A mighty angel descending from heaven was robed in a cloud with a rainbow above his head, his face shone like the sun, and his legs were like fiery pillars. He held a little open scroll in his hand, which is the Book of Revelation itself. Planting his right foot on the sea and left foot on the land symbolizes he will execute judgment on two groups – the destroyers (represented by the sea) and the betrayers (the land). When the angel spoke with a voice like a lion’s roar, the voices of the seven thunders responded, which John was prevented from recording.

This vision previews John’s future role appointed by Jesus as the Promised Pastor to deliver judgment. The angel’s appearance combines attributes of God (the rainbow) and Jesus (the shining face), indicating he is the Advocate promised by Jesus to represent them both. Revelation 10:5-7 reveals the mystery of God’s plan being accomplished at the sounding of the seventh trumpet, which announces the salvation and kingdom of God.

In 10:8-11, John is commanded to take the open little scroll from the angel’s hand and eat it. It tasted sweet in his mouth but turned sour in his stomach, signifying the bittersweet experience of receiving the revelation he must now prophesy to peoples, nations, tongues and kings. This establishes John’s role as the Promised Pastor appointed to testify and deliver the open word of Revelation’s prophecies to the world.

 

Study Guide SCJ Bible Study

[Evangelist]

We have Services on Wednesday and Sunday because when we’re out in the world, we accumulate spiritual filth through contact with spiritually dead people. Although this is written in the Old Testament, according to Hebrews 10:1, the law is a shadow. This serves as an illustration of what we are to do in our time. Let’s make sure that we are washed.

For this class, we are only having wash day service on Sunday. We’re implementing this on a small scale to prepare you for the time when you pass over. Therefore, for now, we will only have wash day service on Sunday.

The flow of Sunday service is as follows:

1. Time of praise and worship
2. Silent prayer and meditation
3. A song
4. Representative prayer led by one of the evangelists

– During this time, the evangelist prays on our behalf

– Prayers for the service

– Prayers for the lesson

5. Another song
6. Welcome the speaker

[Instructor]

Happy Wash Day, everyone. Wash Day is a beautiful day at Mount Sinai.

When we spend time in the world throughout the week, we see and hear many things that are not of God. The more time we spend in the word, the more apparent the contrast becomes between worldly things and godly things. This difference makes us increasingly prefer and cherish our time with God.

That’s why we eagerly look forward to Wash Days at Mount Zion. I pray that these Sunday gatherings give you a glimpse of what it’s like, making you excited for the complete experience that awaits in the future.

Rev 10: The Book of Revelation from Heaven and the Promised Pastor

If you can remember the title, you’ve remembered the content of the lesson.

So two main things going over today, the book of Revelation from heaven and the promised pastor.

Revelation 10:1-4

Revelation 10:1-4 NIV84
Then I saw another mighty angel coming down from heaven. He was robed in a cloud, with a rainbow above his head; his face was like the sun, and his legs were like fiery pillars. [2] He was holding a little scroll, which lay open in his hand. He planted his right foot on the sea and his left foot on the land, [3] and he gave a loud shout like the roar of a lion. When he shouted, the voices of the seven thunders spoke. [4] And when the seven thunders spoke, I was about to write; but I heard a voice from heaven say, “Seal up what the seven thunders have said and do not write it down.”

Revelation Chapter 10 contains amazing things that many have been eagerly waiting to understand.

ONE – The Little Scroll

In this chapter, we first encounter a mighty angel holding a little scroll. This little scroll is identified as the Book of Revelation itself.

How can we be certain of this? The answer lies in Revelation 1:1-3, which shows us the divine communication chain:

– From God
– To Jesus
– To the angel
– To John
– Finally reaching many peoples, nations, languages, and kings

An important detail to note is that the little scroll is in an open state. This connects back to Revelation 5, where the scroll was initially given.

TWO – Lays Open: Rev 6, Rev 8:1

The little scroll mentioned in Revelation 6 was opened by Jesus himself. This is the same scroll that was both given to and opened by Jesus. 

The book of Revelation, though relatively small in comparison to the entire Bible, consists of 22 chapters and 404 verses. Despite its compact size, the book of Revelation carries significant impact.

 

Revelation is the Conclusion of God’s Work

The Book of Revelation serves as the conclusion of God’s entire work spanning 6,000 years. This makes it extraordinarily important, as it represents the culmination of everything God has been working towards since Genesis 4:1 – the completion and redemption of creation.

The significance of this book cannot be understated, as God, Jesus, and all of heaven regard it with utmost seriousness.

The scroll lies open in the angel’s hand because Jesus opens it. When Jesus opens the little scroll, it represents fulfillment – to open means to fulfill.

Jesus is the one who is fulfilling the book of Revelation.

New John serves as both a witness and testifier to Jesus’s works. This is why Shinchonji is referred to as the Church of Jesus, as Jesus himself established the mountain.

Jesus’s central role is demonstrated in multiple ways:

1. Jesus stands on Mount Zion
2. Jesus not only received the scroll but also opened it, and is fulfilling its contents
3. Jesus appointed the 7 stars
4. Jesus gave authority to the star Wormwood, granting the key to the shaft of the abyss that He held in Revelation 1
5. Jesus is orchestrating these events, preparing the stage for His return

The Mighty Angel, the Advocate

Let’s examine the description of this angel in Revelation 10:1, which presents some fascinating details:

“Then I saw another mighty angel coming down from heaven. He was robed in a cloud with a rainbow above his head and his face shown like the sun. His legs were like fiery pillars.”

This description should be familiar to us, as it contains recognizable attributes:

1. The rainbow surrounding the angel mirrors God’s appearance earlier in Revelation
2. The face shining like the sun reflects Jesus’s appearance previously described

This mighty angel’s distinctive appearance combining these divine characteristics serves a purpose – he is the advocate.

Jesus promised that an advocate would come, as written in John 14:26. This advocate is the spirit of truth who speaks on behalf of both God and Jesus.

Because the advocate represents them, he bears their likeness. This is why he was entrusted with the open scroll – the same scroll that was in Jesus’s hand and was opened by Him. Now this opened scroll lies in the advocate’s hand. There is more to understand about this, which will be discussed further.

THREE – Sea and Land

The angel’s positioning is significant – his right foot on the sea and his left foot on the land. 

The description of his feet as fiery pillars is intentional and meaningful. It is no coincidence that these fiery pillars are placed specifically on the sea and on the land.

In the Bible, fire represents the word, which has two functions:

1. It consumes
2. It judges

Therefore, his feet appearing as fiery pillars symbolizes the execution of judgment on two distinct groups of people who require judgment – groups that were previously separate but have now merged into one.

 

SEA: Destroyers (Babylon → SEC) Rev 21:1

The sea represents those who need to be judged – the destroyers. 

This is because the beast initially emerged from the sea, which is Babylon. In reality, this refers to the stewardship education center or the Christian stewardship training center (depending on how the Korean is translated).

These destroyers, who are symbolized by the sea, are the ones who must face judgment.

 

LAND: Betrayers (TT → First Heaven First Earth)

What about the land?

The land represents the betrayers – those who were once with God and Jesus in heaven but later betrayed them. These betrayers did not repent and are now being judged. This refers to the first heaven and first earth.

Revelation 21:1 NIV84

Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and there was no longer any sea.

In order to understand the context better, we see how the angel shows John this revelation.

FOUR – Opened Word Used to Judge Betrayers and Destroyers. [Fulfilled Rev 16:1-4]

Revelation 21:1 shows us the conclusion where the land and the sea will cease to exist. This can be understood as a teaser or trailer of what is to come.

New John is the one witnessing these visions. The purpose of someone receiving visions from heaven is to witness what must take place and to carry out what is shown.

The angel holds a little scroll in his hand, which serves one crucial purpose – to judge those who betray and destroy, who have not united as one. This open book contains the word of testimony.

 

The Judgement

The people mentioned in Revelation chapters two and three are betrayers, and those in Revelation chapters 8, 9, and 13 are destroyers. When people hear these words, it should create an earthquake-like effect in their hearts.

This is what judgment means – identifying who these people are. This parallels Jesus’s actions during His first coming. Before we learned about the open word, we only saw Jesus’s miracles and moral teachings superficially. We would say, “Wow, Jesus was a great guy” or “Thank you, Jesus,” without deeply understanding the purpose behind His actions.

Jesus understood the Old Testament prophecies He needed to fulfill and dedicated His entire life to this purpose. During His three-and-a-half-year ministry, Jesus focused intensely on fulfilling prophecy and speaking His testimony to identify those who needed judgment.

Just as Jesus did 2000 years ago, He judged the land. In Matthew chapter 11, regarding John the Baptist, Jesus asked, “Who did you go out to the desert to see?” He spoke of one swayed by the wind, saying that the least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he, and that he was the Elijah who was to come.

In Matthew 17, when His disciples asked why Elijah must come first, Jesus explained that Elijah had already come, but the destroyers did whatever they wished to him. Jesus then confronted the destroyers – the Pharisees and Sadducees – with harsh words:

“You brood of vipers”

“You whitewashed tombs”

“You make people twice as much a son of hell as you are”

“How will you escape being condemned to hell?”

“You hypocrites”

Jesus judged them with the fire of the word. Now, New John needs to do something very similar – to identify those who need to be judged and carry out what needs to take place.

FIVE – Promised Shepherd sees Heaven → Carries out on Earth

In every era, the Promised Pastor must see heaven in the spiritual world to fulfill what is in heaven on earth. 

The pattern shows that the shepherd needs to witness events in heaven above in order to implement them here on earth below. Throughout the Bible, there were three figures who exemplified this role:

1. Moses – in the Old Testament
2. Jesus – during the First Coming 
3. New John – during the Second Coming

Moises

Moses was the first person who fulfilled the pattern of “as in heaven, so on earth.” 

During the Exodus era, Moses was given the responsibility to replicate on earth what he saw in heaven. In Exodus, particularly starting from Exodus 25:8-9, God provided Moses with detailed instructions for the people. 

These instructions included:

– How to build God’s temple

– How to construct the altar

– Using specific materials like acacia wood covered in gold

– Following precise instructions for incense preparation

– Not allowing these sacred items for common use

These items were to be consecrated and set holy, specifically for temple use and God’s purposes only. God commanded Moses: “Do everything like the pattern I showed you on the mountain.”

The reason behind these specific instructions was that God wanted to come to a place that felt like home – a place He would recognize.

This is why Moses had to build everything exactly as he saw in heaven. As confirmed in Hebrews 8:3-5, they worshiped at a tabernacle that was a copy and a shadow of what was in heaven. It was crucial for the people to live according to what they saw.

 

Jesus

At the first coming of Jesus, He was the one who saw what was happening in heaven and had to fulfill it on earth. 

Jesus explained this relationship with the Father, saying that the Son does nothing without first seeing the Father do it, as the Son does what the Father does.

Following this pattern, Jesus carried out on earth what He saw in heaven, adhering to His Father’s words and instructions. This is reflected in John 14:23-24, where Jesus said, “If anyone loves me, he will obey my teaching. My father and I will love him and make our home with him.” He also emphasized that seeing Him was equivalent to seeing the Father.

Furthermore, in John 17:8, Jesus confirmed this divine connection by stating, “For I gave them the words that you gave me and they accepted them. They believed that I am the one that you sent.” This same logic applies to the time of the second coming.

 

New John

New John is the one who must see and build on earth as it is in heaven, as shown in Revelation 10 that we are learning now. 

In this process:

1. He sees and then does
2. He eats and then testifies

He must deliver both the word and the word of testimony together. The word involves explaining things, like wine, interpreting what different parables mean according to scripture. 

The word of testimony identifies:

– The person who was explained earlier

– The person who is like the beast

– The person who is the star that betrayed

– The person who is Wormwood

– The person who is like the prostitute

Both elements – the word (explanation) and the testimony (identification) – must go together.

 

The Word and The Testimony

We must understand that a beast represents a person who does not understand the word, as shown in Psalm 49:20 and Proverbs 30:1-5. Being able to explain this concept is essential.

The word of testimony would then identify the person referenced in Revelation 13 – this is the beast who appeared in that manner. Both elements must go together.

Throughout the Bible, the connection between the word and the testimony has always been an important linking concept. This is what John needs to be able to testify.

SIX – 7 Thunders: 7 Spirits

In Revelation 10:2-4, we read about a mighty angel holding a little scroll that lay open in his hand. He positioned himself with his right foot on the sea and left foot on the land. When he shouted with a voice like a lion’s roar, the seven thunders spoke. As John was about to write down what the seven thunders said, a voice from heaven commanded him to “seal up what the seven thunders have said and do not write it down.”

This mighty angel’s appearance was remarkable – clothed in a rainbow, his face shining like the sun, and his feet ablaze with fire. When he spoke, the seven thunders joined his voice.

These 7 thunders were not literal thunders, as they were speaking actual words. 

Who are these 7 thunders? They are the same seven spirits that appear before God’s throne, mentioned in:

1. Revelation 1:4
2. Revelation 4:5
3. Revelation 5:6

These 7 spirits speak like thunder and are constantly active throughout the book of Revelation. They appear in multiple places, moving swiftly like lightning, responding immediately when action is needed. When God speaks, they spring into action without delay.

This teaches us a lesson – when God speaks, we should respond with the same immediacy. We should be ready with the logistics and implementation, saying “Let’s go” and moving into action, just as the spirits of heaven work.

SEVEN – Not Write Down: New John is about to Eat it.

John was instructed not to write down what was being said. The reason behind this instruction becomes clear later in the chapter – he would receive the open scroll. What happens next? John eats the scroll.

The command for John to not document these sayings was because New John would later consume the scroll. This explains why he was told to seal up the messages rather than write them down – they would be given to him directly.

The logical flow of events remains intact: the instruction not to write → the reason (receiving the scroll) → the action (eating the scroll) → the explanation.

Revelation 10:5-7

Let’s read the next 2 verses of Revelation chapter 10. And let’s understand how we can say clearly and with confidence that New John is the promised pastor.

Revelation 10:5-7 NIV84

Then the angel I had seen standing on the sea and on the land raised his right hand to heaven. [6] And he swore by him who lives for ever and ever, who created the heavens and all that is in them, the earth and all that is in it, and the sea and all that is in it, and said, “There will be no more delay! [7] But in the days when the seventh angel is about to sound his trumpet, the mystery of God will be accomplished, just as he announced to his servants the prophets.”

The angel, who was positioned with one foot on the sea and one on the land, raised his right hand toward heaven and swore. This demonstrates that the spirits of heaven and God are not afraid to make oaths – not in terms of cursing or bad words, but in declaring their commitment to fulfill what they say they will do.

When heaven makes a promise, it is absolutely certain to happen. Although it may not unfold according to our expectations or assumptions, it will certainly occur as heaven intends.

The angel swore by the eternal living God, the Creator of:

– The heavens and everything within them

– The earth and all it contains

– The sea and everything in it

He declared 2 key points:

1. There will be no more delay
2. When the seventh angel is about to sound his trumpet, the mystery of God will be accomplished, exactly as He announced through His servants, the prophets

This raises the question: What is this announcement that must come to pass? What is it that will face no further delay?

ONE – Mystery of the 7th Trumpet: The Mystery of Salvation

The 7th trumpet is introduced, though it has not yet blown. This trumpet contains what is called a mystery – specifically, the mystery of God.

What mystery lies within this trumpet? It is the mystery of salvation that we are waiting for. But not just any salvation – this mystery specifically refers to eternal life and resurrection.

 

The Resurrection: 2 Different Salvations

These are things that believers in God have been waiting for over thousands of years. Even the Old Testament Israelite people were waiting for this mystery to be fulfilled.

In John chapter 11, there is a conversation between Jesus and Martha, Lazarus’s sister. Martha expressed to Jesus her belief that the resurrection would take place later. Jesus responded to her saying, “I am the resurrection and the life.” He was telling her that she was waiting for Him.

In John 11:24-26, Jesus reveals something profound to Martha. 

He speaks of 2 different resurrections or 2 different salvations:

1. Those who will be saved in the spirit, though they physically die – this applies to everyone from the time Jesus spoke until now.

2. A different group of people that will live and never die.

Jesus is talking about these two distinct groups of people. The mystery of God is wrapped up in this important distinction.

 

The 7th Trumpet on Mount Zion

Let’s look specifically at how Apostle Paul describes the mystery of God and what he says about it.

1 Corinthians 15:51-58 NIV84

Listen, I tell you a mystery: We will not all sleep, but we will all be changed— [52] in a flash, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, the dead will be raised imperishable, and we will be changed. [53] For the perishable must clothe itself with the imperishable, and the mortal with immortality. [54] When the perishable has been clothed with the imperishable, and the mortal with immortality, then the saying that is written will come true: “Death has been swallowed up in victory.” [55] “Where, O death, is your victory? Where, O death, is your sting?” [56] The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law. [57] But thanks be to God! He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. [58] Therefore, my dear brothers, stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain.

Paul expands on Jesus’ promise from John chapter 11, making a crucial statement in 1 Corinthians 15:50: “I declare to you, brothers, that flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God, nor does the perishable inherit the imperishable.”

Since flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God, it must undergo a change. Our flesh and blood in its current state only lives for a maximum of 120 years, which in God’s scale is merely a blink of an eye – like dust that blows away. Because this flesh cannot live forever, it must be changed. This change will occur when the 7th trumpet sounds.

What is a trumpet? A trumpet represents a person, as shown in Isaiah 58:1: “Sound it aloud. Do not hold back. Raise your voice like a trumpet. Declare to my people their sin and the house of Jacob their sins. Their rebellion and the house of Jacob their sins.”

The 7th trumpet that needs to sound is the person who will eat the scroll, as mentioned in Revelation 10:8-11. This person is New John. New John must testify about sin and rebellion, specifically about the events of betrayal, destruction, and salvation.

In Revelation 22:8, it states: “I, John, am the one who heard and saw these things.” And when John saw and heard them, it was time for him to be sent to the churches and speak.

Apostle Paul in 1 Corinthians 15 mentions that this trumpet is the last trumpet. It wasn’t until Revelation was written that we understood there would be seven trumpets in total, making the last trumpet the seventh trumpet. This 7th trumpet must blow from Mount Zion.

 

Death No More

When the 7th trumpet blows in Mount Zion, two announcements will be made. According to 1 Corinthians 15, eternal life will be given to both spirit and flesh. The flesh will undergo a transformation, becoming different from its current state.

This is something to look forward to – a time without physical ailments. No more waking up with back pains wondering, “What happened yesterday?” It will truly be a beautiful time.

Some might say, “Instructor Nate, I love the Bible and believe in the word, but really?” This skepticism exists because death has been the standard way of things for the past 6,000 years, though not forever.

Our entire world operates on a temporary reality – the YOLO (You Only Live Once) culture. People rush to do everything possible in their limited lifespan. Time flies, and everyone hurries to fit in as much life as possible before death. This mindset is why people take shortcuts, abuse others, wage wars, and fight for resources – all struggling to survive a bit longer.

Now imagine a world where people no longer worry about death. This world will be transformed, and these people will implement many positive changes.

The purpose of learning the word goes beyond gaining knowledge – it’s about finding hope. Rather than focusing on the current depressing state of the world, we should look forward to the time when heaven comes down, and we’ll be there to witness and participate in it.

This isn’t just about head knowledge, which you can get anywhere. We’re here for hope too.

For encouragement, let’s turn to Hebrews chapter 6. While we often say there’s nothing God cannot do, let’s examine something that God cannot do.

What is impossible for God to do? The answer is simple – it is impossible for God to lie. Therefore, when God makes a promise that we will be changed, we can be absolutely certain it will happen.

Similarly, when God promises there will be no more death, no more mourning, no more crying, and no more pain, we can trust with complete certainty that these promises will come to pass.

And I personally want to be there to witness it all.

 

Blows → Announces the Kingdom of God (Salvation)

Let your desire be focused on Mount Zion at this time. Mount Zion is where it will happen first, and we need to be there when the 7th trumpet will blow.

In Revelation 11:15, we will see the blowing of the trumpet. When it blows, it will announce the transformation – the kingdom of the world will become the kingdom of God.

This transformation occurs on 2 levels:

1. With each individual person
2. On a big scale, when Babylon ceases to exist

Salvation will come when people are no longer deceived by those who believe they have the truth but unfortunately do not.

The 7th trumpet must blow, but in Revelation 10:7, it is only introduced, not yet blowing. It is important to understand who the 7th trumpet is, because as this trumpet is about to blow, the mighty angel proceeds to the next action.

Revelation 10:8-11

We have frequently reviewed Revelation 10:8-11 in our classes because these verses are crucial for understanding:

1. The identity of New John
2. The mission that New John must fulfill

Now, we will analyze these verses in detail, examining them one by one. But first, let’s recall when this event occurred.

ONE – It took place in March 1980. 

In 1977, Jesus appeared to John, instructing him to send the letters, which he did in 1979. This was when the events of Revelation 10 occurred. 

During this revelation, Jesus showed John the mighty angel and the open scroll, which John then ate. This action was significant because John had a specific task ahead of him, as destruction was imminent.

To fully comprehend the meaning of taking the open scroll, we need to examine this concept in two contexts:

1. Through an example from the Old Testament
2. Through its appearance in the New Testament

This will help us understand its complete significance in this context.

TWO – Old Testament prophecy from Isaiah 29:9-13.

Physical Israel: Blind, Rules of Men

This is not new content – we have encountered it multiple times before. In Isaiah 29:9-13, we see a description of people who are told they are blind.

The passage speaks of a scroll that contains nothing but sealed words. When someone asks a person who can see to read it, they respond, “I cannot, because it is sealed.” When they ask someone who cannot read to read it, they reply, “I do not know how to read.”

We can understand the full meaning: Those who should be able to see cannot read because they have been blinded. 

This specifically refers to the leaders, the heads, and the seers – those who are supposed to see and understand but cannot.

The illiterate represent the congregation – the people who follow these leaders. They too are blind because their leaders are blind. 

To understand what God says about these people, we need to examine Isaiah 29, particularly the part that describes their hearts and what occurred during the time when the word was sealed to them.

Isaiah 29:9-13 NIV84

Be stunned and amazed, blind yourselves and be sightless; be drunk, but not from wine, stagger, but not from beer. [10] The Lord has brought over you a deep sleep: He has sealed your eyes (the prophets); he has covered your heads (the seers). [11] For you this whole vision is nothing but words sealed in a scroll. And if you give the scroll to someone who can read, and say to him, “Read this, please,” he will answer, “I can’t; it is sealed.” [12] Or if you give the scroll to someone who cannot read, and say, “Read this, please,” he will answer, “I don’t know how to read.” [13] The Lord says: “These people come near to me with their mouth and honor me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me. Their worship of me is made up only of rules taught by men.

People are spiritually blind, claiming to honor God but remaining far from Him. They have replaced God’s word with their own rules, traditions, laws, ecclesiastical authority, self-appointment, and commentaries – these are rules taught by men, not the word of God.

In Mark 7, Jesus rebuked the Pharisees about this very issue. When they questioned why Jesus and his disciples didn’t follow the traditional hand-washing before eating, Jesus responded by pointing out how they expertly replaced God’s word with their traditions.

Jesus was indeed a strong judge of these practices. He consistently confronted them, which ultimately led to his death – they grew weary of his constant criticism. Jesus needed to show people the distinction between the word of truth and the lies they had consumed throughout their lives.

Jesus possessed the open word, which was different from their teachings.

Looking at Ezekiel chapters 1-3, particularly the vision in chapter 1: Who is the prophet discussing? As in Acts 8:34, the prophet speaks not of himself but of someone else – Jesus.

When reading Ezekiel, we should understand we’re reading about Jesus, about the son of man. In Ezekiel 2:7, it states: “You must speak my words to them, whether they listen or fail to listen, for they are rebellious. But you, son of man…” This reference to “son of man” should be our first clue.

The text continues describing a scroll being presented: “Then I looked and saw a hand stretched out to me. In it was a scroll, which he unrolled before me. On both sides it was written words of lament, warning, and woe.” This parallels Revelation 10 – not coincidentally, as God’s pattern repeats.

In Ezekiel 3:1-3, Ezekiel is instructed to eat the scroll: “Son of man, eat what is before you. Eat this scroll, then go and speak to the house of Israel… Fill your stomach with it.” He ate it, and it tasted “as sweet as honey.”

These words were fulfilled by Jesus, the son of man (Matthew 11:27, 15:24, John 17:8), who came to testify to the rebellious house after receiving words from God: “I gave them the words that you gave me. And they accepted them.”

As stated, no one knows the Father except the Son, and no one knows the Son except the Father, and those to whom the Father reveals. Jesus came specifically for the lost sheep of Israel (Matthew 15:24), fulfilling the Old Testament open scroll prophecy.

This leads to the logic of the second coming.

THREE – New Testament Prophecy

In our current time, we can observe the condition of the religious world.

Looking at Revelation 18, which we will examine more thoroughly later, we learn about Babylon. Specifically, Revelation 18:2-4 reveals Babylon’s deplorable state.

Revelation 18:2-4 NIV84

With a mighty voice he shouted:

 “Fallen! Fallen is Babylon the Great! She has become a home for demons and a haunt for every evil spirit, a haunt for every unclean and detestable bird. [3] For all the nations have drunk the maddening wine of her adulteries. The kings of the earth committed adultery with her, and the merchants of the earth grew rich from her excessive luxuries.” [4] Then I heard another voice from heaven say: “Come out of her, my people, so that you will not share in her sins, so that you will not receive any of her plagues;

We can see Babylon here. Throughout this course, we have come to understand that Jesus’s field, which originally contained the good seed, now also contains the bad seed – the weeds growing in the same field. In our time, it has descended into becoming Babylon.

 

Sober and Alert

Spiritual Israel, physical Israel, along with peoples, nations, languages, and kings have transformed into Babylon. Instead of consuming the true wine from the true vine – the pure words of Jesus – they are drinking maddening wine that comes from Satan.

What is the effect of this maddening wine? It makes people spiritually drunk. This spiritual drunkenness is not beneficial; it is harmful.

When I was in Babylon, I would hear the phrase “drunk in the spirit.” Today, this phrase is terrifying because it represents the opposite of what we should be.

As Peter and Paul warned us, we need to be sober and alert. They cautioned: “Be sober and alert for your enemies prowling around like a roaring lion looking for who to devour.”

How can anyone be sober and alert while drunk? This is Satan’s strategy – it’s completely contrary to what we need. We cannot afford to be spiritually drunk. Instead, we must maintain sobriety and alertness, watching for Satan’s next move.

 

True Wine

In Revelation 6:6, there is a command “do not damage the oil and the wine.” This emphasizes our need for the true wine. 

In Revelation 10, John is instructed to eat a scroll. This experience is described in two parts: first, it would be “sweet as honey” in his mouth – representing the delightful moment of revelation when understanding comes. “Oh, my goodness! This word is delicious, this word is magnificent!” It’s that moment of realization when one sees God’s clever design and truly understands.

However, the scroll then becomes sour in his stomach, leading to the sobering question: “Am I the only one who knows this?” This contrast between the initial sweetness and subsequent sourness represents John’s responsibility to testify about what he has received.

 

New John Needs to Testity

He has to tell the world, and though many people will call him all kinds of things, it was sweet in his mouth because he understood. However, it became sour in his stomach when he truly comprehended the meaning.

No one else knows this, and it is his job to testify to them, even though people are going to persecute him heavily.

In the Bible, every prophet and righteous man had a similar reaction when they received the word from heaven. For example, in Exodus 4, Moses said to God, “I don’t know if I can do this,” suggesting someone else should go. This made God angry, who replied, “I’m sending a brother. Go. I need you to do this. You’re the one I’ve chosen.”

Similarly, Jonah ran the other way, getting on a boat to flee. Even Jesus said, “Lord, take this cup from me. But not my will, but your will be done.”

The case of Ezekiel also helps us understand the meaning of “sour in their stomach.”

Ezekiel 3:14-15 NIV84

The Spirit then lifted me up and took me away, and I went in bitterness and in the anger of my spirit, with the strong hand of the Lord upon me. [15] I came to the exiles who lived at Tel Abib near the Kebar River. And there, where they were living, I sat among them for seven days—overwhelmed.

From Ezekiel chapters 1 to 3, Ezekiel himself was overwhelmed by what he had witnessed. This is quite normal.

When we receive this open word, it is sweet in our mouth – we feel amazed at how wonderful this word is. However, it becomes sour in our stomach when we realize we are alone in understanding it. Some of us are the only ones in our families who know this. Others might be the only ones from their original churches, or even the only ones in their entire town or state. Though by God’s grace, this is changing rapidly.

Who will listen to these words that we now believe? When you multiply this feeling by 1,000, you begin to understand what New John experienced. This should give you more appreciation for what he had to overcome while preaching this open word, which we will continue to study. He endured much persecution, including physical persecution.

His mission was to:

1. Eat
2. Testify
3. Testify to many peoples, nations, languages, and kings

Where:

1. Peoples represents congregation members
2. Nations represents churches
3. Languages represents doctrines
4. Kings represents pastors

In Revelation, you might see these referred to as multitudes or tribes – all meaning the same thing. The churches that have fallen into sin must hear these words and come out, as stated in Revelation 18:4. They must come out and gather on Mount Zion, where all the tribes will be.

[Prayer about entering through the gate]

Amen. Let’s go. Let’s run. Let’s do it.

Studying for the Second Test

We will begin studying the second Revelation test. You will receive the link to that test today. We can start studying this test immediately.

Memorization

Review with the Evangelist

REVIEW

Title: Revelation 10 – Revelation from Heaven and the Promised Pastor

The book of Revelation originally started in God’s right hand and was sealed. It was then given to Jesus, who removed the seven seals as described in Revelation 6 and Revelation 8:1. Jesus then gave it to his mighty angel.

The mighty angel gave this open scroll to New John, the one who overcomes. New John’s task with the open scroll was to eat it. When he ate it, it tasted sweet in his mouth but became sour. He was then commanded to testify to many peoples, nations, languages, and kings.

This New John, the messenger appointed by Jesus, is the seventh trumpet. When the seventh trumpet blows, it announces salvation. This announces that the kingdom of the world becomes the kingdom of God. When this happens, there will be no more death, mourning, crying, and pain.

New John, appointed by Jesus as the messenger of Jesus and God, is the oil seller. We should be like the wise virgins who continue believing in this messenger. We need to buy the oil from the oil seller.

The lesson emphasizes the importance of continuing to believe not only in the messenger but in God and Jesus, as they appointed this person to give us food at the proper time.

TWO Guests Videos

The video began with an announcement of two guest speakers: Instructor Michel, who heads evangelism, and Instructor Suella. Evangelism was highlighted as one of the 7 basics of faith, with emphasis on becoming “fisher of men.”

Evangelism Team Presentation

The team introduced their message with “Chando Hashida” (meaning “Let’s evangelize”). They shared three main reasons for evangelizing:

1. To repay the grace received through someone else’s evangelism
2. As proof of connection to the tree of life and Jesus
3. Following Jesus’ example of evangelizing in the spiritual world

Evangelism Encouragement

The team emphasized:

– “Chando” (evangelizing) is both easy and fun

– “If I do it, it can be done”

– Focus on harvesting new creation

– Call to be fruitful

Let’s Us Discern