Revelation 8:7-13 KJV  The first angel sounded, and there followed hail and fire mingled with blood, and they were cast upon the earth: and the third part of trees was burnt up, and all green grass was burnt up.  (8)  And the second angel sounded, and as it were a great mountain burning with fire was cast into the sea: and the third part of the sea became blood;  (9)  And the third part of the creatures which were in the sea, and had life, died; and the third part of the ships were destroyed.  (10)  And the third angel sounded, and there fell a great star from heaven, burning as it were a lamp, and it fell upon the third part of the rivers, and upon the fountains of waters;  (11)  And the name of the star is called Wormwood: and the third part of the waters became wormwood; and many men died of the waters, because they were made bitter.  (12)  And the fourth angel sounded, and the third part of the sun was smitten, and the third part of the moon, and the third part of the stars; so as the third part of them was darkened, and the day shone not for a third part of it, and the night likewise.  (13)  And I beheld, and heard an angel flying through the midst of heaven, saying with a loud voice, Woe, woe, woe, to the inhabiters of the earth by reason of the other voices of the trumpet of the three angels, which are yet to sound!

As this first trumpet is sounded we see 1/3 of the earth's vegetation destroyed.

Some people like to take this whole thing symbolically. The problem I have with that is that we aren't told that this is symbolic.

How do we explain this judgment? Is it an atomic explosion or a meteor shower or some other natural disaster? No clue

Now you know why in Revelation chapter 7 God had to place a seal of protection upon those 144,000 before He unleashed these judgments.  And so with the first trumpet blast, 1/3 of the earth's vegetation is destroyed and it is just the beginning!

As the second trumpet is sounded we see 1/3 of the oceans destroyed. Now will this be a literal mountain that is thrown into the sea?  Again, look carefully to what the text is saying, it is "something like a great mountain."  You see, it wasn't a mountain but its massive size resembled that of a mountain. This could be some kind of gigantic meteorite or asteroid with its tail of fire flashing through the sky and crashing into the oceans. Again, God can use nature to do this or He can do whatever He wants but whatever He does use, we can see the devastating effects it will bring.  In this we see 1/3 of the sea destroyed, 1/3 of the life that is in the sea is also destroyed, and 1/3 of the ships are destroyed.

As the third trumpet judgment is sounded, 1/3 of the fresh water supply is affected as this star, called Wormwood, comes crashing to the earth. The Greek word for "star" is ASTER and it speaks of any celestial body other than the sun or moon. If this is a comet or meteor that crashes to the earth, can the debris from its tail pollute the fresh water supply? It is possible, but again, God has a plan and we see the effects.

It has been reported that some 440 billion gallons of water fall from the sky in the form of rain, snow and hail in this country on a daily basis. Of that, 25% or 110 billion gallons makes its way into the lakes, rivers and reservoirs that are then used as a source of drinking water. And so, as this judgment comes, the fresh water supply, 1/3 of it, will be so badly contaminated that many will die from drinking it.

Here in the fourth trumpet judgment we see 1/3 of the sun destroyed or 1/3 less light upon the earth. This also affects 1/3 of the moon and 1/3 of the stars!  This is a judgment of the heavens you might say that affects the inhabitants of the earth. With this 33% reduction in light it would seem that there will be 8 hours of daylight and 16 hours of darkness, which is interesting to me because a person refuses to come to the light because they love darkness, we now see God give them what they want!

In Isaiah 13:9-10 we are told, "Behold, the day of the LORD comes, Cruel, with both wrath and fierce anger, To lay the land desolate; And He will destroy its sinners from it.  For the stars of heaven and their constellations Will not give their light; The sun will be darkened in its going forth, And the moon will not cause its light to shine."  Also, in Ezekiel 32:7-8 we are told, "'When I put out your light, I will cover the heavens, and make its stars dark; I will cover the sun with a cloud, And the moon shall not give her light. All the bright lights of the heavens I will make dark over you, And bring darkness upon your land,' Says the Lord GOD."  And Amos declares, "'And it shall come to pass in that day,' says the Lord GOD, 'That I will make the sun go down at noon, And I will darken the earth in broad daylight.'"  Amos 8:9.

Now, as we see this fourth trumpet judgment sound and 1/3 of the sun is darkened, 1/3 of the moon and 1/3 of the stars, you would think it can't get any worse! Folks, it can and it will, there are three more trumpet blasts to come. Listen to what verse 13 says of these three trumpet blasts that are about to blow here in Revelation.

Revelation 8:13 KJV  And I beheld, and heard an angel flying through the midst of heaven, saying with a loud voice, Woe, woe, woe, to the inhabiters of the earth by reason of the other voices of the trumpet of the three angels, which are yet to sound!

Where's your home?

This world shouldn't be our home.

1 Peter 2:11-12 KJV Dearly beloved, I beseech you as strangers and pilgrims, abstain from fleshly lusts, which war against the soul; {12} Having your conversation honest among the Gentiles: that, whereas they speak against you as evildoers, they may by your good works, which they shall behold, glorify God in the day of visitation.

We ought to be living differently than the people in the world, we're only passing through.

Can people tell that you don't belong in this world? Can they tell by the clothes you wear? Can they tell by the way you speak? Can they tell by how you live?

We don't often like to talk about God's judgment. People like to joke about "fire and brimstone" preachers. But the truth is that we as men will be held accountable to the God who created us.

Heb 12:10-11 KJV For they verily for a few days chastened us after their own pleasure; but he for our profit, that we might be partakers of his holiness. {11} Now no chastening for the present seemeth to be joyous, but grievous: nevertheless afterward it yieldeth the peaceable fruit of righteousness unto them which are exercised thereby.

As I close, let me leave you with this to think about, especially in the days we are living in. In Zephaniah 2:3 we are told, "Seek the LORD, all you meek of the earth, Who have upheld His justice. Seek righteousness, seek humility. It may be that you will be hidden In the day of the LORD's anger."  If you don't know Jesus as your Lord and Savior, you need to ask Him today to forgive you of your sins and be Lord of your life. For, as Paul said, "Therefore, as the Holy Spirit says: 'Today, if you will hear His voice, Do not harden your hearts as in the rebellion, In the day of trial in the wilderness."   The Day of God's Judgment is coming!

Video with ASL also sound

He Could Have Called Ten Thousand Angels

He could have called 10,000 angels,
They bound the hands of Jesus
in the Garden where he prayed,
They led him through the streets in shame,

They spat upon the Savior,
so pure and free from sin,
They said, "Crucify Him,
He's to blame".

He could have called 10,000 angels,
to destroy the world, and set Him free.
He could have called 10,000 angels,
but He died alone, for you and me.

Upon his precious head
they placed a crown of thorns,
they laughed and said
"Behold the King."

They struck him
and they cursed him
and mocked his Holy name,
and all along he suffered everything.

He could have called 10,000 angels,
to destroy the world, and set Him free.
He could have called 10,000 angels,
but he died alone, for you and me.

Revelation 8:1-6 KJV  And when he had opened the seventh seal, there was silence in heaven about the space of half an hour.  (2)  And I saw the seven angels which stood before God; and to them were given seven trumpets.  (3)  And another angel came and stood at the altar, having a golden censer; and there was given unto him much incense, that he should offer it with the prayers of all saints upon the golden altar which was before the throne.  (4)  And the smoke of the incense, which came with the prayers of the saints, ascended up before God out of the angel's hand.  (5)  And the angel took the censer, and filled it with fire of the altar, and cast it into the earth: and there were voices, and thunderings, and lightnings, and an earthquake.  (6)  And the seven angels which had the seven trumpets prepared themselves to sound.

Heaven is filled with the praise and worship of God and then, all of a sudden everyone is quiet. There is no sound made for half an hour!

Zep 1:7 KJV Hold thy peace at the presence of the Lord GOD: for the day of the LORD is at hand: for the LORD hath prepared a sacrifice, he hath bid his guests.

Zec 2:13 KJV Be silent, O all flesh, before the LORD: for he is raised up out of his holy habitation.

Hab 2:20 KJV But the LORD is in his holy temple: let all the earth keep silence before him.

Here we see seven angels who stand in the presence of God and they were given seven trumpets. As these trumpets are sounded there will be judgments poured out, the first four dealing with the earth and the last 3 with man.

Now in the Old Testament we see trumpets that are used to call an assembly together, Numbers 10:2. To sound the alarm for war, Numbers 10:9. They were used for religious feasts, Numbers 10:10.  They were used to announce news, I Samuel 13:3.  They were used to announce a new king, I Kings 1:34, 39.  They were used in worship, I Chronicles 16:6, 42.  Also, trumpets will be used to announce the Day of the LORD, Zephaniah 1:14-16.  But in the New Testament, we see two primary uses for trumpets.  The first is to call the church home, we call that the Rapture of the church as the Lord takes His Bride home. And the second is the sounding of these trumpet judgments!

The altar of incense stood before the holy place in the temple.  It stood in front of the veil between the table of showbread on the right and the seven-branch oil-burning lamp on the left as you faced the veil.  And the incense was burned and offered to God before the first and after the last sacrifices of the day. To burn this incense the priest was to take the hot, fiery coals from the brazen altar, the place where the sacrifices were offered, and bring them to the holy place, to the altar of incense.

The altar of sacrifice was located outside of the holy place, and thus, the coals from this altar must first be appropriated by the priest and then taken to the altar of incense where they ignite the incense as a sweet smelling aroma before God.

Interestingly enough, in Psalm 141:2 we are told, "Let my prayer be set before You as incense, The lifting up of my hands as the evening sacrifice."  And so we see that the offering of incense relates to our prayers ascending to the throne of God, just as we are told here in Revelation chapter 8.

In reading this it almost seems as if God has ignored these prayers of the saints, placing them aside. Is that true?  Not at all, God has not ignored them it just was not the time for Him to act upon them.  What are these prayers that God is now acting upon?  It is as I have said, for Satan to be destroyed, for sin to be defeated, for righteousness to fill this land. In other words,  " . . . Our Father in heaven, Hallowed be Your name. Your kingdom come. Your will be done On earth as it is in heaven."  Matthew 6:9-10.  God is ready to act upon these prayers – and His kingdom will come!

The importance of proper prayer.

The Bible says:
1 John 5:14-15 KJV And this is the confidence that we have in him, that, if we ask any thing according to his will, he heareth us: {15} And if we know that he hear us, whatsoever we ask, we know that we have the petitions that we desired of him.

It's important that we ask according to God's will.

There can be "good prayers" and "bad prayers".

"Bad prayers" are when ask in our own selfish motives, and not according to God's will.

Bad prayers can have some bad results!

With King Uzziah, He decided he was going to break God's rules, and offer incense for himself (he wasn't in the New Testament yet, and he wasn't an ordained priest).

2Ch 26:19 But Uzziah, with a censer in his hand for burning incense, was enraged; and while he was enraged with the priests, the leprosy broke out on his forehead before the priests in the house of the LORD, beside the altar of incense.

Korah's rebellion:
Num 16:18 KJV And they took every man his censer, and put fire in them, and laid incense thereon, and stood in the door of the tabernacle of the congregation with Moses and Aaron.

God had the earth swallow them up alive, they were in rebellion against God and His ways.

If this makes you afraid to pray, that's the wrong response.

It ought to make you more serious and more careful when you pray.

Good prayers can have good results!

At the same time as Korah's rebellion, when a plague began to break out on the people,
Num 16:46-48 KJV And Moses said unto Aaron, Take a censer, and put fire therein from off the altar, and put on incense, and go quickly unto the congregation, and make an atonement for them: for there is wrath gone out from the LORD; the plague is begun. {47} And Aaron took as Moses commanded, and ran into the midst of the congregation; and, behold, the plague was begun among the people: and he put on incense, and made an atonement for the people. {48} And he stood between the dead and the living; and the plague was stayed.

What will you do with your "censer"?
Will you take your praying seriously?
Will you "stand in the gap"?

The angel takes a live coal from the altar of incense, and puts it in his censer, then casts it to the earth. When the angel casts fire from the altar of incense before God to the earth, it comes out as sounds, thunderings, lightnings, and an earthquake.

As we are going to see in these trumpet judgment blasts, heaven's half hour of silence is abruptly shattered with a firestorm of judgment that bursts upon this earth, God's judgment will resume!

 

There
is a misconception in the "normal" hearing world that the only people
who sign or use Closed Caption are are people who can't hear anything. That is not true. There are many people that are mildly or slightly deaf that also use CC and ASL.

I also hate talking on the phone. So I hate when the phone rings. I hate talking on the phone so much. Depending on the tone of the person talking it is almost impossible to understand them.

Types and causes of hearing impairment:

Conductive

Conductive hearing loss occurs when sound is not normally conducted through the outer or middle ear or both. Since sound can be picked up by a normally sensitive inner ear even if the ear canal, ear drum, and ear ossicles are not working, conductive hearing loss is often only mild and is never worse than a moderate impairment. Hearing thresholds will not rise above 55-60 dB from outer or middle ear problems alone. Generally, with pure conductive hearing loss, the quality of hearing (speech discrimination) is good, as long as the sound is amplified loud enough to be easily heard.

A conductive loss can be caused by any of the following: Ear canal obstruction Middle ear abnormalities: Tympanic membrane Ossicles Inner ear abnormalities: Superior canal dehiscence syndrome.

Sensorineural hearing loss

A sensorineural hearing loss is due to insensitivity of the inner ear, the cochlea, or to impairment of function in the auditory nervous system. It can be mild, moderate, severe, or profound, to the point of total deafness. This is classified as a disability under the ADA and if unable to work is eligible for disability payments.

The great majority of human sensorineural hearing loss is caused by abnormalities in the hair cells of the organ of Corti in the cochlea. There are also very unusual sensorineural hearing impairments that involve the VIIIth cranial nerve, the Vestibulocochlear nerve or the auditory portions of the brain. In the rarest of these sorts of hearing loss, only the auditory centers of the brain are affected. In this situation, central hearing loss, sounds may be heard at normal thresholds, but the quality of the sound perceived is so poor that speech can not be understood.

Most sensory hearing loss is due to poor hair cell function. The hair cells may be abnormal at birth, or damaged during the lifetime of an individual. There are both external causes of damage, like noise trauma and infection, and intrinsic abnormalities, like deafness genes.

Sensorineural hearing loss that results from abnormalities of the central auditory system in the brain is called Central Hearing Impairment. Since the auditory pathways cross back and forth on both sides of the brain, deafness from a central cause is unusual.

Long-term exposure to environmental noise

Populations of people living near airports or freeways are exposed to levels of noise typically in the 65 to 75 dB(A) range. If lifestyles include significant outdoor or open window conditions, these exposures over time can degrade hearing. The U.S. EPA and various states have set noise standards to protect people from these adverse health risks. The EPA has identified the level of 70 dB(A) for 24 hour exposure as the level necessary to protect the public from hearing loss and other disruptive effects from noise, such as sleep disturbance, stress-related problems, learning detriment, etc. (EPA, 1974).

Noise-Induced Hearing Loss (NIHL) typically is centered at 3000, 4000, or 6000 Hz. As noise damage progresses, damage starts affecting lower and higher frequencies. On an audiogram, the resulting configuration has a distinctive notch, sometimes referred to as a "noise notch." As aging and other effects contribute to higher frequency loss (6-8 kHz on an audiogram), this notch may be obscured and entirely disappear.

Louder sounds cause damage in a shorter period of time. Estimation of a "safe" duration of exposure is possible using an exchange rate of 3 dB. As 3 dB represents a doubling of intensity of sound, duration of exposure must be cut in half to maintain the same energy dose. For example, the "safe" daily exposure amount at 85 dB A, known as an exposure action value, is 8 hours, while the "safe" exposure at 91 dB(A) is only 2 hours (National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, 1998). Note that for some people, sound may be damaging at even lower levels than 85 dB A. Exposures to other ototoxins (such as pesticides, some medications including chemotherapy, solvents, etc.) can lead to greater susceptibility to noise damage, as well as causing their own damage. This is called a synergistic interaction.

Some American health and safety agencies (such as OSHA and MSHA), use an exchange rate of 5 dB. While this exchange rate is simpler to use, it drastically underestimates the damage caused by very loud noise. For example, at 115 dB, a 3 dB exchange rate would limit exposure to about half a minute; the 5 dB exchange rate allows 15 minutes.

While OSHA, MSHA, and FRA provide guidelines to limit noise exposure on the job, there is essentially no regulation or enforcement of sound output for recreational sources and environments, such as sports arenas, musical venues, bars, etc. This lack of regulation resulted from the defunding of ONAC, the EPA's Office of Noise Abatement and Control, in the early 1980s. ONAC was established in 1972 by the Noise Control Act and charged with working to assess and reduce environmental noise. Although the Office still exists, it has not been assigned new funding.

Most people in the United States are unaware of the presence of environmental sound at damaging levels, or of the level at which sound becomes harmful. Common sources of damaging noise levels include car stereos, children's toys, transportation, crowds, lawn and maintenance equipment, power tools, gun use, and even hair dryers. Noise damage is cumulative; all sources of damage must be considered to assess risk. If one is exposed to loud sound (including music) at high levels or for extended durations (85 dB A or greater), then hearing impairment will occur. Sound levels increase with proximity; as the source is brought closer to the ear, the sound level increases. This is why music is more likely to cause damage at the same output when listened to through headphones, as the headphones are in closer proximity to the ear drum than a loudspeaker. With the invention of in-ear headphones, these dangers are increased.

Genetic

Hearing loss can be inherited. Both dominant gene and recessive genes exist which can cause mild to profound impairment. If a family has a dominant gene for deafness it will persist across generations because it will manifest itself in the offspring even if it is inherited from only one parent. If a family had genetic hearing impairment caused by a recessive gene it will not always be apparent as it will have to be passed onto offspring from both parents. Dominant and recessive hearing impairment can be syndromic or nonsyndromic. Recent gene mapping has identified dozens of nonsyndromic dominant (DFNA#) and recessive (DFNB#) forms of deafness.

    * The most common type of congenital hearing impairment in developed countries is DFNB1, also known as Connexin 26 deafness or GJB2-related deafness.
    * The most common dominant syndromic forms of hearing impairment include Stickler syndrome and Waardenburg syndrome.
    * The most common recessive syndromic forms of hearing impairment are Pendred syndrome, Large vestibular aqueduct syndrome and Usher syndrome.
    * The congenital defect microtia can cause full or partial deafness depending upon the severity of the deformity and whether or not certain parts of the inner or middle ear are corrected.

Disease or illness

Some diseases or illnesses can cause hearing loss.

Physical trauma

    * There can be damage either to the ear itself or to the brain centers that process the aural information conveyed by the ears.
    * People who sustain head injury are especially vulnerable to hearing loss or tinnitus, either temporary or permanent.
    * Exposure to very loud noise (90 Decibel|dB or more, such as jet engines at close range) can cause progressive hearing loss. Exposure to a single event of extremely loud noise (such as explosions) can also cause temporary or permanent hearing loss. A typical source of acoustic trauma is an excessively loud music concert.

The severity of hearing loss is measured by the degree of loudness, as measured in decibels, a sound must attain before being detected by an individual. Hearing loss may be ranked as mild, moderate, severe or profound. It is quite common for someone to have more than one degree of hearing loss (i.e. mild sloping to severe). The following list shows the rankings and their corresponding decibel ranges:

    * Mild:
          o for adults: between 25 and 40 dB
          o for children: between 20 and 40 dB
    * Moderate: between 41 and 55 dB
    * Moderately severe: between 56 and 70 dB
    * Severe: between 71 and 90 dB
    * Profound: 90 dB or greater

The Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (ADA), signed into law by President George W. Bush on July 26, 1990, is the law that gave official legal protections to deaf and hard of hearing people in employment, at places of public accommodation (such as movie theaters), public services (such as transportation), and telecommunications. Although the ADA granted rights, enforcing those protections has proven to be challenging. Deaf and hard of hearing people have had to go to court to demand their rights under the ADA.

Add your thoughts and comments

Revelation 7:9-12 KJV  After this I beheld, and, lo, a great multitude, which no man could number, of all nations, and kindreds, and people, and tongues, stood before the throne, and before the Lamb, clothed with white robes, and palms in their hands;  (10)  And cried with a loud voice, saying, Salvation to our God which sitteth upon the throne, and unto the Lamb.  (11)  And all the angels stood round about the throne, and about the elders and the four beasts, and fell before the throne on their faces, and worshipped God,  (12)  Saying, Amen: Blessing, and glory, and wisdom, and thanksgiving, and honour, and power, and might, be unto our God for ever and ever. Amen.

These multitude are gentiles saved as a result if the 144,000.

Once again we see heaven filled with the worship of God.  You see, if you really believe what you are singing about, then you will sing it loud and strong. You will sing it with feeling and emotion as we see here in heaven.

Revelation 7:13-14 KJV  And one of the elders answered, saying unto me, What are these which are arrayed in white robes? and whence came they?  (14)  And I said unto him, Sir, thou knowest. And he said to me, These are they which came out of great tribulation, and have washed their robes, and made them white in the blood of the Lamb.

This question isn't because the elder doesn't know.

This phrase "great tribulation" is the phrase used to describe that seven year period when God's judgment comes upon the earth.

And now we see this great multitude of people who have come "out of" this great tribulation.

This group of people are a unique group, a group of people saved after the Rapture, but before Jesus comes back.

How have they come "out" of the great tribulation? They have been martyred, dying for their faith.

During the tribulation period, people are going to be asked to make a choice - worship the antichrist and take his mark, or be put to death. (Rev.13:15-17)

Those who take the mark of the beast will face the wrath of God (Rev.14:9-12)

Are you ready to die for God? How's that for a great hypothetical question? What would you do if they put a gun to your head and told you to bow to the antichrist or die? What would you do if they told you to bow to the antichrist, or be laughed at by the rest of the guys at work? You can't say you'll die for the Lord if you don't already live for Him.

Revelation 7:15-17 KJV  Therefore are they before the throne of God, and serve him day and night in his temple: and he that sitteth on the throne shall dwell among them.  (16)  They shall hunger no more, neither thirst any more; neither shall the sun light on them, nor any heat.  (17)  For the Lamb which is in the midst of the throne shall feed them, and shall lead them unto living fountains of waters: and God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes.

These dear saints of God who suffered much affliction for their faith on the earth are now before God and serving Him. No longer will they hunger because the Bread of Life, Jesus Christ will meet their needs.  No longer will they thirst because the Fountain of Living Water, Jesus Christ will satisfy their needs. No longer will they face any physical affliction because the strong tower, Jesus will watch over them and protect them, they can find shelter under His wings.  You see, those days are over and now they are in the presence of the Lord!  It is as David said in Psalm 27:4, "One thing I have desired of the LORD, That will I seek: That I may dwell in the house of the LORD All the days of my life, To behold the beauty of the LORD, And to inquire in His temple."  That is truly the ultimate; it doesn't get any better than that!

When we get to heaven will we be sorrowful, sad, shed tears over the wasted opportunities we had in this life?  Absolutely not!  Yes, we might not receive the rewards that we could have, but John tells us that God will wipe away every tear! What about all the pain and suffering we endured in this life, will that affect us in heaven?  Think of these Tribulation Saints and John tells us that God will take away those tears from them, the past pain, hurts will be gone.

Open your heart to Jesus now and you will be saved. Right now is what is called "the acceptable year of the Lord." The hard way is waiting until the tribulation. That will cost you your life. If you can't do it now, how will you do it then? Can I give you advice? Do it now.

Now is the time. What is keeping you from the Lord? Nothing is better then the Lord.

Come to Him now. Please.

Just as I am, without one plea,
But that Thy blood was shed for me,
And that Thou bidst me come to Thee,
O Lamb of God, I come, I come.

Just as I am, and waiting not
To rid my soul of one dark blot,
To Thee whose blood can cleanse each spot,
O Lamb of God, I come, I come.

Just as I am, though tossed about
With many a conflict, many a doubt,
Fightings and fears within, without,
O Lamb of God, I come, I come.

Just as I am, poor, wretched, blind;
Sight, riches, healing of the mind,
Yea, all I need in Thee to find,
O Lamb of God, I come, I come.

Just as I am, Thou wilt receive,
Wilt welcome, pardon, cleanse, relieve;
Because Thy promise I believe,
O Lamb of God, I come, I come.

Just as I am, Thy love unknown
Hath broken every barrier down;
Now, to be Thine, yea, Thine alone,
O Lamb of God, I come, I come.

Just as I am, of that free love
The breadth, length, depth, and height to prove,
Here for a season, then above,
O Lamb of God, I come, I come!

This is a video supporting To Write Love On Her Arms, a nonprofit organization that seeks to help people, especially teens, suffering from addiction, depression, and self-injury. If you have depression, have an addiction, or you self-injure, GET HELP. The most important thing to remember is YOU ARE NOT ALONE. There are people out there suffering with the same problems you have. There's no reason to suffer in silence. Help spread the knowledge about self-injury; if it's not such a taboo subject, more people will be able to find the help they need. Visit www.twloha.com for more information.

We're now about to take a brief break from the seals, and won't pick up the seventh seal until chapter eight. This seems to be a pattern in the book, where six things happen, then there's a break, then the seventh happens. Chapter 7 forms a parenthetical section between the sixth seal judgment in Revelation chapter 6 and the seventh seal judgment in Revelation chapter 8.

Revelation 7:1 KJV  And 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.

4 angels  4 corners

Some look at this and say that the Bible is antiquated and pushing the idea of a flat earth.

Now if all Scripture is breathed from the mouth of God, don't you think the creator of the heavens and earth would know what He created, if it was round or flat?  Of course He would.

John did not believe the earth was flat!

How can I prove that?  Simple, let the Word of God speak for itself and then you tell me if God knew the earth was round and for that matter, if those that read the Scriptures would also know this truth when the rest of the world at that time did believe some bizarre concepts about the earth.  In Proverbs 8:27 we are told, "When He prepared the heavens, I was there, When He drew a circle on the face of the deep."  And in Isaiah 40:22 we are told, "It is He who sits above the circle of the earth, And its inhabitants are like grasshoppers, Who stretches out the heavens like a curtain, And spreads them out like a tent to dwell in."  The shape of the earth is a sphere, it is round, not flat and God not only told us, but He should know, He created it!

If that is true, and it is, then what does John mean when he speaks of the four corners of the earth?  He is speaking of the entire earth from north to south and east to west. You may remember several years back the Marines had a slogan that stated, "Our Marines are stationed on the four corners of the earth."  Obviously they did not believe that the earth was flat, but they were saying that the Marines are on duty all over this world.

These angels are asked to keep the winds quiet while a special operation takes place, the sealing of the 144,000.

Revelation 7:2-3 KJV  And 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,  (3)  Saying, Hurt not the earth, neither the sea, nor the trees, till we have sealed the servants of our God in their foreheads.

Seal - sphragis - a seal; the seal placed upon books; a signet ring; the inscription or impression made by a seal.

From "Living Water" (Chuck Smith, pg.72)
In the days of Paul, the city of Ephesus was one of the major seaports of Asia. Most of the goods coming from the east to be sold in the west came through the port of Ephesus. It was the merchandising center of the world. Great caravans would come from the east bringing their wares. Merchants from Rome would gather in Ephesus to purchase these articles and pack them for shipping to Puteoli, the great port city of Rome. From there they would be distributed throughout the empire. The goods would be stamped with a wax seal and then imprinted with a signet ring bearing a unique mark of ownership. Then the cargo would be loaded on the ships and sent to Rome.

When the merchandise arrive at Puteoli, servants of the merchantmen used the seals to identify their master's goods as they were unloaded. The seal was the mark of ownership.

In contrast, there will be another form of "seal" in the time of the tribulation. It is another "mark" of ownership:

There will be a "false prophet" who will cause another mark -
Revelation 13:16-18 KJV And he causeth all, both small and great, rich and poor, free and bond, to receive a mark in their right hand, or in their foreheads: {17} And that no man might buy or sell, save he that had the mark, or the name of the beast, or the number of his name. {18} Here is wisdom. Let him that hath understanding count the number of the beast: for it is the number of a man; and his number is Six hundred threescore and six.

mark - charagma - a stamp, an imprinted mark

Satan is a counterfeiter and thus, as God seals His people Satan comes along with one of those rub on marks, a counterfeit and his mark is not one of protection but bondage, persecution, destruction and it will identify the person with the Antichrist! Satan loves to copy the good things of God such as the Holy Trinity: God the Father, God the Son and God the Holy Spirit – one God manifested in three distinct persons.  And along comes Satan with his unholy or satanic trinity: Satan, the Antichrist and the false prophet! Don't be fooled by his lies. Jesus said in John 10:10, "The thief does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy. I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly."

Revelation 7:4 KJV  And I heard the number of them which were sealed: and there were sealed an hundred and forty and four thousand of all the tribes of the children of Israel.

Now, who are these 144,000 saints of God that are sealed during the Tribulation Period?  We are told that those who were sealed come from the tribes of Israel.  But, many take that symbolically or they say that Israel has forfeited the promises of God because they have rejected Jesus Christ as their Messiah, and now the Church is Israel! There is no such Scriptural support for that, none at all!  You will never find the Scriptures referring to the Church being Israel.

There are many more who claim to be these 144,000 that are sealed by God. The Jehovah Witnesses claim to be the 144,000 and it worked perfectly for them until their numbers exceeded that number.  Their solution to this problem is that the 144,000 are sealed and in heaven already and the remaining Jehovah Witnesses will spend all their days on the earth!  Deal or no deal?  No deal for me, it doesn't sound too good and more importantly it is not Scriptural.  Heaven is not filled with 144,000 saints, but an innumerable number of saints from every walk of life, every background! You see, the 144,000 are ministering the Gospel during the Tribulation Period on the earth, not in Heaven!

The Late Herbert W. Armstrong and his Worldwide Church of God also believed (they have stepped away from the belief) they were the 144,000. Now you have to love his plan, it sounds like prosperity teachers today. If you would give double or triple tithes, you had a good chance of making into that inner circle of 144,000!  They are not the 144,000 no matter how much money they give!

Interestingly enough historical Mormonism claims to be the 144,000, I guess because they claim to have Jewish roots, but they don't!  There is no evidence for what they believe, what they teach, the book of Mormon is a joke, it is a fairy tale and they are not the 144,000!

Then there is Ellen G. White who was the founder of the Seventh Day Adventist who believe that they are the 144,00 that are sealed by God. And there are many others who make this claim to be the 144,000 sealed saints of God but there is only one group that are truly this group, there is only one group this can be!

There are many mainline Christian churches today who try to identify these 144,000 as the church, instead of Israel. The problem with all these people who want to be part of the 144,000 is, which tribe are they from? The Scripture is being VERY SPECIFIC here, that these are Jews, they are even from specific tribes. If a Jehovah's witness wants to claim to be part of the 144,000, ask him which tribe he's from.

They will be preaching the gospel during the Tribulation.

Revelation 7:5-8 KJV  Of the tribe of Juda were sealed twelve thousand. Of the tribe of Reuben were sealed twelve thousand. Of the tribe of Gad were sealed twelve thousand.  (6)  Of the tribe of Aser were sealed twelve thousand. Of the tribe of Nepthalim were sealed twelve thousand. Of the tribe of Manasses were sealed twelve thousand.  (7)  Of the tribe of Simeon were sealed twelve thousand. Of the tribe of Levi were sealed twelve thousand. Of the tribe of Issachar were sealed twelve thousand.  (8)  Of the tribe of Zabulon were sealed twelve thousand. Of the tribe of Joseph were sealed twelve thousand. Of the tribe of Benjamin were sealed twelve thousand.

Some have a problem with this list because it is different with the listing of the tribes of Israel in the Old Testament. Folks, there is no standard way to list the twelve tribes of Israel. In fact, in the Old Testament there is at least nineteen different ways to list them.  Sometimes they follow the order of birth – Genesis 29:32-35:18.  Other times they follow the order of Jacob blessing them – Genesis 49:3-27.  Then there is the order of their encampment – Numbers 2:3-31. There is the order of the census before the invasion of Canaan – Numbers 26:4-51. There is the order of blessing and cursing – Deuteronomy 27:12-13. There is the order of Moses' blessing – Deuteronomy 33:6-25.  There is the order of "the princes" – Numbers 1:5-15.  There is the order of inheritance – Joshua 13:7-22:34.  There is the order by the wives and concubines – I Chronicles 2-8. And there is the order of the gates of the city – Ezekiel 48:31-34.  So there is not just one way to list the twelve tribes of Israel, it depends on what is being described and what God is trying to say through the listing.

The tribe of Dan is missing....Why?

In Deuteronomy 29:18-21 God said that He would separate those who go into idolatry from the rest of the tribes of Israel. In Judges 18:30 we see that Dan is the first tribe to go into idolatry as they entered the land of Canaan and they lead the other nations into idolatry.  That is the reason I believe that the tribe of Dan is not sealed with the other tribes here in Revelation chapter 7, they brought idolatry into the land.

May God bless and Guide you today

Questions are a great way to
witness to Mormons. Most cultists will turn you off if you begin to preach
to them, however, asking questions gives them hope that you are
genuinely interested in learning more about their religion. It also is a
great way to get them thinking about things they may have never thought
about and researching into the false teachings of their church. Questions are
great seed-planters that the Holy Spirit can make grow in their hearts and
minds and, ultimately, lead them to Christ. They are also great conversation
starters. The questions below are grouped into 4 different categories.

 

Mormon
Prophets 

1.    Why
does the Mormon Church still teach that Joseph Smith was a true prophet of
God after he made a false prophecy about a temple being built in Missouri in
his generation (Doctrine and Covenants 84:1-5)? 

2.   Since
the time when Brigham Young taught that both the moon and the sun were
inhabited by people, has the Mormon Church ever found scientific evidence of
that to be true (Journal of Discourses, 1870, v.13, p.271)?   

3.   Why
did Brigham Young teach that Adam is “our Father and our God” when both the
Bible and the Book of Mormon (Mormon 9:12) say that Adam is a creation of
God (Journal of Discourses, Apr. 9, 1852, vol.1, p.50)? 

4.   If
Brigham Young was a true prophet, how come one of your later prophets
overturned his declaration which stated that the black man could
never hold the priesthood in the LDS Church
until after the resurrection of all
other races (Journal of
Discourses, Dec. 12, 1854, 2:142-143)?

5.   Since
the Bible’s test to determine whether someone is a true prophet of God is 100%
accuracy in all his prophecies (Deuteronomy 18:20-22), has the LDS Church
ever reconsidered its teaching that Joseph Smith and Brigham Young were true
prophets? 

6.   Since
the current LDS prophets sometimes contradict the former ones, how do you
decide which one is correct? 

7.   Since
there are several different contradictory accounts of Joseph Smith’s first
vision, how did the LDS Church choose the correct one? 

8.   Can
you show me in the Bible the LDS teaching that we must all stand before
Joseph Smith on the Day of Judgment? 
 

Mormon
Scripture 

9.   Can
you show me archeological and historical proof from non-Mormon sources
that prove that the peoples and places named in the Book of Mormon are
true? 

10. 
If the words “familiar spirit” in Isaiah
29:4 refer to the Book of Mormon, why do familiar spirits always refer to
occult practices such as channeling and necromancy everywhere else in the
Old Testament? 

11. 
Why did Joseph Smith condone polygamy as
an ordinance from God (Doctrine and Covenants 132) when the Book of Mormon had already condemned the
practice (Jacob 1:15, 2:24)? 

12. 
Why were the words “white and delightsome”
in 2 Nephi 30:6 changed to “pure and delightsome” right on the heels of the
Civil Rights campaign for blacks? 

13. 
If God is an exalted man with a body of
flesh and bones, why does Alma 18:26-28 and John 4:24 say that God is a
spirit? 

14. 
Why did God encourage Abraham & Sarah to
lie in Abraham 2:24? Isn’t lying a sin according to the 10 commandments? Why
did God tell Abraham and Sarah to lie when 2 Nephi 9:34 condemns liars to
hell? 

15. 
Why does the Book of Mormon state that
Jesus was born in Jerusalem (Alma 7:10) when history and the Bible state that he was
born outside of Jerusalem, in Bethlehem? 

16. 
If the Book of Mormon is the most correct
of any book on earth, as Joseph Smith said, why does it contain over 4000
changes from the original 1830 edition? 

17. 
If the Book of Mormon contains the
“fulness of the everlasting gospel”, why does the LDS Church need
additional works? 

18. 
If the Book of Mormon contains the
“fulness of the everlasting gospel”, why doesn’t it say anything about so
many important teachings such as eternal progression, celestial marriage,
the Word of Wisdom, the plurality of Gods, the pre-existence of man, our
mother in heaven, baptism for the dead, etc? 

19. 
Why do you baptize for the dead when both
Mosiah 3:25 and the Bible state that there is no chance of salvation after
death? 

20. 
Since the word grace means a free gift
that can’t be earned, why does the Book of Mormon state “for we know that it
is by grace that we are saved, after all we can do” (2 Nephi 25:23)? 

21. 
Does the LDS Church still regard the Pearl
of Great Price as Holy Scripture even after several prominent Egyptologists
proved it was an ancient funeral scroll? 

22. 
Why does the Book of Abraham, chapters 4 &
5, contradict Alma 11 in stating that there is more than one God?  

23. 
Why does Doctrine and Covenants 42:18 say
there is no forgiveness for a murderer when 3 Nephi 30:2 says there is
forgiveness for him? 

24. 
If the Adam-God doctrine isn’t true, how
come Doctrine and Covenants 27:11 calls Adam the Ancient of Days which is
clearly a title for God in Daniel chapter 7? 

25. 
Why does the Book of Mormon contain
extensive, word-for-word quotes from the Bible if the LDS Church is correct
in teaching that the Bible has been corrupted? 

26. 
Why do the Bible verses quoted in the Book
of Mormon contain the italicized words from the King James Version that were
added into the KJV text by the translators in the 16^th and 17^th
centuries? 

27. 
If the Book of Mormon was engraved on gold
plates thousands of years ago, why does it read in perfect 1611 King James
Version English?
 

Bible
Questions 

28. 
If marriage is essential to achieve
exaltation, why did Paul say that it is good for a man not to marry (1
Corinthians 7:1)? 

29. 
Since the Word of Wisdom teaches us to
abstain from alcohol, why did Paul encourage Timothy to drink wine for his
stomach (1 Timothy 5:23)? 

30. 
If obeying the Word of Wisdom - which
tells us to abstain from caffeine, alcohol and tobacco - is important for
our exaltation, why did Jesus say that there is nothing that can enter a man
to make him defiled (Mark 7:15)? 

31. 
If Jesus is the Jehovah of the Old
Testament and Elohim is referred to as God in the Old Testament, can you
explain Deuteronomy 6:4 to me: “Hear, O Israel: the LORD (Jehovah) our God
(Elohim) is one LORD (Jehovah)? 

32. 
Why does the Mormon Church teach that we
can be married in heaven when Jesus said in Matthew 22:30 that in the
resurrection men neither marry, nor are they given in marriage? 

33. 
How can worthy Mormon males become Gods in
the afterlife when God already said that before him no God was formed, nor
will there be any Gods formed after him (Isaiah 43:10)? 

34. 
If God had a father who was a God, how
come Isaiah 44:8 says that he doesn’t know him? 

35. 
If God was once just a man who progressed
to becoming a God, how do you explain Psalm 90:2: “…even from everlasting
to everlasting, thou art God”? 

36. 
How can God be an exalted man when Numbers
23:19 says that God is not a man? 

37. 
Why does the Mormon Church teach that
Elohim had sexual relations with Mary to produce Jesus when both Matthew and
Luke teach she was a virgin (The Seer, January, 1853, p.158)? 

38. 
Why does the LDS Church teach that Jesus
paid for our sins in the garden of Gethsemane when 1 Peter 2:24 says it was
on the cross?  

39. 
Why did Bruce McConkie write that a man
may commit a sin so grievous that it will place him beyond the atoning blood
of Christ (Mormon Doctrine, 1979, p.93) when the Bible says that the blood
of Christ cleanses us from all sin (1 John 1:7)? 

40. 
Why does the LDS Church teach that man
first existed as spirits in heaven when 1 Corinthians 15:46 says that the
physical body comes before the spiritual? 

41. 
Since Jesus statement, “Be ye therefore
perfect” (Matthew 5:48) is in the present tense, are you perfect right now?
Do you expect to be perfect soon? According to Hebrews 10:14, how are we
made perfect? 

42. 
Why do Mormons say the sticks in Ezekiel
37 represent the Bible and the Book of Mormon when Ezekiel 37:20-22 tells us
that the sticks represent two nations, not two books?  

43. 
Why does the LDS Church teach that Jesus
and Lucifer are spirit brothers when both the first chapter of John and
Colossians teach that Jesus is the Creator of all things, including
Lucifer? 

44. 
Why do worthy Mormon males hold the
Aaronic priesthood since Hebrews 7:11-12 clearly teaches that it was changed
and superceded by something better? 

45. 
If your leaders are correct about the
complete falling away of the true church on earth, was Jesus in error when
he said that the gates of hell would not prevail against it (Matthew 16:18)?
 

General 

46. 
If having a physical body is necessary to
become a god, how did Jesus become a god before he had a body?  

47. 
Do you think the LDS Church will
reconsider its teachings that the American Indians are descendants of the
Jewish race now that DNA evidence has proven that they are actually
descendants of the Asian race? 

48. 
If polygamy was officially re-instituted
by the Mormon Church, how would your wife feel about you taking another
woman? 

49. 
Since the LDS Church teaches that there
was a complete apostasy of the true church on earth, does that mean that the
3 living Nephites and the Apostle John went into apostasy also? 

50. 
Why are Mormon Temple ceremonies secret to
the public when the Old Testament temple ceremonies were open to public
knowledge?

http://towertotruth.net/Mormon/witnessing/pf_50_questions.htm

Resurrection of Jesus 

1. If Jesus was resurrected as an invisible spirit, like the Watchtower teaches, why did Jesus say he was going to raise his physical body from the dead (John 2:19-22)?
    

2. If Jesus, the man, ceased to exist at his death and was raised from the dead as Michael the Archangel, why did Michael deceive the apostles into believing that they were witnessing Jesus in a resurrected physical body (Luke 24:39)?
    

3. If Jesus is now living in heaven as an invisible spirit creature, like the Watchtower teaches, why did Paul write many years after the ascension of Christ that he is dwelling in heaven in a physical body (Colossians 2:9)? Note: The Greek word, somatikos, means physical, tangible body.
    

4. If Jesus is now Michael the Archangel, why does 1 Timothy 2:5 say that the mediator between God and men is the man, Christ Jesus, and not the spirit, Michael the Archangel?
    

5. Can you show me a verse in the bible that clearly says Jesus is the Archangel Michael? How can Jesus be Michael since Hebrews chapter 1 stresses the superiority of Jesus over the angels and that all the angels worship him? Why would Jehovah command that the entire angelic realm worship another angel? Note: The Watchtower bible changes the word worship, in Hebrews 1:6, to “do obeisance to”. However, see section below on the New World Translation.
    

The Watchtower Society 

6. Since the Watchtower was wrong in the past about many of its teachings and the light continues to get brighter (Proverbs 4:18), how do you know that the current teachings are correct and won’t change?
    

7. Why did the Watchtower magazine (Nov 15, 1981, p. 21) say to “come to Jehovah’s organization for salvation” when Jesus never directed us to an organization for salvation but to him?
    

8. When you joined the Jehovah’s Witnesses, did you read information for and against the Watchtower so you could make an educated and well rounded decision based on both points of view?
    

9. Has anyone become a Jehovah’s Witness after reading the bible alone without the aid of Watchtower material?
    

10. If I were to join the Jehovah’s Witnesses, would it be okay for me to do research into the Watchtower’s past by reading non-Watchtower material?
     

11. Since the Watchtower was in error many times in the past, are you obligated to believe that all the current teachings are God’s truth?
     

False Prophecies 

12. If Jesus’ invisible presence began in 1914, like the Watchtower teaches, why was the Watchtower teaching in 1929 that Jesus’ invisible presence began in 1874? How did they finally figure out that that teaching was false? Reference: Prophecy, 1929, p. 65.
     

13. Since the Watchtower claims to be God’s prophet (The Watchtower, April 1, 1972, p. 197) and have falsely predicted Armageddon to occur in 1914, 1918, 1925 and 1975, do you think they meet the criteria of Deuteronomy 18:20-22?
     

14. Can you show me in the bible where it says to give false prophets a second or third chance to get it right?
     

15. If the Watchtower really is Jehovah’s prophet, like they claim, can you show me anything they predicted that came to pass?
     

The New World Translation 

16. Why did Hebrews 1:6 in the 1970 version of the New World Translation say, “Let all God’s angels worship him” and not “do obeisance to him” like the new versions say?
     

17. Why does the New World Translation insert the word “other” four times into Colossians chapter 1 when it isn’t in the Greek manuscripts at all? Doesn’t this change the meaning of the text?
     

18. Why does the New World Translation place the comma in Luke 23:43 in a different location than it does every other time when Jesus says, “Truly I tell you”?
     

19. Can you show me a list of Greek scholars who approve of the New World Translation’s New Testament translation?
     

20. Can you show me a list of the people who were on the New World Translation Committee along with their credentials in the ancient Biblical languages?
     

The 144,000 

21. If the Watchtower’s teaching that the 144,000 were filled in 1935 is correct, can you explain how Jesus, his apostles and their immediate followers couldn’t get 144,000 converts in 1800 years, but the Watchtower got 6 million converts in 125 years?
     

22. Why does the Watchtower teach that only 144,000 people are born-again when 1 John 5:1 says that everyone who believes that Jesus is the Christ is born of God?
     

23. Why is there only one judgment period from God to test the endurance and worthiness of the 144,000 before they are guaranteed of eternal life, but the other sheep have to endure through this life, the 1000 year millennium plus pass an unknown final test before they are counted worthy of eternal life? Why is salvation so much easier for the 144,000?
     

24. If Abraham, Isaac and Jacob are not part of the 144,000 with a heavenly hope, why does Jesus say in Matthew 8:11 that they will be in the kingdom of heaven?
     

Identity of Jesus 

25. According to Jesus in John 17:3, how many true Gods are there? Would you say that whatever is not true is false? Doesn’t the New World Translation call Jesus “a god” in John 1:1? Since there is only one true God and all others must be false, is Jesus a true God or a false god?
     

26. If Jesus was God’s Master Worker in creation, why does Jehovah say, in Isaiah 44:24, that He created all things by Himself?
     

27. If Jesus is a created being, why does he get twice as much worship, in Revelation 5:12, as Jehovah gets in Revelation 4:11?
     

28. If Jehovah created Jesus, why does John 1:3 say that all things came into existence through Jesus and apart from him not even one thing was made? Doesn’t this place Jesus outside the realm of created things?
     

Miscellaneous 

29. If everlasting life comes by taking in knowledge (John 17:3), how long do I have to study with the Jehovah’s Witnesses to be assured that I have enough knowledge to live forever? 1 year? 5 years?
     
30.  If we pay for our personal sins when we die, like the Watchtower teaches, how will the great crowd who survive Armageddon pay for their sins since they will never die but go right on living into the millennium?

http://towertotruth.net/Articles/30_questions_jw.htm