of God opened, Ark of Covenant appeared, flashes of lightning, thunder, earthquake, and a great hailstorm.
Chapter 12 - Signs in heaven - woman, which is Israel, red dragon, which is Satan (Rev. 20:2). War in heaven, Michael and angels with dragon and his angels. Dragon thrown down from heaven (he could not go back and forth from heaven to earth as he was able to do) to the earth and sea, because Satan will have great wrath for he has only a short time.
Chapter 13 -
1st beast, which is the Anti-Christ, given power and authority by the dragon to perform signs. God gave him that power for 42 months.
2nd beast, which is False Prophet (Rev. 19:20), makes earth worship the 1st beast (Anti-Christ), can perform great signs also, deceives the earth, makes image of 1st beast and makes earth worship him, gives breath to the image and causes many to worship the image or be killed, makes all on the earth take the mark of the beast (666) - if they did not, they can't buy or sell.
Chapter 14 - this chapter could be an overview of the bowls or 7th trumpet. The 144,000 now in heaven.
another angel - "Fear God His judgment has come"
2nd angel - "Fallen is Babylon the great"
3rd angel - "Whoever takes mark will be tormented..."
4th angel - "...hour to reap has come." Son of Man on a cloud swung His sickle and earth was reaped.
5th angel - also had a sharp sickle
6th angel - had power over fire, came out from the altar and called out, "Put in you sickle and gather the clusters from the vine of the earth,..." He swung his sickle and threw them into the great wine press of the wrath of God.
Blood from wine press came out up to horses' bridles for 200 miles.
Chapter 15 - 7 angels with 7 plagues with them the wrath of God is finished, victory over beast, they cam out of temple, 7 angels given 7 bowls full of wrath of God.
Chapter 16 -
1st bowl poured on earth became loathsome and malignant sore upon men with mark of beast
2nd bowl poured into sea, became blood, every living thing died
3rd bowl poured into rivers and springs, became blood of the saints and prophets
4th bowl poured upon sun and scorched men with fire, they refused to repent
5th bowl poured upon throne of beast, his kingdom darkened/gnawed their tongues with pain, they blasphemed God and refused to repent
6th bowl poured upon Euphrates River, it dried up, gathered kings for Armageddon
7th bowl poured upon the air, voice said, "It is done."
Lightning, thunder, great earthquake, city split, cities of nations fell, Babylon remembered by God for His wrath, hailstones, men blasphemed God.
Chapter 17 - Woman (Babylon) sitting on scarlet beast, full of blasphemous names with 7 heads and 10 horns, drunk with blood of saints and witnesses. Beast - 7 head = 7 kings goes to destruction, 10 horns = 10 kings receive authority for 1 hour, was war against the Lamb, but Lamb will overcome them.
Chapter 18 - Fall of Babylon
Chapter 19 - Jesus is coming! Multitude in heaven rejoices, "Let us rejoice and be glad and give the glory to Him, for the Marriage of the Lamb has come and His bride (church/believers) has made herself ready."  Lord comes on white horse who judges and wages war, armies in heaven follow Him. Beast and False Prophet seized and thrown into lake of fire, rest were killed and birds ate their flesh which is the Great Supper of God. 
Chapter 20 - Angel with key to abyss, bound dragon (Satan) for 1,000 years, threw him into abyss so he couldn't deceive the nations until 1,000 was complete, then he will be released for a short time.
1st resurrection - those who did not receive the mark - verse 4.
After 1,000 reign the unbelievers will be brought to life which is the 2nd resurrection. After 1,000 year reign, Satan released, then thrown in lake of fire with false prophet.
Great White Throne Judgment - dead judged if name not written in Book of Life thrown into Lake of Fire.
Chapter 21 - New Heaven, New Earth, New Jerusalem.
John saw New Jerusalem -
12 gates - names of the 12 tribes written on them
12 foundations stones - names of 12 apostles
1500 miles - length, width, height
Wall - 72 yards
City - gold, adorned with precious stones
Streets - pure gold
No temple - Lord God and Lamb are it's temple.
So sun or moon, - glory of God will illumine it, it's lamp is the Lamb.
Only those whose names are written in the Lamb's Book of Life will be there.
Chapter 22 - River of life coming from throne of God and Lamb, Tree of Life no longer any curse, no longer night, throne of God and Lamb shall be in it, they shall reign forever.
22:7 - "Blessed is he who keeps the words of the prophecy of this book."
22:19 - "If anyone takes away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God shall take away his part from the tree of life and from the holy city, which are written in this book".
22:12 - "Behold I am coming quickly, my reward is with Me, to render to every man according to what he has done."

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Hopefully you will be encouraged and informed by reading what God has revealed to me.  I have studied Revelation several times, but am not a Bible scholar.  These are my thoughts and my current beliefs and understanding of the Bible. I welcome any constructive thoughts or criticisms you may have.