Revelation 10 Part 1

As John continues to explain what he saw, we are told of this other angel, a mighty angel, who came down from heaven, clothed with a cloud.

And a rainbow was on his head, his face was like the sun, and his feet like pillars of fire.

He had a little book open in his hand. And he set his right foot on the sea, and his left foot on the land. And, cried out with a loud voice, as when a lion roars. When he cried out, seven thunders uttered their voices.

At this point John was about to write, but heard a voice from heaven saying to me, "Seal up the things which the seven thunders uttered and do not write them.

The angel that John saw standing raised up his hand to heaven and swore by Him who lives forever and ever, who created heaven and the things that are in it, the earth and the things that are in it, and the sea and the things that are in it, that there should be no more delay.

The last thing in our devotional today, is, "but in the days of the sounding of the seventh angel, when he is about to sound, the mystery of God would be finished, as He declared to His servants the prophets.


Some thoughts for reflection, explanation and application.

1. John was seeing what was coming. He was seeing the future.
2. We will be in heaven at this point in Revelation, and will no doubt see this also.
3. There really are angels, and they are ( the holy ones anyways ) the servants of God.
4. There really is a place called heaven.
5. This angel spoken of in Rev 10, came down from heaven.
6. One wonders, how many angels are there in heaven.
7. This one was dispatched to perform a duty for God.
8. Could this be Jesus Christ?
9. It almost sounds like Jesus, or looks like Jesus.
10. I'm not sure.
11. This angel stands with a sense of authority and power.
12. John is told to seal up the things that were taking place at that moment.
13. This angel was affirming the Lord in heaven.
14. John tells us that there would be no more delay.


Some additional thoughts for reflection, explanation and application.

1. Like John, to some degree, we are seeing the future as well.
2. Now, we see it through the pages of Scripture, but then from heaven.
3. Angelic beings are no doubt very delightful, powerful and wonderful to see.
4. Angels get to be with the Lord around the clock as far as we know
5. This chapter tells us that "heaven" was created by God. How interesting.
6. So, apparently, "heaven" has not always existed, but God has.
7. God has existed forever, and will exist forever.
8. Forever, Christians will be with God also.
9. The tribulation period, and the plan of God will come to a conclusion at some point.
10. No more delay in the plan, is mentioned twice in this chapter.
11. The Mystery of God is mentioned.
12. Mystery, means, hidden thing, secret, not obvious to the understanding.

Well, tomorrow, we will try and look at the rest of this interesting chapter, and then on Sat, take another broad overview, with some application of chapters 9-10

But, for now, may your day be blessed with God's peace and grace and love in your heart and mind. 

May You find God's will today, and May God use you today to communicate the truth of Jesus Christ to this troubled world. May the Lord bring someone directly into your path today, to minister to, and to love in the name of Jesus Christ. 

Pastor Bob Grenier

Calvary Chapel Visalia 

Revelation 9:13-21

At this point, the sixth angel sounded, or blows the trumpet that was given to him. John also hears a voice from the horns of the golden altar which is before God, saying to the 6th angel, "Release the four angels who are bound at the great river Euphrates"

These four angels ( who had been prepared for this hour and day and month and year ) were released, and it was to kill a !/3 of mankind. Imagine that, one third of earth's remaining population is now about to be killed.

Without any introduction, or explanation, John now talks about this army of 200 million horsemen. John says, "I heard the number of them" which I assume means that someone, told him how many there were in this army.

John goes on to describe those who sat on the horses, and the horses.  The horsemen had very colorful breastplates, and the horses heads were like the heads of lions. And, out of the horse's mouths, came 3 things. Fire, smoke, and brimstone.

It was by or through these 3 plagues that 1/3 of mankind was killed. That is from the fire, the smoke and the brimstone.

The power was in the mouths and the tails of the horses. Their tails were like snakes, having heads, and it was by them, that they did harm.

The remaining 2/3rd's who were not killed by the fire, the smoke and the brimstone, are said to "not repent of the works of their hands, that they should not worship demons, and idols of gold, silver, brass, stone, and wood, which can neither see nor hear, nor walk"

Finally, John says, neither did they "repent of their murders, or their sorceries or their sexual immorality or their thefts"



What to make of all this..........

1. It's true, whether we understand it or not.
2. God's Word is true.
3. John is describing things he had never seen before.
4. God continues to control each and every event.
5. Terrible destruction of unheard of numbers take place.
6. Imagine every third person you know being killed.
7. Man will not be able to protect himself against these plagues.
8. The army could be demons, or demon possessed men.
9. Certainly, there will be huge demonic activity in one way or another.
10. Repentance is possible, but not chosen by the survivors at this point.

Some further and final thoughts for reflection, and application.

1. God is telling us in advance of what He will do.
2. This is called prophecy.
3. This day will not overtake the children of God.
4. We are not appointed to wrath but to obtain salvation.
5. See Rom 5:8, and 1st Thessalonians 5:8
6. In reading all of this, what should it do to us, or in us, or for us?
7. Perhaps, it's to motivate us now, to be instruments of service to Jesus Christ.
8. And, to make sure the good news of salvation is known far and wide.
9. God does use those who make themselves available to Him.


Pastor Bob Grenier
Calvary Chapel Visalia

More about the bottomless pit of Revelation 9........Part 2

Who is this star fallen from heaven? I'm not completely sure. But, believe it's not a holy angel. But rather, an evil wicked angel. I say this because of his involvement with the bottomless pit, and the things that come out of it.

Nonetheless, it's not a point of great importance for us in our attempt to understand the Book of Revelation as we will see in our study through this book. By the way, much is said throughout the book of Revelation in our study through it.

For starters, it's a real place on the earth. It's sometimes referred to as the shaft. A shaft doing down into the earth.

The BP as I'll call it here, is locked up until this point in the future of man's history. This angelic being, be he a holy angel, or an evil and wicked one, we can't say for sure, but what we do see, is that when he opens the BP up, and troubling, tribulation type events take place on the earth,

John likens what come out, to the smoke of a great furnace, This smoke is so thick, that it causes those on the earth to not see the or breath the air as they had been.

Then, out of the smoke, as it's teeming out of the pit, come these locusts, to whom is given power, as the scorpions of the earth have power. Along with this power, they were restricted as to their destructive activities.

1. They were given this power.
2. They were  also commanded as to the extent of their destructive activities.
3. They were to harm only the people who do not have the seal of God on their foreheads.
4. They could harm them, but not kill them. They were to torment them for 5 months.
5. Their torment is likened unto the torment of when a scorpion stings or strikes a man.
6. During this time, men will seek death, over the torment caused by these locusts.
7. Death will not be found by those seeking it.

A few closing thoughts about this section, and then we can resume looking at the rest of the chapter tomorrow.

It's clear that the Lord is in charge of everything from start to finish.
God has this pit, and what comes out of it under His control.
He is using it to do with it as He pleases.
Satan who tricks man, will now be hurting the men whom he has tricked and deceived
Christians will be preserved through this 5 month period.
These Christians will not be harmed in any way by these locust beings.


God will be both bringing judgement on the earth, controlling demons and their activities, restricting them as to what they can do. God will be preserving, and protecting His own people from these locusts. God is at the same time saving people who come to faith. Right now, God is saving people generally speaking, but during the tribulation, He will be carrying out dual roles, Savior and Judge.

These things are truly coming. And, right now, you and I know people who may very well go through these events, unless they get saved now, and are taken by Christ at the rapture of the church.

Our motivation for service, and evangelism, is indeed the love of God. Let's pray for God's love to so grip our hearts, that we are actively involved in, praying for, and doing something to see people come to faith. Judgment is coming on the earth, and the people you know that are not yet believers can become so, by coming to Jesus now, and escape what is coming down the road. Perhaps that which is coming is much, much closer then we can even imagine.

Pastor Bob Grenier
Calvary Chapel Visalia

The bottomless pit of Revelation 9.......

When the fifth angel sounded, ( blows the fifth trumpet of the seven ) John sees a star fallen from heaven to the earth. And, to this star was given the key to the bottomless pit.

As this star ( angel ) opens the bottomless pit, smoke arose out of it, just like the smoke one would see from a big furnace. The smoke caused the sun and the air to be darkened.

Out of this smoke were locusts that came upon the earth. And, to each of them ( the number of them is not given us ) was given power, like scorpions of the earth to have power.

Restriction was placed upon them, not to hurt the grass of the earth ( which had already been burned up ) or any other green thing, or any tree ( of which 1/3 have already been wiped out ) but only those men who do not have the seal of God ( the sealing of the Holy Spirit or Christian s) on their foreheads. So, in this case, they were allowed to torment non christians.

The authority they have was not to kill, but to torment for a period of 5 months. And, John describes their torment as the torment of a scorpion when it strikes a man.

During this period of the tribulation, men will seek for death, but not find a way, they will want to die, but, death will evade them. ( it's going to be so bad, that men would rather die then live, and are seeking to die, but are not able to do it )


These locusts were shaped like a horse when it was ready for battle. They had crowns on their heads, made of something like gold, and the faces were like the faces of men. Their hair was like a woman's hair, teeth like that of a lion. Breastplates of iron, and the sound of their wings, was like the sound of many chariots, with horses, running into battle.

Their tails were like scorpions, and their sting was in their tails. Again, they were to hurt men for a five month period.

Their king, was the angel of the bottomless pit, whose Hebrew name is Abaddon, and in Greek, he has the name Apollyon.

One of the tree woes issued by the angel ( see Rev 8:13 ) Two more of the woes were yet to be accomplished.

Now, the 6th angel sounds. And, John hears a voice from the four horns of the golden altar which is before God, saying, to the 6th angel, "Release the four angels who are bound at the river Euphrates" So, these four angels ( who had been prepared for this very hour, day and month and year ) were released to kill 1/3 of mankind. Note: 25% of earth's population have already been killed, now a third of the remaining population are killed.

From 9:16-21, we are told of a 200 million man army on horses. John was told that this was the number. 200 Million. John also saw horses in this vision. Their riders are described. And, by 3 plagues, 1/3 of mankind was killed, that is by the fire and the smoke and the brimstone that came out of their mouths. The power they have is in their mouths, and in their tails, which are like serpents, having heads, and with them they do harm.

The rest of earth's population were not killed by these plaques, would not repent of the work of their hands, that they should not worship demons, and Idols of gold, silver, brass, stone, wood, which can neither see nor hear nor walk. ( Materialism ? )

Additionally, they did not at this time repent of their murders, their sorceries, and their sexual immorality, or their thefts.



Thoughts for reflection, explanation, and application.

1. There is a bottomless pit. And, a certain un-named angel has the key to this pit.

2. We will hear more of this pit as we move through Revelation.

3. Hurtful things begin to come out of this pit, hurting the earth, and men on the earth.

4. At this point, God's people, ( who have His seal ) are preserved from this evil hurt.

5. The horror of this time will be so bad, that men will want death, seek death, but death will elude or evade them.

6. All of this horror is coming to the earth.

7. Right now, we are living in a very grace filled day as it were.

8. We also are living in a time when we can shine the light of God's truth into the darkness of this world.

9. If God has saved you, then God also has a plan to use your life, and the gifts He has given you, to accomplish His will.

10. Living for God, is the Biblical norm for God's people. It's at least the norm that God calls us to.

11. It's good to take stock of where we are at, and see how our lives are, in light of what God says in His Word.

May God bless you this week. Looking forward to digging in a little bit deeper in chapter nine and ten.

Pastor Bob Grenier
Calvary Chapel Visalia.

What happens in Revelation Chapter 8...

See Rev 8.

The seals were being opened, when an interlude of sorts takes place. See Chapter 7.
But, now the seals continue to be opened, and the last of the seven is opened, and the events that follow are recorded for us here in chapter 8.

1. Silence takes place. For about a half an hour.

2. John then see the seven angels who stand before God.

3. Seven trumpets were given to the seven angels.

4. Another angel who had a golden censer, came and stood at the altar ( this is part of heaven, this altar and temple as it were )

5. This angel was given much incense, and was to offer it, along with the prayers of all the saints upon the golden altar which is before God Throne,

6. The smoke from the incense along the prayers of God's people ascended before God from the angels hand.

7. At this point, the angel takes the censer, and he fills it fire from the altar, and he threw it to the earth. The result on earth, includes noises, lightnings, and an earthquake

8. The seven angels now readied themselves to blow the trumpets they had.

9. Four of the angles sounded. And, then, there was hail, and fire, that were mingled with blood, and they were all thrown to the earth as well. The result, 1/3 of the trees on earth were burned up, and all green grass was burned up

10. When the second angel sounded, or blew the trumpet given to him, it was like a great mountain that was burning with fire was thrown into the sea, and 1/3 of the sea became blood. And, 1/3 of all the living creatures in the sea died, and 1/3 of the ships in the sea were also destroyed.

11. Next, the third angel sounded, and as he did, a great or large star fell from heaven, and it was like a burning torch, falling into the 1/3 of the rivers and springs of water upon the earth.

12. This star that fell has a name, it's called Wormwood. 1/3 of the waters upon the earth became wormwood, and many men died from the water, because it was made bitter. Wormwood in Scripture is a symbol of calamity, and sorrow. The star that falls into the waters makes the water unfit for human consumption.

13. The fourth angel now sounds, and 1/3 of the sun is struck, a 1/3 of the moon, and a 1/3 of the stars were also affected, so that they became darkened. For 1/3 of the day, it was dark, there was nothing shining, and it was also dark at night.

14. Lastly here in this chapter, as John looks, he hears an angel flying through the midst of heaven, and he was saying with a loud voice, "Woe, woe, woe to the inhabitants of the earth, because of the remaining blasts about to come from the trumpets ( 3 more to go at this point ) "

Some thoughts in reflection and for application.

1. The Lord has told us all through the Bible that this time that is coming will indeed be so terrible, and that there has never been anything like it, nor will there ever be anything like it beyond this point. It is the great tribulation. A horrible time of death and destruction. It's chilling to say the least.

2. The Lord is the one who is bringing this about from heaven. As He opens the seals, this is the 7th one, there is then the corresponding events taking place on earth. This is the "wrath of the Lamb of God" Jesus is the savior now, but, He will become the judge of the earth at this point.

3. Perhaps the silence that takes place, is like what we call "the calm before the storm" It may be that all heaven realizes in this moment, what is about to take place on the earth. And, it's so terrible to consider, that no one speaks. It's too awesome.

4. No one on earth will escape these judgments. The trees, the seas, the grass, the springs of water, the living creatures in the sea are affected. 1/3 are affected. This is now in addition to the 1/4 of earth's population that were destroyed before the interlude, there in chapter 6. So, 1/4 of men die, and now 1/3 of the creatures in the sea die. But, in addition, the 1/3 of earths grass, trees, sea, springs etc, are affected.

5. We all are very comforted in trusting the promises from God throughout the Bible. What's happening in Rev is also the accomplishment of God's previous promises to bring judgements on the earth. He will do what He has said He will do.

6. We as Christians have the comfort and hope of knowing that we are not appointed to go through this time. See Rom 5:8, and 1st Thess 5:8. It's very clear in the Bible that Christians are not destined to go through this time.

7. May the Lord constrain us by His love, to use the time we do have on the earth to redeem the time, and let our light shine, and to see others come to salvation. Jesus said, that no one can work at night, and that we are to work while it is yet day. Let's work.

Pastor Bob Grenier
Calvary Chapel Visalia

Another picture of some people in heaven.

See Rev 7:13-17

When explaining who this multitude was in heaven, one of the elders said, ( see Rev 7:14b ) a number of things about this group.

1. They have come out of the great tribulation.

2. They have washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the lamb.

3. They are before the throne of God and serve Him day and night in His temple.

4. God Himself dwells among them.

5. They will not hunger.

6. They will not thirst anymore.

7. The sun shall not strike them nor any heat.

8.The Lamb will be in the midst of them.

9. The Lamb will shepherd them and lead them to living fountains of water

10. And, God will wipe away ever tea from their eyes.

Some thoughts in reflection, and application for our day to day life and understanding.

1. People who were not saved at the start of the tribulation, will at some point in it, come to faith in Jesus Christ.

2. Some of those who become saved, will wind up being killed because of their faith.

3. Upon their death, they will go where we would go today if we died, they will go to heaven.

4. They are clothed in white robes. The Bibles way of saying they are pure and without sin their in heaven. Completely forgiven, and with God in that relationship forever and forever

5. Once arriving in heaven a number of things will be theirs forever and ever. . Those would include being there before the throne of God. They will serve the Lord continually. God will dwell with them.

6. Going on with their blessings. They will never be hungry again, for anything, physical food, or spiritual food. They will be satisfied forever, also, not thirsting in any way. Not feeling ever, any sense of need, of any type. And, nothing will ever hurt them, like the sun or the heat etc.

7. And,  there are two more things that Jesus will do for them. First of all, He will shepherd them. Which means, to feed, to rule, to keep. To govern, to furnish pasture for food, to nourish, to cherish, to supply each and every need they might have.

And, Jesus will lead them to living fountains of water. Part of Christ's ministry will be to take these people, and to lead them to living fountain(s) of water. We don't know exactly what this means, but it sure sounds good, doesn't it. It's the picture of what a shepherd does, and that is, to make sure that His sheep are not thirsty.

8. This is the last thing mentioned in this passage, but, it's perhaps the most tender, and intimate ministry that God will have for His people. God Himself will wipe away ever tear from their eyes.
This particular multitude will perhaps have more tears then any other group, due to the loss of life they will experience from their time on earth during the tribulation. There will be pain as it were, expressed by the shedding of tears.

There is nothing more personal and loving if you will then to think of God coming over to one of His people, and taking their head in His hands, and then with the other hand, moving to their cheeks, ( where there are tears flowing down ) and to wipe them away. It's an act of comfort and love to His people.

Lastly, and for us here upon the earth, God keeps us, and God feeds us, and God quenches our thirst, and He leads us to drink of His Spirit, and He comforts us in our times of tears from trouble.

Are you shedding any tears today? Is there a tear, or tears in your heart today? May I pray for you, and ask that today, You will find the comfort of God, in His ministering to you, and caring for you in your time of pain and difficulty.

We learned earlier in Rev that God also puts our tears in a bottle. Our tears are known by God, and collected by God and kept by God, and they are also wiped away by Him.

Pastor Bob Grenier
Calvary Chapel Visalia

 17 “for the Lamb who is in the midst of the throne will shepherd them and lead them to living fountains of waters. And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes.”

Many will be saved then killed during the tribulation period.

See Revelation 7.

We noted going into this chapter, that between the opening of the 6th seal, and the 7th, that God through angels brought an interlude or pause to the terrible events happening on the earth, to seal 144,000 Jews. ( We mentioned yesterday or so, that these now saved Jews, would be used by God to proclaim the gospel, and see many come to faith in Jesus Christ )

Now, in the second half of chapter 7, the scene shifts back to heaven where a great, can't be numbered multitude were standing before the throne, and before the Lamb etc. They were declaring that Salvation belongs to our God etc. And, they were saying and many other things, and all of heaven as it were started worshipping the Lord.

In 7:13-14 one of the elders asked John who were these people, and where did they come from? John responded by saying to the elder, "Sir, you know" and then the elder said, "These are the ones who come out of the great tribulation, and washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb. Therefore they are before the throne of God etc.

So, what does all of this say to us? 

1. The tribulation period will begin with only unbelievers present on the earth. Because all believers will be taken to heaven at the rapture of the church.

2. Following the departure of the church, multitudes will come to faith in Christ as the tribulation period continues to unfold.

3. Many of those who have come to faith will also wind up dying, being killed because of their faith. 

4. Those who die in Christ during the tribulation period, will wind up going directly to heaven just as Christians today, go to heaven when they die.

5. Rev 7, is a look at these who were killed for their faith during the tribulation.

6. It's no doubt true that those who come to faith in Christ during the tribulation will not all be killed, but could die from what we call natural causes. 

7. As we continue in our study of Rev, we will see the tremendous satanic opposition to and against Christians through the rule of the anti-christ. 

Some thoughts in reflection. 

1. Even in the worst of times, people can come to Christ. 

2. In fact, difficult times serve to bring humility and an more of an open heart to God. 

3. If your a christian, you will be taken in the rapture before the tribulation begins.

4. In the meantime, may our lives be useful to God as He seeks to save people from their sins. 

 

5. The gospel, the Word of Truth, the message of Jesus Christ, His death, burial and being raised from the dead, is God's message to the world. 

6. May we pray for our pastor's who teach, and preach the Word of God.

7. Not all who come to church are really open to and receptive to the Word of God, 

8. In fact, there are many who are out and out opposed to the Word of God, and they are in the church. 

9. We are living in the last days, and may very well be that generation that are taken up in the rapture to meet Jesus Christ. Let's live with that possibility in mind. 

Pastor Bob Grenier

Calvary Chapel Visalia