Great Red Dragon Series #6 - Part 198 of Riddles, Enigmas & Esoteric Imagery of Revelation

As we define the symbolism of Revelation chapter 12, we find the devil attempting to destroy Jesus and His apostles, but God intervened.  How did He intervene?  The woman was given two wings of a great eagle, that she might fly into the wilderness to her place, where she is nourished for a time and times, and half time from the presence of the serpent...verse 14.  In the previous blogs of this series we have defined the woman, wilderness, nourished, time, times & half a time.  But what does two wings of a great eagle symbolize?

This metaphorical language can be defined by looking into the book of Exodus, where God spoke to Moses with a metaphor of the same meaning -- scripture proving scripture.  You have seen what I did to the Egyptians, and how I bore you on eagles wings and brought you to Myself...now therefore, if you will indeed obey My voice and keep My covenant, then you shall be a special treasure to Me above all people; for all the earth is mine...and you shall be to Me a kingdom of priests and a holy nation...Ex. 19:4-6.

We have read in the book of Exodus how God miraculously delivered the Israelites out of Egyptian bondage, but nowhere in the story does it say that eagles swooped down, picked them up on their wings, and brought them to God on Mount Sinai.  Why?  Because eagles wings symbolize how God supernaturally and miraculously provided for their deliverance out of Egypt to a safe place of protection.  Remember -- God's message to us is locked in the symbolism.  Define the symbolism and the message is released for our understanding and application.

The apostles are given this same supernatural protection during their wilderness experience with Jesus, also symbolized by two wings of a great eagle.  While Jesus was reestablishing His spiritual kingdom of Heaven on the earth, preparing a holy nation of priests, Satan was not allowed to intervene or prevent this divine visitation, no matter how hard he tried, until God removed the restraints.  How do I know this?

So the serpent spewed water out of his mouth like a flood after the woman, that he might cause her to be carried away by the flood...but the earth opened its mouth and swallowed up the flood which the dragon had spewed out of his mouth...Rev. 12:15-16.

The dragon and the serpent symbolize Satan.  Satan is spewing water out of his mouth attempting to carry the woman away in the flood.  In other words -- she must die!  What does water symbolize?  Since it is coming out of his mouth, water symbolizes words -- speech.  Satan is prevented by God from touching Jesus & His apostles during this important time of instruction, so he sets off on a disinformation campaign against them.  Lies of disinformation will be focused like a laser against the followers of Jesus Christ & His divinity.

Satan, the father of lies, sowed confusion and unrest in the general population through the Pharisees & Sadducees who vehemently denied that Jesus actually was the promised Messiah.  And, Satan has not stopped his disinformation campaign, which is raging boldly in the 21st century.  He thought if he could just kill Jesus, his troubles would be over and he would continue to reign as king over human beings, as he had done for centuries.

The earth (that swallowed the water) symbolizes a place where things are hidden.  The flood of disinformation and lies are spewed out against Jesus and His apostles as they ministered publicly, but the intended target of those lies - the ignorant populous - will not be affected.   Earth swallowed up the water demonstrates God's divine protection during the 1260 days of ministry that would establish the Kingdom of Heaven on the earth.  Those who have ears to hear will hear the message of salvation provided by the Messiah.

This particular portion of Revelation has been completely fulfilled -- Satan was defeated in his attempt to stop the message.  But...the dragon was enraged with the woman, and he went to make war with the rest of her offspring, who keep the commandments of God and have the testimony of Jesus Christ.  Over the centuries, after Jesus Christ rose from the dead, Satan with furious rage has gone after anyone who dares to follow Christ, creating chaos in their lives.  They are his main target, since he already has the world in his kingdom.

This is why Jesus warned us...in the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world...John 16:33.  In other words, your arch enemy Satan, will throw every discouragement he can think up against you, but hold tightly to your trust in Jesus, and He will supply you help from His invisible spiritual realm -- you will overcome!

Jesus said...every kingdom divided against itself is brought to desolation, and every city or house divided against itself will not stand...Matt. 12:25.  Since Satan is spirit and dwells in the invisible realm, how does he divide and conquer?

Our modern society, worldwide, demonstrates clearly what Jesus said in this text - division is everywhere.  Where is there any unity?  Can you find any?  Through envy, jealousy, and strife Satan pits human beings, one against the other, until they are enraged, and become inflexible and unforgiving.  If we do not stop this insanity and defiance against the admonition of Jesus, we will be brought to desolation -- His words are immutable.  Do we no longer fear God?

Most of Revelation chapter 12 has been fulfilled, only Satan's attacks on the woman's offspring is ongoing - in the process of being fulfilled.  The fruit of Satan working in our lives is:  lying, cheating, stealing, dishonesty, hatred, revenge, gossip, lewdness, fornication, adultery, idolatry, jealousy, envy, wrath, selfish ambitions, heresies, murder, drunkenness, sorcery, unkindness, sexually immoral, lawless, disparager, unforgiving, unfaithful, unjust and unbelieving.  The Bible says those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God...Gal. 5:21.

The fruit of the Holy Spirit working in our lives is:  humility, forgiveness, love, joy, peace, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control, against such there is no law...Gal 5:23.

God's sheep question the doctrines of men...sheeple follow without question~~~

Great Red Dragon Series #5 - Part 197 of Riddles, Enigmas & Esoteric Imagery of Revelation

Those who refuse to acknowledge the reality of Satan and his demonic hordes residing in the invisible spiritual realm, do so at their own peril.  Modern society is lawless, worldwide.  This means they are not subject to God's spiritual laws -- paganism and immorality rule over the masses.  Societies at large have been kidnapped by Satan who has directed their path to his home in Hell -- and eventually the Lake of Fire...Rev. 20:15.

God's kids are especially singled out for persecution on planet Earth.  Why?  Because they carry the message of the Cross.  Jesus shed His blood on a cruel bloody cross to pay for the sins of mankind  -  those who repent of their sins will be forgiven and live eternally in Heaven with Him.  Satan couldn't kill Jesus, so he viciously went after His kid's.

How can the saints of God overcome the injustice they must endure, and all the assaults hurled at them in this immoral and pagan world?  They overcame him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony, and they did not love their lives to the death...Rev. 12:11.  How do we overcome Satan and his relentless harassment and persecution on our earthly journey?  We tell those we meet that the blood of Jesus Christ paid the full price for our sins, (death), and He welcomes all into His heavenly kingdom, who repent of their sins and receive His free gift of salvation.  And...we must not love our lives more than the will of God, even when faced with death for our devotion (allegiance) to Him!

For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal but mighty in God for pulling down strongholds...casting down arguments, and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ...II Cor. 10:4-5.  We can avoid being kidnapped by Satan by using the spiritual weapons provided by God.  With our advanced telecommunications in the 21st century, which spiritual weapon is used most abundantly?

For the answer simply turn on any mainstream media, read any mainstream newspaper, or check out Twitter or Facebook -- it is the tongue!  Have you been humiliated lately, insulted, or treated with contempt and hostility?  If so, you have experienced someone's tongue used as a weapon.  The major media across the world is using their tongues as weapons of mass destruction - WMD's.  This aught not be so, because the tongue can also be used as a blessing and encouragement to other's.

It is always our choice to be a blessing or a curse when we speak to others.  Death or life are in the power of the tongue, and those who love it will eat its fruit...Proverbs 18:21.  In other words,  if you speak life - blessings, hope, kindness & encouragement - into someone's life, those words will create the same for your life.  But, if you choose death - insults, humiliation, unkind words of contempt and  hostility - into someone's life, those words will create the same for you.  We must choose our words carefully.

Christians must daily overcome the temptations of Satan and his demonic hordes by the blood of the Lamb and the word of our testimony, telling what Jesus has done for us.  While assaults, injustice, and vicious attacks will be experienced daily by God's kids on our earthly journey, we can only have spiritual victory, by applying the spiritual weapons of our warfare provided by God.

As we continue our study of Revelation chapter 12, we find...when the dragon saw that he had been cast to the earth, he persecuted the woman who gave birth to the male Child...but the woman was given two wings of a great eagle, that she might fly into the wilderness to her place, where she is nourished for a time and times, and half a time, from the presence of the serpent...verses 13-14.

The Great Red Dragon realized that he had been unable to the kill the Christ child who now has grown up, and begun His ministry.  This text is revealing how God protected Jesus and His apostles during that specific period of time, called the wilderness, by preventing Satan from intruding until their message had been proclaimed...for a time and times, and half a time.  Remember, the term wilderness is a metaphor to describe a place of isolation and safety from outside intrusion.

The woman was nourished for a...time and times, and half a time.  What does this symbolism mean?  The woman symbolizes Israel, represented by the 12 apostles.  Jesus nourished His apostles by teaching them truths from the Law & the Prophets regarding Himself -- how He is fulfilling all Messianic prophecies.  Jesus and His apostles ministered for 3.5 years or 42 months.  Each of these figures equals 1260 days.

In Blog 3 of this series we learned that  Prophetic Calendar calculates a year to be 360 days.  Biblical historians have agreed... 

      time symbolizes                   360 days

      times symbolize                   720 days 

      half a time symbolizes        180 days

            total                               1260 days

1260 days is the amount of time that Jesus spiritually nourished (enlightened) His apostles, while they ministered publicly.    

What does the text mean when it says...the woman was given two wings of a great eagle, that she might fly into the wilderness to her place, where she is nourished?  Stay tuned...

God's sheep question the doctrines of men...sheeple follow without question~~~

Great Red Dragon Series #4 - Part 196 of Riddles, Enigmas & Esoteric Imagery of Revelation

So far in our study of Revelation chapter 12 - Great Red Dragon - we have found out that verses 1-11 have already been fulfilled.  Verse 12 says...Therefore rejoice, O heavens, and you who dwell in them!  Woe to the inhabitants of the earth and the sea!  For the devil has come down to you, having great wrath, because he knows that he has a short time.  The Great Red Dragon is the devil in this verse.  Why would Jesus allow woe upon the inhabitants of the earth & sea, since He knows that woe is an exclamation of grief?

Long ago when Lucifer, an honored angelic being in God's kingdom, tried to usurp God's throne, he lost his first estate with God -- no power or authority any longer in Heaven.  At this time Lucifer was indicted by God, but he had not received his final punishment.  Although Hell was created by God for Lucifer, now called Satan, and his angels, they were not as yet condemned there permanently.  Satan still had access to Heaven, revealed in the following text.

Now there was a day when the sons of God came to present themselves before the Lord, Satan also came among them...Job 1:6.  We can see that Satan still had access to Heaven, even after he wrenched dominion of the earth & its inhabitants, out of the hands of men, becoming their ruler.  Satan lost the position of honor he once enjoyed with God, but continued to present himself before God with the angelic beings who did not rebel against God. Is it possible that Satan gloated about the multitudes of human beings he had captured, and redirected to his own home in Hell?  We do know, that during this time, Satan made accusations against God's human family.  How do we know?

Then the Lord said to Satan, "Have you considered My servant Job, that there is none like him on the earth, a blameless and upright man, one who fears God and shuns evil?"  So Satan answered the Lord and said, "Does Job fear God for nothing?  Have You not made a hedge around him, around his household, and around all that he has on every side? You have blessed the work of his hands, and his possessions have increased in the land."

"But now, stretch out Your hand and touch all that he has, and he will surely curse You to Your face!"  And the Lord said to Satan, "Behold, all that he has is in your power; only do not lay a hand on his person."  So Satan went out from the presence of the Lord...Job. 1:8-12.  While God didn't allow Satan to take Job's life, He permitted him to bring calamity upon Job, his family and his possessions.  In other words, woe - grief - was allowed to come upon Job to test his allegiance to God.

After the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ, Satan & his demonic entourage were no longer allowed in Heaven.  They were cast to the earth, having great wrath against mankind, for their time was short.  Now woe came upon all the inhabitants of the earth.  Satan became a terrorist on the earth, especially knowing his time to perpetrate death & destruction was short.  The woe that he brings upon the inhabitants of the earth is sorrow, pain and misery. Satan personifies the cliché -- all Hell broke loose, and it continues to this day!

The wrath that Satan and his rebel angels unleashed upon the earth has been ferocious and violent.  Through unconscionable acts, strategically designed, Satan has attempted to place a permanent wedge between God and His created man.  Satan's deceptive plots to entrap mankind have become more brazen and ostentatious as generations passed.  How has Satan accomplished his goal?

Satan has enlarged his arsenal of godless human beings who cooperate with him, consolidating a mighty army of vicious human assassins - religious zealots - against the saints of God.  The more human beings that he can deceive into cooperating with him, the more successful will be the malicious persecution against God's kids. Global chaos and anarchy against representatives of Jesus Christ and His Bible is Satan's goal.  Satan must work fast and furiously, because he knows that time constraints have been placed on him by God, allowing only a little more time to kidnap men from God, surreptitiously dragging them to Hell.

As the time grows closer to the return of Jesus Christ, Satan and his demon forces, who invisibly influence men and commerce on the earth, will experience greater freedom, and it will become much easier for them to kidnap and manipulate human beings.  The inhabitants of the earth will reel and groan in despair and hopelessness just prior to His return  How will it become easier for Satan to kidnap men from God?

With the arrival of the 21st century, societies worldwide have essentially rejected God and His righteous laws.  Due to paganism, the righteousness of God is disdained, unleashing a bold and torrential manifestation of evil expression, demonstrated openly and unashamedly in the public arena by dishonesty, pathological lying, immorality, sexual perversion, drunkenness, drug addiction, disgusting lewd and obscene public conduct, murder, violence and mayhem.  This open and unrestrained lasciviousness exposes the activity of Satan and his demons, who reside in the invisible spiritual realm.

How can the saints of God overcome the injustice they must endure, and all the assaults hurled at them in this immoral and pagan world?  Stay tuned...

God's sheep question the doctrines of men...sheeple follow without question~~~

Great Red Dragon Series #3 - Part 195 of Riddles, Enigmas & Esoteric Imagery of Revelation

Is it later than we think according to the Revelation prophecy?  Biblical historians have defined the riddles, enigmas, esoteric imagery and metaphors of the Revelation, if we take the time to research the information.  Once we define the symbolism, the message will be understood so we will be spiritually ready for the return of Jesus Christ.  Yes, it will happen just as He promised!

In this series Great Red Dragon, chapter 12 of Revelation, we have discovered that the prophetic verses 1-5 have already been fulfilled.  Looking back at fulfilled prophecy provides an accurate interpretation, because historians have recorded when, how and by whom the prophecy was fulfilled.

Then the woman fled into the wilderness, where she has a place prepared for her by God, that they should feed her one thousand two hundred and sixty days...Rev. 12:6.  There is a lot of symbolism and information packed into this one verse.  Keep in mind that the woman symbolizes Israel - represented by the twelve tribes.  The woman, 12 tribes, fled into the wilderness.  Why did they flee and where is the wilderness?

The term wilderness as it is used in this text, is a metaphor describing a place of isolation and safety from outside intrusion.  This definition describes the relationship between Jesus and His apostles, who represented the 12 tribes of Israel.  The 12 tribes of Israel served the Old Covenant that promised a Messiah.  

During their wilderness experience, Jesus privately and exclusively, witnessed to His apostles out of the Torah - law and the prophets - which recorded prophecy that proclaimed how a New Covenant would eventually be established by the coming Messiah - confirming to them that He fulfilled these prophecies.  The apostles represented both the Old & New Covenant - two witnesses.

The apostles were not ignorant, only uneducated, who would later be anointed by God to carry the knowledge of the Kingdom of Heaven to the Gentiles.  Because of their important mission the apostles needed the personal and intense instruction of Jesus, devoid of interruption and confusion from the world and the devil -- the wilderness.  

Jesus was here only a very brief time to prove to His apostles that He fulfilled all the prophecies of the Law and the Prophets.  How long did He have to prepare them?  The text says...they should feed her there one thousand two hundred and sixty days.  The apostles were spoon-fed by Jesus in the wilderness for 1260 days -- then He was crucified and rose from the dead.  Jesus then sent His apostles into all the world to preach His gospel message.

In ancient times their calendar was calculated at 360 days for a year.  It was called a Prophetic Calendar - 30 days for each month.  It took centuries to finally synchronize the seasons -- eventually accepting the 365.2422 days in a calendar year.  The Prophetic Calendar is still considered accurate for prophetic references.  1260 days divided by 360 days = 3.5 years.  This is confirmed by the 42 months figure in other references.  1260 days divided by 42 months = 3.5 years.  This is the amount of time that Jesus and His apostles ministered together, before His crucifixion. 

In my blog series Two Witnesses in April to June 2015 archives, I go into detail about this period of time, for those who want to understand what took place during the 1260 days -- the wilderness.

As we continue in the prophecy of Revelation chapter 12, we find that...war broke out in heaven:  Michael and his angels fought with the dragon; and the dragon and his angels fought...but they did not prevail, nor was a place found for them in heaven any longer...so the great dragon was cast out, that serpent of old, called the Devil and Satan, who deceives the whole world, he was cast to the earth, and his angel were cast out with him...verses 7-9.

This portion of chapter 12 was fulfilled the day Jesus Christ rose from the dead.  How do I know?  Verse 10 tells us...then I heard a loud voice saying in Heaven, "Now salvation, and strength, and the kingdom of our God, and the power of His Christ have come, for the accuser of the brethren, who accused them before God day and night, has been cast out.  Salvation, strength and the kingdom of God, and the power of His Christ has come.  Because of the victory of Jesus Christ, Satan the accuser has been cast to the earth, along with his disobedient angels.

Jesus had forewarned His followers about the coming fulfillment of this prophecy.  Jesus said...I saw Satan  fall like light lightning from heaven...behold, I give you the authority to trample on serpents and scorpions, and over  all the power of the enemy, and nothing shall by any means hurt you...Luke 10:18-19.  Once Jesus Christ rose from the dead, the power & authority of Satan & his demon angels was broken, and returned to mankind.

And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony, and they did not love their lives to the death...verse 11.  Now this chapter reveals that after Jesus Christ sacrificed His blood for the sins of mankind, His disciples are sent into the world to give their testimony of the power of His blood to save, heal and deliver men out of the hands of Satan -- their accuser.  So far in chapter 12, the first eleven verses have been fulfilled.

Therefore rejoice, O heavens, and you who dwell in them!  Woe to the inhabitants of the earth and the sea!  For the devil has come down to you, having great wrath, because he knows that he has a short time...verse 12.  The word woe is an exclamation of grief.  Why would Jesus tell John that the inhabitants of heaven would rejoice when Satan is cast to the earth, but woe to the inhabitants of the earth who will experience his great wrath?  Stay tuned...

God's sheep question the doctrines of men...sheeple follow without question~~~

Great Red Dragon Series #2 - Part 194 of Riddles, Enigmas & Esoterc Imagery of Revelation

When Jesus Christ appeared to John to reveal the Revelation He said...he who overcomes, and keeps My works until the end, to him I will give power over the nations--He shall rule them with a rod of iron; they shall be dashed to pieces like the potter's vessels'--as I also have received from My Father...Rev. 2:26-27.  Rod symbolizes a shepherd, while iron symbolizes strength.  This text is describing Jesus Christ, yet it tells us He will give His power to overcomers, who keep His works until the end...when He returns.

In our study of Chapter 12 of Revelation we find that Israel gave birth to the promised Messiah.  She bore a male Child who was to rule all nations with a rod of iron. And her Child was caught up to God and His throne...verse 5,   There is only one person who is revealed to rule all nations with a rod of iron -- Jesus Christ -- a pastoral shepherd of strength. 

Satan...the dragon stood before the woman who was ready to give birth, to devour her Child as soon as it was born...verse 4.  When we were last together I asked, "How did the great red dragon attempt to devour the male Child as soon as it was born?"  

Satan is the dragon, the woman symbolizes Israel, even though Mary is actually giving birth, and the Child is Jesus.  Satan, who dwells in the invisible spiritual realm, is attending the physical birth of Jesus, devising a strategy for destroying Him before He can complete His redemptive work. 

But...her Child was caught up to God and His throne...verse 5.  What does caught up mean?  The phrase means:  take to oneself.  God's spiritual protection was immediately wrapped around the baby, while Satan planned to interrupt His life.  The Child would live to fulfill His purpose and eventually be caught up to God and His throne.  Jesus died, rose from the dead and returned to His followers for a period of time.  When it was time to permanently ascend to His Father, His followers watched as...He was taken up, and a cloud received him out of their sight...Acts 1:9.

Only Satan could concoct a devious plan that would not only destroy his target, but destroy innocent bystanders in its destructive wake!  What did he devise?

Now after Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea in the days of Herod the king, behold, wise men from the East came to Jerusalem, saying, "Where is He who has been born King of the Jews?  For we have seen His star in the East and have come to worship Him." Matt. 2:1-2.  Herod had no idea a divine birth had taken place, so sent the wise men to find the baby and come back & tell him where he could find the new King of the Jews.  

After the wise men offered their gifts of gold, frankincense & myrrh to the Christ child they were...divinely warned in a dream that they should not return to Herod, they departed for their own country another way...Matt. 2:12.

Herod was enraged!  Not only was a king chosen to take his place, but the wise men chose to disobey his order to come back with his requested information.  Then Herod, when he saw that he was deceived by the wise men, was exceedingly angry, and he sent forth and put to death all the male children who were in Bethlehem and in all its districts, from two years old and under, according to the time which he had determined from the wise men...Matt. 2:16.

King Herod, endowed with unlimited kingdom power and authority, his mind filled with the nefarious plans of Satan himself, slaughtered all the innocent babies born in Bethlehem and surrounding communities.  Great grief and sorrow was thrust upon countless families under his rule with apparently no remorse from him.  Herod's jealousy created this horrific and senseless event -- jealousy is always a liability!

I believe so far in our study of Revelation chapter 12, we have proven that verses 1-5 have already been fulfilled.  This is the historical viewpoint on the prophecy.  The modern viewpoint claims that none of theses verses have been fulfilled.  We owe it to ourselves to consider all viewpoints, and do some research ourselves before coming to a conclusion. 

Then the woman fled into the wilderness, where she has a place prepared by God, that they should feed her there one thousand two hundred and sixty days...Rev. 12:6.  Don't you love a good riddle?  Has this prophetic text been fulfilled?  Stay tuned...

God's sheep question the doctrines of men...sheeple follow without question~~~

Great Red Dragon Series #1 - Part 193 of Riddles, Enigmas & Esoteric Imagery of Revelation

Now a great sign appeared in heaven:  a woman clothed with the sun, with the moon under her feet, and on her head a garland of twelve stars...then being with child, she cried out in labor and in pain to give birth...and another sign appeared in heaven:  behold, a great, fiery red dragon having seven heads and ten horns, and seven diadems on his heads...Rev. 12:1-3.

Revelation chapter 12 is a riddle that can be solved, despite the fact it is rife with symbolism and esoteric imagery.  If we define the symbolism we will unlock the message within it.  The modern viewpoint on this chapter has varied opinions from modern scholars.  But the consensus is that the woman in this text symbolizes the Church.  The historical viewpoint regarding the identity of the woman contradicts the modern viewpoint?  Why are the two viewpoints so diverse?

The historical viewpoint reveals what the Church believed for over 1800 years of church history.  The modern viewpoint is what the Church has believed on this subject for about 100 years.  This blog is dedicated to introducing information from church historians who have named when, where and by whom many of the visions of the Revelation have already been fulfilled.  Whereby, those who embrace the modern viewpoint believe, that from chapter 4 of Revelation the visions are all future.

Looking back at fulfilled prophecy provides actual factual proof.  Jesus told us that we will understand prophecy of scripture in its fulfillment, so we will believe in Him...John 13:19; 14:29; 16:4.  Jesus never once told us to interpret prophecy of scripture, yet that seems to be the driving force of Bible scholars who embrace the modern viewpoint on eschatology.  But if one believes this chapter has already been fulfilled, the riddle will be solved by defining the symbolism and esoteric imagery, while historians will provide the recorded historical facts.  

Once a prophecy has been fulfilled it is easy to understand the message.  Martin Luther was an historian who saw Revelation prophecy fulfilled in his lifetime and recorded it for us to understand. But, we can also chose to ignore his recorded facts.

John saw a great sign in Heaven, which reveals that what he is being shown is designed and appointed by God, fulfilling His plans and purposes upon the earth.  So who is this mysterious woman in chapter 12 and what does she symbolize?  Who is the red dragon?  What is God revealing to us?  What is the historical viewpoint regarding this chapter?

The woman symbolizes Israel which is revealed by the garland around her head made up of 12 stars.  The 12 stars symbolize the 12 tribes of Israel, God's earthly government.  Israel was given the promise of a Messiah through Abraham, so Israel will birth the Messiah.  

The woman was clothed with the sun.  Sun symbolizes ruler or supreme authority, such as a king or queen.  Since the woman symbolizes Israel, the sun symbolizes God with His glorious presence covering her.  God is supreme authority over Israel, and all the events outlined in the vision.  The woman, Israel, is pregnant with the Messiah.

The woman is depicted with the moon under her feet.  The moon symbolizes a lesser power or authority.  Who is the lesser spiritual power in the universe?  Satan is the lesser spiritual power & authority. So the moon - Satan - is under the feet of the 12 tribes of Israel.  The Seed of the woman is the Messiah - Jesus Christ - so the moon is under His feet...Gen. 3:15.  The woman is in the pain of labor & will give birth to the Messiah.  Then another great sign appears.  What is that great sign?

The great red dragon appears on the scene strutting his stuff on the earth.  He is sporting seven heads.  On each of the seven heads is a diadem - crown - symbolizing royalty.  The seven heads symbolize seven empires or kingdoms on the earth.  Historians reveal, that the ten horns symbolize ten seats of power within the purview of the 6th head of the beast - the reign of the Imperial Roman Empire.  Jesus was born during the reign of the Imperial Roman Empire.

Now we know that the great red dragon symbolizes Satan, who rules over 7 royal kingdoms and 10 seats of power.  Satan...the dragon stood before the woman who was ready to give birth, to devour her Child as soon as it was born...she bore a male Child who was to rule all nations with a rod of iron...and her Child was caught up to God and His throne...Rev. 12:4-5. Jesus fulfilled this prophecy.

As we proceed in chapter 12, we can see that by defining the symbolism we will understand the message in the chapter.  The promise of a Messiah was given to Israel, so Israel - the woman - gave birth to Jesus.  The male Child that the dragon attempted to devour as soon as He was born was Jesus.  Jesus Christ gave birth to the Church.  So far this portion of chapter 12 has been fulfilled - it is not a future event.

How did the great red dragon attempt to devour the male Child as soon as it was born?  Stay tuned...

God's sheep question the doctrines of men...sheeple follow without question~~~

Armageddon Series #4 - Part 192 of Riddles, Enigmas & Esoteric Imagery of Revelation

So the great dragon was cast out, that serpent of old, called the Devil and Satan, who deceives the whole world; he was cast to the earth, and his angels were cast out with him...Rev. 12:9.  The moment Jesus Christ was resurrected, Satan and his entourage were cast out of Heaven to the earth, never to return.  How do I know this happened the day Jesus Christ was resurrected?

Then I heard a loud voice saying in heaven, "Now salvation, and strength, and the kingdom of our God and the power of His Christ have come for the accuser of our brethren, who accused them before our God day and night, has been cast down"...Rev. 12:10.  

The day Jesus Christ was resurrected from the dead, the thousand year reign of Christ on the earth began, as this text explains.  That same day, Satan and his angels were cast to the earth.  Salvation through the blood of Jesus Christ was now offered to mankind.

Jesus explained to His disciples that the day He returns, He will send forth the Endtime Reapers to gather together Satan's kids, those who rejected His salvation, and bind them in bundles to be burned.  Then the Reapers will gather together His kids and take them to a safe place...Matt. 13:30. Once His kids are safe in the camp of the saints...the heavens will pass away with a great noise, and the elements will melt with fervent heat; both the earth and the works that are in it will be burned up...II Peter 3:10.  The earthly battles are finally over, but one battle is yet to be fought before God provides...new heavens and a new earth in which righteousness dwells...II Peter 3:13.

Armageddon is the final battle to be fought--a spiritual battle between Satan and God.  Armageddon means:  rendezvous with God.  When Satan is released from prison he...will go out to deceive the nations which are in the four corners of the earth, Gog and Magog, to gather them together to battle, whose number is as the sand of the sea...Rev. 20:8  

In this context the word nations means:  of the same habit.  Those who are of the same habit as Satan, are the angels who were cast to the earth with him.  The Bible calls them demons. There must be a gazillion demons since their...number is as the sand of the sea.  But who are Gog and Magog?  

Since Armageddon is future we will understand at the time of fulfillment, but we can look to the past for some understanding of the symbolism.  In documented biblical history, Gog and Magog are actually names for people or nations.  Gog and Magog are the Aramaic names for China and Mongolia.  Most Russian people are of Mongolian origin.  In the 12th century, these two nations plundered many defenseless lands, carrying away captives from Arabia, Syria, and Mesopotamia.

The large armies of Gog (China) and Magog (Mongolia/Russia) invaded the land of Israel in the 13th century, destroying everything in their wake.  At the end of this great battle, thousands of dead bodies were left in the battlefield for many months until the wild beasts and vultures could eat all of the dead bodies...Ez. 30:17-20.

We can speculate that Gog & Magog could be kingpins of Satan, whom he uses to lead the hordes of demon spirits to the battle of Armageddon.  Gog & Magog could be a metaphor for the twin demonic principalities of immorality (Sodom) and idolatry (Egypt)...Rev. 11:8.  We will understand clearly when this prophecy is fulfilled.

They went up on the breadth of the earth and surrounded the camp of the saints and the beloved city...Rev. 20:9.  This portion of the prophecy is clear.  Satan, his demonic hordes and Gog & Magog head to Heaven, and launch a vicious attack on the camp of the saints, in one last attempt to take human beings from the hands of God.  Quite brazen, don't you think?  How long is this battle?  We don't know.  What do we know?

Fire came down from God out of Heaven and devoured them.  It is finally over! The devil who deceived them, was cast into the lake of fire and brimstone where the beast and the false prophet are. And they will be tormented day and night forever and ever...Rev. 20:10.  

Then the seventh angel poured out his bowl into the air, and a loud voice came out of the temple of heaven, from the throne, saying, "It is Done!"...Rev. 16:17.  In Revelation 16 seven angels are commanded to pour bowls of the Wrath of God onto the earth, which eventually brings us to the end of the world and Armageddon.  Why did the 7th angel pour his bowl into the air?  There is no earth left for him to pour anything on.

The number 6 (bowls) is man's number meaning:  the sum total of human achievement--incomplete without God.  The number 7 (bowl) is God's divine number meaning:  perfect and complete - victory.  The word air symbolizes the invisible spiritual realm.  It is done means:  the old worldly system on the old earth, death and the devil, have been judged and punished.  There is no more sin, sickness, disease, or death -- all burned up with the earth -- gone forever!  Define the symbolism and the message is revealed.

Now I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away...I, John, saw the holy city, New Jerusalem, coming down out of Heaven from God, prepared as bride adorned for her husband...Rev. 21:1-2.

More to come on a new topic...stay tuned...

God's sheep question the doctrines of men...sheeple follow without question~~~

Armageddon Series #3 - Part 191 of Riddles, Enigmas & Esoteric Imagery of Revelation

For the Lord Himself will descend from Heaven with a shout, with the voice of an archangel, and with the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first...then we who are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And thus we shall always be with the Lord...I Cor. 4:17.

The day that Jesus Christ returns this reference describes clearly what will take place regarding His followers.  Those who are in the graves will rise first, then those who are alive on that Day will rise with them to meet Him in the clouds.  Do you remember the last time the graves opened to release the dead?

The moment Jesus died on the cross we have the following report.  Then, behold, the veil of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom; and the earth quaked, and the rocks were split, and the graves were opened; and many bodies of the saints who had fallen asleep were raised; and coming out of the graves after His resurrection, they went into the holy city and appeared to many...Matt. 27:51-53.  The gates of Heaven were opened by the resurrection of Jesus Christ, and he took the Old Testament saints home with Him.

When Jesus returns, the bodies of those who died in the Lord will be reunited with their spirits that return with Him.  When they meet Jesus Christ in the air, He will take them to the camp of the saints...Rev. 20:9.  On that Day, Jesus will tell His reapers to...gather the wheat into My Barn...Matt. 13:30.  The wheat are the saints of Christ and My Barn is a metaphor for the camp of the saints.  

The prophetic parable of Jesus Christ - Wheat & Tares - is very clear about what happens the day He returns - no interpretation needed.  Another prophetic parable is found in Luke 13:23-27.  Someone asked Jesus, "Lord, are there few who are saved?'  

He told them...Strive to enter through the narrow gate, for many, I say to you, will seek to enter and will not be able...when once the Master of the house has risen up and shut the door, and you begin to stand outside and knock at the door, saying, Lord, Lord, open to us," and He will answer and say to you, "I do not know you, where you are from," then you will begin to say, "We ate and drank in Your presence, and You taught in our streets."  But He will say, I tell you I do not know you, where you are from...depart from Me, all you workers of iniquity.

Do you remember when Noah finished building the Ark and those who desired to follow God went into it with all the animals, where they would be protected from the wrath of God?  Then God shut the door...Gen. 7:16.  Jesus said...as the days of Noah were, so also will the coming of the Son of Man be...Matt. 24:37.  The earthly plight of mankind will have come full circle - God shuts the door.  But this time, it is shut forever!  

The tares are gathered and burned in the fire.  The tares are people who rejected Jesus Christ as their Savior, so  they will experience the second death - the Lake of Fire...Rev. 20: 11-15.  But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night, in which the heavens will pass away with a great noise, and the elements will melt with fervent heat; both the earth and the works that are in it will be burned up...II Peter 3:10.

At this time...Satan shall be loosed out of his prison...Rev. 20:7.  Satan's power and authority has been bound - limited - for 2000 years, and he is angry when he is loosed from his chains!  What does he do next?  He...will go out to deceive the nations which are in the four corners of the earth, Gog and Magog, to gather them together to battle, whose number is as the sand of the sea...they went up on the breadth of the earth and surrounded the camp of the saints and the beloved city...Rev. 20:7-9.

We must determine if this reference describes a scene in the spiritual realm or the earthly realm?  We have just learned that the camp of the saints is a place of protection where Jesus takes His saints, whom He gathers from the earth the day He returned.  The camp of the saints is juxtaposed to the beloved city - Heaven.  Satan gathers the nations together to battle, where they surround the camp of the saints & the beloved city.  So this battle obviously takes place in the spiritual realm.  

This battle is called Armageddon -- rendezvous with God.

The word nations in the original Greek language is ethnos meaning:  race or of the same habit  When Satan is released from the chain, he gathers together nations, those of the same habit from the four corners, the breadth of the earth for battle at the camp of the saints and the beloved city.  Who are those of the same habit?  Stay tuned...

God's sheep question the doctrines of me...sheeple follow without question~~~

Armageddon Series #2 - Part 190 of Riddles, Enigmas & Esoteric Imagery of Revelation

And when the thousand years expire, Satan shall be loosed out of his prison...Rev. 20:7.  What triggers the time when Satan is...loosed out of his prison?  When the prophecy of the thousand-year reign of Christ on the earth is fulfilled, at this moment Satan will be released from being bound a thousand years.  The thousand-year reign of Christ on the earth will be fulfilled, the moment the last person on the earth to accept Jesus Christ as his Savior is accomplished -- those who have become born again by the Spirit of God.  What happens next?

To answer this question let's turn to the a prophetic parable of Jesus -- Wheat & the Tares...Matt 13:24-43.  The parable is metaphorical language, yet Jesus interpreted it in verses 36-43 so please read the whole reference for full understanding.  Jesus defines the cast of characters in this end-time drama as follows:

Son of Man   ---   sows the good seed - wheat - sons of the kingdom

The devil       ---   sows the wicked seed - tares - sons of the wicked one

Field              ---   symbolizes the world where the seed is sown

Reapers         ---   God's angels reaping the harvest the last day of the world

Jesus told His apostles that Satan's kids and God's kids must live together on planet earth until He returns for the harvest.  What are tares?  Tares, also called a darnel, are noxious weeds that flourish in a wheat field.  It is a wheat look-a-like, but has a smaller head.  Tares easily become host to deadly fugus that can destroy a crop of wheat.  Wheat is a nourishing grain that provides health to the human body.

We can see why Jesus would use this agricultural illustration to describe His kids and Satan's kids.  Outwardly both appear very similar.  But the tares destroy from the inside where no one sees until the devastating results are manifested - then it is too late. This parable is a warning to the whole Christian era, right up to the fiery end of the world.  Every Christian must read it and learn what the Spirit is saying.

...the harvest is the end of the age, and the reapers are the angels...therefore as the tares are gathered and burned in the fire, so it will be at the end of the age...the Son of Man will send out His angels, and they will gather out of His kingdom all things that offend, and practice lawlessness, and will cast them into the furnace of fire...there will be wailing and gnashing of teeth...verses 39-42.

The wheat and the tares have lived together on planet earth during the whole Christian era, but the time finally comes when the Endtime Reapers will separate the two for their final judgment.  We can see by this reference that the tares - Satan's kids - are gathered together by God's angels, and burned in a fire, where there will be wailing & gnashing of teeth - great sorrow.  But what happens to God's kids, the wheat?

Jesus told His apostles...let them both grow together until the harvest, and at the time of harvest I will say to the reapers, "First gather together the tares and bind them in bundles to burn them, but gather the wheat into My barn...verse 30.  When Jesus returns the first thing the angels do is gather the tares - Satan's kids - to be burned in the end time fiery end of the world.  Then they will gather the wheat - God's kids - and place them in My Barn.  What is a barn?

In the natural realm a barn is a safe place to store things for protection.  So Jesus is speaking metaphorically when He uses barn as a safe place to store His kids from His wrath on the earth...so the angel thrust his sickle into the earth, and gathered the wine of the earth, and threw it into the great winepress of the wrath of God...Rev. 14:19.  While the earth and Satan's kids burn, where is the safe place - barn - that Jesus takes His kids when He returns?

When we were last together I asked, "What is the definition of Armageddon?"  The word Armageddon is Hebrew for:  Har-Megiddon.  The root meaning of Megiddon is rendezvous.  The definition of rendezvous:  to assemble, or meet at a particular time & place; assemble the troops.  God has already set a time & place where He will allow Satan & his troops to rendezvous with Him.  It is at the time of the fiery end of the world - Armageddon.

When Satan is loosed from prison, he and his demonic troops will dare to surround...the camp of the saints and the beloved city...Rev. 20:9.  The camp of the saints is juxtaposed to the beloved city.  The metaphorical barn where the wheat - God's kids - are placed for protection is the camp of the saints...the righteous will shine forth as the sun in the kingdom of their Father...Matt.13:43.

Is there more to this story?  You bet!  Stay tuned...

God's sheep question the doctrines of men...sheeple follow without question~~~

Armageddon Series #1 - Part 189 of Riddles, Enigmas & Esoteric Imagery of Revelation

Jesus said...Behold, I am coming as a thief...blessed is he who watches, and keeps his garments, lest he walk naked and they see his shame...and they gathered them together to the place called in Hebrew, Armageddon...Rev. 16:15-16.  This is the only reference in the Bible where we will find the word Armageddon.  It is a symbolic name.  What does it symbolize?  We will find out in this series.

Since I became a Christian in 1972 I have searched the scriptures diligently for what they are saying to the followers of Christ, as well as reading what God has shown others about His Word.  As I delved into hundreds of books, listened to hundreds of teaching tapes, and belonged to a local church with the opinions of that denomination, it didn't take long before I was confused, due to conflicting information; especially regarding the return of Jesus Christ.  

I am sure my endless questions annoyed many people, but I can't just swallow a doctrine that appears to conflict with the Bible.  I realized how little the Church, as a whole, and myself knew about Biblical history, so that is where I began.  My, my, my what an eyeopener this 45-year research project has been.  Of course, what I found out is not popular with those who embrace the modern viewpoint of eschatology.  After this extensive research, I now embrace the historical viewpoint of eschatology, which is what I have provided to the readers of this blog.

When my prayer-partner died in 2005, I felt so alone in my research, since she was the only person I knew that had the same questions I did regarding the modern viewpoint on eschatology.  She was an avid reader of the scriptures and could not reconcile the two.  I promised her I wouldn't give up on someday having a venue to share the historical viewpoint on eschatology, so that people at least are given a choice -- modern or historical viewpoint.  Since that promise to her, the Lord has shown me how to blog this study for five years, and recently a publisher reached out to me to publish my manuscript.  I am very grateful.

I realized very early that the book of Revelation was full of symbolism:  enigmas, metaphors, riddles, and esoteric imagery.  I knew if I could just define the symbolism the message locked inside would be unveiled so that we could understand what the Lord was saying to His Church.  Having this information doesn't change God's plans in any way, but having this information helps us to be fully ready to receive Him at His return and not be ashamed.

Researching Church history also opened my eyes to how many of the visions pertain to governments, both religious and secular, but mostly addresses men's worship of Paganism in all past centuries, right up to and including the 21st century.  The Revelation has been in the process of being fulfilled throughout the Christian era.  Jesus said that prophecy is understood in it fulfillment so that we will believe, and that He is the one who prophesied the events.

I know that the modern viewpoint says that the events of Revelation will all take place sometime in the future, and nearly all at one time.  But is that what historians have recorded?  I found that historians have provided the names, dates and places where most of the visions have already been fulfilled, and by whom, which I have carefully delineated in my blog.  Martin Luther was very clear through his drawings about Revelation that he placed in his Bible in 1522 --  he saw the fulfillment of Revelation 13 & 17, and the events of 18 beginning to be fulfilled.  Wonder why we ignore history?

When we were last together we were studying chapter 20 of Revelation.  We have found out that this chapter covers the whole Christian era, from the resurrection of Jesus Christ to the Great White Throne judgment.  Now when the thousand years have expired, Satan will be released from this prison...Rev. 20:7.  What does this mean?

The last human being on the earth to accept Jesus Christ as Savior will be the last human to become born again...John 3:3.  At this time the thousand year reign of Christ on the earth will be fulfilled.  Satan has been bound - limited in his power & authority - during this same period of time. 

Satan is loosed from being bound, limited, in power and authority and is furious about the restrictions that God placed on him for 2,000 years, so he...will go out to deceive the nations which are in the four corners of the earth, Gog & Magog, to gather them together to battle whose number is as the sand of the sea...they went up the breadth of the earth and surrounded the camp of the saints and the beloved city...and fire came down from God out of heaven and devoured them...Rev. 20:8-9.  

This reference describes the great spiritual battle between Satan and God called Armageddon.  The name Armageddon is pronounced the same in the Greek, Hebrew and English language.  It symbolizes the final face-to-face battle between Satan and God.  How do we know?  When we define the word we will understand the event.

What is the definition of Armageddon, Gog & Magog?  Stay tuned...

God's sheep question the doctrines of men...sheeple follow without question~~~

  

Satan Bound 1000 Years Series #7 - Part 188 of Riddles, Enigmas & Esoteric Imagery of Revelation

Blessed is he who has part in the first resurrection...over such the second death has no power...Rev. 20:6.  What is the second death?  In this series we have clearly laid out what the scriptures reveal about the first resurrection.  Jesus Christ rose from the dead -- this is the first resurrection.  He provided the path for mankind to be reconciled to their Father in Heaven.  If a human being repents of his sins and accepts Jesus Christ as his Savior, he is born again, and begins to reign with Christ on the earth.  This is his first resurrection.

In order to understand the second death we should find out when the first death occurred.  When Adam & Eve disobeyed God in the Garden of Eden and ate from the Tree of the Knowledge of Good & Evil, death occurred.  This is the first death.  The Apostle Paul explains...just as through one man sin entered the world, and death through sin, and thus death spread to all men, because all sinned...Rom. 5:12

At the moment Adam & Eve sinned, the Kingdom of Heaven was removed from the earth and Satan became god of this world.  What are the consequences of the first death?  Eternal death - separation from God - forever is the consequence.  Paul told us...the wages of sin is death...Rom. 6:23.  But...the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.   Jesus Christ paid the price of death for the sins of all mankind so they can have eternal life with Him.  There is one very important detail in the sacrifice of Jesus Christ!  What is that detail?

Some denominations teach that Christ died for the sins of all mankind, so all are saved and have the right to enter Heaven when they die - nothing more is required.  The devil always gives a little truth in order to lure us into his kingdom.

Jesus told Nicodemus, a Pharisee...most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God...John 3:3.  While Jesus Christ did pay the price of death for the sins of all mankind, each individual must repent of his sins to the Father in Heaven and accept His free gift of salvation.   Paul explains...if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation, old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new...II Cor. 5:17.  In order to be "in Christ" one must be born again of the Spirit of Christ.  We are given the choice to accept God's free gift of salvation or reject it.

The sea gave up the dead who were in it, and Death and Hades delivered up the dead who were in them...and they were judged, each according to his works...then Death & Hades were cast into the lake of fire...this is the second death...Rev. 20:13-14.  In the last blog, we explained that the rest of the dead were people who rejected God and His laws while they lived on the earth, and are residing in Hades until the fiery end of the world, where all human beings will appear at the Great White Throne judgment.

Do you remember the letters that Jesus wrote to the seven churches, one was to the church at Smyrna?  He told them...do not fear any of those things which you are about to suffer...indeed, the devil is about to throw some of you into prison, that you may be tested, and you will have tribulation ten days...be faithful until death, and I will give you the crown of life...he who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches...he who overcomes shall not be hurt by the second death...Rev. 2:10-11.

It is important to know that our faith will be tested for its genuineness, when God allows the devil to send trials and tribulations into our lives.  Why would God do this?  The Apostle Peter answers this question.  He said...since Christ suffered for us in the flesh, arm yourselves with the same mind, for he who has suffered in the flesh has ceased from sin...I Pet. 4:1.  Sin separates us from Christ, yet suffering in the flesh causes us to call upon Him for help, thereby relying on Him for all things. No prideful beings will ever be allowed in Heaven again.  If we overcome, we will not be hurt by the second death.

After the judgment at the Great White Throne...Death & Hades were cast into the lake of fire.  This is the second death.  People residing in Hades experienced the first death when they were born into the world.  Jesus offered the only way to avoid the second death.  Since they rejected Him and His free gift of salvation, when they died and left the earth the penalty for their first death had not been paid.  The consequence of their folly is the second death.  

It is appointed for men to die once, but after this the judgment...Heb.9:27.  Mankind must accept Jesus Christ or reject Him while they live on the earth.  There is no further chance to make this decision once they die and leave the earthy realm.  If they deny Jesus Christ while they live on the earth they will suffer the judgment of the second death.  

We have learned in this series that Satan Bound 1000 Years began the moment that Jesus was resurrected and began His 1000 Year Reign on the earth.  It was at this time Satan lost his dominion over the earth, mankind and death.  The angel cast Satan...into the bottomless pit, and shut him up, and set a seal on him, so that he should deceive the nations no more till the thousand years were finished...but after these things he must be released for a little while...Rev. 20:3.

We have already defined the symbolism in this reference with the exception of the last sentence.  What does it mean...after these things he must be released for a little while?  Stay tuned...

God's sheep question the doctrines of men...sheeple follow without question~~~

Satan Bound 1000 Years Series #6 - Part 187 of Riddles, Enigmas & Esoteric Imagery of Revelation

Chapter 20 of Revelation describes the whole Christian era, beginning with the resurrection of Jesus Christ, and Satan bound 1000 years - simultaneous events.  The moment Jesus Christ was resurrected from the dead, the Kingdom of Heaven was offered to mankind on the earth, where they could begin to reign with Christ a thousand years.  At this same moment Satan was bound a thousand years.  The word thousand means an indefinite period of time.

The previous blogs of this series have already addressed the reward of the martyred saints once they leave the world of trials and tribulations in verse 4.  But the rest of the dead did not live until the thousand years were finished...verse 5.  Who are the rest of the dead?  If they are not in Heaven, where are they?

To answer these questions we will look to the explanation given by Jesus Christ in Luke 16:19-31.  In this illustration Jesus told His followers about a certain rich man who had lived sumptuously his whole life on the earth, then he died.  Next Jesus described the life of a beggar, Lazarus, who had fared poorly his whole life on the earth, and he died.  Both were found in Sheol - region of departed spirits - at the same time.

Jesus explained that when Lazarus died he was carried to Abraham's Bosom to be comforted until the time of the resurrection.  In Sheol there is a great gulf fixed between the departed spirits who followed God, and those who rejected Him when they lived on the earth.  But they could see each other.  The rich man, who was being tormented in Hades could see Lazarus in Abraham's Bosom being comforted and tenderly cared for.  He cried out...Father Abraham, have mercy on me, and send Lazarus that he may dip the tip of his finger in water and cool my tongue for I am tormented in this flame.

Father Abraham answered...Son, remember that in your lifetime you received your good things, and likewise Lazarus evil things, but now he is comforted and you are tormented, besides all this, between us and you is a great gulf fixed, so that those who want to pass from here to you cannot, nor can those from there pass to us. 

Before the resurrection of Jesus Christ this is where departed spirits resided.  When Jesus Christ was resurrected from the dead, Heaven was opened to the followers of God.  It had been closed since Adam & Even sinned.  All the residents of Abraham's Bosom were transferred to Heaven when Jesus was resurrected from the dead, when He presented to His Father the firstfruits of His resurrection...Rev. 14:1-3.

But the departed spirits residing in Hades are still there, including the rich man of this illustration. Sadly, this place is filling up and enlarging.  How do I know?  The Prophet Isaiah told us when he said...Therefore Sheol has enlarged itself and opened its mouth beyond measure...their glory and their multitude and their pomp, and he who is jubilant, shall descend into it...people shall be brought down, each man shall be humbled, and the eyes of the lofty shall be humbled...5:14-15.

This explains where the rest of the dead are residing until the thousand year reign of Christ on the earth is fulfilled.  Only God knows who will be the last human being on the earth to accept Jesus Christ as his Savior.  We do know, at that moment, the reign of Christ prophecy will be fulfilled.  There will be no human being left on the earth that desires to have Jesus Christ reign in his life.  Then it will be time for Jesus to return for His people.  What happens when He returns.

But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night, in which the heavens will pass away with a great noise, and the elements will melt with fervent heat; both the earth and the works that are in it will be burned up...II Peter 3:10.  The moment Jesus returns for His people, they will be caught up from the earth to greet Him, then the earth and everything men held dear on the earth will burn up.  The earth is not left another thousand years -- it burns up the day Jesus returns.  What happens to the people Jesus gathered to Himself?  

Then I saw a great white throne and Him who sat on it, from whose face the earth and the heaven fled away...and there was found no place for them...and I saw the dead, small and great, standing before God, and books were opened...and another book was opened, which is the Book of Life...and the dead were judged according to their works, by the things which were written in the books...the sea gave up the dead who were in it, and Death and Hades delivered up the dead who were in them...and they were judged, each according to his works...Rev. 20:11-13.

The rest of the dead lived not again until the thousand years was finished...Rev. 20:5.  It is obvious in the reference above that the thousand year reign of Christ prophecy has been fulfilled.  Why is it obvious?  The last verse says that Death & Hades delivered up the dead who were in them - and all their works were judged by Jesus Christ, at the Great White Throne of judgment.

Blessed is he who has part in the first resurrection...over such the second death has no power...Rev. 20:6.  What is the second death?  Stay tuned...

God's sheep question the doctrines of men...sheeple follow without question~~~