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'The Lord's Day' - the Divine Purpose expressed in 8 Visions of Glory Introduction & 1st to 4th Visions INTRODUCTION: The phrase "the Lord's day" is found in Revelation 1v10, where we read that the Apostle John (cp v1) "was in the Spirit on the Lord's day". A better translation would read- "was in spirit in the Lord's day". The following extract from 'Eureka', an incomparable exposition of The Rev- elation (The Apocalypse) will assist our considerations: "He was "in spirit", and then he beheld, or was caused to see, what was invisible to men in their normal state. Hitherto he had seen nothing; but as soon as he came to be "in spirit", he beheld a vision, and continued "in spirit" so long as there was anything to be seen. When the vision dis- appeared, he was again as usual, and proceeded to write whatever might be communicated….Having ascertained what the apostle meant by "be- ing in spirit", the next consideration is, Where was he conveyed to? and then, What did he behold there? In regard to the first enquiry, he tells us, that being in spirit, he was in a certain day en te kuriake hemera. He was in the kuriake day. And what day, it may be asked, was that? Any one acquainted with the apostle's faith and hope, will be able to answer the question readily. He was in that day, which "Abraham rejoiced to see"—Jno. 8:56: the day that Paul said should not come until an apostacy had been fully matured, and had be- come ripe for destruction- 2 Thess. 2:3-8: "the day in which", Paul pro- claimed at Athens, "the Deity will judge the inhabited earth in righteous- ness in a man (en andri) whom he hath appointed, having offered assur- ance to all, having raised him from among the dead"- Acts 17:31. This was the great day, styled in Joel, "the great and terrible day of Yahweh" (ch. 2:31),and in Malachi, "the day* that shall come, burning like a furn- ace", in which "all the proud, yea, and all that do wickedly, shall be stu- bble; and the day that cometh, shall burn them up, saith Yahweh of arm- ies, that it shall leave them neither root nor branch. And ye that fear my name shall tread down the wicked; for they shall be ashes under the soles of your feet in the day that I shall work,saithYahweh of armies"-ch.4:1-3. (*-called "the great and dreadful day of the LORD" in Malachi 4:5). This was the day that Peter referred to on the day of Pentecost, when he quoted the words of Joel, and told his hearers, that "it shall be, every one who shall surname by the name of Yahweh, shall be delivered". John stood up with him in the same proclamation; and all the saints,enlighten- ed by their teaching, regarded it with great interest and expectation; and it was into this day that John, being in spirit, was conveyed in vision. What then, should such a day be called?- "this day Yahweh hath made" - Psalm 118:24? John calls it kuriake; but why? Because it is the day when"the Only Potentate" in the saints shall truly be lord over mankind- when those, represented by the symbolical Son of man in the midst of the Seven Lightstands,shall be the Sovereign Power of the earth to its utmost bounds. This power will be the Lord of all;and the word for lord in Greek is kurios,from which comes kuriake,pertaining to a lord. This word is only used in one other place in the New Testament, as in 1 Cor. 11:20, "this is not to eat kuriakon supper"; which is properly rendered "the Lord's su- pper". We may, therefore, with the same propriety, style the day, "the Lord's day" - John Thomas, 1861. The judgments ushering in this "day" occupy possibly fifty years. The work which is to be accomplished is vast. The prep- aration for this period is taken up with the resurrection, judg- ment, glorification, & organization of accepted saints.This may occupy some years, probably centred in the area around Sinai. The fifty years themselves may firstly include ten years for "Ar- mageddon" (the attack of the Russian/Catholic/European con- federacy against Israel, which will be ineffectually defended by some maritime powers, including USA, Britain, and Common- wealth nations) and associated judgments. It is at this critical time that the Lord Jesus Christ and His then glorified saints will intervene directly in the affairs of men.The inevitable result will be the destruction of human institutions, including all false sys- tems of religion, and the transference of all power to the Son of God and His co-inheritors of the earth.After another forty years the Divine rule will commence, and last for one thousand years. To put these events into the prophetical time-table link to where we consider this aspect in detail-'the time of the end'...'feasts'… 'will "Armageddon" take place in a Jewish Jubilee year?' So that we might the better appreciate and look forward in faith to this glorious time, let us consider the 8 Visions of Glory set forth in The Apocalypse. The visions reveal "the Lord's day" in 8 sequential stages. They demonstrate the result of events which take place from the time when John was given the Apocalypse- probably AD96- "things which must shortly come to pass..the time is at hand"- ch. 1v1,3;22v10. It is a glorious feature of these visions that each one is suited to the accompanying historical events. So the saints,in whatever age they lived, could be comfort- ed and encouraged by the Lord's special message to them. Regarding the above, John Thomas wrote- "The Apocalypse was given to the end that the servants of the Deity who are keeping their garments might be able to discern the signs of the times preceding the apocalypse of Christ; and the real nature of things extant in their several generations. No believer, understanding this prophecy, could be seduced into fellowship with the clerical institutions of the world; because he would see them in all their native deformity and sin". It is therefore absolutely imperative that any interpretation null- ifying such true understanding must be resisted by all means, including withdrawal of fellowship- link to 'apocalypse' 'The Lord's Day'- The Eight Visions of Glory NOTE– This is not meant to be an extensive exposition. We do not have the time at present to do this. But requests for more information are welcome. Our aim is to "write the vision, and make it plain upon tables, that he may run that readeth it" Habakkuk 2v2. Only you, the viewer, can judge whether these humble efforts have been successful. Each vision is followed by a continuous historical prophecy - the events of which form the basis for the relevant vision providing the consolation. Vision Reference Explanation of Prophecy 1 ch. 1v10-20 Resurrection (v10-"behind me a great voice, as of a trumpet", v12- "I turned to see") and Judgment (v17- "I fell at his feet") and Acceptance (v17- "he laid his right hand upon me, saying unto me, Fear not" -v18- "I..have the keys of hell (the grave) and of death"). Note Daniel 10, in which the same symbolism is employed. John (in vision, and when he has been accepted and immortalized, in reality) becomes part of the multitudinous "Son of man", v13-16. Follow this link to 'judge' for more on this subject.The rejected are sent away into the the"fire"which will be Catholic Europe when it is judged - see 4th Vision and compare ch.19v20 with Matthew 18v7-9;25v41. Historical ch.2 and 3: those who have heard and obeyed the messages through the spirit in the days of the 7 ecclesias (ch. 2 & 3 - rep. of all ages - link to 'messages')* cp ch.2v7,11,17,29; 3v13,22 - will hear words of comfort & acceptance ch.1v17,18. *also see 'seven ecclesias' concerning fellowship obligations 2 ch. 4 and 5 Thanksgiving for God's mercy- which is ex- pressed by the redeemed, symbolized by the "four beasts" and four and twenty elders". They have now been made immortal (4v8- the Most Holy state). This has been made possible by the "slain..lamb"(5v6), now revealed also as "the Lion of the tribe of Juda"(5v5). This relates to the Passover sacrifice-"Thou hast redeemed us to God by thy blood"- Who forever is "Christ our Passover..sacrificed for us"- 1st Corinthians 5v7-link to 'feasts'. This time at Sinai is preparatory to events which will ultimately result in "every creature" remaining after the judgments upon the nations becoming submissive to Christ and His saints (ch.5). Historical ch.6v1 to 7v8: the period covered is AD96-324. This was a time when the Gospel in its purity made great progress throughout the Roman Empire. But apostacy followed. The Empire suffered civil wars, famines, pestilences, & other evils. The apostate "church" came to state-sanctioned power, and began to institute persecution of believers remaining faithful. By trusting in the Sacrifice of Christ which condemned sin & made sure the promises to the fathers of Israel, believers would gain future deliverance & glory (link to 'sacrifice'). 3 ch. 7v9-17 Rejoicing and Preparation- follow in nat- ural sequence. Thus, a period of Tabernacles rejoicing is en- joyed by the redeemed- v9 "a great multitude..of all nations.. palms in their hands". Link here to 'feasts' or go via link bo- ttom of page. They then prepare to go forward on the work of subduing the nations- "the Lamb..shall lead them unto liv- ing fountains of waters" - both spiritual (ch.21v1) and natural (Ezekiel 47) at Zion- "for there Yahweh commanded the bless- ing, even life for evermore"- Psalm 133v3. Historical ch.8 and 9: the period covered is AD324-1453. False "Christianity" was now in power, because of its adop- tion by Constantine, who later added an Eastern capital, Cons- tantinople. God, in Christ, judged the Catholic nations of the west (Rome) through barbarian invasions, and the east (Con- stantinople) by the Saracens and the Turks. The period end- ed, as prophesied, in AD1453, when the Ottoman Turks took control of Constantinople. It is now called Istanbul. During this long period, the prayers of the believers for deliverance from those who persecuted them were answered by the judg- ments upon the "church-state" of west and east. The future would bring victory and rejoicing for faithful believers. 4 ch. 10 The March of the Rainbowed Angel The immortalized saints now prepare to im- plement the judgments of Almighty God upon an evil and heedless world, whose apostate and disgusting behaviour can no longer be tolerated. As we suggested above, possibly 50 years will pass from "Armageddon" to the establishment of the Kingdom of God. This may be sub-divided thus- 10 years for the destruction of the Russian/Catholic/European confederacy (which at this time is attacking Israel) at the battle of "Armageddon", ch.16v14,16, cp Ezekiel 38, 39, & associated judgments - including bringing Israelis in Egypt etc. back to the land...refer to 'Eureka' for details. After this another 10 year period follows, incorporating an ultimatum to the world to submit to the new Divine rulership of Christ and His saints or perish. The ultimatum is rejected by many, notably Catholic Europe. The judgments of God are poured out upon all rebels. The number '4' represents Divine authority and judgment - cp the judgment of "Jezebel" in the 4th message to Thyatira. All resistance is crushed - ch.11v15. The "stone..cut out of the mountain without hands then fill(s) the whole earth"- Daniel 2v24,35,44,45 cp Matt. 21v44,45. The "stone" is Jesus Christ, born of Mary by the power of God- link to 8th Vision- page 3 where we study in more detail the "chief corner stone". Rome's fate is sealed.. & a further 30 years of judgments then fulfil the prophetic "hour" of judgment- ch.18v10, 17, 19. See the following(5th)Vision. Judgments upon all rejecting Christ total 40 years- ch.14v20;Isa.11v10-16;Ezek.20v33-44;Mic.7v15. 50 years thus elapse from "Armageddon" to the Kingdom Age.. link to 'the time of the end'.. "seven thunders" come upon the (symbolic) "sea" and "earth"- i.e. a series of campaigns to es- tablish Divine rule throughout the world, beginning in the Middle East.These humble Israel's enemies & nominal friends. This may follow the pattern of David, who took Zion, brought back the ark, received the promise of the Kingdom, and then expanded his power in seven campaigns- cp 2nd Samuel 5 –10. John, who will participate in this great work, finds the visions of God's judgments "sweet as honey" because of their right- eousness and justice. However, there is also an associated bitt- erness when the implications are fully assimilated– v8-10. It will be useful to link to 2nd Timothy 2 for further exposition. The experience of John and the associated 'bitter(ness)' is accentuated by the information given in the next 3 chapters (11-13) that apostacy would arise from within the nominal believers, as Jesus and Paul had prophesied- Matthew 24v8- 13; Acts 20v26-32. This apostacy would become a "church- state" and persecute those remaining faithful to their calling. The "bitter(ness)" previously experienced by the redeemed is incorporated qualitively & quantitively into the judgments which they administer upon an evil world- cp Deuteronomy 32v24; 2nd Samuel 17v8 ("chafed in their minds"- mg. Heb.= "bitter of soul"). The measure of iniquity becomes the mea- sure of judgment- ch.18v1-8, 24. When this is accomplished, the redeemed justly rejoice-ch.18v20; 19v1-6. See also below. Those who may now be "in distress" & "bitter of soul", such as David & his friends in the cave Adullam, 1st Samuel 22v2 & the flight from Absalom & Athithophel, 2nd Samuel 17v8 - will rejoice with Jesus Christ in the day of Zion's redemption. Historical ch.11 to 13: the period covered is AD312-1870. The number 4 in Scripture represents Divine authority and organization. It is therefore appropriate* that the chapters following (11-13) trace the iniquitous history of the Catholic power which would become the head of false institutionalized religion in the earth during the dark ages shown above. Link to 'Bible'- 'satan' - 'apocalypse' - 'departure' re the growth of this iniquitous system as foretold in the Scriptures. During this period those remaining faithful, "the remnant of her seed, (i.e. "the seed of the woman", link to 'promises') which keep the commandments of God, and have the testimony of Jesus Christ"# found it necessary to "fly into the wilderness, into her place, where she is nourished.." from the power of the "church- state" apostacy which has at this time assumed political power. *for it demonstrates the terrible result of the rejection of that Divine authority..also cp the 4th Message to the ecclesias ch.2v18-29 where this is also highlighted- note the reward for those submitting to God in Christ v26-28..they will implement Divine rule over the earth. ..link also to 'messages' #cp ch.1v9;3v14;19v10 etc. and link to 'apocalypse'. The true seed & other dissenters were assisted by libertarians ("the earth")during the dark ages of persecution-ch.12v6,14-17. However, the apostacy was still allowed to generally persecute and destroy many who sealed their faith with their blood. It is a pleasing thought that these will no doubt take a leading and honourable part in unleashing the judgments of God against the dismembered corpse of Rome-cp ch.18 and 19. Future redemption will bring lasting "sweet(ness)" to the re- deemed as they administer the "bitter" judgments upon the apostacy and all the enemies of God in the day of retribution. return to home page-index go to feasts |